Chicago-based My Gold Mask make music that lies somewhere between the vocal quality of Joy Division, the sound of Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the mood of Chromatics.

Frankly, it kind of sounds like music from outer space.

RIYL Wavves, The Rapture, Blonde Redhead.

I like this electronic Brooklyn band….And it’s free, so what do you have to lose?

As Larry David would say, “Pretty good. Pretty pretty good.”

Decomposure – “Readymade”

I’ve been writing about music for over a decade, but I almost never buy music.  I get so much sent to me for free that if I did buy a CD, I wouldn’t even have time to listen to it.

A week ago, though, I bought a record for the first time in months, based on the strength of a single; a cover of Neil Young by The Chromatics.

There is absolutely no reason whatsoever on Earth that you wouldn’t like this record.  It’s tremendous.

Especially the song “Lady.”  I can’t stop listening to it.

The single, Kill For Love, is a free soundcloud download.

http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F41270014&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false&color=ff7700

No, “Golden Years,” the first album by Ohio’s Brothertiger, doesn’t sound anything like David Bowie.  But is a dance record, of sorts.  It’s electronic lo-fi hipswaysynth.

From Mush Records.

http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F30834414&show_artwork=true

Brothertiger – Lovers from Mush Records on Vimeo.

This is just weird shit.  It’s frickin great, but it’s weird.  The artist:  Jad Fair + Hifiklub + kptmichigan, one thing will become universally true: good plus good plus good plus good plus good does indeed equal “great”.  The album: “Bird House.”  According to the press, Jad Fair was  a “founding member of Half Japanese, and collaborator with a slew of artists including Teenage Fanclub, Yo La Tengo, Sonic Youth, and Daniel Johnston.”  The other two folks are French and German, respectfully.

Bird House is limited to a one-time pressing of just 300 hand-numbered 12″ records. This single-sided LP features original Jad Fair artwork which is screen-printed directly on Side B of the record, and is packaged in a picture-disc sleeve. The first 45 copies are pressed on translucent gold vinyl with black ink (pictured at left), and 255 copies are pressed on translucent yellow vinyl with red ink.

Let’s Win

Here’s one that almost made my best of 2011 lists.  In fact, I think I’ll tag it accordingly, even though it just didn’t edge out the competition.

Rae Spoon, formerly of Saved By Radio, operates out of Montreal and makes mellow indie electronica that recalls the best non-dance Sinead O’Connor tracks.  I guess I’ll mention taht Rae is transgendered because all the press releases say that–but I don’t see how it matters.  The music is what matters.  And it’s tremendously deep and soulful–something rare for electronic music, frankly.

Download Rae Spoon Ghost Of A Boy
Rae Spoon Ghost Of A Boy

Download Rae Spoon Are You Jealous Of The Dead?
Rae Spoon Are You Jealous Of The Dead?

Here’s Rae covering “All the Single Ladies.”

“Garage electronica.”  That’s what Battant is.  Coming out of London, the “band” Battant make electroclash with a distinct indie/rock and roll edge.  I dug this record, but I’m having trouble finding much out about the band. Perhaps that’s because Joel Dever, the main creative force behind the band, passed away a few weeks before this album was completed.  Damn shame.

 December 15, 2011  ekko1   1 Comment

Categories: Uncategorized Tags: Electronica, Indie rock