| #711 |
|
2004 |
Perilous 711 Plenty of new releases are coming up as the European industry gears up for summer. On Warp, their signing of New York’s Team Shadetek has finally produced a mini-album. Titled Burnerism (Warp) it features a series of monochrome hip hop instrumentals, part-industrial scrap dancehall, and part digital grime. Shadetek’s sound has been widely acclaimed by Kid606, DJ/Rupture and is affiliated with Brooklyn’s Broklyn Beats – and shares much of their same aesthetic, possibly more filtered through a slightly militaristic hip hop lens. Given Shadetek’s splendid mixtape of 2003, Burnerism is a bit disappointing mainly because it sounds so ‘tracky’ – instrumentals that hit hard but have limited direction. Still, their multimedia empire is growing – with forays into many art and clothing projects (www.wearechangeagent.com) - and Warp was sensible to sign them. Also coming up on Warp is another new signing, Gravenhurst. Their debut album, Flashlight Sessions (Warp) is totally different for the label. Minimal electronics, far less than their other ‘indie’ signing Broadcast, Gravenhurst reference the melancholy pastoral folk of Nick Drake more than anything else. Indeed, midway through the excellent wintery album I was digging out my Drake records. Highly recommended. Another record in a related vein that I should have recommended ages ago is the latest from New York’s Animal Collective, Sung Tongs (Fat Cat). A sprawling psychedelic and decidedly odd experience it is quite demented listening, and very rewarding. On a local tip, the second full length album from Melbourne experimentalist Qua, is just about out. Titled Painting Monsters On Clouds (Surgery), it is full of live instrumentation and delicate constructions, sweet random melodies, and nods to My Bloody Valentine. An excellent companion to Fennesz’s recent album Venice (Touch), Qua should be doing a stack of live shows around the place – last week he was up here supporting Four Tet and Manitoba. Add to this excellent new album from Purdy, Fairytale Insurance (Soft), and the Rectifiers remix mini-album (Sensory Projects), and there is a good deal of local stuff worth keeping an ear out for. Keep an eye out for the new issue of Cyclic Defrost as well, its jam packed with goodies and free. Its the biggest issue yet and has some great content. There are interviews with Australian artists Purdy, City City City, Anthony Pateras, Pablo Dali and Music vs Physics; as well as international forays with Tortoise, Coldcut, and Lali Puna. The online version (www.cyclicdefrost.com) has exclusive and rare audio to download including a live excerpt from Tooth as well as unreleased material from Purdy, Pablo Dali and City City City. There are also a stack of reviews - more than fitted in the print version - and a special on embossing in our sleeve design section. This issue's cover is by Mark Gowing whose logo work and film poster design will be instantly recognizable. Frigid over the next two weeks sees HC11 and Solid Steel superstar Ed Seven take to the decks on Sunday June 27, then the return of Ollo who’ve been touring Europe for the last month on July 4th. Free entry, every Sunday evening, at the new @Newtown, or the old Newtown RSL, however you want to see it. Yellow Peril  Goto
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