The Shacks – The Shacks EP

the-shacks-coverI have to say that the turmoil of 2016 had a strange effect on me, which in this case isn’t a good thing. Luckily The Shacks do offer some relief at this time of year which ultimately is not really strange… but still very likable. Continue reading →

The Echocentrics – Echo Hotel

theechocentrics_frontI always thought that building walls between places with a shared cultural history was a thing of the past. Guess I was wrong because new divides are rising up high again in for example the southern states of the US. Here the cultural exchange between north and south goes back for a long time and strongly echoes through in today’s society. A fine musical example of all of this comes from Austin based latin group Grupo Fantasma who in their turn laid the foundations for The Echocentrics that are under review right now. Continue reading →

Ensemble Dal Niente / Deerhoof – Balter / Saunier

31e5mxwnfal-_sy300_ql70_Earlier this year I talked a bit about about Anna Meredith’s move from the classical scene to the world of electronica. Nowadays this sort of crossovers are not that uncommon anymore. Naturally avant-garde rock band Deerhoof could not hang back with this hype going on and melted together with the classical outfit of Ensemble Dal Niente to chip in. And oh man, it’s exciting! Continue reading →

Jameszoo – Fool

Jameszoo - Fool_FRONTEarlier this year I briefly mentioned Jameszoo’s naive, computer jazz record Fool but never got to opportunity to give it a proper review. Nicely enough you’re in luck today, so get ready for a treat. Continue reading →

Anna Meredith – Varmints

anna-meredith-varmints_FRONTWhen I was a toddler I often wondered what it would be like to be inside our washing machine. The spinning cycle was pretty hypnotizing to watch, so at the time I thought being inside a drum with all that warm soapy clothing would be a gentle experience. Of course my parents never allowed me to give it a try and I forgot all about it. Until I heard Anna Meredith that is.

Continue reading →

Sounds from the Dark Side top albums of 2016 (until now)

the_dark_side_of_the_moon toplist 2014

As you might have guessed last solstice was reason enough for us to draw up a list with our best albums of 2016 until this day. Here goes! Continue reading →

The Heliocentrics – From The Deep

The Heliocentrics - From The Deep FrontFollowing the spacy film score to The Last Transmission (2014) The Heliocentrics decided to pick up where they left us in 2013 with 13 Degrees of Reality and with that I mean releasing work solely under their own name. Although the jazz-funk collective usually collaborates with others they are also very capable to push the musical boundaries forward themselves. If you take out all collaborations, From The Deep their third album and as you’ve might have guessed, again is of a sun swallowing nature.     
Continue reading →

PJ Harvey – The Hope Six Demolition Project

PJ Harvey cover The Hope SixFive years ago Polly Jean Harvey shattered England’s rural idyllic image with a grim picture of it’s disastrous long-lasting military involvement in the world. Although stirring up controversy is part of her rationale (e.g. not opposing to the English tradition of fox hunting), some critics labeled her previous work as her most brutal to this date. Nevertheless Harvey continues her politically charged crusade on a new LP titled: The Hope Six Demolition Project.
Continue reading →

Avantasia – Ghostlights

Ghostlights_by_AvantasiaSometimes I get the feeling that Tobias Sammet just doesn’t care much for Edguy anymore. Whilst the last few albums were okay at best, he seems to save his best material for Avantasia these days. And again, Edguy’s last album pales to 2016’s Ghostlights. Continue reading →