Fading Waves, Please Wait

Russia, 2010.

Fading Waves is a one-man post-metal/sludge band from Rostov-on-Don, Russia, formed in 2008 by Lex Maximuk. "Please Wait" combines the intensity of Isis with the atmospheric sound of Cult of Luna.

Playlist:

1. Rush Hour
2. Megapolis Depression
3. Lights On Water
4. Forever Closed
5. No Way Home
6. Flows
7. Waiting For End

Link.

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Bill Callahan, Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle

U.S., 2009

Bill Callahan's album is a gripping record of melancholic, soulful and well-crafted songs.


Playlist:

1. Jim Cain
2. Eid Ma Clack Shaw
3. The Wind and the Dove
4. Rococo Zephyr
5. Too Many Birds
6. My Friend
7. All Thoughts Are Prey to Some Beast
8. Invocation of Ratiocination
9. Faith/Void

Link.

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Everything Is Made In China, Automatic Movements

Russia, 2009.

Everything Is Made In China's second release is an incredibly beautiful but melancholic atmospheric post-rock album.

Playlist:

1. Moving Fragments
2. Automatic
3. The City Of Airstrip One
4. Blindfold
5. Universe for Sale
6. Held Back Clapping
7. Sleepwalking
8. Dance Pianist
9. Gentle Silence
10. Wade In

Link.

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Rökkurró, Það kólnar í kvöld...

Iceland, 2007.

"Hatched in a dim lit attic in Reykjavík, at the dawn of 2006 Rökkurró’s five founding members began conversing in smooth tones, drawing inspiration from the silky sunrays that crept through the windows.

Rökkurró present music that is at once soothing and forceful. The folk-tinged reverie of the wailing accordion and carefully plucked guitars sends you off sailing through the clouds while the dramatic cello and clever drumming demand your full attention."

Beautiful stuff.


Playlist:
1. Hún
2. Í Sjávarháska
3. Ringulreið
4. Ferðalangurinn
5. Hetjan á Fjallinu
6. Heiðskýr Heimsendir
7. Allt Gullið
8. Í Blíðu Stríði
9. Dagur þrjú
10. Ljósglæta

Link.

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The Mercury Program, Chez Viking

US, 2009.

"Chez Viking is a twinkling, shimmer album whose strengths of interplay between guitar and vibraphone or Rhodes are anchored by a propulsive and driving rhythm section. It’s a fantastic combination that succinctly captures the band’s bright intensity, and the benefit of extended time The Mercury Program had to write Chez Viking is well reflected in the songs’ thoughtfully complex arrangements."


Playlist:

1. Chez Viking
2. Arrived/Departed
3. Backseat Blackout
4. Katos
5. Stand & Sing
6. The Church of Cause and Effect
7. Fluorescent Laces

Link.

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The Herbaliser Band, Session 2

England, 2009.

The Herbaliser Band is a full support band for The Herbaliser, a London-based hip-hop/jazz/funk duo. The Herbaliser Band have recorded two albums till date, aptly titled Session One and Session 2, where they play some awesome acid jazz/funky electronica.

Playlist:

1. Mr. Chombee Has The Flow
2. Geddim!
3. AM Prelude
4. Another Mother
5. Blackwater Drive
6. MS Prelude
7. Moon Sequence
8. Amores Bongo
9. CC Prelude
10. Theme From Control Centre
11. Stranded On Earth

Link.

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Ruined Machines, The Grasping Hands Of Possibility

US, 2007.

"Ruined Machines are an experimental, instrumental rock band out of Linden, New Jersey. With influences ranging from post- and space-rock bands such as Red Sparowes and Explosions in the Sky, hard rock and metal acts like CKY and Hopesfall, and even classic rock outfits like Queen and Pink Floyd, Ruined Machines make use of mellow, atmospheric sounds as well as heavy rock guitar solos to make their sound more creative and enjoyable to listen to."

Playlist:

1. Hardly a Place of Honor
2. Earth's Best Kept Secret
3. The Grasping Hands of Possibility
4. Of Aries & Aquarius
5. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
6. Hidden Paths to the Core
7. Your Morphing Mindset
8. Deep Thought & Deep Space
9. Miss Television Intelligence

Link.

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Cobalt, Gin

US, 2009.

Cobalt is a two-man project composed by vocalist/lyricist Phil McSorley (a US army scout stationed in Iraq) and multi-instrumentalist Erik Wunder. Two tracks also feature vocals from Jarboe (ex-Swans). Not your trve, lo-fi black metal, "Gin" is tempered with progressive, doom, experimental, avant-garde and sludge influences - but who cares? It's pretty damn good.

Playlist:

1. Gin
2. Dry Body
3. Arsonry
4. Throat
5. Stomach
6. A Clean, Well-Lighted Place
7. Pregnant Insect
8. Two-Thumbed Fist
9. The Old Man Who Lied For His Entire Life
10. A Starved Horror
11. Stew Craven / ...

Link.

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Devin Townsend Project, Addicted

Canada, 2009.

Addicted is the eleventh studio album by Canadian musician Devin Townsend, and the second of four planned albums in The Devin Townsend Project series. The album was written and produced by Townsend, and features Ryan Van Poederooyen, Brian Waddell, Mark Cimino, and Anneke van Giersbergen. "Danceable" progressive music.

Playlist:

1. Addicted!
2. Universe In A Ball!
3. Bend It Like Bender!
4. Supercrush!
5. Hyperdrive!
6. Resolve!
7. Ih-Ah!
8. The Way Home!
9. Numbered!
10. Awake!!

Link.

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Wildbirds & Peacedrums, The Snake

Sweden, 2009.

Wildbirds & Peacedrums are an experimental two piece hailing from Sweden consisting of singer Mariam Wallentin and drummer Andreas Werliin. Their "instruments" consist of Mariam's powerful vocals and Andreas' unorthodox percussion/drumming, resulting in a powerful, innovative sound. Their music is a hybrid of folk, blues and psychedelic.

Playlist:

1. Island
2. There Is No Light
3. Chain Of Steel
4. So Soft So Pink
5. Places
6. Great Lines
7. Today/Tomorrow
8. Liar Lion
9. Who Ho Ho Ho
10. My Heart

Link.

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Hadoken, Luminary

US, 2010.

Hadoken is a multi-instrumental group located in Amherst, MA featuring a blend of ambiance, melodic rock, jazz, and metal. They’re heavily influenced through the upbringings of post-rock and classical music, creating orchestral-like pieces often described as contemplative and chaotic.

Playlist:

1. Prelude
2. The Ballad of Floating Fire
3. Stations
4. Cloud Ruler Temple
5. World of D.W.E.A.M.S.
6. From Winters
7. Mandala
8. Time And The Observer

Link.

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Ólafur Arnalds, Found Songs

Iceland, 2009.

Born in 1987, Ólafur hails from the suburban Icelandic town, Mosfellsbær, just a few kilometres outside of Reykjavík. He has immersed himself completely in a world of delicate symphonic compositions generating near weightless orchestral pieces.

Arnalds explores the crossover from classical to pop by mixing chamber strings and piano with discreet electronics which makes him a perfect fit for cinematic pop label Erased Tapes.

His motivations are clear: “The classical scene is kind of closed to people who haven’t been studying music all their lives. I would like to bring my classical influence to the people who don’t usually listen to this kind of music…open people’s minds.”

Playlist:

1. Erla's Waltz
2. Raein
3. Romance
4. Allt varð hljótt
5. Lost Song
6. Faun
7. Ljósið

Link.

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