Z Tapes always produces charming, simple surprises. This one comes in the form of Australian/Serbian troupe Lalić, whose album reminds me of what demos of early Railway Children, Movement-era New Order and maybe something a tape collection inside the Postcard Records post box might sound like. Worthy.
Alternative Music
[Music] Refuge For Abandoned Souls by Rothko —Toneshift Magazine
If I recall correctly, it was my brother, Ralph, who hipped me to Rothko years ago. Thanks to him, and to Ljubinko Zivkovic for the great article. Toneshift is always worth sharing.
Rothko | Refuge For Abandoned SoulsTrace Recordings (LP/CD/DL) It seems that 20 years ago, back in London, Mark Beazley, Crawford Blair and John Meade took the name Rothko for their three bass guitar band to resemble the paintings of the visual artist of the same name. Blair and Meade have been gone for a while […]
[Music] Bob Mould – I Don’t Mind
What a pleasant surprise this is! Former Hüsker Dü and Sugar front man Bob Mould does a quite good cover of a song made famous by The Buzzcocks! It doesn’t get much more power-pop than this.
[Music] Zeresh – Farewell
My goodness! I knew my friends in the band Zeresh had a new album out, but I wasn’t expecting an epic! Farewell does an amazing job of combining the good elements of the early Pink Floyd sound and melds it together with neofolk. Tamar Singer’s vocals are otherworldly, quite rich and unique in this genre. I mean this literally!
Also, as this is considered atmospheric black metal in the genre section of the Bandcamp site, I would have expected more shrieking and screaming. Thank God, no noise like that on this release. It would have ruined the truly dark, foreboding vibe that Zeresh were giving to me while preparing for a long day at work. I enjoyed this one immensely.
[Music] fuvk – you like blue and i like you
Z Tapes continues to put out wonderfully emotive indie music, whether it’s of the bedroom pop variety or something straight-up weird. They rarely, if ever, seem to fail with their releases. All credit should go to Filip Zemcik for his near-perfect curation abilities.
fuvk are a emo/indie-pop band out of Austin, Texas who please greatly with music that is pleasing to the ear, but not fluffy or boring. The tape recordings were a bit unsettling to hear, and they add a bit of spark to an already good EP’s worth of tuneage.
[Music] Joel Sarakula – Northern Soul
Even down to his personal look, Joel Sarakula has a 70’s vintage vibe. He offers two tracks of exceptionally good soul music that would not have sounded out of place 40 years ago, even with the much better studio recording equipment.
[Music] Various Artists – Portrety LP
U Know Me Records has produced a magnificent compilation concentrating on drum sounds. The artists range in genre from post-punk to soul and modern hip-hop, but done in a style that makes them barely recognizable to each category. A refreshing introduction to that which is good in Poland.
[Music] Pipi Caca – Les Miettes Dans le Lit
I’m not normally a fan of bands who feel the need to use bodily functions to name a band, but Pipi Caca deliver a steaming pile of good music, mixing alternative music, chanson, R&B, trap and a touch of funk here and there. Another great release by La Souterraine Records.
[Music] Kronos Quartet & múm – Smell Memory
The legendary chamber group the Kronos Quartet and Icelandic band múm are not exactly a pairing I would have expected to see work so well together. This track has a history. múm interpreted Smell Memory note for note, with Samuli Kosminen adding drums to the piece. Quite an interesting pairing!
[Music] Tindersticks – Across Six Leap Years
Some albums bear emotional scars of the artist and the listener equally well. I cannot recommend Tindersticks highly enough if you are having a drink of vodka and lime and either reminiscing about a lost love or wondering how the hell you managed to land into the situation you’re currently in. We need albums for wistful moments. This one should be filed next to your Chet Baker and Joy Division albums when a profound case of the blues hit you.
Think of a baritone-voiced Nick Cave with a more whiskey-drenched voice singing with a Stax Records house band. Dark, but full of soul. Recommended.
