Eclectic Vibes - May 2010
by Andrew Frey
Belle Vida Festival
First Festival Frolicings
May is the time to spiff up your summer gear and pop the cherry on the festival season so let’s get on it!
The WORT 89.9 FM Block Party is Sunday May 23 from 11am – 7pm. Although not one of the biggest Madison festivals, it arguably packs the best beer selection, thanks to selections on tap ranging dark to light from several local Breweries. In addition, the day is filled with great local vendors, kids activities and local music. It all takes place right next to the station at the corner of Bedford and Doty Street. www.wort-fm.org
Bella Vida Festival
A lot of old favorites are coming back to this years Bella festival, which takes place at the beautiful Harmony Park in Minnesota over Memorial Day weekend, but as always a few extra tasty treats are in store. Featured musical highlights include an appearance from legendary Door’s guitarist Robbie Kreiger with his band Roadhouse Rebels as well as the dancelicious duo Pretty Lights and the extraordinary Keller Williams. Other favorites also appearing are EOTO, Heatbox, That 1 Guy, The Histronic and Madison’s own Elf Lettuce. I can’t wait! www.bellamusicfest.com
MICRO REVIEWS:
This Month's Rating Scale is from 1- Trash to 10 Treasure
Alo - Man Of The World
Alo
Album title: Man Of The World
Record Label: Brushfire Records/Universal
Rating: 10
Sublimely mellow rock music tumbled with expertly crafted tale telling courtesy of 4 childhood friends. Since it was by Jack Johnson and recorded at his solar powered studio in Hawaii ALO scored the opening slot on Johnson’s summer tour including Alpine Valley 7/24 and River’s Edge 7/25 and I am thrilled more people will get to hear them.
(3522) Page Views
Alo online:
• Website • Facebook • Wiki
• Download Man Of The World from Amazon
• Purchase Man Of The World on Amazon
Bastard Saint - Homewrecker
Bastard Saint
Album title: Homewrecker
Record Label: Blue Worm Records
Rating: 8
Bludgeoning sludge rock born from the sweaty bars that this Minneapolis outfit has called home for years. Gruff stoner rock vocals are well interred amidst the swampy guitar grooves and heavy spongy rhythms.
(3205) Page Views
Bastard Saint online:
• Website • Facebook
• Download Homewrecker from Amazon
Bako Dagnon - Sibida
Bako Dagnon
Album title: Sibida
Record Label: Syllart Productions
Rating: 9
Bako Dadnon is a renowned vocalist. Known in her native land of Mali as the premier Mande musician as well as an acclaimed female griot (traditional singer/story teller) her voice leads with a confident power denoting the story teller that she is. Regardless of the language you speak, few vocalists have the command and attention she draws. All buffeted by percussive beds of electrified native rhythms.
(3189) Page Views
Bako Dagnon online:
• Facebook
• Download Sibida from Amazon
• Purchase Sibida on Amazon
Gamma Ray - To The Metal!
Gamma Ray
Album title: To The Metal!
Record Label: Earmusic
Rating: 6
Seeking to bridge the gap between past and present, these classic German speed metal minstrels deliver their 10th studio album in 21 years. Although the album manages to occasionally get me in the groove and will certainly please their fans, it simply doesn’t express anything that I haven’t heard numerous times before.
(3172) Page Views
Gamma Ray online:
• Website • Facebook • Wiki
• Download To The Metal! from Amazon
• Purchase To The Metal! on Amazon
Wes Hamil - White Man Red Road
Wes Hamil
Album title: White Man Red Road
Record Label: Babamuse
Rating: 10
Envisioned as a soundtrack for a movie with the same title, Hamil musically introduces us to the award winning culminations of his spirit quests and journeys through Native American ceremonies which ultimately afforded him the opportunity to being a sun dancer. Tribal chants are woven into the guitar driven songs producing a delectably catchy, memorable and enlightening experience.
(3283) Page Views
Wes Hamil online:
• Website • Facebook
• Download White Man Red Road from Amazon
• Purchase White Man Red Road on Amazon
Just A Band - 82
Just A Band
Album title: 82
Record Label: Akwaaba Music
Rating: 8
Mellow moods shift in the glimmering of an emotion with embellishments of contemporary down tempo ethics. These 3 musicians from Kenya were all born in 1982, hence the name. Most songs were constructed and concocted within the influence of 80s synth pop while injected with ethnic grooves.
(3128) Page Views
Just A Band online:
• Website • Facebook • Wiki
• Download 82 from Amazon
• Purchase 82 on Amazon
The Pints - First Round
The Pints
Album title: First Round
Record Label: Self Released
Rating: 8
Having played around the Madison area for several years, this jiggy Irish and Celtic loving septet brandishes 13 traditional ditties infused with their own dynamic flings and spills. Don’t forget your dancing shoes, kilt and designated driver!
(3178) Page Views
The The Pints online:
• Website
Brian Posehn - Fart and Weiner Jokes
Brian Posehn
Album title: Fart and Weiner Jokes
Record Label: Relaps Records
Rating: 8
A quirky comedy album covering diverse and morose topics ranging from metal music, video games and low self esteem to porn, pot and much more. He is billed as ‘The Slayer of Comedy” so go ahead and laugh your metal asses off!
(4152) Page Views
Brian Posehn online:
• Website • Facebook • Wiki
• Download Fart and Weiner Jokes from Amazon
• Purchase Fart and Weiner Jokes on Amazon
Radio Free Clear Light - Isula
Radio Free Clear Light
Album title: Isula
Record Label: Black Note Music
Rating: 8
A weekly San Francisco electronic experiment in progress. These improvisational numbers captured here show a poetic flow of dubtronic notions brimming with interest and flair while allowing the tools at hand to flower into many vibrational shapes and colors.
(3243) Page Views
Radio Free Clear Light online:
• Website • Facebook
• Download Isula
• Purchase Isula
Vintage Burning - Disturbing The Balance
Vintage Burning
Album title: Disturbing The Balance
Record Label: dbmusic
Rating: 7
Explosive and intense metal blasting through the musical sediment with serious emotional release. Vocalist ‘Ames’ shows off a nice range of her vocal abilities from growls and screams to soaring and smooth. Overall however, the abundance of lead and backing screamo vocals detracts from the grooves and quickly turns enjoyment into annoyance.
(4145) Page Views
The Vintage Burning online:
• Facebook
Warbeast - Krush The Enemy
Warbeast
Album title: Krush The Enemy
Record Label: Housecore Records
Rating: 9
Blistering old school thrashing metal delivered at break neck speed and with maximum intensity. I wax nostalgic as I hear vocalist Bruce Corbitt (ex-Rigor Mortis) grate and growl the lyrics as in days long gone by. Produced by label head Philip Anselmo.
(3155) Page Views
Warbeast online:
• Website • Facebook
• Purchase Krush The Enemy on Amazon