July 2009

The drastic effect of colonization on African nations won’t and probably can’t be fully realized. Obviously, the subjugation of a continent to various European nations can’t be perceived as positive in any way. The rape of the African continent for its resources and its people isn’t going to be explained away be any of the potential ‘civilizing’ tendencies that colonizers may have left behind. The one effect of this process, though, that resulted in something positive – apart from the realization of unity and a culture unique to individual locales – comes through the recorded music of the continent. Read more

cHRiSgOEsROCk has had a rough six months or so. His earlier blog had a run in with some deleters eventually resulting in the sites permanent closure. And only about a month or so back, he returned with a new offering to internet geeks called Huddinge Hill – which is no doubt in reference to some esoteric music or place, but I have no idea what. Regardless of that, Huddinge Hill soon suffered roughly the same fate as Chris’ first site. But as many things can be said about bloggers, Chris seems to be rather persistent giving Huddinge Hills a go. And while the disc that’s cued up for the write up is from that second site, it’s good to see that Chris is back. Pay him a visit and learn something. Read more

Dan Nigro, Julio Tavarez, Saen Fitzgerald and Cliff Sarcona of As Tall As Lions, deliver a sophisticated space lounge sound and romantic Buckley-esque lyrics lined with the silky scream of beautiful guitars. Their modernity is underpinned with clean, classic cohesion while layering ephemeral keys, piano, trumpet, and passionate stream of consciousness-like trailings. The combination of electronic effects and keys mixed with the intimate texture of the vocals and intelligent, deliciously bruised lyrics, make As Tall As Lions a must-have this summer.

"In Case of Rapture" is a brand new song of passion and the out of reach desires of life as an adrenaline junkie (my interpretation) while "Circles", which is another favorite of mine- very soft and dreamy, like watching smoke drift and curl, in slow motion in the sun.

As Tall As Lions Read more

Some ‘60s groups took an overtly poetic approach to writing lyrics that were able to confuse censors as well as the legion of concerned parents that grew up around the ever expanding cohort of kids getting high and diggin’ on beat combos, psych and jazz. While this obscure approach to writing may have saved a few groups some hassles, just as many bands decided to be heavy handed with either their name or their lyrics – the Mothers of Invention were initially called the Motherfuckers and that obviously wasn’t gonna fly. And while Zappa and his brethren were uniquely American, some Dutch players decided to forego any sort of decorum and boldly advocate the use of weed and LSD. Read more