Listen to the music of today / #2 Combat Astronomy
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Topic: Listen to the music of today / #2 Combat AstronomyPosted By: harmonium.ro
Subject: Listen to the music of today / #2 Combat Astronomy
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 10:34
This is the continuation of the #1 thread where I wrote
harmonium.ro wrote:
It seems to me that there is a certain encouraging amount of interest for new music and albums of 2010
on PA, but people don't follow recommendations unless they come
with "all inclusive". I have decided to start a series of recommendation
threads for 2010 albums, in which I promote albums that can be fully streamed
for FREE on the internet, thus making the sampling as easy and accessible as
possible for those interested. There's no excuse for not checking these
releases out now!
I am continuing the series with the album Earth Divided By Zero by the avant-prog band Combat Astronomy. I know that demanding avantgarde music has less fans than other more mainstream oriented genres, but I think that such an overlooking of this album is a crime. It only has two ratings!
The album can be heard in full on bandcamp, http://combat-astronomy.bandcamp.com/album/earth-divided-by-zero - HERE . Psychedelic industrial avant-jazz rock... hell yeah!
Replies: Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 10:37
Thanks are due to Marty, who didn't like the album very much but whose brilliant description of it made me curious. Cheers Marty!
../album.asp?id=28890">
Studio Album, 2010 3.00 | 2 ratings
../album.asp?id=28890#buymusic - BUY
../album.asp?id=28890 - RIO/Avant-Prog
Review by
../Collaborators.asp?id=23504 - Marty McFly CollaboratorCrossover, Prog Metal and E&O Teams
I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from something called like that. Some kind of Dark Space
Prog. And from the first seconds of quite monotonous (but haunting nevertheless) song
Astralized, we know what this will be about.
After all, Space is dark place, isn't it ?
Monotonous, hypnotic riff remains in these songs. What is the most interesting for Avant
lovers, well, probably nerve scratching saxophone which really shines in some songs
(needed spicing of them). Title suite Earth Divided by Zero starts like very Hard Rock
riff with some keyboards joining later. It creates haunting combination (and saxophone kicks
in soon afterwards), because number of instruments used on this album grants either big
weird chaos, or new horizons of music (it's up to you and your likings).
Oriental like rhythms are available when noisy music calms down (so you can hear them) and
this all sounds very interesting, only that I cannot find it as enjoyable as I would like. Because
this album takes strong personality (or special persona with special tastes) to like it.
3(-), maybe in future.
Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 15:47
I've got "The Dematerialized Passenger", I think it was pretty good. Might have to check this one out at some point.
Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 15:59
I've had their bandcamp bookmarked for a while, still have to check this out.
http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: November 03 2010 at 17:09
You really need to try this, Jon and Pat, if not you than who else? It's your "territory" after all
Assaf, thank you so much for the support
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: November 12 2010 at 20:11
Bump.
If you want to try one of the tracks from the album to see if you'd be interested, here's my favourite: http://www.trilulilu.ro/harmonium/795d7217cbac74 - http://www.trilulilu.ro/harmonium/795d7217cbac74
Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: November 12 2010 at 20:16
I admire James Huggett execution of his vision in creating this dense, heavy, crushing and hypnotic music. Listening to these albums is an intense experience.
http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: November 13 2010 at 17:21
Haha...wasn't aware it was up for streaming. I actually just bought it. Had their debut for quite some time, didn't do much for me honestly. But a lot of positive words about this one, good descriptions as well. Plus it was fairly cheap so I thought I'd go for it.
------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: November 13 2010 at 17:28
You mean there is a CD? I thought they were only selling the files.
Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: November 14 2010 at 09:30
harmonium.ro wrote:
You mean there is a CD? I thought they were only selling the files.
There are cd's for at least the last three albums (I have them all).
http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: November 14 2010 at 21:39
Well yeah. I meant the first one in CD form (as well as this newest one).
Gotta say...first listen is damn impressive. Love the use of the woodwinds over the churning bass. Is Dreams No Longer Hesitate similar? It says it's the same lineup but from what I read it seemed more vocal and lighter.
------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.
Posted By: Bonnek
Date Posted: November 15 2010 at 09:20
Well Alex, I had almost given up on 2010 but it seems like I should have spent more time wih RIO.
Allow me a few more dozens of 70s reviews and I'll follow up on your suggestions!
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: November 15 2010 at 11:23
Actually it's been a good year for avant, metal and fusion (from PA genres), unfortunately there aren't as many albums that can be streamed on the internet as I would have hoped. I'd also recommend the new Yugen, the new Terje Rypdal (this is going to be my next recommendation in this series), the debut Xing Sa, the new album from the Norvegian Shining (avant-prog gone death metal), one or two from the new John Zorn albums, and probably the new Jean Louis too (I didn't hear it yet, it just got out). And quite some metal albums, too.
Don't forget to check this out:
forum_posts.asp?TID=72881 - Listen to the music of today #4 The Electric Epic
, I'm sure you won't regret it.
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: December 20 2010 at 07:29
The big bump!
Here's my favourite track on the album if you want a preview:
Posted By: topographicbroadways
Date Posted: December 20 2010 at 09:23
sounds like Daevid Allen suffering from manic depression
-------------
Posted By: snobb
Date Posted: December 22 2010 at 09:01
Interesting album. I didn't listen it till now.
Too industrial,a bit too totalitarian (or zeuhl-influenced) and not complex and elegant enough as for my taste, but some moments (as free jazz sax attacks) are impressive!
I think another similar and surprisingly interesting album ,released this year is Norwegian Ultralyd's album. More quirky and Krautish...
Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: December 22 2010 at 09:18
Downloading now from the band's bandcamp. Listening to Alex's sample now.
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: December 22 2010 at 09:25
Err, the idea of these threads is listen first, buy later (if satisfied)
Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: December 22 2010 at 09:32
harmonium.ro wrote:
Err, the idea of these threads is listen first, buy later (if satisfied)
You're not the boss of me.
Re: the sample: very dark, I have to be in right mood to appreciate this one, I think. But overall I thought it was very good.
Posted By: Marty McFly
Date Posted: December 22 2010 at 17:20
harmonium.ro wrote:
Thanks are due to Marty, who didn't like the album very much but whose brilliant description of it made me curious. Cheers Marty!
Thanks. I think that it needs a review from genre fan, to counterweight it a little bit.
------------- There's a point where "avant-garde" and "experimental" becomes "terrible" and "pointless,"
-Andyman1125 on Lulu
Even my
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: December 30 2010 at 06:50
This album needs more love
Padraic wrote:
Re: the sample: very dark, I have to be in right mood to appreciate this one, I think. But overall I thought it was very good.
Oh, I didn't notice this. Glad you're not asking for your money back!
Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: January 07 2011 at 02:03
Review by
../Collaborators.asp?id=30993" rel="nofollow - zravkapt Prog Reviewer
My first taste of Combat Astronomy. This group goes for that 'brutal' sound that some modern
avant bands are into. The dominant instrument here is the loud distorted bass. It gets a bit
much after awhile; it would have been nice if there was a little more variation. In addition to the
bass there is some drums, wordless vocals and wind instruments(saxes, clarinet). There is
also some electronics added as well.
The album begins with a female voice that reminds me of Il Balleto di Bronzo's Ys
album. "Parallax Of One Arc Second" opens with a nice mix of acoustic piano and electric
piano. Then the bass and drums come in and drown that all out. Things get better with the
wordless female vocals and the saxes. "Eating Backwards" has a cool title. Starts with some
good spacey effects. Some sax skronking at the end. The title track is divided in three parts, the
second part being the most interesting. More mellow than the other two parts. The vocals in
the third part are pretty good. "The Atrocity Commission" is the longest song. Starts out with
a 'brutal' sounding part, and then a long less intense section with winds, piano and effects.
Goes back to the 'brutal' part later. Interesting percussion sounds near the end.
Sometimes the music sounds like a slowed down Ruins. The bass and drums are in your
face and rarely let anything else breathe. Recommended to those who like the heavier, noisier
end of modern avant-prog. A good effort but nothing spectacular. 3 stars.