Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: Wisconsin
Gomers - Mike Zirkel

Gomers - Mike Zirkel

Gomers
Mike Zirkel
Label: Beeftone

Beloved hometown Madison quirk-nauts spew forth a beguiling array of witty song spins. From utilizing every town in Wisconsin as lyrical fodder to showcasing such guest musicians as Adrian Belew and Robert Fripp, they delight and frolic in the asinine as well as the sublime.

The Gomers WebsiteThe Gomers Wiki

Stealin Strings - Waves

Stealin Strings - Waves

Stealin Strings
Waves
Label: Hot Dog Records

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.

Stealin Strings Website

8889 - Zoology

8889 - Zoology

8889
Zoology
Label: Self Released

Singer/songwriter styled alt/indie rock from Madison. This follow-up to their MAMA winning debut album finds a well-defined, well-thought through chunk of moody alt music. For my ear candy I prefer a bit more intensity and cleverness.

8889 Website

 - Drown Out The Daylights

- Drown Out The Daylights


Drown Out The Daylights
Label: Crustacean Records

Highlighting the cream of their musical crop, Crustacean Records (Wisconsin’s most prolific and longest lasting punk/indie label) provides us with a double DVD visual vanguard for 10 of their most amazing performers. Over 2 ½ hours long with tons of extras.

Website

Cyberchump - Our Wizards Of Earth

Cyberchump - Our Wizards Of Earth

Cyberchump
Our Wizards Of Earth
Label: Internal Combustion

Two extremely equipped psychedelic musicians from Milwaukee utilize their gaggle of instruments to produce a fascinating albeit quirky electronic soundscape repertoire with rooms and areas to float, groove, slide. A vibrant undercurrent of leading and teasing sound strings tie the listener to the musical affirmations driving the concepts.

Cyberchump WebsiteCyberchump Wiki

Judgehydrogen - Cult of Blood

Judgehydrogen - Cult of Blood

Judgehydrogen
Cult of Blood
Label: Rising Oculus Records

Hair raising atmospheres gurgling with virulent doom struck metal. This macabre one man project, bred in Middleton, WI, produces primal disturbances in the creep-a-dellic frequency spectrum while profanely exercising a deep gothic vocal pleasure. Seriously dark.

Judgehydrogen Website

Natty Nation - Reincarnation

Natty Nation - Reincarnation

Natty Nation
Reincarnation
Label: iNatty Records

Madison reggae legends blast the Midwest with more of their infectiously buoyant rhythms and hip hoppin’ hybrid temptations. Lyrically mixing Jah philosophy with various related paths of mysticism allows for new spiritual perspectives for which their music may glide on.

Natty Nation WebsiteNatty Nation Wiki

 - Theories of Tension

- Theories of Tension


Theories of Tension
Label: Self Released

A many faceted award winning Madison based metal outfit that throws down some prog rock, math rock and extreme jazz compositions in an aspiring manner. Somehow the recording is loose/rough/thin in a few areas which diminishes the exuberant talent contained here.

Website

Trin-Tran - Grows A Rose

Trin-Tran - Grows A Rose

Trin-Tran
Grows A Rose
Label: Animalman Records

Hyper maniacal one man band and visual spectacle. Very quirky keyboard riffs are spanked by punchy drums and nonsensical lyrics. Not for the faint of heart or the musical purist.


Cribshitter - Cry A Little Rainbow

Cribshitter - Cry A Little Rainbow

Cribshitter
Cry A Little Rainbow
Label: Medicated G Records

Wow! 30 tracks of hilarious musical debauchery and mayhem. Madison brews them eclectic and this is right up there. Careening from poppy punk to country then retro electronica plus various other tangents du jour, all with a squinter of a rainbow in their eyes…


James Eisele - Coming Into A New Age

James Eisele - Coming Into A New Age

James Eisele
Coming Into A New Age
Label: Self Released

Sly, cool, and swinging jazz temptations are blown about by the blues guitar backbone this artist is known for. At some points I think I am listening to some forgotten Burl Ives record or something.

James Eisele Website

La Otra Banda - Cuatro Tunes

La Otra Banda - Cuatro Tunes

La Otra Banda
Cuatro Tunes
Label: Sanjonero records

A trio of musicians originally from Venezuela, now slowly transplanting to Madison, bring us a teaser of their world beat amalgamation of South American melodies purposely infected with global influences.

La Otra Banda Website

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