TOTW: Oneohtrix Point Never_ Zebra

In a recent Interview on Stuart Maconie’s Freak Zone. Daniel Lopatin aka Oneohtrix Point Never stated that his influence for making music comes from the sounds created when having his teeth drilled. To say his music is not for everyone may be an understatement but for those who like to hear something a bit more out the box you are going to get music that’s definitely unique and for me refreshing.

Although his previous album Replica is a fantastic piece of work, It’s textures and themes are a little harsher then those found in the new album R Plus Seven which manages to round off its edges without loosing the trademark sound that Oneothrix Point Never creates.

Zebra Opens with a very direct melody which brings attention to the piece before the shift into different textures and design throughout the second half of the track. If you like what you hear Onothrix Point Never has created several albums which I would highly recommend:

TOTW: James Blake_Life Round Here

Overgrown the latest album by James Blake has become a staple in my playlists over the past few weeks, It manages to blend a pop and dance aesthetic into something slightly more experimental. What it looses in accessibility it gains in cerebral complexity. Tracks blossom with repeat listens showing their quality in structure and sound design.

Life Round Here is centered arround a slightly staggered repeating melody which manages to go through layers of harshness with the simple opening of a filter. The melody fluidly blends from reserved in one section to an all out dance track in another. James Blake demonstrates this shift in textures with flair throughout the album and manages to create verity in his work that still feels uniform as a whole:

TOTW: Boards of Canada_Trapped

I’ve been listening to a lot of Boards of Canada recently and have talked about their quality in previous posts. Fueled by the newest album tomorrows harvest I’ve been working my way through their extensive back catalogue and came across this little gem.

It stands out from their other work with the heavy use of a Colonel Abrams vocal sample that’s been pitched down to create a slower and darker track to the original. Blend this with Boards of Canada’s unique sound design and your on to a winner:

TOTW: Avishai Cohen Trio_11 Wives

Avishai Cohen Trio create some lovely three piece jazz and 11 Wives is my favourite track from their album Gently Disturbed. Performed live on this video it shows off the tallents of the group. It’s off kiter piano line mixed with tight playing from the percussion and bass make it stand out as a great jazz track, so give it a watch:

TOTW: The Antlers_Hospice Album/Shiva

Hospice by The Antlers is a fantastic concept album. Although slightly morose the tracks are made with such conviction and attention to detail in production that the whole thing works beautifully. Unfortunately it makes it hard to recommend one track for track of the week so I would recommend listening to the whole thing, However if you demand a single track I Would recomend Shiva. Find both the entire album and the track below:

 

 


TOTW: Lightning Bolt_Dracula Mountain

I’ve been listening to a lot of Lighting Bolt recently. This two piece pack one hell of a punch with their raw energy. Well known for playing In the crowd they create a nervous power which feels like it could collapse at anytime. This comes across perfectly in this live video of Dracula Mountain below:

Tomorrow, 1PM, 14-18 Gallery, Bradshawgate, Leigh LIVE GIG!

I’m Performing Live tomorrow at 1PM at the 14-18 Gallery in Bradshawgate for its opening. It’s an hour of completely new music from myself and im looking forward to playing it for the first time live.

If you can make it I would appreciate your support, if not I will try to find a way for people to see it after the show so watch this space.

CT

In the Studio

Working In my Studio

 

TOTW: Chroma Key_ Graveyard Mountain Home

I don’t know much about Chroma Key Other than its the solo project of Kevin Moore the ex dream theather keyboard player. His music features electronic and organic instruments and is clearly influenced by the ambient music genre but with slightly more drive.

All of Chroma Keys work has a nice blend of sound scapes and can sound nieve and even childish at some points but all tracks have a dark maybe even slightly sinister tinge reminding me of old nursury rymes or fairy tales.

I have cosen the title track from “Graveyard Mountain Home” An album that uses more traditional folk instruments to create his unique blend of genres. The album was designed as a soundtrack for the social guidence film Age 13 when slowed down by half its original playback time. If you like what you hear from the track below and fancy seeing/hearing more the film is availabe to stream with a quick serch of the internet: