[size=11pt]Russian Circles - “Station”[/size]
Suicide Squeeze Records (2008)

Genre: Instrumental Post-Rock

Tracklist:
01. “Campaign”
02. “Harper Lewis”
03. “Station”
04. “Verses”
05. “Youngblood”
06. “Xavii”

Zitat:The amount of attention that Russian Circles has been able to garner in their short existence has been quite impressive. Despite only one previous full-length, 2006s Enter, the trio has excelled by combining post-rock melodies, energetic climaxes, and a mixture of creative drumming and guitar loops, quickly placing them along side bands with far more experience. Such a sudden rise to underground notoriety sets the stage for the familiar scenario of weighty expectations being placed upon a bands follow-up record. Luckily, Station is packed with many trademark Russian Circles moments (if, of course, a band this young can do such a thing), and has enough quality content to dispel any notions of a sophomore slump.

On paper, Station advertises two major improvements for the group. First and foremost, the addition of Brian Cook (of Botch and These Arms are Snakes) on bass for the records recording brings a higher level of musical versatility and experience. The album also displays a much cleaner and stronger production job than that of Enter. Mike Sullivans knack for writing beautifully captivating guitar melodies that easily transition into organized outbursts wasnt fully captured by the bands last recording, thus making this production upgrade all the more fulfilling.

It isnt hard to recognize abundance of well-executed instrumental rock moments in Station. The organic layers of "Campaign" provide a soothing introduction, while the metallic riffs of "Harper Lewis" remind the listener of Russian Circles rock foundation and wide range of influences. The title track offers the discs most rewarding instrumental builds, as driving drumming allows the song to hit numerous dynamic swells. And the melodic guitar lines in the midsection of "Verses" display Explosions in the Sky-like capabilities of emotive musicianship.

Yet one pervasive characteristic greatly limits the success of Station: the misuse of momentum. Far too many times does this record lay the foundation for fantastic instrumental climaxes, only to shift the direction of the track, squandering its build-up. "Campaign" invests three and a half minutes of atmospheric layers and increasing drum presence on a disappointing return to subtle melodies. "Youngblood" progresses into periods of Pelican-esque metallic riffing and strong drumming only allow the track to meander back to the softer side at around the three minute mark. Russian Circles creative mix of instrumental influences is certainly one of the records strong points, but at many times it just feels like the band has forgotten the gratifying nature of a well executed climax. All of the ingredients are there, and a lot of the individual parts are nothing short of stellar, but these elements fail to be utilized to produce the most rewarding listen. The result is a wealth of excellent individual moments, but an overall product that often feels slightly boring and underdeveloped. Despite this, Station is still a solid record and should definitely be of interest to fans of the band and of the instrumental rock genre.

Bottom Line: The addition of Brian Cook on bass and a huge production improvement make it difficult to ignore Russian Circles second full-length, Station. Its packed with a variety of well-executed instrumental moments, ranging from beautiful melodies to energetic metallic rock, and although the songwriting direction might feel less than gratifying at times, Station is still a quality example of what the band has to offer.

Die Jungs zocken modernen Death/Thrash, d.h. alle Nicht "Oldschool Only Fanatiker" sollten reinhoeren

Zitat:Pennsylvanias CENTURY has posted an e-card featuring three tracks from the bands forthcoming effort, "Black Ocean", alongside biographical information, tour dates, and a trailer for the "Black Ocean" music video, which will receive a small-screen premiere later this month on MTV2s "Headbangers Ball". Fans can also spread the word about the e-card at the above link. In the meantime, "Black Ocean" will see an April 29 release on Prosthetic Records, and is the follow-up to 2006s critically acclaimed album "Faith and Failure", which was released via Tribunal Records.

Mastered by Kim Rosen at West West Side Music in New York, "Black Ocean"s title track and the albums cover art have been posted on CENTURYs MySpace page. CENTURY is also launching a special album we bsite featuring a fully-interactive, full-flash site will feature exclusive content, including hidden features and a bonus track only accessible by solving a code found in the albums artwork. The website will be officially launched April 29 along with the albums release.

Ende letzten Monats ist die neue Scheibe der niederlaendischen Porngrinder "Cliteater" erschienen. Da ich immerhin ein Album von denen mein Eigen nenne ("Eat Clit Or Die"), wollte ich euch die Info nicht vorenthalten.
Die Mucke ist, mehr als sonst noch, natuerlich Geschmackssache

Zitat:Tracklisting:

   1. Nathan Gale (Rot In Hell)
   2. M.I.L.F. Hunter
   3. Desolate
   4. Mummified On Formaldehyde
   5. Impulse To Destruct
   6. 1001 Nights In Perversia
   7. Porn Of The Dead
   8. Bruce-Dick-In-Son
   9. Your Mouth, My Seed
  10. Promised Land
  11. Positive Aspects Of Collective Chaos pt. III
  12. Didgeridildo
  13. Obese Obsession
  14. Pedophiliac Cult
  15. Sea Of Faeces

Verhaeltnismaessig lange war es ruhig um den Herrn White, nach dem Stress um Meg und ihr angebliches Sextape waere das ja auch verstaendlich. Naja und jetztmeldet er sich ueberraschend ungewohnt mit seiner zweiten Band the Raconteurs wieder. Es ist zwar noch Blues Rock aber nicht ganz so dreckig wie man es von ihm gewohnt ist. Ich war etwas skeptisch, denn das erste Album von ihm bei den Raconteurs gefiel mir gar nicht, nein, bis auf Steady as she goes war die Platte ausgesprochen lahm.
Nagut, nichts destotrotz wollte ich trotzdem mal reinhoeren.
Los geht es mit dem Titelsong Consolers of the Lonely. Anfangs ruhig doch dann setzt das Schlagzeug ein (das allerdings nicht auf dem Niveau von Meg White ist, sondern schon etwas besser), kurz darauf kommen die gewohnten Powerchords. Doch das wars dann auch schon mit der Gewohnheit schon bei Track 3 You Dont Understand Me geht es mit Klavier und einer ruhigen Bassspur (!) los. Das Ganze klingt auch nicht mehr roh. Auf dem ganzen Album werden auch mal gerne Streicher und Troeter eingesetzt. Der Gitarrensound klingt nicht mehr so dreckig wie frueher, es ist nicht mehr so riffig aber es ist immer noch sehr gute Musik. Es wird mehr auf Solomelodie gesetzt als frueher und das macht Spass, es tut ja auch mal gute eine schoene Bassmelodie zu hoeren. Der letzte Song Carolina Drama erinnert mich an gewisse Songs von Led Zepplin.
Insgesamt ein sehr schoenes Album. Ungewohnt aber sehr gut. 8/10