Here’s a fascinating new project for fans of Talk Talk and Mark Hollis. Seven musicians who were involved in the Talk Talk albums Spirit of Eden, Laughing Stock and Hollis’ solo LP have come together as Held By Trees, led by producer/composer David Joseph. They approached the recording in a similar way as they did under Hollis – emphasising spontaneous improvisation and keeping the best … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Held By Trees – In The Trees
Ambient / post-rock / drone / soundtrack / soundscape There’s a beautifully ponderous lumber and sway to this new post-rock track from the Toronto, Canada artist Alaskan Tapes (Brady Kendall). The lulls and gentle washing peaks are perfectly paced and giving a sense of movement that carries the listener through an emotionally melancholic six minutes. What I like is that the piece never gets heavy … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Alaskan Tapes – The Sky Sings Its Chorus (For Us Alone) [Pt. 1]
Post-rock is a genre that in its finest moments has boundless possibilities, multiple genres instrumentally intertwined to create moods and atmospheres that range from the intimate to the widescreen. Pinball are a France-based group comprised of Australian expats Melissa Cox (violin) and Alex Stuart (guitar), and French musicians Benjamin Body (bass) and Simon Clavel (drums). ‘Skies’ is a track that builds evocatively over four minutes, Cox’s … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Pinball – Skies
by Chris Familton Some bands sound like their names and in the case of Wellington duo Diving their chosen moniker makes sense as the point where you hit the water and enter a submerged world and an altered state. Your vision is altered, your ears hear things differently as sounds are filtered aquatically and the world on the surface feels like a distant place. Diving’s … Continue reading EP REVIEW: Diving | Synesthesia
by Chris Familton Dissonance and controlled aggression have always been hallmarks of rock n roll, it is just the context that has changed as the pop culture landscape has evolved. Over time the emergence of sub genres and sub sub genres has been an important factor in the continued relevance and progression of rock music. Post rock, noise rock, math rock, post punk – call … Continue reading EP REVIEW: Sweater | Sweater
New Zealand metallic post rockers Kerretta have a new digital single out now… check it out on Bandcamp… Continue reading NEW RELEASE: Kerretta | A Ways To Uprise
1 2 3 4 5 Post rock has become a many limbed beast over the last decade. From the early days of Tortoise and Mogwai it has branched out in a multitude of directions. Incorporating the extremes of ambient and metal it has veered dangerously close to prog rock territory, in danger of disappearing up its own arse through bland intricacy and pretentious song titles. … Continue reading REVIEW: COUGAR – Patriot
Doubtful Sounds 