Best February releases

Atoms for Peace –> Amok (Indie Electronic)

New project for Thom Yorke (Radiohead, i have to specify that?) and Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers). If you like Radiohead in their latest years, u won’t be disappointed. Meditative.

Darkstar –> News from Nowhere (Indie Electronic)

Published by great Warp record label, this second work of this UK trio is very interesting (as well as this video). Difficult to categorize in 1 music style. Daydreaming.

Eels –> Wonderful, Glorious  (Alternative/Indie Rock)  

13th work from this american band. Always looking for new sounds, but also linked with their simple, involving and scratching style, this is a very pleasant LP. Cathartic.

My Bloody Valentine –> m b v (Alternative Rock)

Probably you don’t know this band because their short -but intense- career started in 1985 and finished in 1991, but you should know that they influenced many other bands in the following years. Welcome back! Ethereal.

Apparat –> Krieg Und Frieden (Music for Theatre) (Experimental, Ambient)

New experimental project for Apparat, who originally is a techno DJ but lately likes to explore new instrumental sounds. Before this, he published a very interesting album with a real band. Atmospheric.

Ellen Allien –> Lism (Electronic, Techno)

Not many words to describe well this german amazing artist. Her LPs usually are more electronic than techno, enchanting and captivating style. This following video is not from the last album since there are not videos available on youtube yet. Hypnotic.

Mogwai –> Les Revenants (Post Rock)

From Scotland, 11th LP from this instrumental sophisticated band. I really suggest to see them ‘live’, if you already didn’t, you will thank me after, i’m sure. But in the meanwhile listen their works, you will thank me as well! Reflective.

Iceage –> You’re Nothing (Hardcore Punk, New Wave)

From Denmark (yes Denmark) second work for this very young punk band. They have to grow, musically speaking, but they have got some talent. Harsh.

Terror in a woman’s car

I don’t wanna sound sexist but i feel a bit ‘in danger’, musically speaking obviously, when i get a ride in a woman’s car (of course not if the woman looks like this one in the pic).

Beside the danger itself due to her attitude to multitasking (ok this is a bit sexist, but also true), when the music is on, you don’t know what to expect. I usually shyly ask:”which music do you listen?” and the most terrifyng answer i get is: “i listen a bit of everything, what’s on the radio!”. While in the many countries in the world it can sound safe, in italy is scary!

First of all, most of the radio stations are -like the italian music itself- sooo pop and commercial (and with a lot of advertising) that you can get diabetes instantaneously. So you can easily understand why you should freak out.

Second, it means that you will be ‘entertained’ with this music (trying to focus on the conversation) aaall the way to the place you are going (hopefully not far and without traffic).

I’m bossy for the music i put in my car (but usually asking which music people would like to listen), so i would never ask to somebody else to change the music they are listening to (because i don’t like if somebody does the same with me and the driver has to be comfortable).

But i also bet people is terrified when they come in MY car (my sister for example is one of those) so i don’t complain much (i suffer in silence)!

Just think twice before leaving your car at home (especially in italy)!

January Releases (new & revisited ideas)

I can say that January won’t be remembered as a memorable month for new releases but, as every month, something interesting always come out…

In this first section there are some comments about:

Alternative, Indie, Experimental Rock (Section 1)

Rage Against the Machine → Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium

For the nostalgic fans of RATM (i am one of those) here is the last live concert and some original riffs. Rough.

Can → Landed

One of the most important and original alternative rock bands in the 70’s, which inspired many following bands (Sonic Youth are one of those). Dreamlike.

Ra Ra Riot → Beta Love

Third work for this american indie rock band. Recommended for a sunny sunday. Easy.

Yo La Tengo → Fade

Not properly a brand new band (13th LP) but they always like to change their style. Eclectic.

Blood Red Shoes → The Water EP

From UK, faster and involving rock. Scratched.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp4jU3WepFU

Green Day → Uno…Dos…Tre

They are not anymore the punk band which exploded in the 90’s turning more into a wide commercial rock. Some songs are cute but nothing more. Commercial.

Experimental Electronic, Trip-Hop, Indie Elctronic, Techno  (Section 2)

Pillowfight → Pillowfight

Trip-hop band that you should listen if you like Massive Attack, Portishead, Morcheeba or Zero 7 since it’s a mix of all of those. Atmospheric.

Gold Panda → Trust EP

A combination of DJ Shadow and Four Tet for this great artist coming from UK. Soothing.

Pantha du Prince & The Bell Laborathory→ Elements of Light

New project for this german techno producer, which left his draker sounds to collaborate with The Bell Laboratory in a more instrumental sound (reminding of Battles). Shimmering.

Orbital → Pusher OST

Cool soundtrack made by english Orbital. Didn’t watch the movie but enjoyed this LP. Pulsing.

Dubfire → A Transmission

Double LP collection from DJs of Dubfire’s record label (SCI+TEC). Elegant.

Deadmau5 → At Play vol.4

Fourth chapter of the compilation At Play of this great canadian artist. Intense.

Paco Osuna → Amigos Pt.2 EP

Spanish DJ, resident of Barcelona’s Club4, internationally known. Cool EP with good collaborations (like Sinisa Tamamovic). Minimaltech.