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Hey Kidz,
I hope everyone is doing well. Personally I am going a little crazy lately trying to get some things in order in life, but I guess that's always the case for everyone. Most of the things going on are behind the scenes work rather than bringing you new media this week. But...
I know it is a little late, but we finally have the Father's Day interview with Colin Newman (Wire) ( http://www.silbermedia.com/qrd/archives/33colinnewman.html ).
Below are a few recent reviews.
hrt
Brian John Mitchell
Brian John Mitchell
REMORA: SONGS I SING
‘Songs I Sing’ is the latest from Brian John Mitchell and his band Remora. This is definitely something a bit different for those that are already familiar with Remora’s sound since this album is almost completely voice and the music if it can even be called that is very minimal. The story behind this album is that while performing live Brian often times sings short a Capella tunes while tuning or changing his guitar. After a tour with Rollerball back in 2005 Shane de Leon from Rollerball encouraged Brian to record these songs and promised to release them on his label North Pole Records. The result is an odd mixture of short songs that feature voice and voices creating backing melodies that some what resemble an ambient like form. The songs are mostly quick humorous tunes, but some are a bit more unusual, especially the Stooges and Coil covers. I would say the covers are also definitely the most enjoyable of this thirteen song bunch. A bit hard to fully illustrate but I’d imagine if you’ve seen Remora live then you have some idea of what this album sounds like, but for those that haven’t then you may be really surprised and also keep in mind that the album is only sixteen minutes long.
~ Joe Mlodik, Lunar Hypnosis
‘Songs I Sing’ is the latest from Brian John Mitchell and his band Remora. This is definitely something a bit different for those that are already familiar with Remora’s sound since this album is almost completely voice and the music if it can even be called that is very minimal. The story behind this album is that while performing live Brian often times sings short a Capella tunes while tuning or changing his guitar. After a tour with Rollerball back in 2005 Shane de Leon from Rollerball encouraged Brian to record these songs and promised to release them on his label North Pole Records. The result is an odd mixture of short songs that feature voice and voices creating backing melodies that some what resemble an ambient like form. The songs are mostly quick humorous tunes, but some are a bit more unusual, especially the Stooges and Coil covers. I would say the covers are also definitely the most enjoyable of this thirteen song bunch. A bit hard to fully illustrate but I’d imagine if you’ve seen Remora live then you have some idea of what this album sounds like, but for those that haven’t then you may be really surprised and also keep in mind that the album is only sixteen minutes long.
~ Joe Mlodik, Lunar Hypnosis
VLOR: A FIRE IS MEANT FOR BURNING
Like the This Mortal COil compilations of years gone by, vlor is a gathering of friends contributing to the same project. In this case, the artists featured float around the Silber Media sphere of influence. This release features contributions from Jon DeRosa (Aarktica), Nathan Amundson (Rivulets), & a highly impressive contribution on "Days Like Smoke" by Mike VanPortfleet of Lycia. The tracks swell between the detached to the blatantly psychedelic. This droning, aggressive, detuned collection of melodic noise is a true treat for the ears & mind.
~ Poseidon, Gothic Beauty
Like the This Mortal COil compilations of years gone by, vlor is a gathering of friends contributing to the same project. In this case, the artists featured float around the Silber Media sphere of influence. This release features contributions from Jon DeRosa (Aarktica), Nathan Amundson (Rivulets), & a highly impressive contribution on "Days Like Smoke" by Mike VanPortfleet of Lycia. The tracks swell between the detached to the blatantly psychedelic. This droning, aggressive, detuned collection of melodic noise is a true treat for the ears & mind.
~ Poseidon, Gothic Beauty
BLACK HAPPY DAY: IN THE GARDEN OF THE GHOSTFLOWERS
The best description for this totally stunning album is to imagine in your head a full collaboration between Douglas P (Deathin June) with Rose McDowell (Current 93). This collaboration between Timothy Renner (Stone Breath) & Tara VanFlower (Lycia, solo) is absolutely unnerving in its chaotic beauty. The brilliant harmony work between the the two vocalists can't be described as anything other than whatever you have never heard before. It's a haunting lullaby, a silent prayer, or the ravings of a seduced lunatic depending on the track you choose. This is THE must have for this issue. Your record collection is incomplete without it.
~ Poseidon, Gothic Beauty
The best description for this totally stunning album is to imagine in your head a full collaboration between Douglas P (Deathin June) with Rose McDowell (Current 93). This collaboration between Timothy Renner (Stone Breath) & Tara VanFlower (Lycia, solo) is absolutely unnerving in its chaotic beauty. The brilliant harmony work between the the two vocalists can't be described as anything other than whatever you have never heard before. It's a haunting lullaby, a silent prayer, or the ravings of a seduced lunatic depending on the track you choose. This is THE must have for this issue. Your record collection is incomplete without it.
~ Poseidon, Gothic Beauty
HELLER MASON: MINIMALIST & ANCHORED
The Neil Young influence on this album is apparent from the beginning, but without the off-key singing & abstract lyric writing Young is famous for. Heller Mason's masterpiece is here & is very heavy on the acoustic instrumentation including brilliant pedal steel & violin work. I was very much reminded of something Ocean Blue would have done in their later years. This piece is aching, but not melancholy in any way. Just beautiful acoustic music perfect for those long drives through the mountains on a wintery afternoon. Highly recommended.
~ Poseidon, Gothic Beauty
The Neil Young influence on this album is apparent from the beginning, but without the off-key singing & abstract lyric writing Young is famous for. Heller Mason's masterpiece is here & is very heavy on the acoustic instrumentation including brilliant pedal steel & violin work. I was very much reminded of something Ocean Blue would have done in their later years. This piece is aching, but not melancholy in any way. Just beautiful acoustic music perfect for those long drives through the mountains on a wintery afternoon. Highly recommended.
~ Poseidon, Gothic Beauty
PLUMERAI: RES COGITANS
For those who haven't heard of Plumerai before, you're in for a wonderful sampling of 80's alternative-influenced musical titillation. Elizabeth Ezell's shaking vocals are the first & immediate attraction. Seductive, tortured, & wanting, it's a voice you can almost touch as well as hear. The music is very thick with the double-timed echo guitar familiar in most early 1980's alternative rock. The music is reminescent of what you would expect from a Radiohead/Cranes collaboration. Instantly appealing, this EP starts out amazing & gets better with each subsequent listen. A must-have for our listeners.
~ Poseidon, Gothic Beauty
For those who haven't heard of Plumerai before, you're in for a wonderful sampling of 80's alternative-influenced musical titillation. Elizabeth Ezell's shaking vocals are the first & immediate attraction. Seductive, tortured, & wanting, it's a voice you can almost touch as well as hear. The music is very thick with the double-timed echo guitar familiar in most early 1980's alternative rock. The music is reminescent of what you would expect from a Radiohead/Cranes collaboration. Instantly appealing, this EP starts out amazing & gets better with each subsequent listen. A must-have for our listeners.
~ Poseidon, Gothic Beauty
Lost Kisses #4
Lost Kisses is a series of autobiographical stick figure illustrations delving into the emotional life of Mr. Mitchell. There is some humor, though appropriately short and dry, as he guides us through what had to be a heart wrenching tale about a former girlfriend, who had since married, dying of cancer.
First thing’s first though, yes, the art is all stick figures. So Mitchell is not a practiced artist, but he doesn’t need to be in this particular instance. His message comes across simplistic, yet vividly clear. The simple art is easily forgiven as it accurately portrays what he is feeling as he draws each piece.
The writing plays with itself, jumping back and forth from narrative to dialogue, both telling the same story, one factually, one breaking down those facts with revelation, and sometimes a little levity.
The best thing I could possibly say about this mini comic is that the message came across and I felt the writer’s intentions, and that is a compliment I myself wouldn’t mind receiving.
~ Brant W. Fowler, Silver Bullet Comics
XO #2
There is one eerily real scenario played out in this comic. The story starts off calm as we are introduced to a man who is watching after his grandmother when an intruder breaks in. From there the tables turn rather quickly and a much darker plot is revealed.
The artwork is decent, though there are some basic elements that could be better.
The writing again is decent but struggles a little. But overall, for the premise alone, this one gets a stronger nod. If developed in full this could turn out to be a very interesting story.
~ Brant W. Fowler, Silver Bullet Comics
Worms #1
This one is a little confusing. Well, not so much confusing in terms of the story, but confusing in terms of the why of the story I guess. It’s about a little girl who discovers something strange going on with her father after a stranger shows up, then things just take off from there.
The problem is there is no catalyst, no explanation, no facilitator of any kind. We are not given any setup whatsoever, just a matter of fact type story with no real beginning, middle or end. It’s just all kind of a mess.
The art is just as much a mess as most times I couldn’t even make out what each scene was supposed to be.
This one sadly just fell flat for me.
~ Brant W. Fowler, Silver Bullet Comics
Lost Kisses is a series of autobiographical stick figure illustrations delving into the emotional life of Mr. Mitchell. There is some humor, though appropriately short and dry, as he guides us through what had to be a heart wrenching tale about a former girlfriend, who had since married, dying of cancer.
First thing’s first though, yes, the art is all stick figures. So Mitchell is not a practiced artist, but he doesn’t need to be in this particular instance. His message comes across simplistic, yet vividly clear. The simple art is easily forgiven as it accurately portrays what he is feeling as he draws each piece.
The writing plays with itself, jumping back and forth from narrative to dialogue, both telling the same story, one factually, one breaking down those facts with revelation, and sometimes a little levity.
The best thing I could possibly say about this mini comic is that the message came across and I felt the writer’s intentions, and that is a compliment I myself wouldn’t mind receiving.
~ Brant W. Fowler, Silver Bullet Comics
XO #2
There is one eerily real scenario played out in this comic. The story starts off calm as we are introduced to a man who is watching after his grandmother when an intruder breaks in. From there the tables turn rather quickly and a much darker plot is revealed.
The artwork is decent, though there are some basic elements that could be better.
The writing again is decent but struggles a little. But overall, for the premise alone, this one gets a stronger nod. If developed in full this could turn out to be a very interesting story.
~ Brant W. Fowler, Silver Bullet Comics
Worms #1
This one is a little confusing. Well, not so much confusing in terms of the story, but confusing in terms of the why of the story I guess. It’s about a little girl who discovers something strange going on with her father after a stranger shows up, then things just take off from there.
The problem is there is no catalyst, no explanation, no facilitator of any kind. We are not given any setup whatsoever, just a matter of fact type story with no real beginning, middle or end. It’s just all kind of a mess.
The art is just as much a mess as most times I couldn’t even make out what each scene was supposed to be.
This one sadly just fell flat for me.
~ Brant W. Fowler, Silver Bullet Comics
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