Ophibre - Approaching The Ionized Piezo Kiosk (Earjerk ,2009)

Ophibre - Approaching The Ionized Piezo Kiosk


Some have said that due to the large amount of Ophibre related posts here on AGB that I'm having a secret love affair with the man. Well now that's just ridiculous. Why would I be cheating on my wife in such an obvious, transparent way? Don't you think she would notice? But maybe I'm doing it in plain sight so no one suspects anything...shit. COVER = BLOWN.

Approaching The Ionized Piezo Kiosk is Ophibre's latest foray into orgasmic drone and his first CD for Earjerk. Normally Ophibre puts out tapes and while an Ophibre CD is'nt really rare, it's also not a common sighting which is just another reason I'm excited to review Piezo Kiosk.

Once this long track kicks in, it just dives right into a mesmerizing drone, the kind where your eyes glaze over and you're not actually seeing whatever it is you're looking at. Your mind simply wanders off to another place. I claimed "Harem Of Moths" might be my favorite work by Ophibre but "Approaching The Ionized Piezo Kiosk" is quickly gaining on the number one spot. The transcendent shimmer is offset by the melancholic trombone, giving this just the right amount of balance. I'm not sure it's an actual trombone being used, but it sounds very similar to Phill Niblock's Nothin' To Look At Just A Record which is long form trombone drone.

Yes, I just compared Ophibre to Niblock and I did it on purpose. This guy has serious droning chops and deserves high praise. The world needs to know that this Boston experimental noise maker exists and the best way I can think of going about that is to shout about his mad skills.

The packaging on Piezo Kiosk is pretty damn cool, although not quite as spectacular as most of the tapes Ophibre puts out on his Oph Sound label. It's got a semi-transparent reversible eye fuck on the outside with a folded one of a kind piece of a thrift store LP on the inside. There's only 36 of these so you better get on this shit quick.

Haiku Review: Danielle Ate The Sandwich - Things People Do (self released, 2009)

Danielle Ate The Sandwich - On The Planet Earth


Danielle Ate The Sandwich
Things People Do
/girl sings chipper folk/
/ukuleles are the shit/
/sweet charming lyrics/

Haiku Review: The London Apartments - Signals & Cities Are Forever (self released, 2009)

The London Apartments - Fair Is Fair


I came up with a new idea for something on AGB and I wanna know if you h8 or <3 it. I thought that since no one blogs on the weekends (and therefor no one reads blogs on the weekends) that I shouldn't spend a lot of time writing a post that no one will care about. So to make things slightly interesting but still giving myself some restrictions, I thought I could do reviews in haiku form on the weekends. They'll be short and sweet and everyone loves haikus so there's really no going wrong here. Let me know what you think.

Update: Apparently, I don't know how to fucking count. Removed "like" from second line so there's actually 7 syllables.

The London Apartments
Signals & Cities Are Forever (free & legal download)
/above par shoegaze/
/drifting through electro clouds/
/dreamy gorgeousness/

V.E.G.A. - Alienforest - A Sick Mind's Hologram (Debemur Morti, 2009)

V.E.G.A. - Neongraphite


V.E.G.A. (or Vacuum Era Gelid Atmosphere) are 3 dudes from Italy who challenge my vocabulary and descriptive skills. I've had Alienforest - A Sick Mind's Hologram for a little while now, listening to it probably more than I should, hoping that I would reach some sort of epiphany and be able to describe to you all the craziness of this record. That epiphany never came but that won't stop me from sharing this gem with the world.

Just so you know what ballpark we're playing in, Alienforest is a black metal record (originally their debut, a self released tape in 2000, reissued on CD by Debemur Murti this year). The thing is, there's so much synth weirdness going on, that very often this strays about as far from black metal as a you can get while still retaining the BM label. Usually, BM is scary. Like said band are literally demons spawned from Satan himself, put on Earth with the sole purpose of making the most terrifying music ever. But while V.E.G.A. have some of those nightmarish qualities, they're just so fucked up that instead of being scared, I'm just confused.

There are elements of grindcore, thrash, and death metal, as well as bits of techno, all laid over a black metal foundation. It seems like there's enough bizarre black metal bands out there that you could probably make a sub-genre combining all of the various BM offshoots. But V.E.G.A. take it to the next level and create something that I have literally never heard before and doubt will ever hear again. It's so fucking extreme and weird, which (obviously) means it's that fucking awesome.

My only complaint (and it is a minor one) is that Alienforest is so god damn long. At 1 hour and 10 minutes, it's about as long as a CD can get. Don't get me wrong, when I love something, I'd like it to last as long as possible but Alienforest is different. I have not once been able to listen to the whole thing all the way through in one sitting. Sometimes I get distracted and end up doing something else or just get tired and need to listen to something else or whatever the case may be, I just think this one's a bit too long for one record.

Huun-Huur-Tu - The Orphan's Lament (Shanachie, 1994)

Huun-Huur-Tu - Eki Attar


OK, I'm not trying to seem weird/worldly/cooler than you by posting a Tuvan throat singing record. I'm also not going to pretend like I know anything about Huun-Huur-Tu or the subtleties and history of the genre or region. The only knowledge I have of Tuva and throat singing came entirely from the (fantastic) film Genghis Blues.

What I do know is that Tuvan throat singing is fucking amazing and it totally fucks with your brain. The put things crudely, throat singing barely sounds human and sometimes makes the vocalist sound like they have two voices. It is completely unlike anything I have ever heard before and I absolutely love it.

There are many Tuvan throat singing records (well, maybe just more than you'd expect) but The Orphan's Lament is the only one I've ever heard. I don't really have anything to compare it to, no context to put it in. All I can say is that it's probably the least American sounding record I have (in a good way). Sometimes you need to change things up and get a different perspective. But if you (like me) generally aren't a fan of "world" music, then I highly recommend giving Tuvan throat singing a try. At worst, you'll be impressed by the technical aspects of it. At best, maybe you'll have found a new super niche genre to obsess over and start on a lifelong quest to find as many Tuvan throat singing records as possible.

Magic People - You Are The Magic People (Mister Records (probably), 2009)

Magic People - Your Dude


I threw that "probably" up there in the title because this album technically isn't out yet. Magic People have put out a few albums on Mister Records and I'm going to take a wild guess that You Are The Magic People will also appear on Mister. Just a hunch. But please don't threaten/attack/murder/sodomize me if I end up being wrong.

I had the opportunity to see Magic People open for The Skull Defekts at PA's Lounge in October and while I enjoyed their set, I wasn't blown away by anything I heard. When I saw them play live, there was only two of them. Al Deaderick manning the keyboard and drum machine with John Manson pulling duty on vocals, bass, and a kick drum. It was minimal industrial stuff but perhaps too simple of a setup for my taste in that genre. Enter You Are The Magic People to completely change my mind about these local dudes.

This record is fucking awesome. First of all, they've enlisted a couple other people to play some more instruments such as a full drum kit, guitar, saxophone, and various electronic and percussion shit. And it makes all the difference in the world. Coupled with solid production, this rounds Magic People out and overall makes them sound fuller and more professional than they did live.

I mentioned Magic People had an industrial feel, which is true, but in the gritty DIY way that Neptune has become famous for. They also have that strange humor found in some Neptune songs, although it's more overt on Magic People. But Magic People are no copycats. They certainly have their own sound, partially due to the distinctive synthesizer (which Neptune most certainly does not use).

I have a lot more respect for Magic People after hearing their as-yet-unreleased somewhat-self-titled album. It's a super tight record that's just really fucking good. Something that shouldn't be kept hidden from the rest of the world, as is so common with "local" music. When You Are The Magic People gets it's eventual release, it will most likely be pretty limited so keep an eye out for it before this shit sells out. 'Cause it will.

Video: Futurecop! - Karate Kids

In light of the recent "Craziest Video From The '80s" I thought I'd share this video by Futurecop! comprised entirely of clips from all of the best '80s movies. The song is called "Karate Kids" and it's got all of those loveable dancey electro beats that the kids can't seem to get enough of these days. Most of the movie clips are from party scenes and they (aka video creator TNUC) seemed to sync up everyone's dance moves to the song pretty well. Pop quiz, hot shot. Can you name all of the movies in this video?

Maserati / Zombi Split (Temporary Residence, 2009)

Maserati - Join Us Mystic Sister / No More Sages


Maserati - Monoliths / Thieves


Zombi - Infinity


Zombi attempts to tackle their side all in one take with a song called “Infinity.” And while it does only last about 13 minutes, it’s a wonderful 13 minutes of analog synth that seems to last for, well, at least a long time.

Full review on diskant.

Video: Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse Of The Heart

Not many people know this, but the video for "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" is officially the craziest video from the '80s. It's got the certificate and everything. You can watch this 10 times in a row, each time catching something new and laughing your ass off.

Blank Dogs - The Fields (Woodsist, 2008)

Blank Dogs - Passing The Light


Totally bitchin fuzzy doom pop awesomness. BAM.

Julian Lynch - Born 2 Run (Buffalo Songs, 2008)

Julian Lynch - Banana Jam Pt. 2


Great news everybody! I found a cool band you might like! Or rather, he found me, but regardless, I still think you'll like him. You know why? 'Cause he makes good music.

If Julian Lynch lived in Boston, he'd probably get lumped in with the likes of Many Mansions or any of the other acts in that scene we got going on around here. Born 2 Run starts off sounding like it would fit right in with that tropical psychedelic fun-ness. But from then on, each track is (almost) a complete departure from the previous. The second song, "Juicy," sounds like something that a lo-fi experimental Snow Patrol would make for an indie/mainstream film. Then "Caruth" comes on with it's hypnotic bedroom electronics drone and transforms into some lilting Americana.

Seriously, this record is all over the place but in a very good way. Whether it's the fuzzy folk, the organ/synth drones, the psych guitars, or the wobbly electronics I'm all for it. But only because it's remains cohesive. There is a thread that weaves throughout Born 2 Run, holding it all together, making sure it retains that "album" feeling. Sometimes the thread gets pretty thin, though, and may be difficult to find at times but it's definitely there.

Mist - Certain Expansion (Pizza Wagon, 2009)

Mist - Untitled (Side A)
Link removed.


I'm pretty sure most people have at least heard the name Emeralds before but I guess it doesn't really matter either way. Mist is Mist, not Emeralds, even if half of Mist is also in Emeralds.

Certain Expansion is a very limited edition tape (100 copies) that takes an aspect of Emeralds (in this case, synthesizers) and just fucking runs away with it. Mist is pretty much all synth. Sweet bubbly synth. None of this new fangled crystal clear dance synth, though. Expansion sounds like it was played by a couple of dudes who grew up listening to way too much Moroder and decided to make a warped drone album using a couple of synths they found in the back of a run down pawn shop.

I know it's lame to use the name of the album (or band) as a descriptor for the music but fuck it. This is some seriously mind expanding shit. If this was just a little less New Age and a little more ass kicking maybe it could have been used at the end of 2001 when Dave is trippin bawlz through some wormhole or whatever.

P.S. I like big images and the only decent one I could find wasn't the actual album cover but whatever. You probably care about as much as I do.

Millipede - Sand & Surf (Install, 2009)

Millipede - Sea


Millipede is no stranger to AGB and after putting out a few physical releases (Death Mountain and a split tape with Brian Grainger), he's released an internet freebie titled Sand & Surf. If you're even slightly familiar with Millipede, you probably remember that he usually makes Zelda noise (aka music inspired by The Legend Of Zelda). Sand & Surf is his first to contain music completely unrelated to the Zelda series and it gives everyone a chance to see if they still like Millipede's music regardless of the video game relevance.

Sand & Surf is short (4 songs, 10 minutes) and while it's not the best stuff I've heard from Millipede, it's still nothing short of fantastic. Thick, noisey, scary, beautiful guitar drone that is clearly still awesome even when the original influence is forgone. The songs are titled "Sun," "Sand," "Surf," and "Sea" so it looks like this time he's more focused on beachy elements, which seems to work just as well.

Download this now from the Milieu website.

MP3: Princess - Autograph

Princess - Autograph


Pizza reminded me of Need New Body and NNB in turn reminded me of Princess. So here's a crazy weird song by Princess called "Autograph." This is a bit more experimental hip-hop than either Pizza or NNB but it's got plenty of weirdo dance rock elements, too. Can't quite explain it. Definitely too bizarre for even most college radio shows. Pretty sure they only have this one self titled record on Sickroom but I may be mistaken.

Video: No-Neck Blues Band - Ialas Salandiw

This is the video for No-Neck Blues Band's "Ialas Salandiw" and, expectedly, it's some crazy shit. Nothing's exposed correctly, lots of analog visual distortion with mind melting colors, and there's these freaky possessed ninja grasshopper puppets. The end is pretty terrifying. Watch it if you dare.