The top 5 rock albums of 2013

Rock music, contrary to popular belief, is not dead.  The world is changing and that extends to music as well.  Old rock conventions and standards that have been rehashed since the 90s will not be so interesting in this era.  Rock music--especially rock--has to change and adapt with the times. 

That is why mainstream is out, out in my opinion.  Though some mainstream acts have pushed out solid releases this year, it is the underground scene that has really stolen the show.  Our five best albums span between shoegaze (the best being considered nu-gaze), post-rock, and alternative/indie. 

Thankfully, 2013 has given us quite a few good to great albums from those subgenres.  So, without further ado, I present to you our list of the five best rock albums from 2013.

1. The Joy Formidable-Wolf's Law
This Welsh rock group has only released two full-length albums.  Their first was impressive in its own right.  With Wolf's Law, the band takes their sound to new heights and, by so doing, blow the doors off everything they have done in the past.  This is a rock album chock-full of catchy choruses and bridges tinged with deep echoes.  There is literally so much to this album that posting one track can hardly do it justice.  Check out a couple of great tracks below.

2. The History of Colour TV- Emerald Cures Chic Ills
Pure shoegaze is an art that dates back to the early 1990s.  Over time, bands have adapted that concept.  In addition to electronic and guitar loops, this German band incorporates dark, spaced-out melodies and a certain metal-like flair for noise.  This may sound like a lot to handle, but the package is masterfully put together.  This is a great album and every track has its place.  Check out the first single from Emerald Cures Chic Ills here.


3. Sigur Ros-Kveikur
Sigur Ros is one of those post rock bands that can't put out a sub-par release.  They have been doing it a long time and remain one of the best in the genre.  Kveikur represents a somewhat darker approach, which is more akin to what post-rock is believed to be: stretched out, apocalyptic song structures with dreary melodies and no vocals.  Although Sigur Ros does use vocals, the music remains very much post-rock.  This album is being hailed by many publications as one of the best albums of the year and it is no mystery why.  They are perhaps the best band in Iceland. Check out a great track below.

4. Spc-Eco-Sirens and Satellites
Nu-gaze music blended successfully with electronic sounds and crystal-clear vocals is a rare treat.  This British group puts it all together on Sirens and Satellites.  The band's signature sound of looped, reverb-laden guitars melded with electronic grooves is on full display here.  The best element may be the vocals.  Spc-Eco have certainly stepped up their game in that department.  Check out an outstanding track from their latest album here.


5. Monochromie-Enlighten Yourself While You Sleep
Ambient post-rock with crunching waves of static seem to the be the theme on French band Monochromie's new album.  This is a slight departure from their excellent debut.  Everything the debut album presented remains present on this album, while the quality is kicked up yet another notch.  This is outstanding production occasionally disguised as lo-fi buzz rock.  The most important qualifier I can mention is ambient.  Though the album is very much a post-rock release, its ambient grace elevates it above the crowd.  Check out a track below.


The list of great rock releases goes far beyond the top 5.  In no particular order, here are our 2013 honorable mentions:
Apricot Rail-Quarrels
David Bowie-The Next Day
The Cherry Wave-Blush
Edweena-Solar Days and Lunar Nights
Elara-Soundtrack for a Quiet Place
Funeral for a Friend-Conduit
Gargle & Bosques de mi Miente-Absence
Gespenst-The Bloodline
Kigo-So Lost Now, Chance, Closer (Hear My Voice), Guilt, and Some Other Place
Russian Circles-Memorial
SiJ-Daguerose
Sleeping Bear-Sleeping Bear
Sleepstream-A Waltz with the Seventh Crane
Syahmi Rawi-Odyssey
Venera 4-Deaf Hearts
Weekend-Jinx
Whatfunlifewas-Stumbling Towards Purgatory

As always, thanks for listening and Enjoy!

New music from Sigur Ros & Public Transport

Yes, we got new music to share today!  This post is going to just be a brief introduction to the music, after which we will let the tunes speak for themselves.  We love to find new and exiting artists around here, but sometimes familiar artists release new music that you just have to hear, so we like to share that with you as well.  Today you are in for a treat because we have the best of both worlds!

Sigur Ros-I have known about this Icelandic post-rock band for quite a while.  My first real experience with them was their latest album, "Valtari", released way back in 2012.  "Valtari was a good album with gobs of memorable piano melodies spaced across minimal, ambient tones.  In short, I found the music to be beautifully appealing.  If there is one thing Sigur Ros seem to excel at, it is surprise.  This band has another new full-length album to be released in June.  After hearing the new track they just uploaded, I'm really excited to get my hands upon the album.  With this song, Sigur Ros, take their music in a fresh direction, adding a harder, darker edge to it.  What results is a most satisfying ambient post rock tune with a dreary, buzzing low-end bass register that is all kinds of tasty.  Check out the new track here:


Public Transport-This is the new artist we are featuring today.  Just recently this instrumental artist released a fantastic track that spans between dream pop and melodic post rock.  The production value on this music is more basic and not drowned in synthetic noises, reverb, or overt distortion.  This is just simple, honest instrumental music.  They create a beautiful atmosphere with this track.  I can't say much more than was I already have said.  Check out the track here and be sure to visit Public Transport's bandcamp page for a name-your-price download of the new EP, plus more great tunes.  As always, thanks for listening and enjoy!

A Veil of Water-Reminder review

This past week I received an interesting email from Hidden Vibes, a small record label of out Kiev, Ukraine.  This email was touting their latest release, a piano-based instrumental record from A Veil of Water. 

"Reminder" is A Veil of Water's first release.  Hailing from Norway, this is a one-man musical project by Rune Tralvik.  Originally revolving around a solo piano and then evolving to more, this artist is an impressive self-taught musician and player of multiple instruments. 

From the very first track it is evident that "Reminder" will be mostly a modern classical piano masterwork, and thus it truly is.  Without sacrificing tone, clarity, and melody, this artist weaves post-rock and ambient flavors to create a deep and moving listening experience.

In the past I have raved about artists such as Heinali and Endless Melancholy.  A Veil of water manages to match them both.  I have high respect for people who can play musical instruments, and more so when they can play multiple instruments.  I have also noted more than once that there is no such thing as bad classical music, and that is a mantra I naturally extend to film music, trailer music, and neoclassical studio projects.

In listening to "Reminder," we are presented with numerous melodic textures, each carrying their own weight and contributing greatly to the whole.  This is a classic album to which listeners just have to sit back and relax.  This music is beautiful and provocative.  For using the piano as the centerpiece,
Tralvik creates deep and energetic pieces as well as slow, melancholic burners, each of which carve a comfortable niche in the lucky listener and remain memorable for days on end. 

If you enjoy tasteful piano and instrumental music, you will absolutely love A Veil of Water.  "Reminder" is available for purchase at the artist's bandcamp page, from whom we owe thanks for the full album stream.  Thanks for reading and, as always, enjoy!

The History of Colour TV-Emerald...reveiw

I have been following these Berlin shoegazers since their EP 1-800-Badnite was released.  That was an incredibly strong EP with plenty of stirring moments mixed into its short two-song, ten-minute play time. 

Saint Marie Records has just released The History of Colour TV's brand new album to North American shores.  I knew the EP had me wanting more, but little did I know how much more.  "Emerald Cures Chic Ills" is not as straightforward as most shoegaze.  This is a overall a smooth listen flooded in distortion and loud reverb.  Borrowing traits from both psych-rock and post-rock, this band wastes no time concealing their intentions. 

The first two tracks are full on, in-your-face psych that are at times atonal, but at the same time mesmerizing.  Exactly how this band fills their music with such variety while keep a general overall theme is beyond me.  What makes this band special is that they are not content to rest on their laurels and produce consistent music.  They continually push themselves, experimenting and evolving their sound.  What "1-800-Badnite" was promised, "Emerald Cures Chic Ills" has delivered.  Both tracks from "Badnite" appear on this album.

What cannot be understated is that this band experiment and unload heavy amounts of both analogue and digital distortion.  This makes for an interesting and intense listen that at times can border on the extreme (as extreme as shoegaze music can be). 

When I first saw that this band would be releasing a full-length album I was excited.  The cover art is fantastic and only further made me want to purchase this album.  Needless to say, I have been awaiting the North American release of this album for some time.  It is everything I was expecting and more. 

Unfortunately, only three of the ten tracks on this release have been made available for streaming, but of course we've got them all here.  These three tracks perfectly showcase everything The History of Colour TV is capable of.  In short, this album rocks.  Get it and you will not be disappointed. Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Free Downloads-Weird

Today seems like a perfect day to celebrate weirdness.  More often than not, I am described as weird, not to mention my musical tastes.  There is a rich bounty of amazing music in the world these days, partially because of Al Gore's second most famous invention, the Internet. 

There is a lot of weird in the world today.  Look no further than a friggin' ice storm in Boise, Idaho.  Seriously?  Must I go on?  Well, I'm not going to because I have some weird music to share with you today.  Weird music, weird album title, weird cover art.  "Desert Love for Lonely Graves" has it all.

Italian shoegazers Weird have released their brand new album, available for FREE download on their bandcamp page.  Since I'm a huge fan of free music, I just had to check them out, despite what I view as somewhat shoddy cover art.  Sometimes cover art is not a good descriptor of the music in an album.  This album cover screams lo-fi bedroom pop, but the music is much better than that.

"Desert Love for Lonely Graves" is almost purely a shoegaze album with the obligatory nods to standard-fare indie rock added for good measure.  If not good, this album is great.  The first few tracks of this release are warm indie rock tunes with underpinnings of solid atmospheric reverb and looped vocals.  The last few tracks virtually explode with long, slow tempo shoegazing tones that are at times reminiscent of late post-rock. 

Although the music is indeed weird, it is not too weird.  In fact it is nothing rivalling the artist we profiled here yesterday in terms of the weirdness scale.  At least one of the first few tracks seemed iffy to me, but I found myself digging the album more and more as it went along, culminating in the breathtaking final track.  You have to forgive me for using a 'digging' reference in describing how much I enjoyed this album.  As a matter of fact, I didn't even realize what I had done until it was on the page, and when I write something fabulous unintentionally I have a certain penchant for leaving it on the page.

Listen to the full album stream and then download this thing immediately.  It is worth it, especially for free.  This download is absolutely free, meaning they are not asking for donations.  Thanks for listening and enjoy!

Syberia-Drawing a Future review

Russia is a big country, the largest in the world in fact, in terms of land area.  There is a region called Siberia, also known as the tundra, where the landscape is barren and frozen most of the year.  This could be fitting since January of 2013 so far is shaping up to be one of the coldest ever in Boise, Idaho.

I have recently discovered a band called Syberia.  This band is from Barcelona, Spain.  They play an interesting style of music that little resembles stereotypical Spanish music.  The sound they employ is a monstrous instrumental rock which uses various time signatures with metallic riffing and huge post-rock styled guitar leads that swoop and swirl to create a massive aura of atmosphere. 

"Drawing a Future" is their latest effort, released in 2012.  This album is just the right length for an entirely instrumental piece, never overstaying its welcome or repeating aspects of the style too often.  Contrary to the band's name, the musical style is warm hard rock instrumentation with atypical drum patterns, juxtaposed with chilly screeches of guitar-led atmosphere that carries the album. 

For a new and little-known artist, the production quality is spectacular and helps to maintain the grandeur of the music as a whole.  Fans of a variety of musical genres can find something good to listen to in this music.  If you like post rock, this album delivers.  If you like instrumental or experimental rock, chances are you will dig this.  If you are a metalhead, you'll find plenty of head-bangable moments littered throughout this album.

This review has been brief, but sometimes the music just has to speak for itself, because in the end, no amount of raving on my part will come close to providing the enjoyment of listening pleasure that Syberia brings.  This is a diverse and explosive listen and one that demands attention.

"Drawing a Future" is available through bandcamp as a name-your-price download, so you can't go wrong in getting this.  Syberia's bandcamp page provides us with the full stream of the album.  Check it out below.  As always, thanks for reading and enjoy!

If These Trees Could Talk-Red Forest review

Greetings, readers and listeners!  We hope you have enjoyed the holiday, whether it be Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or whatever other holiday you chose to commemorate.  If you don't celebrate any such holiday, then happy antipathy month!

Now that we're back from our mini vacation, it is time to review some more albums that I missed in 2012.  Today's color is from If These Trees Could Talk.  This is a newer Ohio band that is a promising talent in the post-rock genre.

"Red Forest" is in some ways a deviation on the standard post rock sound in that it fuses elements from both ambient and metal to create a unique sound that cannot be justly described by simply name-dropping other bands.  In some ways, "Red Forest" is similar to later works from Godspeed You! Black Emperor and in other ways comparable to Monochromie and Ana Never. 

With these release, ITTCT incorporate heavy low-end bass, off-kilter drum patters, and distorted, driving riffs into the usual looped and stretched guitar melodies and delicate atmospheric electronics.  This is a defining trait of this band.  Drawing influences from Pelican, ITTCT bring a brilliant wave of progressive metal riffing to the front of the mix.  This effect is neither drowned by nor overpowering to the post rock elements, which plays a fascinating role in defining the sound and emotion this band expresses. 

Throughout its nine tracks, "Red Forest" varies in both tempo and approach.  This content is what makes this album such a rewarding listen.  Don't ignore this album if you dislike metal, but also give it a listen if your musical tastes are not in tune with post rock.  This album is a non genre-specific listening experience and can be enjoyable to listeners who follow a variety of musical styles.  Check this album out via the full stream, courtesy of If These Trees Could Talk's bandcamp page.  Thanks for listening and enjoy!

A boatload of new music, some free

Once in a while, we miss some interesting new music, letting it just pass us by, so occasionally we have to make some time to catch up on stuff we missed.  Today we have a lot of stuff like this to share with you. 

First, Above the Earth has a new self-titled EP out.  The cover art is at first enticing, then not all that interesting, then just plain bad.  Thankfully, this doesn't speak to the quality of the music.  Above the Earth is a difficult band to describe, as they blend elements of shoegaze, instrumental, progressive rock, and post-rock into an interesting fusion of excellent sounds.  This band features a guitarist from the Russian extreme metal band Kartikeya.  If you listen close enough, you can hear the tendencies of metal through spiralling guitar leads and solos that permeate several of the tracks.  This EP also features lovely female vocals.  Give the EP a listen below.


There is also a new track out from The Chromatics.  If you are not familiar with their work, you need to stop what you are doing right now and check them out.  One of their songs was used on the great ambient soundtrack to Drive.  This is dream-pop meets electronica that emits plenty of good vibes and singable melodies.  The new track is a cover of a Joy Division track.  You can listen to this track below.  Hit the link to the soundcloud page to download this track for free!


Third, a band called Magnets have released a new EP.  The band describes their music as heavy shoegaze, and this is a fitting title.  Classic shoegaze tendencies collide with heavy, crunchy, distorted riffs.  This is a different take on the shoegaze/metalgaze sub genre and it is plenty impressive.  The vocals are as vast as the oceans, leaving little to be desired.  Check out the stream from Magnets' bandcamp page below.


Last but not least, I have to give a mention to a new track from Gems.  Rarely do I describe pop music as great, but I was amazed by what I heard the first time I listened to this track.  Pop music is simply not my specialty, but I recognize good tunes when I hear them.  This track, entitled, All I Ever, is fantastic.  It is generally straight-up pop with some subtle dream-pop atmospherics thrown in, but with outstanding vocals.  The track is available for free download from Gems' soundcloud page, which you can link to from the player below.  Take a listen to this track and get it now!  Thanks for reading and enjoy!!

Coheed and Cambria-The Aftermath: Ascension

Today we have a guest post for you, courtesy of our friend and fellow blogger, Marin Sabin.  Visit his blog at www.metalmusikmayhem.blogspot.com and find some great metal music.

Hello all,

Today’s album review is the latest effort by Coheed & Cambria titled The Aftermath: Ascension which was released on October 9, 2012. In case you are not aware on this wonderful band, here is some background from a previous blog I wrote on the band

            Coheed and Cambria is an American band from Nyack, New York that formed in 1995. They are truly one of the great contemporary bands that consistently release great music. One problem: Coheed and Cambria doesn't quite fit into any one genre, they could be included in heavy metal, progressive rock, post rock, and alternative rock. Their sound is like if Rush met Pink Floyd, and then mated with Iron Maiden. The driving forces behind the band are lead singer and guitarist Claudio Sanchez and lead guitarist Travis Stever. All of their albums are concepts based on an original tale called The Armory Wars with each album progressing the story further. Their album, Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume 1: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness is one of the best albums that I have ever heard.

Their latest album follows the story line of the Armory Wars, and is their best album since Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume 1: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness. This latest release may be in the running for best album of the year. From the beginning to end, there isn’t a more complete album with the highlight of the album being “The Key Entity Extraction, I-IV” and “Mothers of Men.”

I would highly recommend that everybody go out and purchase this album. You will not be disappointed.

Here are a few of the tracks that I enjoy from the album.

First, "Key Entity Extraction II: Holly Wood the Cracked" 

Second, “ Key Entity Extraction III: Vic the Butcher”

Finally, “Mothers of Men”

I hope that you have enjoyed my guest spot,

Thanks,

Marty Sabin

Hinder and Heart

So Today's letter is the letter H.  This was actually really hard to find artists that start with the letter H especially females. I was overjoyed while looking through my music that I found Heart.  My other choice was Hillary Duff and not that I don't like it, she wouldn't be on my ipod if I didn't it's just not one of my favorites and this post is about my two favorite artists that start with this letter. 

Heart has been around for a long time.  They started singing in 1973.  They are considered to be one of the few female rock bands.  I enjoy Heart's music.  Even though it's been more than thirty years since they started singing Heart still holds onto it's two lead females.  Ann Wilson is still lead singer and Nancy Wilson continues to rock on the guitar.  Heart released a new album in 2010.  It's pretty good.  This band still rocks.  The first song that I would like to share with you is my all time favorite Heart song entitled Stranded.  This song first appeared on their album Brigade.  In 1990 this song reached number 13 on the billboard chart.  Not to bad for a band that at that time had already been singing for almost 20 years.  This song starts out with quiet guitar and slowly picks up the pace adding the drums and more guitar.  I love Ann's voice; it's so crystal clear.  I also enjoy the lyrics to this song.  I believe what she is singing about.  I don't want her boyfriend to leave her.  Listening to this song takes me back to elementary school and I think that it is just as good listening to it today as I did back then.



My second choice is a song off their newest album entitled Red Velvet.   Closer To The Sun is number 13 off this album.  I must warn you that I am a fan of the older stuff from heart like the stuff that came out in the late 80's and early 90's.  I think that is why this song is so appealing to me.  Other songs off this album rock and if you are into the Heart that was rocking with songs like Barracuda and Crazy On You, you won't be disappointed.  You should give this new album a listen.  The song Closer To The Sun starts out with just some acoustic guitar and the beauty of Ann's voice.  As you continue to listen the drums come in with some tambourine and drums.  I think the chorus of this song is catchy and it's just nice to have some new music by heart to listen to.  I hope you enjoy it. 

 

Hinder is a relatively new rock band that has come out in the last 10 or so years.  They started singing in 2001 and found success with their second single off the Extreme Behavior album Lips Of An Angel which came out in 2005. I have been a fan ever since. First of all I like Austin Winkler's voice.  The first song that I chose is I Got A Thing For You off their Take It To The Limit album.  What I like about this song is it is a naughty little ballad and it still rocks.  I love the drums and the guitar, I think that they make this song addictive and then you add the lyrics and this song is amazing.  Give it a listen below



The second song that I chose from Hinder is What Ya Gonna Do off their All American Nightmare Album.  What I like about this song is the rock element.  I really enjoy the electric guitar in this song.  I also like the lyrics to this song.  I love that someone is actually acknowledging that booze won't solve all your problems.  This song just has great vibes and an amazing guitar solo in the middle.  I really enjoy Hinder's music and I look forward to more rock and metal music from them in the future.  Thank you so much for reading-Kristy

Inner Trip-Initiate review

The most interesting aspect of post rock music is that it can often take on other forms entirely.  One album may incorporate so much orchestral elements that it sounds like reverb-laden neoclassical music, while another may be more based on rock sensibilities.

Inner Trip, a solo act by Saman N, produces quiet, introspective post rock music leaning more toward electronic soundscapes and ambient structures with cinematic elements.  This artist is versatile.  While most songs on this album are purely instrumental, some include Trent Reznor-esqe industrial vocals that are sufficiently tasteful and not over-produced.  Put simply this is an interesting and unique listening experience.

Released by Fluttery Records, "Initiate" brings forth a certain charm that is not found in most post rock.  Middle-Eastern styled instruments sneak their way into the mix from time to time, never staying long enough to become overbearing or redundant.  At the same time, you get more of what you are expecting from post rock music, with a lot of echoing guitars and pianos, few drum sections, and long, drawn-out downbeat instrumentation. 

Fluttery Records' website mentions that Saman N, who resides in Iran, had to overcome a substantial amount of prejudice to win fans and land a record deal.  This is sad, because in my opinion, one's religious or political leanings should in no way determine how an artist is received, especially when such influences are not a focal part of the music said artist produces. 

Early on with this album, I found myself somewhat disappointed due to what i perceived as a lagging introduction.  This problem worked itself out later on in the album by building to a satisfying climax, where the varied instruments and electronic sounds reached a pitch that brought out a sweet atmosphere.  I feel confident that I can strongly recommend this album to fans of post rock music as well as those that are more interested in cinematic and contemporary music.  This is indeed a good listen that does not get old with repeated listens.  You can listen to the entire album below.  Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Falloch-Where Distant Spirits Remain Reveiw

Falloch's new album, "Where Distant Spirits Remain" was first presented to me as an atmospheric ambient metal album.  Needless to say, I was confused enough to go listen to a track from the album.  What I heard blew me away.

The description was more or less accurate, though I would take somewhat of an expetion to calling this band a metal band.  The music is mostly keyboard and guitar-based, fusing long, stretched melodies with soulful guitar plucking and the occasional pedal loop effect.  Many of the basic power riffs serve to accentuate the atmospherics and to draw in a sense of doom to the music.  Additonally, the band employs elements from post rock, folk, and black metal, at times mixing in flutes and strings to deepen the texture of the songs.

The vocals are a blend of looping solo clean singing and raw shrieks similar to the style of vocals that many black metal bands use.  They are powerful when they need to be and sorrowful when circumstances warrant.

Falloch's name was taken from a local landmark called the Falls of Falloch, which is a waterfall in Scotland.  Falloch hails from Glasgow.  The feelings this album evoke are of melancholic wind brushing over grassy rolling hills.  You hear tales of sadness and wonder, and dire fears.  In truth it is somewhat difficult to put into words every emotion this album carries. 

"Where Distant Spirits Remain" is an incredibly diverse album that can satiate cravings for numerous styles of music. I highly reccomend this music to almost anyone who enjoys thoughtful, challenging music that flies against the conventions of popular music genres.  Enjoy We are Gathering Dust below.  Thanks for reading and enjoy :)

Hammock-Departure Songs Review

Let me start off this post by saying that our thoughts and prayers are with the Haycock family as they endure their terrible loss.  Tim will be missed.

Now for the review.

When you think of Nashville, the first music genre you think of probably is not post rock.  That, however, does not mean that good post rock music can't come out of Nashville, Tennessee. 

The one, albeit minor, problem I have with post rock is that it is more difficult to distinguish one artist from another because much post rock sounds very similar.  That said, I am admittedly somewhat new to the genre, and therefore less seasoned in the stylings.  Hammock is an ambient post rock duo that mixes live instrumental music with some electronic beats and keyboard sweeps.

The music is like a journey to a faraway place you can only imagine.  Atmospheric ambient melody blends with spacey piano and violin interplay and sparse, minimalist vocalizations.  The vocals emerge in three or four tracks on the entire album.

Listening to this album is a chore, clocking in at a hefty near-two hours encompassing 19 mesmerizing tracks.  But like most post rock music, you have to know how to listen to it.  Find yourself a comfortable spot in the shade between two sturdy trees.  Relax and turn the radio up.  Then, let the melody transport you to a dreamlike realm shut off from the daily grind.  This is relaxation music, not elevator music. 

"Departure Songs" happens to be Hammock's first double album and their fifth overall.  Over the years they have polished and perfected their sound. I have been awaiting this album since word first surfaced that the band would be releasing a new album in 2012.  I'm happy to announce that it did not disappoint.  Instead, it impressed me further.  I encourage you to give this music as listen. 

As always, thanks for reading and enjoy!

A Place of Owls: The Oceanic Tomes

Brad bought an album the other day that he said I just had to listen to.  He told me that I should write an album review and share it with our readers.  You must know that I am not a strong critic.  I have never written an album review but I accepted his challenge.  So the following post is a review of the album The Oceanic Tomes by A Place of Owls. 

A Place of Owls is a one man post rock band.  This is really quite an accomplishment as you listen to this CD and realize it's just one person playing and recording this music.  This CD is pretty intense.  The title track Atlantis starts out with soothing guitar followed by other electronic sound effects.  Like the title of this track you feel like you are under the water.  This is what music in Atlantis must sound like.  This song is a nice introduction to this album.  It creates this illusion that you are under water in a different world.  As the music continues through tracks two and three you get this sense that something is going to happen and you're not quite sure what that will be.  As track 4 starts you have this intense feeling of suspense and this curiosity for what will happen next.  This album ends with a beautiful number that expresses triumph and peace.  This is a great album to have if you are looking for something you can sit down and relax to without worrying about what is going on around you.  The music is amazing.  It is a little long so make sure you leave yourself the time frame to be able to enjoy all that this album offers.  So I have listed the first track on this CD entitled Atlantis.  Give it a listen and let us know what you think.  Thank you for reading :)

The Oceanic Tomes is available at his bandcamp page with a 'name your price' option.  You can choose zero, or be nice and toss a few bucks his way.

Mono-For my Parents

Consider the line between atmospheric post rock and neoclassical contemporary music blurred.  Japan's Mono have delivered an epic worth the price. 

This is high praise for a band that until a few months ago I had never even heard of.  I happened across a preview track on a blog I regularly visit and was impressed with what I heard, even from such a small sample.  Mono's newest album, For my Parents, was released a week ago, and it has taken me that long to listen to it and offer my thoughts.

Mono successfully blends ambient and atmospheric soundscapes with orchestral majesty in thier new album.  I defy anyone to find a post rock outfit quite like Mono.  Yes, at times Joy Wants Eternity, another band I have raved about, comes close.  Mono is most often compared to post rock stalwarts Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky, but in my opinion they offer generous helpings of delicious melody in forms that the aforementioned bands don't quite replicate.

Listening to this album, I couldn't help thinking that this music was from a film, because it definitely sounds like it could have.  Amid the sweeps of symphony and the reflective, reverb-laden, ambiance the band occaionally introduces harmonic guitar plucking and sparse drum patterns. 

This album ought to be a staple in any worthy post rock CD collection.  I was slightly disappointed to find out that this album only offers up six tracks, but those six tracks amount to nearly a full hour of music.  All you have to do is press play, sit back, relax, and enjoy.  I'll give For my Parents an incredible 4.9/5 stars.  Give it a listen below.  Thanks for reading and enjoy!