Right, into the new releases breach once more…
The Comet Is Coming – Trust In The Lifeforce Of The Deep Mystery. Sax, synth, drums, pretty great, a futuristic cyber punk version of jazz rock without being John Zorn-esque skronk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yEM-IgR69Y&index=37&list=PL9tY0BWXOZFuiE7QFMzvaTuhXleCaAc52
Time Grove – More Than One Thing. You wait for one album of forward-facing modern jazz… etc etc These guys are more multi-faceted and slightly mellower than TCIC, but similarly inventive: https://timegroveproject.bandcamp.com/album/more-than-one-thing
Jack Hues Quartet & Syd Arthur – Nobody’s Fault But My Own. 21 minute ambient/jazz/rock improv cover of a Beck track, very reminiscent in places of yer Talk Talk and yer Bark Psychosis. Jack Hues is the bloke who used to be in Wang Chung, but don’t hold that against him, this is rather nice: https://jackhuesthequartetftsydarthur.bandcamp.com/album/nobodys-fault-but-my-own
Rustin Man – Drift Code. Ooh, did somebody mention Talk Talk. Here’s Paul Webb’s latest, 12 years on or something from the last one he did with Beth Gibbons. And he’s singing on this one, and blimey, he’s got quite a decent voice, bit like a more gravelly Robert Wyatt. There’s a LOT to take in on this album, but suspect it’s very good indeed. Imagine if TT had been led by Nick Cave instead of Mark Hollis… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgBs42v3l0k
Pond – Tasmania. I have somehow managed to not hear the previous seven Pond albums, so difficult to judge, but I would say that they’ve plotted a similar stylistic course as their mate Kevin Parker aka Mr Tame Impala ie. from stoner/cosmic psych to that kind of digital/electro pop/rock thing that gets Guardian reviewers indecently excited. On saying that, I rather liked it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbHw9mYpaF4
Sunwatchers – Illegal Moves. Free rock guys who happily know when to rein it in and that throwing us the odd melody isn’t a bad idea. Imagine a snottier, younger version of Hot Rats: https://soundcloud.com/troubleinmind/sunwatchers-beautiful-crystals-trouble-in-mind-records-1
Vuono – White Dots. Finnish indie super group. No, come back, this was both pleasant and interesting, and perhaps not what you’d expect… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkXWUkjCgmc
Mythopoeic Mind – Mythopoetry. More Scandies (Norway this time). Symphonic RIO? Err, OK, not really my bag, but not dreadful.
OGRE & Dallas Campbell – All Hallows II. Synth and drums John Carpenter worship. OK, but Zombi and Advisory Circle have done this kind of thing better.
VA – Bob Stanley & Pete Wiggs Present Three Day Week: When The Lights Went Out 1972-75. Oh, now, this is rather special, as you’d expect from any themed comp that has Bob & Pete attached (see last year’s Paris In The Spring for instance). Marvellous miscellany of primitive glam, proto-punk, funky pub rock and some stuff that’s just bizarre, including: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlIeAjA23Eg
Stealing Sheep – Big Wows
Hawklords – Live 78
Live:
Field Music – Imperial War Museum, London. FM are the kind of group that get commissioned to put together a song suite commemorating the end of WW1 and its influence on the next hundred years of history. Sounds a bit exhausting, but these guys are more than a match for it. Anyway, great gig in the main hall of the IWM, with planes hanging above where the band played. And happily, more of a return to the ‘classic’ FM sound ie. the Prince worship is kept to a minimum, while brainy 80s avant pop a la Talking Heads is back on the menu.
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