26 May 2011 - 0 Comments

WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS – GOLD IN THE SHADOW – CD 

William Fitzsimmons is equal parts songwriter and psychotherapist, creating captivating music which uniquely melds depravity, honesty, and autobiography into a counter intuitively seamless whole.

The appeal of Fitzsimmons’ sound is indicative of his unique upbringing and consequent life experience. Born and raised in Pennsylvania by two blind parents, Fitzsimmons grew up in a home where sound - particularly music – was integral to communication. His parents had an assortment of guitars, pianos and other instruments, and introduced young William to the music of James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen, among others.

For many years, armed with a Master's degree in counseling from GenevaCollege, he worked as a mental health therapist, and only began recording his songs during graduate school breaks.

While previous releases have been a detailed and agonizing retelling of events, the new album ‘Gold In The Shadow’ is about Fitzsimmons’ personal regeneration in the aftermath of those experiences.

For Fans of: City and Colour, Angus & Julia Stone

PREFUSE 73 – THE ONLY SHE CHAPTERS – CD

Following 10+ years and 7 albums at the forefront of hiphop and avant rock, most recently mixing, co-producing and touring with Daniel Lopatin (Oneothtrix Point Never, Games) and collaborating with the likes of TV On The Radio, Ghostface Killah, Battles, Mos Def, José Gonzales, Blonde Redhead and Zach Hill to name a few, Herren’s compositions and interactions have clearly helped to shape the sonic palette of independent music. 

The Only She Chapters sees Herren move into modern compositional work, which brings us to The Only She Chapters – a body of music closer in spirit to esteemed modern compositional pieces, rather than a record built fundamentally around beats and loops.

This can be seen as a departure from other albums but it's not a departure intended to leave people feeling alienated or baffled.

For Fans of: DJ Shadow, Fourtet, Bibio

YOUNG WIDOWS – IN AND OUT OF YOUTH AND LIGHTNESS – CD

Hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, three piece Post Hardcore band Young Widows take a slightly different approach with there 3^rd album and come up trumps.

They haven’t abandoned the old heaviness prevalent on their previous two outings, merely harnessed it in a way which adds to a depth not seen before. The first 2 albums slapped you around the face like a spurned lover, pounding from start to finish with abrasive hardcore punk rock. This album leans towards a psych-rock experience and satisfies in ways you wouldn’t of expected. It’s the sign of a good band that can switch styles yet still deliver the goods, the sound of a band maturing and all the better for it.

For Fans of: These Arms Are Snakes, Refused, At The Drive In

DANCE GAVIN DANCE – DOWNTOWN BATTLE MOUNTAIN II – CD

Post Hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance return with there 4^th studio album featuring all of the original members from the band's ground breaking debut album ‘Downtown Battle Mountain’, their largest selling album to date (and a must-have for any screamo fan), but sure to be eclipsed on this epic new sonic adventure. 

The band continues to push the envelope with intricate time signatures and tempo changes, while maintaining the sense of melody and urgency that listeners have come to rely on.

Critics and fans who are curious to see vocalist Jonny Craig's (also of Emarosa) return to the band that gave him his start will not be disappointed. This is easily Craig's best and most dynamic work to date – the band could be described as soulful prog-screamo, with Jonny and original screamer Jon Mess trading vocal blows.

For Fans of: Emarosa, Tides of Man, Chiodos

THE SWINGIN’ UTTERS – HERE, UNDER PROTEST – CD

The Swingin’ Utters finally ended a 7 year drought by entering the studio and recording a brand new full-length record titled 'Here, Under Protest'.

As always the song structures on each track reflect the utters’ advanced degree of musicianship through a fabric of clever guitar work, well timed hooks, and captivatingly interwoven vocal melodies. Of course, all of this is tempered with the grit and edge the band has always been known for.

As is custom for the utters, the album features alternating vocalists (Johnny, Darius, and Spike), but this time around they’ve added the fluid lead vocal abilities of guitarist Jack Dalrymple (famous for his work in One Man Army and Dead To Me) to the mix. From top to bottom every song on Here, Under Protestis.

For Fans of: Social Distortion, Dead To Me, Dropkick Murphy’s

MATTHEWDAVID – OUTMIND – CD

Brainfeeder continue to push the boundaries of music and blur the lines of modern electronic music.  

Peel back a layer of smog from the LA sky and fold yourself into the blanket of haze. Matthewdavid’s music reflects beautiful, fleeting moments and magnifies them. Matthewdavid's compositions float like crackling clouds, antenna amplifying the dreams of the city below.

The songs unveiled on Outmind are destined for infinite replay. Light, gauzy moments blend with those densely layered. The biggest swing gives way to the slowest sway. These are classic jams obscured in fuzz and fog. Nostalgic jeeps bump invisibly to thumping bass. Outmind was lovingly crafted and resonates with Matthewdavid's heartfelt glow. His music's mysterious simplicity sparks senses.  

For Fans of: Flying Lotus, Gonjasufi

Thanks to www.border.co.nz for this story.

Comments

Return to News Archive