Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: Rock
Heilung - Lifa

Heilung - Lifa

Heilung
Lifa
Label: Season of Mist

Neofolk can take on many forms, but few are as decorated and enthralling as the spectacle that is Heilung. Lifa was recorded live at Castlefest 2017 and is the auditory compliment to the truly transformative performance given there. Throat singing, drumming, chanting and exquisite attire create a compelling Viking visage and platform for this music and group as they transport you through time and space with their bleak ritualistic ambiance and spiritual drone.

 

Heilung WebsiteHeilung Facebook

The Sword - Used Future

The Sword - Used Future

The Sword
Used Future
Label: Razor & Tie

What began as groovy galloping guitar driven stoner rock has taken nods towards classic heavy rock and added bluesy brambles to their vintage mileage as this Austin, TX band rides across endless highways headed towards often psychedelic horizons with a used future destination.

The The Sword WebsiteThe The Sword Facebook

Papadosio - Content Coma

Papadosio - Content Coma

Papadosio
Content Coma
Label: Self Released

This Asheville, NC band offered forth 30 ideas were coalesced utilizing an online collaborative platform (Spice) into what would become the diverse 12 track content of this musical commentary about our dependence on technology.  Recording in a professional recording studio created high quality production while spotlighting the talents of each individual musician, whether they spin tales of mellow psychedelia, indie psych rock, ambient instrumental jams or poignant pokes and jibes. Catch Papadosio at the Majestic Theatre on 11/3 with Evanoff

Papadosio WebsitePapadosio Facebook

Twenty One Pilots - Trench

Twenty One Pilots - Trench

Twenty One Pilots
Trench
Label: Fueled By Ramen

Bands with 2 billion+ hit videos are hard to ignore. That being said, this groups bizarre yet amazingly attractive conflagration of alt rock, hip hop, metal, and singer songwriter swings are often as confounding as they are comforting. But it works! Trench definitely captures their signature sound and approach, but simply isn’t quite as high strung as prior releases. It is still lyrically provoking though and offers a bunch of great songs and potential mega hits.

Twenty One Pilots WebsiteTwenty One Pilots FacebookTwenty One Pilots Wiki

Turkuaz - Life In The City

Turkuaz - Life In The City

Turkuaz
Life In The City
Label: Electric Habitat Music

Expressive and fun, this nonet from Brooklyn will blow your socks off with their energy poppin’ horns, strong jams and catchy rhythms. Dripping with splashes of funk, rock, alternative and R&B this group brings momentous energy and presence to Life In The City as well as their live shows wherever they may be found. Find em nearby on 11/15 at High Noon Saloon in Madison, WI

Turkuaz WebsiteTurkuaz Facebook

Imagine Dragons - Origins

Imagine Dragons - Origins

Imagine Dragons
Origins
Label: Interscope

What an album! These double platinum producing, Grammy winning pop icons deliver another masterpiece with several smash hits as well as several other songs (rounding out this 12 track release) that show off the evolution of their artistic diversity and depth, but not in the same predictable ways as their past releases. If you haven’t heard Natural, Bad Liar or Zero off this album, you will soon, as they are all destined to be classics!

Imagine Dragons WebsiteImagine Dragons Facebook

Dirtwire - Road Goes All Night

Dirtwire - Road Goes All Night

Dirtwire
Road Goes All Night
Label: Beats Antique Records

Sometimes instruments plays a big roll in what a recording sounds like and there are few releases that have more a unique sound than this. I saw them last fall at Shangri La Festival and they were quite enthralling thanks in part to Mark Reveley’s Whamola bass and Greek tanbur as well as Even Fraser’s Kamole ngoli and bass ngoli plus David Satori’s bowed banjo and guitarjo. Throw in a harmonica, and smear on some southwestern grit and the folktronica that this trio of talented multi-instrumentalists produce will excite and captivate!

Dirtwire WebsiteDirtwire Facebook

Andy Frasco & The UN - Change of Pace

Andy Frasco & The UN - Change of Pace

Andy Frasco & The UN
Change of Pace
Label: Fun Machine Records

Super fun and party forward, Andy Frasco & The UN have toured through 10 countries, average 250 shows per year and have somehow managed to output 10,000+ hours playing music. Change of Pace adds more soul to their fabulous freaky funk, showing off their natural evolution as a band, while not losing their edge or originality.

Andy Frasco & The UN WebsiteAndy Frasco & The UN Facebook

Sunsquabi - Instinct

Sunsquabi - Instinct

Sunsquabi
Instinct
Label: Sunsquabi

This Colorado based hydro funk trio really takes flight on their newest release. Each track instinctively takes on the name of a different animal or insect, led by a three-track series of singles “Caterpillar,” “Chrysalis,” and “Night Moth.” Technical wizardry shines on each track, propelled by signature wailing guitars, slithering synths and slap happy improvisational jams. Another blissful display of stunning sonic glory! Become part of their metamorphosis when you go see them (with Defunk) on 4/11 at Miramar Theater in Milwaukee, WI and 4/13 at the Majestic Theater in Madison, WI.

Sunsquabi WebsiteSunsquabi Facebook

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Infest The Rats’ Nest

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Infest The Rats’ Nest

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
Infest The Rats’ Nest
Label: ATO Records

Imagine you are in a quirky psych-pop band. Then someone turns you on to Slayer, Black Sabbath, Metallica and Motorhead. You decide to write an old school metal album. That’s what seems to have happened to KG&TLW (who are well known for genre hopping tendencies). This album is thrashing and heavy, with gruff metal vocals about environmental impact amid zany Slayer-ish solos. The Gizzard will never be the same. (8)   

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard WebsiteKing Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard FacebookKing Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Wiki

Opeth - In Cauda Venenum  

Opeth - In Cauda Venenum  

Opeth
In Cauda Venenum  
Label: Nuclear Blast

Delightfully delicious, dynamic and intense musical drama from Sweden’s one and only Opeth! Their 13th release is a double, offering these 10 engaging and enrapturing progressive rock and metal compositions sung first and foremost in Swedish, but then also including with English accompaniment. Every listen unveils new layers of breathtaking delicacy, interesting interludes and amazing musicianship. Bravo!

Opeth WebsiteOpeth Facebook

The Darkness - Easter Is Cancelled

The Darkness - Easter Is Cancelled

The Darkness
Easter Is Cancelled
Label: Cooking Vinyl Limited

Looking for a buff Savior just in time for Xmas? The obvious choice here would be the crotch-thrusting rock’n’roll group The Darkness! The sixth album from these British rockers still screams and strains with cheesy iconic hooks and riffin a plenty. Like a trip through the hairy 80s, the finger flying beginning gives way to the power ballads before apexing with anthemic fist pumpers. Good to go.

The The Darkness WebsiteThe The Darkness FacebookThe The Darkness Wiki

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