Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: Year 2012
Magnum - On The 13th Day

Magnum - On The 13th Day

Magnum
On The 13th Day
Label: SPV/Steamhammer

This isn’t a ride into virgin territory. In fact, after 34 years and 17 studio albums, this Birmingham-based melodic hard rock band is continuing to build their long lasting and impressive legacy. That said, this is a solid, highly listenable addition to their history and manages to largely avoid falling into the corny kitsch trap. 

Magnum WebsiteMagnum FacebookMagnum Wiki

Norska - Norska

Norska - Norska

Norska
Norska
Label: Brutal Panda Records

Tuned-down doom metal must be so fun to write. Loud, slow, huge, harsh, throbbing, epic, determined riffs and beats compliment the often harsh, but sometimes spacey vocals to produce a low end cacophony of dynamic delights. Contains members of and on tour with YOB this fall.

Norska WebsiteNorska Facebook

Analog Players Society - Hurricane Season in Brooklyn

Analog Players Society - Hurricane Season in Brooklyn

Analog Players Society
Hurricane Season in Brooklyn
Label: Studio Brooklyn

The percussionist, producer, and visionary known simply as Amon is the creative force behind this release, which utilizes top-notch studio musicians to bring ska, Afrobeat, hip hop and a few tangential classic covers together into a fun, funky groove rich experience. 

Analog Players Society WebsiteAnalog Players Society Facebook

Beats Antique - Contraption Vol. II

Beats Antique - Contraption Vol. II

Beats Antique
Contraption Vol. II
Label: Antique Records

I’m pretty smitten with this prolific (7 releases in 5 years!) group. Dreamy alluring Middle Eastern and Gypsy melodies are married to equally intriguing electronic infusions. Add in violin, belly dancing, live drums and special DJ Pizazz, and viola! Brilliance. 

Beats Antique WebsiteBeats Antique FacebookBeats Antique Wiki

Govinda - Resonance

Govinda - Resonance

Govinda
Resonance
Label: self

An EP of sensual electronic explorations through mysterious Middle Eastern beats woven into a tapestry of tantalizing female vocals, signature violin overlays and world-bass beats. Delicate, dark and delicious.

Govinda WebsiteGovinda Facebook

Hidria Spacefolk - Astronautica

Hidria Spacefolk - Astronautica

Hidria Spacefolk
Astronautica
Label: Hidria Records

Psychedelic space rock never sounded so good! Born out of a hippie commune in Finland and taking their cue from Ozric Tentacles, this non vocal Moog-a-delic experience will sweep you off on a stellar journey to dimensions unknown in the wink of a riff. See ya there!

Hidria Spacefolk WebsiteHidria Spacefolk FacebookHidria Spacefolk Wiki

Unwoman - The Fires I Started

Unwoman - The Fires I Started

Unwoman
The Fires I Started
Label: self

Erica Mulkey is Unwoman, a popular and prolific San Francisco-based cellist-singer-songwriter that spices up the strings with electronic beats and attitude. With seven self-produced solo albums and six successful Kickstarter campaigns under her belt, she is turning herself into a musical icon thanks to all the fans she accumulates at the steampunk, goth, and sci-fi-related events that she highlights. 

Unwoman WebsiteUnwoman FacebookUnwoman Wiki

Wookiefoot - Ready or Not

Wookiefoot - Ready or Not

Wookiefoot
Ready or Not
Label: Wookiefoot (self)

Wookiefoot (one of my all time favorite bands!) continues on their cosmic musical consciousness exploration journey by offering another ever-evolving excursion into anthemic New Age-ish euphemisms gone hippy pop reggae bluegrass jam funk. Will they be the Shangri La for your soul too? Don’t miss their tour this fall!

Wookiefoot WebsiteWookiefoot Facebook

Lacrimosa - Revolution

Lacrimosa - Revolution

Lacrimosa
Revolution
Label: End of the Light Records

These pioneers of German Symphonic-Metal return for their 11th studio album filled with trademark German lyrics, dramatic atmospheric passages interrupted by terse industrial gothic beats, all crossed by orchestras, choirs and a stellar guest lineup. Since their inception in 1990, they have toured the world, worked with the world famous London Symphony Orchesta, recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, and have topped the charts in over 25 countries worldwide. Bravo! 

Lacrimosa WebsiteLacrimosa FacebookLacrimosa Wiki

Seven Kingdoms - The Fire Is Mine

Seven Kingdoms - The Fire Is Mine

Seven Kingdoms
The Fire Is Mine
Label: Nightmare / Sony / RED

Furious melodic progressive thrash metal with epic choirs is the order of the day for the third release from this Florida group. Led by the amazing female vocals of Sabrina Valentine and recorded at Morrisound Studios by legendary producer Jim Morris (Iced Earth, Obituary, etc) this release has the backbone to explode onto the metal scene and do some serious damage. 

Seven Kingdoms WebsiteSeven Kingdoms FacebookSeven Kingdoms Wiki

Tusmørke - Underjordisk Tusmørke

Tusmørke - Underjordisk Tusmørke

Tusmørke
Underjordisk Tusmørke
Label: Termo Records

Immediate flashbacks to early Jethro Tull flooded my senses on first listen, only to give way to other obvious influences from Gong, Can, Caravan, etc. While their name means twilight in Norwegian, their retro prog-psych music is twisted with a dark dose of Nordic folk and folk magic while being played out in atmospheric analog format thanks to the antique equipment that was used for its making.

Tusmørke Facebook

Falcon Punch - Falcon Punch

Falcon Punch - Falcon Punch

Falcon Punch
Falcon Punch
Label: Stainless Manchu Records

Quirky, atmospheric and odd-tempo electronica from Toronto. These experimental compositions swing through jazzy, mathy rhythms as easily as spacey soundscapes with strategic samples and brain scratching soundbites.

Falcon Punch WebsiteFalcon Punch Facebook

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