Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Moxie - 2013 - Pre-equipped

Experimental
[FOR FREE]
<a href="http://moxieproject.bandcamp.com/"
  • 4 songs to download
  • You name the price (min 0,-)
  • You get the link if you register your email address
  • Listening recommendations: Pre Lone
Impressions
                Moxie is not afraid to be loud, noisy, overlap, or drone. Anyone can hear that within just the first 20 seconds of this set. Random drums blazin’ with distorted keyboard sounds like an obnoxious anthem. This is how we are introduced. With a quick glance at the time of the beginning tracks, I sort of knew I was just expecting groundwork. Something the build on, or being leading with. This helps to not expect a song song but more sound than anything. I like rocky roads, and appreciated the experimentation and unprecedented drums-and-keys. The 2nd track is an interlude of sorts with both drums and a mini soundscape collaborating, ending with an expanded reverberated room sequence. (Funny how much I’m able to talk about just 2 minutes into this.) Then the 3rd track comes in, and at last there is order in the musical hall. But it’s more than order, it’s the most pure and peaceful computer created song I’ve heard. I felt genuinely happy to play around with these bright keyboard strokes; and I also felt relieved that there’s more to this slightly chaotic computer banter. (Listen to Great Bay Shrines by Sweet Valley. Same idea.) But it is obvious where the climax is. Any Breaking Bad fans in the building? You will love the closer. I could go on about how great the scene that’s sampled is, hell, I could go off on how great the entire series is; but let’s give credit where credit is due. Moxie picked the perfect background to complement this powerful moment in the monster newly created in this show’s protagonist. And even though the Walt’s sample is about a fourth of Baby Holly, the dark tones advertised on the description of Pre-Equipped are left to burn and settle in the air like radiation from a lead acid battery. I AM THE ONE WHO KNOCKS. Intense goose bumps commence, followed by these dry and cold screeches, necessary drum taps, and my favorite glitch-like computer sounds (see Idioteque by Radiohead). I get drowned by graveyard fog towards the end, and left to be haunted by the dialogue in reverse.
                Because this EP is artificially made, the feedback I’d give would lie in the area of production techniques. While Moxie pans at sometimes, I think panning completely or some ear-to-ear effects at times would heighten the delivery. But that’s about all I have to add. Even though I wasn’t left wanting more exactly, an album of at least 15 minutes with this kind of consistency would definitely get at least 4/5 from me.


Dear Moxie, make more.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Ruben Lozano - 2014 - The Astronaut Nocturnes

Classic Instrumental
[FOR FREE]
<a href="http://rubenlozano.bandcamp.com/album/the-astronaut-nocturnes"
  • 4 songs to download
  • You name the price (min 0,-)
  • You get the link if you register your email address
  • Listening recommendations: Any of them
Impressions
The third time we featured this musician here, and its also the third time we find ourselves not disappointed. Classically instrumentalized music usually has a hard standing among the broader masses (unless you are happen to be born with the name Bach, Mozart or Smetana and have access to a 100 man orchestra), but Ruben Lozano has a way of weaving modern elements into his classical pieces, making them feel fresh and inspirational in a way that manages to touch a wider audience. The Astronaut Nocturnes are a different take on the same space theme that he already explored in The Astronaut. However, where his previous LP was created as an imagining of the sound of exploring the vastness and grandeur of space, Nocturnes is a more sober look on things, the night after if you will. Instead of being overwhelmed by celestial bodies, it is the sound of reminiscence. Memories of great, historical or personal moments, lingering in the air, intermingling with the dust that settled between the old and ancient records of discoveries past. This nocturne is not a dark one, the memories of the astronaut are valuable to him, worth being treasured and given to us as a record of his exploration and experience.
Nocturnes might not be as grand as The Astronaut was, but dont deserve the smaller emotions in life just as much appreciation for not freezing us constantly in awe if we were showered in amazement constantly? Highly recommended, and I am betting on Ruben Lozanos next outing not being disappointing either. Anyone betting against me?