Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: Pop
Devo - Something For Everybody

Devo - Something For Everybody

Devo
Something For Everybody
Label: Warner Brothers

Outstanding! A triumphant and glorious rebirth of these 1980’s new wave icons. From top to bottom, song after song their quirky signature staccato synth pop rock finds renewed life in the new millennium. The biggest difference is their signature red energy dome hats are now blue! Album details were honed by their online community and the results shine.

Devo WebsiteDevo FacebookDevo Wiki

Beats Antique - Contraption Vol. II

Beats Antique - Contraption Vol. II

Beats Antique
Contraption Vol. II
Label: Antique Records

I’m pretty smitten with this prolific (7 releases in 5 years!) group. Dreamy alluring Middle Eastern and Gypsy melodies are married to equally intriguing electronic infusions. Add in violin, belly dancing, live drums and special DJ Pizazz, and viola! Brilliance. 

Beats Antique WebsiteBeats Antique FacebookBeats Antique Wiki

Unwoman - The Fires I Started

Unwoman - The Fires I Started

Unwoman
The Fires I Started
Label: self

Erica Mulkey is Unwoman, a popular and prolific San Francisco-based cellist-singer-songwriter that spices up the strings with electronic beats and attitude. With seven self-produced solo albums and six successful Kickstarter campaigns under her belt, she is turning herself into a musical icon thanks to all the fans she accumulates at the steampunk, goth, and sci-fi-related events that she highlights. 

Unwoman WebsiteUnwoman FacebookUnwoman Wiki

Wookiefoot - Ready or Not

Wookiefoot - Ready or Not

Wookiefoot
Ready or Not
Label: Wookiefoot (self)

Wookiefoot (one of my all time favorite bands!) continues on their cosmic musical consciousness exploration journey by offering another ever-evolving excursion into anthemic New Age-ish euphemisms gone hippy pop reggae bluegrass jam funk. Will they be the Shangri La for your soul too? Don’t miss their tour this fall!

Wookiefoot WebsiteWookiefoot Facebook

Michael Franti and Spearhead - All People

Michael Franti and Spearhead - All People

Michael Franti and Spearhead
All People
Label: Universal

Celebrating the beauty of diversity through peaceful, loving melodies and lyrics is a trademark of Franti and crew. Now, 8 studio albums in, Franti has still managed to cling to the peace-loving, socially active principals that propelled him to this point. Supremely danceable grooves and compelling anthemic pop delights will again and again have you on your feet and shaking your wild thang. See them on 9/25 at the Orpheum Theater in Madison, WI. 

Michael Franti and Spearhead WebsiteMichael Franti and Spearhead FacebookMichael Franti and Spearhead Wiki

Tal National - Kaani

Tal National - Kaani

Tal National
Kaani
Label: FatCat

Before becoming the national treasure and pop phenomenon of the West African country of Niger, Tal National honed their craft for 6 long years before recording their first release. Known for their playing all-night-long shows five nights a week in their native country, the band rose to huge success and are in high demand.

Kaani, their first international release, is sung all in Zarma, Haossa (Niger’s main languages), and French. It is a non-stop flurry of Afropop with dancing guitar melodies combined with traditional regional inflections and percussion plus touches of desert blues and soukous that deftly combines the traditional with the modern. Their first international tour stops on 9/21 in Milwaukee, WI at Global Union Festival: Humbolt Park Bandshell.

Tal National WebsiteTal National Facebook

Wildlight - The Tide

Wildlight - The Tide

Wildlight
The Tide
Label: Jumpsuit Records

Few releases have the magic that is found within the delicate interplay between the combined efforts of Ayla Nereo and David Sugalski (The Polish Ambassador).  You will find your mind dancing effortlessly on the dreamy floating folky vocals of Nereo while Sugalski pushes polished downtempo beats into your consciousness. Simple yet breathtaking.

Wildlight WebsiteWildlight Facebook

Kishi Bashi - String Quartet Live!

Kishi Bashi - String Quartet Live!

Kishi Bashi
String Quartet Live!
Label: Joyful Noise Recordings

Violin virtuoso, singer, and composer Kishi Bashi (aka K Ishibashi) soars to amazing heights fueled by the glorious foundation of an accompanying string ensemble that allow him to reimagine his award winning and critically acclaimed first two releases, 151a and Lighght through an orchestral pop lens. Through his experimental and unconventional song writing skills as well as his soaring voice, he has spilled his talent into ever more imaginative and rewarding compositional endeavors.

Kishi Bashi WebsiteKishi Bashi FacebookKishi Bashi Wiki

Kai Altair - Shapeshifter: Dreamwalker Remixes

Kai Altair - Shapeshifter: Dreamwalker Remixes

Kai Altair
Shapeshifter: Dreamwalker Remixes
Label: Kai Altair

Hailed as a ‘Modern Day Mermaid’, Kai Altair’s music is an ode to the ancient with futuristic flourishes and poppy etheric vocals. Featuring some of today’s top electronic high consciousness dj/producers (Desert Dwellers, Govinda, David Starfire, Kaminanda), and boasting a cover by Mugwort, this remix release is set to expound her wonders to a whole new audience in a whole new way.

Kai Altair WebsiteKai Altair FacebookKai Altair Wiki

Evanescence - Synthesis

Evanescence - Synthesis

Evanescence
Synthesis
Label: BMG

Focusing on orchestra and electronica, Synthesis revamps and recomposes the groups top hits, plus 2 new songs, into a full symphonic experience. The amazing Amy Lee is the conductor and focal point of this touring extravaganza, playing piano and singing her heart and soul into this highly acclaimed and award winning music. A grandiose occurrence!
Appearing on 12/5 at Orpheum Theater in Madison, WI.

Evanescence WebsiteEvanescence FacebookEvanescence Wiki

Datsik - Master of Shadows

Datsik - Master of Shadows

Datsik
Master of Shadows
Label: Firepower Records

Ninja dubstep DJ and producer Datsik is back on the attack with a fast punching EP set to take the scene by storm!  This high velocity release features collaborations with Excision, Dion Timmer, Virtual Riot, Ganja White Night and J Phelpz, so there is a lot of range and diversity within the spotlight. A great way to set your spring on fire! (9) Don your kimono and come experience his Ninja Nation tour on 3/13 at Orpheum Theater in Madison, WI with Space Jesus, Riot Ten and Carbin.

Datsik WebsiteDatsik FacebookDatsik Wiki

MITIS - ‘Till The End

MITIS - ‘Till The End

MITIS
‘Till The End
Label: Seeking Blue Records

After MitiS’ hard drive crashed without a backup 6 months or so ago, he was forced to redo most of what would become “Till The End. Rather than be defeated, this catalyst gave him the drive and desire to create one of the most amazing EDM releases of the year to date! His resulting approach has lots of attention to details woven into a timeless tapestry of melodic electronica. Additionally, he ups that anti by adding vocalists Gioto, Adara, Tedy, Lauren Hunter, PartyNails, and PRXZM to his mixes. Bravo!

MITIS WebsiteMITIS FacebookMITIS Wiki

View More

Viewing Page 3 - of 5

 < 1 2 3 4 5 >