PopTodd Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 As you may or may not have heard, I have been writing record reviews for New Zealand-based psych blog The Active Listener.Been doing it for about a year now and it's been cool getting free music to listen to and write about. So, yeah, I don't get paid in money, but in music.My ego tells me that you all are dying to read every single thing that I've written! Actually, I just want to share because I like to share.So, I'm setting up this thread to put in links where my reviews will reside. Check them out if you like (there is always at least one song sample at the end of each), and maybe you'll find something new that you'll like. My newest:DRINKS - Hermits On HolidayWelsh chanteuse Cate Le Bon and San Fran psych man Tim Presley (White Fence) team up to confuse their fans with a fun new project - DRINKS.http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2015/08/drinks-hermits-on-holiday.html I'll make new posts as I have new ones published, but here are links to the rest of my reviews:Martin Newell - Teatime AssortmentA sort of "best of" the last 5 years or Martin's output as Cleaners From Venus.http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2015/07/martin-newell-teatime-assortment.html The Thons - Hot FunChicago post-punk trio with killer guitars, takes on a slight psych flavor. But not too much.http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-thons-hot-fun.html The Chills - The BBC SessionsExcellent career-spanning live in-studio document from the brilliant Kiwi band/Flying Nun stalwarts.http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-chills-bbc-sessions.html Wand - Ganglion ReefIf Black Sabbath were an Elephant 6 band.http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2014/11/album-review-wand-ganglion-reef.html The Limiñanas - (I've Got) Trouble In Mind: 7"s and Rare Stuff 2009/2014Excellent French husband/wife duo who channel all that is good and right about the Nuggets box sets.http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2014/10/album-review-liminanas-ive-got-trouble.html Tinarawen - The Radio Tisdas Sessions/AmassakoulVinyl reissue of the first 2 albums from the great Tuareg collective.http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2014/09/album-review-tinariwen-radio-tisdas.html Fumaça Preta - Fumaça PretaMy #1 album of last year (depending upon the day). Like Captain Beefheart jamming with Os Mutantes and Tom Zé. Seriously. And seriously awesome.http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2014/09/album-review-fumaca-preta-st.html Let me know if you check any of these out and if it helps you discover anything new that you dig. That would make me happy: to make you happy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted September 18, 2015 Author Share Posted September 18, 2015 Here's another new one:Dr. Cosmo's Tape Lab - Coconut Summer Drop In 432Scottish psych weirdos do their best Brian Wilson impression.http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2015/08/dr-cosmos-tape-lab-coconut-summer-drop.html And I should have 2 more up sometime next week. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 I ordered that Drinks record, but it's taking forever to arrive. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted September 18, 2015 Author Share Posted September 18, 2015 I ordered that Drinks record, but it's taking forever to arrive.I think that's because it probably ships from London, where the label is based. Shipments from the UK always take forever! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Salad Boys - MetalmaniaA New Zealand band from Christchurch, who sound like they're from Dunedin.http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2015/09/salad-boys-metalmania.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted October 4, 2015 Author Share Posted October 4, 2015 The City - Now That Everything's Been SaidDid you know that Carole King had a psychedelic phase?http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-city-now-that-everythings-been-said.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted October 11, 2015 Author Share Posted October 11, 2015 The Butterscotch Cathedral - S/TA psychedelic masterpiece, with two 18-minute, multi-movement suites that fly by. Quite awesome, indeed.http://active-listener.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/the-butterscotch-cathedral-st.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted October 27, 2015 Author Share Posted October 27, 2015 Another new one:Here We Go Magic - Be SmallEngaging synth pop, inspired by John Cale & Brian Eno's masterful 1990 collaboration.http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2015/10/here-we-go-magic-be-small.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted November 2, 2015 Author Share Posted November 2, 2015 Just finished writing one for a new jazz album. A little bit out of my comfort zone, but I don't think that I made a complete ass of myself. I'll let you know when it's published and you can be the judge. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 Invisible Astro Healing Rhythm Quartet - 2Modern jazz with post-rock and Ethiopian funk influences.http://active-listener.blogspot.co.nz/2015/11/invisible-astro-healing-rhythm-quartet-2.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted November 22, 2015 Author Share Posted November 22, 2015 Cumbias Chichadélicas - Peruvian Psychedelic ChichaA really fun compilation of psychedelic Cumbia music from Perú in the late 60s and early 70s.http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2015/11/cumbias-chichadelicas-peruvian.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted December 5, 2015 Author Share Posted December 5, 2015 Mystic Braves - Days of YesteryearThink "psychedelic" and the sound of this record is pretty much exactly what you would expect, I think.I don't think it's my best writeup, but it's a pretty good record, and I think that comes across.http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2015/12/mystic-braves-days-of-yesteryear.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted December 17, 2015 Author Share Posted December 17, 2015 Klaus Johann Grobe – Baby Lass Uns Sein / Peter Stringer-Hye – Sunday Girls EPA single and an EP from a couple of artists on my current favorite label—Trouble In Mind. And, TIM pulls through again.http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2015/12/klaus-johann-grobe-baby-lass-uns-sein.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 Are you making these bands up? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted December 19, 2015 Author Share Posted December 19, 2015 Are you making these bands up?Go read the reviews, listen to the samples posted at the site, and decide for yourself. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 Dogbowl - Zone of BlueAfter more than a decade without a peep, a very, very welcome return by one of my most-beloved weirdo artists of the 1990s.http://active-listener.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/dogbowl-zone-of-blue.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted February 2, 2016 Author Share Posted February 2, 2016 Boogarins - ManualThe excellent new album from a terrific young Brazilian psychedelic band.http://active-listener.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/boogarins-manual.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted April 28, 2016 Author Share Posted April 28, 2016 Fumaça Preta - Impuros FanáticosTheir second album is just about as good as their first.http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2016/04/fumaca-preta-impuros-fanaticos.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share Posted May 31, 2016 Barry Adamson - Know Where To RunThe new cinematic noir sounds from one of my favorites!http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2016/05/barry-adamson-know-where-to-run.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 Dogbowl - Zone of BlueAfter more than a decade without a peep, a very, very welcome return by one of my most-beloved weirdo artists of the 1990s.http://active-listener.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/dogbowl-zone-of-blue.html I didn't click the link (work deal) but that's gotta be Dogbowl from King Missile, no? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share Posted May 31, 2016 Sure is. I'm a big fan of his solo work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted June 9, 2016 Author Share Posted June 9, 2016 Klaus Johann Grobe - Spagat der LiebeI had a bit of a hard time writing this one, but it's a very cool new psych-Krautrock record. I really am digging these guys.http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2016/06/klaus-johann-grobe-spagat-der-liebe.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted September 29, 2016 Author Share Posted September 29, 2016 Omni - DeluxeMy first one published in a long while. Some pretty great post-punk from former members of Deerhunter and carnivores.http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2016/09/omni-deluxe.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted November 1, 2016 Author Share Posted November 1, 2016 Ultimate Painting - DuskAppropriately titled new album of beautiful somnambulant pop music that's the perfect soundtrack for the ride home after a night out.http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2016/11/ultimate-painting-dusk.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Omni - DeluxeMy first one published in a long while. Some pretty great post-punk from former members of Deerhunter and carnivores.http://active-listener.blogspot.com/2016/09/omni-deluxe.html This is one of my favorite albums of the year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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