Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: Year 2009
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

From The Inside - Visions

From The Inside - Visions

From The Inside
Visions
Label: Blistering Records

Heavily influenced by his recent acoustic slot opening for Journey, this studio brainchild of Danny Vaughn (ex-Tyketto) is overflowing with well written, well produced, radio friendly, melodic rock.

From The Inside WebsiteFrom The Inside Wiki

Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate - Seventy Five (75)

Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate - Seventy Five (75)

Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate
Seventy Five (75)
Label: Heads Up

Deep reaching double live disc recorded in Lugano, Switzerland culminating the 75 year career of Joe Zawinal who passed on Sept 11, 2007. This world music with a smooth, intricate and innovative jazz backbone also highlights a wide variety of performers and instruments with wide reaching influences.

Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate WebsiteJoe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate Wiki

Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Live! (DVD)

Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Live! (DVD)

Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Live! (DVD)
Label: Heads Up

The amazing harmony acapella vocals of this group have been heard the world over for over 30 years. Filmed in Akron, Ohio in 2008 this DVD puts recent faces to the voices. 14 songs plus an in-depth interview with the group’s founder, leader and musical director Joseph Shabalala.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo WebsiteLadysmith Black Mambazo Wiki

Larkin Grimm - Parplar

Larkin Grimm - Parplar

Larkin Grimm
Parplar
Label: Young God Records

Elements of folk, electronica and ultra eclecticism race like wildfire to stoke the pyres of originality and imagination with   astounding results. Her ribald lyrical whit slaps the listeners as sharply a whip and the rhythms worm deliciously into your brain. A real wild one!

APPEARING LIVE 2/17 at The Frequency in Madison; 2/19 at Stonefly Brewery in Milwaukee; 2/20 at Turf Club in St. Paul, MN.

Larkin Grimm WebsiteLarkin Grimm Wiki

Merlot - Insipid Emaciation

Merlot - Insipid Emaciation

Merlot
Insipid Emaciation
Label: Barbarian Records

With drum beats so fast I had to laugh, this bleak black metal vision, spewn from some undisclosed Illinois location, buzzes and hums with discordant maneuvers of rhythm, tension and noise. The vocals are choked, scraped and scourged against the manic noise-scape tundra and left to fend for themselves. Wow.


Sugar Red Drive - Sugar Red Drive

Sugar Red Drive - Sugar Red Drive

Sugar Red Drive
Sugar Red Drive
Label: Self Released

As this young band heartily strives to dip into the commercial hard rock pop mélange, they have fashioning a non descript sound featuring post Seattle style vocal crooning and an unimpressive set of sappy rhythms and grooves that get gummed up with overproduction and lack of originality. Sugar overdose?

Sugar Red Drive Website

Steven Halpern - Relaxation Suite

Steven Halpern - Relaxation Suite

Steven Halpern
Relaxation Suite
Label: Inner Peace Music

Sound and vibrational healing techniques were pioneered by Halpern, the worlds leading composer of healing and relaxation music. This time he has chosen to funnel the healing energy mostly through a piano, with a number other choice instruments woven in. Blissful.

Steven Halpern WebsiteSteven Halpern Wiki

Volbeat - Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood

Volbeat - Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood

Volbeat
Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood
Label: Mascot Records

A Danish group that has refined their Misfits meets Pantera musical style to include a stronger punk-a-billy attitude with more gang vocals while still maintaining their hep cat swagger and stance. Slick, resourceful and fun.

Volbeat WebsiteVolbeat Wiki

Al Conti - Scheherazade

Al Conti - Scheherazade

Al Conti
Scheherazade
Label: Shadowside Music

Utilizing the legendary tales of 1001 Arabian nights is a sure bet for a theme and Conti supports the legends with ambient Middle Eastern musical structures while embellishing his work with exotic instruments and captivating arrangements. Escape to another world.

Al Conti WebsiteAl Conti Wiki

Burn Sand Burn - Not In Reverse

Burn Sand Burn - Not In Reverse

Burn Sand Burn
Not In Reverse
Label: Gary the “Landlord” Records

This 3 piece spawn of Denver, CO gleefully cranks out spunky punk/post punk utterances that twirl tales of melodic indie pop platitudes into a vision of an energetic now.

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