Saturday 20 April 2013

Crowe - Self-Titled



Crowe
Self-titled
Review By Brando Albers
Crowe has put together a masterful album. Grungy guitars, in your face bass riffs lead by demanding vocals. This album exudes the very essence of summer. The song writing is tight which goes very well with their organic sound. There is nothing more pure then a band that lays down their tracks with honesty and passion. Crowe has this wonderful knack of giving you exactly what you want to hear. Forever coming back for more.

Crowe features 8 tracks which offer a great deal of flexibility while showcasing the bands versatility and skill. But dont think that their stuck within any comfort zone, Crowe took full advantage of their sound exploring the limits while keeping the sensation uniform and precise. When I listen carefully to their music I notice similarities to "The Pixies". The vocals as well as the grungy-garage-ish type feel. My top three favourite songs are:

1, Skin and Bone
This song is the one that resonates the most in terms of the "Pixies" reference. A solid song that keeps me coming back for more. A true hit!

2, Undone
This song is very easy to relate to. An anthem for those who have undergone heartbreak and tragedy. The chorus is what really grabs me. Such strong emotion, convincing and honest.

3, Troubadour 
This song is crammed full of hooks and slick guitars. This song flows with ease. Clearly Crowe puts a lot of tender care into the song writing process.

To sum this album up, I'd have to say this album was full of pleasant surprises around each corner. Each track was pumped full of purpose and likability. It is obvious that Crowe is onto something important and meaningful! Such a great work in total. I rate this album 8/10. A solid effort and great summer album.
To get this album go to: crowetunes.bandcamp.com

Saturday 13 April 2013

SynchDub - Cool As Backside

SynchDub

Cool As Backside

Review By Brando Albers


SynchDub has brought together a very strong and fulfilling effort. "Cool As Backside" is a mind blowing album that isn't afraid to get in your face. Glitchy anxious arrangements keep you on the edge of your seat as the pounding bass sinks you deep within. A strong warm sensation builds within your spine and explodes like fireworks in your mind. With each and every song, new and vivid imagery is implanted into your mind. A true adventure filled with lush sounds and the constant element of satisfying surprise.

I cannot stop listening to this album. Each time I hit play I find more and more aspects of the music that engage me. The songs evolve and grow which makes the music interesting to listen to numerous times over. A great album to melt into your chair listening to, especially at night with big headphones on. But, this album can also be the ultimate compliment to that wild party your planning this weekend. One thing I really love about this album is how it connects perfectly with the electronic music I listened to as a teen. While at the same time, bringing something ground shakingly fresh and excitingly new to the table. My Top three favourite songs are:

1, Crystal Of A Dream:

This song has a crunchy tight lounge-ish feel to it. Plenty of room to stretch which SynchDub takes full advantage of. Often times musicians put too much variation into one song... But SynchDub knows exactly how to mesh all the parts together effortlessly. You drift around through SynchDub's universe of delicate frequencies with ease. This song showcases exactly that, which makes it my favourite no doubt. I want to remix it!

2, Overactive Imagination:

A great song which I reviewed as a single not that long ago. I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it. So when I was given the album to review I was pretty excited. The album lived up to and far beyond my expectations! This song is a hit no doubt!

3, Like A Dreadful Rushed Wind:

This song is not only catchy and easy on the ears, it also brings back interesting memories. This song is almost like a wonderful revamp of the electronic music often featured in old space and geographic documentaries from the 70's and 80's. I remember those videos being the best part of geography. Psychedelic and adventurous. Good combo indeed.

All in all this album truly expands the single and demonstrates SynchDub's true potential. Plenty of imagination and fearless experimentation seems to be the recipe here. Its always a pleasure hearing music by SynchDub and I can hardly wait to hear whats next. I rate this album 8/10!

If you want to get your hands on this kick-arse album click the link below... NOW!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/cool-as-backside/id616111406

Tuesday 2 April 2013

Synchdub - Overactive Imagination


Synchdub

Overactive Imagination (SINGLE)

Review By Brando Albers



Synchdub's single "overactive imagination" is a tune packed full of alluring elements that grab you by the collar and pull you into the bliss. Swelling bass lines erupt around you as twitchy percussions pulse along that cause a sublime chill. The songs energy courses through your veins giving you an overwhelming high.

As the song evolves the industrial boldness simmers and transforms into a smooth melody driven rage. I can be certain that this track has been the soundtrack for memorable nights out for many. Something sexy, meeting someone in a club as everything around you pulses with the bass. Bodies rubbing, slow and lustful. Lights blaring as the buzz pulls you in. That high moment where you know you couldn't stop smiling even if you tried. Absolute perfection.

The song craft seems so direct that it comes off as a perfectly honest, natural track. Its great when you hear music by an artist that is within their element, they are without fear. They create what they feel inside which is translated seamlessly into their music. This artist is totally within their element! It takes a great deal of raw talent to achieve this. Thats what makes this track so wonderful!

I rate this song 9/10. A kick ass track to play at any party, sure to get a rise out of the audience. This song is going into my list of favourites no doubt!

Monday 1 April 2013

From Sir to Count - Psychological Antidotes and Soul Prescriptions

From Sir to Count

Psychological Antidotes and Soul Prescriptions

Review By Brando Albers


This album sheds light on the inner struggles one may face. A personality that is fighting its way out from underneath your own skin. Often times this album dwells within darker realms. Occasionally brightening up to uplift you with gentle words of positivity and reinforcement. This album is largely a poetic, spoken word style album backed by catchy beats and psychedelic instrumentation. The vocalist whispers his truths and presents them as one would while acting in a play. Full of character and individual direction.

This album appears to be a concept album because it seems to document his own introspective understandings in way that grows track by track. He emulates these disturbed characters that remind me of "Rob Zombie" at times. The artist is digging deep into himself and openly laying it out on a canvas for everyone to see. My top three songs for this album are:

1, To The Ocean 
"Let the wrong words leave you, let the mind be at peace. Clean away all your worries to the ocean, let them free." This song has a very strong positive message which is uplifting. A good song to toss into the mix. It truly gives the album more space to breathe. His voice is calm as the ambient bliss compliments his tone. Soothing and cleansing. By far my favourite song on the album.

2, Never Loved You (Half Moon Remix) 
This defiantly reminds me of "Rob Zombie" or even the artist "Wet Cat". This song is punchy and grabs your attention. His voice quietly growls "I never loved you!" Strong hooks and great songwriting on this track for sure. Sad, but not in a way that brings you down. For example, perfect song for getting over a messy relationship.

3, To The Moon 
This song is both mellow and psychedelic as it is direct and meaningful. "You can take a rocket ship to mars, remember darling. The feeling lives in you." A struggle many of us under go. We run from problems within. No matter how far we go or how hard we try, we are still host to the original problem. It festers deep into our bowels until maybe one day we can forgive ourselves and set it free.

This album is uplifting because I can clearly see forward motion, but the struggle has not concluded. The artist is deep within the thick of it but is climbing his way out of the twisted wreckage he depicts in his songs. If you find yourself in a similar situation then this album is perfect for you. Give it a listen!