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Spotlight: A Faulty Chromosome

Matthew Montgomery

A Faulty Chromosome / Courtesy of Fanatic PromotionA Faulty Chromosome produces fairly engaging music that, while pulling from a variety of influences, maintains a fairly distinct shoegaze tone. At times a little offsetting, the band doesn’t “pull any punches,” per se, with their usage of several slightly grating guitar tones. Still, the two tracks I’ve posted below, “Jackie O” and” Them Pleasures of the Flesh” are interesting and worthy of a listen, but if you’re looking for the melodic tendencies of Lush, it’s probably best to work elsewhere. This band isn’t going to be known for ethereal, beautiful vocalizations, but more a more-or-less gentle sort of repetitivity that, while not the high point of musical achievement, does provide something interesting and surprisingly listenable, considering. Two tracks are posted below for listening and downloading, and a video is posted after the jump.

A Faulty Chromosome — “Jackie O” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/afaultychromosome-jackieo.mp3]

A Faulty Chromosome — “Them Pleasures of the Flesh” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/afaultychromosome-thempleasuresoftheflesh.mp3]

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February 19, 2008 Tags: ,
Posted in Artist Spotlight, Downloads, Video No Comments »

Spotlight: Experimental Aircraft

Matthew Montgomery

Experimental Aircraft / Courtesy of Graveface RecordsExperimental Aircraft are an interesting group (there are plenty of those out there) that’s releasing their third album, Third Transmission: Meet Me On Echo Terrace on Feb. 26 on Graveface Records. Maintaining a healthy combination of psychedelic influence, dream pop, space rock, shoegaze, and indie seems a difficult feat to juggle, and I’m sure it is — but Experimental Aircraft seem to hold up just fine. Of the four tracks posted below, two are from Third Transmission and are likely to find a home in most playlists of engaged listeners. They’ve found that nice realm of sonic beauty between My Bloody Valentine and driven indie rock, of which there may not be some easily accessible example like MBV — and if there is, I apologize for not simply making something up. The Jesus and Mary Chain, on second thought, might be a nice fit, so let’s shove them in that square hole. Perfect.

At any rate, Experimental Aircraft provide more than a simple, fun listen, though they are undeniably enjoyable; Third Transmission looks to be a release that will be well accepted by the well-intentioned populous.

Experimental Aircraft — “Stellar,” from Third Transmission | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/stellar.mp3]

Experimental Aircraft — “Upper East Side,” from Third Transmission | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/upper-east-side.mp3]

Experimental Aircraft — “Symphony,” from Love For the Last Time | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/symphony.mp3]

Experimental Aircraft — “Electric Surgery,” from Thank You For That Perfect Day… | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/electric-surgery.mp3]

February 14, 2008 Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Artist Spotlight, Downloads No Comments »

Spotlight: Plastic Operator

Jared Montgomery

Plastic Operator / Courtesy of Fine Day RecordsPlastic Operator are an electronic indie pop duo out of the U.K. made up of Mathieu Gendreau and Pieter Van Dessel. Their music is a refreshing change from the typical guitar-drums-bass combination that has dominated the music scene for so long. The beats are thumping and the vocal melodies entrancing throughout their entire debut album, Different Places, which was released on May 14th, 2007 in Europe. They focus mainly on upbeat and catchy songs with an ’80s synth feel, but show their diversity in the song Another Sound, which features a riff ridden guitar solo. In the end, Plastic Operator is one of those bands that’s just fun and enjoyable to listen to. You can check out more of their music and a new video for the song, “Home 0207,” at their myspace page, http://www.myspace.com/plasticoperator.

Plastic Operator — “Peppermint” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/02-peppermint.mp3]

Plastic Operator — “Another Sound” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/08-another-sound.mp3]

February 13, 2008 Tags: , ,
Posted in Artist Spotlight, Downloads No Comments »

Spotlight: Haale

Matthew Montgomery

Haale / Courtesy of Planetary GroupHaale, from New York but of Iranian descent, crafts uniquely engaging music that combines progressive rock sensibilities (if there are such things) with traditional Persian style. Her debut, No Ceiling hits shelves March 18. The title track — an interesting juxtaposition of ethereal vocals, orchestral strings, and traditional percussion — and “Chenan Mastam” are posted below for listening and download.

Haale — “No Ceiling” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/haale_-_no_ceiling.mp3]

Haale — “Chenan Mastam” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/haale_-_chenan_mastam.mp3]

February 12, 2008 Tags: ,
Posted in Artist Spotlight, Downloads No Comments »

Music Geek #7: Chiptune — Is there anything better?

Matthew Montgomery

Matthew Montgomery wears funny glasses in a Cedar City, Utah park.

Editor’s Note: The track previously included in this post was not written or recorded by Brandon Harrod of Laromlab, who has recently come forward and admitted to having essentially stolen the tracks and called them his own. More information is available at www.mushpotrecords.com.

That’s a brave question, isn’t it? I thought so. So often my questions are lacking in, well, braveness, so I thought I might give it a try. Still, I’m not sure how brave it really is, though, as it is still a question and not a bold statement. After all, I’m willing to admit some wrong in this.

Anyhow, I’ve been venturing into electronic music lately, as it has been something I’m woefully under-educated in. My good friend Derek, a veteran (of sorts) of electronic music, has been instrumental in this, and perhaps we might call him the catalyst. At any rate, It’s happened.

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February 10, 2008 Tags: ,
Posted in Artist Spotlight, Downloads, Music Geek by Matthew Montgomery No Comments »

Spotlight: Grand Archives

Scott Mathews

Grand Archives / Courtesy of Sub Pop RecordsGrand Archives, consisting of five – Mat Brooke, Jeff Montano, Curtis Hall, Ron Lewis, and Thomas Wright – bring us bright, experimental pop recordings. “Torn Blue Foam Couch” is particularly lush with a chirping summery tone and beautiful four-part vocal harmonies. Perfect walking music, as great pop should be. To kick off their album release (Feb. 19th) Grand Archives will be performing Live at KEXP 90.3 FM and a live (free!) show at Sonic Boom later that evening in Seattle, WA. Full tour dates will be listed here. Their self-titled album will be released Feb. 19 on Sub Pop Records.

Grand Archives — “Torn Blue Foam Couch” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/torn_blue_foam_couch.mp3]

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February 9, 2008 Tags: , ,
Posted in Artist Spotlight, Downloads No Comments »

Spotlight: The Terrordactyls | Indie pop group releases stop-motion video for “Devices,” features Kimya Dawson on vocals

Matthew Montgomery

The Terrordactyls / Courtesy of Fanatic PromotionThe latest video from The Terrordactyls, a strangely enticing lo-fi indie pop group, is a strangely enticing lo-fi stop motion endeavor. “Devices,” which features Moldy Peaches-veteran and Kimya Dawson on vocals, features, of all things, scissors speaking to each other. Read after the jump for the video. Michael Cadiz and Tyrel Stendahl, who make up The Terrordactyls, are quite capable of holding their musical own, as it were: See “Fall,” posted below, for an example.

Contributing vocalist Kimya Dawson may overshadow the two musicians, given the love a variety of teenagers have expressed for recent Ivan Reitman flick Juno — don’t get me wrong, I am quite a fan of the film, as well; I merely find the newfound love for The Moldy Peaches and Kimya Dawson a bit puzzling or, at the very least, surprising.

The Terrordactyls — “Devices” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/theterrordactyls-devices.mp3]

The Terrordactyls —”Fall” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/theterrordactyls-fall.mp3]

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February 8, 2008 Tags: ,
Posted in Artist Spotlight, Downloads, Video No Comments »

Kara Keith to release solo EP

Matthew Montgomery

Kara Keith / Courtesy of Killbeat MusicKara Keith, from Calgary, Alberta and previously of Falconhawk, will release her self-titled solo debut EP on Saved By Radio on Feb. 12. The EP can be purchased in the Saved By Radio online store. “Kick This City,” from the release and posted below, is an engaging, driving track that makes its name with synthesizers and keys, but is also home to smooth vocals from Kara Keith. With talent of this nature, it’s hard to believe that this singer and songwriter won’t go anywhere.

Kara Keith — “Kick This City” | download
[audio:http://www.musicgeek.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/02-kick-this-city.mp3]

Kara Keith on MySpace

February 7, 2008 Tags: , ,
Posted in Artist Spotlight, Downloads, News No Comments »

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