Tag Archives: shoegaze

Silversun Pickups: ‘Neck of the Woods’ — electrogaze groove

08 Tuesday May 2012

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Together for a decade now, Silversun Pickups are best known for
*swelling shoegaze atmospheres – “Lazy Eye”
*explosive rock — “Well Thought out Twinkles”
*groovy fuzz guitar – “Come Back Kid”, and what Girl on Guy host Aisha Tyler called *ferocious dreampop – “Panic Switch”
‘Neck of the Woods’ takes on a new direction all together.

Although Aubert stated in a recent KROQ interview that this album sounds to him “like a horror movie,” the dark vibes are not as obvious as on SSPU’s December 2011 EP, ‘Seasick.’  Rather, Aubert’s subsequent description of the album was more accurate: “It sounds like a desire to want to get in but you can’t.  Or a desire to want to pull out something from the center into your fringe.”

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Le Recourder Larouge Interview: darkadelic fuzz

02 Friday Mar 2012

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Soft vocals whisper against jolts of revving guitars, like a thug speaking low and deliberate commands to surrender or else.  This is Le Recourder Larouge, the musical project of Rei Soto, which deals with the fringe emotions that frequently pose as love.  Possessiveness.  Greed.  Lust.  The passion of these pathos-laden emotions is enhanced with a mixture of hardrock pounding, industrial darkness, and dreamscape atmostpheres.  A series of four EPs are planned, with two already released, titled simply “L” and “E.”  Rei Soto spoke with Resonance about the creative process of a DIY musician, depressing prom music, and lyrical inspiration provided by horror films.

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R. M. Hendrix: ‘Global Affairs / Crack the Code & Remixes’ EP — funkadelic espionage vibes

14 Tuesday Feb 2012

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Valentine’s Day, the day for lovers during which flowers and cupids abound. But not for all. If your idea of a February 14th celebration feels more like a Mr.& Mrs. Smith movie, then R. M. Hendrix’s latest EP might be for you.

As Hendrix puts it, “Imagine Sonic Youth, Primal Scream, and Echo & the Bunnymen trying to make an album in an Ivy League University while watching James Bond films.” Then you get the feel for this V-Day release, titled ‘Global Affairs / Crack the Code & Remixes.’ The EP features two remixes of the climax from last summer’s shoegaze style espionage album, ‘This Dreadful Mess’ as well as two B-sides. Continue reading »

R. M. Hendrix: ‘Night Divine’ — psychedelic dreampop Christmas

19 Monday Dec 2011

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During hours of mall shopping the week before Christmas, I was subjected the cheesiest remakes of the worst holiday pop tunes ever.  Really, I couldn’t care less that you gave your heart away to some undeserving recipient last Christmas.  And for goodness sake, I don’t want to hear that you saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus.  I love shoegaze all year round, yet when it comes to Christmas music I crave traditional carols.  R. M. Hendrix brings the best of both in ‘Night Divine.’

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Silversun Pickups: ‘Seasick’ — fuzz groove ruminations

13 Tuesday Dec 2011

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Nearly a thousand days after their sophomore album ‘Swoon,’ Los Angeles based indie rockers Silversun Pickups puts out a three-track EP titled ‘Seasick.’  The 2010 Grammy nominee band is headed by Brian Aubert and Nikki Monninger on vocals and guitars, and backed by keyboardist Joe Lester and drummer Christopher Guanlao.  They are currently working on their third album release, set to drop in spring of 2012.

Silversun Pickups’ characteristic fuzz groove continues, though the band seems to explore the depths of inner darkness a bit more with each release.  Whereas early singles like “Little Lover So Polite” and “Lazy Eye” were incredibly thrilling and fun, “Panic Switch” included spy-agent paranoia.  Now comes “Seasick” which seems most reminiscent of ruminating tracks like “Three Seed” combined with the slight swagger of “Catch and Release.”  Continue reading »

Voletta: ‘Soft Focus’ — industrial shoegaze rock

15 Tuesday Nov 2011

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There’s a moment in the dim light of dawn when we first open our eyes and remind ourselves who we are, where we left off yesterday and what we have planned for the hours ahead.  This is the moment captured by Voletta in their second EP, ‘Soft Focus’ released October 20.  This two piece band from Philadelphia mixes fuzzy industrial vibes with floaty shoegaze soundscapes.

Originally formed in 2004, Voletta is comprised of Joe Sheairs (guitar, vocals, bass) and Andre Comfort (drum kit, drum machines, synth) who have been playing together since 2009. Continue reading »

Stellarscope interview: urban space soundscapes

08 Tuesday Nov 2011

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Dark and spacey, Stellarscope is set to release a self titled album November 25, 2011.  Influenced by such bands as My Bloody Valentine, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, and Jesus and Mary Chain, Stellarscope creates textured soundscapes grounded with intense vocal conviction.

Together since 1995, this Philadelphia band is comprised of Tom Lugo (vocal/ Guitar/ fx/ samples/ programming), Rob DeFlaviis (bass/ keys) and Bob Forman (drums/ percussion).  Stellarscope has played venues throughout America’s East Coast and also Canada.  Their songs have appeared on several programs, as well as various worldwide compilations and tribute albums. Tom Lugo spoke with Resonance about Stellarscope’s journey coming full circle and what we can anticipate with the new dawn. Continue reading »

Ruiz Interview: hard rock philosophies

13 Thursday Oct 2011

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In this internet age, we are connected instantly to people around the globe.  Yet are we connected to our own selves?  We have access to ideas from every philosophy, but do we have any direction?  In a commercial age overrun by consumerism, how can we tap into creativity?
Ruiz addresses these issues through hard rock music.

With their homeland in the Central European country of Croatia, a country just east of Italy across the Adriatic Sea, this band brings a unique perspective from the philosophical roots of nearby Greece.
Playing as a trio since 2007, Ruiz is comprised of Tomislav Šnidarić (lead vocals, guitar), Marko Kalčić (vocals, bass) and Janko Kezele (vocals, drums).  Their 2009 debut, ‘Erupt!’ featured new wave beats and groovy bass notes set to casually themed catchy tunes.  Progressing in their musical abilities, Ruiz put forth two 2011 releases, both for Geenger Records.  The first was a 4-track EP titled, ‘Draw the Line Never a Square.’  The second was ‘Radio Revolution,’ an album that calls society not so much to revolt but moreso to return to the roots of inter-connection and identity.
Lead singer Tomislav “Tome” spoke to Resonance about Ruiz’ recent releases and  the music’s commentary regarding societal issues today. Continue reading »