Album of the Week: Orbit; Dear Beacon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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'

Top 20 Underrated Albums of 2006

Top 20 Underrated Albums of 2006 Mix

20. Horror! Horror!: Footnotes

Myspace

19. 24hourflu: 24hourflu

Myspace

18. 8mm Sky: Finders Keepers

Myspace

17. Love, Anna: Love, Anna

Myspace

16. Vopat: Tell Them We Are Dead

Myspace

15. Autokinoton: The Furnace Room Demos

Myspace

14. Kilion and Mahlon: Kilion and Mahlon

Myspace

13. My Exit Music: Someday Zero

Myspace

12. The Big Sleep: Son of the Tiger

Myspace

11. Hotel, Hotel: Allheroesareforeverbold

Myspace

10. Odelia: Songs for a Clownfish

Myspace

9. Solaire: Explosives to My Body

Website

8. Worriedaboutsatan: Worriedaboutsatan

Myspace

7. Radio Deception: A Nation Deceived, A Nation Divided

Myspace

6. Iona: A Noise

Myspace

5. Things Falling Apart: We Carry Our Fate in Plain Sight

Myspace

4. Yellow Capra: YC

Myspace

3. Apse: Spirit

Myspace

2. Phoenix and the Turtle: Sundays Are a Good Day for Relaxing

Myspace

1. iLiKETRAiNS: Progress Reform

Myspace