Author: audioeclectica

New Music Friday: April 8, 2022

Lots of killer tunes and albums came out this past week. We’ve got new music from Centershift, Vexes, Loather, Rammstein, Decapitated (feat Tatiana from Jinjer), Helms Alee, and Dalek (feat Adam Jones of Tool). Check out these jams and let me

Centershift- And So (Featuring Tallulah of Grumpy Plum):


Vexes- Low Choices:


Loather- Snake Oil:

Rammstein- Zick Zack:

Decapitated- Hello Death (featuring Tatiana of Jinjer):

Helms Alee- Tripping Up The Stairs:

Dalek- A Heretic’s Inheritance (featuring Adam Jones of Tool):

Band Of The Week: Tangients

I love it when I hear a band and while listening to their songs I get to that moment of “ahhhh.” A while back I came across a post punk band that realy intrigued me. The other elements they had in their music like shoegaze, dream pop, and even the bit of a pop sensibility really peaked my interest and the rest was history. Allow me to introduce you to Tangients. This post-punk-gaze duo is absolutely awesome. Vocalist Chelsea Ray has this intensity to the way she sings that you must hear to believe. The sonic textures of guitars, bass, noise, melody and ambience by Be Hussey adds to the incredible intensity of the vocals. I’ve tried to come up with a good comparison of what I’d describe Tangients as and I think I’ve come up with quite a good one. Think Siouxie and The Banshees mixed with a bit of Bjork, The Cure and a tinge of Portishead. I also am thrilled to announce that TANGIENTS will be a part of Audioeclectica’s Birthday Bash, Friday May 6, 2022 at The Federal in North Hollywood! Get your tickets HERE!!!!

Tangients- White Foam:


Tangients- Hazel:

New Release: Rammstein- Zick Zack

Rammstein have a new album coming out on April 29 called Zeit. They’ve released a new single and video ahead of the release for their song Zick Zack. Rammstein’s videos have always bee interesting and depending on the subject matter rather playful. The lyrics for the track and the video deal with what is nowadays often a compulsive tendency on the part of the individual towards self-optimization, sometimes through radical alteration of the visual appearance by use of the scalpel. And it’s all done in a way that only Rammstein can do it!

Rammstein- Zick Zack:

Cover Song: Covert Stations (The Psychedelic Furs) Love My Way

There are certain people and voices that when I think of particular songs I can hear that person’s voice singing it. A couple weeks back I got a message from a favorite vocalist of mine that I’ve written about quite a few times. Craig Cirinelli (Damn, This Desert Air, Depsite The Raven, Hidden Cabins) told me about this new project he’s working on called Covert Stations, that explores different songs from the 70’s and 80’s and puts his and a collaborative spin on them. The first song released is “Love My Way” by The Psychedelic Furs. And funny enough, when I got to what song it was and clicked the link, I knew instantly that the vocals on this were gonna rock. Interestingly on this song, the drums were provided by Larry Suglio of the band Digicide, who were one of the early bands of the week featured on Audioeclectica. The Quality Of Mercury guitarist Jeremiah Rouse rounds out the collaborative band on this one. The cover itself is a good one. It’s got this cool atmospheric moodiness in a fun 80’s playful way, especially with the keyboards. The guitars add a cool accent to it, layering the synths and giving it more texture.


Covert Stations- Love My Way (The Psychedelic Furs):

Album Review: If It Kills You- Invisible Self

If It Kills You is one of my absolute favorite bands I’ve come across in a long time. Ever since I heard their EP Infinite Hum a couple years back, I’ve been pretty damn impressed with this band. They are the perfect blend of all the things to love about the 90’s rock/post-hardcore but in today’s world.

Invisible Self is an album that deserves immediate attention. It’s an honest album that really you can hear the blood, sweat and tears that went into it. The sonic bursts of ecstasy that permeate through the speakers are beyond enjoyable as the tones and layers provide a welcoming trance that propels you through the albums nine songs. Having Jim Ward of Sparta/At The Drive In in the producers chair for the album, the members of If It Kills You took strides to make sure this was on a different level. Each instrument is soaked in an intensity that most modern bands and albums would be envious of. The passion that the four members put into this album really shows with the performances. Vocally and lyrically Justin Martin really stepped up and took things to a different dimension with some of the songs and melodies. The dual guitars of Justin Martin and Kevin Clark are superbly strong and the push pull of leads and rhythms create this awesome tension in the songs. The rhythm section of Mikee Lee and Tyler Patterson is one hell of a force to be reckoned with. I don’t want to spoil this album so I will forgo a track by track explanation. Know this though, there isn’t one song on this album that shouldn’t be there. Appearances from Shelby Cinca (Frodus), Ben Davis (Sleepytime Trio, Bats and Mice), and Bill Taylor (Songs for Snakes), violinist Jordan Belardes and Jim Ward give the songs an extra tinge of something special.

This is one of my favorite albums of the year. Every time I listen to it, I find something else to love about it. In a world full of stale and bland music and bands, If It Kills You provides that breath of fresh air. They are an inspired bunch creating music that is powerful and has depth. Invisible Self is definitely an album that fits in with 2022. As the nine songs begin to end, the moment it does, the compelling feeling to start it over is ever present. This album is only cracking the surface for the heights that If It Kills You can go.

Overall Rating: A

If It Kills You- Invisible Self:

The Other Side: EM The Master

One of the things I really enjoy about this topic is getting to share bands/artists that you wouldn’t normally expect. A few weeks ago I was at a show and I saw someone that was quite intriguing. It was more than just seeing a band. There was a theatrical aspect to the show without being over the top and campy. An element of surprise and mystique made this performance all the more interesting. With this in mind let me introduce you to EM The Master. Her music is a mix of alternative rock, pop, classical and a tinge of dance. On her debut EP, What I Want To Say To You, it tells the story of her feelings of being a rape survivor. The full length follow up REBORN, chronicled her healing. EM’s ability to channel that experience into songs that give power, hope and strength to other survivors shows her brutally honest approach to her music. The performance aspect of what accompanies the songs makes it all come to life. That’s when you need to go see this all come together. The way EM works the room accentuating certain lyrics and at those moments in the song is pretty damn awesome to watch happen. EM The Master currently holds residencies at historic Harvelles Blues Club in LA, speakeasy The Red Door of Toluca Lake, and The End of South Bay as well as other venues across Los Angeles (FRIDAY APRIL 1 at The Federal in North Hollywood).

What I Want To Say To You:

REBORN:

Anticipated Albums: Godmother- Obeveklig

Oh boy!!! This is exciting!! A few years back I heard about the band Godmother in an interview with Ben Weinman of The Dillinger Escape Plan. Basically he was raving about them and how they were the next in line. Fast forward a few months later, I finally got to see Godmother live when they made a stop in LA with Cult Leader at The Satellite/Spaceland (R.I.P.). What a show it was. They were amazing live and it was honestly one of the most fun I had at a show in a long time. There was even an impromptu limbo contest mid set on the floor of the venue. Anyways, Godmother are badass and heavy as all hell. I’ve been waiting a hell of a long time for some new jams from them and today that happened in the form of the song “Teething” from their upcoming EP, Obeveklig (Out May 6)! This track is a blistering minute and a half of heavy! ENJOY!


Deep Cuts: Foo Fighters- Come Back

Ever since the news broke that Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters died I’ve gone back through their catalog and marveled at some of the songs that Taylor played on. He was an absolute beast on the drums. There are certain songs I heard during this delve that hit me in different ways. One song that really got me (and is actually a top 5 favorite Foo’s song) is “Come Back” the last song on their great album, One By One. This track is epic, heavy, melodic, dynamic in all the right places and the one thing that really sells it is the drum performance by Taylor. He really nailed this one. If I had to pick a Foo’s song that shows off his dynamic range as a player and power I’d go for this one instantly. It’s so damn good I can’t get enough of listening to it. Interestingly this song was only ever played live once in 2002. Taylor Hawkins you will be missed greatly. The couple times I met him he was a super nice guy and took time to chat for a few minutes.

Foo Fighters- Come Back:

Memorable TV Performances: The Smashing Pumpkins- Disarm on 1994 MTV VMA’s

Very recently The Smashing Pumpkins song “Disarm” celebrated 28 years since its release as a single. To this day, that song still gives me goosebumps. It’s such a poignant song and one of those that will absolutely stand the test of time. This performance of “Disarm” is quite different than the one you find on the masterpiece that is Siamese Dream. Just watch and listen!!


The Smashing Pumpkins- Disarm (Live at the 1994 MTV VMA’s):

Deep Cuts: White Zombie- Warp Asylum

The other day I was watching an interview with 3/4 of White Zombie as they were talking about the 30th anniversary of the album, La Sexorcisto Devil Music Vol 1. It’s quite a good interview with really good stories about the making of the album and the early years of the band before their eventual breakup. The moment the interview was over, I put on La Sexorcisto and it took me back to when I first heard it when I was a kid. The songs are still kick ass, the production on it is crisp and punchy and the album still holds up great! Of course everyone knows the song “Thunder Kiss 65” but the real gems on this album are the deep cuts. My favorite of those deep cuts happens to be the last song on the album “Warp Asylum.” I love this song. It’s got all the right groove and is the perfect ending to this great album! Now how about a damn White Zombie Reunion Already!!!


White Zombie- Warp Asylum: