Eclectic Vibes - June 2008

by Andrew Frey

Lazy River Music & Arts Festival June 27 - 29, 2008 in Elgin Illinois, just outside of Chicago

Lazy River Music & Arts Festival June 27 - 29, 2008 in Elgin Illinois, just outside of Chicago

Been doing some traveling on this end. How about you? Too many great festivals not to partake in some. Do yourself a favor and find out what they are all about.

The Festi Di Bella Sol kicked ass! The vibes at Harmony Park were awesome, the music was great and the new friends made will last a lifetime. Saturday was windy, but it worked to the advantage of the man who created the single most buzz at the event, That 1 Guy. A certain rhythmic magic set him apart from the rest. He and his “Magic Pipe” were in top form and the lasers and fog allowed him to show off his very NOW music. Top billed Buckethead played an amazing and long set plus there were so, so many other fantastic musical and artistic happenings that played out throughout the event. I can’t wait till next year!

The WORT 89.9 FM Block Party was a smash this year. As always, the beer was fantastic and the music was hot. My afternoon was highlighted musically by Madison’s “Vibe Syndicate,” who’s laidback, rhythm and soul was spun with a tasty layer of smooth and sultry jazz, funk, and hip hop. Normally wouldn’t necessarily be my thing, but thanks to the sensational vocals of Carolynn Black their delivery was polished, posh and really took flight. Their latest release is called, “Check Yourself” and delivers equally as well as the live version. [www.vibesyndicate.com]

Stay tuned for the recently released Lazy River Music and Arts Festival June 27 - 29 in South Elgin, IL which features 20 bands over 3 days including Son Volt, EOTO, Family Groove Company, Banyan, Rusted Root, and Ekoostik Hookah.
www.lazyrivermusic.com


MICRO REVIEWS:
This Month's Rating Scale is from 1- Butthole thru 10 - Blast Off

Brass Kings - Washboard Rope Guitar

Brass Kings - Washboard Rope Guitar

Brass Kings

Album title: Washboard Rope Guitar
Record Label: Dream Horse Music
Rating: 9

As the title suggests, this simple yet catchy and heartfelt music is generated mostly using a washboard, a rope (washtub bass) and a (resophonic) guitar by a trio of freethinking musicians. Nostalgic yet somehow contemporary.

(3855) Page Views

The Brass Kings online:
Website

Download Washboard Rope Guitar from Amazon
Purchase Washboard Rope Guitar on Amazon



Company Band - Sign Here, Here, and Here

Company Band - Sign Here, Here, and Here

Company Band

Album title: Sign Here, Here, and Here
Record Label: Venture Capital Records
Rating: 7

A four song aperitif to announce the formation of this sludge/stoner rock super-group. They are Neil Fallon (Clutch), Jess Margera (CKY), James Rota (Fireball Ministry), Jason Diamond (Puny Human) and Dave Bone. Because of Fallon‘s distinct vocals, it sounds a bit like Clutch. Time will tell what their tongue in cheek corporate sound evolves into.

(3742) Page Views

The Company Band online:
WebsiteWiki


Purchase Sign Here, Here, and Here on Amazon



EOTO - Razed

EOTO - Razed

EOTO

Album title: Razed
Record Label: Sci Fidelity Records
Rating: 10

Funky swirls of patterned rhythms bump and repel through electronic sound-scapes that fly free with an air of jam-tronic completion and trip-hop contemplation. Jason Hann and Michael Travis (of STRING CHEESE INCIDENT) are the synthesizing musical musculature that weaves this craft to consciousness. Live, they are 100% improvisational, creating a unique experience nightly.

(3731) Page Views

EOTO online:
WebsiteWiki

Download Razed from Amazon


Future Lisa - Clone

Future Lisa - Clone

Future Lisa

Album title: Clone
Record Label: Future Noise Records
Rating: 6

Although occasionally accompanied by others, the vision of this Minneapolis rock n roll outfit is inspired, delivered and directed by one die hard woman flaunting affections for vaudevillian flairs amidst spoken poetry/vocals and life story rock rants.

(3948) Page Views

Future Lisa online:
Website

Download Clone from Amazon
Purchase Clone on Amazon



Madeoutofbabies - The Ruiner

Madeoutofbabies - The Ruiner

Madeoutofbabies

Album title: The Ruiner
Record Label: The End Records
Rating: 8

Flecks of industrial and dirge metal are taunted and disrupted with waves of harsh a-tonal melodic contradictions and moody female vocals. The pummeling complexities almost overwhelm their creative rage.

(3658) Page Views

Madeoutofbabies online:
Website




Schoolyard Heroes - Abominations

Schoolyard Heroes - Abominations

Schoolyard Heroes

Album title: Abominations
Record Label: Stolen Transmission
Rating: 9

Pummeling soliloquies of the disturbed that are frayed at the ends and don’t meet the musical quota of most genres. Often rebuking like a caged creature, the female vocals pry at the listeners sanity while questioning the paradigms of societal structure and norms.

(3585) Page Views

Schoolyard Heroes online:
WebsiteWiki


Purchase Abominations on Amazon



Genji Siraisi - Surviving Freedom: Uncensored Remixes & Naughty Bits

Genji Siraisi - Surviving Freedom: Uncensored Remixes & Naughty Bits

Genji Siraisi

Album title: Surviving Freedom: Uncensored Remixes & Naughty Bits
Record Label: Expansion Team Records
Rating: 9

These 7 Tracks of subtle and unassuming electronica with a smooth flow and quirky backbone are revamps taken from this Groove Collective drummer’s prior “Censorshit” release. Interesting and entertaining.

(3759) Page Views

Genji Siraisi online:

Download Surviving Freedom: Uncensored Remixes & Naughty Bits from Amazon


Stealin Strings - Waves

Stealin Strings - Waves

Stealin Strings

Album title: Waves
Record Label: Hot Dog Records
Rating: 9

With a new bassist under their belt, these rising rockin’ bluegrass pompadours are once again making their way through the festival circuit this summer. They were the only band I noticed at Bella Sol that was given the opportunity due to their versatility, depth of sound and song content to play a set on the main stage plus an acoustic set on the tent stage.

(3750) Page Views

Stealin Strings online:
Website

Download Waves from Amazon
Purchase Waves on Amazon



Testament - The Formation of Damnation

Testament - The Formation of Damnation

Testament

Album title: The Formation of Damnation
Record Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Rating: 9

Continuing to build on their impressive 25 year career with this vibrant neck-wrecking thrash blast from the past. Lyrically it is driven by contemporary issues. The lineup is fantastic and so is their sonic attack.

(3403) Page Views

Testament online:
WebsiteWiki

Download The Formation of Damnation from Amazon
Purchase The Formation of Damnation on Amazon



Totimoshi - Milagrosa

Totimoshi - Milagrosa

Totimoshi

Album title: Milagrosa
Record Label: Volcom Entertainment
Rating: 9

Valliant variations of texture, rhythm and raw emotional fortitude underscored by gravitational guitar playing and a sinister urgency propel the output of this Bay Area based and proudly Latin outfit to another dimension.

(3393) Page Views

Totimoshi online:
WebsiteWiki


Purchase Milagrosa on Amazon