A Random Mp3 Trilogy (Castanets, Zach Hill, A Armada)
Castanets
I’ve begun compiling all the albums from this year I have yet to hear, but before I dive into that, I need to address the last few good albums I’ve already heard. The Castanets‘ newest, City Of Refuge, is a weird hodgepodge of electronic bleeps and sounds combined with emotional folk jams. The juxtaposition of seemingly contradictory musical ideas could result in a gimmicky feel in less capable hands, but the original avant-folk record written and recorded by Castanets’ Ray Raposa was tweaked with these digital overdubs by such big names as Sufjan Stevens, Jana Hunter, Scott Tuma, and Dawn Smithson (Sunn O)))). This album shouldn’t be missed and this song is killer:
Zach Hill
It took me a few listens to get into Zach Hill’s latest album because it doesn’t have much cohesiveness besides his unbelievable stick action. But this sonic kaleidoscope from the Hella drummer, Marnie Stern collaborator is one of epic proportions. The album features guest spots ranging from No Age to Les Claypool, so pretty much anyone who is a fan of music can find something to love here. The track I have for you is basically an eight minute drum solo from Hill, and it is ridiculous:
A Armada
Finally, when A Armada amazed me at Athfest earlier this summer, i picked up a copy of their debut EP, Anam Cara, and totally went bonkers for it. But, since the album wasn’t yet available to purchase anywhere but from the Athens band themselves, I decided to hold off talking about it until later. Well, you can now pick it up online, so you should really go do that. This Cinemechanica offshoot tackles instrumental post-rock and kicks it in the ass:
A Armada : If Only You Knew What The Lost Soldiers Did To Me
- Posted by Davy Minor on December 2, 2008 at 6:16 am
