Eclectic Vibes - August 2009
by Andrew Frey
The Big Wu
The whirlwind of entertainment and activities that July presented has come to completion leaving in its wake the yawning festival spawn of August. From Summerfest to Big Wu Family Reunion to 10KLF along with MANY other options, the 7th month was rife with opportunities to experience music and music related activities on numerous levels. If you missed out, you missed out!
My month was highlighted by great performances from the guitar sensations Rodrigo y Gabriela at an otherwise lackluster day of music at Summerfest; Antioquia and the vocal phenomenon Heatbox at the poorly attended Big Wu Family Reunion at Harmony Park in MN plus a stunning Wookiefoot performance and surprising Dave Matthews Band show at the intense 10,000 Lakes Festival in Detroit Lakes, MN.
MICRO REVIEWS:
This Month's Rating Scale is from 1 - Flaccid to 10 - Rigid
Arkaea - Years In The Darkness
Arkaea
Album title: Years In The Darkness
Record Label: E1 Entertainment
Rating: 5
Terse, intense and vibrant industrialized death metal from Fear Factory alumni Raymond Herrera and Christian Old Wolbers. Although incorporating proven Fear Factory stylings which fans will certainly enjoy overall I find the release safe, repetitive and formulaic.
(3949) Page Views
Arkaea online:
• Wiki
• Download Years In The Darkness from Amazon
• Purchase Years In The Darkness on Amazon
Damon Fowler - Sugar Shack
Damon Fowler
Album title: Sugar Shack
Record Label: Blind Pig Records
Rating: 9
A new face from Brandon, FL that should soon be seen and recognized with classic swampy blues masters like Sonny Landreth, and Luther Allison, etc. Operating with an air of restraint, but fully able to crank it out this is one bluesman who brings the entire package.
(3510) Page Views
Damon Fowler online:
• Website
• Download Sugar Shack from Amazon
• Purchase Sugar Shack on Amazon
Mile Marker Zero - Mile Marker Zero
Mile Marker Zero
Album title: Mile Marker Zero
Record Label: Self Released
Rating: 9
Spinning impressive progressive rock adventures is undeniably the calling for this Connecticut quintet. An eclectic epic soundstream is forged around the lyrics that enjoy the dichotomy of life’s many lessons while thriving on the energy of the experience.
(3936) Page Views
Mile Marker Zero online:
• Website
• Download Mile Marker Zero from Amazon
Teddy Presberg - Outcries From A Sea Of Red
Teddy Presberg
Album title: Outcries From A Sea Of Red
Record Label: Self Released
Rating: 9
Whispering sweet psychedelic nothings through his jazz grooved riffs and soulful guitar funk has opened a vast arena of excitement for the followers of this instrumental bluesman. Responsible for a multitude of repeated plays.
(4833) Page Views
Teddy Presberg online:
• Website
Rhythm Devils - The Concert Experience DVD
Rhythm Devils
Album title: The Concert Experience DVD
Record Label: RED Distribution
Rating: 9
The ultimate percussion focused jam band experience in a 2 DVD set! This super group founded and led by Grateful Dead drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart also features Mike Gordon, Steve Kimock, Jen Durkin, and Sikiru Adepojun. Obligatory psychedelic imagery is woven throughout the entrancing multi instrumental multi sensory experience.
(3634) Page Views
The Rhythm Devils online:
• Website • Wiki
• Purchase The Concert Experience DVD on Amazon
Shadows Fall - Retribution
Shadows Fall
Album title: Retribution
Record Label: Ferret Music
Rating: 8
Throwing together aggressive vocals and neck wrecking riffs and rhythms while whipping up a wild and entertaining stage show has been a quite effective formula for this twice Grammy nominated outfit. Now to up the ante, they are introducing their own record label!
(3343) Page Views
Shadows Fall online:
• Website • Wiki
• Purchase Retribution on Amazon
The Upper Crust - Revenge For Imagined Slights
The Upper Crust
Album title: Revenge For Imagined Slights
Record Label: Camp Street Records
Rating: 7
Hard rock performance artists utilizing the mighty power of parody in conjunction with their stage attire of powdered wigs and regal 18th century wardrobe produces humorous results. Available only as a digital download.
(4335) Page Views
The Upper Crust online:
• Website • Wiki
• Download Revenge For Imagined Slights from Amazon
TYR - By The Light Of The Northern Star
TYR
Album title: By The Light Of The Northern Star
Record Label: Napalm/SPV
Rating: 10
Viking Metal by actual Vikings! Named after the God of War and Justice, this inspiring Faroese quartet brings us pagan metal anthems/hymns galore! Their folk metal attack is awakened and filled with vibrant traditional harmonies while telling tales of the Viking struggle against the horrors of Christianity and it’s bloody Crusades that were forced upon them.
(3355) Page Views
TYR online:
• Download By The Light Of The Northern Star from Amazon
• Purchase By The Light Of The Northern Star on Amazon
Valina - A tempo! A tempo!
Valina
Album title: A tempo! A tempo!
Record Label: Joyful Noise Recordings
Rating: 7
The technical artsty rock that this Austrian trio purveys sways from booming and brain scratching mega riffs to experimental rock plateaus with indeterminate attitudes. Math rock produced by Chicago’s Steve Albini.
(3398) Page Views
Valina online:
• Website • Wiki
• Purchase A tempo! A tempo! on Amazon