These Monsters - 2013 - Call Me Dragon

Progressive/Punk Rock

[FOR FREE]

http://thesemonsters.bandcamp.com/album/call-me-dragon

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

Impressions

I've spent the past month and a bit in the reflective gleam of retro synthwave, more or less ignoring any other sounds on my musical horizons (for better or worse). The hard-hitting punk rock of These Monsters put the boots to that 80's haze pretty quickly. These four guys from Leeds lay down hefty slabs of punk wrapped in a wicked tapestry of progressive and post-rock (dat Sax!) that was just what I needed to remember what music can sound like. I say progressive and post-rock play a role here because while there are vocals (and I assume lyrics as well), they're more of a tribal wail into the mic, that's buried in the mix most of the time (I almost didn't realize it was singing at first), and the songs have a free-form flow to them, with songs gliding effortlessly into the next like a tale born of guitars riffs, and into and out of noodling instrumental flourishes without killing the pacing. That said, while 'Biggie and Tupac' is an interesting listen from a technical standpoint, and a decent song, the album doesn't need to be split in two around it, since it brings the preceding fury to an abrupt halt only to have it start right back up again in the same direction. You may relish the breather it gives from the post-punk onslaught. I highly recommend Call Me Dragon, not only because it reminded me that not all music sounds like the soundtrack to Michael Man movies, but because it shows what really good rock music is capable of when a talented band goes for broke. And in this case, it's capable of re-opening my eyes to my love of all things rock and roll.

Devil Marko - 2011 - A Pleasant Exorcism

Indie Pop/ Rock

[FOR FREE]

http://devilmarko.bandcamp.com/

• 7 songs to download
• For free
• Direct Download
• Listening recommendations: A Suburban Afternoon, Im Glad Youre Not Mine

Impressions

Someone who creates such a damn fine piece of music out of boredom, voyeurism, masturbation, moaning and unemployment and knows how to market himself properly is bound to be incredibly popular. Unfortunately, Devil Marko was only able to create the music part of that equation, while his only youtube video (to be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUtfTPsLGlE) sits at a mind boggling 11 views at the time of this review. This EP has an incredibly varied track selection that ranges from catchy radio songs (A Suburban Afternoon), darker reflective rejection songs (I'm glad you're not mine) to outright hymns that beg to be sung together by hundreds of fans, united only by an emotion conveyed via sound (I dont know what). This musician deserves highest praise for the variety of tracks he offers on this EP, especially considering he somehow still manages to make the record sound consistent. Its the sound I would imagine from a low-budget and self-produced Julian Casablancas EP and if you are being compared to the Strokes frontman, then you sure as hell arent missing talent or cult potential. The EP loses a bit of its immediate accessibility towards the end, where the more upbeat sounding songs get rarer and the tracks become more edgy, which also could have been a bit of a monetary problem if those tracks didnt get the same intensive treatment as some others (the non-Chorus part of I'm young and I'm free especially seems a bit too unpolished). But just like in real life, the end isnt really all flowers and also doesnt need to be. Its a fantastic record by a very talented musician that I certainly dont wish him to be unemployed, but... more please?

frontRegen - 2012 - That Dance

Alternative Pop

[FOR FREE]

http://frontregen.bandcamp.com/album/that-dance

• 6 songs to download
• For free
• Direct Download
• Listening recommendations: Dead Corner, Favourite Thief

Impressions

Like rain pouring over an innocent bystander, frontRegen tells stories about touching human beings, moments that leave as suddenly as they came, chances you realize as soon as its too late and streams of incidents that pull you along without your consent. frontRegen does a great job of combining that concept of incidents pulling you along, which they also talk about in these tracks, with music that always tugs at the listener, never quite allowing for a break, always seemingly hurrying with only rare breaks. I very much appreciate their style of music, but its apparent that the EP also shows some shortcomings that stem from the time and money these small independent bands are usually, and unfortunately, lacking. Amazing, for example, could have used another few retakes and improvements on the introductory lyrics. The rest of the track seems to come together rather well, but the beginning seems a bit too crude and shaky. Still, I dont want to dwell on the shortcomings for too long, sincet the EP is already a big step up from their first release, which seemed a bit more incohesive. This is a very charming record and resisting the frail voice of the lead singer is almost impossible to do. After listening to it, you might want to reach out to offer a helping hand to get her out of the rain.
Life isnt always made from the choices we make ourselves, but you do have a choice whether or not to listen to this sincere and heartfelt EP. It certainly has some issues, but dont we all?