Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: Year 2009
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.


Eisbrecher - Sünde

Eisbrecher - Sünde

Eisbrecher
Sünde
Label: Metropolis Records

Not all German industrial metal bands sound like Rammstein, but these folks sure do. The unyielding throbbing metal marches form a platform for the foreboding deep German vocals that are barked with a crisp snap.

Eisbrecher WebsiteEisbrecher Wiki

Julie The Band - An Act Of Communication

Julie The Band - An Act Of Communication

Julie The Band
An Act Of Communication
Label: Baby Bird Records

Effervescent and artsy alt-rock that floats from the extremes of lush etheric choir vocals to abrupt post-punk skewered beats. A horn section adds depth and flavor to this eclectic mix.

Julie The Band Website

Luna Mortis - The Absence

Luna Mortis - The Absence

Luna Mortis
The Absence
Label: Century Media

Displaying a polished melodic thrash attack, this Madison quintet marks the major metal scene in a big way! Fronted by a metal maiden and cajoling intricate yet cohesive fretboards furies into the neckwrecking percussion finds solid grounding here.

Luna Mortis Wiki

Mariah Parker - Sangria

Mariah Parker - Sangria

Mariah Parker
Sangria
Label: Ancient Future Music

Spicy tantalizing flamenco melodies cross pollinate with East Indian rhythms that beg to be imbibed in while a gentle warm breeze rustles your hair. Jazzy flirtations permeate the world music foray and are focused by Parkers poignant piano (or santur) accentuations.

Mariah Parker Website

Matthew Montfort - Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar

Matthew Montfort - Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar

Matthew Montfort
Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar
Label: Ancient Future Music

Being aptly titled to describe the non vocal guitar wizardry on this debut release from award winning Ancient Future band leader manages to expose his proficiencies and improvisational skills. Although well executed and technically proficient, the serenades are a tad on the dry side overall

Matthew Montfort WebsiteMatthew Montfort Wiki

Randy Granger - A Place Called Peace

Randy Granger - A Place Called Peace

Randy Granger
A Place Called Peace
Label: Dogsense Music

Serene and meditative Native American flutes are melded and invoked above a percussive platform including Native drums and djembe plus the unique UFO shaped Hang drum. Perfect accompaniment for a blazing summer sunset.

Randy Granger Website

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