Foundcloud #3

Here's my breaking of the long absence (day off from work, to the max), with two more tracks pulled from my Soundcloud 'favourites' folder (or 'likes', as they're now called in the infinitely cool 'New Soundcloud')...

And on we go!

Falling Stacks - Husky

First thing that struck me about this track was the highly Steve Albini-esque production: aggressive drums, noisy guitars, a good grasp of dynamics (as can be heard particularly towards the end of the track, as the loud noise gives way to some wicked funkiness from the rhythm section), and a general rawness akin to that that can be heard in Albini productions like P. J. Harvey’s Rid Of Me and Pixies’ Surfer Rosa.

This, of course, is definitely a good thing, as I generally see Albini’s as pretty much the apex of good production as far as this sort of noisy punk-influenced rock goes: suitably raw and lo-fi, without neglecting the vital (yet frequently somewhat ignored) components of bass and drums.

Fittingly, the other aspects of Falling Stacks’ music bring to mind the sort of band who’d work with Albini – the semi-spoken vocals competing with the angry instrumentation shouting lines like “...and that dog doesn’t look like a husky; it’s way too skinny...” and (I think) “... I see 1000 images, I just walk around all day...” brings to mind Andy ‘Falco’ Falkous, of Future of the Left, and formerly of Mclusky.

I Am Halo - Little Planet

With a title like ‘Little Planet’, and a genre that is listed by the artist as ‘Moon Addict’, one wouldn’t be blamed for expecting something spacey and otherworldly. Furthermore, one shouldn’t, because ‘Little Planet’ is definitely very spacey.

I should elaborate that this “spaceyness” isn’t so much in the vein of classically ‘spaced-out’ bands like Spacemen 3 or Bardo Pond, but more reflective of a sort of human wistfulness towards the stars that can be heard in Radiohead’s ‘Subterranean Homesick Alien’ or in the work of ‘90s post-rock band Laika – more a feeling of looking up in wonderment and curiosity at the vast expanse of space.

In track, I Am Halo’s wistful, spacey atmosphere is fuelled by the dreamy electronics, flutes, and echoing guitars; dreamlike lyrics like “in the forest, I’m wandering lost” and “little planet watching me from above” that are earthbound yet unquestionably looking upwards; and the general production of the track, which is characterised by dense layering of these elements and by a liberal use of reverb.

As interesting and adventurous as it is accessible, this track is highly recommended, and also available on I Am Halo’s Bandcamp page, on his self-titled album: http://iamhalo.bandcamp.com/album/i-am-halo