Bernard Kogovsek - 2011 - Tolmun

Ambient Folk

[FOR FREE]

http://bernardkogovsek.bandcamp.com/

• 9 songs to download
• You name the price (min 0,-)
• You get the link if you register your email address
• Listening recommendations: Skozi Vejevje, Tolmun, Ve Ne Sence

Impressions

Initially, I only planned to have these tracks linked in the review of Hic Et Nunc as a side project by one of the band members, but this record is simply too good to not give it more attention. Its an adjective I rarely use for music, but Tolmun is simply beautiful. An instrumental record with guitar and bassoon sounds that feels like poetry and resonates with me on a very basic level. More so than songs with vocals, instrumental records have the power to affect people with a "feeling" instead of a direct message. Listening to this makes we want to pack up and leave this hectic world behind for a few days, rediscovering those small things that are oh so easily missed. These seemingly insignificant, yet pervasive elements in our surroundings now have at least one speaker and one sound more, Bernard Kogovsek's Tolmun. Songs that remind us of the importance, the steadiness and the sublime beauty of the smallest things surrounding us. And like the small and subtle joy emitted by the calming sounds of running water, breezing wind or the smell after the rain, Tolmun will probably not get the attention it deserves, but for the ones that notice it, its a treasure to behold.

HIC ET NUNC - 2005 - Burn Fat Old Sun

Alternative Blues Rock

[FOR FREE]

http://hicetnunc.bandcamp.com/album/burn-fat-old-sun

• 10 songs to download
• For free
• Direct Download
• Listening recommendations: Kalkis Song, Burn Fat Old Sun, Human Devil Woman

Impressions

Another record that proves that music doesnt age. Sure, you have some decade specific music that most people will unmistakably associate with a certain time period, but that doesnt mean that older records are bad or even should be completely forgotten. Considering the amount and speed we consume media, this small little Alternative Rock record from 2005 is probably long forgotten by now, if it ever even got the attention it deserved. The band got founded in 1990 and considering their latest record is now 8 years old, this might be  their swan song (Although there are some other side projects, like Bernhard Togolvseks Instrumental "Tulmon" you should check out as well: http://bernardkogovsek.bandcamp.com/) and oh boy are we missing out. If the musical development since 1990 and the quality of their latest record is anything to go by, these guys were basically one record away from making a record that would burn everyone's ears off. Burn Fat Old Sun is just one guitar smash away from being a truly great and unforgettable record. This record is passion, love for music, Classic Rock, Alternative Blues, driving riffs, power, catchy melodies and lots of tracks that make you feel like joining in with the vocals. If these guys had edged out some issues that give some tracks a bit too much uninteresting downtime (Petrol being probably the worst offender), this record would have probably found a wider audience. As it stands now, this record and this band have a lot of character which I got to love during my double digits playthrough of Burn Fat Old Sun, which might not be everyone's cup of tea, however it certainly is mine. If there is any chance for a follow up record, I'd welcome these gentlemen to rock on.

Pontius Order - 2013 - Full Circle

New Age

[FOR FREE]

http://pontiusorder.bandcamp.com/

• 7 songs to download
• You name the price (min 0,-)
• You get the link if you register your email address
• Listening recommendations: Jupiter, Allure

Impressions

I didn't think I'd wake up this morning and write a review for new age-tinged instrumental pop, but here I am listening to Pontius Order again, and their “Nothing but keyboards and synthesizers” LP Full Circle with my head swimming in clouds. There does not seem to be a specific pattern or theme across the album, the title isn't an indicator of what to expect either. I suppose 'heavenly' or 'the heavens' might do, but the second half of the record negates that in both structure and tempo almost entirely. “Jupiter” starts thing off in complete new age mode: a single operatic lyric (“Oh” or “Ah”, it's hard to tell which) repeated for the entire track, all over a simple keyboard motif. You'd think you might need a light show or a planetarium to get the most out of this album, and I can't deny that might actually be a rather cool experience, but things do get less spacey and more groove-oriented as time goes on, so stick with it. And the next track, “Morpheus” is an R&B instrumental with a few spacey keyboard lines sprinkled throughout. Pontius Order might as well hang 'slow jam' on your door when this track is playing. All-in-all, this record stands more as a testament to the versatility of a talented musician and keyboard (and maybe plucking a guitar string or two on “Angela”) than it does as an artistic statement. Oh how those keys can create wonderful noise, with a clean production helping in that department quite nicely. The different keyboard tracks overlay perfectly, never crowding each other out (good thing to because there's a lot of them, and they stretch out to eternity). Sure it may sound completely synthetic, wholly inorganic, but New Age always carries the cold twinge of technology with it, even if it's in small doses here, so I can't fault it for that. Oh, and one last thing, all that glitters really is gold as far “Allure” is concerned, and I'm inclined to agree. And after giving Full Circle a spin, I'm sure you will too.

Side note - if you've played the indie game “Sequence” and enjoyed the soundtrack, this record is right up your alley.

Satanic Ceremony - 2013 - Satanic Ceremony (unfinished)

Classical

[FOR FREE]

http://satanicceremony.bandcamp.com/album/satanic-ceremony-unfinished

• 7 songs to download
• For free
• Direct Download
• Listening recommendations: Unveiling Evil Mysteries, Reconquering The Spirit Of Mother Earth

Impressions

This LP may be hokey as all get out, at least in terms of thematic content, but oh boy did I get a kick out of it. Yes, it's apparently an album of 'satanic' music, and if you've ever seen a classic horror film (I'm talking 1930's black and white Universal monsters or 1920-30's German Expressionist), then you've got an idea of just what you're in for when you throw on Satanic Ceremony. Compositions bellowed out of an organ straight from the pits of Hell itself that evokes other classic toccata's (most specifically Bach's Toccata and Fugue In D Minor BWV). Organ music can effectively get across two moods really well: uplifting and ethereal or menacing and brooding, and it's not really hard to guess which of those two this record aims to sonically capture. With that said, the music itself is extremely slickly put together: Every note is crystal clear and while there is no information on the type of organ used (probably a harmonium), one can tell this is meant to be heard on the largest pipe organ you can find. With song titles like “Reconquering The Spirit of Mother Earth”, it couldn't be any other way. That the organist[s] is clearly adept at the instrument also helps, as the playing is as stellar as the production. It's impressive playing, and certainly not something you get a chance to hear every day (unless you listen to nothing but baroque classical I suppose). Sure the song titles are silly and its about as evil as a free LP of organic music on the internet can be (see “not very” - editor note), but damn if it doesn't make me crack a smile and want to see the dark on rise when the low notes engulf you. I hope Satanic Ceremony gets 'finished' at some point, so I can hear the results.

If this is all meant to be taken seriously, I, well... I'm just a reviewer. Satan, have your people call my people.

cindy - 2011 - Ситуация

Indie Dance Pop

[FOR FREE]

http://cindy.bandcamp.com/album/-

• 9 songs to download
• For free
• Direct Download
• Listening recommendations: Только так, Притяжение, В твоей ванной

Impressions

These guys are simply fun to listen to. I first found them 2 years ago or something when they released their initial EP. Too bad they never got the attention they deserve, since 45 listeners on LastFM is definitely not representative of the record cindy put out with Ситуация (translated: Situation). Most of our readers probably cant understand a single word they are uttering, but rest assured they apparently arent trying down to tear down the world. These songs combine the charme of an independent home production created out of sheer fun and love for music, with lots and lots of catchy, upbeat and well made electrically produced tunes. The pitch of the voice might take some getting used to, but this is one of those records that slowly drills its existence into your brain until you are forced to admit that you WANT more of it. The biggest problems are probably the language barrier for 99% of the listeners, and that most songs are shooting for a rather similar sound with minor changes. However, it would be a shame to pass up this impressively catchy and simply fun russian Indie Dance Pop record. I dont understand most of it, yet this band stayed close with me and my MP3 player for almost 2 years now. Give these guys a chance to win you over. They deserve it.

NewWorldMare - 2013 - the RIAA now has no choice but to kill me

Electronica/Drum and Bass

[FOR FREE]

http://newworldmare.bandcamp.com/

• 4 songs to download
• For free
• Direct Download
• Listening recommendations: My Life As A Colour, Toothbrush

Impressions

With titles like “My Life As A Colour,” “Toothbrush,” and “I HATED THAT EPISODE” (that’s in all caps, ladies and gentlemen), your first question about NewWorldMare has to be about what drug he’s currently on. If this frantically paced EP is evidence, however, I’m guessing he’s on LSD, as he crams in more substance over four tracks and thirteen minutes than lesser (read: non-high) people could cram in double that length. Taking it step by step, “My Life As A Colour” begins with colorful breakbeat rhythms before introducing fascist glops of synthesizers and what sounds like a chipmunk rapping. Surprisingly, the way this bizarre bowl of ingredients is mixed makes a perverse kind of sense: the chipmunk inhales more and more helium the further in we get, and the synths begin taking on a more melodic edge to compensate for it. “Toothbrush” is a chiptastic mash-up of Katy Perry’s “Firework” and another song I cannot recognize, and strangest of all, it evokes blues, Perry’s usually inert voice sounding positively raw when cranked up an entire octave and wrapped in a warm cornucopia of synths and swing beats. Track numero three is a remix of “I UPDATED MY F-LIST” courtesy of Canadian electronic powerhouse Renard; boasting a tempo of 210 BPM, the song is basically the result of a freak experiment in which Owl City took lethal doses of steroids and locked himself in his bedroom for 24 hours. Closer “I HATED THAT EPISODE” sounds nothing like hate, but it’s a compelling closer nonetheless, albeit one that makes about as much sense as anything on this EP. I got nothing else to say, and if you truly want a taste of this madness, your only choice is to hit that PLAY button and see what’s up. Just make sure the RIAA doesn’t find you.