...and darkness came [2012] - First Impression

I'm only really thirty-eight or so songs into this absurdly large (86 tracks!) compilation, but i'm fairly confident it's worth recommending to you. I haven't heard a bad track yet, and still to come further down the list are the likes of Nils Frahm, Ólafur Arnalds, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Max Richter, Hauschka, Clint Mansell, Celer, and many, many more of your favorite ambient, drone, and modern classical artists. The album is free to listen to, but if you choose to buy it, 100% of your $10 for a download in a format of your choice (including FLAC) will go to Doctors Without Borders and The Humane Society. And, thanks to this compilation, I'm now subscribed to the excellent electronic music review mag headphonecommute, which I hadn't known about until now. Whether you're really into this kind of thing, are feeling particularly contemplative on a grey day with nothing to do, or just need some pretty music to fall asleep to, this 86-track monstrosity is probably for you.

Modeselektor at Coachella

Half of Deadly Boars went to Coachella last weekend, and I'm finally taking a much needed sick day to recuperate. This has got to be one of the best performances I saw all weekend, hands down.

I'll try to post more stuff as it comes to mind. And don't forget to check out the live stream of this weekend's Coachella to catch the same lineup.

guess it's not being streamed a second time, sorry.

[2011] Evenings - Lately

Oh hey, this is still here

Oh hey, Evenings released their (his?) first full-length at some point this year and I just noticed.

[2011] Chapelier Fou - Al Abama EP

Holy crap I love everything about this.

[2011] John Maus - We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves

I have been waiting my whole life (I think?) for someone to make an album of meaty songs that bridges the gap between cold-wave and space disco, so thank you John Maus. In his newest We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves (I don't think I'll ever remember that title, I keep typing Ancestors instead of Censors) we are given layers of murky synths, cheesy synths, raw synths, sexy synths, and other kinds of synths. The key thing to remember is "synths."

The opening track "Streetlight" is practically a brightly lit flashing sign of what's to come, brazenly announcing that if you in any way shape or form have been dreading the day that the Ghostbusters soundtrack become something worth mining for musical gold, now is the time to walk away. "Quantum Leap" is upbeat, hooky and reminds me of last year's hit Gary War single "Born of Light." I want to believe that "Head for the Country" is an ode to Tears for Fears, specifically "Head Over Heels" the video of which I couldn't get out of my head listening to the Maus track. As "retro" as it is, it also feels brand new to me and I won't bother reconciling that unless someone makes me.

The vocals are entrancing throughout the album (particularly in "Cop Killer" and "We Can Breakthrough"), and I can only try to sum the sound up as "Ariel Pink forcing Gregorian monks at gunpoint to sing Big Country covers." However, the final track "Believer" strikes a much different chord, and has an aimless "best of: shoegaze" thing going on, and seems much shorter than it is because you don't want it to end. Try both Quantum Leap and Believer below:

John Maus - Quantum Leap by RibbonMusic

John Maus - Believer by RibbonMusic

[2011] Melodium - Petit Jama

For fans of Múm. No vocals though. It's a tad sugary, at times, but I like that shit.

[2011] M△S▴C△RA - Silver Knight Gothic EP

Entirely instrumental, dark and weird and soothing with a tasty beat. not sure what else to say. witch house ep is witch housey. check out the track below.

I'm really into short records lately, not sure why. Too also, the EP just makes a lot of sense to me as a release format. A lot of musical ideas shouldn't be stretched out over more than 20 to 30-odd minutes, else they get tiresome. But they're still cool ideas and I want to hear them. I probably heard that in an interview somewhere and have just confused it for an original thought.

Shadow of Tonight by MASCARA

[2010] Dorian White - Holding a Ghost

static + synths = crack. nice vocals too. that's right. I still like vocals.
via musical coma, the blog I want to be. 


Dorian White - Holding A Ghost by Moodgadget

[2010] dné - Eating a Wrapper Instead of Candy

I seem to be in the mood for instrumental stuff lately. This has been sitting neglected on my drive for awhile. Either found this on folktronica or siren sound. Put on headphones. Always put on headphones.

[2010] Happenstance - Happenstance

Excellent little mostly instrumental EP. Just listen and see for yourself, words won't do it justice. Should not be hard to find; when I google for information about the artist, I get more download links than anything else. Release was apparently limited to 300 copies, good luck finding one.

Happenstance - Even My Goosebumps Shivered

MIX: Morr from '99 to '04

Bohm

For those five years Morr could do little wrong in my eyes (after, the story isn't so much the same, meh). For an IDM music label that's mostly known for instrumental stuff, this mix is heavy on vocals because -> it's heavy on the Blue Skied and Clear compilation which is -> heavy on vocals cuz it's mostly Slowdive covers.

1. Future 3 - Alison (3:11)
2. Solvent - Discontinued Parts (Instrumental Mix) (4:02)
3. Opiate - For Brian Alfred (4:16)
4. Lali Puna - Call 1-800-FEAR (3:24)
5. Populous - Ent-The Dexo (4:42)
6. The Notwist - Scoop (3:28)
7. Styrofoam - Altogether (3:57)
8. Ms. John Soda - By Twos (5:49)
9. Isan - Fullen Brimm (3:25)
10. Manual - It'll Be Fine (4:51)
11. Múm - Please Sing My Spring Reverb (5:20)
12. Kevin & Paul - Tonka Truck Rmx (5:12)
13. B. Fleischmann - Slope (4:26)
14. Ulrich Schnauss - Wherever You Are (6:38)
15. Phonem - War By Other Means (4:37)
16. Komëit - When The Sun Hits (3:04)
17. Herrmann & Kleine - Dagger (4:43)

http://www.mediafire.com/?2zn1o2wkenn41p6

The woman up top is Stefanie Bohm who is all over this mix, just so you know. Hope you like it.

Steven

[2010] Evenings - North Dorm EP

just check this shit out, you WON'T be sorry. if you got the instrumental mix, you've already heard "Favorite Maze" but go on and download the EP from the mediafire link provided by the artist on their bandcamp page, cos the rest of it is just as great.