Xihilisk - Xihilisk [2010]
This is a sort-of 'best of Xihislisk' album. I wasn't familiar with his work before listening to it, but it definitely convinced me to explore more.
A compilation // best-of album is particuarly succesful when an artist has such a broad range of work that a single album makes for an insufficient introduction. This is definitely the case, as Xihilisk works his range of black metal, experimental electronics, noise, post-rock, and ambient soundscapes. Where they most impress me is that even within such a broad spectrum of styles and sounds, there is always a consistent expressive voice. Xihilisk definitely has a cohesive sound, even if traditional genre boundaries are incapable of expressing // confining it.
My favorite track on this probably "Chysalis March", which gradually builds and builds until it soars in a crescendo reminiscnet of fire alarms, a symphony orchestra, whales singing, and norse-god Heimdallr staring into the future.
The cherry on top: he's got a very progressive attitude towards music distribution (i.e., his album Fuck the RIAA). Here's a link to his whole discography he put on his blog.
Excellent, I love his stuff!
Sounds Awesome, cheers dude will check it out. I admire his attitude towards music distribution..
DHint: Interesting listen! I like hearing how he translates the tropicalia aesthetic into a more modern production style. What's interesting here, to me, is that he's not just making modern tropicalia--it's very much a stripped down, and in many ways less complicated sound. That said, the atmosphere and mood is very well re-constructed. The laid back, yet intensely emotional, vibe remains a strong aspect to his songs.
My main issue is that it's not in Portuguese--I love the lyrics in some of the 70s tropicalia you were recommending a while back. Portuguese is fun for me, because it's just on the verge of understandable, between my English and (somewhat limited) French comprehension. As you might've picked up on from my posts here, I'm really not a lyrics person, and in a lot of ways I feel like in Arto Lindsay's lyrics distract from the instrumental parts that I'm more interested in.
But word, I like this release a lot. I didn't look at the date (1996) until after I listened through, and I assumed it was much more recent. Stylistically the production and sparseness reminds me a lot of Caribou...
DHint and Will, thank you so much..
Most every time a new album is posted here I am reminded why I love this place so much. What is more, is the feeling of community - that all every visiter to your blog really wants is to discover new good music.
Genres don't apply on this site as we're all just insitiable addicts of great production and musical ability.
tl;dr: Great music knows no conventions..
tl;dr: Wauw, internetz.
AWESOME...
check out: Irepress- Sol Eye Sea I
ambient metal prog jazz
Wow, thanks! Had no idea what to expect of this, and half way through I still don't. Other than epic progressions. I'll be checking out more of his stuff for sure. I think you're spot on with the recommendation of where to listen to this too.