Indie News

Electronica/Experimental Music CD Reviews Artist: Taxi Doll Title: Strange Rush Website: http://www.taxidoll.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/taxidoll Style: Electronic/Pop Rock Label: Antidote Media Rating: 8 out of 10 By Senior Writer C.W. Ross This group got started in late 2004. Inspired by bands like Garbage, Chemical Brothers, Depeche Mode and Blondie the group plays a blend of electronic and pop/rock that they describe as, 'Rocktronica.' The band says that they were formed to, "...bridge the gap between pop-rock and electronic music." The stunning blonde haired European singer simply known as Dhana fronts the band. Her seductive soft vocals lure you into each song like the inviting web of the spider lures a fly to its demise. Lucky for us though the only thing you'll get from listening to Dhana's vocals are entertainment and for some maybe the need for a cold shower. Dhana isn't doing it alone though she's joined by fellow group members, Gregg Allen (keyboards), Jason Graham (drums), Brian Hendrix (bass), and Matt Emmer (guitar). The band takes their name from the bouncy dolls that use to be found in the back windows of taxicabs. The band also has carved themselves a very big niche in both film and TV with their music appearing in movies like, "John Tucker Must Die," "Firewall," and "Shall We Dance." Along with in shows including, "Laguna Beach," "The Hills," "CSI: NYC," and "Veronica Mars." What you'll find in the 5 songs found on this release are songs that combine club, techno, and electronic sounds along with rock beats all topped off with seductive vocals. Taxi Dolls' Strange Rush should appeal to several different groups including, techno, club, and experimental rockers. Also you really have to stop by and checkout their really cool looking website. It's done entirely in flash and gives you the view like you're inside of a taxicab. Artist: Umbrella Tree Title: The Church & the Hospital Style: Alternative/Progressives/Experimental Website: http://www.myspace.com/umbrellatree Label: Cephalopod Records Rating: 7.2 out of 10 By Senior Writer C.W. Ross The Church & the Hospital is the follow up to the band's debut release, What Kind of Books Do You Read?, that was released in the Spring of 2006. The musical trio that makes up Umbrella Tree is, Derek Pearson (drums, percussion), Jillian Leigh (vocals, keys), and Zachary Gresham (vocals, guitar, bass). To say that Umbrella Tree's music is different would be a huge understatement. Their music reminds me of a Broadway show chorus soundtrack more than a straight-ahead music CD. You'll also find a bit of a dark, Goth like, side to their music. The songs feature male and female vocals that interact with each other almost acting out each song as they sing. I have a strong feeling that to really experience this band you need to see them live. I'm guessing that the visual part of their show is almost as important as the music itself. The Church & the Hospital is one of those types of CD's that demand you full attention. As the music plays your mind will be pondering all that's happening in both the song's instrumentation and vocals. If you like your music with twist and turns and a little bit off of the beaten musical path then Umbrella Tree is going to quickly become your favorite band. Artist: Technology Versus Horse Title: Four Against The Minotaur MySpace: www.myspace.com/technologyvshorse Style: Experimental Label: Dozing Lady Records Rating: 7 out of 10 By Senior Writer C.W. Ross This band hailing from Bowling Green, Kentucky started out in 2004 as an avant-garde noise rock band but since then have switched to a more experimental sound. The band's current lineup includes, Matt Bitner (bass), Mike Farmer (lead vocals), Rafe Heltsley (guitar), Josh Hines (drums) and David Prater (keyboards). The band members have a wide ranging list of musical influences that include artist like, The Beach Boys, The Pixies, The Cure, Talking Heads, Miles Davis, Red Hot Chili Peppers Jane's Addiction, and Concrete Blonde to name just a few. If you're looking for an easy listen then Four Against The Minotaur isn't the CD for you. Listening to this release is much like stopping at a car wreck or watching a house on fire burning. The music is crunchy and often harsh to the ears but somehow manages to work and excite your ears like a hot pepper that you can't help from eating, even though you know that the few seconds of pleasure are going to be quickly followed by pain. From their web site and CD cover art I'm guessing that the band takes their music serious, but not themselves, and like to have some fun with what their doing. Coming from that point of view Four Against The Minotaur offers up a nice off-the-beaten path style of interesting music and is worth a listen. Artist: Aaron English Title: The Marriage of the Sun and the Moon Website: http://www.aaronenglish.com Style: Melodramatic Pop/Electronica/Rock By Staff Writer L. Anne Carrington It has been a little over five years since Seattle-based artist Aaron English's first release, All the Waters of This World. For those of you not familiar with English and his music, his sound is similar to that of Peter Gabriel, which is a very rare comparison. The second effort as brilliantly compiled as the first album, there is little to no difference in quality between this independent release from that if he had been released on a major label, except the lack of the typical “sound airbrushing” that some major labels apply here and there. Nevertheless, The Marriage of the Sun and the Moon is radio play worthy and more, and it is almost a travesty that said stations aren’t playing English’s music on a regular basis. This album has almost all of the same roots as the first, with the exception of leaning more into the rock genre. Still, it is a classic; each song gives us a look into English’s own world. The stand out tracks on this album are "Thin Ice", "Lovers in the Red Sky", and“God Bless You and Your Man,” though all of the original songs are worth at least a first (and second) listen. The "Message in a Bottle” cover is also one that should not be overlooked. Many covers usually don’t come up to the standards of its original, but English has made this one his own. It is easy to see why this album was named among the 'Best Albums of 2007' in two American music blogs; the indie music community known as The Pop League and Ryan's Smashing Life, a rock music blog that is frequently featured in the electronic edition of the Boston Globe. The Marriage of the Sun and the Moon is perfect music for the listener to communicate with their own soul, and for those seeking something old that is new again, here is your solution. Artist: OHN Title: Revolutionary Revolution Website: http://www.letsgetitohn.com Style: Eletro/Nu Jazz/Live Electronics By Staff Writer L. Anne Carrington OHN is a band based in Austin, TX that defies categorization, as their latest CD, Revolutionary Revolution, tends to strongly show. The band’s ability to find the same sonic groove is no accident, as each member brings their own musical style to both stage and studio, right along with an attitude that pushing the boundaries is not always a bad thing. OHN’s material starts with founder, producer and programmer Bill “Bildeaux” Sarver generating rhythm tracks with a bass line and maybe a keyboard part or two. Members of the group then come in to lay down their parts, then Bildeaux edits, chops, samples and creates parts out of the various performances, and an OHN track is created. It’s a long process, but certainly not a dull one, as both previous and current musical releases show; the musical influences that flavor OHN’s work are stunningly diverse. Lead singer and lyricist Allison Scharf's voice is a perfect match for the songs on the album, which includes a stellar cover of the Beatle's "Dear Prudence" and the anti-political flavored “These Politics,” along with the haunting “Big Lie.” A powerful mix of electronic and traditional instrumentation with gorgeous melodies, soulful vocals, raging guitar riffs and muscular sax, an OHN album often covers many genres of music, and every album is different from the prior one. They’re one of few bands that always keeps fans guessing what is going to be next. Artist: Synthar Title: Evenings and Weekends Website: http://www.synthar.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/synthar Style: Electronic Pop/Rock Rating: 8.7 out of 10 By Senior Writer C.W. Ross Synthar is longtime friends Johnny Bertram (vocals, laptops, keyboards, guitars) and Matt Basinger (laptops, keyboards, guitars) along with Andrew Best (vocals, laptops, keyboards, bass) and since he moved to China honorary band member Joel Hartse (drums, inspiration). Several of the group's members also have a connection via previous bands that they played in together, Biltus and The Dandelion Method. Evenings and Weekends is the band's debut release. On it you'll find a glorious fusion of synths, keyboards, and electronic drumbeats mixed with gritty rock guitar licks. Unlike a lot of electronic music though this release is filled with vocals that defy you to not listen with their powerful style. On songs like "Hurricane" who's lyrics were written by band member Johnny Bertram after having witnessed both hurricane Rita and Katrina firsthand. Another interesting element is the way tracks 4 and 5 work together. The two songs have a futuristic space flow. Track-4 "047" is a 27 second radio like transmission from control central while track-5, "The Robots are Among Us" acts as the answer to track-4. "The Robots are Among Us" is rich with the way it intermixes the rock guitar parts, deep bass beats and synth elements all together. I've listened to this release now 3 times the whole way through and I still keep hearing new nuances and elements. Evenings and Weekends is an impressive debut from Synthar that should be able to launch their musical rocket to the next level.