You have to listen to this

jackhammer · 05-06-2009, 07:03 AM

My review:

Alexander Tucker - Old Fog

I like a lot of Folk music especially British, which is understandable as I can relate to the lyrics and sounds but a lot of Folk music recently has almost had one toe dipped in commercial waters and lacks authenticity.

Folk is not generally a commercial product and this why Old Fog is such a great album. It's a little rough around the edges and lacks the clean lines and catchy riffs that can sometimes be found in mainstream Folk.

The use of Piano, Banjo and Mandolins on the album coupled with eerie tape loops and effects lends Old Fog a surreal yet rewarding listen. This is not gentle folk or neccessarily harsh either. It's brooding and atmospheric and I could just imagine living in the forest with just candle light, a bottle of booze and this playing- it would probably freak you out!

If you are new to Folk or have an image of guy in a wooly jumper talking about sheep or some such shit as Folk music then give this a spin. You will be pleasantly surprised.

gotjuice · 05-06-2009, 05:31 PM

Alright well I'm nearing the end of my initial listen, and overall I enjoyed it. I can legitimately say I've never heard anything really of this particular style or genre. I'll also agree with 4ZZZ that this is definitely a mood album, but that doesn't diminish its impact or beauty.

With the constant introduction of new instruments or effects, I never really found myself bored with the album. I don't really think it fully hits its stride until the third song though, Patron Saint for Troubled Men. Up until that point I was kind of hesitant with the first two tracks, but that was the point where the album got my attention, and it never really let go after that. Phantom Rings is weird in a completely kickass way. I loved the minute and a half interlude-track Welsh Harp. The album ends with a major bang too, with the distorted Hand of Reign and the applicably titled Sung Into Your Brightening Skull.

I enjoyed the first playthrough of this one, but it definitely feels like one that will take several listens for it to finally click. At the moment though I'd give it a 7/10. The Mice Parade gets a 9/10, I'm enjoying that one a little too much I think. Looking forward to the next one.

Piss Me Off · 05-07-2009, 08:29 AM

I liked it, brilliant dark atmosphere and the guitar distortion parts were a very pleasant surprise. It's not something i'm craving to listen to again however, i suppose it's mood music. Should be a keeper though!

jackhammer · 05-07-2009, 04:40 PM

Thanks for the reviews. It seems as if Old Fog was recieved fairly well! OK here is your next one. PMO has had a taste of this so at least one review is in the bag!

Noisy, droney schizz

PM for link!

Piss Me Off · 05-07-2009, 04:45 PM

And if it gets a few more downloads by saying it, fans of MBV may like it! More abrasive and lo-fi.

gotjuice · 05-07-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piss Me Off

And if it gets a few more downloads by saying it, fans of MBV may like it! More abrasive and lo-fi.

If that's true, this really can't download fast enough.

Meph1986 · 05-07-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotjuice

If that's true, this really can't download fast enough.

2nd

gotjuice · 05-25-2009, 02:18 PM

Jackhammer I've had this review coming for a few days now but we've had relatives here for the past week so I have barely had time to do anything. I promise it's coming though

Kamikazi Kat · 05-25-2009, 03:55 PM

This thread is so great that I want to give it a high five. I've been looking foward to another update in this thread. I can't believe I forgot about this thread, I probably missed out on alot of great albums. But from here on, I'm going to stay with it.

Kamikazi Kat · 06-03-2009, 10:09 PM

Xinlisupreme
tommorow never comes

The first thing you are going to notice with this album is that most of it contains thick walls of noise, rough samples with heavy post-production to create as much noise as possible to the point where it smothers any melody that may actually be present. This album is going to come across is almost unlistenable to some, even some fans of noise music might be turned down by it. Its not neccesarily the sound itself that might annoy some. I'm a fan of noise music, dissonance, loud feedback, and noise are nothing new to me. Its the sheer amount of layers of noise, the almost constant amount of short delay echo added to almost everything that might annoy some. To describe the sound, think of that muffled, echo-y sound that you hear when standing outside of a small, cramped bar where some band is playing. Now think of having the outside of wall of one of these buildings being put up against both of your ears, sort of like headphones, all with rapidly looped samples, synthesizers, electronic drums and tons of noise.

Now, lets get to the songs themselves. The melody being smothered by walls of sound is used throughout the album, notably in songs such as "All You Need is Love Was Not True" and "Kyoro." Some tracks such as "Suzu" sway away from this style and instead much more abstract and free sounding or "Goodbye for All" with an eeiry, odd video game-like sound.

Overall, I'm not really sure what to think of this album. I still feel undecided as I never really felt like I really enjoyed this album, yet I could see what kind of sound the musician was aiming for and can understand what he is trying to do.

05-06-2009, 07:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	My review: Alexander Tucker - Old Fog I like a lot of Folk music especially British, which is understandable as I can relate to the lyrics and sounds but a lot of Folk music recently has almost had one toe dipped in commercial waters and lacks authenticity. Folk is not generally a commercial product and this why Old Fog is such a great album. It's a little rough around the edges and lacks the clean lines and catchy riffs that can sometimes be found in mainstream Folk. The use of Piano, Banjo and Mandolins on the album coupled with eerie tape loops and effects lends Old Fog a surreal yet rewarding listen. This is not gentle folk or neccessarily harsh either. It's brooding and atmospheric and I could just imagine living in the forest with just candle light, a bottle of booze and this playing- it would probably freak you out! If you are new to Folk or have an image of guy in a wooly jumper talking about sheep or some such shit as Folk music then give this a spin. You will be pleasantly surprised. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

05-07-2009, 08:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
Piss Me Off Moodswings n' Roundabouts Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: At the corner of Dude and Catastrophe Posts: 4,470	I liked it, brilliant dark atmosphere and the guitar distortion parts were a very pleasant surprise. It's not something i'm craving to listen to again however, i suppose it's mood music. Should be a keeper though! __________________ Last FM Rate Yr Music Muxtape

05-07-2009, 04:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	Thanks for the reviews. It seems as if Old Fog was recieved fairly well! OK here is your next one. PMO has had a taste of this so at least one review is in the bag! Noisy, droney schizz PM for link! __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

05-07-2009, 04:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
Piss Me Off Moodswings n' Roundabouts Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: At the corner of Dude and Catastrophe Posts: 4,470	And if it gets a few more downloads by saying it, fans of MBV may like it! More abrasive and lo-fi. __________________ Last FM Rate Yr Music Muxtape

05-06-2009, 05:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
gotjuice Rose City til I die! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 366	Alright well I'm nearing the end of my initial listen, and overall I enjoyed it. I can legitimately say I've never heard anything really of this particular style or genre. I'll also agree with 4ZZZ that this is definitely a mood album, but that doesn't diminish its impact or beauty. With the constant introduction of new instruments or effects, I never really found myself bored with the album. I don't really think it fully hits its stride until the third song though, Patron Saint for Troubled Men. Up until that point I was kind of hesitant with the first two tracks, but that was the point where the album got my attention, and it never really let go after that. Phantom Rings is weird in a completely kickass way. I loved the minute and a half interlude-track Welsh Harp. The album ends with a major bang too, with the distorted Hand of Reign and the applicably titled Sung Into Your Brightening Skull. I enjoyed the first playthrough of this one, but it definitely feels like one that will take several listens for it to finally click. At the moment though I'd give it a 7/10. The Mice Parade gets a 9/10, I'm enjoying that one a little too much I think. Looking forward to the next one.

05-25-2009, 02:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
gotjuice Rose City til I die! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 366	Jackhammer I've had this review coming for a few days now but we've had relatives here for the past week so I have barely had time to do anything. I promise it's coming though

05-25-2009, 03:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
Kamikazi Kat Music Addict Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 329	This thread is so great that I want to give it a high five. I've been looking foward to another update in this thread. I can't believe I forgot about this thread, I probably missed out on alot of great albums. But from here on, I'm going to stay with it.

06-03-2009, 10:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
Kamikazi Kat Music Addict Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 329	Xinlisupreme tommorow never comes The first thing you are going to notice with this album is that most of it contains thick walls of noise, rough samples with heavy post-production to create as much noise as possible to the point where it smothers any melody that may actually be present. This album is going to come across is almost unlistenable to some, even some fans of noise music might be turned down by it. Its not neccesarily the sound itself that might annoy some. I'm a fan of noise music, dissonance, loud feedback, and noise are nothing new to me. Its the sheer amount of layers of noise, the almost constant amount of short delay echo added to almost everything that might annoy some. To describe the sound, think of that muffled, echo-y sound that you hear when standing outside of a small, cramped bar where some band is playing. Now think of having the outside of wall of one of these buildings being put up against both of your ears, sort of like headphones, all with rapidly looped samples, synthesizers, electronic drums and tons of noise. Now, lets get to the songs themselves. The melody being smothered by walls of sound is used throughout the album, notably in songs such as "All You Need is Love Was Not True" and "Kyoro." Some tracks such as "Suzu" sway away from this style and instead much more abstract and free sounding or "Goodbye for All" with an eeiry, odd video game-like sound. Overall, I'm not really sure what to think of this album. I still feel undecided as I never really felt like I really enjoyed this album, yet I could see what kind of sound the musician was aiming for and can understand what he is trying to do.