REVIEW: Distant Trains - Congratulations On Your Suicide CD, 2010

Distant Trains - Congratulations On Your Suicide CD, 2010

DISTANT TRAINS
Congratulations On Your Suicide
CD, 2010http://www.sleeponthefloor.com/releases/016/016.htm
Distorted bass guitar with clean drum programming and wandering keys on top. Plus vocal. "Take Care" is like a doom metal version of Soul Whirling Somewhere. And the bursts of bluesy guitar, I should not be enjoying this. The production can be summed up in two words: clean scuzz. Just like the early work of one of my favorite bands, Idaho. "Desert" is probably more like Queens Of The Stone Age, maybe? I enjoy the distorto-bass guitar-forward songwriting, vocals waaaaay off over there in the semi-background. The elements are familiar, but the picture is still pretty.
Ian C Stewart

REVIEWS: Bat Lenny - "Shadowland" and "The Atomic Toybox" CDs

Bat Lenny - Shadowland CD, 2008

BAT LENNY
Shadowland EP
CD, 2008
http://batlenny.com
Progressive pop that is equal parts Yes and XTC, and no, I don't just mean ELO. In days of old, the "Shadowland" suite would merely have been known as side four of the new LP, a 17-minute theme in 5 parts. Bat Lenny is the King Crimson of the underground.
Ian C Stewart

Bat Lenny - The Atomic Toybox CD, 2009

BAT LENNY
The Atomic Toybox
CD, 2009
Massive prog-pop a la Mike Kenneally. I really enjoyed this one. "Gravity" opens with a single synthesizer note being filtered, kind of like any old song by the Human League. The song starts with a minimial drum beat, which is vamped on and reacted to by the other instruments, gradually building up into a groove like the Police. Primus meets E.L.O. This album is Marillionesque (I guess, Genesisesque would make more sense) in its scope. Repeated listenings required and rewarded.
Ian C Stewart

REVIEW: Vocabularinist – Monkey Brains Controlling Robot Arms CD, 2006

Vocabularinist – Monkey Brains Controlling Robot Arms CD, 2006

VOCABULARINIST
Monkey Brains Controlling Robot Arms
CD, 2006
Funky, mechanized grooves with miles of vocal loops. And funk. It's not Meat Beat Manifesto, but it's also not Perry Como, it's not a lot of things. Rhythm and melody. "All Refelctions End Here" is kind of like the bastard offspring of Gary Numan and early Nine Inch Nails, but better. Dark electronica. Have I said Skinny Puppy enough yet in this issue? In the early 1990s, we called this stuff 'industrial,' just meaning that it's dark and girls could dance to it. "Getting To Thou" gives those headphones a workout, all the elements jumping across the stereo spectrum. "It's A Dull Ride" is like drum & bass Pop Will Eat Itself. Monkey Brains Controlling Robot Arms is fun, funky and futile to ignore.
Ian C Stewart

REVIEW: Mekigah - The Serpent's Kiss CD, 2011

MEKIGAH The Serpent's Kiss CD, 2011

MEKIGAH
The Serpent's Kiss
CD, 2011
This CD is many types of metal, all at the same time. It's like a cross between My Dying Bride and Dead Can Dance. It's heavy and epic as a motherfucker. The production lends itself to headbanging and air-piano playing, or so I've been told. They have the male/female vocal thing down. The music of "In The Garden" sounds like Mercyful Fate crossed with Enya. It's the kind of unique plot twist that heavy metal needs to keep my attention. This album requires repeated listenings. Dream Theater meets Yanni? Wait, there is some saxophone, so maybe King Diamond plus Kenny G? Gothic jazz metal. Absolutely unique.
Ian C Stewart

INTERVIEW: Paul Caporino of M.O.T.O (Masters Of The Obvious)

M.O.T.O.

AUTOreverse #14, Summer 2011
PAUL CAPORINO
M.O.T.O.
(Masters Of The Obvious)
interviewed by
Ian C Stewart

Let's talk about your musical influences. Who are your biggest influences and why? Who were your early musical influences?
PC: Mostly recordings of popular music of all genres dating back to.......

Where do you see your music heading?
Not sure, but it's getting there.