This is really a momentous album. David Byrne and Brian Eno working together again for the first time in over 20 years. They of course worked on the famous “My Life in the Bush of Ghosts” album, and a handful of Talking Heads albums, most notably the classic “Remain in Light”. This album was a great surprise to me as I enjoy the work of both men immensely. Brian Eno really revolutionized production and continues to do so in his solo work and with popular bands and musicians. Artists that Brian Eno has worked with over the years include Roxy Music, David Bowie, U2 and most recently Coldplay. David Byrne is of course an intellectual punk/funk visionary, whose later solo works, while satisfying, lacked a certain immediacy and relevance. It was nice to see him mellow out and his vocals are still as good as ever, but he needed to be pushed out of his comfort zone a bit.
That is exactly what has happened on “Everything that Will Happen will Happen Today”, Brian Eno once again carves a careful soundscape of melodies, beats, and whimsical genius, with the songwriting genius of David Byrne, present at a level we haven’t seen in over ten years. Important themes like violence in society, terrorism and domestic issues skirt around an album that beamingly is two musicians reveling in their craft. There are mostly mid or downtempo songs here, but these guys are seasoned enough to make every song an aural journey worth taking, whether it feels like a sweeping retrospective, a nice sit on the back porch in a rocking chair, or a casual visit to a night club, you can’t help but say “They’ve still got it!”
David Byrne & Brian Eno Official Site
David Byrne & Brian Eno – I Feel My Stuff
David Byrne & Brian Eno – Strange Overtones
With the month of October less than a day away I couldn’t think of a better album to be listening to to get into a suitably goth mood. the Berlin California trio might as well be from Germany circa 1982 for all of their industrial goth glory. They sound like Todd Fink of The Faint, Ian Curtis of Joy Division, and Danny Elfman of Oingo Boingo joined together to create a goth supergroup produced by Skinny Puppy. 
Seriously, I can’t stress the authentic goth feel enough. Someone get me a cape and some plastic fangs. Fans of She Wants Revenge will find a lot to like here. Including, straight ahead synths, deadpan vocals, an off kilter, yet foreboding atmosphere, and, yes, even some playful horns.
Mt Sims Myspace
Mt Sims – Dig it In
Mt Sims – The Bitten Bite Back
Twan Van Hovi is a chameleon. Twan Von Hovi rhymes with “Jon Bon Jovi”. Twan Von Hovi hails from Houston Texas. Twan Von Hovi usees electro/rock stylings to push music that at times sounds like TV on the Radio, The Postal Service, David Bowie and Bauhaus in a blender on high. The music is menacing and fun all at once, switching from instrumental tracks to songs with little to no warning. A veritable carnival of sounds and I’ve a free ride listed below.
Twan Von Hovi – From My Heart to Yours
Twan Von Hovi – Addictionary
Twan Von Hovie Myspace
I first heard Mason Proper at an old radio station meeting as the staff were doling out new CD’s for the club members to review. I heard the first few seconds of “A Chance Encounter” off of their acclaimed debut CD “There is a Moth in Your Chest”, and once I heard the swooshing sythesizer and echo affected vocals, I was intrigued. Upon further examination the album proved to have many gems, among which were the manic synth driven “Lights Off” and thier hyper guitar heavy jam “My My (Bad Fruit)”, that was reminiscent somewhat of the Pixies, but with a smidge of synth . The album went on to become one
of my top albums of 2007.
The Ann Arbor, Michigan group released a stylistically impressive EP entitled “Shorthand” earlier this year and a few stylistically impressive videos to match. As of September 23, 2008, the band have a new album out entitled “Olly Olly Oxen Free”. The biggest thing I noticed upon the first listen is that Mason proper have adopted a “Less is more” philosophy on this record. Gone are the wild tempos and reckless sounds. Everything here is carefully constructed. Thats not to say that there aren’t experimental sounds to be heard on this record, in fact there are some sounds on here that are as satisfying as anything the Mason Proper crew has assembled. The sound overall is much more premeditated, and dare I say, even pretty. Jonathan Visgr’s capable vocals soar to the front of the mix showing that he can make mid-tempo rockers pump and writhe, and the locking bass drum combo accentuates the pulse of each song perfectly. Don’t fret, those glorious keys and piano that made “There is a Moth in Your Chest” so exciting aren’t absent, making a strong showing on “Only a Moment” and “Shiny”. Mason Proper have even added in some horns on some tracks to expand thier musical pallete. They’ve made a much more cohesive album than their debut, one you could easilly find yourself lost in it for hours. Mason Proper are on top of their game, at their quirky crazy best, and confident enough not to hit you over the head with that fact.
Mason Proper – Fog
Mason Proper – Shiny
Mason Proper Myspace
