Undeniable Truths

Rather than boring you all again with another long-winded tribute to just one artist or record, I've decided to change things up a bit and offer some quick suggestions for your listening enjoyment...

Grails - Deep Politics
I am quite taken with the new Grails record.  In fact, I've been in 70's psych-/prog-rock throwback heaven since it came out.  In a time when "retro" rock bands have become yesterday's fad, Deep Politics brings us back to why we use the word "classic."  Records that stand the test of time, no doubt, find their way to the hardcore music lovers of every generation.  No one can scoff at a child or teen picking up Dark Side of The Moon or The White Album at the record store...they can only nod in respect and confirmation.  Deep Politics is like Pink Floyd's Spaghetti Western film noir wet dream...and who doesn't want to find out what that sounds like???  Here's a sample from the record, perhaps my favorite track...

Grails have always had a particular approach and sound, and Deep Politics isn't a huge jump in any single direction, but it's definitely different and clearly a more refined body of work than previous efforts.  In years to come it may not be considered a classic, but for me it channels the energy and life of a "classic."

Obscura - Omnivium & Cosmogenesis
These two records are death metal must-haves.  Obscura, from Germany, play a brand of technical death metal that involves fretless bass antics, insane arpeggiated riffs, impeccable clockwork percussion, and lyrics centered around various philosophical -isms.  While Cosmogenesis is a more impressive display of techchnical skill and seemingly incorporates complexity for complexity's sake (or perhaps showboating), the songs of Omnivium are more varied, focused, and accessible.  I have been impressed on many levels with Obscura; if you are or were a fan of death metal, or perhaps appreciated bands like Death and Cynic "back in the day", you should certainly check these guys out.  Here's Vortex Omnivium... 

The riff @ 1:04 is just too good.

Barn Owl
Barn Owl are new to me, and I've been enjoying them so much I put in an order for the repress of their Ancestral Star record over at Thrill Jockey Records.  Barn Owl is a duo comprised of Jon Porras and Evan Caminitia from San Francisco; they create transporting soundscapes by elegantly blending drone, noise, ambiance, and overtones.  This song, from their The Conjurer record, is called Ancient Of Days, and is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard.

Be sure to look for Barn Owl's new record, Shadowland, out this Summer Solstice.

Between The Buried And Me - The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogs
BTBAM just ninja'd up on me and decided to release an epic "ep" tomorrow.  This is the record I've been wanting them to make for a while...three tracks, each around ten minutes long and filled with nothing but the best of BTBAM...a record short enough to be extremely focused and deliberate, but long enough to provide ample audial substance to its listener.  If you were to group White Walls and Swim To The Moon along with these three tracks you would have the perfect album.  Between The Buried And Me manage to be technical, melodic, poppy, progressive, metal, and hardcore all within a few minutes.  I'm not sure what to say so I'll just let the music speak for itself.  Here's the whole record...