EPs Galore! [EPsG27]
16 February, 2013
Today’s post is an EP feature – five tracks each from two bands whose names both (by sheer coincidence, I swear) start with the letter “B”. Plus, two EPs from some sensational performers from Derby. Ready?
Bad Thoughts – Sounds like the perfect name for a punk band – in fact, one already exists – but the Melbourne-based Bad Thoughts specialize in the electronic arts. Their first EP, Easy Roller, is purely instrumental; dreamy, floating synths are wed with more urgent oscillations and light melodies for an overall crisp but enigmatic ambience. The droning “ahh”s and “ohh“s on “Limit Free” enhance the mystery, and invoke the sense of wandering into a temple during a club night; the “oooh” vocals on “Wild Colour” continue that expedition into the sacred ground’s deeper chambers, where even the DJ cannot follow.
Bad Thoughts amplify their spaced-out sound on the “Remember/Surrender” single. They trade in a few synths for some fuzzy, washed-out guitars, and add deep, echoed vocals to their other astral choir. But, ohhh, the B-side – Surrender is a lovely, forlorn track, with the most wonderfully fluid riff undulating underneath the haze. One bright little synth line that chimes in sounds like a relic torn from an 80s ballad, shining through crumbling ruins. Both the Easy Roller EP and the "Remember/Surrender" single are totally free on Bad Thoughts' Bandcamp site, so snap 'em up now. Update: A proper LP from Bad Thoughts is finally out now, featuring mostly new cosmic wonders alongside a handful of old favorites. Not exactly free anymore, but well worth a purchase. |
Black Light Dinner Party – Before we even begin – isn’t that a fantastic name? Certainly caught my attention when I first heard them announced on the radio. Turns out that BLDP are an electropop group, that mesh contemporary vocals with crisp, pulsing synths. So far, they’ve released one EP, imaginatively titled B.L.D.P. “Older Together” sets the glorious standard - especially at 3’25”, when the riff kicks in. Yes, BLDP shamelessly embraces pop structures and vocals, but envelops them in beautiful sound. My absolute favorite, though, remains that first track I heard on the radio, “Leave It All”, a lush track with plenty of muscle, trickling with almost harp-like sounds, that bursts into an amazing chorus. BLDP tone it down a bit with the more minimal “Length of Lace”, then end the EP with the slick but chilling “Small Boxes”, which features some trippy guitar effects. Really, these dudes sound like they’re gunning for their place in the spotlight – and I’d be rooting for ‘em all the way. Keep it up, BLDP!
B.L.D.P is out exclusively on iTunes, and it’s only three bucks for the five tracks. Go dig it.
B.L.D.P is out exclusively on iTunes, and it’s only three bucks for the five tracks. Go dig it.
Hallouminati – Now THIS, ladies and gents, is by far the most original band I’ve uncovered so far. Imagine, if you will, a fusion of gypsy fiddlin’ with madcap ska, performed with an irreverent punk attitude – the result is Hallouminati, a high-flying and fun-loving troupe with two EPs to their name. Barnstormers like “Sing For The Unknown” and ”You Promised Me Moussaka” gleefully dip into punk and ska, respectively, while showcasing the trombone, trumpet and violin. “Life! Death! Prizes!” departs from the manic format, however, and injects some Arabian flare to sulking, hard-edged rock. Hallouminati return to their gypsy hijinks on the closer, “Babyminxy”, which is loaded with plenty of acrobatic violin solos.
The second EP, Merchants of Disorder, is just as delightful. Most stellar is “Markos’ Nightmare”, a chill reggae jam that bursts into skankin’ form after four minutes, features some wicked flute solos, and also showcases the fabulous Emilios Georgiou-Pavli as a guest vocalist. Equally glorious, though, is the slammin’ closer, “Sasha”. Both EPs are worth £2.50 and are available on Hallouminati’s Bandcamp page. If possible, though, you must catch them live – I heard them first through some live sessions on Dandelion Radio, and they were having a blast. Pavil is a total phenom. Fortunately, Hallouminati are on the go this March; you can check the tour dates on their Bandcamp page, too. |