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Mombu - Niger

Sadly, it seems as if Zu has broken up. From the ashes of Zu rises saxophonist Luca T Mai in this duo formed with drummer Antonio Zitarrelli of Neo, another Italian jazz group. This new group has the same heavy metal infused jazz noise that Zu has, but it also incorporates African ideas in the drumming and there are also some chants used. Luca T. Mai delivers on this, and he gets more freedom for his awesome solos than he got with Zu. The drumming is fantastic as well, but there's a heavy free jazz element, so that kind of goes without saying. It'll take a few more listens for me to decide, but I'm almost certain this will make it onto my top 10 albums of 2013.

^ whoa cool that sounds right up my ally. I must be checking that out asap

UN BLONDE | UN BLONDE

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

also Zu broke up? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Listened to that Mombu album. Great stuff. Will likely be high up in my 2013 list.

But now Ive been digging Wedard lately especially this one

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Wo die Ewigzeit blah blah etc etc

One of the better shoegazy black metal albums. The vocals at times sound like hes shouting "woohooo" like going down a waterslide or something idk. Although the whole thing still reaks of loneliness

Trivium - Vengeance Falls

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I know they get a lot of hate around here, but I have been waiting all year for this, and am very happy with it. Not as great as In Waves, but it's very good in it's own right.

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808's & Heartbreaks

I mean, by no stretch his best work, but nonetheless an extremely entertaining pop album. Ye mixes electro/auto tune and tribal drumming to convey the deepest pits of loneliness, frustration, and heartbreak. Very divided reactions but honestly, I don't understand. I would not feel ashamed to have this cd in my car.

edit: **** ya'll haters.

^ I think that's a better album than MBDTF.

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Lana Del Rey - Paradise

This shit is fucking great man. The production is absolutely perfect for her voice and it just melts in my brain.

Well, there's nothing out officially declaring Zu being split up. I got that info from Zu's last.fm comments section from someone who has interviewed a member that toured with the group but didn't appear on any of their albums, so I don't know how much weight it holds, it could just be someone ****ing with us. However, I think it's true because of Zu's connection with Black Engine, which includes all of the members of Zu with another musician whereas they used to put it as Zu + or vs their guest musician. Also, it's been four years since their last release and Luca T Mai and Massimo Pupillo continue to release music with other artists, which suggests a venture on to separate paths.

Back on topic, I've been loving this album lately
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Keiji Haino - 2007-12-31 - Tokyo

This is a Keiji Haino performance that stacks up well to his other varied and ingenious works. This contains over five and a half hours of music and is a challenging listen if you're not used to Haino's style. Haino is his own beast of musical innovation and this album successfully furthers his foray into experimental regions. I have download links if any of you are interested, just PM me.

http://images.contactmusic.com/image...rgins-2013.jpg

Tim Hecker - Virgins (2013)

Tim Hecker is the Mozart of making ambient background noise music that does a great job of sitting in the foreground of your mind. I don't think I like this more than his 2011 album Ravedeath 1972, although that may change after a few more listens.

Definitely in my top 10 of 2013.

Currently on a post-punk binge. I've listened to so much crisp/perfectionist electronic stuff this year it makes a nice change to hear something recorded with empty bean cans for microphones (relatively speaking).

*image of Magazine's 'Real Life' here*