Feb01

Alex Smoke – Incommunicado (Review)

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Alex Smoke

Incommunicado

Released by Soma


Choice techno from Scotland with a money-back guarantee

Radio One's influential Breezeblock show love this album so much, they've offered to refund listeners' money if they don't agree. Which is admirable, although in truth they're unlikely to receive many requests. Incommunicado should be the first of a fine body of work from Smoke - real name Alex Menzies, from Glasgow, Scotland - so varied and accomplished are all of the 14 filler-free cuts here. Menzies' background is actually in classical music, and while the craft is apparent, European ...
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Feb01

Kaos – Hello Stranger (Review)

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Kaos

Hello Stranger

Released by !K7


German dance wrangler hits the sweet spot

If God is in the details, then he's banging between the grooves of this debut. Mixing elements of European disco, no wave, sweaty funk and airy techno, this Berlin-based DJ-composer hits the sweet spot with his steady, feather-light touch. Be it Erlend Oye's irresistible voice on "Lessons In Love," the glockenspiel on the glittery "Now and Forever" or the boogie soul of "Juices," Kaos time trips from the '70s to the 21st Century, and you, my friend, are lucky enough to ...
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Feb01

vs. The X-ecutioners – General Patton (Review)

vs. The X-ecutioners

General Patton

Released by Ipecac


A full frontal assault on the conventional dichotomy of rock-against-hip-hop

Rock snobs and hip-hop purists should definitely step aside when this album hits the speakers because General Patton vs. The X-ecutioners kicks some major traditionalist ass. The project is an experimental foray into unexplored frontiers with Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle) on duty as commander in chief. Drawing from an arsenal of uninhibited creativity, Patton leads the album through inventive musical territories that most of today's artists dare not touch. The X-ecutioners fall in right behind ...
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Feb01

Deep Thinkers – Necks Move (Review)

Deep Thinkers

Necks Move

Released by Patrick Drexler


Ominous, political hip-hop lurks out of Kansas City

Socially minded hip-hop emerges from between the coasts in the form of Datura Records, the brainchild of Brent Lippincot and co-owner Approach, also a rising solo talent. The Deep Thinkers are Brother of Moses on mic with Leonard D. Stroy behind the decks, and this, their full-length stepping out, deserves a spin in the listening booth.

Out the blocks "Building" hits the mark, and "Stand Strong" holds its own for an interesting six-and-a-half minutes, drowsy piano loops dissolving to ...
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Jan01

Boom Bip – Blue Eyed in the Red Room (Review)

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Boom Bip

Blue Eyed in the Red Room

Released by Lex


The heart and soul of electronics come to life

Boom Bip has been producing emotive electronic music that bridges the gap between Boards of Canada, indie avant-hop and Aphex Twin for a while now. Coming up in the relatively unexciting Midwestern confines of Cincinnati, a recent move to the endless summer of Southern California has had a subtle but profound affect on his music. While tinges of IDM still linger (the Autechre-ish "The Move"), sun-drenched epics like "Do's and Don'ts" reference TV on the Radio with spooky choirs ...
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