REVIEW: Squeegeed Clean - Synchronised Fucking Up And Pre-Emptive Flashbacks CD, 2011

Squeegeed Clean - Synchronised Fucking Up And Pre-Emptive Flashbacks CD, 2011

SQUEEGEED CLEAN
Synchronised Fucking Up And Pre-Emptive Flashbacks CD, 2011
http://squeegeedclean.bandcamp.com
This CD compiles two previous releases of this Aussie posse, which includes Skot, Graz, amd Funkmeister G, I think. This is the cleanest and most polished avant garde noise free jam love I've heard in a while. Guitars, synths, drum machines and percussion, often with tons of echo and delay. The first nine tracks date from 2005, the last four were made in 2009, but the sound is coherent, cohesive, tight and professional as far as this type of thing usually goes. Meaning no huge volume spikes or anything else that will blow out your eardrums and/or speakers.
Ian C Stewart

REVIEWS: C. Reider - "Formerly Sine Drones" and "Owning Extinctions" 2011

C. Reider -  Formerly Sine Drones, 2011

C. REIDER
Formerly Sine Drones download, 2011
http://www.vuzhmusic.com
Oh, they're still drones, don't you worry. The first piece, "59 Hz," is 3:22 of what sounds like a ground hum. If you're expecting the guitar to plug in and this humming sound to go away, well, that doesn't happen. The noise is the star. And so on across the album. It's minimalistic and easy to talk over. Sounding alternately mechanical and organic, somehow.
Ian C Stewart

C. Reider - Owning Extinctions, 2011

C. REIDER
Owning Extinctions download, 2011
http://www.vuzhmusic.com
The other one is more like smooth peanut butter. This one is crunchy. Now I'm hungry for Jif. Track one, "Clathrate Gun Hypothesis," sounds like an echoey underwater chamber, an alien life form beside some stalactites. Beside the white chickens. Oh wait, that's "Underwater Plume," I'm thinking of, which certainly does have a dewy vibe about it. "Apologies And Capitulations," sounds like a spaced-out Skinny Puppy breakdown. Several rhythmic elements operating independently, with that tension in the middle. This one is prettified chaos.
Ian C Stewart

REVIEW: Mass Debate - "Shun" CD, 2011

mass debate - shun

MASS DEBATE
Shun CD, 2011
Funky hiphop with large beats, fat basslines and an Aussie female MC/singer. The production is clear and thumpin'. The lyrics are all questioning governmental politics, racism and sexual politics. The more overtly sexual lyrics remind me of Lady Sovereign and Princess Superstar. The songs are sharp, snappy, quick in and out. I haven't heard a combination of political energy and pop music this smooth since Chumbawamba. Catchy pop rap that probably sounds great on the radio. Beats and production by Skot, Ernie and Meagan D, who also did the rhymes. Consolidated, remember them? "if you fuck up, just sit on your hands," nice hook.
Ian C Stewart

REVIEW: 'kirchenkampf' + Pixyblink "Nevermore and Nevertheless" CD, 2011

kirchenkampf' + Pixyblink - Nevermore and Nevertheless CD, 2011

KIRCHENKAMPF + PIXYBLINK
Nevermore And Nevertheless CD, 2011
Cohort Records
John Gore and ambient cohort (get it?) Pixyblink bring the massive, exhaling whoosh on this one. Drones, arranged to decay, and not. There's a looping, high whooshy thing on opening piece "Affair De Coeur" that is quite something else. "Enfant Terrible" vacillates between quiet beauty and obnoxious aggression. Hellish soundtrack music. Or, soundtrackish hell music, take your pick. "Profanum Vulgus" is a cool title for one of the more understated pieces on this album. The quiet moments in general are terrifying and beautiful. "Mal De Mer," I like the way the synths are being tweaked and freaked in both speakers. "Laborare Est Orare" ends the album on quite a majestic note, literally. Awesome.
Ian C Stewart