Squarepusher, Just A Souvenir
Conceived as a dream concert performed by five ultra-talented, trans-dimensional musicians, this new issue from veteran UK sound-setter, Squarepusher, is full-on epiphanic, funky fresh shit. Resurrecting the direction of his classic 1998 album, Music Is Rotted One Note, Just a Souvenir sees Tom Jenkinson back in live-playing territory - transcending notions of him as a bygone drill'n'bass artist via prodigious performances more aligned with Lightning Bolt or Aprodite's Child than the 'braindance' sound of old scene compadre, Aphex Twin.
Take Me To The Sea, Jaguar Love
Those ‘from the ashes' supergroups are often doomed to forever compare palely to their forefathers. In retrospect, was anyone really ever going to give a shit about the Travelling Wilburys?
Jaguar Love save themselves from this destiny by sounding very little like their old disbanded bands (Blood Brothers and Pretty Girls Make Graves).
Fasciination
After what seemed an eternity between Wet From Birth and the release of Fasciination, I was anticipating an incredible, mind-blowing record which pushed theboundary of the whole dance-punk sound as their past three LPs had (disregard Media, please). But instead I'm left with a slight sense of disappointment throughout.
Beat Pyramid, These New Puritans
This record is a jigsaw. A Rubick's cube. As soon as you enter this musical labyrinth you're lost in the shadows. Caught up in a running stream of repeating refrains and echoing hooks as the record circles in on itself like a snake eating its own tail (Dear, infinity symbol).
But really, who wants to keep tabs on the real world when such an escape is on offer.
Dear Art, Please Touch Me
I used to think audio tours were lame. All those people smugly strolling around galleries, wearing headphones, getting told what to think. I prefer my own inner monologue, thank you very much - ‘Tired legs... hungry... what would happen if I touched that?'. When I finally gave one a try, I discovered they're actually quite enjoyable.
Nouns, No Age
The summer release of Weirdo Rippers saw No Age bring together a collection of songs that had spanned five independently released EPs, as kind of an introduction to the band. Soon after, the ever attentive ears of Sub Pop picked up on the LA duo and have now released their first full length album Nouns.
Promises Promises
This new record from one of New Zealand's most riotous acts has a definite whiff of maturation about it. Once upon a time, you see, these Dunedin boys (that's deep, deep south people - think Nom*D and Flying Nun Records) would fling brawling one and half-minute noise bombs in a relatively scattershot fashion.
Random Entries:
Search our guide to Melbourne
Browse our guide to Melbourne by interest
Browse our guide to Melbourne by keyword
Melbourne Events Calendar
Select a date to see what's on in Melbourne
Browse our guide to Melbourne by weekly issue
Working