The Fall of Troy - Phantom on the Horizon

Mmmmmm yeah, the hardcore kid in me has awaken after years of hiding in the shadows. This is a fun time for me because I don't like to indulge in too much hardcore/post-whatever punk music these days. But this release has been begging to be listneed to for a good four long years. The Fall of Troy first recorded the Ghosthip Demos in 2004 and those songs had become somewhat of an anomoly ever since - never surfacing in a 'proper' release...until now.

Phantom on the Horizon is essentially a re-recording of the four original Ghostship demos along with Ghostship Part III - which from memory was never recorded. However, the songs have been injectedc new life and although very similar, pack a massive punch to the face. The songs seamlessly intertwine together to form the saga - which to be honest i dont care much for, it's the music in this neat little package that really fucks you up.

Chapter One plugs it's way in with a slow burning bass line that culminates into a massively heavy and daunting riff backed by what only can be described as strings mixed with vocals mixed with ghosts and ghouls not of this world. It is a scary affair this ghsotship but a trip that will leave you wanting more. Erak's vocals while containing less screaming than the demo versions are neither boring nor inflated. He uses his voice well, which is to be debated by many hardcore TFOT followers but it is welcoming and fresh and his high pitch can lift a song from 9/10 to a clear 10.

My personal favourite - Ghostship IV is a face melter - witht he most incredible solo that kicks the song off to growls, screams, thick heavy bass, pludering drums and intense guitar work that must be seen to be believed. Clocking in at 37 minutes and 7 seconds this EP is one not to be missed, and will leave you wanting more and more.

Random Post for Anonymous

So I made a trip to uni the other day, i don't know which day but it was one of them lol.
Anyway, i was studying, and nature called - made my way to the toilet and i was reminded about me posting something on here that's been on my mind regarding university toilets.

The thing is, when i study the walls of uni toilets they all still have the same stupid shit written on them, you know, like in high school they're all graffitied with marker and stuff. But there is a fundamental difference. In high school the graffiti usually consists of something like a penis drawn on a wall, or some year 11 scribing "mr jones is a cockfag" or something like that. It is not like that at univeristy, at uni the markings are of much more witty standard, and sometimes incorporate intellectual debate.


If you ever get the chance (guys) to go to the D1-20 auditiorium toilets on the Magill campus there is a very intriguing debate about the meaning of life in the first cubicle. Also, in the C buildings toilet block there are some very funny comments about our very own Mr Kevin Rudd tracked onto the inside of the otilet door. But my personal favourite resides in the Library men's toilets - an intellectual discussion on the colour of poo provided many a laughs while i carried on with my business.

This concludes this random post, more music very soon!

Parov Stelar - Shine

Parov Stelar is a relatively unknown fella, but i recently saw his record in the beats section of my local record store and was presently suprised and somewhat bemused at seeing his most recent offering Shine adorn the endless shelves of mainstream dance music.

This is clever music, it's the kind of stuff you put on in the background on a hot summer's night while sitting out in the backyard sipping on your favourite beverage - carefree. So what does it actually entail? Well, i can tell you that it is a trip into thick beats and downtempo lounge-electronica. It's pleasently fucked up and exceedingly coooool at the same time. You know, the kind of cool that soothes the soul - speaking of soul the guest vocalists (the female vocals) are extremly soulful and pronounced, and they blend beautifully with the warm and alluring bass tones, sharp and funky beats and playful horn sections that Stelar pastes together meticulously.

Shine adds gloss to the melancholic but also to the upbeat (see Love[part1]) for a toe tapping extraveganza complete with a catchy vocal sample and swirling, electrifying synths. The genious in Stelar's work is embedded in his infectious grooves and laid-back jazzy, funky and dare i sexy beats.

Blog Shoutout

So i've had some pretty generous reader's laetly, including some other fantastic blogs, so i thought i'd return the favour and direct you to some very good reading.

Captain Melody's Music Reviews
Check here for all of your music review needs, a neat blog with lots of great reading.

In-a-safe-place
I've been checking back here for a long time now and Rachel who runs this place has great taste in music, a wonderful blog.

Secreta Music
An extremely diverse blog, if you're looking for something out of the norm, this is the place.

when we were younger and better
Check here for soem eclectic and off-kilter releases.

Anathallo - Canopy Glow Review

I think i've fallen in love with this album, much like i did with floating world - but this one just leaves some sort of resonate beauty in the air surrounding my speakers. I received this in the mail today, pre-ordered of course and i watched as my girlfriend stole it from me and opened it so i wouldn't be overun with excitement, alas it was handed to me and it graced my eager hands begging to be opened and played.

Overall, this album plays like a journey through life, and if time permits ill have a bit of an interpretation up in a few weeks. The recurring themes of birth, lifes experiences, ageing and death seem to peek through the songs lyrical content as they're intertwined with wonderfully crafted melodies and harmonized vocals. But then again, what more would you expect form Anathallo? On this, their sophomore effort, they have opted for tighter song structures as opposed to the sparceness and general complexity of Floating World (not that that was a bad thing!). This focused song writing is however a blessing and holds the record with much more restraint and allows it to ebb and flow effortlessly.

I'm going to review the songs individually as i don't want you to miss out on any of the juicy bits this album presents the listener with.

Noni's Field - The album kicks off with shakers and an upbeat intro track. This song has been around for agggges but still gives me shivers of joy each time i listen to it. Anathallo trademark vocal harmonies are abundant surrounding a prominent piano, hand claps and warm fuzzy bass frollicking around the mix. The song is pure bliss (given the theme is detah) and ends with beautiful string arrangements. (9.5/10)

Italo - Italo has this irresistable charm to it. Erica's vocals lift up and bound with pace. It's a genuine sing-a-long track that while jumping and electric it is oceanic in stature. I think they use bricks rubbed against each other in this? Almost as pretentious as the velcro they used in Floating World - but it works, so well. I needn't say more. (10/10)

Northern Lights - Ushered in by the engine of a church organ and what appears to be shuffling feet this would have to be the most beautiful song on the record. Half way through, when everything stops, and the delicate bells are tinging in your ears is one of those moments that just make you sit back and reflect, on everything that you've ever experienced. I've been trying to pinpoint a nice phrase for this epiphanic point - all i can say is my heart stops. Amazing. (10/10)

The River - The lead single fromt he album and it is one of the most catchy and growing songs on the cd. The good thing about Anathallo is there is always somethign to discover on each listen. It is truly a headphones album. So how is this song? It's singable, it's danceable, it's a cacophony of pianos, strings, horns and a myriad of intriguing instruments that guide you to wonderful places. (10/10)

Cafetorium - From what i can gather a biblically influenced song. I've heard that Anathallo's religious roots turn a lot of people off which i think is very unfortunate. Their ability to tell a story, a religious one at that and incorporate it into their own unique style is amazing and should not be overlooked, and this is no exception. (9/10)

Sleeping Torpor - Another delicate song, Erica's voice gives you the impression that if you drop her she'd break, and this is what i like about her vocals on this album. This track would to me best fit somewhere on Floating World - it has the odd and burstly horn sections, slow burning tempo and distinct querkiness. In the context of this record it fits perfectly in the middle and gives the listener a break before entering the second half. (8.5/10)

All The First Pages - A masterpiece. This is my favourite track, although it is very hard to choose one. The way this song constructs denoument is entirely what makes it. The first half is dedicated to building a foundation block that lifts the second half of the song into the stratisphere - sweeping strings and perfect vocal harmonies drag you in and don't let you go. The percussion is what holds it all together though, showcased well on this track. (10/10)

John J. Audobon - Once again we are treated to the exubrant playfulness that Anathallo is known for. Backing vocals carry themselves behind the leads flowing and discordant lyrics to make for an ec lectic and engaging song. (9/10)

Bells - This song is quite a concept, it is built entirely from hand bells found in the church where the band played and practiced in Chicago. I get the feeling the song is about ageing and losing your mind, losing sanity and about the diminishment of memory. It is sad, and brooding, harrowing even - but i wonderful observation of the challenges life throws us. (9/10)

Tower of Babel - The album finishes with a gentle, calming and sombre affair. It is a song that engages throughout and even gets me singing from time to time. I think it was th eperfect way to close this album - it is dark and contemplative - what the album seems to posess as a whole - and it is done to perfection. (10/10)

Overall Score: 93/100

Emancipator - Soon it Will be Cold Enough

Emancipator is what i believe first and foremost a hip-hop producer, but bursted out with this solo effort that is lavished in wintery goodness. It's trip-hop and beats orientated coolness is iced over with sombre violins and glitchy yet pure and atmospheric acoustic guitar. The electronics are what brings the wintery feel to the album, a journey through fields of snow and forrestry is what im feeling when lisntieng to this album. A definate one to chill to.

Pinkly Smooth - Unfortunate Snort

This is somewhat of a novelty album for me. I do enjoy it thoroughly though and that's because it's so....so deranged. It's a fucking mess, death references, cannibalistic undertones, spastic vocals, jangly pianos and heavy thick riffs are abundant and not afraid to push the envelope to use an overstated phrase.

It's only 27 minutes but it's 27 minutes you will not forget.

PW: fourthstation

Ma Fleur - The Cinematic Orchestra

A dreamy lounge jazz cacophony. The opener "To Build A Home" is a masterpiece of emotive beauty - the song is magical in everyway and form there onwards the listener is treated to an amalgamation of soulful vocals, breathtaking arrangements, and subtle acoustics to full blown electronics. It is a jazz record pure and simple - but a jazz record incorporating all that is electronic and acoustic in 11 amazing tracks.

Anathallo Forum

I have created a forum for the band Anathallo - if you enjoy them please check it out!

www.cafetorium.invisionplus.net

I really don't expect it to take off at all, just a little experiment coz i am fair bored right now.
More music coming soon....

Beirut - The Flying Club Cup

You wouldn't believe this early twenty something hails from the good old US of A because his sound is ridiculously European and flavoured. It is an amazing achievement at his tender age that he releases such a stunning and cultured album of tunes - what amazes me more is his mastering of many of the instruments on this record.

The album itself covers alot of Balkan territory utilizing anything from brass instruments to full blown string arrangements. It is somewhat of a refreshing blast from the past and takes you on a wonderful journey - his voice is equally amazing and powerful with a passionate and evocative pull for the listener.

For Caz

Godspeed You! Black Emporer - F#A# Infinity

Only when i came back to this album around 6 months after purchase did i really sink my teeth into it properly. And i am glad that i persisted with it. Ominous and harrowing soundscapes build into an apocolyptic sonic attack. The first track is probably the scariest of the three involving a found sound recording of a man narrating what seems to be the end of the world - and oh my does the music reflect this brilliantly.

Each song consists of a few sections that either build up to a climactic peak or wither away with drones and repititive soundlogs. No matter which way it goes GY!BE tend to take you from serene beauty and horrific darkeness. This is a must have.

McAttack

First training tonight for our work bball team and it went pretty well, we've figured out some nice combinations for attack and built our rebound strength ALOT. Like ALOT!
However im notw damn tired, really tired, but that's ok because it is all about fitness right? MIRITE?

Stay tuned for another album soon!

Peace

Waldemar Bastos - Pretaluz (blacklight)

Not often does a voice like this come around too often. Waldermar Bastos hails from Angola and is prolific in creating mood with his vibrant and emotive vocal chords. Incorporating elements of afrobeat and tropicalia in his wonderfully balanced album he manages to take you into his world of sincerity and beauty contrasting this with some darker and sombre moments.

Rainha Ginga incorporates playful percussion behind upbeat guitar work a bouncy bass mid section while Muxima displays Bastos's amazingly powerful vocal capabilities. A wonderfully diverse and evocative album. Highly recomended.

I uhm....I ahhh...I dont know how to say this...but...

You stink. Seriously i was sitting watching dancing with the stars last night with the parentals and i farted. You know, not like intentionally, but it leaked out, nothing i could do right? Am i right? I think so. So what does alex do? How does he weasle his way out of this potentially fatal situation? He blames it on the dogs, yes, i felt bad and most probably lost sleep last night bcoz of it...but its not unethical for me to do so right? meh. who cares.

So i wonder what you're thinking right now....has he gone isnane? has he totally lost his cobbles and is walking theplank to a mental asylum? NO. He hasn't. And he will continue with posting great music on this blog. But i (LN) feel i need to insert some random, nonsensical shit in between posts otherwise ur coming here for music and going. I mean is it too much to ask that you stay for a cup of tea and a biccie every now and then? i dont think so.

In saying that though, i do appreciate all you who visit htis blog (which probably isnt many) but hey, gotta start somewhere right?

Peace and Love

Orion Rigel Dommisse - What I Want From You Is Sweet

This wonderous record gives off the impression that if this girl was dropped she would shatter like glass. The fragility in her voice is only exemplicated in her instrumentation. Layered with mysterious string sections, eery synth and key lines and held together by a folky guitar this album presents something sweet, sublime and intricate. I am reluctant to use the word minimalist as there is a lot going on, but the songs seem simple in there own complexity.

At times the tracks seem haunting, menacing even and in others I envision shimmers of light through a dark forrest. It is strange what music can do isn't it?

Enjoy

Venetian Snares - Rossz csillag alatt született

Aaron Funk, the man behind Venetian Snares somehow manages to meld classical works with his unique and well known brand of jungle/drum n bass and does it to absolute perfection. This extremely dark and melancholic record demonstrates the sheer veracity of Funk's heavy and hard hitting beats while presenting another world of beauty incorporating achingly painful string arrangements and serene soundscapes.

No matter what you are into, this record is a must have, as it delves into an extremely innovative and fresh way of mixing genres and does it so well, it holds your attention for the whole record. It is great to lose yourself in such beauty and catharticness at the very same time.