Album Review: Adult-oriented Introspection With The Abrasive Islander by Field Comment

Adult-oriented Introspection With The Abrasive Islander, the new sophomore effort from Field Comment, opens sounding like Austin-flavored Link Wray on psilocybin, drawing influences from Lee Hazelwood and DJ Spooky, with a knowing nod to (the criminally underrated) Radiohead.

Adult-oriented Introspection With The Abrasive Islander is the low-funk-ers' attempt at dreamlike, raw, brilliant statement rock.

Adult-oriented Introspection With The Abrasive Islander relies on the safe, universally beloved trick of noisy, atonal jams that last for several minutes—for good reason: Hansen Firmin was writing this music in a cubicle at a telemarketing job. Thus, Adult-oriented Introspection With The Abrasive Islander marks a musical turning point, á la the Beatles' White Album (except it isn't as good).

"Soapbox Magic" echoes strains of a Brian Wilson-esque attack, with a penchant for raw guitar apocalypse and pivotal vocal death, while the more jaded "Copper Javelin" provides a perfect counterpoint, reminiscent of Sun Ra on coffee. However, Field Comment returns to form with "Invited Arbor". But such lack of design has its own charm. The result? profound, fey, hip garage-jazz. Perfect for drinking alone during a thunderstorm at school.

9 stars. RIYL: The Velvets.

Matt Warren - "Music Is My Life" Review

House Music has gone through many changes through the years and has branched out in many directions. We have the Family Tree of House Music starting to grow in Chicago back in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. We have seen the branches of Trance grow out of it, we have seen Acid House, Balearic Beat, Deep House, Diva House, Tropical House, take root and grow. Now we have Nu House, where we find Matt Warren one of the founding pioneers of Chicago House music scene coming out swinging on the new release called Music Is My Life.
The track Music es Mi Vida, is one of the premier examples of the Latin Nu House style and sure to be a big favorite out on the dance floors of Chicago, NYC and Miami. The DJ/Producer/Artist reaches out across the generations and hooks up with established House music divas like Janis McGee and Pepper Gomez, and younger artists like Sharkeyes alike. It is a mix and match deal only a seasoned producer has the chops to pull it together at this kind of level.  The song Sometimes is a great example of the creative sparks that fly when a seasoned producer and DJ collaborate with a promising young artist. There is something futuristic about the way the track is written and produced that bodes well for the House Music tree to keep branching out into greater and greater creativity. This is the type of Nu House Music song that can potentially have several exciting remixes done to it. 

The sound of the overall record is as solid as anything I have heard recently coming out from any Artist /Producer/DJ. The experience and artistry of the producer and engineering deserves to be noted. It shines through on Get on Up, and the title track itself. Also, there is some nice touches added to the song La Rosa, that gives it a South Beach flow.  Matt Warren also takes a stroll down memory lane with his inventive update of the song Bang The Box. The song never loses its original creative kick, or its dance floor swagger. It resides very nicely within the Nu House context of the production. 

The single from the album is Get on Up, and it is easy to see why the powers that be picked it. It is a relentless beat and sizzling bass line that will get you up whether you go to the tippy top or not.  Catch Me If You Can is another stand out number that one can imagine many remixes for. The Disco mix especially, shows how this music could live forever if the crowds keep coming to dance and the DJ’s keep giving them the sound to do that to.  All in all, having Matt Warren back doing music and putting out records is what a man of his talent and experience should be doing. Hopefully more to come.

Darrell Kelley "Focus" Review

Darrell Kelley is an artist that keeps his nose to the grindstone. That is evident in the sheer amount of music this artist has released recently. Focus is his latest missive to his fans and his congregation. It begins with the good Bishop exhorting his listeners to get up off the couch and focus on engagement with their fellow human beings to better their communities. The understanding tone in which he says “I know you didn’t succeed this time” shows he has the understanding of the individual in mind. That quickly gives way to his next forceful part of his message. The larger community is the recipient of the next part, “I know you can do this”. He knows you can because, he understands that he himself can. 

Confidence and truth mixed together can be a heady brew. Especially, when you take it seriously. Bishop Kelley, is a serious man when it comes to the production of humanity and spreading a good message. “The sky is the limit and the rest of it is up to you” also betrays a deeper understanding of how humanity can be confused by various messages and politics where the individual and their actions get subsumed by the collectivist ideas that are born of man, not the message that is born of God’s wisdom.  Man has proven to be a marvelous and wondrous being when combined with true and honest faith in God. More lives have been saved by religion, than any political party will ever allow credit for. He goes deeper into these concepts in his role as the author of the Book of UWGEAM.

There is something appealing though in regards to the constraints a 4-minute song can produce in preaching a message. There is no room for fat in these songs. Clear and concise wording meant to have impact and meaning is the order of the day on Focus. Which this reviewer find’s very ironic, in a mirthful way. The only thing I can suggest that the Pastor focus on himself, is widening the production elements here. This track treads the same ground production wise as some of his earlier songs.  His last release, Call His Name, had broken out of that staid production formula and to find this track as the next release was a small let down. There is a real contender of an artist here. He should be focusing on furthering his art in the realms of the new. While keeping his message of God’s love uniform. I think if he looks deep inside and applies a little “Focus” he can keep moving his music and his career going ever upward. The song, despite having such good message, feels like a place holder, not a great leap forward. 

Darkness City

The band picture used when Darkness City was recorded made me ask Farrah why she was the nurse in the picture, and the men the doctors. I know it was the 1990's before the #me-too movement, but did Farrah get trapped into those old stereotypes, or was she exploiting masculine desires to be dominated by a nurse as I see in this photo. If so she’s a truly super intelligent villain of an evil woman.

What I see in this video is that Farrah Fire has not stepped into any of the usual traps woman step into when doing a video which turns out to be about pleasing the dog desires of men. You know every dog needs to go out for a walk. If Farrah Fire did try to appeal to the dog (no offence to dogs but pig would be to harsh) in men she certainly killed it when she decided to dance around dressed up in a peace head cultist leather outfit with creepy monster mash make-up spliced with the ultra-sexy guitar swinging dominatrix. Talk about sweet and sour sauce! 

As for setting fire to the park it looks like the black cube made Farrah do it. I’ve watched all sorts of things about these black cubes strategically placed around the world for satanic reasons… is this the message? If so you are truly a diabolical feminist. Your tough yet feminine style shows a classic originality that has been created by a woman who sees. I can understand why Genya Ravan was Farrah’s producer on the track. Because Genya, a tough cookie back in her day and her band “Goldie and the Gingerbreads”, made it into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Got to admit the guys in Farrah Fires previous band, formerly known as “Bettyford”, were no slouches either. Like those drums Kidd Lynch 666 hits hard reminding me to go out tonight instead of sitting at home watching YouTube. Thanks for the reminder and thanks for reminding me not to drive but instead take a cab. I’m looking forward to that next video, Farrah Fire.

Wide Awake! by PARQUET COURTS

Wide Awake!, the new long-awaited album from PARQUET COURTS, opens sounding like Austin-flavored MC5 on nicotine, drawing influences from The Fugs and Pavement, with a knowing nod to (the criminally underrated) My Bloody Valentine.

Wide Awake! is the roots-soul-ers' attempt at soaring, ethereal, genre-bending orchestration rock.

Wide Awake! takes some time to sink in—for good reason: Andrew Savage was writing this music in prison. Thus, Wide Awake! marks a musical turning point, á la the Beatles' White Album (except without the talent).

"Total Football" echoes strains of a Pixies-esque arrangement, with a penchant for visceral guitar pastiche and safe vocal oscillations, while the more accomplished "Violence" returns to form, reminiscent of Link Wray on Pepto Bismol. However, PARQUET COURTS returns to form with "Before the Water Gets Too High". But such lack of design has its own charm. The result? bucolic, cosmic, brilliant twang-country. Perfect for drinking alone during midnight at school.

Round Up

Here’s a round up of what’s come across my desk recently but still haven’t had a chance to write full reviews about yet:

Jonathan Kriesberg & Nelson Veras lay down some fluid jazz conversations between acoustic and electric guitar on Kreisberg Meets Veras. Pristine R&B/Soul vocal styling and unfettered creativity run rampant on chameleonic future-soul explorations with Soil by Serpentwithfeet. The Georgetown Orbits’ Solar Flares is a hearty mix of mostly instrumental ska with dynamic vocal additions. Do you like Neko Case or Camp Cope? Then you’ll love Magic Gone by Petal. Its punchy, upbeat numbers and introspective acoustic work go together like bread and butter. But then again maybe you’re more into Jessica Lea Mayfield, or what about Angel Olsen? Then rock out to moody, driving, shoegaze-inspired meditations on loss with Lauren Lakis’ Ferocious. The Suffers give us a generous dose of retro-styled R&B with modern ideals and some amazing vocal work. Cage The Elephant fans can rock out to Scout by Calpurnia and its teenage rock tipping hat to classic sounds with youthful enthusiasm.