The Neo-Surrealist Movement

2009 Review: Top 25 Albums

2009-12-21T12:15:00.000-08:00

After an extensive hiatus, Neosurrealist is back with its picks for the top albums of 2009. Although the year in post-rock and related genres lacked a depth of solid releases, several albums proved as concrete extensions of the artistic techniques and passion that have come to define post-rock. While few records in 2009 demonstrated a truly ground-breaking, monumental shift in method or manner, many artists presented works that, given their proper due, harbored genre-defining moments. From the string-infused, cacophonous yet relatively restrained walls of sound on Mono's Hymn to the Immortal Wind to the raucous dynamics of The Forgotten Host to Ioseb's familiar but perfected combination of e-bow and angelic vocals, the year in review will indeed remain memorable to many a post-rock fan. If anything, 2009 has engendered a unique type of post-rock album: a record with the steadfast dedication and excitement of an earlier work, but with the added benefit of more than a decade of acculturation and refinement.

25. The Appleseed Cast- Sagarmatha
Vagrant Records
Kansas, United States
Myspace

24. Pertego- Hjarta
Collapsed Records
Italy
Myspace

23. All the Empires of the World- Blessings
Records On Ribs
England
Myspace

22. British Sea Power- Man of Aran
Rough Trade Records
England
Myspace

21. To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie- Marlone
Kranky Records
Minnesota, United States
Myspace

20. The Twilight Sad- Forget the Night Ahead
FatCat Records
Scotland
Myspace

19. French Teen Idol- El Siete Es La Luz
Self-Released
Italy
Myspace

18. Eaststrikewest- Wolvves
Thirty Days of Night Records
England
Myspace

17. The Sleepover Disaster-Hover
Devil in the Woods Records
California, United States
Myspace

16. Toma- As We Fall Into Static Our Hearts Sing
Wise Owl Records
England
Myspace

15. Junius- The Martyrdom of a Catastrophist
Mylene Sheath
Massachusetts, United States
Myspace

14. Not To Reason Why- Would You Hug Fire?
1912 Records
California, United States
Myspace

13. When Icarus Falls- Over the Frozen Seas
Get a Life! Records
Switzerland
Myspace

12. Constants- The Foundation, The Machine, The Ascension
Mylene Sheath
Massachusetts, United States
Myspace

11. Sons Had Father- The Bearing, The Celebration
Self-Released
West Virginia, United States
Myspace

10. Redjetson- Other Arms
Gizeh Records
England
Myspace

9. I Hear Sirens- Beyond the Sea, Beneath the Sky
Self-Released
Utah, United States
Myspace

8. The Autumn Project- This We Take With Us
Zurecords
Iowa, United States
Myspace

7. Codes in the Clouds- Paper Canyon
Erased Tapes Records
England
Myspace

6. Caspian- Tertia
Mylene Sheath
Massachusetts, United States
Myspace

5. Pg.Lost- In Never Out
Black Star Foundation
Sweden
Myspace

4. Braveyoung- Bloom
The End Records
North Carolina, United States
Myspace

3. Mono- Hymn to the Immortal Wind
Temporary Residence Limited
Japan
Myspace

2. Ioseb- The Ghost of Thirty-Three
Self-Released
Sweden
Myspace

1. Blueneck- The Fallen Host
Denovali Records
England
Myspace

2008 Review: Top 20 Underrated Albums

2008-12-30T23:23:00.000-08:00

20. Aim- Spirits of Your Tide
(ViaAudio Records)
Italy

19. Chemtrail- Terminals
(Self-Released)
New Jersey, US

18. Spokes- People Like People Like You
(Everyone Label)
United Kingdom

17. No One Wished to Settle Here- Constant Slapstick and Traveling
(Consouling Sounds)
Poland

16. Presence of Soul- Blinds
(Wheel Records)
Japan

15. Time. Space. Repeat.- Lost Transmissions
(Self-Released)
United Kingdom

14. Hualun- Silver Daydream
(Fox Tail Records)
China

13. Wembly Shadwell- Pieta
(Self-Released)
Illinois, US

12. Coma Stereo- Binary Endings
(49 Manekinow Records)
Slovenia

11. Glissade- Further
(Deep Space Recordings)
North Carolina, US

10. Coup de Grace- Coup de Grace
(Self-Released)
Utah, US

9. Hadoken- The Ancient Machine
(Self-Released)
Massachusetts, US

8. Dawn Chorus Ignites- Signs
(Self-Released)
United Kingdom

7. Shapes Stars Make- Shapes Stars Make
(Self-Released)
Texas, US

6. Forgot Your Case- 19th Again
(Final Kid Group)
Thailand

5. Laymar- In Strange Lines And Distances
(Tenor Vossa Records)
United Kingdom

4. Kaneda- Gallantry Bower
(Self-Released)
United Kingdom

3. Deepset- The Lights We Shed Shall Burn Your Eyes
(KittyWu Records)
Malaysia

2. Mimas- The Worries
(Big Scary Monsters Records)
Denmark

1. Brainbow- Brainbow
(Self-Released)
Ohio, US

Albums of the Week: Highlighted Albums of May 2008

2008-06-04T20:33:00.000-07:00

Coup de Grace
Coup de Grace
Myspace

Comprised of thirteen tracks and around 70 minutes of music, Coup de Grace represents the epic self-titled debut from this intriguing Utah-based quartet. While the album is centered around standard post-rock structure, often weaving between solemn, downtrodden passages and up-tempo bursts of reverb-laden intensity, Coup de Grace stand out in their execution and knowledge of the genre's subtleties. Crucial to the band's success is the frequent and efficient use of atmospheric guitar lines segueing into energetic layers of tremolo and heavy distortion; all the while a relatively subdued production value adds to the album's collective theme. By no means groundbreaking in composition or experimentation, Coup de Grace nonetheless stands as a particularly enjoyable release stationed within the boundaries of the post-rock genre.

De La Mancha
Atlas
Myspace

On their debut album Atlas, Swedish two-piece De La Mancha achieve a sound diverse in approach and influence while maintaining a cohesive property between tracks. On display within Atlas are portions of heavily distorted guitar as well as moments of stripped-down acoustic work, both of which are positioned amongst manifestations of varying musical influences. In specific, tracks such as "Lotus Seven" and "Superstoned," exhibit De La Mancha's considerable psychedelic-rock component, while other pieces ("Newfoundland", "Being a Hero Is Easy") skirt from ambient guitar and electronics to shoegaze-like passages of reverb and melancholy. At times reminiscent of Holler, Wild Rose! in mindset and sonic structure, De La Mancha continue said band's tendency of meshing somewhat contrasting genres into a single unique and cinematic sound.

Followed By Ghosts
Dear Monsters, Be Patient
Myspace

With 2007's self-titled debut album, Iowa quartet Followed By Ghosts introduced themselves to the post-rock scene in exceptional fashion, garnering attention from genre pundits and newcomers alike. While Followed By Ghosts was indeed well-deserving of its relative notoriety, the album was not without flaw, dragging a bit due to a possible lack of recording experience, and in some cases, musical substance. On their sophomore outing Dear Monsters, Be Patient, however, Followed By Ghosts fail to repeat any rookie missteps. Instead, the band expertly dish out piles of distortion atop gloomy melodies and elegant chord progressions. Dear Monsters, Be Patient also marks a shift towards more compact song structures, further highlighting the band's refined textures and triumphant mastery of the quiet-loud dynamic. In short, Dear Monsters, Be Patient represents what every avid post-rock listener yearns for but rarely sees accomplished: a fledgling band honing their craft and fulfilling the seemingly limitless potential of a solid debut release.

Albums of the Week: Highlighted Albums of Spring 2008

2008-05-13T00:25:00.000-07:00

In the Wake of Giants
In the Wake of Giants
Myspace

On their self-titled debut, Pittsburgh quartet In the Wake of Giants offers up a well-executed, aesthetically intriguing study in traditional post-rock soundscape. Ranging from delicate, chiming guitars to crashing and distorted melodies, In the Wake of Giants is additionally marked by the group's tendency to incorporate periods of angular and chaotic breakdowns. Penultimate track "Were Not Our Hearts Burning Within Us" demonstrates legitimate potential: driving piano is layered against guitar, drum, and bass until giving way to a surprisingly intense resolution. While all the tried indicators of post-rock are present, In the Wake of Giants ultimately succeeds due to their attention to detail and ability to merge chaotic and textural passages.

Midsummer
Inside the Trees
Myspace

On Inside the Trees, California act Midsummer demonstrates the benefits of placing three and a half years of effort behind a debut album. In a similar fashion to Pooma's 2007 debut Persuader, Inside the Trees highlights a band mature in composition and instrumentation, having progressed considerably from previous EPs This Ageless Night and Moon Shadow. Midsummer's forte on Inside the Trees lies in striking a balance between melody and sonic exploration, ultimately producing a pleasantly restrained and deliberate album. That being said, Midsummer does offer up a number of varied structural approaches, ranging from condensed pop-informed pieces to winding epics highlighted by strings and choral harmonies, all culminating in an especially majestic and rewarding release.

Shapes Stars Make
Shapes Stars Make
Myspace

Hailing from Dallas, Texas, Shapes Stars Make crafts emotionally-rich indie rock heavy in post-rock influence. As a result of this now somewhat commonplace blend, Shapes Stars Make draws its fair share of comparisons to The Apleseed Cast; indeed, some similarities are evident as the two groups share John Congleton (Explosions in the Sky, 2006's Peregrine) as producer. Evident on the band's debut EP, however, is a sound unique in its atypical condensation of genre techniques. Where as most indie bands experimenting with post-rock textures tend to develop around mellow, restrained build-ups and finishes, Shapes Stars Make represents six tracks equally gentle and melodic as they are massive in volume. In specific, opener "Let It Be Morning" concludes in a distortion-filled cacophony of layered guitars, synth, and drums reminiscent of the epic climaxes of Mono and early Mogwai. In the abbreviated span of thirty minutes, Shapes Stars Make have announced themselves to indie and post-rock purists alike as a group to watch for in the near future.

Upcoming Releases: February/ March 2008

2008-02-13T13:59:00.000-08:00

2008 kicked off with several strong January releases, ushering in albums from veteran and newcomer groups alike. Additionally, the year promises to strengthen as early spring continues. As usual, this crop of releases is marked by the inclusion of a variety of styles and experience: highlights will undoubtedly include sophomore albums from Daturah, Bitcrush, and Our Brother the Native as well as debuts from a variety of acts (Glowworm, Strangers Die Everyday, etc).

The Big Sleep- Sleep Forever (FrenchKiss Records)
The Big Sleep in Search of Hades- Ownland (Self-Released)
Bigmouth Strikes Again- Ascender/Descender (Self-Released)
Bitcrush- Epilogue in Waves (n5MD)
Camping- Politics of Love (PuPilo Records)
Daturah -Reverie (Graveface Records)
Elika- Trying Got Us Nowhere (Fiercely Independant)
Experimental Aircraft- Third Transmission (Graveface Records)
Glowworm- The Coachlight Woods (Self-Released)
Hadoken- The Ancient Machine (Arghh! Records)
Hinterland- Pan Pan Medico (Submerged Records)
Io- Monolith (Arghh! Records)
Kyte- Kyte (Kids Records)
Our Brother the Native- Make Amends, for We Are Merely Vessels (FatCat Records)
Our Sleepless Forest- Our Sleepless Forest (Resonant Label)
Pacific UV- Longplay 2 (WARM Records)
Pale Man Made- Oh, My Treasured Things (Self-Released)
Ports of Call- Like Thieves (Self-Released)
Resplandor- Pleamar
Startle the Heavens- Find Yourself Here (Self-Released)
Strangers Die Everyday- Aperture for Departure (This Generation Tapes)
SubtractiveLAD- Apparatus (n5MD)
Suffocate for Fuck Sake- Blazing Fires and Helicopters... (Escucha! Records)
Televise- Secret Valentine (Distant Noise Records)
The Very Hush Hush- Evil Milk (Sao Bento Music)
::Tin Tin::- Dry Light (Sao Bento Music)
TSMZ Memorial Orchestra- 13 Blues for Thirteen Moons (Constellation Records)
Wembly Shadwell- Pieta (Self-Released)

2007 Review: Top 20 Underrated Albums

2007-12-24T01:09:00.000-08:00

In retrospect, 2007 saw countless transformations of promising young bands into household names within the post-rock arena: ranging from the epic tendencies of Johnnytwentythree and Caspian to the more restrained styles of The World on Higher Downs, Temjiin, and Carta. In truth, a vast majority of these artists received a just level of attention, garnering positive reviews and a blossoming fanbase. In opposition, a few releases equally worthy of praise went largely unnoticed due to a combination of factors. The proceeding represents a collection aimed at highlighting a select few albums that went criminally overlooked and underrated in the year of 2007, but remain more than worth your time.

20. Portrait of a Drowned Man- Portrait of a Drowned Man
(The Automaton Records Media Conglomerate)
Minnesota, US

19. The Enright House- A Maze and Amazement
(A Low Hum)
New Zealand

18. Norma- 1
(Novoton)
Sweden

17. Orbit; Dear Beacon- Flee! To the Mammoth Canopy
(Wooden Idea Productions)
United Kingdom

16. Adolf Plays the Jazz- Day 4/ Urban Fiction
(Self-Released)
Greece

15. Astral- Sleepwalker
(Vibraphone Records)
San Francisco, US

14. I Am David Sparkle- This Is the New
(Kitty Wu Records)
Singapore

13. The Depreciation Guild- In Her Gentle Jaws
(Self-Released)
New York, US

12. Halcyon High- To Be Infinite
(Vibraphone Records)
San Francisco, US

11. Pozvakowski- Microtron
(PopKontroll Records)
Hungary

10. Not to Reason Why- Who Wants Flowers When They're Dead?
(Self-Released)
California, US

9. Thelittlesorryselfyouare- Thelittlesorryselfyouare
(Self-Released)
Belgium

8. Beautiful Lunar Landscape- Alone in this Dark Romantic Night
(Hidden Shoal Recordings)
France

7. Holler, Wild Rose!- Our Little Hymnal
(Backlight Records)
New Jersey, US

6. Things Falling Apart- Disintegrating!
(Friend of Mine Records)
Illinois, US

5. Toma- From Ruins
(Self-Released)
United Kingdom

4. Sleepy Eyes of Death- Streetlights for a Ribcage
(Self-Released)
Seattle, US

3. Tender Souvenirs- Scars & Souvenirs
(Airwaves Music)
Sweden

2. Pooma- Persuader
(Next Big Thing)
Finland

1. Cecilia::Eyes- Mountain Tops Are Sometimes Closer to the Moon
(dEPOT214)
Belgium

2007 Review: Top 30 Songs

2007-12-21T00:15:00.000-08:00

As a whole, 2007 marked a continuation in the shift from longer experimental song structures to more condensed, streamlined tracks. The trademarks of epic composition were expertly handled on several occasions however, resulting in a fair mix of both traditional and shorter forms of experimental rock. Additionally, it should be noted that compiling a list of individual tracks is a task decidedly different from the process of ranking whole albums; ultimately, several artists appear on this list represented by songs from short EPs or singles, broadening the spectrum of eligibility. Admittedly, this list focuses primarily on the aesthetic value of each piece, largely ignoring the implications of originality and true experimentation. Presented with due humility, the following is what I believe to be a just summary of the year's top individual tracks within the realms of post-rock and shoegaze.

30. The Depreciation Guild-
Sky Ghosts

4:17
From In Her Gentle Jaws
Listen

29. Portland-
Cosmonaut

4:31
From Adrienne
Listen

28. Film School-
Lectric

4:11
From Hideout
Listen

27. A Shoreline Dream-
New York

5:42
From Coastal
Listen

26. Nic Bommarito-
The Academic (Life & Afterlife)

5:00
From Taciturn
Listen

25. Voices- Don't Let Go

6:54
From The Sound of Young America
Listen

24. Julian Fane-
Jonah the Freak

5:32
From Our New Quarters
Listen

23. Destroyalldreamers-
Her Brother Played the Riot (Part 3)

4:44
From Wish I Was All Flames
Listen

22. Lights Out Asia-
Art Divided by Science

7:25
From Tanks and Recognizers
Listen

21. I Am David Sparkle-
Dance of Death

6:29
From This Is the New
Listen

20. Joy Wants Eternity-
Existences Rust

3:41
From You Who Pretend to Sleep
Listen

19. Sleepy Eyes of Death- Static for Blood

4:38
From Streetlights for a Ribcage
Listen

18. Beautiful Lunar Landscape- Alone in this Dark Romantic Night

5:33
From Alone in this Dark Romantic Night
Listen

17. Things Falling Apart- dB

8:24
From Disintegrating!
Listen

16. Graboids- Tremolo

8:18
From Infinite Delay
Listen

15. Envy-
A Road of Winds the Water Builds

10:02
From Abyssal
Listen

14. Caspian-
Moksha

9:07
From The Four Trees
Listen

13. Grouper-
Heart Current

4:43
From Cover the Windows and the Walls
Listen

12. Cecilia::Eyes-
One Million Whales

5:48
From Mountain Tops Are Sometimes Closer to the Moon
Listen

11. Explosions in the Sky-
It's Natural to be Afraid

13:27
From All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone
Listen

10. Romance of Young Tigers-
We Sing Sin

11:46
From I Have Supped Full on Horrors
Listen

9. Beware of Safety-
To the Roof! Let's Jump and Fall

10:24
From It Is Curtains
Listen

8. Pooma-
Snow

4:57
From Persuader
Listen

7. Mono-
Little Boy (1945-Future)

9:48
From Travel In Constants Vol 22
Listen

6. iLiKETRAiNS-
Spencer Perceval

9:09
From Elegies to Lessons Learnt
Listen

5. Red Light Chamber Choir-
Strangers in Matching Suits

6:23
From WITBWDKWTD
Listen

4. The Angelic Process-
Burning in the Undertow of God

6:46
From Weighing Souls With Sand
Listen

3. Toma-
Two

3:37
From From Ruins
Listen

2. Rosetta-
Monument

13:30
From Wake/Lift
Listen

1. Johnnytwentythree-
Ghost Soldiers

20:00
From JXXIII
Listen

Album of the Week: Thelittlesorryselfyouare

2007-11-28T18:16:00.000-08:00

Thelittlesorryselfyouare
Thelittlesorryselfyouare EP
Self-Released
Myspace

By some standards, Thelittlesorryselfyouare's five-track, forty minute debut EP is nothing out of the ordinary within the contemporary experimental scene. As a quintet from Belgium, Thelittlesorryselfyouare is comprised of two guitarists, a bassist, keyboardist, and a drummer. The music itself, while at no stretch boring or tired, utilizes fairly typical post-rock techniques: melodic, crescendo-heavy pieces are elegantly crafted through the use of fluttering tremolo and moments of heavy guitar distortion. Undoubtedly, Thelittlesorryselfyouare respect and indeed draw from their influences on a number of occasions, but unlike many other young artists, distinguish themselves through a palpable sense of passion and intensity. Thelittlesorryselfyouare present a somewhat raw cohesion of atmospheric, textural guitar work and windy song structures, commonly delving into moments of contrasting delicacy and wall of sound schematics. "Designedly Dissolved into Nothingless," the EP's standout track, creates an intriguing, melancholic atmosphere that merges into a distortion-rich crescendo format. On display here, and within the EP in general, is a unique feeling of unbridled emotion and creativity. The band seemingly play less for the creation of a monumental, ground-breaking work than they do for the concept of "art for art's sake": Thelittlesorryselfyouare craft music that is ultimately an expression of their collective sentiment, unrestrained by an overbearing sense of importance or weight. Instead, Thelittlesorryselfyouare concentrate on shifting environments through texture, eager to portray dramatic soundscapes and images. However, the band's relative youth and the overall raw nature of their music does hinder the EP in a few regards. The songs presented on the EP all follow a common pattern, and while at some points the lengthy compositions are effective, other moments tend to drag as a result of unnecessary interludes and overly-drawn out crescendos. Ultimately, the band would benefit from the inclusion of more compact compositions, such as opener "Do," alongside lengthier, decidedly epic pieces ("Pynar and His Backseat Problems"). That being said, Thelittlesorryselfyouare are without doubt a group to keep an eye on in the future. The band are certainly on the right path with their debut EP, which remains one of the highlights of the European post-rock scene this year.

Album of the Week: Pooma

2007-11-15T13:24:00.000-08:00

Pooma
Persuader
Next Big Thing
Myspace

On Persuader, Helsinki-based quintet Pooma have produced one of the standout full-lengths of the year, continuing the now commonplace trend of spectacular releases from Scandinavian bands. The fact that Persuader is Pooma's debut offering, however, marks the band as anything but typical. The level of creativity and musicianship presented throughout the course of the album's 50 minutes are in fact the product of two years of adjustments and fine-tuning, ultimately lending to the solid and overall polished feel of Persuader. While Pooma do draw from a number of diverse influences, their sound comes off as original and unforced; the primary success being the band's creation of a distinct signature of dark atmospheric textures laced with ethereal vocals and intriguing rhythms. This unique template of sorts is then applied over more palpable elements from a number of sources, ranging from the trip-hop inspired "They Won't Come Back" to the cinematic, almost post-rock like compositions of "The Shore" and "All Worked Out". The majority of tracks follow a middle-ground, seamlessly blending down-tempo melancholic moments with portions rich in fuzz and distortion. Nowhere else is this style utilized more effectively than on album-standout "Snow." On possibly the paramount track released this year, Pooma construct a wall-of-sound framework utilized by so many contemporary bands, the difference here being Pooma's perfection of the craft. Ambient passages naturally slip into intense, noisy swells anchored by soaring vocals, all the while centered around the band's exceptional sense of melody. Indeed, the album as a whole casts a large shadow on most other bands attempting to merge tradtional rock with more experimental tendencies. In the future, the band will undoubtedly look to expand and develop their sound, an intimidating thought given the already-refined talent demonstrated on Persuader.

Upcoming Releases: Winter 2007

2007-10-24T15:51:00.000-07:00

In hindsight, the past month has proven to be one of the most prolific periods of the year in terms of experimental releases; eight of the current Top 30 alone were released sometime during the month of October. However, both November and December are shaping up to be equally salient in their own right, with key albums expected in genres ranging from electronic dream-pop (Arms and Sleepers, TLS) to epic post-rock (Cecilia::Eyes) to experimental screamo (Envy). Either way, the following list marks a strong conclusion to the year of 2007.

Adolf Plays the Jazz- Day 4/Urban Fiction (Self-Released)

Arms and Sleepers- Black Paris 86 (Expect Candy)

Astral- Sleepwalker (Vibraphone)

Atlantis- Carpe Omnium (Field Records)

Cecilia::Eyes- Mountain Tops Are Sometimes Closer to the Moon (dEPOT214)

Colour- Heaven (Grey Records)

Envy- Abyssal (Rock Action)

Halcyon High- To Be Infinite (Vibraphone)

Hologram- Hologram+ (n5MD)

I Am David Sparkle- This Is The New (Kitty Wu)

Kerosene Daydream- Oscillate (Self-Released)

Sidewaytown- Years In the Wall (Self-Released)

TLS- A Song Left For You (Imperial)

The Winchester Club- Britannia Triumphant (WHI Recordings)

Additionally, upcoming reviews will be posted within the week and include the new full lengths from Pooma and Followed By Ghosts among others.

Album of the Week: Tender Souvenirs

2007-10-10T16:36:00.000-07:00

Tender Souvenirs
Scars & Souvenirs
Airwaves Music
Myspace

On their debut release, Tender Souvenirs (formerly Ever the Statesman) introduce the listener to their unique brand of swirling, trumpet-infused, multi-layered post-rock. In a year where the standard full-length fails to reach past 45 minutes in length, Scars & Souvenirs gracefully extends itself for nearly an hour; atypical of most contemporary post-rock bands, let alone groups new to the scene. In any case, the lengthy duration of the album acts as an outward indication of the music Tender Souvenirs strives to create. Each of the seven songs featured here twist and elegantly transform from quiet opening melodies to reverb-laden walls of guitar noise. Integral to the band's compositions are the use of frontman Martin Sassner's vocals and trumpet-playing, both of which are incorporated in a half-fuzzy/ half-dreamy style that works particularly well throughout the winding, tendril-like song structures. The underlying component to all of this, however, is Tender Souvenirs' skill in layering: the songs themselves are presented as one massive and synchronized crescendo, with each additional layer adding to the dramatic and intrinsically cinematic mood of the album. In specific, songs like "Emergency Broadcast System" and album closer "Safe Hands" stand out in their execution of this theme. Overall, Scars & Souvenirs represents an exceptional debut, and certainly provides a solid foundation for the band to build and evolve around. With any luck, Tender Souvenirs should shortly become a household name in the post-rock and Swedish indie arenas alike.

Albums of the Week: Overlooked Albums of Summer 2007

2007-09-15T15:05:00.000-07:00

Here are this week's highlighted releases, representing a brief synopsis of important albums released in the summer months. Ultimately, despite the relative lack of hype surrounding each release, these albums are likely candidates to end up on many worthy end-of-year lists, Neosurrealist's included. Music samples from each artist will be updated within the week on the Neosurrealist Playlist; for now, songs can be heard from the respective myspace pages.

A Place to Bury Strangers- S/T (Killer Pimp)

Containing seven tracks from the band's unreleased CD-R demo and three brand new songs, A Place to Bury Strangers' debut marks the starting point of what is sure to become a new trend in the post-shoegaze revival. Mixing traces of post-punk with rapid drum machine beats and classic shoegaze noise, A Place to Bury Strangers earn their title as "New York's loudest band," and then some. An essential 2007 album for any true shoegaze fan.

Alcest- Souvenirs d'un autre Monde (Profound Lore)

An intriguing hybrid album coming from Avignon, France. Admittedly more shoegaze than metal, Souvenirs d'un autre Monde nonetheless skillfully integrates elements of Alcest's heavier past with a dreamier, more elegant sound. Whatever your opinion of its classification, this album remains one of the standout full-lengths of the year.

Capguns- Day (Self-Released)

To give you an indication on the type of music Capguns makes, the North Wales quintet cite Cult of Luna, My Bloody Valentine, and Sigur Ros as primary influences. Their debut EP runs thirty minutes in length while containing only four tracks, comprised of titles such as "Drawn to the Horizon" and "Like Waves." However, the music on Day is anything but cliche, melding equal parts post-rock and scream-infused metal in presenting an excellent self-introduction.

Genaro- Genaro (Benbecula)

From electronica heavyweights Benbecula Records comes the debut album from Scottish shoegaze-pop quartet Genaro. Dark textures and melodies rise to the front here, and while Genaro does occaisionally utilize reverb and distortion, such techniques are often nothing more than restrained support for Craig Snape's rich vocal range. While 2007 has seen many debut releases indicating a promising future, Genaro marks the arrival of a legitimate post-pop powerhouse.

Holler, Wild Rose!- Our Little Hymnal (Backlight)

Our Little Hymnal might be the single most difficult 2007 record to describe, primarily because of the broad range of influences that the band draws from and seemlessly integrates into their sound. The end result, however, is a succesful product of psychedelia, post-rock, and more conventional rock structures; rather than sounding muddied or forced, Our Little Hymnal represents a sound unique in itself. If pressed, Holler, Wild Rose could be compared to something like Jeff Buckley fronting a neo-psychedelic/shoegaze band covering Sigur Ros' Agaetis Byrjun.

Pozvakowski- Microtron (PopKontroll)

Microtron picks up where 2004's Transistor left off, merging dynamic and jazz-like structures with moments of post-metal brutality. The contrast here is unaided by crescendos, and instead Pozvakowski opts for sudden rythmic pulses and the occasional use of voice samples to provide engaging compositions. Microtron is a bit more accessible than previous releases from Pozvakowski, and therefore should act to introduce the band to post-rock fans outside of their native country of Hungary.

Sleepy Eyes of Death- Streetlights for a Ribcage (Self-Released)

On Steetlights for a Ribcage, Seattle-based Sleepy Eyes of Death craft a legitimate post-rock/ shoegaze crossover album laden with synths and electronics. Although the debut album's sound ranges from the dense and cinematic to more down-tempo, restrained compositions, the band maintain an original and unique take on electronic music. Without a minute of wasted effect, Streetlights for a Ribcage represents one of the better surprises of the summer, as well as an ultimate synth-heavy soundtrack to the arrival of fall.

Wang-Wen- Seven Objects in Another Infinite Space (Fox Tail)

From the unlikely source of Dalian China comes the surprise album of the summer, and possibly the year. Melding angular post-rock moments with a noisy, textural sound akin to earlier Mono, Wang-Wen embrace the traditional crescendo-heavy epic compositions of post-rock's past and integrate melodies composed in traditional Chinese scale. On Seven Objects in Another Infinite Space, the band's third studio release, Wang-Wen prove that, even in 2007, the traditional mode of post-rock can triumph if executed correctly. Wang-Wen have produced a gem of an album, sure to introduce themselves and other Chinese post-rock artists to the rest of the world.

Photo-Journal II: The Expansion of Wire, The Nature of Dust

2007-09-09T15:49:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Releases: September 2007

2007-09-02T00:38:00.000-07:00

The month of September sees the release of several heavyweight albums: Things Falling Apart, The Enright House, and Electro Group are all scheduled to finally drop their highly-anticipated full-lengths. However, several promising debut artists (Holler! Wild Rose, Pooma, and Kerosene Daydream among others) are also planning releases that should greatly strengthen September's impact on the charts.

Atlantis- Carpe Omnium (Field Records)

Electro Group- Good Technology (Clairecords)

Holler! Wild Rose- Our Little Hymnal (Backlight Records)

Immovable Objects- Hoping It Stays Just Broken (Self-Released)

Kerosene Daydream- The Unbearable Weight of Water (Self-Released)

Monarch- If Children (Morphius Records)

Pooma- Persuader (Next Big Thing)

Televise- Sometimes Splendid Confusion (Drifting Falling)

The Enright House- Stalled In The Shadows (Self-Released)

The New Ghosts- Storms Are Beautiful (Protonatural Records/Self-Label)

Things Falling Apart- Disintegrating! (Self-Released)

Album of the Week: Orbit; Dear Beacon

2007-06-22T14:55:00.000-07:00

Orbit; Dear Beacon
Flee! To the Mammoth Canopy
Myspace

On Flee! to the Mammoth Canopy, UK four-piece Orbit; Dear Beacon present the listener with a glimpse into a brooding environment full of sonic divergence and experimentation. In short, the debut release marks the culmination of several years' effort and tribulation as well as a prolonged hiatus. As is the case with many bands,however, Orbit; Dear Beacon return from the break stronger than before in regards to song-writing and overall savvy. This fact becomes immediately palpable on opening track "Etched on Trees, We're Infinite". Ambient waves of reverbed guitar are combined with soft yet billowing strings, ultimately giving way to a shallow cascade of drums and bass. Not until the second portion, or movement, if you will, does the band delve into the traditional crescendo-laden structure. The ebb and flow of the piece is driven by an unusually strong bassline that falls into the mix opposite short bursts of tremolo and flourishing guitar. At this point on the disc, the listener is increasingly aware of Orbit; Dear Beacon's excellent use of dynamics and variety; not unlike contemporary tremolo-superstars Mono or ADTMF, the contrasting moods of Flee!... are made stronger by the fact that the band crafts its more ambient passages with the same fervor and concern obviously present in the heavier moments. This trend continues in the subsequent and concluding track "Flee! to the Mammoth Canopy". While Orbit Dear; Beacon are a bit more restrained on the final piece, the band do demonstrate a slightly heavier edge, leaning more towards a metallic sound than previously. Nonetheless, the underlying theme of contrast is well-executed and leaves the listener on a positive note. Overall, Orbit; Dear Beacon have released a solid debut, introducing themselves into a music scene desperate for individuality and new ideas. If this release is any indication, the band may be poised to become a future bright spot in instrumental rock.

The track "Flee! to the Mammoth Canopy (Part 2) " has been added to the Neosurrealist Playlist. Scroll down to check it out.

Upcoming Releases: Dreamend, The Autumns

2007-06-19T14:53:00.000-07:00

Unofficially, the month of October marks the official release date of LA's shoegaze/dream-pop quintet The Autumns. According to various sources, the band's fourth full-length album, "Fake Noise from a Box of Toys" will be released on October 10th by Bella Union. While audio samples have yet to surface, the tracklist and artwork have been set:

1. Turning Strangers into Friends and Friends into Customers (0:51)
2. Boys (2:44)
3. Clem (3:43)
4. Midnight Knock (2:18)
5. Killer in Drag (4:54)
6. Night Music (4:45)
7. Only Young (3:39)
8. Glass Jaw (3:00)
9. Uncle Sim (4:18)
10. Beautiful Boot (2:30)
11. Adelaide (4:25)
12. Oh My Heart (6:07)

Additionally, while no track-list or release date have been organized for the upcoming release of "The Long-Forgotten Friend" from post-rock/shoegaze veterans Dreamend, an mp3 sample has been circulating the internet recently. Listen to the track, titled "Are You Waking", in the new Neosurrealist Playlist mp3 player.

Notable Releases I

2007-06-09T16:51:00.001-07:00

This post represents the first of what will hopefully become a regular or semi-regular update. In lieu of the monthly music-related series, Neosurrealist will now offer segregated updates focusing specifically on charts, weekly reviews, and recent album releases/discoveries. The following list is comprised of albums discovered/released during May 2007, primarily focusing on shoegaze, post-rock, and ambient-influenced releases.

A Genuine Freakshow- 0.008%

Post-rock, Shoegaze
Self-Released, April 2007
3 Tracks, 19 mins.
*CI Rating: 5/10

Myspace

A Hundred Times Beloved- Antarctic Sunrise

Shoegaze, Electronic
Alison Records, March 2007
9 Tracks, 36 mins.
CIR: 4/10

Myspace

And So I Watch You From Afar- This Is Our Machine...

Post-rock
Self-released, March 2007
5 Tracks, 26 mins.
CIR: 5/10

Myspace

Angelic Process, The- Weighing Souls with Sand

Post-metal, Shoegaze, Drone
Profound Lore Records, May 2007
10 Tracks, 47 mins.
CIR: 6.5/10

Myspace

Aristeia- You Give Me Strength, You Give Me Patience!

Post-rock
Self-released, April 2007 (MP3)
8 Tracks, 47 mins.
CIR: 7/10

Myspace

Broaddaylight- The Bell Jar

Shoegaze
Self-Released, December 2006/January 2007
5 Tracks, 25 mins.
CIR: 4.5/10

Myspace

Bury the Sound- Autumn Magnets

Post-rock, Progressive
Hidden Shoal Recordings, June 2007
3 Tracks, 23 mins.
CIR: 4/10

Myspace

California Stories Uncovered- California Stories Uncovered

Post-rock
Self-released, April 2007
4 Tracks, 23 mins.
CIR: 6.5/10

Myspace

Coaltar of the Deepers- Tortoise EP

Shoegaze, Metal
KNIR, May 2007
4 Tracks, 20 mins.
CIR: 3.5/10

Myspace

Depreciation Guild, The- Nautilus

Shoegaze, 8-bit
8 Bit Peoples, April 2007
3 Tracks, 13 mins.
CIR: 3/10

Myspace

Echodrone- Echodrone EP

Shoegaze
Isomer Records, April 2007
4 Tracks, 29 mins.
CIR: 6/10

Myspace

Epic45- May Your Heart Be the Map

Ambient, Shoegaze
Make Mine Music, June 2007
13 Tracks, 50 mins.
CIR: 5/10

Myspace

Foxtail Somersault- Fathom

Shoegaze, Dream-pop
Self-Released, March 2007
5 Tracks, 22 mins.
CIR: 6/10

Myspace

Frail by Design- Frail by Design

Post-rock
Self-released, April 2007
4 Tracks, 22 mins.
CIR: 4/10

Myspace

Grouper- Cover the Windows and the Walls

Ambient, Shoegaze
Root Strata, April 2007
7 Tracks, 37 mins.
CIR: 7/10

Myspace

Hearts of Black Science- The Ghost You Left Behind

Electronic, Pop, Shoegaze
Club AC30, April 2007
11 Tracks, 50 mins.
CIR: 5/10

Myspace

Joy Wants Eternity- You Who Pretend to Sleep

Post-rock, Shoegaze
Beep Repaired, May 2007
8 Tracks, 38 mins.
CIR: 9/10

Myspace

Keser- Esoteric Escape

Electronic, Post-rock, Shoegaze
Alex Tronic Records, April 2007 (CD-R)
12 Tracks, 60 mins.
CIR: 5/10

Myspace

Kite Operations- Heart Attacks, Back to Back...

Shoegaze, Progressive
KOA, March 2007
9 Tracks, 48 mins.
CIR: 4.5/10

Myspace

Le Chat Blanc Orchestra- Theories Sur La Danse

Ambient
Thisquietarmy Records, May 2007
5 Tracks, 34 mins.
CIR: 5/10

Myspace

Maps- We Can Create

Electronic, Shoegaze
Mute Records, May 2007
11 Tracks, 53 mins.
CIR: 5/10

Myspace

Mixtapes & Cellmates- S/T

Electronic, Shoegaze, Pop
Nomethod Records, March 2007
10 Tracks, 38 mins.
CIR: 4.5/10

Myspace

Orbit; Dear Beacon- Flee! To the Mammoth Canopy

Post-rock
Wooden Idea Productions, May 2007
4 Tracks, 32 mins.
CIR: 5.5/10

Myspace

Portrait of a Drowned Man- Portrait of a Drowned Man

Post-rock
Automaton Records, June 2007
6 Tracks, 20 mins.
CIR: 6/10

Myspace

Rumskib- Rumskib

Shoegaze, Dream-pop
Darla Records, May 2007
12 Tracks, 45 mins.
CIR: 4/10

Myspace

Saturna- Some Delicious Enemy

Shoegaze, Psychedelic
Nexus Underground, June 2007
10 Tracks, 44 mins.
CIR: 5.5/10

Myspace

Shadow Project, The- A Beauty to Fight For

Post-rock, Electronic, Progressive
NR One Records, June 2007
10 Tracks, 57 mins.
CIR: 5/10

Myspace

Tears Run Rings- A Question and an Answer

Shoegaze, Dream-pop
Disaster Club Records, April 2007
4 Tracks, 22 mins.
CIR: 6/10

Myspace

Temjiin- Diamond Scattered Jet Black Curtain

Ambient, Electronic
9.12 Records, May 2007
5 Tracks, 27 mins.
CIR: 4.5/10

Myspace

Thrushes- Sun Come Undone

Shoegaze, Post-punk
Birdnote Records, March 2007
11 Tracks, 41 mins.
CIR: 9/10

Myspace

Union Trade, The- Now the Swell

Shoegaze, Post-rock
Tricycle Records, February 2007
4 Tracks, 26 mins.
CIR: 5/10

Myspace

Veil Veil Vanish- Into a New Mausoleum

Shoegaze, Post-punk
Self-released, April 2007
6 Tracks, 26 mins.
CIR: 5.5/10

Myspace

Music Update III: April 26, 2007

2007-04-26T15:14:00.000-07:00

In the previous month, the instrumental rock/ shoegaze scene has been graced by several excellent releases. In fact, this update marks the end of Beware of Safety's run atop the list for 2007; in its place, however, stands another remarkable album in The Weak Men's Dog. Additionally, the recently re-release of Romance of Young Tiger's CDEP, I Have Supped Full on Horrors, finds its way onto this month's Top 20 via a smart mix of ambience and walls of swirling noise. Overall, the month of April has seen the release of several strong albums that may just end up on the final Top 25 of 2007.

Current Top 20 Albums of 2007

(Previous Rank)

1. The Weak Men- Dog

2. Beware of Safety- It Is Curtains (1)

3. Explosions in the Sky- All of a Sudden, I Miss Everyone (3)

4. Romance of Young Tigers- I Have Supped Full on Horrors

5. Mono- The Phoenix Tree (Travels in Constants Vol 22)

6. Stafraenn Hakon- Gummi

7. Caspian- The Four Trees (2)

8. Efterklang- Under Giant Trees (4)

9. Portland- Adrienne (5)

10. Solar-Powered People- Solar Powered-People (9)

11. Ours to Alibi- Beacons (11)

12. Boy in Static- Violet

13. Graboids- Infinite Delay (6)

14. The Twilight Sad- Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters (12)

15. Rien- There Can't Be Any Prediction without Future

16. World's End Girlfriend- Hurtbreak Wonderland

17. Crippled Black Phoenix- A Love of Shared Disasters (10)

18. Fighterpilot- Between Homes and Travels

19. Ulrich Scnauss- Goodbye

20. Great Ocean- Ox and Tiger

Current Top 5 Tracks of 2007

1. Mono- Black Rain

2. Explosions in the Sky- It's Natural to Be Afraid

3. Beware of Safety- To The Roof! Let's Jump and Fall

4. Romance of Young Tigers- We Sing Sin

5. iLiKETRAiNS- Spencer Perceval

Notable Upcoming Releases

A Genuine Freakshow- 0.008% (April 23)

City of a Hundred Spires- Graveyard of Ships (May 4)

Rumskib- Rumskib (May 8)

Amplifier Machine- Her Mouth Is an Outlaw (May 11)

Joy Wants Eternity- For You Who Pretend to Sleep (May 22)

Dreamend- The Long-Forgotten Friend (TBA)

Photo-Journal I: April 6, 2007

2007-04-19T15:03:00.000-07:00

I photograph the things that I do not wish to paint,

the things which already have an existence.

-Man Ray

Construction I

Construction II

Construction III

Construction IV

Destruction I

Destruction II

Destruction III

Rebirth

On the upcoming Music Update for April:

Several possible albums have recently surfaced that could end Beware of Safety's dominance atop the board. Update to come soon, including new features (such as reviews and sample tracks from the highlighted album of the month).

Music Update II: March 22, 2007

2007-03-22T14:11:00.000-07:00

In order to accomadate the growing list of 2007 releases, the Top Album list will be extended to cover twenty albums. In one month, several important albums have seen releases: from Graboids Mogwai-esque sonic explorations on Infinite Delay to Jatun's dense, electronic shoegaze to Crippled Black Phoenix's fusion of folk, post-rock, and more progressive elements, March has represented the further proliferation of an already-solid list of releases.

Current Top 20 Albums of 2007

(Previous rank in parentheses)

1. Beware of Safety- It Is Curtains (1)

2. Caspian- The Four Trees (7)

3. Explosions in the Sky- All of a Sudden, I Miss Everyone (2)

4. Efterklang- Under Giant Trees (11)

5. Portland- Adrienne (3)

6. Graboids- Infinite Delay

7. Arcade Fire- Neon Bible

8. Fonoda- Eventually

9. Solar Powered People- Solar Powered People

10. Crippled Black Phoenix- A Love of Shared Disasters

11. Ours to Alibi- Beacons (4)

12. The Twilight Sad- Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters (12)

13. Nic Bommarito- Taciturn (8)

14. Tunturia- Maps

15. Odawas- Raven and the White Night

16. Olvis- Bravado

17. Jatun- Jatun

18. Yellow6- Painted Sky

19. Noise Room- The End of the Lord's Constellation

20. Sennen- Automatic Writing

Current Top 5 Tracks of 2007

1. Beware of Safety- To the Roof! Let's Jump and Fall

2. iLiKETRAiNS- Spencer Perceval

3. Crippled Black Phoenix- My Enemies I Fear Not...

4. Arcade Fire- No Cars Go

5. Graboids- Cowboy Killer

Notable Upcoming Releases

Lis Er Stlle- Apathobvious (April 10)

Weak Men- Weak Men DOG (April 13)

A Genuine Freakshow- TBA

2007-02-24T21:42:00.000-08:00

Music Update I: February 25, 2007

This post represents the first installment of what will hopefully become a monthly publication. Included is a current list of top 2007 albums and tracks, notable upcoming releases, and a mini-review of the highlighted album of the month. While not entirely based in surrealism, the artists featured in said lists and reviews represent post-rock, shoegaze, and other experimental genres that owe much to surrealist theory and contemporary exploitation.

Current Top 15 Albums of 2007

1. Beware of Safety- It Is Curtains*

2. Explosions in the Sky- All Of a Sudden, I Miss Everyone

3. Portland- Adrienne

4. Ours to Alibi- Beacons

5. Eaten by Tigers- Entropy

6. Wes Willenbring- Somewhere Someone Else

7. Caspian- The Four Trees

8. Nic Bommarito- Taciturn

9. Air Formation- Daylight Storms

10. Signal Hill- Signal Hill

11. Efterklang- Under Giant Trees

12. The Twilight Sad- Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters

13. The American Dollar- The Technicolor Sleep

14. The Pirate Ship Quintet- The Pirate Ship Quintet

15. From the Sky- Like Crystal In a World Of Glass

*Highlighted Album (review to come shortly)

Current Top 5 Tracks of 2007

1. Nic Bommarito- The Academic (Life and Afterlife)

2. Beware of Safety- To The Roof! Let's Jump and Fall

3. Caspian- Moksha

4. Wes Willenbring- Sometimes

5. Ours to Alibi- Beacons

Notable Upcoming Releases

(Click on names for Myspace links)

Wembly Shadwell- Shapeshifter (Feb. 23)

Graboids- Infinite Delay (Feb. 27)

Foxtail Somersault- Fathom (Mar. 2)

Euphoria- White Pattern (Mar. 2)

Jatun- Jatun (Mar. 6)

Tunturia- Maps (TBA)

Featured Neo Surrealist I: Denis Mezenzev (1967- Present)

2007-01-05T13:07:00.000-08:00

Website

Denis Mezenzev, left, and Ernst Fuchs.

With overt influences such as Dali, De Chirico, and even Matta, Russian contemporary surrealist Denis Mezenzev is considered by many as an ideal representation of the surrealist mode within 21st century context. Much of Mezenzev's skill came naturally, and as a result, early works such as 'Still-Life with Skull,' produced in his first year of schooling, remain indicative of Mezenzev's talent level and vision. Recent exhibitions include The Ernst Fuchs Gallery in Vienna (2003), Riegersburgh (2004), and the Helena Roerich Art College (2006).

WORKS:

'Still-Life with Skull'

'Entropy', part of 'Biomechanics' series

'Gentle Ass'

'Russian Bear', part of 'UFO' series

'In Memory of Beksinsky'