2014 VDAY MIXTAPE - LUST

Band / Artist: 
DMX Krew,
Nine Inch Nails,
Andy Iona,
Die Warzau,
Wobbly,
AVAN LAVA,
My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult,
Robotanists,
Crystal Waters,
Scooter and Lavelle,
Plumtree,
Snake River Conspiracy,
Hiroyuki Namba,
ST,
White Flashes,
Tobacco,
NEVADA BASE,
Cosby Sweater,
Paper Weights

Year: 1934-2013
Genre: Industrial Rock, Electronica, IDM, Jazz, Synthpop, Indie, Electro, Chillout, Alternative, Hip-hip

My Review:
LONG AWAITED, WITH MANY REQUESTS. I mean.. I think people like these? Whatever, if you dig them, leave a comment to let me know so I'm not just wasting my time. I made this one last year and the next I finished up this year.

Jam on!

Password; Howdy


Ser.aph - LUST (2014 Mixtape)

I Am The Cosmos - Monochrome

 

Band / Artist: I Am The Cosmos
Year: 2013
Genre: New Wave, Synthpop, Post-Punk Revival

My Review:


They come out of Dublin. They make some really pleasant Dreampop-like New Wave music. The references in their songs to various modern and postmodern artworks was nice for me, but a half decade of art school will do that to you.

There is a lot of information in the liner art for this release, discussing the artworks they reference, and coming off kind of like a little manifesto. Its pretty subdued music with a lot of ideas there if you're willing to look into it, but sounding great and flowy if you aren't looking for more than some calming tunes.

It definitely has a great sound to it, something I could imagine enjoying at my favorite gothish bars on a quiet patio or lounge space.

I Am The Cosmos - Monochrome

Clemens Eduard Haipl - 330rawson

Band / Artist: Clemens Eduard Haipl
Year: 2005
Genre: Synthpop, New Age, Lo-fi, New Wave, EBM

My Review:
My first look at the cover yielded a "....What?". Its a strange album. Strange, but not bad.
If you liked Space Dimension Controller then you'll likely enjoy this. 

Some of it is heavily steeped in the synthpop genre, and some has newagey moments and some lo-fi video-gamey elements. Everything sounds just a hair to the left of what I’d expect to hear on various New Wave and EBM nights at a goth club crossed over with the music from Katamari Damacy, the most entertianing nonsense game out there. Some of it is in English, while the rest is mostly in german I think. The vocals have a lot of synth processing in some spots.
 
As far as the man himself, He lives in Vienna. He was one half of the band Cell1110, and is apparently a very prolific guy in Austria. Hell if I can find much more info, I don't speak German. I'm pretty sure I did find him on Google+ though.


https://plus.google.com/113120146981058885839/posts

And back to the album. It isn't 100% there, but its a pretty good freshman album. I only hope that he keeps making music and really works on his mixing and secondary production skills.

Clemens Eduard Haipl - 330rawson

On An Ocean Amp - We Are Now Growing Fast

Band / Artist: On An Ocean Amp
Year: 2005
Genre: Electropop, Glitch, Electronica, Experimental, Powerpop, Electro, Synth-pop

My Review:
One day, back in 2003, I'm sitting in a bar watching a noise show and drinking with a girl I had a crush on, when this guy I had started to make friends with walks in with a cardboard box filled with cds under his arm. He's Dan. He started a record label, and some random band from japan had signed to release their first album with him. It was for sale at $10 apiece, and this was what it looked like.

On An Ocean Amp? What? Well, I wanted to support Dan, and I'm all about a random band with an interesting album cover. Its like an adventure in a disc, you never know if it'll be amazing, or shit.

So when I played it on the ride back home, I was completely unsure what I was listening to. Its like an experimental electropop band with a cutesy japanese girl voice over the whole thing. Its like childhood packaged into synths.

Years later in college I emailed their website (now defunct), and got an email back later in the day. The guy in the duo, Mike McGuire, was super friendly and we ended up chatting for a few years. He sent me this album before it was done, as well as his own solo album, which I hope I can post here later on.

Well the band broke up pretty much as this album was being finished up, and what he said was enough for a 2 disc album ended up as this, a great album of strange Japanese influenced IDM/Electropop with a very good spread of tunes. I wonder how he is doing, and if either he, or Kaori are doing any new music projects. Rest assured, I'll let you know the moment that I find out.

Here is a review for the album.

http://www.japanator.com/album-review-on-an-ocean-amp-we-are-now-growing-fast-7847.phtml

It links to the post from Mike here.

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2468652165631826408&postID=3825017337283596744

Here is a direct repackaging of the album in case the original fails. I fixed up all the ID3 tag info, and even made an unofficial cover since it never got an official one.

On An Ocean Amp - We Are Now Growing Fast


Alright, assuming I don't find any juicy tidbits in the next day or so, this should be the last transmission till the new year. See you on the other side.

JJ - Kills

  
Band/Artist: JJ
Year: 2010
Genre: Synthpop, Mixtape, Bastard Pop

My Review:
So this swedish pop music duo named JJ decided to do something fun, and they made a hiphop mixtape. It's got a flavor of hiphop and r&b with a little rappy bits here and there, and then layered over with some soft dream pop stuff sounding like Royksopp doing punk on one end, and like Die Antwoord on some serious downers on the other end. 

This one falls under what I call “Bastard Pop”, that mercilessly chops up music, and uses the mulched bits to make something all its own. In some cases that can be mashups, and in others it can be something very far away from the originals, like music by Pogo or Dangermouse. Give it a shot.

Also if you like chopped & screwed mixes, then go ahead and download this version. I personally hate chopped & screwed, but my opinion isn't where you find your love for music is it?

JJ – Kills

Free Singles - De/Vision - Brotherhood Of Man

De/Vision is offering a free single, "Brotherhood Of Man"from the album "Rockets & Swords" which should be coming out soon.

They do german synthpop type stuffs, and have been doing music since '88. I keep a copy of "De/Volution" to listen to from time to time.

Here's a sample of some of their older stuff to give you an idea about what you're getting.



So here's the link to the track if you want it.
http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=48246_0_2_0_C

Cell 1110 - St. Meringue

Band / Artist: Cell 1110
Year: 2005
Genre: Trip Hop, New Age, Synthpop

My Review:


I don't really know what you'd call this one.. New Age? I thought that died in the 90's with Enya. Nah, more like Trip Hop.

 I have no idea. Synthesized music by Clemens Haipl (from whom I have another solo record to post), with a female vocalist named Saskia Drennig. Their only outside info I've found was through the Comfort Stand record label, and their Myspace page, which are here if you want to look into them.




http://www.myspace.com/cell1110
http://www.comfortstand.com/artists/cell1110.html

She sings softly, it was a short, but pleasant listen.


Cell 1110 - St. Meringue

White Flashes - Small Flares

Band / Artist: White Flashes
Year: 2012
Genre: Ambient, Synthpop, Chillwave


My Review:
This is a nice chill ambient-ish one. Not completely instrumental, but vocals are sparse.

If you're one of those people who likes to read long writeups on artists, then you should go here.
http://www.listenbeforeyoubuy.net/intros/introducing-white-flashes-2/


He used to make music under the name Harbour as well, but I couldn't find any info about that moniker.

The guy sells his recordings on limited edition cassette tapes, and also releases them online for free I guess. That last track is some good times.

White Flashes - Small Flares