CD Review: Tapebenders' 'Chasing Ghosts'

Tapebenders
Chasing Ghosts
Self-Release

The Milwaukee-based psychedelic rock group, Tapebenders (formerly Elusive Parallelograms), releases an anthology of music previously released on earlier LPs and EPs. The rock music contains a bit of electronica that includes showers of metallic sparks and dreamy sequences that are varied and very deliberate. The concise playing style brings to life the progressive pop side of the music without venturing too far away from psychedelic or rock genres. The gritty "60 MPH" is an instrumental rock gem with vocals resembling Blink 182 and rock riffs not too far away from a punk vein. "Nuclear Man" is another fine electronic tune with big guitars, drums, and keyboards with vocals that are playful and adventurous. The sounds reverberate with spacey electronics and spacious licks. "Absolution" is a rock anthem with fuzzy guitars and psychedelic noises that include a bit of progressive and experimental music that is jingly, memorable, and cinematic. The entire thirteen-track release provides a great picture of what Tapebenders can do. Think of Fractal Cat meets Blink 182 with The Devlins close behind. 5 Stars (out of 5) ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Kicklighter's 'The Fantastic Thinking Machine'

Kicklighter
The Fantastic Thinking Machine
Self-Release

Kicklighter is formed by Everett Young, a guitarist, pianist, and political psychologist, that incorporates pop hooks, acoustic, easy listening, and folk-rock rhythms and melodies that explore various topics. The Tallahassee, Florida-based musician, takes a down-tempo and jazzy vein on "The Sultan Of Brunei." "Until You See The Sun" begins with a spacey and ambient wash that fuses contemporary percussion and new wave sounds in an engaging structure that is sure to satisfy. "Kid" is a folksy ballad with great vocals and a catchy, pop hook. "The Professor" takes an academic approach to songwriting and arranging with a laid-back composition and classic vocals with equally-fascinating instrumentation. Overall, the album spans eleven tracks around fifty-minutes. The vocals and some instrumentation is akin to Fractal Cat, The Gufs, Mysteries Of Life, and Owsley. The new wave, folk, ballad, and pop influences are rarely observed in today's music. The vocals are clear and appropriate throughout. The music is never rushed or contrived. Fans of great contemporary music with a historic edge will love Kicklighter's new release. 5 Stars (out of 5). ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Fractal Cat's 'The Eye In The Dawn'

Fractal Cat
The Eye In The Dawn
Self-Release

Fractal Cat is a Baltimore-based band that uses psychedelic melodies and rock structures with angelic male vocals to create a spacious, trippy, and rocked-out recording of pure musical pleasure. The poetic lyrics and extended rock outros are characteristics of jam music from the 1960’s and 70’s. However, you better shed your bell-bottoms and corduroy, because these guys are here in the present era. The real charm of the music is the vocal arrangements by Keith Jones and Miles Gannett. There are groovy bass lines, synth embellishments, sparkling harp sounds, and ambulating guitars. “Home” contains soft and loud moments, but the vocals are never over-used or beyond the natural vocal ranges. The end of the song contains a wicked bass, guitar, and percussion outro. “Foxfire” is an up-tempo song with more electric guitar spunk than the previous track. “Some Angel” opens with a dreamy harp and acoustic guitar that melds into a percussion-rich, folksy ballad seemingly coming out of the 1970’s pop scene. The short song is one of the best songs composed in any genre or era—bar none. The harp medley mid-song is a great homage to throwback folk music. “Autumnal Days” contains a beautiful instrumental set-up with choppy guitars, great horn sounds, and a jaunty rhythm with vocals akin to The Gufs. In a similar manner, “Little By Little” contains great guitar riffs, vocals, and more structured chorus with guitar work resembling Oasis. The psychedelic blurbs and electronic tonal qualities are evident on “Nightshade” and “The Calling.” These two tracks could be slightly influenced by the electronic band, Air. At any rate, fans of contemporary psychedelic rock and pop with some electronic and folk wanderings should check out Fractal Cat today! Get Fractal(led)—I did! ~ Matthew Forss