Eclectic Vibes - January 2008

by Andrew Frey

Torte Elvis and company play the classics a new way

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 - 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

3 online:
WebsiteWiki




Omar Akram - Secret Journey

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:
WebsiteWiki

Download Secret Journey from Amazon
Purchase Secret Journey on Amazon



ASG - Win Us Over

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

ASG online:
WebsiteWiki

Download Win Us Over from Amazon
Purchase Win Us Over on Amazon



D Numbers - Lightparade

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 - 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:
WebsiteWiki

Download Nekrolog 43 from Amazon
Purchase Nekrolog 43 on Amazon



Dread Zeppelin - Bar Coda

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:
WebsiteWiki


Purchase Bar Coda on Amazon



Edenbridge - The Chronicles of Eden

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:
WebsiteWiki


Purchase The Chronicles of Eden on Amazon



Juicehead - Devil Made Me Do It

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 - 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:
WebsiteWiki


Purchase Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu on Amazon



Blake Lewis - Audio Daydream

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:
WebsiteWiki

Download Audio Daydream from Amazon
Purchase Audio Daydream on Amazon



London After Midnight - Violent Acts Of Beauty

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:
WebsiteWiki


Purchase Violent Acts Of Beauty on Amazon



Meldrum - Blowin’ Up The Machine

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:
WebsiteWiki

Download Blowin’ Up The Machine from Amazon
Purchase Blowin’ Up The Machine on Amazon



Putumayo Presents - Latin Reggae

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:
WebsiteWiki


Purchase Latin Reggae on Amazon



Putumayo Presents - Tango Around The World

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:
WebsiteWiki


Purchase Tango Around The World on Amazon



Sequoia Groove Presents - Angels Voices

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 - 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 - 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:
WebsiteWiki


Purchase Cod Liver Oil on Amazon