Sunn0))) "Rehearsal Demo Nov. 11th 2011" lp

Sunn0)))

Rehearsal Demo Nov. 11th 2011

Southern Lord // Ideologic Organ

This is my favorite sort of Sunn0))); Atilla is incredible, I love when Steve Moore or Bill Herzog join the fray. I can get behind Joe Preston or Tad Doyle adding chaos but when it comes down to it Sunn is best when it is just two guitars in a big room. This rehearsal demo sounds much better than any rehearsal demo I have ever heard and I wonder if they didn't actually intend from the beginning to release this but it's great. This is the type of piece where two guys playing guitars simultaneously, with riffs that span minutes and rarely repeat in any noticeable way, can really impress you with their ability. I think some people believe Sunn is just random chords and a whole lot of drama to cover over the "trick" but I think this record should be able to prove most deniers wrong. In fact there are a lot of kids who worship Sunn and think that they can do it if they just buy a bunch of Model T heads and have the audacity to play this loud but they are also wrong. This takes skill, taste and talent and I think this may be one of my favorite releases from Steve and Greg. The only unusual thing is that there are samples at the beginning of every track. I don't usually get with samples but I have to say that these rule. A lot.  

     The packaging is simple and perfect. Excellent image on the front, handled well with mostly handrawn text on the back. Foil stamped number on the cover along with a solid black record devoid of any printing. Perfect. 

I would buy this. 

Limbs Bin "Primitive Response" 7"

Limbs Bin

Primitive Response

Familiar Combatants/Tickled Meat

This 7" has an awesome Man is the Bastard vibe that has totally reminded me how much amazing shit is sitting in my record collection right now. Limbs Bin may belong right next to it. Harsh noise with lots of heavy beats are accompanied by some very intense vocals. Definitely singing about something horrible. There are a couple minutes when the drums sound a little weak but all in all I think this is a killer 7" well worth your time. 

     The packaging itself looks great. They were able to take a simple xeroxed card stock paper and make it into something much more. It unfolds into this cross shape that is pretty inventive yet simple. I am looking forward to more releases from the Western Massachusetts artist. 

 
Get one. Here.

Nite Shadz "Black Holes for the Face and a Graveyard" cs

Nite Shadz

Black Holes for the Face and a Graveyard

Out of Body Records

I just watched that documentary Scratch last night, and although I enjoyed it, I felt it was missing out on a lot of the more experimental and original sides of the genre. Nite Shadez is more about synth music with synth pad beats but it definitely reminds me of what I would like to hear from turntablism or whatever it's called these days. It's dark, noisy tones with super harsh and cut apart beats beneath it. It has a mass to it that feels like there is now a weirdo standing in my living room staring at my children when I play it. I have to keep checking. It's weird. Inside it says "play loud with sunglasses on. Dark day, Bright Nite". I think that about covers it. It's awesome. 

     It has that cool cohesive look with all the other Out of Body Records look but this cassette also has a transparent outer sleeve with wild drawings. Inside is a separate info sheet and a sticker of a marijuana leaf. Oh yeah, pot is legal here now. 

I would buy this.

Michel Idehall "So" cs

Michel Idehall

Sol

Belaten

Sometimes I listen to some of my items to review in format of my children. Usually I pick things that I don't think will creep them out or turn them into psycho killers. I am usually pretty accurate with that. This cassette, while not immediately creepy, gave my 12 year old step daughter the heebie geebies. It's super competent and pretty interesting but it has this Front 242 sexy vampire trip hop sound from the early 90's that is… inappropriate for holidays and children. It's actually a little too industrial for me. It sounds like Merzbow meets Tricky at times though. So if that appeals to you I would rock this because it doesn't sound like a weak release at all. Just not for me. 

     It looks brilliant. Excellent minimal design that brings to mind some excellent swiss grids and the illustration on the cover is beautiful. This label does beautiful work. 

Justin Marc Lloyd "Year of the Water Dragon Vol. 1" cs

Justin Marc Lloyd

Year of the Water Dragon Vol. 1

Rainbow Bridge 

Another huge journey of the back of a mighty noise serpent from Justin Marc Lloyd (Dim Disk Moving, Pregnant Spore, False Flag…) and it's real good. When I say journey I really mean it. Putting this on headphones and laying down in a dim room will take you places far away. You can smoke some pot or get drunk if you want but you don't need to. This is drugs enough. I like that line. This is drugs enough. Yeah. i am going to remember that. Anyhow, the peaks and valleys of this experience are wild and scary. It's insane and wonderful all at the same time. It's a long trip but it's worth it. 

     I love this simple packaging. Crooked ancient text, strange abstract drawings and odd color choices make this a beautiful little artifact. Nicely done. 

     I would buy this if I were you. 

Pentacene cs

Pentacene

Small Doses

I think I say this a lot but this band really started out giving me a strong Birchville Cat Motel vibe. Which is great but what is better is that they slowly move away from that, incorporate some live drums and get on this ambient, junk jazz groove that totally works for me. The second side has this massive piece that sounds like that one song Explosions in the Sky plays all the time but backwards. All in all, it is an interesting and varied effort and I totally dig it. 

     Solid design and execution by Small Doses as usual. Screenprinted arigato pack from Stumptown Printers. Along with a small insert sheet that I immediately lost. As in I just had it…  dammit. Anyhow, It's good.

     Real good. 

Internet is down and posting on my phone is... difficult. I should be back up soon. Maybe a week.