CDs + Vinyl:
Acephalix – Decreation CD (20 Buck Spin)
The rotten corpse of Acephalix, the Bay Area’s beast of barbarism, has been re-animated. Foul American death metal maggotry eating back to life coagulated remains of hardcore’s guts. [Vinyl edition due October 20.]
Acetone – 1992-2001 CD/2xLP (Light In The Attic)
The first anthology of the trio’s music. Counting their early years in the scuzz-rock band Spinout, whose sole self-titled release came out in 1991 on Delicious Vinyl, guitarist Mark Lightcap, bassist Richie Lee, and drummer Steve Hadley played together for a total of 15 years. They disbanded in July 2001, when Lee committed suicide in the garage next to the house where the trio practiced. Against a rising tide of post-Nirvana grunge and slipshod indie rock, Acetone tapped into a timeless Southern California groove by fusing elements of psychedelic, surf, and country.
Marc Almond – Shadows And Reflections CD/LP (The End)
Marc Almond’s new album Shadows And Reflections features sumptuous arrangements of iconic torch songs and ‘60s orchestral pop for which he is beloved, as well as two new original compositions. The release features songs written or recorded by artists such as Burt Bacharach, The Action, The Yardbirds, Bobby Darin, Julie Driscoll, Billy Fury and the Young Rascals. It thematically begins and ends in an apartment. “It’s about this guy that’s living in a luxury expansive glass apartment overlooking the city, filled with sculptures and beautiful things, an empty soulless shell, surrounded by absurd wealth,” Almond explains. “He is sitting alone and I imagine listening to this music, possibly the songs that make up this album. He’s rich in the bank but the poorest person you know.” [CD version is available in Regular and Deluxe editions.]
Amadou & Mariam – La Confusion CD (Because Music)
Eighth full-length album from acclaimed Malian musical duo. [Vinyl edition due October 6.]
Archspire – Relentless Mutation CD/LP (Season Of Mist)
Welcome to first class technical death metal madness. Machinegun vocals rattle remorselessly over a furious flurry of arpeggios, scales, and everything else that the two string wizards of Archspire can pick at break-finger speed out of their guitars. If this sounds hardly human at the level of technical execution, the Gatling-style hyper-drumming pushing these monstrous compositions forward is adding to the alien impression. It cannot even be a question that the Canadians have outdone themselves with their third full-length. Relentless Mutation is not just another compilation of outstanding musicianship, but the songs come with recognizable patterns that make sense in the greater conceptual framework of the album. And a clever use of contrasts leaves moments of clarity for the listener to take a breath and get ready for the next assault.
