Last review, I talked about Grails's excellent mini-album, Take Refuge in Clean Living. I mentioned its mellowness, and one of you fine readers informed me that if I liked that record, then i simply must check out the solo album by Zak Riles. I would like to extend a gracious "thank you" to the person who told me that, because this solo record is a nice compendium to Grails' heavier side. For his solo work, Riles mainly eschews the heavier side of Grails, focusing on the softer side. Don’t think it’s less dark because it’s easier on the ears; Riles can still conjure up a disturbing, dark atmosphere—he just uses different methods. Like on “Res Extensa,” he uses vibes and what sounds like a mandolin to create an atmosphere that makes me think of the scene in The Shining where the family is running away from the axe-wielding father. But the record provides many moments of quiet meditation; I’m really fond of the one-two punch of "Pacific Siren" and "Confluence"—two songs that simply draw you in with their beauty. Both songs are not unlike James Blackshaw, but both are original in their own way. My favorite, though, is "Chloe," which is a beautiful song tempered by the sound of thunder. It almost feels like an instrumental love song, because the melody simply feels warm and loving. For those who like Grails, this is an interesting and wonderful little sidebar. I hope Mr. Riles makes some more solo records—this one is superb….

Listen To: "Chloe"

Zak Riles is available now on Important Records

Labels: important records, reviews r, Zak Riles

posted by joseph kyle @ 9:31 AM 0 comments

RTX JJ Got Live RaTX

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Here's the problem with reviewing a record like RTX's JJ Got Live RaTX....what song should I choose to post? This record is utterly, utterly brilliant--not a surprise, because Jennifer Herrema and her heavy metal bandmates (and yes, this is HEAVY METAL) have amazingly made records that are double the brilliance of the album that proceded them. They were tight last time around, but with this record, they are full-on unfuckwithable. Their sound is surprisingly basic in nature: hard, fast, blues-tinged Rock and fuckin' Roll!

The band that made Western Xterminator has matured nicely, and good grief, they've got some nice tits on 'em, too. Not one song on here is filler; not one minute is wasted. It's a short, succinct record, and like a drunken screw underneath the bleachers, it's fast, it's hard, it's amazing...and good lord, how you want more! I love the hard-hitting "Virginia Creeper," the even harder-hitting "Hash," the meant-for-stadium-rocking "Too Badd," and the bluesy "Cheap Wine Time." I've chosen that one, because I do not want to rob you of the xperience of this Radically Tight Xperience!

Listen To: "Cheap Wine Time"

JJ Got RTX Live is out now on Drag City

Labels: Drag City, reviews r, RTX

posted by joseph kyle @ 11:00 AM 0 comments

Aaron Robinson We Are Racing Ghosts

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Aaron Robinson isn't rebuilding the wheel, but that's quite all right. I first heard of Mr. Robinson when I received Revive, the final record by his excellent and painfully underrated band, Imaginary Baseball League. It reminded me of a mix of Radiohead and Whiskeytown, and I listened to the album a LOT. I even included the song "Statistics" on an mp3 sampler. I saw him perform live, solo acoustic in Arkansas, and it was a really good show. I liked his music well enough that I didn't want to introduce myself; that distance keeps your idealism safe.

Well, jump ahead four years, and Robinson has released his solo debut, We Are Racing Ghosts. It's a wonderful collection of modern singer/songwriter fare; I'm reminded of Ryan Adams, but Robinson is a pretty powerful singer with a style that's clearly his own. Whether it's the rocking, should-be-a-AAA-format hit "Dreamers Dream" to the dark ballads of "Dreamers and Preachers" or "I Won't Stop," Aaron's songwriting is strong and arrangements are compelling, making his songs stand out from the chaff of most 'singer/songwriter' fare.

I don't listen to as much singer/songwriter/alt.country-type stuff as much as I used to, but for Robinson I make an exception. I'm not too far off in saying that Aaron has a voice and songwriting style that deserves to be big, that deserves the deals, that deserves the NPR radio play. We Are Racing Ghosts is a wonderfully quiet jewel of a record; for those who know its beauty, they know the reward. Robinson is an underrated talent; hopefully, this debut will start to change that.

Listen to: "Dreamers Dream"

We Are Racing Ghosts is available now on Undertow Music

Labels: Aaron Robinson, reviews r, Undertow Music

posted by joseph kyle @ 8:52 PM 0 comments

Rameses III Basilica

Saturday, March 29, 2008

British instrumental trio Rameses III has created a new approach to the 'live album' thing. Their newest release, Basilica, is a two-CD affair, and it's a very satisfying, unique release. The first disc, Basilica, is four remixes and reinterpretations of live recordings from a Rameses III performance in May 2006. The second disc is similar to Honey Rose, and is five songs entitled "Origins," all of which are compiled from live performances over the past two years. Listening to the songs, it's not necessarily clear where Rameses III begins and the remixer ends, but that's not the point; in this case, the 'remixer' becomes 'collaborator' in expanding Rameses III's sound, but these folk don't really change anything. So, well, the concept is interesting, but on listen, it's really hard to distinguish or appreciate. But that's a moot point; the two discs contain some utterly beautiful, quiet, and pensive instrumental compositions. I'm personally fond of our fave Gregg Kowalsky's "Rose Blood" remix--a wonderful fifteen minute epic of gentle proportions--but I like the rest of the record as well.

Listen To: "Origins V"

Basilica is available now on Important

Labels: important records, rameses iii, reviews r

posted by joseph kyle @ 9:37 AM 0 comments

Ringo Deathstarr

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

I have to say that the moniker "Ringo Deathstarr" made me relate this young Austin band to "Dandy Warhols" and "Brian Jonestown Massacre," and not because of the music. Then I heard the music! I was pleasantly surprised and a little shocked to see how well these guys fit in with that pantheon of brilliant bands with clever names. (The less said about REO Speeddealer and John Cougar Concentration Camp, the better.) Setting aside the trivial matter of the band's name, I have to say that Ringo Deathstarr rocks, and they rock hard, in that Jesus & Mary Chain and Dandy Warhols kind of way. I can't say I was surprised when I learned that they opened for Dandy Warhols, either--my only regret is not being there!

Cute platitudes aside, this band approximates the music of William and Jim Reid in such an amazingly accurate way, I actually felt like I was listening to some sort of bizarre covers EP of unreleased Jesus & Mary Chain songs. From the first moments of the aptly-titled "Swirly," I knew the sonic trip would be trippy, and I wasn't disappointed. Rumskib and A Sunny Day in Glasgow helped launch a reverend shoegazing trend; their respect for the sounds of earlier times is obvious. Ringo Deathstarr simply taps into the emotional element, and in so doing, they tap into an element that's universal: love. I can't really make out most of the lyrics, but from what I can understand, their lyrical themes are about love: falling in love, falling out of love, longing to be near a loved one, and, simply, loving. "Some Kind of Sad" is about a girl whose lips "taste like honeydew," and, in a fun little reference, are "just like honey, too." "Down on You" has a lusty yet angry guitar riff, and lyrics that are probably as lusty--if you could understand 'em!

The total winner here, though, is "Sweet Girl," the most poppy number on the record, and the most coherent, too; the song's pulsing rhythms remind me of why I loved Darklands, and it's about a girl who makes the lead singer simply swoon. It's a song meant for mix-tapes for crushes. It's also a song, I hasten to state, that could be a hit. (Cliche ends here.)

Other than the fact the band comes from Austin, I know nothing about the band. I also know that this EP is...it's amazing! I hope an American label takes the time to sign this band. Oh, and also, they're the best sexy-ass shoegazing pop band to come out of Beaumont since The Cocker Spaniels!

Listen To: "Sweet Girl"

Ringo Deathstarr is out now on Spoilt Victorian Child

Labels: reviews r, Ringo Deathstarr, Spoilt Victorian Child

posted by joseph kyle @ 4:54 PM 0 comments

Rameses III Honey Rose

Thursday, September 13, 2007

I had never heard of London-based experimental trio Rameses III until perusing the Important Records website, when, in the process of wanting to hear a clip from the new Piano Magic record, I inadvertently clicked on their mp3. What a happy day it was for me! I fell in love with what I heard and quickly ordered their record, Honey Rose, having never heard another note. It was a risk, but a risk worth taking, and considering it's a I haven't been able to find any of their previous releases, but I take it that this EP is a bit of a departure for the group. Instead of being songs, the record is arranged in a series of six themes, set around filmmaker Jon Spira's short film Suityman. If the film is anything like the music, it's very, very beautiful. The music here is slow, quiet, and though not entirely instrumental, the gentleness of the melody seems to be the important element the listener should focus on. The music borders on classical and ambient but it never really declares allegiance to either style. To be honest, the themes flow together and while beautiful on their own, they really sparkle when listened to with the other five. This humble release is well worth seeking out, as it's easily one of the prettiest records of the year.

Listen To: "Theme 2"

Labels: important records, rameses iii, reviews r

posted by joseph kyle @ 9:10 AM 0 comments

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