Minor Pieces "The Heavy Steps Of Dreaming (Fat Cat)"
If you are the kind of person that says things like “I wonder what the mega-talented singer/composer Ian William Craig is up to right now?” have I got some news for you! First off, may I suggest the internet for such queries. Nonetheless, I have news from the music fronts for you! The debut of Minor Pieces is here! The Heavy Steps Of Dreaming (FatCat) finds Ian teaming up with singer/multi-instrumentalist Missy Donaldson to create what I am calling “otherworldly, experimental ambient folk.” Taking cues from bands like Mazzy Star, Portisehead, and My Bloody Valentine, and mixing it with post-rock and modern classical music-the result is a simultaneously beautiful and chilling collection. Check out the crackling majesty of “This House.”
Bruno Bavota "Get Lost (Temporary Residence)"
If you are in the know, then you know that Bruno Bavota is composing some of the most beautiful, haunting piano music this side of animated movies about snowmen. Seriously, this is THE record to put on when you wanna make your apartment way classier than that near-complete collection of Burger King Return Of The Jedi glasses would have your guests believe. I’m not kidding, I put this gorgeous album on and my apartment started cleaning itself (results may vary, this is not a guarantee of apartment cleaning). This time around, he has started adding effect pedals and processing into his repertoire (thank god for spell check, my first try was… not sick) but what that does is create even more ambience. Check out “Sneaking Behind The Falling Sky” and you’ll see what I mean.
Moon Duo "Stars Are The Light (Sacred Bones)"
If you are in the mood for some exceedingly bubbly, psychedelic disco good times, then look no further than the newest release from Moon Duo. Stars Are The Light (Sacred Bones) finds the duo indulging every danceable instinct they’ve ever left off of their prior LPs. The mesmerizing result is a wavey, trippy celebration of grooves and grooviness. I know, this isn’t exactly what we’ve come to expect from Moon Duo, but what fun is being predictable? A heady mix of the aforementioned disco, throw in some 90s rave music, and mix that with their signature guitar lines, and this is a guaranteed good time. Check out the head-nodding “The World And The Sun.”
Brian Cook "This World Just Eats Me Up Alive (Ba Da Bing!)"
It has been a long time since we heard a solo-album from New Zealand psych rocker Brian Crook (The Terminals, The Renderers) but The World Just Eats Me Up Alive (Ba Da Bing) erases any time in between with an emotional, noisey, psych garage wonderland. Hushed vocals, Velvet Underground-esque band chugging along, with adventurous, alien guitar lines up front. This is the real deal. Check out the unnerving “Dragged Both Ways.”