The Underline label gets off to a promising start with this four-tracker from Berlin’s Troy Pierce, a member (alongside Magda and Marc Houle) of Run Stop Restore. Gutter-scraping basslines churn with funk while whispered vocals flit about the high end and acid lines suck helium; the drums are as pristine as can be, all prick and ping. A promising start for Underline.
Sex In Dallas Around the War
Self-confessed French “slackers” Sex in Dallas create an interesting musical melting pot that moves one or two steps beyond your typical electro fodder. Lead singles “Berlin Rocks” and “Everybody Deserves to be Fucked” highlight the band’s progressive approach to composition and production, while “5 O’Clock” and “Songs of the Beach” provide a mellower respite from the otherwise omnipresent four/four beat. SID’s constant chatter over the tracks does come off as a bit self-indulgent at times, but overall this is a fine debut from an act that definitely makes the effort to push things further.
Evening Other Victorians
Evening takes the moody overtones of, say, Interpol, washes them out with the up-and-down emotiveness of Mogwai, and throws in a healthy dash of Radiohead’s “anything goes” approach to soundscaping. With deep roots in the San Francisco music scene that belie their seemingly short three years of existence (guitarists Bryan Lee Czur and Patrik Sklenar have worked together for over eight years), their sound has evolved into a dreamy yet dramatic assault on the senses that evokes touches of everything from shoegaze to sunshine. Check the climactic tension of “Breast Milk Saves Sixteen at Sea” or the victorious-yet-melancholic “Darmstadt” for fine examples of what everybody else should be listening to.
Granny’Ark Granny’Ark
Vancouver’s Granny’Ark (Michele Irving) displays an extremely delicate touch with her minimal experimental techno on this stylish four-song sampler. Irving produces expansive waves of filtered, swirling ambient textures and glistening yet urgent keyboard shards, then sneaks in a taut 4/4 or intricate percussive loop beneath. Fans of Kid 606 or Aphex Twin’s early glitchy soundscapes should board this Ark.
Vector Lovers Roboto Ashido: Funk EP
Domo arigato “Roboto Ashido Funk” EP, we are happy to see you. The UK’s Vector Lovers (Martin Wheeler) stirs up chirpy, squiggly electro-funk to satisfy both the lip-pursing hipsters and the coked-out yuppies. “Funk & Droid” is the obvious floor burner, though “Electrosuite (Long & Dirty Mix)” is the real champion, cut with a driving bassline and gloriously deep groove. Long live retro futurist electro!
Chris Lowe The Black Life
Seeing so many unheralded artists from hip-hop’s golden age finally getting their just due is a beautiful thing for b-boys who remember the golden age. Hearing said artists put out contemporary albums is a mixed blessing, though, as The Black Life demonstrates. An interlude reminds listeners that Lowe and Dooley-O are the ones responsible for bringing the classic Skull Snaps break to hip-hop, but elsewhere, Lowe’s attempts to modernize his sound bring pedestrian results. It’s not a bad album by any stretch, but Lowe leaves his comfort zone to attract younger listeners when he might have been better served sticking to his strengths.
DJ Nu-Mark & Pomo Blend Crafters
This CD comes off as more of a Nu-Mark production showcase than an actual album, but I’m not complaining. These clearly are beats for MCs, not stand-alone instrumentals; they take a fairly basic verse/chorus/verse structure without a whole lot of changes happening. As such, it’s good background music but not exactly gripping listening. No matter-Nu-Mark is due a lot more props than he’s getting for his production prowess, and maybe this CD will help raise his stock. It’s also a great purchase for any aspiring MC in need of some high-quality beats to flow over.
Total Science Good Old Days
Good Old Days is light and fluffy, placing dense layers of “baby, baby” vocals on top of stepping beats and a Carlito-style liquid bassline. Flip for a more bouncy vibe, as “Hinge N Bracket” rolls with machine-gun breaks and a jumpy bass combined with subdued synth pads.
Masta Killa No Said Date
Masta Killa, the elusive ninth member of the Wu-Tang Clan, finally delivers his solo effort, but No Said Date feels more like an unofficial Wu reunion due to the all-inclusive roster of clansmen MCs and producers. Although the “High Chief” doesn’t have as much charisma as some of his other Wu brethren, he holds his own on the RZA-produced “No Said Date” and string-tinged “Last Drink.” And, as worldwide Wu freaks patiently await a new posse album, they will be more than satisfied bumping around in Masta Killa’s chamber.
A-Sides Everything (Mathematics Remix)
Mathematics reworks “Everything” into a percussion-driven stormer, with dirty techno touches inside a growling sub bass-a nice departure from their usual sound. Not to be overshadowed, Psidream’s “Heartfelt” pounds down heavy-handedly with a chest-rumbling bassline and buzzing ripsaw effects.
