Tag Archives: Pink Floyd

Shimmer EP From Arktik Lake Creates Auditory Ambiance Like No Other

18 Oct

Arktik Lake just released their debut EP Shimmer and it will not disappoint listeners who want to indulge in some auditory shoegaze and ambient rock. Think Simple Minds meets Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and you just have one facet of what Arktik Lake sounds like. With the themes of astral traveling, galaxies, and simply existing, this EP is one to just listen and take all of the music in. Marty Willson-Piper leading vocals and the background vocals of Olivia Willson-Piper cascading through, listeners will be surprised that this is their debut EP and everything sounds like it has been rooted for years. Listening to more of the EP, listeners get a deep idea of Arktik Lake and what really matters to them. A standout track from Shimmer called Promises We Made, includes lyrics such as “forever promises, we made, just you and me”. From the up of the guitar riff to the light drums in the background of the tracks, the band does an amazing job of not only creating auditory texture, but ambiance as well.

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Artist Website

https://www.arktiklake.net

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Antipodes By The Basement Paintings Channels Progressive Rock’s Greatness

17 Mar

Take one listen to Antipodes by The Basement Paintings and you’ll see that this group epitomizes the greatness that the progressive rock genre carries. Between the heavy instrumentals and the balancing of the bass guitar and drums, they make their sound their own. A standout track on the album is Instinct and while it carries the progressive rock instrumental qualities, the song also sets up the musical arrangement in a way that you aren’t sure if its supposed to be a light song or a heavy song. It effectively mashes up the instrumentals in an almost infinite time arrangement with the sounds of reverb, and its definitely what I would say sets them off into their own spin on a progressive rock group. Trance and ambient qualities fill the album’s sound as well. From start to finish, this band from the prairies of Saskatchewan does a really good job of not only surprising listeners, but puts a new band on the map that shows that they are masterful at their craft.

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The Sparkling Black By Aura Blaze Channels The Feel Good Music of Space Rock

8 Jun

Aura Blaze’s album The Sparkling Black carries all the elements of space rock into 2019 with a cadence that is unreal. Set to release June 21 in the intentional timing around the beginning of the Summer Solstice, the brainchild of this operation Rhode Rachel has thought of everything. From the beginning of the album setting the foundation of their out of world sound and the story of their music space, it makes listeners think they are in an observatory museum with those audio headphones prepared to consume the facts and nuances of a world unknown. The middle of the album shifts around with the musical varieties and the heavy rock influence as well. It forces listeners to shift what they were listening to earlier in the album to adapt to the heavy, but almost orchestra  sort of rock. The perfect blend of new age and futuristic rock and the influences of classic rock make The Sparkling Black more than a masterpiece.

For more listening: Good While It Lasted

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Weakened At The Asylum Shows The Power Of Rock Opera From Midwest Soul Xchange

1 Nov

When you combine politics and rock opera anthems, you get Midwest Soul Xchange. Midwest Soul Xchange sets the scene of their rock opera story by following certain characters who experience the Flint Michigan water crisis. Growing up around The Who, Pink Floyd, and classic rock, they draw heavily on these influences within their music. When one thinks of such a heavy piece like this, one’s mind goes to think about musicals. Fifteen Parts sets up the lyrical narrative with metaphors and lyrics that create detailed visual imagery for listeners to come up with in their mind. Narrowing in on the emotional feelings of this tragedy and bringing in positive references to “headphones filled with dreams” gives the characters optimism in the opera. Two musical artists that Midwest Soul Xchange reminds me of include The Decemberists and Jersey Boys. They both are very effective at storytelling through lyrics and are able to mix it up with power ballads and monologues within their music. For an unique genre of rock opera, most listeners will find that these comparisons are where their similarities are the most. Alongside the main subject being centered around the Flint Michigan water crisis, the band does an amazing job of intertwining storytelling, informing, and the significance of perceived normalcy in times of tragedy. Not only does Weakened At The Asylum point out significant political heaviness, but it also sheds light on the struggles of these characters and their point of view. 2018 is the year of possibilities and they show we can be the first to make the change and to not wait.

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Rahm’s Spiritual Sound Makes Between The Lines Stand Out

30 Nov

With Rahm’s premiere EP Between The Lines, listeners will hear the spiritual undertone that his music has. Just one of the tracks, You Are Not Alone has breathy, female vocals that accompany Rahm’s voice in such a complimentary way. The EP has a great combination of perfect music structure and lyrics that complement the soft, yet progressive sounds of Rahm. Similar artists that listeners will think of when listening to Rahm include Genesis, David Bowie, and Pink Floyd. The emphasis on beautiful piano work, progressive guitar, and heartfelt lyrical storytelling all make listeners pay attention and want to listen to more of Rahm.

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