View Single Post
Old 03.06.2008, 02:59 PM   #86
Moshe
Super Moderator
 
Moshe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,856
Moshe kicks all y'all's assesMoshe kicks all y'all's assesMoshe kicks all y'all's assesMoshe kicks all y'all's assesMoshe kicks all y'all's assesMoshe kicks all y'all's assesMoshe kicks all y'all's assesMoshe kicks all y'all's assesMoshe kicks all y'all's assesMoshe kicks all y'all's assesMoshe kicks all y'all's asses
We haven't more than a day with the first mailing of Three Lobed's latest subscription series, Oscillation III. After multiple listens of multiple discs we're more than prepared to give some quick thoughts to those of you sitting on your hands, reluctant to shell out the dough.

Our early verdict? The first mailing is worth the price of admission alone.

Vanishing Voice – The Morning After

Perhaps the three most hauntingly devastating tracks Vanishing Voice have ever released. They continue to make James Toth a forgotten friend as they devour the dark side within The Morning After. As for this morning after, we’re afraid what led to such an ominous soundtrack to reflect the evening before. It’s safe to say that even George Romero on his best day couldn’t envision such a horrible musical aftermath.

If you only have room for one album that proclaims itself the soundtrack for the morning after, we’d certainly bet on Vanishing Voice over Pete Yorn.

Bark Haze - One for Merz

Andrew MacGregor (better known as Gown) and Thurston Moore (better known as Kim Gordon’s other half) team up once again as Bark Haze. For their contribution to Three Lobed’s Oscillation III series, we’re treated to 35 minutes on screeching tunnel vision. One for Merz is pure noise drone, though some of the harsher aspects of the sound have been replaced by Moore and MacGregor’s take on psychedelia and no wave—basically the same thing both virtuosos have been doing for years in their respective fields.

Tom Carter - Skyline Grinder

Carter, one-half of Charalambides, runs with the same thought as Bark Haze. Rather than focus on din, Carter chooses to explore the push/pull of quiet plucks amongst moments of eerie silence. As a 30 minute stand alone, it may fail to hit its mark—but when listened to in the midst of digesting the first six releases of Oscillation III, it becomes the zen center the series needs. It’s a welcomed calm—the palette cleanser.

Howlin Rain - Wild Life

Unlike their just-released second album Magnificent Fiend, Wild Life finds Howlin Rain delving into hard-rockin’ psychedelia. It could be due to Ben Chasny’s appearance but it’s more likely out of a willingness to turn the dial away from the classic rock station. Ethan Miller just needed a Comets on Fire fix and used his Howlin Rain mates and COF partner to score his fix. Just like your friend who’s more fun after a few beers, Wild Life will provide you with 30 minutes of cheap entertainment until everyone sobers up or passes out.

Jack Rose - I Do Play Rock & Roll

Don’t be alarmed—Jack Rose’s vision of rock and roll sounds vaguely like his vision on any other record you’ve listened to featuring Rose’s handy work. I Do Play Rock & Roll finds Rose plucking his strings with the same folkie fervor. Sure, we’d enjoy a Rose interpretation of “Welcome to the Jungle” or “Paranoid” but we’re also happy to sit back and listen in amazement as Rose unspools serenade after metallic serenade.

GHQ - Everywhere At Once

GHQ are dangling from the precipice, but when they stare deep into the blackened abyss beneath them they don’t find it staring back. Everywhere At Once finds Gunn and his liege doing what they do best—building upon understated drone and guitar noodlings. However dependable that may be, it’s time to bust out of that comfortable shell and GHQ have dared to do as much in quite awhile. Everywhere At Once is a fine addition to the band’s canon but amidst five progressive discs it will be lost.
http://community.livejournal.com/elecvp/84496.html
Moshe is offline   |QUOTE AND REPLY|