Authors: Arnold Hsu
Review: Talvihorros – Eaten Alive
This album is full of pretty and cute melodies made weird by distortions and reverbs. Almost every single track consisted of me saying, “Oh, hey this is nice” to “Oh wait, weird as fuck” within a five-second time frame. It’s especially prominent in the track “Four Walls,” with consistent clockwork ticking in the background with threatening melodies slowly fading in. … read more
Review: Selaxon Lutberg – Simboli Accidentali
Straight up, this album will be playing when your soul goes through purgatory and wanders wistfully from heaven to hell. Fully ambient music is not my cup of tea, but this is something I’d listen to if I wanted to have a drug-induced, life-changing experience. … read more
Review: Origamibiro – Collection
Samples of the guitarist’s creaking chair, sounds of his breath and the squeak of the wood in the guitar were implemented in the songs. It gave a very personal and intimate feel to the album. This album is a lengthy novel in comparison to the norm and is something that should be listened to intently rather than as an accompaniment. … read more
Review: My Education – 5 Popes
This is as post-rock as you can get—intricate guitar melodies, heart-racing riffs, stereotypical drumbeats. Stereotypes aren’t bad, though, and My Education execute what they want so well through their music. … read more
Review: Marram – Sun Choir
Let me just tell you, first, how much work was put into this album. Sun Choir features the children of the Light of Love Children’s Home, along with 10 other artists, including Owen Pallett of Arcade Fire and Scottish folk singer Margaret Bennett. … read more
Review: Hauschka – Abandoned City
When I listened to the album, all I could think of is how great of a soundtrack this would be for a post-apocalyptic movie. Piano is the main instrument, along with computer-generated drumbeats, which are incredibly organic sounding, and various strings being plucked to provide an interesting texture. … read more
Local Review: Exoboy – Badly Coded Boy
Experimental is the first word that came to my mind when I listened to this. It sounded like something made purely on Ableton with scattered samples and perhaps a small MIDI controller. … read more
Review: Carlos Cipa & Sophia Jani – Relive
For those of you who enjoy listening to piano while cramming for that big ass final you have the next morning, this duo will certainly calm your nerves. … read more