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Hop On Pop
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8/14/2015 4:47:00 AM
I've been writing full-on record reviews
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 Holiday
Welsh 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.
I'll make new posts as I have new ones published, but here are links to the rest of my reviews:
Martin Newell - Teatime Assortment
A sort of "best of" the last 5 years or Martin's output as Cleaners From Venus.
The Thons - Hot Fun
Chicago post-punk trio with killer guitars, takes on a slight psych flavor. But not too much.
The Chills - The BBC Sessions
Excellent career-spanning live in-studio document from the brilliant Kiwi band and Flying Nun stalwarts.
Wand - Ganglion Reef
If Black Sabbath were an Elephant 6 band.
The Limiñanas - (I've Got) Trouble In Mind: 7"s and Rare Stuff 2009/2014
Excellent French husband/wife duo who channel all that is good and right about the Nuggets box sets.
Tinarawen - The Radio Tisdas Sessions/Amassakoul
Vinyl reissue of the first 2 albums from the great Tuareg collective.
Fumaça Preta - Fumaça Preta
My #1 album of last year (depending upon the day). Like Captain Beefheart jamming with Os Mutantes and Tom Zé. Seriously. And seriously awesome.
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.
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Father Time
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8/14/2015 10:54:10 AM
---- Updated 8/14/2015 11:01:24 AM
That's pretty cool that you're into this, Todd. You should use some of your critical and writing skills on your IMP station blurbs, it would be a great addition to our Station Mash page. :)
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Stoneman
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8/14/2015 12:22:43 PM
Really appreciate your participation on the Feedback Factory also. You Rock!
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Bat Faced Girl
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8/14/2015 1:42:51 PM
Aha I only speak to Nathan Ford at the Active Listener!
Nice to know another face there :)
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Hop On Pop
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8/14/2015 2:11:53 PM
Cool, Batface!
You ever submit anything for review?
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Hop On Pop
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8/14/2015 2:14:49 PM
Cool, Batface!
I searched the site and found this stuff about your band there:
BAT FACE STUFF @ ACTIVE LISTENER.
You should submit some stuff for review, too.
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SILVERWOODSTUDIO
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8/14/2015 4:43:59 PM
Great job Todd---the Chills are a fave band of mine------the Dunedin sound
Martin Phillips is the man, been around for yonks but always inventive
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Bat Faced Girl
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8/17/2015 3:07:05 PM
Yeah Hoppy I should :)
I'm soooo slack LOL
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Shoe City Sound
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8/18/2015 5:42:24 AM
Guess I must be living under a rock - never knew about The Active Listener. I'm psyched to look around that site and also listen to the bands you've reviewed in this list. Thanks for posting!
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Hop On Pop
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9/18/2015 12:15:09 PM
Here's another new one:
Dr. Cosmo's Tape Lab - Coconut Summer Drop In 432
Scottish psych weirdos do their best Brian Wilson impression.
Also, I should have another 2 new ones up sometime next week.
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Hop On Pop
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9/21/2015 7:01:25 PM
Another new one:
Salad Boys - Metalmania
A New Zealand band from Christchurch, who sound like they're from Dunedin.
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Hop On Pop
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10/4/2015 8:20:28 AM
The City - Now That Everything's Been Said
Did you know that Carole King had a psychedelic phase?
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Hop On Pop
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10/10/2015 7:54:03 PM
The Butterscotch Cathedral - S/T
A psychedelic masterpiece, with two 18-minute, multi-movement suites that fly by. Quite awesome, indeed.
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Bryon Tosoff
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10/10/2015 10:09:52 PM
man, you are on fire Todd. well done. making a name for yourself.kudos
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Hop On Pop
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10/11/2015 7:19:18 AM
Thanks, Bryon!
Although, reading my newest review, I was noting that I need to proofread better. I was catching some typos. As a writer, that really pisses me off.
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Hop On Pop
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10/27/2015 2:57:11 PM
New one:
Here We Go Magic - Be Small
Engaging synth pop, inspired by John Cale & Brian Eno's masterful 1990 collaboration.
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Hop On Pop
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11/22/2015 2:00:47 PM
Cumbias Chichadélicas - Peruvian Psychedelic Chicha
A really fun compilation of psychedelic Cumbia music from Perú in the late 60s and early 70s.
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Hop On Pop
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11/22/2015 7:23:33 PM
Oh, and I almost forgot to post this one:
Invisible Astro Healing Rhythm Quartet - 2
Modern jazz with post-rock and Ethiopian funk influences.
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Hop On Pop
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12/17/2015 5:47:27 AM
I've had a couple since my last post, but you can find those at the site easily enough (by clicking on my name in the tags).
But, here is my newest:
Klaus Johann Grobe – Baby Lass Uns Sein / Peter Stringer-Hye – Sunday Girls EP
A single and an EP from a couple of artists on my current favorite label—Trouble In Mind. And, TIM pulls through again.
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Two Silo Complex
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12/17/2015 1:53:12 PM
Man that is a lot of work and dedication I take my hat off to you. There was a site I can't remember the name of that I used to be a reviewer on. I would get a queue of songs sent to me to review but it became too time consuming and taxing too keep up with so eventually I got out of it. It was interesting though people in general agreed with my reviews a few times the band I reviewed thought I was too blunt and other people read the review and commented back to the band that my review was correct and they need to tighten up the ship that was amusing. You got rated as a reviewer it was so long ago but I think my reviewer rating was 4 out of 5 stars. Some bands actually submitted to me specifically for review because they liked my other reviews.
I think it can be very eye opening and helpful when the band is willing to listen. Yes I also participate in this sites review channel as I have time.
I think its great that you offer this of your time I hope the bands you review appreciate your effort good work man keep on rock n rolling
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Hop On Pop
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1/7/2016 2:58:59 PM
Dogbowl - Zone of Blue
After more than a decade without a peep, a very, very welcome return by one of my most-beloved weirdo artists of the 1990s.
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Hop On Pop
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2/2/2016 2:17:07 PM
I'm glad that those of you who have been reading these seem to have been enjoying them. And I hope that you're finding new bands to love. Pretty much all of them are indies just like we are here in IMP, so they deserve your support, if you find yourself falling in love with them.
Here's my newest, just published today:
Boogarins - Manual
The excellent new album from a terrific young Brazilian psychedelic band.
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Steve Ison
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2/3/2016 8:21:57 AM
I love reading your reviews Todd..Its great work man - Really interesting,well written and and good exposure for the band too..
Listening to 'Tempo' at the moment..Very creative,eerie n strange..Would def add it to a station if it was up here !
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Hop On Pop
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2/4/2016 4:39:43 AM
Thanks, man. Nice of you to say.
Yeah, I figured that Boogarins would be right up your alley! Well-written melodic stuff.
Thanks for checking it out and I'm glad that you enjoy reading it.
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Hop On Pop
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4/27/2016 6:11:35 PM
Fumaça Preta - Impuros Fanáticos
The second album from these Portuguese Tropicália freak-out kings does not disappoint.
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Hop On Pop
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5/31/2016 4:16:44 AM
Barry Adamson - Know Where To Run
The new cinematic noir sounds from the former bass player for Magazine and The Bad Seeds. He is an all-time favorite.
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Hop On Pop
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6/9/2016 7:41:31 AM
Klaus Johann Grobe - Spagat der Liebe
I 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.
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Hop On Pop
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9/29/2016 7:17:21 AM
Omni - Deluxe
My first one published in a long while. Some pretty great post-punk from former members of Deerhunter and carnivores.
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Steve Ison
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10/3/2016 1:40:53 AM
Another good review Todd...Afterlife is a pretty cool track.Can totally hear the early Wire and The Fall mixed with Devo influences you mention
Would def add it to a station here if it was on IMP..Prob to 1978
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Hop On Pop
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10/3/2016 4:28:17 AM
Thanks, Steve!
I should have another one posted pretty soon—a review of the new one from Ultimate Painting. I really liked that one, too. And I think that you might, too.
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Hop On Pop
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11/1/2016 4:17:02 AM
Ultimate Painting - Dusk
Appropriately titled new album of beautiful somnambulant pop music that's the perfect soundtrack for the ride home after a night out.
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Hop On Pop
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10/4/2019 8:44:08 AM
Bumping this because I'm listening to one of the albums that I reviewed and I'm digging it.
And, this blog has shut down.
And I still think you all might find something you dig, if you read some of these.
I hope you do.
I get nothing out of it, but satisfaction. So, thank you!
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