Eclectic Vibes - March 2009
by Andrew Frey
Larkin Grimm - photo by Ports Bishop
GRIMM Tidings of Great Joy
Larkin Grimm stunned the Madison audience with her appearance on 2/17/09 at The Frequency. Enraptured by her very being from the first note, this mesmerizing siren spun her tails of mystery and intrigue while wielding a cerebral assault of witty lyrics to compliment her amazing presence.
The title track for Grimm’s current release titled “Parflar” is based on the concept of there being an imaginary planet of spirit orgasms. Larkin was happy to appoint herself as sexual shaman and lead the crowd on a momentary mental sojourn to the ecstatic place.
For an encore she responded with a rousting round of the call and response Kirtan style song “Durge.” This managed to confound unsuspecting drunks on all sides, but affording an opportunity for a hearty sing along before exiting into the dark night.
MICRO REVIEWS:
This Month's Rating Scale is from 1- Chum thru 10 –Sushi
Burn Sand Burn - Not In Reverse
Burn Sand Burn
Album title: Not In Reverse
Record Label: Gary the “Landlord” Records
Rating: 7
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.
(3850) Page Views
Burn Sand Burn online:
• Download Not In Reverse from Amazon
• Purchase Not In Reverse on Amazon
Al Conti - Scheherazade
Al Conti
Album title: Scheherazade
Record Label: Shadowside Music
Rating: 9
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.
(3524) Page Views
Al Conti online:
• Website • Wiki
• Download Scheherazade from Amazon
• Purchase Scheherazade on Amazon
Eisbrecher - Sünde
Eisbrecher
Album title: Sünde
Record Label: Metropolis Records
Rating: 8
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.
(5242) Page Views
Eisbrecher online:
• Website • Wiki
Randy Granger - A Place Called Peace
Randy Granger
Album title: A Place Called Peace
Record Label: Dogsense Music
Rating: 9
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.
(3498) Page Views
Randy Granger online:
• Website
• Download A Place Called Peace from Amazon
• Purchase A Place Called Peace on Amazon
Julie The Band - An Act Of Communication
Julie The Band
Album title: An Act Of Communication
Record Label: Baby Bird Records
Rating: 8
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.
(3759) Page Views
Julie The Band online:
• Website
• Download An Act Of Communication from Amazon
• Purchase An Act Of Communication on Amazon
Luna Mortis - The Absence
Luna Mortis
Album title: The Absence
Record Label: Century Media
Rating: 9
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.
(3480) Page Views
Luna Mortis online:
• Wiki
• Download The Absence from Amazon
• Purchase The Absence on Amazon
Matthew Montfort - Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar
Matthew Montfort
Album title: Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar
Record Label: Ancient Future Music
Rating: 7
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
(3550) Page Views
Matthew Montfort online:
• Website • Wiki
• Download Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar from Amazon
• Purchase Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar on Amazon
Mariah Parker - Sangria
Mariah Parker
Album title: Sangria
Record Label: Ancient Future Music
Rating: 7
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.
(3616) Page Views
Mariah Parker online:
• Website
• Download Sangria from Amazon
• Purchase Sangria on Amazon
Slumdog Millionaire - Slumdog Millionaire - Original Soundtrack
Slumdog Millionaire
Album title: Slumdog Millionaire - Original Soundtrack
Record Label: Interscope Records
Rating: 10
Bringing Bollywood rhythms fused with hip hop beats to the minds of millions, this Oscar winning soundtrack weaves an intricate intertwining tale of suspense and drama. Spanning a splendid musical spectrum these tracks take the listener on an exotic experience as varied and exciting as the movie itself.
(4122) Page Views
Slumdog Millionaire online:
• Website • Wiki
• Download Slumdog Millionaire - Original Soundtrack from Amazon
• Purchase Slumdog Millionaire - Original Soundtrack on Amazon
Wiyos - The Wiyos
Wiyos
Album title: The Wiyos
Record Label: Self Released
Rating: 10
Dubbing their output as “vaudevillian ragtime-jugband-blues and hillbilly swing,” this acoustic trio tells tales from an age gone by. Their lo-fi but not low energy music is comprised of the sounds from a washboard, harmonica, kazoo, archtop/resonator guitar/banjo-ukulele, an upright bass and three vocal for a full spectrum support. Kick ass!
(4579) Page Views
The Wiyos online:
• Website
• Purchase The Wiyos on Amazon