In Rotation, a listicle for music lovers, and seekers of new and different things to listen to. So, if you’re looking for new music, something different, or maybe music to suit your mood this week, here is the place to get a diverse offering each week.
In Rotation this week, we have a Southern Grunge/Blues artist, an Indie Rock/Folk artist, an unusual Japanese saxophonist/composer, a barely classifiable Alternative Rock group, an Indie Rock/Horror/New Wave one man band, a forgotten Dream Pop band, and Punk Rock/Hardcore/ Canadian Alternative band for your listening pleasure.
Get comfortable and buckle up because this will be a bumpy, albeit much delayed, ride.
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1.
Artist:
Dax Riggs
Album: We Sing of only Blood or Love
Dax Riggs is an unusual artist that has his own brand of music stretched across three different bands (Well, four, if you include solo albums like this). With We Sing of only Blood or Love, Riggs’ music is more of the less distorted, slightly more stripped down style of Southern Grunge/Blues that fans came to expect from his group Dead Boy and the Elephantmen. Ironically, this album was originally intended to be one of their albums before they broke up.
Though that odd style of Southern Rock, Grunge, and Blues is Dax Riggs’ forte, there is more than evidence to suggest there is a strong ’90s Alternative Rock vibe. Either way, if any of that sounds remotely appealing, you would be foolish not to give this album a spin.
2.
Artist:
Bright Eyes
Album: Lifted
Conor Oberst, at times, can not seem to make up his mind on what genre he wants to do. However, Lift or The Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground, is an example of him in his element and at his best. Country style story telling, combined with occasional punk-like aggression, Emo, tinge of political and social issues within the lyrics make for an interesting foray into Bright Eyes.
If you have ever been interested in his music, this is the record to give a spin first.
3.
Artist:
Yasuaki Shimizu
Album: Kakashi
Sometimes you are perusing YouTube, or the “recommended” albums, and you stumble upon something that can’t be explained down the rabbit hole. Yasuaki Shimizu’s Kakashi is one of those unusual YouTube music finds. A Japanese Saxophonist and composer making experimental Jazz, Electronica, with some occasional chaotic breakdowns, progressive movements within the first few tracks
Kakashi is a hard album to define, and whether or not there are other musicians involved seems to be an unsolvable mystery. However, if you’re willing to take a walk near the edge, and be open-minded to what you find, this is a good album to listen to.
4.
Artist:
They Might Be Giants
Album: Flood
They Might Be Giants’ music was an underground hit with songs like Particle Man and Istanbul back in the ’90s, which come from this unusual album entitled Flood. If you are familiar with the popular tunes, you will not be too surprised with the direction of the rest of the album. Alternative Rock would certain be the root genre, but it is hard to classify some of their subgeneres.
Another stand out track is “Birdhouse in your Soul,” and it is as weird as it sounds. Is “weird” a genre? If so, and that is your thing in life, They Might Be Giants’ music is for you.
5.
Artist:
Say Hi
Album:Impeccable Blahs
Say Hi is not new to In Rotation, but their album Impeccable Blahs is. Though Eric Eldogen certainly has some signature elements to his music, each album certainly has its own unique signature. Ranging from Indie Rock to ’80s New Wave, but always with the reverb drenched, dissonant vocals that are occasionally whispered. This, and at least one other album, is almost solely about vampires.
This is not to imply that Eric Elbogen is not serious about his music, but that he is occasionally serious about different things. You would be foolish to not listen to this album. After all, he does write about vampires.
6.
Artist:
Ozean
album: Self-Titled
Atmospheric and dream-like is probably the most bare bones description of the genre that the lesser known Ozean produces. Dream Pop, as it is called, was a popular sound in the late ’80s, early ’90s, but Ozean has fallen even further into obscurity than the music genre itself. That being said, it is a shame. However, that will not necessarily be the case anymore. As they are rereleasing this album very soon.
Whether Dream Pop is your bag, as far as music goes, or not, you should look this album up. Soon, you will be able to give it a spin.
7.
Artist:
Billy Talent
Album: Billy Talent 1 (Untitled)
Billy Talent is one of the those hard to define genre bands, though they have taken to metal-like tropes in their later albums. The lyrics are not unlike many emotive bands, but the music is anything but. Hardcore, Alternative, Punk Rock, and maybe a few other dashes of flavor in the Rock genre.
The singer reminds one of Jello Biafra of Dead Kennedys, but perhaps, with a little stronger, more melodic voice. Billy Talent’s music may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but their worth a sip.
This concludes this week’s In Rotation music listing, and come back next week for another eclectic helping of the new, the old, and the weird in music. Thank you for taking a short journey into a vast collection of various genres that hopefully will give you something new to listen to this week.
Stay tuned or next week’s In Rotation.
[Images Courtesy Of The Respective Bands In This List]
