Owen Pallet: Heartland
January 11, 2010
After finally giving into the demands of the famous Japanese RPG developer SquareEnix, Owen finally has grown out of his slightly childish moniker 'Final Fantasy' and is now known simply as Owen Pallet. With his new grown up title, he has brought the world his most beautiful recording yet. With the help The Czech Symphony String performing his lush string arrangements, Owens usual enchanting narrations, and some demanding synth sequences, this release belongs on my shelf till my death. And yes, I actually bought it!
The songs on Heartland apparently form a story concerning a "young, ultra-violent farmer" named Lewis and his relationship with his deity. Although I didn't pick up on this personally, it certainly makes for a great album.
Other January Awesomeness:
Memory Tapes: Seek Magic - January 19th, 2010
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Pantha Du Prince: Black Noise
February 8, 2010
Continuing in the same vein as his damn good previous release, The Bliss, Hendrick Weber weaves his German electronic grooves into similar, but always welcome territory. The endless collection of dissonant yet soothing metallic percussion beats away in a roaming stereo field.
Unlike most minimal techno, Panthu Du Prince has direction in his songs. It's not the usual dazed out wondering electronica that makes for an endless and meaningless dance party. It's a deliciously refined composition from start to finish. The yellow cheddar is gone and is replaced with a creamy aged bleu that goes good with a variety of mental salads.
Further February Fineness:
Field Music: Measures - February 15, 2010
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Twin Sister: Color Your Life EP
March 30, 2010
With a lead singer that features a bedazzled green dress and hair that would rival any member of Poison, this Long Island 5 piece is making soft ballads very cool again. Color Your Life, the groups 2nd EP, is a patient collection of songs that slowly churn the colors of the aural rainbow into flavors I've been happily sampling for 3 months now. By the time you reach "All Around And Away We Go", it's an all out celebration and all the sudden your the center of attention even though no one is around. I certainly would have loved a full length album, considering there's not a bad song on the EP. Get working Eric!
More March Mastery:
Bonobo: Black Sands - March 29, 2010
Data Dogs: Night Light EP - March 22, 2010
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Shugo Tokumaru: Port Entropy
April 21st, 2010
How I love Shugo. I have a very childlike image of him. He's my Japanese Pied Piper who I found in a talking story book. While listening one might hear whistles, birds, bells, ocarinas, piccolos, wood blocks, a koto, a childrens choir, toy pianos, found metal objects. It's enough to make you laugh like an entertained toddler. Although I haven't a clue what he is saying (and I do prefer it that way) and with song titles like 'Drive-Thru' and 'Tracking Elevator' giving you clues to what the music is about, the prolific instrumentation and performance do describe in great detail the playfulness and imaginative nature of the world that Shugo paints. I guess eventually I would like to know what the hell it's all about.
April Afterthoughts:
Caribou: Swim - April 19th, 2010
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Flying Lotus: Cosmogramma
May 3, 2010
I certainly don't want to give anyone credit other than Steven for his personal musical imagination, however being direct blood relatives with Coltrane himself can never hurt. That's quite the spiked gene pool he's swimming in. It also probably gets him a killer sampling library, one that perhaps even rivals Madlib. The Lotus that Flies is mostly an instrumental affair besides a track featuring Thom Yorke and one with Laura Darlington. Blending hip-hop with all my favorite electronica tricks and treats, Flying Lotus is dream come true only second to none next to Daedalus. Good thing they roll together.
May Honorable Mentions:
LCD Soundsystem: This is Happening - May 17, 2010
Broken Social Scene: Forgiveness Rock Record - May 4, 2010
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Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti: Before Today
June 8, 2010
Deary me. I think Ariel is all grown up. Although I do not know that much in the realm of Mr. Pink, I've been told he is loyal tape recordist, dwells in his mother's basement, and was an awful coked up performer when starting for Animal Collective in the early 00's. Not much to go on. But having known a few of his last recordings, I know something has changed. It's subtle, but it's there. It's as if Donald Fagan was hiding somewhere in the studio while recording, always leaving post-its around saying "there isn't enough polish", or perhaps "that could be a bit more smooth." Being a fan of both Ariel and Donald I am large fan of the outcome. Ariel has brought his usual array of silly voices, eclectic synth patches, and dancing basslines to the party. However, it seems he really thought about where they all belong this time.
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