Dick Fist - 2014 - Dick Fist

Grindcore

[FOR FREE]

http://dickfistnoise.bandcamp.com/releases

• 6 songs to download
• For free
• Direct Download
• Listening recommendations:

Impressions

It took longer to write this review than it did to listen to this EP all the way through. Twice. Now, I warn you, this music is abrasive and raw and all kinds of not very nice. If words like 'grindcore' and 'power violence' in music make you shake your head, this probably would be a good time to go read Georgi's All India Radio review (Do that anyway). It's two people (they only have initials on the site) screeching into the mics and playing as hard and fast as they possibly can. They also try to use shock value as a blunt object on the listener (the cold opener about Jesus sounding like some kind of wildlife documentary is a humourous touch). The lyrics are as ridiculous as one would imagine two teenagers giving the middle finger verbally would be, telling punks, punk rock and, well, pretty much everyone else to fuck off over and over again over the span of three or so minutes. Normally, I'd abhor this EP and the snotty nonsense brutalizing my eardrums, but this must have just caught me at the right time, because I enjoyed it rather a lot. Everything sounds a bit rough, vocals, guitars, drums, all a bit dirty really. About the only thing that doesn't is the opening clip about Jesus and the shootout interlude. Not that it matters, they're competently played – the rough around the edges sound is most likely intentional – and so fast you won't even notice until it's gone. It may be shallow, and silly, but there's enthusiasm in Dick Fist (a phrase you do not want to repeat in front of Grandma I assure you) and you can hear it. There's an interlude damn it. An interlude in a record that's barely 3 minutes long (and it's the 2nd last track!) The tongue is so firmly in cheek it may burst through.

So I suggest taking a couple minutes of your day and thrashing your head around to Dick Fist.

Cartoon Monster - 2013 - Loves EP

Folk

[FOR FREE]

https://cartoonmonster.bandcamp.com/album/loves-ep

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

Impressions

Cartoon monster is a scientist with a musical lab in his bedroom. Wanna know something else? It feels like he’s tired of music, a Frankenstein-esque creator yearning for peace. But until then, he’s forced to doodle electronically. I’ve been familiar with his work for a couple of years now, and it’s usually easy listening, but loves EP sounds a bit possessed. It’s like I’m in a colorful house with tons of wheels, gadgets, and toys; but the house is empty and every room holds a different track. A little weird, a little looney, but that’s the appeal. The door is wide open, and this is what to expect from him.

Because of that, every song gets right to the point. Even though I’d consider it pop, loves is a unique diary, with no intention to sound happy, but more of a pop culture satire. These tracks, mostly having acoustic guitar and some sort of synth layer, are tied down by an exhausted vocal track. You’ll know what I mean. While only being 6 tracks long, I’m not sure how to feel about this set. I’m not sure how to describe its message or tone. It sort of just is. Leaves just as easily as it comes, but you’ll remember it. His signature tea kettle whispering is found in circus din, and glowing growing is sounds like an acid trip at a circus (as if they weren’t frightening enough). For those that just want to take a peak, I’d suggest salish sea. It’s a calm tune that sounds like it was recorded in a bathtub down by the seaside.

All India Radio - 2014 - Red Shadow Landing (Demo Versions)

Ambient-Rock

[FOR FREE]

http://allindiaradio.bandcamp.com/album/red-shadow-landing-demo-versions

• 12 songs to download
• You name the price (min 0,-)
• You get the link if you register your email address
• Listening recommendations: The North Sky Demo, Dont Leave Early Version Feat Steve Kilbey 2

Impressions

All India Radio's demos are not just another episode of ”How it's made”, where listeners get to assess the various musical lines and textures before they are moulded into the final mix. There's more than that: I came across the ”Demos better than the finished product” dilemma, as they bear the original rough spark of inspiration. And it's not just me; Martin, the band's guitarist confesses that he sometimes likes them more than the proper album - reason why he has decided to release them 2 months ago.

Freed from the focus on details & alterations perceived as improvements the demos unveil the authentic stream of inspiration - a most diverse one, I must say, as it gathers and unifies styles of various artists, such as Helios (Keith Kenniff), Badalamenti, Boards of Canada or even David Gilmour. Despite the diversity of the blended tendencies, the album's tight integrity is yet a mystery to me.
Badalamenti's eerie suspended arpeggios from Golden demo 2 intertwined with the post-rock-ish The Original (both demos), the reckless Owlpacas in Flight mingled with the celestial and out of this world tunes of The North Sky, but especially the Gilmour-ish tracks ”Don't Leave”, the highlights of the album, all these styles enrich Red Shadow Landing in a particular way.

Why Red Shadow Landing? To give you a hint: Martin has an impressive collection on tumblr of space related images, scanned from magazines and books.