Album Review: Daniel Martin Moore - Stray Age

Originally published November 20, 2008 in Soundcheck Magazine.
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Daniel Martin Moore
Stray Age
Sub Pop Records

Daniel Martin Moore probably did not set out to be a singer/songwriter. The honesty and simplicity of his music give the impression that he possesses effortless natural talent. Moore recorded some songs, and, on a whim, sent them to Sub Pop Records. Sincerity, talent, and the unsolicited demo paid off, leading to the release of Stray Age. The calming melodies are similar to the music from the Pacific Northwest, but the bass and delicate guitar plucking reveal Moore’s Kentucky roots. The album is modest and intriguing, hinting that Moore is just getting started.

Album Review: Desolation Wilderness - White Light Strobing

Originally published November 20, 2008 in Soundcheck Magazine.
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Desolation Wilderness
White Light Strobing
K Records

If every old photo album carried a music chip, Desolation Wilderness would play at the turn of each page. Hailing from Olympia, Wash., Nicolaas Zwart is the brain behind Desolation Wilderness, and, with the help of a few friends, he created a record that reflects the lush scenery of his city. The sound is somewhere between The Album Leaf’s ambiance and Beach House’s timelessness. With heavy use of reverb, Zwart’s faint vocals travel through the instrumentation, which includes guitar, vibraphone, synthesizer and glockenspiel, in search of light. White Light Strobing is like a faded memory that resurfaces a warm, happy feeling.

Album Review: Free Blood - The Singles

Originally published November 20, 2008 in Soundcheck Magazine.
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Free Blood
The Singles
Rong Music / DFA Records

Since forming in 2003, Free Blood has released its music in small doses. The band started sharing its music in live settings only. When songs were finally recorded, they were released as three 12-inch vinyl singles on U.K. label Adventures Close to Home. Perhaps Free Blood was afraid people would not be able to handle its chaotic party sound in large doses. Luckily, listeners now have the chance to take a risk with the six songs and five remixes found on The Singles.

Free Blood is Madeline Davy and former !!! vocalist, John Pugh. The duo takes it a bit easy on the first track, “Never Hear Surf Music Again”, allowing listeners to warm up. The song seems harmless with Pugh’s whispered vocals and soft percussion, but the first lyric hints at the mayhem that Free Blood is about to unleash.

“There must be some fucking chemical that makes us different from animals”.

Whatever that chemical is, it has a strong presence throughout the album. “Never Hear Surf Music Again” hits a high with screeching violins and strings that sound to be flying all over the place.

Free Blood mixes a lot of different elements, but the overall sound is collected and catchy. The lyrics are phrases that partygoers could easily remember and shout out while making their way across dance floors.

With laughter in the background and Pugh and Davy trading off vocals, tracks sound like recordings of a schoolyard. Free Blood embodies the energy of hyper children, and the music is spastic. It’s similar to Hella and has infectious beats comparable to LCD Soundsystem.

At times it might be hard to differentiate Free Blood from Pugh’s work in !!!, but a few more listens reveal a more funky and free-spirited tone. Most of the remixes on The Singles are glum and do not offer the songs a distinctive contrast; however, it would not be a bad thing to overdose on anything Free Blood produces.