We are disco doom REVENGE - Connect the Machine to the Lips

We are disco doom Revenge is a brand new discovery for me. I really don't know anything more than that French producer Francis Esteves is the man behind it. What we are given here are 7 tracks that could be described as something like post-electro shoegaze or just plainly good music with interesting melodies. There are guest vocals on most tracks, but except for Stuporman where Th'Mole is doing his thing, I would have prefered to have the rest of the tracks instrumental. The vocals on the other tracks don't really bring anything to the songs, and then I would much rather enjoy the music on its own. It will be interesting to follow Francis Esteves, I'm sure he will come up with more interesting things in the future.

Rating: 5.5/10

Sadistik - City in Amber feat. Lotte Kestner

New video from Sadistik's upcoming album Flowers For My Father that drops on Fake Four Inc. Feb 19th.

Boogie Boy Metal Mouth - BRN.TH.FCKN.house.DWN

Spanking new video from Boogie Boy Metal Mouth. Their self named tape drops on I had An Accident Records on Feb 5.

Boogie Boy Metal Mouth - 'BRN. TH. FCKN.house.DWN' from iraleeiswack on Vimeo.

Two Reviews of Boogie Boy Metal Mouth - Boogie Boy Metal Mouth

Michael's review:

I love when music surprises you, when what pops up is something that you hadn't expected at all. Boogie Boy Metal Mouth is a definitive surprise. I've been keeping track of DJ Emoh Betta for a few years now, and always wondered when I would hear something a bit different from him. Not saying that I haven't liked what he's been involved with up to this, far from it. Him being part of a track is almost always a good sign. But I've always felt that there was a bit more noize hidden in him somewhere. A bit more punk aesthetics. And here it is.
Here he's teamed up with J.Ring, a dude I never heard of before. What a nice introduction it is. The combination of J.Ring's vocals and the productions of Emoh is a match made in heaven. 12 tracks of something that feels unique is what we're presented with here. They have taken punk rock, blues, hip hop and rock and thrown it all into a blender, and what a tasty result the end product is. Ever since I first heard it, it's been on daily rotation in my headphones. The only thing that stands in the way of this being an amazing record is that I feel something is missing. I can't really put my finger on what, but I guess I miss some kind of framework that holds it together better. Standout tracks include Eat It In Your Face, Downstairs Neighbor (Ode to Koala) and Maybe You Lie. The album is released on cassette on I had An Accident Records in February. 

Jessika's review:

It grows, and grows ….and grows…and you are hooked! This album is something that you just HAVE TO give some time. After a few listening’s I can almost assure you that you will get addicted. Yes addiction can be a good thing, in this case, it’s brilliant!

This is something that you put on when you need a fresh slap in the face. Excellent stuff for a party or why not, loud in your headphones on a Monday morning when you really need a jump-start and a kick in the arse to get you going. Warning: not to be used for chilling and candlelit dinners!!!

Like most of the reviews before this I haven’t heard these two guys before, but now I’m really glad that I have. From what I understand this is their first project and well done I must say. Put all genres of music you can come up with, mix them all together and you’d think it would come out bad, but these guys have made a mixture that is seasoned just perfectly with all the right components from different genres of music. Again, well done! One thing that brings it down a bit could be that it kind of leaves you a bit scattered because you don’t really know what you are listening to, but who knows maybe that’s done on purpose.

Having a soft spot for blues I have to take my hat of to, for example the track, Downstairs Neighbor (ode to Koala). This track really has that smokey old time blues vibe to it.

And yes yes yes … oh … how many times can I express my love for the rough guitars? Thanks guys for using them a lot!

I could go on and on about this, but that would take your time from actually listening to it, so I’ll stop right here and let you too get addicted!   

Michael's rating: 7.5/10
Jessika's rating: 7/10

Penny - Twenties Hungry : The Unbound Anthems of Yesteryear

I must say that Fake Four Inc's been extremely generous with good music lately. First came the amazing Mockingbird by Tommy V, and now it's time for a record from yet another greatly missed artist. Back in 2002-2003 I stumbled across the record The Clockforth Movement by accident. I had never heard of the artist Penny before, but felt like I needed to check it out. And I'm glad I did. That album was among my favourite releases that year, and from time to time I still listen to it and enjoy it very much. After the compilation Miscellanea a few years later, things have more or less been quiet from this amazing emcee. Apart from a guest spot on an old Ceschi track as well as being part of Endemik Music's Mega Posse Cut, I haven't heard a single thing up until now. And how I missed her! Even though Twenties Hungry: The Unbound Anthems of Yesteryear is a compilation of tracks written and recorded between 2003-2006, not a single track sounds outdated. Far from it. They just show what a great talent she is, and that she was way ahead of many of her contemporaries back then. What we get here is 8 tracks that all stand on their own, and that will be on constant rotation in my headphones for quite some time. The only downside to this is that now I will look forward to hearing new material from her even more than before. Just imagine what she will be able to create today!

Rating: 7/10

Thegntlmn - Earbuds vol 1 & 2

If you like your beats with a bit of jazz attached to it, then perhaps Earbuds vol. 1 & 2 is something for you. Thegntlmn is a producer hailing from Perth, Australia, and his sound is simple but quite beautiful at times. Piano pieces, sound clips and turntablism all put together gives us an enjoyable listen. This is far from exciting, but that doesn't mean it's not worth checking out. Music for that ride home from the club.

Rating: 5/10

Tommy V - Mockingbird

Talk about a good way to end last year and begin 2013! Ever since Quarter Life Crisis and 4-Track Folklore dropped back in 2001-2002, I have been looking forward to a new full length record from Tommy V. And now it's here courtesy of Fake Four Inc. And quite frankly, no other label would make sense considering his long history with the Ramos brothers. I wasn't really sure what to expect though after all these years, but I shouldn't have worried. From the get-go, it's amazing, personal and often funny music that comes out of the speakers. Here we have an artist that isn't afraid to do exactly what he wants, and I tip my hat for that. This might not be for lovers of typical commercial hip hop, but then again, hip hop with intelligence and heart never is. Mockingbird is a most welcomed comeback, and no Tommy, you most certainly don't come wack! And guess what? It's available as a name your price download right here.

Rating: 7/10

Noah23 - Wingfoot

Did anyone really believe that Noah23 was retiring for good? In the rap game, retirement for some reason rarely lasts longer than a year. Then they are back as if nothing happened. Part of me is happy that he's back, part of me don't care at all. He's released a lot of good material throughout the years, but since he's one of those that releases tons of stuff, he's also dropped quite a lot of bad records too. It felt like he somehow had found himself when he signed up with Fake Four Inc. to release Fry Cook on Venus. He felt secure, had good tunes all the way through and it was a solid album. Wingfoot feels like a bit of step back. Not bad, but just that this is something that we've heard from him before. A shame really, but I'm sure he will release a new full length album in a week or two. 

Rating: 5/10

Soundtrack to Week 52

Hyvää Joulua - beats, breaks & big smiles vol. 3.5

Do you need a last minute soundtrack to the holidays? Look no further. I decided to dust off last year's Christmas compilation and give it another turn. Give it a listen if you want something a bit out of the ordinary songs to celebrate the fat, jolly dude with. Just go here to download.

Soundtrack to Week 51

Honourable Mentions

This year was truly a great one for albums, so it was a bit tricky to decide which ones should end up on the top ten. Here are 4 albums that just as easily could have ended up on it if you ask me. Aesop Rock, Prosperous, Kodacrome and Home all released amazing records this year, so I feel that they deserve some attention too.

#1 The Tallest Man on Earth - There's No Leaving Now

I could easily go on and on about why There's No Leaving Now is the best album of this year, and why The Tallest Man on Earth is my favourite artist these last few years. But I won't. I will just post the title track and leave it with that. If you don't get it after listening to it, then you will never get it.

#2 babelfishh & oskar ohlson - We'd Rather Not

I've said it earlier during this countdown, and I'll say it again. 2012 has definitely been babelfishh's year. Nothing that man has touched has been other than amazing, and nothing more so than his latest collaboration with the lovely oskar ohlson. Indie pop and underground hip hop blending in the most extraordinary way. Not one single note or lyric is misplaced here, and it all boils down to pure musical joy!.

As for oskar's own favourite of the year:

It's not easy to decide on one musical highlight for 2012, there are so many to choose from... But after thinking about it for a while I think I have a winner. While 2012 had quite a few new releases I really love, my choice is actually a reissue: the Neutral Milk Hotel vinyl box.
Packed in a beautiful cardboard box, you get all the NMH releases on vinyl: both albums on 12'' vinyl in gate-fold covers, the Everything Is EP with some bonus tracks on 10'', plus a 10'' titled 1992-1995 with seven unreleased Jeff Mangum studio demos(!!) and one live song. Three 7''s, of which one is a picture disc, also with some previously unreleased songs, and two beautifull posters.
The packaging is just amazing! And with the box beeing self-released (and seemingly only self-distributed) there's no need for any barcodes either.
And the music... Neutral Milk Hotel are defenitly one of my all time favourites! There's very few, if any, records that get as intense as In the Aeroplane Over the Sea! ...and rarely have I been so excited about "new" archival demo recordings as I am with those on here. Boy, do they deliver!
I remember when the box arrived in the mail (or rather after I picked it up from the customs...grrr) I took the rest of the day off and just listened to each record in its entirety. Such genius! ...and so heartbreaking!
yap, that's it.
cheers!

oskar

#3 David Ramos - Sento La Tua Mancanza

If there is one guy who genuinely wore his heart on his sleeve this year, it has to be David Ramos. He released the most beautiful celebration of his grand mother that no matter what I would try to put into words only would cheapen it all. What I can say is that Sento La Tua Mancanza constists of 14 of the most heartfelt and amazing songs that came out this year, and listening to it brings daily joy.

I asked David to give as a glimpse into what he felt about the music 2012, and this is what he said: 

• Truthfully, I listen to a lot of music that I dont really know when it came out. Constant rotation includes Little Wings and Bad Brains back catalougues. But for this year a lot of exciting music has come out. Where to start.....Factor. Factor is so talented and I've been lucky enough to hear what he and Ceschi have been working on. The 2 of them together is an instant classic in my mind. I've also been listening to my friend, Max Heath's project(child actor-victory) a lot, and I really love it. It is not normally the type of content and genre (meaning love songs) that I usually go crazy for, but damn I listen to the shit out of that CD. I did a short run with cars & trains and G-pep, and both of their albums are, in my opinion, their best work to date. I was lucky enough to play drums for Greg, so that new album really stuck to me. There is so much more, but I'll try to be brief. I notice that so far i've only listed Fake Four shit....however, one of my favorite EPs of the year is from Erin Rae and the meanwhiles, Crazy Talk. She is from Nashville (along with Beards and Spoken Nerd) and she is an incedible talent. Please take a look at some of her live videos on the web. There is a lot more.... I of course listen to DTS all the time, and think they are one of the best hip-hop groups today. Zavala is simply a genius. He knows what he is doing, and he just gets better and better. However, my last mention will not be Fake Four.... Ramshackle Glory is my most listened to band of the year. I was luck enough to play a show with them and make a video for them, and their show, lyrics, and music inspired me. They inspired me to be less cynical, while still not being completely cheesy political music. I don't want to say too much about this music, and the experience of their show, because I don't think I could fairly depict it without making it sound corny. Anyways, if you havent listened to them, please give them a good 5 listens. I almost forgot, the new P.O.S is out of this world.  god, and everything oskar ohlson has done this year has been outstanding. That sounds like a forced after thought, but it should have been the first thing I mentioned. And how can I forget about the new music from Tommy V. and rickoLus....I listen to a lot of rickolous and a lot of Electric President.....not sure about when they came out...In fact, I don't really know what day it is today.

  
  

#4 El-P - Cancer 4 Cure

El Producto. Few artists out there are as consistent, yet experimental and daring, as him. Ever since the days of Company Flow he's gone from strength to strength and never disappointed in any way. He's really found his own unique musical G-Spot which time and again produces musical orgasm after musical orgasm. Cancer 4 Cure is no different, and listening to it makes me smile a bit shamefully each time. 

#5 WHY? - Mumps, etc.

I could try to explain what makes WHY? so special and unique, but I would be lost for words. Yoni Wolf put words to everything so much easier and that's why he's probably my favourite songwriter out there. Anything he puts down on the pad is pure gold if you ask me, and combined with the amazingly mature, but still cheeky sound of the group, they are always top 10 in my heart. Mumps, etc. is not their best album to date, but even their worst moments kick the living daylights out of most acts trying to make music.

I asked Yoni what he felt had been special during the year, and he answered:

I've been listening a lot to the new Kendrick Lamar album, good kid, m.A.A.d city. Also like Frank Ocean's Channel Orange a lot.

Little Eskimo Jesus - Could You Please Be Quiet, Please?

A new record featuring Ira Lee...

Rating music: 6/10
Rating lyrics/vocals: -/10

#6 babelfishh - Howl Bender

What a joy this tape brought me when I first heard it. Noise, grit, beats and babelfishh. What more do you really need? This year has definitely been his year, and it seems like there's no end to what he's capable of. Cassettes might not be everyone's favourite media, but I wouldn't want Howl Bender any other way. The marriage between babelfishh and I had An Accident Records must be a match made in heaven.  667.

Soundtrack to Week 50