BLOG: Reviews, Features, Event Info, etc. for WDCE 90.1 FM - University of Richmond radio
Chain and the Gang: Music's Not For Everyone (K) - Ian Svenonius' Chain and the Gang want to break free with lo-fi garage beat funk. Humorous spoken/sung lyrics with call/response female backup atop righteous keys, pedaled guitar, deep bass, heavy-hitting drums and hand percussion. Accomplices include Fred Thomas, Arrington de Dionyso, Brian Weber, Tara Jane O'Neil, Veronica Ortuño and Sara Pedal. Get your wicked groove on. Recommended. 1 2 4 6-7 10 11 13
A Hawk and a Hacksaw: Cervantine (L.M. Dupli-Cation) – For their 5th LP, Jeremy Barnes' A Hawk and a Hacksaw project brings Roma tradition home to Albuquerque, NM. Spanish and Mexican influences join the party, where traditional instruments like accordion, violin, bouzouki, trumpet, tuba, hand drums and more rejoice in dance. The spirit of "Don Quixote" and Spanish novelist Mguel de Cervantes' influential Cervantine style guide the passionate journey. Recommended. Play 1 2 3 5 7
Tim Hecker: Ravedeath, 1972 (kranky) - Recorded in Iceland on July 21, 2010 at Reykjavik's Frikirkjan Church, Tim Hecker utilizes pipe organ, computer, synthesizer, piano, microphone, and guitar amp feedback to portray how music in its pure form is under attack in a digital age. Serene echoes of organ are confronted by artificial noises, which worm their way into the hallowed halls and ultimately take control. As time passes, the tide slowly turns. The electronics seem to lull into a state of paralysis and death, allowing Air to once again to fill the organ with life. Nearly Highly Recommended. 3 4 9 11
The Luyas: Too Beautiful To Work (Dead Oceans) - Quebec quartet The Luyas craft space-age pop that’s sweet and subversive. A galaxy of orchestral elements are combined in measure to yield some really interesting arrangements. Their humming hues and echoed effects glide through varied atmospheres with the greatest of ease. RIYL: Stereolab, Au Revoir Simone Recommended. Play 1 2 3 4 6 9
Sidi Touré: Sahel Folk (Thrill Jockey) - The sophomore release from Mali guitarist Sidi Touré's was recorded at his sister's house in Gao, Mali. The nine field recordings feature Touré with a different friend on each piece. Touré's half-fingerpicked and half-strummed style creates both melody and rhythm simultaneously – similar to the late, unrelated Ali Farka Touré. These bluesy, repetitively hypnotic and deeply soulful tracks are truly inspiring. Recommended. Play 2 4 5 6
The Builders & The Butchers: Dead Reckoning (Badman) - Portland, Oregon's The Builders and the Butchers' 3rd LP marks their Badman debut. A masterful brew of folk, blues and roots rock twang that weaves gothic stories from trusted threads of good/evil, addiction & religion. Ryan Sollee's fervent vocal invite you to sing along with the rollicking guitar & mandolin strums. As sure as the saloon will be swinging, Sunday repentance will come … in the meantime, just let the stars shine and the moon light your way. Nearly Highly Recommended. Play 1 3 5 6 7 12
Shugo Tokumaru: Port Entropy (Polyvinyl) - Don't let the shadowless tree spook you, Shugo Tokumaru's fourth full-length brings a playful spirit and a sense of wonder to his bedroom recordings. His detailed, bedroom baroque arrangements use loads of unexpected instruments in building imaginative, lighthearted melodies. The all Japanese vocals add to the whimsy. Creative, cheerful Nearly Highly Recommended. Play 2 4 5 7 8 9
Deerhoof: Deerhoof vs Evil (Polyvinyl) - Sixteen years in, San Francisco's Deerhoof continues to fight the Evils of mainstream music. Their Polyvinyl debut was self-recorded, mixed and mastered. This chapter blasts earthy Congotronics into asymmetric orbits of otherworldly psych-pop. Undulating rhythmic blasts, layered percussive clamor, drifting keys, encoded bass and varied guitar accents propel the journey. Satomi Matsuzaki's confident, dynamic delivery focus the energy, for atomic bombs are going to explode, warning to you, warning to you. [Note: WDCE presented Deerhoof, Des ark, VCR, and the Billy Nayer Show at UR's Greek Amphitheater – on Sat. 9/17/2005] Nearly Highly Recommended. Play 1 2 3 4 6 11
Clinic: Bubblegum (Domino) – The 6th album from Liverpool, UK art punk ensemble Clinic heads in a more subdued, Velvet Underground inspired direction. With songs awash in strings, harpsichords and dulcimers, it’s definitely a Sunday morning set. "Radiostory" resonates like a mellowed out "The Gift", only with a less tragic conclusion. Bubblegum has a dreamy, soundtrack feel that maintains the momentum to carry you forward. Recommended. Play 1 4 6 8 13
Ebo Taylor: Love & Death (Strut) - Thanks to his inclusion on several Soundway and Analog Africa compilations, Ghana highlife legend Ebo Taylor is finally reaching a wider audience. Known for fusing Ghanaian Highlife with Afrobeat and jazz, the now 74-year-old master presents a new album. Supported by Berlin based collective Afrobeat Academy (featuring members of Poets Of Rhythm, Kabu Kabu and Ghanaian legends Marijata) the tracks crackle with energy and authenticity. The propulsive rhythmic grooves open for incendiary rotating solos. His re-worked classic "Victory" is totally smoking. Nearly Highly Recommended. Start on 1 2 3 4 6
Highlife: Best Bless [ep] (The Social Registry) - Conceived in the small island of Gaspar Grande off the coast of Trinidad, Best Bless is an EP of tropical psych-pop by Highlife. Masterminds Sleepy Doug Shaw and Mira Billotte of White Magic (Drag City) named this project Highlife for its feeling of rejoicing, high consciousness and, of course, the guitar styles influenced by African 'Highlife' music. Let the layered guitars, breezy keys, Caribbean percussion and sing-along vocals carry you away. Recommended. Play 2 3 4
Various Artists: Fania Essential Recordings: Salsa Explosion: The New York Salsa Revolution 1969-1979 (Strut) - Without a doubt, NYC's Fania Records and its artists produced some of the best Salsa music ever recorded. The genera's formative heavy hitters are well represented on this 65+ minute collection guaranteed to get you dancing. This is the inaugural release in Strut's mining of Fania's rich catalog. Nearly Highly Recommended.
Bruce Haack: Farad- The Electric Voice (Stones Throw) - A collection of vocoder-based electronic recordings from late music pioneer Bruce Haack (1931-1988). Beginning his career in commercial and children's music, this set starts off with his rock-influenced conceptual album "Electric Lucifer", where earth was caught in the middle of a war between heaven and hell. Farad, the name he gave his self-made vocoder, was a forerunner. Coupled with Moog and homemade synthesizers, he advanced electronic music with his psychedelic, futuristic sound. Recommended. Play 1 2 3 6 10 14
Swans: My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky (Young God) - Michael Gira re-conviens his ensemble Swans for another chapter of American underground rock. Shadowed spiritual music that invites you in with chiming bells, and before you realize what's happening, you are asunder in fire and brimstone. Driving rhythms pull you through, as various sonic layers fly past at a dizzying pace. Set yourself free. Recommended. Play 1 2 5 (FCC 3)
Blonde Redhead: Penny Sparkle (4AD) – Upon seeing the cover of Penny Sparkle, it seemed odd that Blonde Redhead chose to apply their name like a banana sticker. As I pealed back the cover, with the highest of expectations, I found something unwelcomely soft. Fifteen years into the journey, they seem to have settled into a gentle gallop. The guitars were largely left at the stable, as the bouncing mane glistens in a reverb, dub kissed fog. Kazu Makino's lovely vocals are lush, understated and ethereal, as she seems to be in control of "Penny Sparkle", the album's namesake horse. Though well worth getting to know, I'd buy a copy of "Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons" or "23" instead. Nearly Recommended. 1 2 3 4 6 9
Dirty Projectors: Bitte Orca (Expanded Edition- Disc 2) (Domino) - In March of 2009 Dirty Projectors released "Bitte Orca" to much deserved acclaim. Eighteen months later, Domino decides to expand the offering with a second slab of goodness. Lo-fi experimental-ism at it's best, with fractal guitar, lovely harmonies, looped electronics and Afro-centric touches. Centered on a June 2009 live acoustic set from New York's Other Music, and extended with previously exclusive 7" and 12" gems, the material moves from sparse to tricked out. While I doubt I'd but it again, I'd strongly recommend those who missed it on the first round grab it now. Recommended. Play 2 4 6 7 9 10 12-Dylan Cover
Ólöf Arnalds: Innundir Skinni (One Little Indian) – Though best known for her work with Múm, "Innundir Skinni" is the sophomore release from Icelandic singer/ multi-instrumentalist Ólöf Arnalds. Images of windswept wilderness develop from the mostly sparse guitar based arrangements with some strings, harp, balafon and piano support. Her lovely, ethereal vocals warm your soul with both Icelandic and English lyrics. Recommended. Play 1 2 3 4 8-w/ Björk
Black Mountain: Wilderness Heart (Jagjaguwar) – The 3rd album from Vancouver space rockers Black Mountain distills the tracks into more focused statements. Amber Webber's roll is now balanced with fellow guitarist/vocalist Stephen McBean. Whether alternating or in harmony, their vocals shine amid moods of 70s rock. "Wilderness Heart" is a fresh and powerful blend of electric heaviness, acoustic fragility. Recommended. Play 1 2 3 4 6 8 10