Pulse Emitter – “Spiritual Vistas” – [Expansive]

HackersMuse   6/21/2011   12-inch, A Library

Take a transcendental trip with Pulse Emitter’s Spiritual Vistas. The project of Daryl Groetsch, Pulse Emitter is supernatural synthesizer music, and this 2011 release brings the sound to new atmospheric heights. The album art itself, a sequence of multicolored starry skies, reflects the panoramic soundscape held within. Four tracks flow together for a spiritual voyage to outer space: natural is juxtaposed with synthetic on a grounded Treelined Asphalt, the tempo picks up to navigate up the winding paths of Moonlit Valley, High Altitude Golden Sunset warms the soul for floating in a serene state, and eerie high pitches in Nebula call out to the cold unknown beyond. An otherworldly journey is on this celestial horizon.
-HackersMuse

Hatakeyama, Chihei – “The River” – [Hibernate]

HackersMuse   5/17/2011   A Library, CD

Chihei Hatakeyama immerses us in liquid ambience with The River — an evocative collection of soothing sounds. Track titles merely skim the surface of the lush depths as Hatakeyama fluidly shifts between revitalizing, curious, and relaxed droning. Channel the musical currents to sail through the challenges of your day, or allow free-floating with a meditative listen as you drift off to sleep. A Temple in the Past, Under the Sun, Jade Green Water — sink in and savor the sound waves.
-HackersMuse

Honda, Yuka – “Heart Chamber Phantoms” – [Tzadik Oracles]

HackersMuse   3/1/2011   A Library, CD

In Heart Chamber Phantoms, Yuka Honda composes a haunting atmosphere with modern instrumental, jazz-based electronica. Grounded, traditional instruments interweave with beeping noises, aquatic sounds, and ethereal electronics to create a two-song-threads-in-one spirit, most apparent on the standout track, Don’t Be So Naïve. Many tracks offer a relaxing listening experience, with some rousing high points like the escalating instrumental layering on Hydrosphere. My cat responded curiously to the random animal sounds in Waters on Mars, which sets the mood of a Martian menagerie. This album will capture the hearts of you and your alien phantoms.
-HackersMuse

Deerhoof – “Deerhoof vs Evil” – [Polyvinyl Record Company]

HackersMuse   2/21/2011   A Library, CD

On Deerhoof vs. Evil, Deerhoof is clearly intent on getting you lost in their musical wilderness. The psychedelic rock quartet has devilish fun with their strong melodies contrasted against impassive vocals by Satomi Matsuzaki. Their music has a strong focus on the instrumental with an upbeat experimental rock style, and they can rock out with an aggressive segue. Deerhoof is an influential band, often cited as a musical influence by other bands such as Grizzly Bear. Deerhoof keeps true to their creative style while demonstrating that they have something for everybody. I enjoyed their crossover appeal songs, and great tracks such as I Did Crimes For You, Secret Mobilization, and Super Duper Rescue Heads! ward off the evil of blah music with a great balance of experimental and melodic.
-HackersMuse