February 2012

Nate Houge – Reform Follows Function

February 28, 2012
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NateHouge_ReformFollowsFunction

I don’t know about you, but the title of this CD always makes me sit and think for a while. The music on the disc has the same effect – take for example the line “Where have all the heretics gone?” So many “heroes of the faith” through the centuries were branded as heretics. Are the people we label as heretics today actually speaking blasphemy or reform? At first I wasn’t sure if I liked this album or not, but listening more it has become quite the grower. Houge has an alternative Americana folk rock vibe going that falls somewhere between Daniel Amos and Bill Mallonee. This album is indie all the way but with clean and clear production qualities. A great find that deserves a wider audience.

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Pospolite Ruszenie – Swiebodnosc

February 21, 2012
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PR_Swiebodnosc_okladka

The thing that is so amazing about music is that it transcends religion, sex, race, color and language. It is universal in its appeal because of the sounds that are created, not just because of words that are spoken or sung. There are some bands that sing in a language other than English that I absolutely love; Einsturzende Neubauten is one of my favorite bands, and Rammstein are another solid act that sings in their native German language – which also is perfect for the type of music they play. Sigor Ros and Cocteau Twins are also bands that are amazingly beautiful but don’t need the hindrance of a language to translate their craft. That being said, this was a first for me…Pospolite Ruszenie is a band that Matt sent me the link to and recommended I check out. I went to the website and found out these guys...

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The Bloody Strummers – Return of the Halcyon Days

February 15, 2012
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the-bloody-strummers

Joshua Lory and Matt Biggers are no strangers to Down the Line readers.  Both guys play on the latest LS Underground record and Josh is also one of the members of the upcoming Lifesavers project. In addition to Knott’s bands, both guys played in Soul Device. Josh has his project Western Grace; Matt has The Dark Reactions. The Bloody Strummers is another project that these guys have been working on for quite some time, and it is an absolute gem of a record! Return of the Halcyon Days is definitely one of my favorite albums that I heard back in 2011. This record has it all: elements of pure tripped out bluesy Americana, dense garage rocked out psychedelic and a hazy,  shoe gaze-y essence that totally molds the better parts of so many genres. It really comes out as a clean, excellently produced album that is just long enough,...

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Insomniac Folklore – A Place Where Runaways are not Alone

February 3, 2012
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Insomniac-Folklore

Matt introduced me to this band, so I checked them out and was immediately pleased with the sound. These folks hail from Portland, OR and have developed a hodge podge style that mixes folk, rock, elements of punk and an overall sense of good times and sideshow antics. Led by Dr. Folklore (Rev. Tyler Hentschel), the bands bio is a tale told by a storyteller that weaves a yarn and leaves you guessing. The music is fun, Hentschel’s voice is deep and uneven which is quite perfect for the band. There are definite elements of bands like Wovenhand, maybe even Tom Waits is conjured up, but I wouldn’t say that Insomniac Folklore is of the caliber of those acts. That isn’t a dig either – I like Insomniac Folklore. It is steam punk-y and a good time with plenty of staying power. I’m going to check out their back...

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The Sea Wolf Mutiny – The Last Season

January 5, 2012
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The Sea Wolf Mutiny - The Last Season

I need to check around and see if members of The Sea Wolf Mutiny have some connection with any Velvet Blue Music artists. I could easily see this band fitting in perfectly with the current bands on the VBM roster. The Mutiny is led by indie, artistic, swirling music capped off by some slightly unique vocals. Bobby Hatfield’s voice is unique enough that he doesn’t sound like everyone else, but not so out there as to become an acquired taste. I see the words ‘indie’ ‘folk’ and ‘post’ throw about a lot with this band. Indie and post I get – but I’m not seeing the folk as much. Not that this is a bad thing – just more of an FYI IMO. Many of the songs on here even remind me slightly of some of the songs off of the new Coldplay album… even though I believe The...

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Bill Mason Band – No Sham!

January 3, 2012
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Bill Mason Band - No Sham

“Most Christian Music was 6 years behind secular music, the Bill Mason Band were only 6 months!” While many debate who the first true Christian punk rock band was, some point to the Bill Mason Band and their fairly obscure No Sham! album. Even though punk definitely got heavier in the 80s and 90s, BMB was exactly what punk rock sounded like in 1979: loud, gritty, authentic, snarly and full of attitude. You can hear The Ramones and The Clash all over Mason and company, sprinkled in with a healthy dose of pre-80s new wave. There is even a bit of reggae and funk here and there. Of course, No Sham! Quickly went out of print and became hard to find. Now it is finally seeing the light of digital day as part of Born Twice Record’s “Legends Remastered” series. Born Twice went all out bringing this lost classic...

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Omar Domkus – Shades of a Shadow

January 2, 2012
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Omar Domkus - Shades of a Shadow cover

Omar Domkus has crafted a completely unique album that is what I would describe as world music influenced ambience with slight touches of jazz influenced percussion and fretless bass driven goodness. The entire album is relaxing and restful. Domkus sounds as if he’s just having fun and really putting his heart and his soul into Shades of a Shadow. Most of you know Omar as the bassist for the punk-driven, genre-shattering band Scaterd Few that kicked in the doors years ago with his brother Allan Aguirre. This is a far move away from the sounds of Scaterd Few, but it is also a unique view into the artist’s journey of progression as a musician. We can also see where many of these ideas and tunes played a vital role in Scaterd Few’s reggae based punk rock songs that in and of themselves really broke down the rules and roles...

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The Beckoning – Demystifying the Oracle

January 1, 2012
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The Beckoning - Demystifying the Oracle

This was a welcomed release as well as a nice surprise to the ears! I am a huge fan of metal, but I really like the more extreme genres of the spectrum. The Beckoning is a Canadian band that I can best describe as symphonic doom metal with some definite melodic death metal mixed in with a very ethereal backdrop. It works great and is a fun ride from start to end! Meghann and Roy Turple are the masterminds behind the music. They bring together a formula that is unique, nicely layered and very well assembled. I don’t know a whole lot about these two – not sure if they are married or siblings or how they are related. But they have put out a great release that is very reminiscent of the better points of bands like Dimmu Borgir or My Silent Wake. This is diversity of the...

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James and Evander – Constellating EP + 2

December 31, 2011
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James and Evander - Constellating EP

James and Evander are one of the latest groups to join the roster over at Velvet Blue Music – which is a great thing for a new band. Velvet Blue continues to stretch and redefine the story of solid output from an indie label that really cares about the artist and the music they offer. James and Evander dropped this little EP called Constellating + 2 several months back and I snapped it up right away. I was immediately drawn to the lush notes and the relaxed atmosphere and vibe that came through the speakers. It is definite electronic pop music, but more dreamy and ethereal than dance pop. These guys could fit well on a bill with the likes of M83. There are three songs here and 2 extras that are remixes (the title track “Constellating” and the second track “Slap Bracelets”). The third track is titled “Really...

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Blood Red by Low and Behold

November 1, 2011
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low & behold - blood red

I was pretty excited when I saw the announcement for this release. Low & Behold is Jason Martin from SF59 and Ryan Clark most notably from Demon Hunter… but I am more of fan of his work in Focal Point and Training for Utopia. I think Clark has huge talent and I was actually glad to see him do something outside of Demon Hunter, which has become pretty formulaic at this point. Martin is pretty solid at anything he puts his hands on and it is always a treat to hear him branch out with something new. The packaging on this LP is top notch! This is a 12” vinyl single with the title track “Blood Red,” and the b-side “Violent Sound.” The music has a heavy Depeche Mode vibe to it, but definitely has a unique twist that plays from both artists strengths. The record is dark red...

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