Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: Year 2009
Darkest Hour - Eternal Return

Darkest Hour - Eternal Return

Darkest Hour
Eternal Return
Label: Victory Records

Rolling and thundering melodic metal with a fair amount of technical wizardry ta boot! Born in the mid 90s, the band was among the first to combine their American hardcore/punk fury with the Swedish death metal sound and is the lineage that still propels their music.

Darkest Hour WebsiteDarkest Hour Wiki

Dope Stars Inc - 21st Century Slave

Dope Stars Inc - 21st Century Slave

Dope Stars Inc
21st Century Slave
Label: Metropolis Records

Integrating the enthusiasm and darker electronica imagery of the cyberpunk movement with their overt fascination of vampires while lyrically railing against societies evils and hidden agendas in an anthemic fashion bodes well for this industrious industrial metal force.

Dope Stars Inc Website

glassGhosts - Nevereverything

glassGhosts - Nevereverything

glassGhosts
Nevereverything
Label: Self Released

Disenchanted gothic electronica from Madison with flowing female vocals and occasional violin passages over a jittering harsh and unforgiving industrial backdrop. Disturbing throbbings in the lower registers propel the angst filled musical forms into a tumultuous fruition.


Heatbox - System

Heatbox - System

Heatbox
System
Label: Self Released

This amazing vocal juke box is feeling his stride on this incredibly catchy and entertaining release. A strong nod to barbershop stylings create a river of harmonies for this one man soul, hip hop and funk band to riff off of. Live he samples each phrase, loops it and repeats until complete. The classics that this contemporary harmonic hero brings our way include “Pizza Funk” and “I Need A Jack and Coke.” As a bonus the disc also contains the game Heatbox completely created “Ninja Strike.”

Heatbox Website

Lawrence Blatt - The Color Of Sunshine

Lawrence Blatt - The Color Of Sunshine

Lawrence Blatt
The Color Of Sunshine
Label: LBM Music

Brandishing a full spectrum of guitar tricks and treats, this release finds a highly acclaimed acoustic guitar finger-picker emoting melodies and rhythms inspired by colors that are in turn designed to motivate a mood. This is his mode of tickling the oft unused mix of color and light therapy into music structures. Produced by Windham Hill Records founder William Ackerman.

Lawrence Blatt Website

Ozric Tentacles - Yum Yum Tree

Ozric Tentacles - Yum Yum Tree

Ozric Tentacles
Yum Yum Tree
Label: Snapper Music

Certain aspects and members of this band may have changed over the 25+ years of its existence, but their music and trademark sound has never gotten any less psychedelic or enthralling. Founding and final original member Ed Wynne has recently move to the US with his wife and son (who are part of the live lineup) so we will be seeing much more from them!

Ozric Tentacles WebsiteOzric Tentacles Wiki

Stratovarius - Polaris

Stratovarius - Polaris

Stratovarius
Polaris
Label: Armoury Records

This first outing after the departure of former bandmaster Timo Tolkki finds this Finnish melodic power metal group revisioned and situated to continue their formidable musical legacy for many more years to come.

Stratovarius WebsiteStratovarius Wiki

Street Sweeper Social Club - Street Sweeper Social Club

Street Sweeper Social Club - Street Sweeper Social Club

Street Sweeper Social Club
Street Sweeper Social Club
Label: Self Released

Visionary guitarist Tom Morello has successfully joined forces with Boots Riley in an effort quite reminiscent of Rage Against The Machine, but not quite as whiney. Heavy grooves with even heavier breakdowns propel the anthems and agendas announced by the witty hip hoppin’ lyrics.

Street Sweeper Social Club WebsiteStreet Sweeper Social Club Wiki

Vinnie Moore - To The Core

Vinnie Moore - To The Core

Vinnie Moore
To The Core
Label: RED Distribution

Well versed and well seasoned instrumental guitar rock from a musical virtuoso who has been ‘moonlighting’ as guitarist for the legendary band UFO since 2003! While this album may not shred as metal as his 1986 release, it banters a grace and maturity with the technicality and structure that exemplify him as a leader in this field.

Vinnie Moore WebsiteVinnie Moore Wiki

Vieux Farka Touré  - Fondo

Vieux Farka Touré - Fondo

Vieux Farka Touré
Fondo
Label: Six Degrees Records

Standing firmly on his own merits, this son of legendary Malian bluesman Ali Farka Toure leads his musical charge with a graceful, majestic grandeur. The ancient and contemporary African instrumentation and rhythms fill a broader vision as well as purpose with all but one of these modern classics penned by Vieux himself.

Vieux Farka Touré WebsiteVieux Farka Touré Wiki

Arkaea - Years In The Darkness

Arkaea - Years In The Darkness

Arkaea
Years In The Darkness
Label: E1 Entertainment

Terse, intense and vibrant industrialized death metal from Fear Factory alumni Raymond Herrera and Christian Old Wolbers. Although incorporating proven Fear Factory stylings which fans will certainly enjoy overall I find the release safe, repetitive and formulaic.

Arkaea Wiki

Damon Fowler - Sugar Shack

Damon Fowler - Sugar Shack

Damon Fowler
Sugar Shack
Label: Blind Pig Records

A new face from Brandon, FL that should soon be seen and recognized with classic swampy blues masters like Sonny Landreth, and Luther Allison, etc. Operating with an air of restraint, but fully able to crank it out this is one bluesman who brings the entire package.

Damon Fowler Website

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