Jim Bob (Carter USM): Driving Jarvis Ham - A Book Review
With first novel Storage Stories behind him, indie-punk dinosaur Jim Bob has now written a book about the most annoying person in the world. »
BassGit has written the following articles:
Despite a scattering of cheap couplets, I Promise You Always The Sky is a strong set of songs from Love Echo, essential for fans of woozy, bass-heavy electronica with vocals that don’t assume they’ve been lobotomised.»
As extraordinary and original as the film itself, Berberian Sound Studio is both a bona fide film score and consistent electronica album, and in the wake of Trish Keenan’s tragic death carries the very real air of a requiem.»
Kino is a fun ride, doing to A-Ha and the Pet Shop Boys what Flight of the Conchords did for the White Stripes, only doing it with more subtlety.»
Eleven years after its release, Matthew Herbert’s Bodily Functions still has the power to turn heads. The problem is only a select number of heads seem to remember it, which is at least one good reason for this two disc re-issue to bring it out from under the radar. »
This is a rare and affecting record; the kind of work a rock star can only produce if locked in a room with no cocaine.»
While the constant playing with key, time signature and vocal delivery might feel like William Shatner run amok, Christmas Album is never less than charming, and will make a respectable stocking filler for elderly relatives and devout Belle & Sebastian fans alike.»
If Tom Skinner can express his own imagination this creatively it’ll be interesting to see what might happen if he’s allowed to drum for a commercial pop band.»
1992: Remastered is the perfect way to remember Carter USM; a half hour of dizzying pop from a real life Bill and Ted who had no phone booth, bigger amps and came from Crystal Palace.»
A stepping-stone to somewhere unique that might have worked better as an EP of vocal-only tracks.»
There’s only so much slowed-down, sighing pop the brain can take without malfunctioning. »
Marrying the ambient weirdness of Pye Corner Audio with Ghost Box’s eerie school video skits, Sleep Games gives both sounds a dark, disco edge, resulting in a hybrid that feels like Johnny Jewel being allowed a seat at a séance. »
Balance is intimate to the point of farce.»
As adventurous as it is tuneful, and sealed in cover art even Def Leppard wouldn’t sign off, Young Smoke's Space Zone is an aggressive little record that takes you into the cosmos without making you leave your bedroom or put down the joypad.»
The various elements miraculously align and find a rhythm, like a jigsaw puzzle with a hidden message on the reverse.»
Spitzer have finally delivered the album no-one would have expected: one which never matches ‘Roller Coaster’ for oomph but does it own thing patiently, and juggles ideas it rarely drops. »
Further Excusrions into the Ulu may be a little too varied to attract any newcomers to folk, but it’s trippy and enticing enough to seduce the curious; as English as Morris Men, and as peculiar as Danny Boyle taking control of a church fete.»
With the same homemade production as The Ship’s Piano, Lido is an hour of acoustic-electronic pop, each track swathed in nostalgia like Boards of Canada gone busking.»
Not since the golden years of the Third Eye Foundation has someone released music this synthetic and demented.»
Nguzunguzu seem to be in an experimental phase but are in it with both feet, turning most of their insane skits into 20 minutes of IDM gold.»
Cooly G has achieved a small miracle in making an album that never fudges the consistency of early singles. Playin’ Me is a warm and nimble record, edged with just enough synth-heavy jungle to tell you it’s for real.»
If she can avoid the self-parody and keep her focus on the landscapes/memories, MayMay'll be one to watch.»
Anyone familiar with Jody Wisternoff - and the sounds he’s been making for the past 25 years - will find Trails We Blaze the solo debut they’ve been waiting for; an unbroken hit of slinky electro.»
Bleak, beautiful, and old-fashioned soundscapes; the kind that make you want to put a poncho on and walk thoughtfully into a storm.»
A worthy companion piece to Severant, Work, Live and Sleep in Collapsing Space continues the uniqueness that won Kuedo such platitudes.»
This is the album Morrissey could have made if he’d been treated to MDMA and burgers.»
In summary, one very intelligent Now! album.»
Barely in his twenties, it’s shocking someone so young could be this articulate - it’s as though Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy made a wish on a fairground, and somewhere out there is a grown man running around with a teenager’s personality.»
With first novel Storage Stories behind him, indie-punk dinosaur Jim Bob has now written a book about the most annoying person in the world. »
A small victory in itself, like someone got Orbital played inside the House of Commons.»
Lone’s delivered the record he’s always promised: a cross-section of house layered with nature, climaxing Segas, and good vibes, and his trademark muzak for manic depressives.»