Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: Year 2009
Almah - Fragile Equality

Almah - Fragile Equality

Almah
Fragile Equality
Label: Blistering Records

Well flavored and maturely tempered power metal featuring former Angra members. Robust guitar solos are intertwined with pulsating rhythms and urgent vocals justifying the quality and caliber of this melodic power metal fury.

Almah WebsiteAlmah Wiki

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…


Faces Of March - Confessions

Faces Of March - Confessions

Faces Of March
Confessions
Label: Kurfew Records

Even though this female fronted gothic tinged power metal outfit sways a bit heavy on the commercial side for me, they throw down some catchy tunes, decent ballads and a tight vision of their future. Onward!

Faces Of March Website

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

Laura Reed & Deep Pocket - Live At Tree Sound Studios

Laura Reed & Deep Pocket - Live At Tree Sound Studios

Laura Reed & Deep Pocket
Live At Tree Sound Studios
Label: Treeleaf Music

Recorded live for Pandora’s Music Genome Project, this soulful high energy crew, lead by energetic South African born female vocalist, blasts their way through a saucy selection of material, displaying their song talents plus banter and anecdotes to round out the experience.

Laura Reed & Deep Pocket Website

New Monarchs - Blueprints

New Monarchs - Blueprints

New Monarchs
Blueprints
Label: Soup Bowl Records

This Minneapolis duo generally generates dreamy electronic drone-scapes with nice genre flairs blistering into eruptions of trance, industrial, ambient and dance. Perfect for late night drives to nowhere.

The New Monarchs Website

Pelican - City of Echoes

Pelican - City of Echoes

Pelican
City of Echoes
Label: Hydra Head

Chicago born, hard hitting massive expansive rhythm-scapes filled with anxious doom and a crusty chagrin. Not all is lost though, as the musical twists and turns afford some blissful vistas via dynamic plateaus and sonic soliloquies.

Pelican Wiki

Siebenburgen - Revelation VI

Siebenburgen - Revelation VI

Siebenburgen
Revelation VI
Label: Blistering Records

Impending gothic doom gives way as a firestorm of melodic black metal is unleashed upon the listener. The vocals are more growled and gritty than screamed and there are nice female vocal flourishes. Even though it is well done, evokes sinister ambience, etc. black metal has become kinda stale at this point.

Siebenburgen WebsiteSiebenburgen Wiki

Televangelist And The Architect - There’s A Song In There Somewhere

Televangelist And The Architect - There’s A Song In There Somewhere

Televangelist And The Architect
There’s A Song In There Somewhere
Label: Undetected Plagiarism

Rampant with artistic flair, these slightly droll folk rockers force out a slurry of simple yet downtrodden melodies and meandering story lines for us to follow.

The Televangelist And The Architect Website

Various Artists - Made In Iceland

Various Artists - Made In Iceland

Various Artists
Made In Iceland
Label: Iceland Music Exporrt

Perhaps the chill weather of January makes you think of Iceland. If so, this compilation showcases 15 rising Icelandic stars. Quirky indie overtones pervade, but a nice overview of offerings for sure.

Various Artists Website

Casanatra - Death Ride

Casanatra - Death Ride

Casanatra
Death Ride
Label: Blue Worm Records

Two guitars and a drummer from St. Paul blasting out plush, post-grunge, groovy hard rock complimented with multiple melodic vocals and warm fuzzy tones. This band sounds better all the time!

Casanatra Website

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