Music Reviews

OSC Meets BMC/Freak Out In The Fjord

carsonstreet   12/5/2021   A Library, CD

Øresund Space Collective is a music collective from Denmark and Sweden that play totally improvised space rock music. OSC is an improvisational jam band formed in April 2004. Unlike most bands, they do not have any consistent, static line-ups, but rather, as their name suggests, they are a collective with musicians dropping in and out of the band for shows and recordings. Though the central thread of their sound is routed in Psychedelic Rock and Space Rock, the band has explored genres as diverse as electronic and reggae. Spaced out good fun. Black Moon Circle is dedicated to dark psychedelic space rock, driven by prolonged jams. Put them together and you better fasten you seat belts for these four tracks.

Liquid Sound Company/Acid Music For Acid People

carsonstreet   12/5/2021   A Library, CD

Formed in 1996 in Arlington, Texas by guitarist John Perez and drummer Jason Spradlin. The goal: create mind expanding psychedelic sounds for the head! The band also includes current members Alan Wise, Mark Cook, and Ron McCain. Acid Music for Acid People on Nasoni is studio outtakes and two extended live cuts. With a new album in 2021 and live trips in the works, Liquid Sound Company is ready to fly! Really good instrumental psych.

Dr Space’s Cosmic Alliances: Volume 1-Deep Space Day Trip

carsonstreet   12/5/2021   A Library, CD

Dr Space, aka Scott Heller, plays in Øresund Space Collective, Black Moon Circle, Doctors of Space and contributes synthesizers to many other bands and projects. Dr Space says of Cosmic Alliances: This compilation CD was specifically produced to help fund my studio on Indigogo. All tracks are unreleased studio or live recordings by bands that I have played with live or done some recordings with in the past. All tracks remastered in 2020 for this compilation by Dr Space and approved by the bands. Thanks to all the great bands… Agusa, Automaton, Bismut, Johan Dahlström, Måneskjold, Phased, West, Space and Love, White HIlls, Yuri Gagarin. This is a CD only release.

Bhajan Bhoy/Bless Bless

carsonstreet   12/5/2021   A Library, CD

Bhajan Bhoy is Ajay Saggar. Dutch alternative rock is how this his first solo album is described. He wrote all the music and the words except on “Strung Out” and “Cascade”. Recorded, mixed and produced by Ajay at Soundation Studio in 2019. Ajay has worked with a lot of other bands (The Bent Moustache, King Champion Sounds and Deutsche Ashram to name a few). Very middle eastern feel to some tracks (“Welcome”) and an orchestral bent on others (“Strung Out”). Moody and moves at it’s own pace. From the press release: “Bless Bless is the fruition of months of Ajay locking himself up in his studio and working days and nights to make this wondrous and beautiful album filled with kosmische guitar psych magick / sonic raga trips / melodic mantras / esoteric electronica that thrill and elevate the listener to a higher sonic plain”. Well worth a listen.

Fashion Pimps & The Glamazons – “Jazz 4 Johnny”- [Feel It Records]

beastofbourbon   11/30/2021   12-inch, A Library

“…if all the members of Devo were going through a divorce at the same time and decided to make a record with Rozz Williams (Christian Death) where they really cut loose and did a lot of amphetamines you’d expect it to come out sounding like ‘Jazz 4 Johnny’ ” – New Noise Magazine 

Fashion Pimps and The Glamazons is a side project of various members of the Cleveland, Ohio indie, noise, and hardcore punk scene. The psychotic noise synth-punk they produce is as disturbing as the album cover. It’s loud and chaotic, and from either a long time ago or the future. I can’t stop listening to it. It’s ideal for a fast paced work environment or an all night bender.

Beast of Bourbon

Myrrors, The – “Invocaciones: Singles and Strays (2014-2016)” – [Feeding Tube/Cardinal Fuzz]

SlartiBartfast   11/30/2021   12-inch, A Library

A hypnotic, tribal, psychedelic rumination that will hit you head on and leave you clambering for more of this musical tranquilizer. The Myrrors’ “Invocaciones: Singles and Strays” leads you down mystical instrumental rivers yet unexplored. The Tucson, AZ duo of Nik Rayne and Grant Beyschau employ and array of instruments from bouzouki, violin, harmonium, wooden and brass wind instruments to primitive organs, synths, and percussion of all means. The result will leave you wondering how you ended up in the desert at midnight tripping on the cacti while staring at beautiful milky-way lit sky. Jump on the Myrrors Great Canoe and explore a wave of otherworldly outer body experiences as you float down the hallucinated spiked waterways where consciousness flows freely….

Vaxxines, The – “Never Mind The Pathogens, Here’s The Vaxxines”- [Self-released]

beastofbourbon   11/30/2021   A Library, CD

Vaxxines, The – “Never Mind The Pathogens, Here’s The Vaxxines”- [Self-released]

The Vaxxines formed out of the ashes of Oakland, Ca punk supergroup “The Pathogens” (members of Blatz, Econochrist, Tilt, The Twots, and Strychnine). At the start of the 2020 Covid 19 pandemic half the Pathogens moved away so the remaining members brought in vocalist Lizzie Louis and Japanese/Oakland Chef Adachi Hiroyuki on bass/second vocals. The UK style punk rock anthems take on gentrification, class war, police brutality, world tours, and boozing. Two covers from their previous bands are presented as well as a solid cover of Buzzcocks’ “Orgasam Addict”.

Beast of Bourbon

Dear Laika – “Pluperfect Mind” – [Memorials of Distinction]

mickeyslim   11/29/2021   A Library, Cassette

Dear Laika is the phenomenal project of Izzy Thorn of the North Wessex Downs, who has been experimenting with pop music since 2016. Utilizing both digital and analog sounds via the Roland Juno 106, prepared piano, distorted field recordings, and tape-warped vocals, Thorn, at only 23-years-old, seems to have perfected the art of leftfield pop.

Every track on this album is quite striking, hitting themes of loss, anxiety, seclusion, self-identity and self-image, documenting parts of Thorn’s transgender experience. Washes of hypnotic mesmer, swaths of opulent murmurs, tones and drones, warped other-worldly vocals that speak directly to the depths of your ethos.

Absolutely stunning, one-of-a-kind, album. I am very excited to see where she goes next in her compelling musical journey, KFJC will be keeping their ears close.

Kennedy, Jon – We’re Just Waiting For You Now – [Tru Thoughts]

Thee Opinataur   11/29/2021   A Library, CD

Released in 2001, ‘We’re Just Waiting For You Now’ was Jon Kennedy’s first and only album for Tru Thoughts. Jon was a drummer and multi-instrumentalist before he began experimenting with samples. His take on downtempo breaks is unique, combining elements of jazz, sitar, ambient techno, live breakbeats, guitars, abstract vocals, and melancholy samples. The album is a chill-out, funky production, laying cool melodies over laid-back beats.  

Born and bred in Stockport, UK, Jon was discovered by Mr. Scruff who in turn introduced him to Tru Thoughts. Fast forward 20 years and Jon is now residing in Prague running his label The Jon Kennedy Federation. 

Thee Opinataur

Anthroprohh – “OMEGAVILLE” – [Rocket Recordings]

SlartiBartfast   11/27/2021   12-inch, A Library

Anthropropph – “OMEGAVILLE”

This double LP release from Anthropropph explores nearly every cochlea crevice in your unsuspecting eardrum that will leave you huddled in a drooling pool of psychedelic madness. Starting off with side A there is a relentless barrage of fast, up tempo modern post punk sounds to get the juices flowing. 2-3 minute tracks that set the tempo. Survive that aural attack and you will slowly enter a psychedelic musical underworld with sides B-D that will blow the doors off your hobbit hole abode. This is a listener’s paradise. Every track on this double LP gets longer and longer while each side explores musical realms that push the boundaries of a world you thought you knew. May your consciousness end up up in the cosmic journey in and out of Omegaville.

Men In Grey Suits – "Village Eater" – [Self Release]

Cousin Mary   11/27/2021   A Library, CD

Another great album from this Hawaiian surf band. (Men in Grey Suits is a surfer term for sharks.) Very well played, composed and arranged. Lots of variety in tempo and mood. Their debut album “Return of the Cnidarians” got lots of play on KFJC and I expect the same for this one.

Dramachine – “Emotional Plague” – [Erste Theke Tontraeger]

mickeyslim   11/27/2021   12-inch, A Library

Greecian, synth punk trio of Babis Sugar, Eleni Mandy, and Lisa Klez. Analog synth, guitar, bass, pedals, vox, drum machine, nagging, gossip, and drama. Each provides vocals, which are really different from each other in the best way. What’s not to love? Witchy, wooshy, twitchy, thumping, bumping, egg-cellent, weird-enough experimentality. Dip in!

Godspunk Volume Nineteen [coll] – [Pumf Records]

Thee Opinataur   11/25/2021   A Library, CD

Yet another fine compilation, straight outta the northern seaside city of Blackpool. Produced by PUMF records founder Stan Batcow who also performs with Howl In The Typewriter on this comp. A very diverse set of tracks with varying styles consisting of Electronic, NeoFolk, Experimental, Techno, Prog Rock, Spoken word, sound collage, psyche rock, abstract and more. Palate of many colors, surrounded by a considerable amount of melancholy. Bands/Artists: UNIT, AWARE, Nil by Nose, Dr. Awkward, The Golden Gonk, Flux of Yellow Daisies, Shy Rights Movement, Howl in the Typewriter, The Large Veiny Members. 

Million Brazilians – Red Rose & Obsidian – [Lullabies For Insomniacs]

Thee Opinataur   11/25/2021   12-inch, A Library

Psych-folk, experimental underground, neo-folk, mystical soundscape, 

Red Rose and Obsidian, released in 2017 is yet another genre-bending experimental installation from Million Brazilians, originating from Portland, Oregon, and now thriving in Maine. This is their first release on the Dutch label, Lullabies for Insomniacs, and it is masterfully mixed and recorded by Big Blood’s Caleb Mulkerin. It is an esoteric soundscape influenced by the rugged coastlines of their home in Maine. It is a heart-rending interpretation of a stark, treacherous sonic landscape, that permeates your spirit.

As usual with this group, there is a wide array of instruments of traditional, ethnic, self-made as well as a healthy dose of creative electronics. It’s a fascinating evocative improvisational trip that will leave you wanting more. 

Suzanne Stone – voice, bass, khene (Lao mouth organ), Alto Sax

Grant Corum – Tin whistle, balloon flute, conch, Tarka (Andean Flute), trumpet, vocals

Bob New – Drums, keyboard, lap steel, vocals

A1 – When the Ship comes in

Swirling, thick, open, haunting siren-like vocals .. thick luscious beats underscore, woodwinds meandering through the fog. Minimal chaos echoes as the captain attempt to steer the ship through the shrouded fog. Stone on bass and voice is slow and steady, ensuring the ship to safe harbor amongst the jagged cliffs, in the cold stark darkness of the remote port. conch/balloon flute. Slow, steady…mooring.

A2 – Dark Clouds Gather

 serves more like an interlude, and the instruments almost create the image of overlapping waves, while Stone’s voice, this time in a more Germanic vein, and seems to hover above it all. Towards the end, Stone’s voice is complemented by a male ethereal voice.

A3 – Red Rose and Obsidian

Slow and steady jamming with a psychedelic intervention. lap steel. Stones voice is yearning for a clear landing, but she is adrift, meandering. (Tarka) sweet, and hypnotic, plays in tune with Stones vocals. Just a sweet, psychic, slow, and steady meandering trip. Calm, reassuring, until the distorted end, radio wave break up.

B1 – Geodelphic Empathies

Khene/alto sax combine opening framing the stark, grey, jagged cliffs.

Toussaint St Negritude’s Poetry is featured, behold, behold…..

 Tin whistle meanders along with the mountainscape, stars reflecting on the dark waters.

B2 – Traversing The Violet Skies

Congas, Khene…beautiful starlit Autumnal evening at sunset, orange/red reflections off the granite, a prism of colors illuminate the setting. Deep breaths of cool air blow through the skies, 

B3 – Behold

Timing changes, things pick up… trumpet, Bass and drum keep things moving, but not too fast. In fact, it slows down steadily. Stones Vocals once again appear to bring to a close this psychic trip, Chanting echos with Corum joining in, woodwinds, achingly support, voice strong, confident. Once again, things pick up again and fade to a close. The Journey has ended.

-Thee Opinataur

Crazy Doberman – "Everyone Is Rolling Down a Hill" – [Astral Spirits]

cinder   11/24/2021   12-inch, A Library

Sludgy, slimy and seductive. Noisy experimental excursions from a group that consists of 17 players. Muted vox, hypnotic sax, lofty percussion, soft textures of melody. It’ll sound like a warm-up/tuning then all of a sudden come together in something that sounds delicately planned. Tranquilizing psychedelic journeys across multi-plains. Both sides track seamlessly so chill and enjoy it as one.

Filippo Diana – "Formula Abstracta" – [Medical Records]

cinder   11/24/2021   12-inch, A Library

Solo electronic outing by Filippo Diana (real name is Joe Drive). They’re calling it mutated library/soundtrack nu-disco, which is pretty on the dot. It’s chill, kinda kick back minimal wave. It’s got that riding your motorbike at sunset through a dystopian future highway… black sunglasses, flat top, leather pants and technicolor sky vibe. Track 3 brings a little goth club vox to the party, most of the others are instrumental with maybe a few words. Some great drum machine beats happening here as well!  

Badge Epoch – "Scroll" – [Telephone Explosion]

humana   11/21/2021   12-inch, A Library

Max Turnbull offers up selections from eight years of songwriting in this wonderful two-album release that he self-describes as “a cosmic hodge podge of funk, jazz, ambient techno, aggressive guitarmonized rawk, musique concrete, and hip hop.” Andrew Zukerman collaged Turnbull’s music into the aural experience that is as varied as the hairstyles on the album cover. You can drop the needle anywhere and find something appealing.

Struggle Session / Arryam [coll] – [Genjing Records]

whngr   11/18/2021   7-inch, A Library

Wildly chaotic Hardcore from across all the oceans ca. 2018.

Struggle Session: Frenetic Hardcore Punk expats from Beijing. Heavily represented in our Library and prior to pandemic a guest in our pit. They’re members reside all over the world (China, Australia, Sweden) and they’re pissed. Not exactly touching my happiest place but they were nice enough gentlemen, we possess everything else in their catalog, and I defaced the sleeve before I became a little more picky about what we… addy add add. Though if I’m honest (often to a fault), the music is not at all what I find distasteful, It is more the cover that offends me, reminding me of former cohorts that once cast their shadows upon my life. So take my petty grievance with a grain of salt in the eye, opinions being what they are… for everyone!

Arryum:  South Korean, hyper frenetic HXC punk. Did not visit us or record much at all and appear now to be defunct. Maybe if I had added this 7″ when I received it they would be huge. World stadium tours and fawning groupies, incinerated hotel rooms, and myriad other examples of rock n’ roll excess. Sorry guys!

All lyrics are in English and watch out!

FCC on 1

FCC on 3

FCC on 4

Dipygus/ Cosmic Reef Temple [coll] – [Wave Guardian]

whngr   11/18/2021   7-inch, A Library

Murky curls of doom-laden surf.

As the light of the moon glint across the black Santa Cruzian waves festooned with kelp hanging like the limbs of undead surfers as a dark hybrid of genres seeps like a cinematic fog into the vast KFJC library from just over the hill of lost souls on this split 7″ from Wave Guardian Records.

Dipygus unfurls down-tuned dirge and riff from the rhythm section with shimmering tremolo guitar and soft guttural bellows. Beautiful and perverse. 

Cosmic Reef Temple offers a more frenetic instrumental with cascades of echoing guitars and thundering drums with a horn section that evoke a slightly Middle-Eastern sound, a haunted market in Cairo perhaps or maybe mummies on the prowl for teenage flesh soaked with palm oil and Blue Hawaiians. Delightful and macabre.

Courtesy of The Honey Bear

2021

Bastard Noise / X-Eyes [coll] – [Bastard Eyes]

whngr   11/18/2021   7-inch, A Library

Subversive Electronic Trauma

This split features harsh noise stalwarts Bastard Noise (Man is the Bastard aka Charred Remains off-shoot) and a project that is new to this miserable volunteer, X-Eyes. Surely a play on the word “excise”, to remove by cutting. Which may be what you’d like to do to your eardrums while this seven inch spins through your frail consciousness. 

Track 3 “instrumental”

Crunchy swells of nausea inducing noise with some low fidelity, buried yells. Unpleasant and dissonant, Bastard Noise has a long standing practice of espousing the merits of the DYI ethos and builds their own devices to unleash their anti-human sentiments upon a suspect audience. 

X-Eyes employs ambient washes of static and assorted bleeps under feminine vitriolic shouts before a tsunami of electronic malice crashes upon the bloody caverns where your ear canals once resided.

Los Angeles/Claremont(?) – 2021