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|  You'll find my published reviews trending back towards
the positive on page 27 of this week's LEO. You can
also see it on their website, or read it here.
Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody
Al Di Meola
(Telarc International)
[rad indeed]
Imagine a constantly inventive film score, the musical suggestions shifting often and effortlessly through French, Latin, and American themes. Expertly performed, Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody is over 70 minutes of entirely instrumental compositions, constantly flirting with progressive fusion indulgence but never descending into full-on jam-band territory. It's like the masterful proficiency of Rodrigo y Gabriela backed by badass jazz and genius accordion work. There is a strong prog-backbone of layering and buildup, but the in-your-face shredding spends enough time taking the back seat to infectiously relaxed grooves. The record achieves an epic level of celebratory masterpiece several times, and while I was initially skeptical of going out with "Over the Rainbow," it's an undeniably beautiful interpretation and closer. Di Meola has spent more than three decades building his reputation as one of the best jazz guitarists ever heard, and his latest effort proves yet again his status as a world-class virtuoso.
You can check out his official website here.
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|  Parasol Records put this out on CD back in November.
You can stream the album for free (and purchase it for
download) right here.
The vinyl printing of the album wasn't released until last
week, and can be ordered here (includes a free download).
Return of the Century
The 1900s
(Parasol Records)
The psych-pop repertoire of The 1900s was previously spread over two EPs, a 7" single, one full-length, and a smattering of side-projects. After some touring and a short hiatus during the last couple years, we find that their music has been fermented, triple distilled, and aged to spacious sonic perfection. A 6-member band deftly avoiding crowded over-production, they instead opt for lush, wide-open soundscapes that envelop the listener in jaunty and introspective pop transcendence. Lovely guitar lines dance with haunting violins, vocals from three members take turns coupling perfectly with love-at-first-listen melodies, and it's all anchored perfectly by expert bass and percussion. While none of the cuts pass the 4-minute mark, the record is infused with the unmistakable sense of freedom typically only achieved live, when song lengths become flexible or altogether forgotten. The first half of The 1900s career concluded almost three years ago, and Return of the Century marks the impressive first chapter of a promising part two.
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|  Written and recorded more than five years ago, the final album
by Bill Laswell's Praxis has finally been released in the U.S.
You can find my review in this week's LEO on page 28,
read it on their website, or check it out here.
Profanation (Preparation for a Coming Darkness)
Praxis
(M.O.D. Technologies)
{bad skit}
Evidence that somebody, at some point, was listening to some generic thin-toned grunge rock and thought: this music would be perfect, if only it had some abrupt and airy metal guitar solos and vocals delivered by a Decepticon. In addition to the aforementioned insanity, Praxis herein delivers a cut combining frat-rock with angry Jamaican rapping, a few aimlessly improvised instrumentals, a scratch-laden mash-up approximation of an industrial club mix, echoing shredding and shouting paired with drudging electronica, and almost every other disparate ingredient from the alt-playbook of decades gone by. Thrown together, the sundry elements comprising Profanation do manage the neat trick of giving the album an overall cohesion. The problem? This cohesion is owed to the unfortunate sense that each song is a stand-alone 90's compilation album sold on late-night infomercials (or worse, condensed SNL mockeries of such).
You can check out the music to see what I mean by listening to the samples available here.
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|  Blue Giant's new album recently hit record stores and I wrote a review that appears on page 27 of this week's LEO. You can also read it on their website, or here.
Blue Giant
Blue Giant
(Vanguard Records)
{ sunshine }
This is what can happen when veteran musicians have fun while ignoring genre distinctions. Blue Giant's debut full-length (and follow-up to their acclaimed Target Heart EP) will meander, strut, whistle, and wail its way out of your speakers (or ear buds) and into permanent residence in your cortex (or soul). Brings: bluesy country licks and mournful piano melodies, paired with buzzy wandering solos and stomp-your-foot rhythms. Sunny with a chance of some dark clouds, the resultant soundscape is an unexpectedly pleasant dose of Dixie-fried rock that flirts perfectly with both freewheeling twang and 60's psychedelia. Kevin Robinson's voice is at once friendly and brash, which suits his vivid and frequently story-driven lyrics, coupling perfectly with co-writer Anita and even a guest appearance by Corin Tucker. Each cut stands on its own, and taken altogether the record adds up to just over 40 minutes of excellent reasons to spin it again.
You can check out their music at their website, they also have a Myspace, and you can stream the entire album here.
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| Last week, KaiserCartel released their completely fan-funded follow-up to March Forth. If you pick up LEO this week and flip to page 40, you'll find my review. You can also check it out on their website, or read it here.
Secret Transit 
KaiserCartel
(Daniel Records)
{ super sequel }
Crafting a sophomore full-length, from genesis to final note, is a dicey proposition. Stick with what works but avoid stagnation, cover new ground while maintaining identity – not an easy balancing process. Courtney Kaiser and Benjamin Cartel have evidently achieved this equilibrium, and the result is Secret Transit.
The alterna-folk acoustic warmth and bouncy playfulness of their debut is here in full supply, as are sundry percussive elements (ranging from hand-claps to alarm clock bells). Further, the record shines bright with expanded horizons: the first and last tracks are perfectly spooky, and a few pick-it-up tunes add a just-right pinch of needed electricity. A great example comes in a cover of "Worn Out Nervous Condition," repurposed as a delightfully addicting folk-pop meditation on love in limbo. This is a band known for diverse instrumentation and textured, intimate live performances, all of which is expertly captured here. To listen to this fan-funded project is to be unable to keep it a secret.
You can listen to the entire album on their website, and they also have a Myspace.
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