Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Liquid Jungle - Tiny Heaven
Liquid JungleTiny Heaven
Label: Self Released
Prog rock from Atlanta with a serious funk kick and some interesting quirks. The interplay of vocal harmonies amidst the disparate instrumental aptitudes serves to amplify the slurry of intriguing and beguiling musical intensities.
• Liquid Jungle WebsiteA Tortured Soul - Kiss of the Thorn
A Tortured SoulKiss of the Thorn
Label: Eyes Like Snow/Northern Silence Records
Operatic and progressive old-school gothic metal (ala Priest, King Diamond, Shadow’s Fall) from Milwaukee but signed to a German Label. Shadowy doom protruding from a festering pool of abstract progressions.
• A Tortured Soul WebsiteGiancarlo Vulcano - Vetro
Giancarlo VulcanoVetro
Label: Innova
An instrumental minimalist jazz excursion into mind-tantalizing guitar trysts and technical forays. This recording is the result of the composers involvement with Forecast Music from 2003-2005. For fans of Robert Fripp, Brian Eno, etc.
• Giancarlo Vulcano WebsiteJuno Reactor - Gods and Monsters
Juno ReactorGods and Monsters
Label: Metropolis Records
Genre crossing techno united by a vast array of amazing musicians.
• Juno Reactor Website • Juno Reactor WikiPeter Mathews - Far From Haggersville
Peter MathewsFar From Haggersville
Label: Trinema Meia
Award-winning, Madison-based film maker and musician brings us a soundtrack-type music and film CD with a real life puzzle to solve with actual gold coins as the potential payoff. Very intriguing concept!
• Peter Mathews WebsiteGomers - Mike Zirkel
GomersMike 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 Website • The Gomers WikiDevil's Slingshot - Clinophobia
Devil's SlingshotClinophobia
Label: Mascot Records
A breathtaking Super-Trio comprised of musical luminaries Tony MacAlpine, Billy Sheehan and Virgil Donail. As one would expect, they flex there impressive technical wizardry and musical prowess throughout this instrumental release with style, finesse and maturity.
- 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.
• WebsiteShowdown - Back Breaker
ShowdownBack Breaker
Label: Solid State Records
The 3rd time is the charm for this thrash/power/death metal group; their best yet! Utilizing powerful Greek myths as the lyrical basis for the songs provides an interesting and powerful tapestry of material to tap into. Good grooves and aural diversity.
• The Showdown WikiCribshitter - Cry A Little Rainbow
CribshitterCry 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…
Blackmore's Night - Secret Voyage
Blackmore's NightSecret Voyage
Label: SPV
Literally touring the planet, these 6 enchanting renaissance type minstrels are highlighted by the famed Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow, etc). This, their 9th release, displays an impassioned range of traditional and contemporary melodies. The CD packaging defies the style of music it contains.
• Blackmore's Night Website • Blackmore's Night WikiMastodon - Crack The Skye
MastodonCrack The Skye
Label: Reprise Records
Storming the progressive rock and metal scene with a fervor, diversity and originality heralded by few others. Their groundbreaking musical vision continues here by adapting a slight whirling psychedelic tinge to their entrancing metal megalith.
• Mastodon Website • Mastodon WikiView More
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