Linton Rubino: Tårar i Regn (2012)

Swedish solo artist Linton RUBINO is, at least to my knowledge, a new artist. "Tårar i Regn" (Tears in Rain) is his official debut single, released on fledgling indie label White Line Recordings in early December 2012.

It's a neat and effective slice of pop music we're dealing with on this occasion. A steady mid-paced drum pattern forms the foundation, with a driving bassline placed on top to provide momentum. Light toned, subtly desperate melodic lead vocals dominate the proceedings quite nicely, while the guitars caters for the majority of variation with a light and gentle acoustic delivery for the verses that shifts to a harder edged, textured one for the more intense chorus. A few instances of careful keyboard textures on top adds a subtle detail of sophistication to the proceedings, while a few but select drum details is a nice additional touch for the chorus parts.

"Tårar i Regn" comes across as nice and satisfying pop tune, upbeat and likeable, with a strong chorus that is easy to remember and sing along to. A strong and promising single debut by Linto Rubino.

My rating: 80/100
Track list:
1. Tårar i Regn

Netherland Dwarf: May the Piper (2012)

Japanese project NETHERLAND DWARF is the creative vehicle of a so far unnamed and unknown musician, who prefers his endeavours using this moniker to be merited by the musical end result only, possibly feeling that naming names of the people involved would be a distraction. He made his debut with "Moi Moi" in 2011, and 2012 saw him release the EP "May the Piper" as a legally free download on the Japanese Totokoko netlabel.

And it is an intriguing set of compositions we're presented with. Unlike the debut's album multiple references to symphonic progressive rock and classical music, the associations this time around are closer to the kind of music artists like Pascal Comelade are known for. In terms of style descriptions, toy music is perhaps the one I'd pick. The slogan of the netlabel chosen to publish this material is rather descriptive too I guess: "Tiny things in a tiny space that make you relief".

The core elements utilized throughout this EP is a kind of metal based, melodic percussion instrument. Most likely a metallophone of some kind or other, but with the resonances it gives I'm unsure about whether we're dealing with an expensive instrument or one of the toy variety. Much the same can be said of the second recurring element: A dampened flute of some kind, that sounds like a recorder of some variety or other but with a curiously distanced sound. Supplementing the proceedings on occasion are dampened drums of some kind, more often than not laying down a marching pattern, and a gentler, sharp subtle percussion element, possibly castanets of some kind.

It's the metallophone instrument that takes the lead on most occasions however, providing energetic, jubilant patterns of a wandering nature with a distinct positive vibe to them. Naive and simplistic in nature, with the tonal range and sound of the flute when applied emphasizing this aspect of the proceedings in a massive way. Much the same with the marching drum patterns I might add. This is music suitable for and sounding like escapees from a 70's children's TV show. Slightly odd, joyful and positive, with a naive and innocent atmosphere a core feature throughout.

Concluding this EP is a remix of opening and title track May the Piper, showcasing just how different this composition can come across when a diferent set of instruments are utilized as the main theme provider, an acoustic guitar in this case.

"May the Piper" is an EP that will have something of a limited appeal I suspect, but those who find pleasure in music of a naive, innocent nature as you might otherwise encounter in a children's TV show from a few decades back, you might want to inspect this production anyhow. It's a free release after all, so all it'll demand of you is a,little bit of your time.

My rating: 73/100
Track list:
1. May the Piper
2. Pole Pole
3. Cloud 9
4. Hammock Cafe
5. Siciliano
6. Urban Tango
7. Mocha
8. May the Piper (Dot Tape Dot Remix)

Various Artists: The League of Psychedelic Gentlemen (2012)

Taking inspiration from the enjoyable but perhaps not quite top notch action movie The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, this four track collection was the result of a further pondering on the subject matter from a psychedelic rock perspective. What if one could assemble overlooked but awesome musicians to establish a psychedelic rock supergroup. Or, to ground oneself a bit closer to reality, at least make a compilation with a select few of them. The result of which became this four track EP.

Nick Nicely has been given the honour of opening the proceedings, and does so with a compact affair that use a tight bass and drum foundation for his distanced effects vocals to play upon, with Mellotron surges and harmonic guitar details as the main recurring features with a vast array of psychedelic dripping instrument details coming and going at will in a select few sequences.

The Bevis Frond is next up, Nick Saloman exploring an early 70's tinged light variety of hard rock on I'm a Stone. Using acoustic light toned guitars and electric darker toned calm riffs upon steady rhythms, with a single psych dripping guitar solo later on joined by a myriad of like-minded friends for the chorus and instrumental sequences that follows. With calm, clear vocals and a certain lo-fi edge to the proceedings.

Anton Barbeau and Three Minute Tease reference back to The Beatles with their When I Was 46 (In the Year 13), with a harmonic light toned lightly psych flavoured main theme that collapse in a handful of very different and distinctly psychedelic manners before we're at the end of this tale.

And last but not at all least, Paul Roland unleash the brilliant genius that is The Puppet Master. Plucked guitar licks and bass as the foundation for spoken vocals and ghostly organ intrusions on this one, occasionally gathering intensity to rise up into a harmonic, sort of Beatlesesque chorus but with a haunting organ present. We Are the Hollow Men, yes indeed.

A worthwhile collection of under-appreciated masters at their trade, much more so than the movie that gave the initial inspiration I might add (although I would like to see what happened to a certain grave in Africa as far as that flick goes). But this EP is, yet again, a fine collection of psychedelic experiences to be enjoyed by a relatively select few vinyl enthusiasts only. These days Fruits de Mer press from 800 to 1000 copies of each release. When they are sold that's it. So if this sounds like a must have slab of vinyl, you'd better order early.

My rating: 90/100
Track list:
1. Nick Nicely - Rosemary's Eyes        
2. The Bevis Frond - I'm a Stone        
3. Anton Barbeau/Three Minute Tease - When I Was 46 (In the Year 13)        
4. Paul Roland - The Puppet Master

Various Artists: The White EP (2012)

As far as taking on a challenge goes, commemorating The Beatles is a daunting task to have a go at. The world's most popular band still if I'm not much mistaken, with a well documented career featuring some of the most loved and well known songs composed. Their White Album from 1968 is one of many classic productions from this Liverpool foursome, and right on the eve of it's 45th anniversary Fruits de Mer Records decided that it was time to give this album a fitting tribute as regarded from a psychedelic rock point of view.

With material as strong as just about anything penned by The Beatles is, it's hard to go much wrong when covering their material. The challenge is to make an alternate version that makes an equal or in rare cases greater impression than the original, and it seems Fruits de Mer have been wise and lucky both with their selections.

Three Minute Tease kicks off splendidly with their take of Cry Baby Cry, where the bass guitar and lead vocals maintain the core melody while sounds and effects flutter in and out of the song in a suitably chaotic manner. The Bevis Frond continues the line of excellence with dampened but gritty guitar cascades with occasional slide guitar details backed by a sickly sounding keyboard motif on their version of Glass Onion. The Luck of Eden Hall comes next with a spirited, garage rock romp of Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey, complete with powerful vocals and psych dripping guitars. And in a flamboyant case of downplayed perfection, The Pretty Things take on Helter Skelter with a refined bass and drums display at the core supplemented by careful acoustic guitars, vocals and Mellotron backing is a tour de force of sophisticated art pop music, again with the main psychedelic ingredients courtesy of the guitar in the instrumental passages.

The second half of this EP isn't quite as intriguing however, although none of the contributions can be described as weak. Jack Ellister's take on Dear Prudence is nice but somewhat forgettable to my ears, while Cranium Pie's version of The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill sounds like Frank Zappa fooling around with electronic gizmos. The Seventh Ring of Saturn have chosen to have a go at Savoy Truffle, and opts for a garage rock tinged sound and psychedelic dripping guitar soloing for the occasion. And when Henry Padovani ends this brief commemoration of The Beatles "White Album", it is with a careful rendering of Long Long Long utilizing acoustic guitar, vocals and keyboards only, the latter employed as a simple but effectively contrasting sound layer.

All in all a strong celebration of The Beatles White Album, the first half of this EP in particular making a strong impression. With The Pretty Things version of Helter Skelter as the arguably best one in a generally strong company.

My rating: 90/100
Track list:
1. Three Minute Tease - Cry Baby Cry
2. The Bevis Frond - Glass Onion
3. The Luck of Eden Hall - Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey
4. The Pretty Things - Helter Skelter
5. Jack Ellister - Dear Prudence
6. Cranium Pie - The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill
7. The Seventh Ring of Saturn - Savoy Truffle
8. Henry Padovani - Long Long Long

The Luck of Eden Hall: Crystal Ship / Black Sheep / Bangalore / This Is Strange (2012)

US band THE LUCK OF EDEN HALL appears to be one of the favourite artists of UK label Fruits de Mer Records, and towards the tail end of 2012 they appeared with this 4 track, unnamed EP on Regal Crabomophone, a sublabel of Fruits de Mer catering for original music first and foremost. In this case we're treated to two cover versions and two originals, the latter pair lifted from the album "Alligators Eat Gumdrops".

Personally I think the cover versions are the most intriguing ones on this occasion. It's not a case of superb versus mediocre though, but more a case of superb and very close to that. The cover of The Doors Crystal Ship kicks off in an elegant manner, with gentle guitar licks backed by Mellotron and half spoken vocals on top, with psych dripping guitar intermissions and concluding with a majestic assembly of Mellotron and psychedelic guitar details.

US band SRC are given a run next, and in this take at least Black Sheep comes across as a song with a distinct 60's beat influence hiding beneath dark toned droning guitars and majestic, flamboyant organ motifs, complete with a nifty and effective psychedelic guitar solo in the middle.

Of their own originals, I found Bangalore to be on par with the opening two pieces, again with something of a 60's beat music feeling hiding somewhere and perhaps primarily in the vocals department, with an effective blend of chugging 70's style hard rock type guitar riffs and a brilliant recurring sitar motif as the key elements and contrasts of this fine piece. Concluding effort This Is Strange didn't impress just as much, the effects treated verse arrangement and gently psychedelic laced recurring guitar solo feature well planned and executed but not quite managing to conjure a magical experience out of this late 60's oriented heavy psychedelic construction.

Overall this is a very strong production however, among the most interesting releases that Fruits de Mer Records have issued so far in their existence. At least of the ones I've had the pleasure to experience so far.

My rating: 95/100
Track list:
1. Crystal Ship
2. Black Sheep
3. Bangalore
4. This Is Strange

Various Artists: The Fruits de Mer Annual 2013 (2012)

In the words of the record label: "Every year, Fruits de Mer puts out a single combines the best of the tracks that we wanted to release during the year but just couldn't get our act together earlier." That is the premise for this double A side 7 inch vinyl single. The double A side accomplished by using an album cover with two different front sides and no back side as well as the vinyl itself carrying two A sides and no B side. The cover art is worth mentioning in itself, sensual erotic yet innocent images of the kind produced in an age a long time behind us.

As far as the music is concerned, I was mostly taken by Russian band Vespero's contribution. A fine, delicate and controlled take on Faust's Jennifer, with a dark cosmic bass motif as the dominating feature, supplemented by a careful circulating guitar motif and delicate rhythms, laid back lead vocals and a wide array of sounds and effects of a delicate nature smoothly floating in and out of this fragile cosmic journey. Ending in a chaotic array of cosmic sounds, but even this cosmic chaos is one of smooth and finely controlled nature. A freaked out cosmic final phase as run through a filter you might say.

The other A side is a very different beast entirely. The foundation of Temple Music's take on The Hollies track Pegasus resides around another careful construction admittedly, delicate acoustic guitar, bass and female lead vocals to be precise, but on this occasion encapsulated and partially hidden by a flamboyant, dramatic and obtrusive array of fluctuating cosmic sounds, electronic effects and psych-dripping guitars. A chaotic, frantic and disharmonic construction of the kind that comes with a guaranteed freaked out certificate. Not quite my kind of illegal herbal tea, to use that as a more or less telling metaphor, but there are plenty of fans of this kind of music around and they are well adviced to note down this one as a creation to....experience.

Overall a production where the different sides will have their strongest appeals to rather different audiences I suspect, but if you're a fan of chaotic freaked out experiences and finely controlled, smooth cosmic excursions both then this vinyl should be a real treat.

My rating: 80/100

Track list:
A. Vespero: Jennifer
A. Temple Music: Pegasus

Aura: Deliverance (2011)

Italian band AURA have been around in one form or another since 1996, but it took the band 12 years to get to the point of releasing their debut "A Different View from the Same Side". A further three years went by before their second full length production saw the light of day. "Deliverance" is the name of this creation, which was released through Spider Rock Promotions in 2011.

What we're dealing with in this case is a band exploring a fairly typical variety of progressive metal. Early 1990's Dream Theater is as good a comparison as any, their "Awake" era as the main comparison as far as general sound is concerned. Aura tends to focus on the less elaborate part of this overall style I might add, reducing the amount of quirky technical sequences while honing in on melodic, harmonic arrangements in general.

The band has a fine vocalist in Giovanni Trotta, who represents the somewhat unusual combination of being the drummer as well as the lead vocalist. A steady and accomplished sticksman, but to my ears more impressive as a vocalist with clear, melodic and finely controlled vocals throughout. In that particular department Aura shies away from aforementioned Dream Theater quite a bit, the dramatic, intense vocals that band tends to employ not a feature at all on this production.

The gnarly, warm and fairly organic guitar sound used throughout this disc will be more familiar to fans of Dream Theater however, as will the frequent guitar and organ combinations placed side by side with sweeping, majestic keyboard cascades underscored and contrasted nicely and effectively by the guitars. The token passages sporting a driving bass guitar motif is a nice addition to Aura's sonic palette too, a feature I wouldn't mind encountering more often myself.

Deliverance is an epic construction, a single piece of music divided into ten parts. A well worked out specimen of it's kind and well performed, but to my ears many parts do become too predictable or too typical in structure, sound and development. Those with a generally soft spot for this particular type of progressive metal won't mind that I suspect, but as far as making an impression goes this makes the band and the album come across as somewhat anonymous. An act residing in the middle of the vast mass of bands out there trying to make it whilst exploring this type of music.

Aura does have a few details on their side though. Pieces like Egypt's Call, sporting some fine exotic resonances, some nice and well worked out themes in general with the main theme of The Glorious Day as another highlight in that department, and a very nice and compelling guitar sound in general. As the topic explored is a Biblical one, unless I'm much mistaken, their competition among the religious oriented part of the marketplace won't be that severe either. If you desire music with a certain message and like this style of music, Aura is among the better bands out there within that specific segment. A fine album overall, and while it doesn't contain any major surprises and is somewhat predictable, it should satisfy those who like and enjoy accessible, melodic progressive metal of the Dream Theater school quite nicely.

My rating: 68/100
Track list:
1. The Arrival
2. In My Memories
3. Egypt's Call
4. The Eden's Tree
5. Efraim
6. A Candle's Dream
7. The Bridge of Silence
8. The Glorious Day
9. The Last Stand
10. Resurrection