XANDER HARRIS - "Urban Gothic" LP (Not Not Fun)

  Another notch in NNF's bed post, and one of our favorites for 2011, thus far.Xander Harris aka: Justin Sweatt, conjures up thirteen unlucky tracks of nightmarish industrial doom and gloom, with his debut full length, Urban Gothic.Not unlike label mate Umberto's Italo-horror club scores, Urban Gothic further explores the dark corners of goth and industrial music.Plenty of nods to John Carpenter's dramatic sound-scapes, and Claudio Simonetti's creepy synth manipulations, laid atop minimalist, Moroder style street beats.A bit heavier on the late 80's Euro club tip than the aforementioned, but remember, this is not a film score.This is dance music for the spirit world.Creeper anthems and paranoid campfire tales put to tape.Urban Gothic is far from any painfully sequenced laptop jam, the songs are quite good and terribly addictive.The stiff, robotic elements of typical machine drumming and motorik programming bores have been removed, as Harris has apparently played all of the percussion himself, with the use of electronic drum pads.It makes for a looser, more organic approach to the grave rave.Deep synth chords fill the air, like a thick black smoke rising from a smoldering ash.Those icy arpeggios and haunting melodies just seem to slither down through the cracks of throbbing bass lines perfectly.Visions of a giant axe swinging overhead in slow motion, a ghoulish hand creeping over someones shoulder, and a smoke-filled torture chamber flood your mind's eye with each listen.Things are pitch black and neon pink all at once, a shady old house in a familiar part of town.Given the midnight horror marathon vibe of this record, it remains a totally danceable and fun listen.With song titles like "Hatchet In Your Teeth", "Fucking Eat Your Face", and "I Want More Than Just Blood", you can't go wrong.Or, you've gone terribly wrong, in all of the right ways.Killer B-horror flick stills on the cover to boot.Highly recommended cemetery jams for after-after parties and introvert bedroom clubbing.

MARIA MINERVA - "Noble Savage" 12"EP (%100 Silk)

  

  Not Not Fun's stylish new sister label, %100 Silk, drops yet another outsider disco gem into our laps, with a stunning new 12" from Estonian songstress- Maria Minerva.Released around the same time as her equally impressive Tallinn at Dawn cassette on NNF, Noble Savage takes Tallinn's cloudy ghost-ballads, and gently nudges them into a more beat-driven direction.Minerva's angelic voice is more present than ever, and her angelic harmonies come heavily layered, floating above the wash of soft-synths like hundreds of silver bubbles, all flowing in different directions.Her canvas is a vast and sprawling one, the swirls of ethereal analog grooves and swirling electronic washes all flow in one direction, backed by minimal 808 beats, and a sturdy low end bounce.This could fall under the polished (and somewhat overexposed) "Italo" disco sub-genre, if it weren't for it's obvious use of modern effects and treatments, and it's dream-inducing tone.The more recent sass and swagger of Glass Candy is present, as is the hazed-out black magic of Sleep Over, but as things start to progress(and regress), a slight 80's dance element makes it's way through the mist, sounding something like Cocteau Twins playing discarded Chic tunes at half speed.Noble Savage's tracks are solid gold, and dipped into a million undiscovered colors.Minerva lays down her invisible club jams without boring us to death, as some of these "chillwave" acts often do.Her sound is massive and miniature all at once, expanding and recoiling at her leisure.This is her second great release this year, and it's only March.Comes housed in a sexy 12" DJ sleeve, with eye candy by Spencer Longo.Hop on over to the NNF site, and check out the "randoms" section for all the %100 Silk releases.Check out her amazing Tallinn at Dawn cs, as well.

SEX WORKER - Tough Love video (2010)

Music Video for the first track off his new LP "Waving Goodbye" out on Not Not Fun, now.
Features some rather exotic dancing, and 80's lingerie modeling ala- Robert Palmer/Vixen, set to Daniel Martin-McCormick's neon gutter-wave howl.Good stuff.Enjoy?


Sex Worker - Tough Love from Not Not Fun on Vimeo.

PEAKING LIGHTS/WET HAIR - "Bored Fortress(year 4) split 7" - (NNF)

  I will just say this ahead of time.I've been a big fan of both of these acts nearly since their inception, around the mid 00's, and this release is by far their best to date.In my opinion.It was part of Not Not Fun's amazing Bored Fortress split 7" club, and has recently been released on it's own, along with the rest of the series.I will get around to reviewing them as they come to me.Be patient.Or, just go buy them, they all pretty much kill.
  Peaking Lights is a blazing mystery duo from CA.They have a slew of releases out there, including a great 12" and cassette on Shawn Reed's Night People label.On "Birds of Paradise", they keep it deep and creep with a wash of hazily soaked synth-jabs, and sprawling drone-devices that come in flux.This track is kind of similar to earlier Ducktails ventures, with some awesome low-end machine clatter and heavily stretched out dub worship to top it off.A choppy reggae guitar-clank rides over top of things, and keeps it lite and breezy.They are sort of known for their semi-tortured/woozy female vocal styles, and they are pretty prominent here, with some help from a slurred sample that i can't make out.All in all, a pretty cohesive slow crawl into the muck.Awesome stuff indeed.
  Shawn Reed and Ryan Garbes' Wet Hair project fills up side b, and they take us for a few wild turns on this one.I am kind of a sucker for this band.They effortlessly take all my favorite bits and pieces of Suicide, Throbbing Gristle, classic kraut, and their former beloved animal guise Raccoo-oo-oon, and throw them all into a circuit-bent blender.The result is a heavy, dubbed-out, minimal psych groove-machine called Wet Hair.Their homemade analog machines and treated synths push them a step ahead of others trying to swing this kind of stuff, indeed.Shawn Reed's croon is not too far off from Martin Rev's low mumble, and it works good for them.On "Blessed", the duo take an even deeper dive into beat worship, with a thicker, more heady machine bounce.They cleverly split the 808 swagger between the left and right channels, giving off a sweet stereo-panned vibe, with one side a half step ahead of the other.It gives the song that "second drummer" groove, that Fugazi and Black Eyes(R.I.P.) sucked us all in with time and again.Glad to see someone is out there is thinking.
  This new, more tuneful approach to their craft reminds me of the more sprawling Kraftwerk project, Ralph and Florian.The beats begin to double and triple, as the keys continue with a lush, simple melodic drive.The vocals aren't anything too out of the ordinary for them, with some distorted delays added to the howls.A definite bump in production, and slightly catchier, and even more uplifting than their previous efforts.I'm already stoked on what they will do next.Killer art layout by the band.Look for a new Wet Hair/Naked On The Vague split 12", out via Night People, now!

SEX WORKER - "Waving Goodbye" LP (NNF)

  Those of you who actually read this shifty blog, might remember our write up on Sex Worker's pulsating wash out of a debut full length, called "Labor of Love", a few months back.A record that totally blew us, and many others away time and time again.Daniel Martin-McCormick is Sex Worker.He was a core member of the painfully overlooked and oddly, mega-influential D.C. band - Black Eyes.If you don't already own them, go buy all of their releases.Seminal shit, indeed.He spends most of his time singing and playing guitar in Mi Ami these days, who are also quite good, and not too far from Sex Worker's space-dub collage.
 With Labor of Love, McCormick did some heavily blatant flirting with classic psychedelic, dub, and drone music.The three songs that make up that record were blown out, drawn out, and pretty damn freaked out, too.Relying on more subtle, and extremely minimal analog tones, and stretched out low-end looping to carry his squeaky, affected wails and croons along for the  slow ride.A total anthem-ridden punk/dub record lies beneath the rubble of echoes and dense,noisy fog.Pick it up NOW.

  He returns now, with a new lp entitled "Waving Goodbye", which ironically was released the same day that
he set out on a trip leaving San Fransisco Bay to live in Brooklyn,NY.A literal wave goodbye.California will surely miss this dude, but he left them with quite the parting gift.Six brand new songs of damaged, haunting, and hair-raising, neon-street-dance gems.This record is such a wild turn from the last, and it just gets better each time i hear it.Things unfold a little more with each listen, kind of like how a Fellini film works you over several times, but this one is more Brazil/Over The Edge.His pulsating echoes and creepo synth dissonance haven't completely been replaced, but coupled with a more direct vocal passage and a painfully tuneful agony, that fills in the open spaces.The NNF site tags these six new songs as "street grime crooner ballads and sprawling forlorn trancefloor fantasias", and I can't think of a more accurate and bizarre definition.
Shards of dubbed out beat worship splinter through some rather piercing synth work out and bass rumbles.McCormick's voice still cracks like a whip, and slices through the deep rhythms so easily, but there is a sense of control and a more collected spirit within his shrieks.Tales of life and love and loss and things to come drip from his tongue, and he keeps it brutally honest, as always.Definitely more "songwriting techniques" are being used here than on his last record, but the content is all just as dark and anthem-filled, if not ten times more.
 Everyone will pull something different from this album, but all will find something fresh and inventive to listen to, even if you hate it.For fans of new and revamped genres, and peat listening.Quite an achievement.Keep your mind's eye out for a new split 7" with Psychic Reality, as part of NNF's Bored Fortress club.It rules.

Stolen Thunder/Notorious Lightning: This is NOT NOT FUN.

The Not Not Fun label, based in L.A., is comprised of the nicest, inventive, and hard working people I have had the pleasure of communicating with.Each of their releases is a strange and colorful journey into the bubbling tar pits of your subconsciousness, and all the hype that surrounds them is more than well-deserved.They just released a grip of new records to marvel over/sink into.Try something new, or try five or six somethings new..

 

Sex Worker (ex-Black Eyes/current Mi Ami) - waving goodbye lp

                                                         Topaz Rags - crown center 7"

Bored Fortress- split 7" club

                                                   Robedoor - burners lp (this kills.)

                                                         LA Vamps/Matrix Metals  - collab lp

                                                    The Deeeep -life light cs

                                                         Angel Eyes - cs

                                                      LA Vamps/Zola Jesus  - collab lp

                                                       Swanox - dawnrunner cs

TOPAZ RAGS - "Crown Center/You Go On" 7inch (NotNotFun)

  The amazing Not Not Fun label has been producing some of the most unique and inventive underground psychedelic gems for just shy of ten years now.Each of their intensely unique releases holds a certain free-thinking charm, free of guidelines, both aesthetically and musically.Personally, I get just as much satisfaction out of glaring at their carefully constructed packaging and elaborate inserts, as I do listening to the contents of the medium they house.The good people that run this fine institution are, and always will be doing things on their own terms as a collective, and I admire them dearly for it.8
  A personal favorite, and surely the most overlooked and mysterious member of their family tree, is Topaz Rags.Sharing members of psych-juggernauts such as Pocahaunted, Robedoor, L.A. Vampires, and Vibes, this lurker ghost-jazz trio has conjured up a total blazer of a debut cassette, a mind-altering full length lp, and a handful of great singles and comp. tracks.They return with yet another slab of audible ESP, in the form of a seven inch entitled "Crown Center".Total mind control.Just as haunting and patient as their "Capricorn Born Again" LP, if not more.This isn't just an excuse to dish out leftover tracks either.The tone and vibe that slowly emanates from this record is rather uncharted territory for them, and a much blacker, heavier molasses drips from the speakers this time around.
  Crown Center is a slow moving animal, a vibrating, wobbly dirge that sneaks up into your ear and gently nudges massages brain, before a chorus of chanting witches begin their ceremonial croons.Their bubbling cauldron is much bigger than before, leaving room for more of their random ingredients.A foamy goth-tinged substance floats at the surface, as a beatnik skeleton drums along patiently.All of these elements twist and twirl around each other, and rarely drift out of sync with one another.Things begin to double, and even triple in numbers, opening up secret passages to new melodies.The rattling bass run begins to teeter and give out, and finally the track collapses into a low hum.
  The flip side, an equally foreboding brood, opens with a wah-wah-drenched bass gurgle.A sharp piano stab pierces your gut, and introduces some seriously layered chanting that is more than seance-like.This track too finds the depths of their decaying rhythm section, relying on minimalist drone-lounge and blown out howls.There's an organic, almost supernatural feel to their black magic, and at times I am so blown away at how perfect their chemistry can be.They cast their spells with such ease and confidence, that it's almost as if this group were something predetermined by a higher power, or a random meeting of three hooded nomads looking for a dark, damp cave to master their craft.Whatever brought them to our world, is worthy of my blind faith for sure.Stunning.

HIGH WOLF - "Ascension" LP/CD (Not Not Fun)

 
  The NNF label is by far one my favorites out there, as they continue to belt out a seemingly endless supply of brain melting psych and drone acts, by the truckload.In 2009, they released High Wolf's Animal Totum cassette, a thirty minute plus mystery ride, deep into rich,warm electronics and red clouds of acoustic/analog swells.It was rather well received by weirdo noise blogs,and drone fans alike.It's dense synthesizer workouts and gentle layers of percussion have since been compared to the sounds of Brian Eno, James Ferraro, Ralph & Florian and the like.
   With the growing popularity of this outsider genre,as well as a slew of tapes,cdr's and split records, High Wolf  has returned with another slow-burning brain candle entitled Ascension.This subtle, yet unpredictable animal comes in the form of five long songs, clocking in at just under 45 minutes.Meeting of the three Seas starts things off with a gentle sunrise drone, slowly creeping up over the treeline and warming your face.A clicking percussive loop makes it's way into the picture and things slowly start to come together.The tiny melodies begin to swell up and multiply, creating something deep and intense.By the five minute mark, there are so many layers of soft-synth bleeps, swirling treated brass instruments and tabla thudding, you will think you are deep into some ceremonial Native-American spirit worship.Absolutely hypnotizing.
  As Ascension begins to unfold, more worldly sounds are unearthed.The frequent use of woodwinds, brass, analog synths, as well as a shit ton of shakers and noise makers, keeps this from coming off as just another Ash Ra Temple or Popol Vuh tribute album.It's full of dense melodies and earthy instrumentation, and steers clear of previously covered ground whenever possible, without being contrived or a boring novelty.A massive album to truly get lost with.Best if listened to while levitating.

SEX WORKER - "Labor of Love" LP/CD (NotNotFun)

   




   Sex Worker is Daniel Martin-McCormick.He is also the current front man,guitarist and main visionary behind San Fransisco's dub/percussion attack- Mi Ami,and ex-guitar treatment/vocalist for seminal D.C. band Black Eyes.With his first full-length for this vehicle,McCormick strays from his conventional guitar scratch and rhythmic howls of his other projects,for a more ambient,drone-based art form.His voice is the main element here,soaked in reverb and tape delays to carry his squeaks and squeals as they dance on your brain.The record begins with a tuneful glitch that sounds like some kind of looped synth or midi sample,but it's not long before his unmistakable voice soars high above anything resembling a melody.Things often tend to get violent on this album,when the many layers of vocal chants and possible radar blips collide with low bass rumbles,treated drums machines,synthesizer sines and guitar wobble.This had been described as "future dub",and that description is not too far off base.These are protest songs with ghostly agendas.Lefty anthems with well hidden choruses.The vibes speak for themselves.Sex Worker provides a door to McCormick's mind,a window to his soul,and perhaps a reflective pool to show us how we all connected through music.This is Trance for forward thinkers and punks alike.Finally!This is Labor of Love.

SUN ARAW - "On Patrol" LP/CD (NotnotFun)

When I first heard this dude a few years back,i was pretty skeptical of what i might find in this stuff,considering his semi-clever/goofy moniker and album titles.But alas,you cannot judge a book...yea.After a handful of releases on various indie tape labels etc,Sun Araw(Cameron Stallones)has totally perfected his craft.The songs on "On Patrol" are solid as ever,and more cohesive and dare i say "accessible" than previous efforts.And there are alot of them.He is a long time collaborator and ex-member of LA's Pocahaunted,and current guitar man for Long Beach psych outfit -Magic Lantern.Both are worth looking into for sure.Pocahaunted's new LP "Make It Real" is amazing.A great new direction for them.

Right off the bat On Patrol floats us into heady dub and psych territories that you might expect from him.Noodling reverb-soaked guitars,thick dubbed out bass lines,echoed voices and spacey synth washes...it's all here.But something is different.What is this awesome clarity?Production value?These are not-so-familiar terms with Sun Araw,being known (and adored) for his cavernous recording style and low low fidelity sound.But this new found clarity works wonders for these songs,and still retains a nice lo-fi,bass heavy feel,it's just more up front and present here.Utilizing a ton of instruments that includes,but is not limited to guitar,bass,congas,bells,woodwind,analog synth,drum machines,samples and voice effects,this album is layered nicely and has a very full sound.Something that I think as missing from earlier recordings.Mostly instrumental,with only a few vocal parts throughout the record,the bouncy dub jams make this a pleasant and interesting listen.I find new things in this with every play.Killer artwork to boot.WEED.