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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 02 2008 at 14:32
Two interesting albums I recently got:
 
The Wrong Object - Stories From The Shed
Another album from this Belgian ensemble playing a varied and exciting jazz-rock.
 
Evangelista - Hello Voyger
Another release by the fabulous Carla Bozulich
Let me quite from the label, Constellation:
"We can call this a debut record of sorts, as it is the first album to be released under Carla Bozulich's new band moniker, Evangelista. Bozulich's first record for Constellation, issued in 2006, was released under her own name, and bore the album title Evangelista. That album title has now migrated to become the band name. So...this is the new album, titled Hello, Voyager, by the newly named band Evangelista, featuring Carla Bozulich. You follow? No worries, there will not be a quiz.

Carla's 2006 Constellation release was widely celebrated as her strongest, most fearless and compelling record in years, and ended up on many year end lists, including The Wire (UK), Blow Up (Italy) and WMFU (Brian Turner's blog) to name a few. Carla toured Evangelista all over Europe and North America, with core bandmate Tara Barnes at her side, and a rotating cast of other musicians, including Shahzad Ismaily and members of Thee Silver Mt. Zion (all of whom contributed to the original recording as well).

The Evangelista band continues to comprise Carla and Tara as its nucleus, and continues to build on its relationship with Montreal (where the last album was also made). Hello, Voyager was recorded in Montreal at the Hotel2Tango by Efrim Menuck in late summer 2007, with an even larger cast of Montreal musicians joining Carla, Tara and Shahzad this time around, to work up a more stylistically diverse batch of songs. Raw, beautifully ravaged, semi-improvised soundscapes still underpin Carla's incantatory sung and spoken lyrics on the album's opening and closing tracks, but much of the rest of the record is more overtly composed. Blistering nuggets like the snarling "Smooth Jazz" and the desperate "Truth Is Dark Like Outer Space" are the most rocking tunes Carla has put to tape since the demise of The Geraldine Fibbers, while "The Blue Room" (one of Carla's finest songs, and one she has been carrying around for many years) is finally captured in a stunning studio arrangement that includes organ, violin, cello and contrebasse. "Lucky Lucky Luck" is a playful, sassy, fractured take on the misfit narrative and "Paper Kitten Claw" is its methodical, reflective, poetic foil. Carla's voice perfectly sets and channels the prevailing mood on each song, and is strong as ever.

The new album includes contributions from over a dozen Montreal players, including most of Thee Silver Mt. Zion (chiefly on string arrangements), as well as Nadia Moss (organ) and a corps of local drummers who bang out the thunderous rhythm track on "Smooth Jazz" and drive the epic sprawl of the album's closing title track.

Constellation is thrilled to be releasing Carla's second album for the label on CD and 180gLP. Both formats come in our custom cardstock packaging, with artwork featuring paintings by Montreal artist (and Evangelista player) Nadia Moss, and include a fold-out lyric sheet insert."
 
 
 
 
 
"
Carla Bozulich is best known as the singer from LA-based band Gerladine Fibbers and as the woman who re-made Willie Nelson’s Red Headed Stranger - with Willie Nelson as a special guest. Carla has one of the most unique voices in any genre. Her work is at once brutally raw and weirdly visionary.

Born in New York City, she grew up a tomboy and girl protector in San Pedro, CA. Carla's first appearance on record is Gary Kail's album from 1982 called Zurich 1916, on which she does dada-inspired worldplay, "you know, telephone and vacuum cleaner stuff". She sang in a couple of groups – the Neon Veins and Invisible Chains, the latter of which recorded an album for The Minutemen's New Alliance label when Carla was 18 years old.

Carla disappeared from daylight for a few years, re-emerged, and was soon causing traffic jams as the gamine howler in the confrontational sex/sound assault outfit Ethyl Meatplow. In 1993, before Ethyl's last gasp, Carla founded The Geraldine Fibbers, going on to record and tour incessantly with that band until 1998. Scarnella followed, a duo formed with Nels Cline, and a decidedly uncommercial, open, experimental project.

In 2001 she scored a Los Angeles production of Jean Genet's The Maids and the award-winning feature film By Hook Or By Crook, which she scored and for which she compiled the soundtrack, went to Sundance in 2003. That same year saw the release of Carla's new rendition of Willie Nelson's Red Headed Stranger. She has also explored mixed media and performance art, including a commission for The Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

In 2005 Carla rekindled a decade-old connection with Montreal-based musicians affiliated with the Constellation label, leading to a recording at that city's legendary Hotel2Tango studio, and the release of her Evangelista album on Constellation. Received with high critical praise, the record would find its way onto many year-end best lists, and lead to extensive touring around Europe and North America, including performances at the Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville (Canada) and Bad Bonn Kilbi (Swizterland) among others.

In 2007, Evangelista became the official band name of Carla's project, and her follow-up record for Constellation was once again recorded at the Hotel2Tango in Montreal, with core co-conpirators Tara Barnes and Shahzad Ismaily, and contributions from a large cast of Montreal-based musicians. The new record, entitled Hello, Voyager, releases in February/March 2008.

FULL BIOGRAPHY AND LOTS OF OTHER INFO AT:

www.carlabozulich.com
"
 
 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 24 2008 at 08:31
Originally posted by Ghandi 2 Ghandi 2 wrote:

Wow, I'm listening to some Venetian Snares and it's exactly what I'm looking for, thanks!

Great! I'm glad you like it.


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 23 2008 at 20:01
I was just reading this and thought I would be of interest. Article 'bout Downtown Music Gallery.

" At the end of this past January, our five-year lease ran out here at
342 Bowery. Our landlord has graciously given us another 3-6 months to find another place but, with 4 to 5 times the rent we're paying being offered by bar/restaurants ['cause we know you can't get a drink anywhere around here - NOT!] for the space our stay will come to an end soon.

We have been searching for a new location for the past 6 months, but if it's anything close to the 1500 sq. ft. we now occupy and need, no matter how far east we go, the realtors are convincing the landlords to hold off renting until they get a minimum of $ 60-75 per sq ft per year - which for 1500 sq ft means a monthly base rent nut of $7500-9400 - even on Ave D, where no one ventures to!

The only people who can afford that are banks that now make a tidy new-found profit off of people taking $20 out of their account every ten minutes and national chains that take a tax loss to blanket NYC with their outlets. No merchant who deals in anything but items that have over 1000% markup [like drinks] can afford to stay in business here, not even groceries and supermarkets, which have all been closing rapidly. Just think: the overuse of debit cards has caused the price of all everyday goods and food to skyrocket - most of the increased amount just goes to the rent!

Anyone in NYC knows there are many spaces - in both prime and not prime areas - that have remained empty for YEARS due to realtors who have sold their bill of goods to landlords - when we've met those landlords, many have lamented the money they've lost due to the pressure from realtors, and were perfectly willing to talk lower prices, when beforehand the agent said they wouldn't budge [and wouldn't put us in contact directly, naturally]

We have many friends here in NYC, some 10,000 of you around the world receive our newsletter each week. What we would like is a basement, second floor or higher loft space [with elevator] with about 1,500 square feet for under $4000, hopefully in lower Manhattan - we don't really care what it looks like, or what some snobs might have to say about the neighborhood, just as long as it's secure. We'll do the rest.

We would love to stay in the Lower Manhattan, but we might have to move to mid-town or further uptown or even nearby in Brooklyn or Queens

If you know of a space for us to rent - especially where we deal with the landlord directly - please contact us immediately!

Our time here is limited. We may have to go with one overpriced
space - that otherwise meets our needs - within two weeks, so we'd like to hear from you before then

Thank You

Bruce, Manny, Mikey, Chuck, Bret & all at DMG

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Downtown Music Gallery
342 Bowery
New York, NY 10012-2408
USA

Tel: 212 473-0043 / 800 622-1387
Fax: 212-533-5059

[email protected]

Hours:
12 noon -8pm Seven days a week

Sundays we have in-store concerts from 6 to 7:30, please don't call then." 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2008 at 20:04
Originally posted by avestin avestin wrote:

Originally posted by Bj-1 Bj-1 wrote:

Just reviewed Present's Triskaidekaphobie:
 
 
Also posted a decent review for Gruppo D'alternativa's debut earlier today!
 
Smile
 
 
Nice ones Clap
 
And you beat me to the GdA album. I just received the cd-reissue (mini lp) yesterday from Greg Walker.
 
 
 
 
Thanks, Assaf. Im especially pleased over my Present review. My longest review this farSmile
 
I'll also buy a copy of Ipotesi when I get arsed to, it's a damn good albumBig%20smile
 
 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2008 at 15:19

Actually, I have heard Normal Love (this ruckus.com thing is really f**king great), and I liked it a bit more than most of the other stuff I've heard if at the least for the violin and the use of silence, I'll have to give it time to grow. Arguably a lot of what I like could be considered soulless, but too often it's dull for me because it feels like they're composing based on mathematical formulae or picking time signatures out of a hat. I want complexity that is there because that's how they're thinking, not because they really want to write complex, difficult to play music.

Based on what I've read about Squarepusher I should like them, but I have not liked the samples I've heard so I'm wary. I would probably like Spring Heel Jack's early albums based on what I've read and the awesomeness of Live, but I haven't been able to find a single extended sample of that, and I learned long ago that I need to hear a sample, and 30 second samples don't cut it.
 
Wow, I'm listening to some Venetian Snares and it's exactly what I'm looking for, thanks!


Edited by Ghandi 2 - February 22 2008 at 15:21
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2008 at 09:18
Originally posted by chamberry chamberry wrote:



Another great electronica artist (don't know what type of electronica he is since I'm new at this) is  Venetian Snares.  I have to thank Adam for this great recommendation. I'm pretty sure that the album "Rossz csillag alatt született" will be right down your alley. Its very aggressive, fast and with an interesting classical twist.

 
Definitely second this recommendation!
 
 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2008 at 08:58
Originally posted by Ghandi 2 Ghandi 2 wrote:

This is kind off-topic, but the general music lounge failed me, and you guys have better taste anyway. I have been listening to a lot of Aphex Twin lately, and I want more music like Richard D James Album and the fast parts of Druqcks--complex, avant-garde, fast as possible drums. Dark and aggressive like Come to Daddy would also be a plus. I've discerned that DnB and Jungle is what I'm looking for, but I've had very little luck finding what I'm looking for, everything seems to be much more midtempo, which completely defeats my purpose of listening to electronica.

Forgot to comment on this part of your post.

I don't know much about electronica, but Squarepusher had a big impact on Aphex Twin. Heck! He was his main influence on his DnB albums!  Sadly I don't know what album to recommend because I've only heard samples of his music and not full albums. I'm still on the lookout for them so if you see some around the net, let me know.

Another great electronica artist (don't know what type of electronica he is since I'm new at this) is  Venetian Snares.  I have to thank Adam for this great recommendation. I'm pretty sure that the album "Rossz csillag alatt született" will be right down your alley. Its very aggressive, fast and with an interesting classical twist.


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2008 at 08:53
Originally posted by Bj-1 Bj-1 wrote:

Just reviewed Present's Triskaidekaphobie:
 
 
Also posted a decent review for Gruppo D'alternativa's debut earlier today!
 
Smile
 
 
Nice ones Clap
 
And you beat me to the GdA album. I just received the cd-reissue (mini lp) yesterday from Greg Walker.
 
 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2008 at 06:58
Originally posted by avestin avestin wrote:

Have a look at the coming new 4 Soleil Zeuhl releases:
 
 
BBI : Same
RIALZU : U rigiru
AMYGDALA : Complex combat
SETNA : Cycle 1. (Myspace link)
 


I keep looking at their releases and I believe it's possible to purchase all of their albums over time.  There's only two bands I do not know, but they're not "Zeuhl", according to the release data.  I wonder if Amygdala will be more than just a 2-piece outfit for this album?  I did enjoy their first effort, but I would have liked it if they had employed a saxophonist/flautist to play the parts that were produced on the synth.

Edit: It seems Amygdala have indeed taken on board two further musicians: Daniel Jeand'heur (One Shot) and Kenichi Oguchi (drummer with Kenso)

That BBI release could be a good one too, featuring members of One Shot, Offering and Xaal.

Second edit: I currently have three Soleil Zeuhl releases:

Dun - Eros
Amygdala - Amygdala
Eskaton - Fiction

I would really love to get hold of those Potemkine albums too and I realise Triton will no longer be produced, which is a shame indeed.

Third edit: does anyone know where I can find a copy of 4 Visions and Ardeur?  Wayside doesn't have those two and I haven't checked with Greg Walker yet.  I'm also wondering if Arkaia's only release can be found easily?


Edited by James - February 22 2008 at 07:18
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2008 at 00:33
Just reviewed Present's Triskaidekaphobie:
 
 
Also posted a decent review for Gruppo D'alternativa's debut earlier today!
 
Smile
 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 21 2008 at 19:50
Originally posted by Ghandi 2 Ghandi 2 wrote:

More on-topic, I like the idea of Math Rock, but I've found almost anything other than Hella to be soulless and unappealing. I know math rock isn't supposed to move you with beauty, but I find stuff like AHLEUCHATISTAS to just be incredibly boring. Any ideas? I know math rock has been moved to post-rock, but it belongs with us. ;-)


Ghandi, not all math rock is soulless, although the majority is like that. Personally I don't mind, but there is such thing as math rock with emotions and melody. The one that I always talk about is GIRAFFES? GIRAFFES! .  I uploaded a full video of one of their concert. You can sample their songs from there Smile,  but beware. The first song is extremely boring.


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 21 2008 at 11:20
Originally posted by Ghandi 2 Ghandi 2 wrote:

 
More on-topic, I like the idea of Math Rock, but I've found almost anything other than Hella to be soulless and unappealing. I know math rock isn't supposed to move you with beauty, but I find stuff like AHLEUCHATISTAS to just be incredibly boring. Any ideas? I know math rock has been moved to post-rock, but it belongs with us. ;-) 
  My sentiments as well.
 
Anyway, have you tried Cheval De Frise or Normal Love? The latter might be less accessible but the use of violin brings a gush of emotions not found in other bands (not that I mean other bands don't elicit responses from me, just that the violin adds another layer not found in other bands, therefore creating a different response in me the listener).
 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 21 2008 at 09:28
Have you got the Come To Daddy EP, Ghandi, or do you just know the single?  The EP has the eargasmic Bucephalus Bouncing Ball on it.

I believe the majority of Aphex Twin's output is more laid-back and melodic, but then I've only ever heard his Come To Daddy EP myself.

Whilst I'm here, I want to say how brilliant News from Babel's Letters Home is.  I just listened to it and strangely reminds me of Van der Graaf Generator, but with Robert Wyatt, Sally Potter and Dagmar Krause, rather than Peter Hammill on vocals.

It's the lyricism and words, as well as the darker overtones of Lindsay Cooper's keyboards parts that reminds me of Van der Graaf Generator.

Excellent album! Clap


Edited by James - February 21 2008 at 09:30
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 21 2008 at 08:35
This is kind off-topic, but the general music lounge failed me, and you guys have better taste anyway. I have been listening to a lot of Aphex Twin lately, and I want more music like Richard D James Album and the fast parts of Druqcks--complex, avant-garde, fast as possible drums. Dark and aggressive like Come to Daddy would also be a plus. I've discerned that DnB and Jungle is what I'm looking for, but I've had very little luck finding what I'm looking for, everything seems to be much more midtempo, which completely defeats my purpose of listening to electronica.
 
More on-topic, I like the idea of Math Rock, but I've found almost anything other than Hella to be soulless and unappealing. I know math rock isn't supposed to move you with beauty, but I find stuff like AHLEUCHATISTAS to just be incredibly boring. Any ideas? I know math rock has been moved to post-rock, but it belongs with us. ;-)
 
Also, Aranis is very good.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 18 2008 at 14:34
Originally posted by avestin avestin wrote:

A reminder:
 
Originally posted by avestin avestin wrote:

I'll be doing two interviews soon.
 
One will be with Ramon from the Belgian avant-rock band Xhohx. I added them a while back to PA and wrote a review if you're interested.
 
The second will be (again) with Trond Gjellum (from the Norwegian band Panzerpappa) in light of his recent project - Tr-Ond & the Suburban Savages. I recently added them to PA and wrote a review for anyone interested.
 
If anyone is interested in sending me questions to ask these guys, feel free to PM me. No deadline yet, but until next week would be good.
 
 
 
 
 
 
LAST CALL for Questions for these two interviews.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2008 at 16:58
Originally posted by avestin avestin wrote:

According to Dave Kerman, there won't be any RIO festival this year due to lack of support from governmental funds. However there might be one in 2009.

 
Anyway, on another subject, here's a review I posted at Sonic Frontiers of the album The Hollow Grail by noise/noise-rock Russian band called Won James Won:
 
Noise James Noise

On Won James Won's latest release, The Hollow Grail, R.A.I.G show how far they are willing to go with their already unconventional repertoire. The Hollow Grail goes even further into the realms of the odd, the hard to digest, and the borderline between plain noise and music.

So, what have we here? Samplings, screaming, guitar screeching, loose track structure, weird and eerie atmosphere - all that qualifies one as "experimental." The word "noise" might also come to mind, but I’ve heard "noise" music with much less substance, so perhaps the term may not entirely encompass WJW's sound.

However distracted or aimless The Hollow Grail might sound, there is movement and goal in here. While the screaming may not be appealing to some, the “music” itself is interesting enough to counteract it. The Hollow Grail is definitely a challenge to the listener; many will surely be baffled. However, for those listeners who are used to this sort of style (or are open-minded enough to give the album a try) you’ll find some interesting ideas, whether loudly thrown at you or placed gently at your doorstep.

This album is not one to put up for passive listening. It is not an album to enjoy. This is an album to experience, to absorb, to actively look for its hidden layers, its disguised motifs and concealed musicality. Close inspection by focused listening is demanded from the listener. Concentrate and find in each track its musical or noise-y ideas; isolate the different ingredients in the seemingly chaotic situation to understand what is going on; only then can a better appreciation and even enjoyment can be achieved.

Whether or not you'll enjoy this album depends on what you want from your music. If it’s accessibility or clarity then this is definitely something to avoid. However, if challenge in music is something you like and the above mentioned styles are your bread and butter, then having a bite may very well satisfy you.

I for one enjoy their crafting of the noise/music, and compared with others from this style it does deliver more than a few good moments. There is some genuine originality and sophistication in some of the music (track 6 for example, "Disintegration Of A Unit"). It is these particular moments that make me realize WJW's talent, and hope for them to expand on those particular paths and look forward to more from them. On the other hand, other parts of the album are seemingly senseless and perhaps expendable.

In summary, a good and interesting listening experience. Brace yourself; it’s a long ride.

Reviewer: Assaf Vestin
Added: February 6th 2008
 
 
 
I still do not understand why some people don't define noise as music.It can be music as long as its a part of it...But sometimes it seems to me, that they just throw in the noise to be artistic and it becomes pointless,Sonic Youth can do it good and Wolf Eyes too(Confused)...but its still sometimes a big fat artistic lie.
 
Question: Were are the RIO festivals located, could tell me?Smile
What is This?
It is what keeps us going...
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 13 2008 at 09:32
A reminder:
 
Originally posted by avestin avestin wrote:

I'll be doing two interviews soon.
 
One will be with Ramon from the Belgian avant-rock band Xhohx. I added them a while back to PA and wrote a review if you're interested.
 
The second will be (again) with Trond Gjellum (from the Norwegian band Panzerpappa) in light of his recent project - Tr-Ond & the Suburban Savages. I recently added them to PA and wrote a review for anyone interested.
 
If anyone is interested in sending me questions to ask these guys, feel free to PM me. No deadline yet, but until next week would be good.
 
 
 
 


Edited by avestin - February 13 2008 at 09:33
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 12 2008 at 11:20
Have a look at the coming new 4 Soleil Zeuhl releases:
 
 
BBI : Same
RIALZU : U rigiru
AMYGDALA : Complex combat
SETNA : Cycle 1. (Myspace link)
 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 11 2008 at 19:52
I'll be doing two interviews soon.
 
One will be with Ramon from the Belgian avant-rock band Xhohx. I added them a while back to PA and wrote a review if you're interested.
 
The second will be (again) with Trond Gjellum (from the Norwegian band Panzerpappa) in light of his recent project - Tr-Ond & the Suburban Savages. I recently added them to PA and wrote a review for anyone interested.
 
If anyone is interested in sending me questions to ask these guys, feel free to PM me. No deadline yet, but until next week would be good.
 
 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 06 2008 at 22:35

According to Dave Kerman, there won't be any RIO festival this year due to lack of support from governmental funds. However there might be one in 2009.

 
Anyway, on another subject, here's a review I posted at Sonic Frontiers of the album The Hollow Grail by noise/noise-rock Russian band called Won James Won:
 
Noise James Noise

On Won James Won's latest release, The Hollow Grail, R.A.I.G show how far they are willing to go with their already unconventional repertoire. The Hollow Grail goes even further into the realms of the odd, the hard to digest, and the borderline between plain noise and music.

So, what have we here? Samplings, screaming, guitar screeching, loose track structure, weird and eerie atmosphere - all that qualifies one as "experimental." The word "noise" might also come to mind, but I’ve heard "noise" music with much less substance, so perhaps the term may not entirely encompass WJW's sound.

However distracted or aimless The Hollow Grail might sound, there is movement and goal in here. While the screaming may not be appealing to some, the “music” itself is interesting enough to counteract it. The Hollow Grail is definitely a challenge to the listener; many will surely be baffled. However, for those listeners who are used to this sort of style (or are open-minded enough to give the album a try) you’ll find some interesting ideas, whether loudly thrown at you or placed gently at your doorstep.

This album is not one to put up for passive listening. It is not an album to enjoy. This is an album to experience, to absorb, to actively look for its hidden layers, its disguised motifs and concealed musicality. Close inspection by focused listening is demanded from the listener. Concentrate and find in each track its musical or noise-y ideas; isolate the different ingredients in the seemingly chaotic situation to understand what is going on; only then can a better appreciation and even enjoyment can be achieved.

Whether or not you'll enjoy this album depends on what you want from your music. If it’s accessibility or clarity then this is definitely something to avoid. However, if challenge in music is something you like and the above mentioned styles are your bread and butter, then having a bite may very well satisfy you.

I for one enjoy their crafting of the noise/music, and compared with others from this style it does deliver more than a few good moments. There is some genuine originality and sophistication in some of the music (track 6 for example, "Disintegration Of A Unit"). It is these particular moments that make me realize WJW's talent, and hope for them to expand on those particular paths and look forward to more from them. On the other hand, other parts of the album are seemingly senseless and perhaps expendable.

In summary, a good and interesting listening experience. Brace yourself; it’s a long ride.

Reviewer: Assaf Vestin
Added: February 6th 2008
 
 
 
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