Eclectic Vibes - January 2008
by Andrew Frey
Torte Elvis and company play the classics a new way
This Month: Dread Zeppelin, ASG, Blake Lewis, D Numbers, Diary Of Dreams, Edenbridge, Juicehead, Ladysmith Black Mambasa, London After Midnight, Putumayo’s Latin Reggae, Meldrum, Omar Akram, Putumayo’s Secret Journey, Sequoia Grove, Six and Violence, 3, Uz Jsme Doma
MICRO REVIEWS:
This Month's Rating Scale is from 1 - Sinkhole thru 10 - Astronaut
3 - The End Is Begun
3
Album title: The End Is Begun
Record Label: Metal Blade Records
Rating: 9
Moody, paradoxical and sophisticated rhythms compliment the succinct and distinct vocals which soar but do not annoy, while utilizing technical prowess to bring broad minded progressive metal to new heights.
(5084) Page Views
Omar Akram - Secret Journey
Omar Akram
Album title: Secret Journey
Record Label: Real Music
Rating: 9
This son of a UN diplomat brings us an infusion of world flecked jazz instrumentals set in melodic new age atmospheres. Piano is the dominant but not overpowering motivator here, complimented by violin, guitar, drums and keyboard.
(4073) Page Views
Omar Akram online:
• Website • Wiki
• Download Secret Journey from Amazon
• Purchase Secret Journey on Amazon
ASG - Win Us Over
ASG
Album title: Win Us Over
Record Label: Volcom Entertainment
Rating: 8
Friends of the surf/skate/snowboard scene, ASG dishes out heavy melodic rock with lots of stoner/psychedelic/alcoholic influences. A perfect compliment to your adrenalin fueled experiences!
(3824) Page Views
• Download Win Us Over from Amazon
• Purchase Win Us Over on Amazon
D Numbers - Lightparade
D Numbers
Album title: Lightparade
Record Label: Self Released
Rating: 9
Boarding on instrumental jamtronica but activating just enough quirky indie rock impressions as to not be permeated with a patchouli patina. The stylistic layered approach that this Santa Fe, NM trio utilizes is a constant but the sonic outcomes create a variety of tonal conundrums.
(4117) Page Views
D Numbers online:
• Download Lightparade from Amazon
• Purchase Lightparade on Amazon
Diary Of Dreams - Nekrolog 43
Diary Of Dreams
Album title: Nekrolog 43
Record Label: Metropolis Records
Rating: 8
Dark and haunting gothic industrial electronica with sinister ambience yet beautifully breathtaking beats and passages. From the deep and demented mind and voice of Adrian Hates.
(3787) Page Views
Diary Of Dreams online:
• Website • Wiki
• Download Nekrolog 43 from Amazon
• Purchase Nekrolog 43 on Amazon
Dread Zeppelin - Bar Coda
Dread Zeppelin
Album title: Bar Coda
Record Label: Cash Cow Productions
Rating: 8
The basic “schtick” here involves an Elvis impersonator vocalist singing Zeppelin (and other) classics reinvigorated to an often reggae beat. This time they inject some Beatles, Bob Marley and other song snippets with their unique flavor as well.
(4103) Page Views
Dread Zeppelin online:
• Website • Wiki
Edenbridge - The Chronicles of Eden
Edenbridge
Album title: The Chronicles of Eden
Record Label: Locomotive Records
Rating: 8
A 2 disc set featuring 3 new songs, some rarities and bonus tracks on one disc with the other a “best of” compilation voted on by fans worldwide. A great overview of this female fronted Austrian symphonic metal group! For fans of Within Temptation or Nightwish.
(3871) Page Views
Edenbridge online:
• Website • Wiki
• Purchase The Chronicles of Eden on Amazon
Juicehead - Devil Made Me Do It
Juicehead
Album title: Devil Made Me Do It
Record Label: Misfits Records
Rating: 7
Old school thought provoking punk rock from Chicago with raw raspy guitars, tinny drums, sing along vocals and thrashy hooks that pummel and cajole the listener into a good feelin’ frenzy.
(3864) Page Views
Juicehead online:
• Purchase Devil Made Me Do It on Amazon
Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Album title: Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu
Record Label: Heads Up Africa
Rating: 9
Taking a break from their usual heavy handed Christian focused acapella, this Grammy award winning African singing group pays homage to Shaka Zulu, one of the greatest leaders in African history. Amazing harmonies as always.
(3661) Page Views
Ladysmith Black Mambazo online:
• Website • Wiki
• Purchase Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu on Amazon
Blake Lewis - Audio Daydream
Blake Lewis
Album title: Audio Daydream
Record Label: Arista/J Records
Rating: 9
Once again a runner up on American Idol scores bigger than the winner. Dynamic and diverse, this release offers a great range of Blake-isms; from beat boxing and alternative pop to soul and hip hop all seen through his pleasant technotronic filters.
(3681) Page Views
Blake Lewis online:
• Website • Wiki
• Download Audio Daydream from Amazon
• Purchase Audio Daydream on Amazon
London After Midnight - Violent Acts Of Beauty
London After Midnight
Album title: Violent Acts Of Beauty
Record Label: Metropolis Records
Rating: 8
This long time gothic band has retooled and reinvigorated their style by adding a substantial electronic element. This change makes for some fertile new musical frontiers and repeated listens.
(3617) Page Views
London After Midnight online:
• Website • Wiki
• Purchase Violent Acts Of Beauty on Amazon
Meldrum - Blowin’ Up The Machine
Meldrum
Album title: Blowin’ Up The Machine
Record Label: Locomotive Spain
Rating: 7
By featuring guests Gene Hoglan on drums and Lemmy on some back ups, you get a good idea of what kind of kick ass metal this trio of fired up, ballsy females are gonna whip up.
(4040) Page Views
Meldrum online:
• Website • Wiki
• Download Blowin’ Up The Machine from Amazon
• Purchase Blowin’ Up The Machine on Amazon
Putumayo Presents - Latin Reggae
Putumayo Presents
Album title: Latin Reggae
Record Label: Putumayo World Music
Rating: 9
I love reggae and Putumayo has managed to thrust a whole bunch of wonderful established as well as newcomer Spanish singing reggae based artists (largely from Spain) into the spotlight with this release. Ya mon!
(4274) Page Views
Putumayo Presents online:
• Website • Wiki
• Purchase Latin Reggae on Amazon
Putumayo Presents - Tango Around The World
Putumayo Presents
Album title: Tango Around The World
Record Label: Putumayo World Music
Rating: 9
Musically touring the tantalizing Tango hotbeds around the world including Finland, Senegal, Portugal and most notably Argentina. Here we are shown the fancy footwork (and musicianship) of 11 internationally renowned artists.
(3817) Page Views
Putumayo Presents online:
• Website • Wiki
• Purchase Tango Around The World on Amazon
Sequoia Groove Presents - Angels Voices
Sequoia Groove Presents
Album title: Angels Voices
Record Label: Sequoia Records
Rating: 6
Compiled by Yogafit founder Beth Shaw and mixed by the Gordon Brothers, this compilation focuses on female voices and consists of remixes of about 5 different bands. Blissful but limited.
(3583) Page Views
Sequoia Groove Presents online:
• Website
• Purchase Angels Voices on Amazon
Six And Violence - Bastards of the Universe
Six And Violence
Album title: Bastards of the Universe
Record Label: Dignified Bastards
Rating: 9
A double disc complete discography of the band’s twenty year existence. These 58 songs are rife with great old school NYC hardcore punk riffs, attitude and humor.
(3711) Page Views
Six And Violence online:
• Wiki
• Download Bastards of the Universe from Amazon
Uz Jsme Doma - Cod Liver Oil
Uz Jsme Doma
Album title: Cod Liver Oil
Record Label: Skoda Records
Rating: 9
Quirky, wild and zany jazz rock with a punk attitude. Comparisons to Zappa, Zorn and The Residents are actually appropriate here. This uneasy listening band from Prague sings in Czech and is not for the wimpy at heart.
(3860) Page Views
Uz Jsme Doma online:
• Website • Wiki
• Purchase Cod Liver Oil on Amazon