Ellen Fullman – The Long String Instrument (1985, Remastered 2015)
A brief Google search suggests that Alvin Lucier was experimenting with long strings as early as 1977, but it’s safe to say that Memphis-born composer Ellen Fullman gave the instrument a purpose and...
View ArticleVince Clarke & Paul Hartnoll – 2Square (2016)
To say someone’s reputation goes before them is a phrase that can be used freely with the partnership of Vince Clarke and Paul Hartnoll. Clarke, the pop genius has been a powerhouse behind Depeche...
View ArticleDinosaur Jr. – Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not (2016)
Let’s face facts — in 2016 it is remarkable that there’s a new Dinosuar Jr album to go ape over. After all, the original line-up of the band (J Mascis, Lou Barlow & Murph) only recorded three full...
View ArticleNorthumbria – Helluland (2015)
On previous releases, Ontario-based duo Jim Field (guitar) and Dorian Williamson (bass) presented an oft-massive attack that was so huge it threatened to engulf the listener. By comparison, Helluland...
View ArticleSeasurfer – Live in the Headlights (2015)
Limited edition, new live album plus Headlights EP. Songwriter and guitarist, Dirk Knight, created an instant classic with the Seasurfer debut album Dive In along with singer, Dorian E, from Berlin....
View ArticleVA – Triple J: 40 Years of Music (2015)
Why does triple j continue to release compilations? It seems like every year the youth broadcaster releases some sort of retrospective album, and of course, the perennial juggernaut that is the Hottest...
View ArticleCabaret Contemporain – Moondog (2015)
French band Cabaret Contemporain invites the two swedish singers Linda Olah and Isabel Sörling to give a tribute to the composer Louis Thomas Hardin, better known as Moondog. The seven musicians are...
View ArticleMarcus Whale – Inland Sea (2016)
Marcus Whale has made an impressive artistic statement with his debut solo album. The bulk of the Sydney vocalist and producer’s catalogue covers his work in local groups Collarbones (with Travis Cook)...
View ArticleJherek Bischoff – Cistern (2016)
With well over a decade as a multi-instrumentalist sideman, arranger, producer, and songwriter/ composer under his belt, Jherek Bischoff follows his acclaimed solo breakthrough, Composed, with Cistern....
View ArticleTerrible Truths – Terrible Truths (2015)
It’s certainly taken a while for a longplayer from Melbourne-via-Adelaide trio Terrible Truths to land, but now that their eponymous debut is in the public domain the seemingly interminable wait has...
View ArticleMSTRKRFT – Operator (2016)
MSTRKRFT‘s third outing is a U-turn to back to their 2006 debut, The Looks. On Operator, the Canadian duo of Jesse F. Keeler and Alex “Al-P” Puodziukas ditch the booming Justice-lite of their sophomore...
View ArticleJamie Isaac – Couch Baby (2016)
Recently, Archy Marshall (aka King Krule) and Loyle Carner have started a trend of former BRIT School attendees stepping into the limelight and shrugging off their alma mata’s reputation for producing...
View ArticleThe Birthday Massacre – Imagica (2016)
When Canadian new wave revival outfit The Birthday Massacre formed in 1999, they were known as Imagica. This name was inspired from the fantasy novel Imajica (1991) by Clive Barker. In 2002, they...
View ArticleCicada – Farewell (2016)
Farewell is early works of Taiwanese female fronted chamber ensemble Cicada who played with Olafur Arnalds, Rachel Grimes, Balmorhea. Farewell described how someone who went through the cycle of a...
View ArticleCicada – Ocean (2015)
Cicada‘s Ocean arrives accompanied by a blurb from Rachel Grimes, a not insignificant detail considering that she was formerly a member of Rachel’s and now releases quality neo-classical music under...
View ArticleGirls Pissing on Girls Pissing – Scrying in Infirmary Architecture (2015)
Many strive to produce unique and singular creative work. It’s not easy and generally leads to questioning the whole notion of originality. Auckland’s Girls Pissing On Girls Pissing doesn’t exist in a...
View ArticleHONNE – Warm On a Cold Night [Deluxe] (2016)
Smoldering synths? Check. Enticing velveteen vocals? Check. Promise to bring sexy back and/or create electronic music with a soul? Check. And there you have the essence of HONNE, well, not just HONNE,...
View ArticleLou Rhodes – theyesandeye (2016)
It’s hard not to read the cover shot of Lou Rhodes toting a ram’s head as a signal of how far she’s grown since her days as half of electro trip-hop duo Lamb. Certainly, theyesandeye bears scant...
View ArticleBear’s Den – Red Earth & Pouring Rain (2016)
Themes of escapism, loss and remorse are nothing new when it comes to inspirational album content. Perhaps the relatability and significance to everyday life is what makes these concepts so popular?...
View ArticleLawrence Arabia – Absolute Truth (2016)
Over the course of a decade, James Milne made a quiet name for himself as a first-rate purveyor of classic McCartney-meets-Nilsson pop under the moniker Lawrence Arabia. His way with a sneaky hook, the...
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