Sylmer - "Perdus dans le temps"

Bad bad bad (2/10) Ce troisième disque que je mets en partage est dédié à mon père disparu le 12 janvier dernier. N' hésitez pas à me critiquer où à me faire un don symbolique / Another miss. And no progress since "Ultime cri". Unfortunately... The album has been released on Jamendo and is available for downloading in mp3 encoding format.

[Artist's Website]

Let's stay in the present: Skrillex - Summit (feat. Ellie Goulding)

No big story or a common theme this time. I just like this video. Maybe I'm getting old and seeing a record of such footloose partying brings me sweet memories and a general feeling of nostalgia? Or maybe it is just fun to watch people having fun? Nevertheless, the video perfectly fits the song and is really well done by the Pilerats Collective.

Skrillex - Summit (feat. Ellie Goulding)

Tired of Pellington? Let's see this: Jigsaw Soul - "Last Train Ride"

I've never heard of the band Jigsaw Soul, until accidentally having run into this video. Wait a minute... didn't I write something like that recently? Anyhow. They come from Williamsburg, New York, US and as they say about themselves: The music is an eclectic set of rhythmic styles, propelled by a deep undulating groove and layers of atmosphere that envelopes and ultimately haunts the listener. Live performances feature stunning widescreen digital graphics and are augmented by innovative contemporary dance. You can see below one example of such graphics, in the form of the music video Last Train Ride, shot (or - in this case - drawn) by the Turkish filmmaker Gokhan Okur. A really atmospheric piece, in my humble opinion. It won several well-deserved awards at short-film festivals around the world.

Jigsaw Soul - "Last Train Ride"

A countdown to Jeremy: P.M. Dawn - "Set Adrift On Memory Bliss"

Spandau Ballet - "True"

Surprised? Oh, you shouldn't be. P.M. Dawn is a hip-hop act, right? So it should be obvious they are copycats ripping off true artists, like (almost) all rappers do. And the above song is not the only one used in the P.M. Dawn's hit. It contains samples from The Soul Searchers' Ashley's Roachclip and the main drumbeat also samples from Eric B. & Rakim's Paid in Full. Even the lyrics are heavily inspired by other songs. The opening verse is influenced by the Joni Mitchell song The Boho Dance. The original "A camera pans the cocktail hour/ Behind a blind of potted palms" becomes "The camera pans the cocktail glass/ Behind a blind of plastic plants", and the line "Subterranean by your own design" is echoed as "Subterranean by design". In the second verse, they mention two hit songs from 1985. "Careless whisper from a careless man" refers to Careless Whisper by George Michael, and "A neutron dance for a neutron fan" makes reference to Neutron Dance by The Pointer Sisters. The line "Christina Applegate, you gotta put me on" is a reference to the song Bonita Applebum by A Tribe Called Quest. But, surprisingly and contrary to the majority of their fellow "MCs" (fuck you Coolio, fuck you Puff Daddy), they happened to be talented enough to add some value to the borrowed mixture of samples. And even more - Set Adrift On Memory Bliss is much much better than the bland Spandau Ballet's song. It is a truly nice catchy pop tune. With a classy well-fitting video by Mark Pellington (you lucky bastards!), still waiting for his Jeremy. But with the great gift of YouTube, you don't have to believe my words. You can check for yourself. Just push play. Oh, one more thing. Spandau Ballet lead singer Tony Hadley made a cameo in the video, appearing near the end of it. He had to be jealous as hell, but he masked it well.

P.M. Dawn - "Set Adrift On Memory Bliss" <<< PREV <<<           [ Mark Pellington ]           >>> NEXT >>>

Disclaimer: No Wikipedia articles were hurt in making of this post, but some of them were extensively used.

Yet another Pellington: Crystal Waters - "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)"

The first real hit to be filmed by Mark Pellington. It peaked at number eight on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and at number two in the UK Singles Chart, and it went to number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. It was the highest-debuting single for a new act in the UK Singles Chart at that time. A simple dance tune would not be particularly memorable, if not for the infectious "la da da" chorus - catchy for some, annoying for others. Nevertheless, those were still the good old days when even dance songs had proper lyrics. As for the video - nothing spectacular here, either. It's purely utilitarian, but it does its job of illustrating a dance tune. Pellington had to wait one year more for a song great enough as to match the size of his video-making talent - Pearl Jam's Jeremy.

Crystal Waters - "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)" <<< PREV <<<           [ Mark Pellington ]           >>> NEXT >>>

Disclaimer: No Wikipedia articles were hurt in making of this post, but some of them were extensively used.

They did not deserve this: Information Society - "Repetition"

Let's continue exploring the portfolio of Mark Pellington, a brilliant music video director. The next video is from 1989 and comes from Information Society again. This time it is not upbeat synthpop, but a bland pop ballad. Nevertheless, the video is really good, perfectly corresponding with the nostalgic feel to the song. It is truly too good for them. But little did they know that in three years Mark Pellington would help send them, along with the rest of synthpop plague, to the garbage heap of history.

Information Society - "Repetition" <<< PREV <<<           [ Mark Pellington ]           >>> NEXT >>>

Pellington again: Information Society - "What's on Your Mind (Pure Energy)"

Generic synthpop - not much to listen to here, but the video is directed by Mark Pellington. Although the song is totally missable, Mr. Pellington did a good job here. Fake instruments fit perfectly the plastic-like feel and artificial nature of synthpop and overuse of bright colors corresponds well with the pop upbeat tune. Wikipedia says that the song achieved U.S. success when released in 1988, peaking at #3 on the Billboard pop charts in October. It is so good that the '80s lasted only ten years.

Information Society - "What's on Your Mind (Pure Energy)" <<< PREV <<<           [ Mark Pellington ]           >>> NEXT >>>

We need to go deeper: Deep Six - "Stay Right Here"

There is almost nothing interesting about this video or the dull pop rock song it illustrates, except the fact that it is the debut music video of the acclaimed director Mark Pellington, who moved on to film such masterpieces as Pearl Jam's Jeremy or U2's One. So it is interesting for the purpose of observing his artistic development.

Deep Six - "Stay Right Here" <<< PREV <<<           [ Mark Pellington ]           >>> NEXT >>>

The right direction: Mark Pellington

Mark Pellington (born March 17, 1962) is American filmmaker. He is also a feature film director, but most of all he is a highly accomplished, acclaimed and award-winning music video creator. Among his masterpieces are videos to such songs as Jeremy by Pearl Jam (1992) and One by U2 (1992). He won MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction in a Video in 1993 (for Jeremy) and Best Director Award at MTV Europe Music Awards in 1994 (for Hobo Humpin' Slobo Babe by Whale). He also picked up a Grammy nomination for directing Beautiful Girl by INXS (1993). As he says himself: The music video is the penultimate form for me—pure image and emotion. I love videos and hope to always do them…it does not matter what the budget is, if I see images, they rush to me inspired by the songs feeling and intention. They are less obvious sales pieces and can work as art in certain ways. They can transcend and even though I am providing one interpretation of the song, I feel most videos could be interpreted any number of ways. I love collaborating with artists and when given trust and free reign, usually the best artistic result emerges. They are not bound by conventional narrative demands or the time limitations of commercials. List of music videos: "Stay Right Here" - Deep 6 (1986) "What's On Your Mind" - Information Society (1988) "Repetition" - Information Society (1989) "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)" - Crystal Waters (1991) "Set Adrift On Memory Bliss" - P.M. Dawn (1991) "Television, The Drug Of The Nation" - The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy (1991) "Shut 'Em Down" - Public Enemy (1992) "Jeremy" - Pearl Jam (1992) "One" - U2 (1992) - buffalo version "Black Lodge" - Anthrax (1993) "Rooster" - Alice in Chains (1993) "Beautiful Girl" - INXS (1993) "Independent" - Sacred Reich (1993) "Hobo Humpin' Slobo Babe" - Whale (1994) "Tomorrow" - Silverchair (1995) "'74 - '75" - The Connells (1995) "Ladykillers" - Lush (1996) "We're in This Together" - Nine Inch Nails (1999) "Lonesome Day" - Bruce Springsteen (2002) "Do You Realize??" - The Flaming Lips (2002) - UK version "Gravedigger" - Dave Matthews (2003) "Best of You" - Foo Fighters (2004) "Falling By the Way Side" - People in Planes (2005) "Everybody's Changing" - Keane (2005) "How To Save a Life" - The Fray (2006) "Soulmate" - Natasha Bedingfield (2007) "Girls In Their Summer Clothes (Winter Mix)" - Bruce Springsteen (2007) "Henry Poole Is Here" - Ron Irizarry (2008) "One Time We Lived" (version 2) - Moby (2009) "Syndicate" - The Fray (2010) "Laredo" - Band of Horses (2010) "Care" - Kid Rock (2011) "Hold My Hand" - Michael Jackson (2010) "Skyscraper" - Demi Lovato (2011) "I Won't Give Up" - Jason Mraz (2012)

Photo by Frederick M. Brown – © 2011 Getty Images [Mark Pellington's website] [Mark Pellington on Wikipedia] [Mark Pellington on IMDB]

One flew over the cuckoo's nest: The Real Tuesday Weld - "Bathtime In Clerkenwell"

I've never heard of the band The Real Tuesday Weld, until accidentally having run into this video. Wikipedia says they are a British band, fronted by lead singer and founder Stephen Coates. They are known for producing jazzy cabaret-style music with subtle electronica influences, a style dubbed "antique beat" by Coates. They have six albums, several singles and EPs and many tracks on compilations. Their combination of big band jazz era sounds with beats has been influential on the current range of 'electro-swing' artists and DJs. The band is named after American film actress Tuesday Weld. Coates once had a dream involving Weld and 1930s vocalist Al Bowlly. Coates and others often cite the dream as inspiration for the band and its particular style. The animated video was created by Alex Budovsky and it won several well-deserved awards at short-film festivals around the world.

The Real Tuesday Weld - "Bathtime In Clerkenwell"

Sylmer - "Ultime cri"

Lousy vocals ruin everything (2/10) Ultime cri , ce sont 10 chansons plutôt tristes et qui sont malheureusement pour moi de circonstance....... Ce C.D n' est pas mixé plus que celà, mais ce que j' ai voulu exprimer est dedans : il parait que pour apprécier il faut le même symtôme m' a dit un psychanalyste...... La pochette c' est une sculpture sur pommier que j' ai réalisée dans mon jardin et qui s' appèlle "monsieur Bonhomme" Il me parait évident que les pros de l' enregistrement vont dire que mon son est merdique et ils auront raison.......Retenez uniquement la mélodie simple et les mots..... A bientôt pour le 3ème CD Sylvain

[Artist's Website]

What can I say... It's better than "Originaire", but still bad. The same weaknesses as before. Oh, I like the cover photo.

The album has been released on Jamendo and is available for downloading in mp3 encoding format.

Sylmer - "Originaire"

Beware (1/10) album DEMO enregistré "à la maison " sur Magix studio 6ème génération avec de trés petits moyens. un clavier casio (enfant), un magnéto 4 pistes(table), un micro chant, et une guitare electro-acoustique LAG modèle spring. Les moyens de production sont faibles mais l' essentiel est posé.Je ne suis pas un "chanteur". Je suis trés heureux de partager avec les auditrices et les auditeurs de JAMENDO. INFO: un deuxième CD est en préparation ( il faut dire que je stocke depuis logtemps maintenant..)

[Artist's Website]

I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Lousy voice, terrible drums, uninteresting melodies. Guitar is quite good, but all is wasted because of badness of other elements. Poor production tops it off, but the biggest problem is lack of vocal and arranging talent. Maybe the lyrics are impressive? I don't know it, because I can't speak French.

The album has been released on Jamendo and is available for downloading in mp3 encoding format.

k.ROCKSHIRE - "Doggystyle, the" [EP]

Surreal sandwich (9/10) the doggyStyle EP est le premier album de k. ROCKSHIRE. Cet album s'adresse aux gens qui souffrent du mauvais temps, de la mondialisation, ou encore des petites déceptions qu'offre chaque jour la vie pour ses vertus médicinales et revigorantes ; mais aussi aux insatiables épicuriens qui cherchent à préserver leur bonheur dans un monde frétillant de délicatesse et de fleurs hawaïennes. Déjà culte depuis de nombreuses heures, the doggyStyle EP est un condensé de fraîcheur et d'amour. En bref, le sage dit : "k.ROCKSHIRE est à la vie ce que le citron est au Mojito." et ce n'est pas faux. k.ROCKSHIRE a grand soin de regrouper un maximum d'instruments différents, sans compter ceux qu'ils développent eux-mêmes, concrets ou vrituels. La double plaques chauffantes musicales et la banane musicale sont des exclusivités k. Rockshire. This bizarre piece of liquid heaven is filled with yummy landscapes with cream on top. Not to forgot bananas roasted on musical double hotplate. Waiter! I want a second helping! SUPPORT INDEPENDENT ARTISTS If you like this album and you can afford it, consider supporting the artist by making a donation on this page - use the button "Donate" in the upper left corner.

Royalty-free music for professional licensing [mirror @ archive.org] [Artist's Myspace]

TAT - "Quinta Essentia"

Good gothic album (7/10) D-SIDE n°32, Emmanuel Hennequin - Septembre 2006: "Les canevas acoustiques et hors classe du projet français TAT conduisent à une première oeuvre autoproduite d'envergure et de grande personnalité, au fil de laquelle s'expriment les voix et instruments de talents divers et variés (parmi lesquels AlBéRiCk de .cut aux mots, et la basse de Cypher d'Omnicore). Les thèmes musicaux investissent des décors acoustiques rituels et mortuaires, parsemés de cloches ("Quinta Essentia : Part 1") mais sans y voir une limite. Et la sévérité des sujets ("Thalidomide", du nom du médicament ravageur) se confronte en permanence à la douceur poétique des cordes classiques. Dès lors, l'acclimatation nécessaire à une entreprise poly-linguistique, créant un univers fait de subtils reliefs et mû par le paradoxe. Formellement, TAT crée une musique d'un nouveau genre : folk, progressive, post-classique et expérimentale. A la fois limpide et ténébreuse, elle ne veut pas tromper sur la marchandise. L'expérience auditive, captivante, est donc proposée en download libre, et ce préalablement à tout achat. La beauté et la culture de l'objet nous font dire ici que sa survie aux tentations de la musique libre de défraiement doit s'organiser. C'est un appel à l'achat, oui, car de disques comme ceux-ci sont durs, et rares. Ils sont beaux." Lacrimosa meets Dead Can Dance meets Einsturzende Neubauten - these are the first associations that came to my mind after listening to this album. But TAT is still quite original. For example, use of a classical guitar gives a very interesting effect. Dark ghotic tunes - very haunting. The only downside is the terrible French accent in English songs. SUPPORT INDEPENDENT ARTISTS If you like this album and you can afford it, consider supporting the artist by making a donation on this page - use the button "Donate" in the upper left corner.

Royalty-free music for professional licensing [mirror @ archive.org] [Artist's Website]

Nymphomania - "Unashamed"

Dark ambient of the highest quality (10/10) From the artist: Earthy meditation loops of processed voice, bass guitar and wind chime, which resound unceasing throughout my new home by the woods. An album for eating nectarines and grapefruits in the early morning. The sequel to "In Spiral Expression". From the label: This is a real trip into mind. The fractal image of the inner self. A kaleidoscope of visions that have a meaning, but you should be sure, because taking the wrong path leads you nowhere. The labyrinth built by one's mind may look confusing, but it gives the hints - just listen. And never touch that green switch! All instruments programmed and played, vocals, music written and arranged by Josh Landry. Artwork by Mike Winchester. Dark ambient of the highest quality. With long drones flowing slowly through time and space. Only sometimes strange sounds of ethnic instruments or tribal chants remind you that you are taking part in some kind of a primeval ritual. This record is hypnotic and repetitive, but never boring like so many bad ambient works. Highly recommended to both ambient fans and people looking for a good introduction to this genre. The album has been released by the artist himself through his Bandcamp store under the "name your price" scheme. You can download it there in a variety of formats, including a lossless FLAC version. This release is copyrighted. It has been also reissued by the Russian label USC (United Studios Corporation), under the Creative Commons BY-SA license. On their website you will find links for downloading the album for free from several file storage websites, but only in 320 kbit MP3 format. They inform that "By downloading our files from links below you directly support artists and label". By the way - they release music on physical CDs too. SUPPORT INDEPENDENT ARTISTS If you like this album and you can afford it, consider supporting the artist by making a donation through Bandcamp.

[Artist's Soundcloud]

Tryad - "Tryad Demo (Public Domain)"

Strong debiut (7/10) industrial, classical, and pop all come together with this new 'virtual band' known as try^d. with members in seattle, ohio, and japan, try^d music is created entirely over the internet. most members have never met in person. try^d includes vavrek, ema, and arna from seattle on lead vocals, rjmarshall from japan on keyboards, and john holowach as the band's producer. I started my adventure with Try^d with their third album "Listen". I was completely mesmerized and shocked by the quality and beauty of this album. Their debut "Tryad Demo (Public Domain)" is of course weaker than "Listen" but this is still beautiful music for every fan of triphop or atmospheric rock/pop. I have one complaint - I don't like the voice of the singer on "The Final Rewind". But apart from that - great job. I gave 7 points, but that's only because this album is followed by "Listen". Let's say it's 7 points on "Try^d scale". SUPPORT INDEPENDENT ARTISTS If you like this album and you can afford it, consider supporting the artist by making a donation.

Royalty-free music for professional licensing [mirror @ archive.org] [Artist's Website]

Abogix (J.K.), the

Royalty-free music for professional licensing

Was gibt's über mich zu erzählen? Dass ich völlig durchgeknallt bin und sich bei mir fast alles im leben um die musik dreht? Dass ich leidenschaftlich gerne Koche? Dass ich schlechtgelaunte Menschen hasse? Dass ich auf Kerzenlicht stehe? Dass ich Massagen toll finde?...am liebsten mit Massage-öl! Dass ich (fast) dauernd lache? Dass ich Synthesizer-geil bin? Dass ich noch genug ideen im Kopf habe um noch weitere 100 Alben rauszubringen? Dass ich George Bush hasse? Dass ich gerne Anglen gehe? Dass ich über 1500 CD's und über 2000 Schalplatten bisher gesammelt habe? Dass ich gerne Scampi's esse? Dass ich gerne Sex habe? Dass ich Golden Retriver toll finde? Dass ich 4 sprachen beherrsche? Dass ich Leute schnell durchschauen kann? Dass ich (fast) alle musikrichtungen liebe? Dass mich das jetzt langsam keckst hier noch weitere punkte über mich aufzuzählen? Wen intressiert das überhaupt?

[Artist's Myspace]

List of reviewed albums

• Abogix (J.K.), the - "Domino Labyrinth, the"
• Abogix (J.K.), the - "Fantasmagoria"
• Abogix (J.K.), the - "Friends"
• Abogix (J.K.), the - "George Bush's great adventure between war and horror"
• Abogix (J.K.), the - "History Of The Necronomicon, the"
• Abogix (J.K.), the - "Welcome in my dreams!"

Abogix (J.K.), the - "Welcome in my dreams!"

Just Abogix (8/10) Hier ist es nun...mein 5. Album! Wieder hat es mir sehr viel spass gemacht beim produzieren dieses Albums und hoffe es macht euch genau soviel freude beim zuhören!!! Dieses Album ist diesmal etwas fröhlichergeworden,nicht so dunkel. Es sollte gute laune verbreiten und hört sich auch teilweise lustig an. Es geht weiter Freunde...und es ist kein ende in sicht! Wer meine Musik liebt,der darf sich ruhig auf viele weitere Alben von mir freuen...denn in meiner fantasie...in meiner Welt...gibt's noch viel viel mehr zu entdecken! Das Cover zu diesem Album wurde von "ducadidoom" gemacht! Ich find's toll!...tausend dank!!! (Ach...muss das schön sein von Bergen umzingelt zu sein und gesunde Luft einzuatmen...seuftz!) Schönen gruss an meine Familie....Mom (Mi-Schops)...Dad (Pirat) (Sean Connery)... Jim (J.P.) & Sandra & Lou...Steve (MonChichi) & Cindy The Abogix (J.K.) Just Abogix. Anybody need more recommendations? For those who didn't listen to his other albums yet: electronic sounds arranged with talent. Very atmospheric tunes. However, I must say I prefer his darker compositions. "Tales of mystery and imagination" are the best. SUPPORT INDEPENDENT ARTISTS If you like this album and you can afford it, consider supporting the artist by making a donation on this page - use the button "Donate" in the upper left corner.

Royalty-free music for professional licensing [mirror @ archive.org] [Artist's Myspace]

Abogix (J.K.), the - "Fantasmagoria"

Good psychedelic electronica (8/10) Mein viertes Album. Hypnotized Part II und III sind die nachfolger von Hypnotized aus dem Album "Signs". Wiederum zwei stücke die extrem psychedelisch klingen und ...wer weiss, auch eine Hypnotisierende wirkung haben? Wake up!...bringt euch dann wieder zurück aus der Hypnose. ;-) Ich hoffe es wird euch gefallen! The Abogix (J.K.) Abogix doesn't drop below a certain level (a very high level for many others). However, I consider this album to be weaker than "Tales of mystery and imagination" and "Signs". I don't know why... Maybe there are too many elements that distract you and you cannot simply drift with a melody. Or maybe some of these elements just don't fit...? But still - 8 points. And of course I still recommend it to all fans of intelligent electronic music. SUPPORT INDEPENDENT ARTISTS If you like this album and you can afford it, consider supporting the artist by making a donation on this page - use the button "Donate" in the upper left corner.

Royalty-free music for professional licensing [mirror @ archive.org] [Artist's Myspace]

One-hit wonder again: Whale - "Hobo Humpin' Slobo Babe"

Another one-hit wonder. This time it's import from Sweden, where both of Whale's albums scored the charts. But only one song off the debut gained the true worldwide popularity: "Hobo Humpin' Slobo Babe". A completely loony but catchy song with awkward female vocals and insane noisy chorus of two madmen. The song accompanied by equally crazy video, put on heavy rotation on music channels. Those good old days when such insane tune was played in the prime time, instead of the Freak Hour Show at 2 AM... If you lived in Europe back then and was old enough to operate the TV remote, you couldn't miss this one. The group was formed by Henrik Schyffert, Cia Berg – more recently known as Cia Soro – and Gordon Cyrus. Their first single, 1993's "Hobo Humpin' Slobo Babe" achieved critical acclaim, heavy spins in the Euro dance club scene, saturation airplay on MTV and reached the Top 10 in Denmark and Norway, Top 30 in Holland and Austria, Top 40 in Sweden and #24 on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart. It also reached #46 on the UK Singles Chart chart in 1994, and when reissued in 1995, reached #15. The video was directed by Mark Pellington - our good old friend from the Pearl Jam's "Jeremy". The video's popularity was acknowledged when it won the first MTV Europe Music Award for Best Video in 1994.

Whale - "Hobo Humpin' Slobo Babe"

Disclaimer: No Wikipedia articles were hurt in making of this post, but some of them were extensively used.

I've got no idea for a witty title: Cornershop - "Brimful Of Asha"

Not exactly a one-hit wonder this time, although no other Cornershop's tunes got so extremely popular to be played everywhere. In fact I have never ran into any of their songs except for this one. But Wikipedia says they are pretty successful. Good for them. They deserve it for this song, if not for anything else. "Brimful of Asha" originally reached number 60 in the UK Singles Chart in 1997. After a remixed version of the song by Fatboy Slim, originally released only as a limited edition 12 inch single in the UK, became both a radio and critical success, the song was re-released and reached #1 in the UK chart in February 1998 and number #16 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The lyrics are a tribute to Asha Bhosle, one of the most famous pop singers/film-score vocalists of India. Below I present both versions, so you can check for yourself which is better. The music video was directed by Phil Harder. As you see, the guy did a great job.

Cornershop - "Brimful Of Asha" (original version) Cornershop - "Brimful Of Asha" (Fatboy Slim remix)

Disclaimer: No Wikipedia articles were hurt in making of this post, but some of them were extensively used.