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2014 in a nutshell and in no specific order: Music – Favorites, discoveries and rediscoveries

Dezember 20, 2014 blutbengel Hinterlasse einen Kommentar

Clipping – CLPPNG
- Experimental Hip Hop doesn’t get any better than this. A demanding and very intense release that seems to go against any concept of flow without loosing it’s strange way of grabbing your attention. The vinyl edition comes with a hundred endless loops on the second side of the second lp which is something that encourages the listener to experiment with the needle drop over and over again.

Jack Dice – Sip Paint
- Modern Love continues to be an amazing label that manages to take me completely by surprise over and over again and this release by Jack Dice is no exception. Very moody, mellow, urban and dark suddenly drifting into the strangely erotic rap track that is Stash’s Theme and afterwards returning to some even darker instrumentals with more well accentuated climaxes.

Moon Zero – Tombs/Loss (Denovali)
- Dark and brooding walls of sound that never cease to amaze. Lower the lights, turn the volume and the bass up to 11 and just close your eyes and let go. This combination of two EPs just struck a nerve with me.

Andy Stott – Faith in Strangers (Modern Love)
- This one was highly anitcipated and didn’t disappoint at all! When Faith in Strangers first landed on my turntable I was blown away and suprised about the evolution of Stott’s characteristic and distinguished sound that recieved yet another facet that works out more than well. The album almost sounds peacable in comparison to his last works and still manages to keep those experimental and abstract high points that we learned to love when it comes to the work of Andy Stott.

The Soundcarriers – Entropicalia (Ghostbox)
- Musically speaking the year 2014 was kind of a psychedelic one for me and this album turned out to be a very good companion in this context. It’s nostalgic yet fresh and very entertaining and smooth on one hand and complex and adventurous on the other. If you have a thing for neo-psychedelia check this one out!

Kiasmos – Kiasmos (Erased Tapes)
- This one might be a bit obvious but still deserves a mention I think. For me it is a nice surprise to see musicians from different genres and schools experiment with more electronic sounds and techno like structures. This one is a highly melancholic and beautiful experience that makes you want to dance despite it’s introverted character.

Deaf Center – Recount (Sonic Pieces)
- Normally those more dark and ambient like pieces I stumble across are more or less something I listen to during Autumn or Winter but Deaf Center’s minimalistic and highly melancholic EP managed to grab my attention and unfold it’s silent impact on a warm and wonderful day in the middle of summer.

PYE Corner Audio/Not Waving – Intercepts (Ecstatic)
- Brilliant split by two amazing artists that go together more than well! The very specific yet distinguished retro sound of this record is something that seems from a differend decade and still has not lost any of it’s appeal. It’s catchy, full of energy and I’ve been coming back to this one a lot since it initially landed on my turntable.

Franz Kirmann – Meridians (Denovali)
- Kirmann’s first solo release on Denovali is really something worth your while. It’s an album that seems totally light-fooded but never trivial. It’s a dreamy and romantic journey that (like a roadmovie) is going through different states while constantly moving forward and seeing the sunslowly set in the rearview mirror.

Birds of Passage – This kindly Slumber (Denovali)
- Starting the year with a new album by Birds of Passage might have not been the most optimistic way regarding the mood of this record but it was the right thing to do nonetheless. Like a warm blanket during the coldest and darkest days of winter this album encloses you with it’s whispered vocals and minimalistic soundscapes.

Dirk Geiger – Connected Worlds (Tympanik Audio)
- He has done it again! Connected Worlds is an album that is right on the spot and also a very nice contrast to the hyperactive culture today. Diffenrent, even more complex than it’s predecessor and still full of Geiger’s handwriting.

Ecstasphere – Feed your Head (Raumklang Music)
- Ecstasphere’s debut is a highly energetic and (thankfully) radical work with lots of personality and emotion trying to counteract and undermine thoughts of control and domination while focusing on releasing one’s own potential and freeing yourself from external regulation.

Mobthrow – Unfolded (Ad Noiseam)
- Somehow I couldn’t really get into the sound of his debut that was released a couple of years back but his recent release took me by surprise and just clicked with me. It seems to have more structure and concept than the last one. Also add a really great production and a whole lot of very creative ideas to make this one an experience that shouldn’t be ignored.

Winterkälte – Maschinenfest Tracks 1999 – 2014 (HANDS)
- It’s loud, it’s harsh, it’s Winterkälte! A great compilation of tracks and a really beautiful vinyl release that is a must own for every fan of this project and everyone who has a faible for powerful rhythmic noise!

Scuba Death – Nitrogen Death (Further Records)
- Somewhere between modern techno, ambient and seventies sci-fi, this one is developing from minimalistic structures and field recordings to more and more rhythmic sections and complex sounds. Dark, deep, wonderful and a record that invites you to discover.

Honorable Mentions:
- A winged Victory for the Sullen – Atomos
- Deru – 1979
- Dream Police – Hypnotized
- Killing Sound – Killing Sound
- Machine Code – Samurai
- Driftmachine – Nocturnes
- Dalhous – Visibility is a Trap
- Ben Frost – Aurora
- Dryft – The blur Vent
- [basementgrrr] – A certain Kind of Decay

Discoveries/Rediscoveries:
- Bersarin Quartett – Bersarin Quartett
- Steve Moore – Pangea Ultima
- Ben Frost – By the Throat
- Voices from the Lake – Voices from the Lake
- Burial – Untrue
- Björk – Biophilia
- Nightmares on Wax – Carboot Soul/Smoker’s Delight
- Pet Shop Boys – Electric

Kategorien:Best of 2014, Uncategorized Schlagwörter: albums of the year, Ambient, Band, best music, CD, discoveries, Favorites, rediscoveries, top ten

Favorites, Discoveries and Rediscoveries of 2013

Dezember 3, 2013 blutbengel Hinterlasse einen Kommentar

As this rollercoaster of a year is slowly coming to an end, I started reflecting on my favorite albums of the last twelve months. Looking back I must say that this was a really good year musicwise and since I started expanding my vinyl collection again from January on, I have given music an even bigger space in my life than it already had before. I rediscovered the dispositif of mindful listening and loved diving into those different worlds of sound again and again, letting my thoughts stray and meditate. This helped me even further with learning to be alone with myself, which is a demanding thing to do and to accept and I now seem to manage quite well. I needed to decelerate everything a bit and realized that deceleration sometimes might be more important than always trying to accelerate and having the fear of missing something. In deceleration lies focus and focus helps us to reach the core of a matter, it’s what the mind is all about for me and I just can’t keep consuming like crazy because I feel that we lose respect for certain matters, if we just percieve them on „fast forward“ to be able to move to the next product and try not to miss anything. Trying not to miss anything is just an illusion anyway, it’s fighting a loosing battle and tilting against windmills. But not to bother you anymore with my train of thought. Here are – in alphabetical order – the releases of this year that really got my attention and seemed well worth my time.

Twenty personal darlings of 2013:

Apparat – Krieg und Frieden (Mute)

It’s impressive that this is one of the rare soundtracks that manages to keep it’s impact even without the accompanying performance. Apparat really is an impressive artist and has come a long way since his first release. The way elements of noise, post-rock and classical instruments are tied together feels bold and elaborated and almost effortless. This one gives me pleasant goosebumps everytime.

New Album – Krieg und Frieden (Music for Theatre) – Out Feb 2013

Cervello Elettronico – Anima Meccanica (Hands)

I can’t deny that I am a sucker for those more technoid styles and this album more than delivers. It’s pumping rhythmic structures are combined with some very psychedelic sounds and it’s dark yet energetic atmosphere never becomes tiring. There is much to be discovered here and it works on and beyond the dancefloor almost flawlessly.

http://handsproductions.com/Artists.asp?A_index=67

Diaphane – Lifeforms (Ant-Zen)

The first album by Diaphane for me was an unexpected surprise and became one of my favorites in 2010. In 2013 Diaphane rewards our patience with an absolutely stunning sonic assault that without any doubt plays in the first league of contemporary electronic music. It’s deep, diverse, powerful, sometimes introverted and then all of the sudden outbursting and raw.

http://ant-zen.bandcamp.com/album/lifeforms

Field Rotation – The Fatalist: Repetition of History (Denovali)

This one is probably one of the most melancholic albums that I’ve heard this year and I mean that in a good way, since the kind of melancholy this album constructs has something very warm and poetic to it. It’s not unnecessarily overwhelming the listener with it’s emotion and doesn’t seem pretentious at all, it kindly invites it’s listener into a world of introspection and opens up the potential for an interesting dialogue. This one should be enjoyed in solitude with a good glass of wine and some flickering candles.

http://www.denovali.com/fieldrotation/

Forest Swords – Engravings (Tri-Angle)

Tri-Angle have proven that they have a good way to keep their specific handwriting without being boring or monotone. This album perfectly suits this label and yet enhanches the „Tri-Angle“ formula yet again. It’s lo-fi style and sample work creates a beautiful and engaging atmosphere with an oldschool vibe that reminds me of those good old days when trip-hop was on the rise.

http://tri-anglerecords.com/?p=684

Greg Haines – Where we were (Denovali)

Greg Haines changes his direction with his latest album and delivers a concept piece that engages you from the first minute. This change isn’t really surprising since he seems to be able to make gold out of everything he touches. „Where we were“ is a very tightly put together album that keeps a very good arc of tension and playfully switches between different styles.

http://denovali.com/greghaines/

Haxan Cloak, The – Excavation (Tri-Angle)

Unbelievably dark and scary! This one really has to be experienced on high volume and in a dark room all by yourself. The Haxan Cloak is propably the best canvas for your worst nightmares. Open yourself up and take a look into the abyss.

http://tri-anglerecords.com/?p=403

Huron – The other Side of Reality (Raumklang Music)

Altough his style reminds me of „Access to Arasaka“ it still offers a handwriting with a very unique touch and being compared with one of the greatest is only meant as a compliment. The soundscapes are complex and tense and I can’t deny that I more than admire the way he approaches working with sounds. Complex rhythms, a dystopian, urban atmosphere with a lot of emotion and an almost introverted feel.

http://raumklangmusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-other-side-of-reality

Lustmord – The Word as Power (Blackest ever Black)

This is a release by Lustmord that just really hit the spot for me. There is a lot to discover in these tracks and any fan of well produced ambient music and droning sounds should give this one a listen. Lustmord’s reputation is justified within the scene and I think that there is no need to say more.

http://blackesteverblack.bigcartel.com/product/lustmord-i-the-word-as-power-i-blackestlp004-2xlp

Machine Code – Under the Sun (Subsistenz)

Sometimes there is the need for some more straightforward and danceable material and Machine Code delivers just that without being to repetitive or stale. This is one of those albums that although it seems to aim more in direction of the dancefloor also has a lot of substance and really shows the wide spectrum of this amazing producer.

http://subdivisionmedia.bandcamp.com/album/under-the-sun

Miles – Faint Hearted (Modern Love)

Oh „Modern Love“ you keep suprising me and so far managed to earn lots of my love. This one is a record that combines industrial and techno elements in a very elaborated way. It reminded me a bit of Orphx’s „Vita Meditativa“ and that probably says all that needs to be said.

http://www.modern-love.co.uk/releases/miles-faint-hearted

Moderat – II (Monkeytown Records)

The first album by Moderat had some material that I really enjoyed very much but didn’t really work as an album for me. „II“ changes that and delivers a more homogenic yet still very experimental experience that combines the signature sounds of Modeselektor and Apparat to produce something new and very enjoyable without hiding the individual roots of the artists.

http://www.monkeytownrecords.com/releases/view/82/monkeytown035-36-ii

Nils Frahm – Spaces (Erased Tapes)

One word: „Says“! The opening track of Frahm’s new record blew me away completely and this different approach to the concept of a live-album is bold and beautiful in it’s entirety.

http://www.erasedtapes.com/store/index/ERATP055

Piano Interrupted – The unified Field (Denovali)

Jazz meets IDM on a playground of emotions. „The unified Field“ for me seems to be another step forward for Piano Interrupted and concentrates on the essence of their specific sounds. It’s moving and playful yet complex and academic.

http://denovali.com/pianointerrupted/

Seirom – 1973 (Aurora Borealis)

Technically this one was already released in 2012 but it’s vinyl release was in 2013 so I am lucky there. Seirom reminds me of some of Tim Hecker’s best work and nonetheless stands on it’s own. It doesn’t rely on this parallel and is an unspeakably beautiful and rich in variety with a lot of complex texture and unbelievable climaxes throughout it’s impressive running time of over ninety minutes.

http://auroraborealisrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/1973

Shorai – Interference (Hands)

I am willing to welcome our new robot masters and embrace the reign of the machines if this is their language. Shorai again delivers an amazing album that expands on his trademark style and delivers another step up in remarkable quality!

http://handsproductions.com/Artists.asp?A_index=24

Sigur Rós – Kveikur (XL Recordings)

Although I never was a die hard fan of this icelandic cult band, I enjoyed most of their output very much. ‚Kveikur‘ for me seems like one of their more darker albums and that might be why it really stuck with me. There actually are some elements that could have been taken from the genre of power electronics and those are combined with the typical epic post-rock feel that we have come to love by this band.

http://www.discogs.com/Sigur-R%C3%B3s-Kveikur/master/566165

Tim Hecker – Virgins (Kranky)

Since the press already covered in detail why Hecker’s new record is amazing there isn’t much more that I could add to that. „Virgins“ is or seems much more organic than his previous work, it’s even more demanding and voluminous. Hecker knows what he is doing and not afraid to try something new without losing his core. This one takes time and attention but is so rewarding if you’re willful to give it some of your precious concentration.

http://www.discogs.com/Tim-Hecker-Virgins/release/4947077

Witxes – A Fabric of Believes (Denovali)

This one seems to have come directly from the dark ages to put a captivating spell on you. This record builds tension in an excellent way and really takes it’s time to let go. It’s aggressive, sometimes dreamy, brooding and most important it’s rewarding!

http://witxes.bandcamp.com/album/a-fabric-of-beliefs

Xabec – Closing the Circle (Self-Released)

It’s really sad to see Xabec go but he’s leaving on a high note and his upcoming project Silent Walls already looks and sounds promising! This one is a release with a lot of heart and effort that combines everything that made Xabec an astonishing and diverse act that managed to blow me away since I’ve first seen them live.

http://xabec.bandcamp.com/album/closing-the-circle-2

Discoveries / Rediscoveries / Always worth listening to:

A winged Victory for the Sullen – A winged Victory for the Sullen (Kranky)

Amon Tobin – Supermodified (Ninja Tune)

Bersarin Quartett – II (Denovali)

Caspian – Waking Season (Triple Crown Records)

Flying Lotus – Cosmogramma (Warp)

Godspeed you! Black Emperor – ‚Alleluja! Don’t bend! Ascend! (Constellation)

Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Virgin)

Max Richter – Songs from before (130701)

Tim Hecker – Harmony in Ultraviolet (Kranky)

Year of no Light – Ausserwelt (Music Fear Satan)

Year of no Light – Vampyr (Music Fear Satan)

Kategorien:Rezension, Uncategorized Schlagwörter: Albums, albums of the year, Best of 2013, Favorites, Music, top twenty

20 Albums that turned out to be great personal companions this year … (no specific order)

Dezember 19, 2012 blutbengel Hinterlasse einen Kommentar

This year has been a pretty wild one. Rough and stressful many times, creative, happy and totally silly many other times. I’ve taken some very important steps in my life in the last twelve months and I am at the moment working on finally finishing my exams and bringing the whole Phasenmensch project to the next level. I am eager to see whats about to happen in 2013 and also think that 2012 has been a very strong year music wise. These following records have kept me going and turned out to be great companions while I was trying to go my way … Since tomorrow I have my final exam in philosophy, I’ll just let this list speak for itself furthermore:

Heathered Peals – Loyal (Ghostly International)