Eclectic Vibes - April 2010

by Andrew Frey

Pretty Lights

Pretty Lights

PRETTY LIGHTS SPARKLING RETURN
Are you ready for another light stick jamboree? I sure am! Some of the best shows I saw in 2009 were put on by the electronic duo known as Pretty Lights and I expect 2010 to be another glorious body waving experience. The tasty retro tidbit samples flowing over contemporary techno treats is an enthralling occurrence and not to be missed. Don’t forget, you can download ALL the Pretty Lights music FREE (with optional donation) at www.prettylightsmusic.com Hope you got your tickets early cause the show is already SOLD OUT! Barrymore Theatre Sat 4/10 and

SLEEPYTIME GORILLA MUSEUM
FINALLY! This illustrious ensemble of progressive dark experimental musicians at last swings through our area and makes a first ever Madison appearance. SGM has been painting the night with their theatrics since 1999 with their genre romping specialties and we are so delighted they are out and about again. 4/16 Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis, MN; 4/17 UW Madison; 4/18 Bottom Lounge, Chicago, IL. www.sleepytimegorillamuseum.com


MICRO REVIEWS:
This Month's Rating Scale is from 1 – Miserable to 10 - Euphoric

Adam Green - Musik For A Play

Adam Green - Musik For A Play

Adam Green

Album title: Musik For A Play
Record Label: Contraphonic
Rating: 8

“Musik For A Play” Curious, quick and quirky compositions with the natural ambience and dynamics of a soundtrack. Guitar and piano driven melodies wind the loops of pensive introspection to effervesce into flowers of simplistic independence and flourish.

(3090) Page Views

Adam Green online:
WebsiteWiki


Purchase Musik For A Play on Amazon



Jimi Hendrix - Valleys Of Neptune

Jimi Hendrix - Valleys Of Neptune

Jimi Hendrix

Album title: Valleys Of Neptune
Record Label: Sony Legacy
Rating: 8

Hendrix is an undeniable legend, but this release is just a side note to his legacy. The few actual newly reconstructed songs are mixed with alternate versions of prior released songs. Although it sounds great and it is a great talking point, I am left only partially satisfied while thinking this was mostly for the moola, not the art.

(3071) Page Views

Jimi Hendrix online:
WebsiteWiki

Download Valleys Of Neptune from Amazon
Purchase Valleys Of Neptune on Amazon



Lokesh - Utopia

Lokesh - Utopia

Lokesh

Album title: Utopia
Record Label: Moonrise Records
Rating: 9

A bright minded DJ born in New Delhi but residing in San Fransisco. If you are compelled to visit mystical realms of pleasantly enveloping world spanning ethno electronica, then this would be a fascinating and fantastic place to start.

(3308) Page Views

Lokesh online:

Download Utopia from Amazon
Purchase Utopia on Amazon



Juan Maclean - DJ Kicks

Juan Maclean - DJ Kicks

Juan Maclean

Album title: DJ Kicks
Record Label: !k7
Rating: 9

Highly danceable house music culled from the global panorama of beat friendly options mixed live on two turntables and stratified by one of today’s more relevant electronic aficionados. The constantly motivating bass and conscientious samples further enhance the package.

(3071) Page Views

Juan Maclean online:
WebsiteWiki

Download DJ Kicks from Amazon
Purchase DJ Kicks on Amazon



Mind.In.A.Box - Retro

Mind.In.A.Box - Retro

Mind.In.A.Box

Album title: Retro
Record Label: Metropolis Records
Rating: 7

Featured here are 11 crafty conjurations utilizing Commodore 64 sounds and themes that are reflected, magnified and re-inspired through current dark synthpop style electronica. This targeted computer music time capsule will thrill those with Commodore 64 memories while mystifying or enlightening those who don’t.

(3074) Page Views

Mind.In.A.Box online:
WebsiteWiki


Purchase Retro on Amazon



Next Stop... Soweto - Township Sounds From the Golden Age of Mbaqanga

Next Stop... Soweto - Township Sounds From the Golden Age of Mbaqanga

Next Stop... Soweto

Album title: Township Sounds From the Golden Age of Mbaqanga
Record Label: Strut Records
Rating: 8

20 unreleased tracks of rare and obscure 60s-70s compositions from South Africa producing a brief historical overview of the infectious rhythms and jazz inspired beats that were energizing the townships at the time. The wonderful variety of vocals and local styles on this first of 3 volumes make this a winner in any era.

(3051) Page Views

Next Stop... Soweto online:
Website

Download Township Sounds From the Golden Age of Mbaqanga from Amazon
Purchase Township Sounds From the Golden Age of Mbaqanga on Amazon



Mike Patton - Mondo Cane

Mike Patton - Mondo Cane

Mike Patton

Album title: Mondo Cane
Record Label: Ipecac Recordings
Rating: 10

Continuing to push limits, this incredible vocalist who has fronted numerous bands (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, etc) and co-started the Ipecac Record label, finds himself embedded in the midst of an impressive 20 piece orchestra plying his oral delights in Italian. Experimental yet fun, upbeat, cohesive and quite listenable.

(3094) Page Views

Mike Patton online:
WebsiteWiki

Download Mondo Cane from Amazon
Purchase Mondo Cane on Amazon



Prizzy Prizzy Please - Chroma Cannon

Prizzy Prizzy Please - Chroma Cannon

Prizzy Prizzy Please

Album title: Chroma Cannon
Record Label: Joyful Noise Recordings
Rating: 7

Edgy caterwauling punk n roll concoctions from Chicago enhanced with saxophone, grit, humor, and consternation. The raucous and raspy vocals fuel the brimstone and forthright intensity blasted through their song melodies and overall presentation.

(3137) Page Views

Prizzy Prizzy Please online:
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Download Chroma Cannon from Amazon
Purchase Chroma Cannon on Amazon



Rare Blend - Sessions

Rare Blend - Sessions

Rare Blend

Album title: Sessions
Record Label: Tough Steam Music
Rating: 7

An instrumental triple threat showing off multiple aspects of their musical prowess and personality via tracks from stage, studio and film. Having already maintained for 15 years, this progressive jazz/jam/fusion group here highlights a solid panorama of their capabilities and strengths.

(2932) Page Views

Rare Blend online:
Website

Download Sessions from Amazon
Purchase Sessions on Amazon



Sora - Heartwood

Sora - Heartwood

Sora

Album title: Heartwood
Record Label: Corvid Media
Rating: 8

Soothing and refreshing Celtic music spearheaded by this traditionally styled vocalist. Her voice twinkles with delicate splashes of vibrato amidst the lushly melodic atmospheres that bloom from the emotional tales told as the panorama of instruments unfolds.

(2944) Page Views

Sora online:
WebsiteFacebook

Download Heartwood from Amazon
Purchase Heartwood on Amazon



Testament - Formation of Damnation

Testament - Formation of Damnation

Testament

Album title: Formation of Damnation
Record Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Rating: 8

Abiding by their time honored thrash metal traditions, this legendary Bay Area group blasts your brain with another healthy dose of neck wrecking classics. Originally released in 2008, now reborn and re-released as a deluxe package including a second 4 song DVD disc.

(2939) Page Views

Testament online:
WebsiteWiki

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