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Music Review – Pillar Point, “Pillar Point”

pillarpoint-album

Artist: Pillar Point
Album: Pillar Point
Label: Polyvinyl Records
Release Date: Out Now  (iTunes | AmazonMP3Spotify | LP/CD/Cassette)
RIYL: Depeche Mode, Throw Me the Statue, M83, Washed Out

For me, synth-pop and electronica has been hit or miss. Few electronic albums turn my head and most of them annoy the hell out of me, which is why Pillar Point’s debut self-titled album is such a stand-out. The tinge of 80′s synth mixed with Scott Reitherman’s smooth, slightly processed vocals are reminiscent of early Depeche Mode, but it doesn’t feel like an experiment in nostalgia.

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Artist: Pillar Point Album: Pillar Point Label: Polyvinyl Records Release Date: Out Now  (iTunes | AmazonMP3| Spotify | LP/CD/Cassette) RIYL: Depeche Mode, Throw Me the Statue, M83, Washed Out
For me, synth-pop and electronica has been hit or miss. Few electronic albums turn my head and most of them annoy the hell out of me, which is why Pillar Point’s debut self-titled album is such a stand-out. The tinge of 80′s synth mixed with Scott Reitherman’s smooth, slightly processed vocals are reminiscent of early Depeche Mode, but it doesn’t feel like an experiment in nostalgia. Pillar Point is Scott Reitherman, with the album produced by long time collaberator Charlie Smith. The album is a departure from their past projects. “Part of what steered me toward the textures and beats of dance music was the feeling of catharsis you can experience through dance,” explains Reitherman. The upbeat sounds of Pillar Point are in direct contrast with the album’s themes of heartbreak, loneliness, aging and isolation in an increasingly connected world. This approach works fantastically, especially on the song “Eyeballs” which is a song dealing with our digital connection with people in our lives, but our disconnection with friends and loved ones in real life. Other stand out tracks include the smooth electronic grooves of “Cherry” and “Echoes.” Scott Reitherman and Charlie Smith have collaborated in the past with the indie-pop outfit Throw Me the Statue, but Reitherman considers Pillar Point his most intimate work yet. “Writing darker songs with dance elements helped me to process the confusion and change I was experiencing in my own life, because within the confines of a pop song I could control little moments of clarity and redemption,” he says. “And for the listener it adds depth to what might otherwise be just dance music.” This honesty and intimacy push each song on the album to a deeper level. It’s easy to enjoy a song for it’s tune, but discovering depth beneath the surface level elements of each song add for a richer experience. While certain tracks do stand out more than others, Pillar Point’s debut self titled album is a fantastic listen from beginning to end. Reitherman does a great job of blending a certain genuine nostalgia for 80′s Synth-pop, but goes above and beyond in still creating something new. The album’s sensibilities don’t feel like a cheap gimmick. Instead, Pillar Point is an fun, engaging and memorable introduction to a project that I hope continues for many more years. *This review originally appeared at PopSyn.com  

Pillar Point – “Pillar Point”

Album

Recommended

Pillar Point is an fun, engaging and memorable introduction to a project that I hope continues for many more years.

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75

The Geekcouch: Backstage Pass – Episode 20

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This week discover Morningside Lane, Harbourer, John Moreland, Nightmares For A Week, Banquets, and Little Chief.

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Backstage Pass: Retro Edition – Episode 9

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SHOW: IndieUprising #11
AIR DATE: Wed, 27 June 2007

I discovered Pierce The Veil in 2007 when I received the Equal Vision press release announcing their debut album, A Flair For The Dramatic which released the week of this original podcast. I was able to talk to lead singer Vic Fuentes about the album and the band. I’m glad that Pierce The Veil has continued, unlike so many of the bands I had interviewed. Now on Fearless Records, their newest album Collide With The Sky was released in 2012 and it’s their best yet. The band has also released a documentary called This Is A Wasteland documenting their most recent world tour.

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The Geekcouch: Backstage Pass – Episode 19

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This week discover Mannequin Pussy, The Rich Hands, Kithkin, Accents, Moonlit Sailor, and Lee Bains III & the Glory Fires

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Music Review – Moonlit Sailor, “We Come From Exploding Stars”

 

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Artist: Moonlit Sailor
Album: We Come From Exploding Stars
Label: Deep Elm
Release Date: Out Now  (Digital | Spotify)
RIYL: U137, Lights & Motion, Dorena, Explosions In The Sky, M83

This review originally posted over at PopSyn.com

Music is often the product of the environment it is bred in. Instrumental Post-Rock band Moonlit Sailor resides in Boras, Sweden where they often experience weeks without sunlight; Sweden is also known for stunning vistas and full seasons. This connection to nature and beauty has always been apparent in their past albums, as well as the side project U137. Deep Elm‘s first official release of 2014 with Moonlit Sailor‘s We Come From Exploding Stars is an emotionally overwhelming experience. The beauty, steadiness and craft put into each song makes this a landmark release for year, and will be a tough one to beat.

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  Artist: Moonlit Sailor Album: We Come From Exploding Stars Label: Deep Elm Release Date: Out Now  (Digital | Spotify) RIYL: U137, Lights & Motion, Dorena, Explosions In The Sky, M83
This review originally posted over at PopSyn.com Music is often the product of the environment it is bred in. Instrumental Post-Rock band Moonlit Sailor resides in Boras, Sweden where they often experience weeks without sunlight; Sweden is also known for stunning vistas and full seasons. This connection to nature and beauty has always been apparent in their past albums, as well as the side project U137. Deep Elm's first official release of 2014 with Moonlit Sailor's We Come From Exploding Stars is an emotionally overwhelming experience. The beauty, steadiness and craft put into each song makes this a landmark release for year, and will be a tough one to beat. Moonlit Sailor is Adam Tornblad (drums, piano, guitars, synthesizers, programming), Markus Rundlof (bass guitar, piano, programming), Oscar Gulbrandsen (guitar, piano, synthesizers, programming) and Joakim Wiik (guitars, piano, programming). We Come From Exploding Stars was recorded at Nacksving Studio (Dorena, Immanu El, Neneh Cherry, The Spotnicks) in Gothenburg, Sweden from September to December 2013. The album was recorded, produced and mixed by Anders Lagerfors (also of the band Obliq) and mastered by Martin at Cutting Room (In Flames, Red One, Dungen, Mando Diao) in Stockholm. With all the talent behind every aspect of the album, it's no surprise We Come From Exploding Stars sounds incredible. The dreamy guitars, thick yet clean bass and intricate percussion are clear and layered marvelously. With these types of albums, it is impossible to list any songs individually. My first listen to Moonlit Sailor's album was alone, eyes closed, on my couch with the stereo blaring. Emptying my mind of all the day's thoughts and stress, I let the music envelope me. It's amazing the visuals you can imagine when listening to music like this. We Come From Exploding Stars is a rich story of creation, beauty, love and death without one word muttered or sung. It is an astonishing accomplishment. Moonlit Sailor has given us another incredible sound-scape to digest. Highly Recommended.   This album (as well as Deep Elm's entire catalog of 200+ releases) is now available on a Name Your Price basis here: http://www.deepelm.com/music

Moonlit Sailor, “We Come From Exploding Stars”

Album

Highly Recommended

We Come From Exploding Stars is a rich story of creation, beauty, love and death without one word muttered or sung. It is an astonishing accomplishment.

User Rating: 4.85 ( 1 votes)
80

Fireside Lounge – Episode 2: Daniel G. Harmann

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The last seven years, Daniel G. Harmann has been making music with his band The Trouble Starts. On February 26th, they played their last show and have all gone their separate ways. Harmann is now working on solo material and has released two digital releases on Bandcamp. The Westroy Sessions 1 and The Westroy Sessions 2. Together we sit down in the lounge and discuss his future as a solo artist.

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The Geekcouch: Backstage Pass – Episode 18

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This week discover: Koji, Head North, Miserable, Seagulls, Whether I, and Slinger Francisco.

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Music Review – Save Ends, “Warm Hearts, Cold Hands”

saveendsArtist: Save Ends
Album: Warm Hearts, Cold Hands
Label: Tiny Engines
Release Date: Out Now – Vinyl / Digital
RIYL: The Get Up Kids, The Anniversary, Farewell Continental, Lemuria, Slingshot Dakota
★★★★☆

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Backstage Pass: Retro Edition – Episode 8

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SHOW: Sean’s Unsigned Rock Show #14
AIR DATE: Tue, 09 Jan 2007

I really dug the band Everdae. They were from Downey, CA and put out a solid EP. However, their singer Omar decided to leave the band to start his own pop-synth solo project, Ohmie. Here is the interview with Paul and Omar that took place right after their EP came out.

Everdae Discography:

2006: Lights Out At The Sound of Hysteria EP [Download Now]
2008: Don’t Make A Sound EP [Download Now]
Ohmie [SoundCloud | Facebook]

Music Review – Arliss Nancy, “Wild American Runners”

arlissnancyArtist: Arliss Nancy
Album: Wild American Runner
Label: Black Numbers
Release Date: Out Now – Vinyl / Digital
RIYL: Drive-By Truckers, Lucero, The Replacements, The Hold Steady, The Gaslight Anthem
★★★★½

I’ve always felt that if an album can garner the feel of a live performance then that album is guaranteed to age incredibly well. Artists like Bruce Springsteen, Paul Westerberg, even Bad Religion and Pennywise have all accomplished a sense of timelessness with each album. Arliss Nancy blends Americana, Country and a dash of punk together into an enticing listen with their third studio album Wild American Runners. Whether you’re driving down an old highway, out on the porch drinking and smoking or just spinning the record with headphones on, Arliss Nancy feels like a band already weathered from the road. Each song conjures up a smokey bar and whiskey soaked booths.

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