review: Woud / Bebe Fang

Samling is a small label from Holland and has released up till now five releases. Next to three cd-r's and one tape they also published a book. The second and the latest release are both related to the Dutch band Eklin which I wrote about earlier on this blog.

The latest release is a cd-r by Woud. The cd-r itself comes in a small plastic bag with a fold out poster on A3 format with a nice black and white drawing by the musician himself. Woud is the bassplayer of Eklin and on this debut release he serves the listener three tracks of trippy ambient. Opening track 'Fire' is the most dark track and could be a ambient piece by Burzum... if he was on a happy trip. This as Woud never gets too dark... his ambient structures are more spacey and relax and peaceful instead of dark and mean.

Listening more and more to the disc and to the other two tracks the music goes more and more into a sort of ambient pop or dream pop style. With this music you do not need to take any drugs to start floating... the soft sounds, tranquil vocals and soothing melodies are all you need. And... it is a happy trip for sure!

Released earlier but still available and even more interesting as Woud is Bebe Fang. This is a duo with another Eklin member behind the controls. Bebe Fang is much more ritualistic as Woud, almost becoming some sort of folk music. This debut tape with five tracks feels like an obscure field recording from the heart of old Europe, or Scandinavia.

In away this could have fitted on the great Fonal label as it is freaky and experimental and as said folky in a weird way. The pieces without rhythms are more ambient like... in away as those of Woud but darker and more mysterious. When the rhythms come in the music truly becomes ritualistic and shamanistic. It works the same way into your system as some of the Zola Jesus pieces, but Bebe Fang sounds more authenthic... and again as said more like an obscure field recording as contemporary pop music. Really amazing and mind blowing... it gives me shivers and I love it... highly addictive!

Both releases are very limited... the cd-r of Woud is released only in an edition of 50 copies and the Bebe Fang tape comes in an edition of 100 copies. You can get both releases at the Enfant Terrible webshop here...

review: Former Ghosts - New Love.

I read a few reviews that were not all that positive about this second album by Former Ghosts. Basically it came down to the same point: there is no spine-chilling track as 'The Bull And The Ram' on "New Love."

Well... yes that is true... and as much as I loved the first album ("Fleurs", for a review see the archive) I must say that "New Love." is even better as the debut album. While 'The Bull And The Ram' is a truly excellent piece it did lift the whole album to a higher level. Not that the other tracks were not good... but still this highlight was in the end almost all that stuck to your mind.

"New Love." is another story. The album is more cohesive with several really good tracks on it. In general the songs are more melodic and this gives the album a more accessible feeling. The debut was quite dissonant at some points. This new album has a much more gentle flow so to speak.

The records builts up much better and the most outstanding tracks are placed just in the right spots. This makes listening to the record a true pleasure and makes you keep coming back... not for one track but for all of the tunes.

Next to that the highlights of "New Love." are maybe not as mindblowing as 'The Bull And The Ram' but they are excellent on their own. For example 'New Orleans' is a fantastic elektro-wave piece with some late night dancefloor potential.

Zola Jesus' Nika Roza Danilova is also back on two tracks. But this time there is another guest vocalist, Yasmine Kittles, who is probably best know from fellow electronic outfit Tearist.

While Yasmine adds some well delivered whispering vocals, Nika does her typical vocal thingy on 'Chin-Up' and 'Only In Time' and is almost responsible again for the best track on a Former Ghosts album. Almost... as most outstanding is without a doubt 'Right Here' a track done only by Freddy Ruppert, so done also without his companion Jamie Stewart (from Xiu Xiu). A wonderful small melancholy piece. Like a new wave inspired Casiotone For The Painfully Alone in a way...

"New Love." is a great new album despite the fact that nothing truly new is happening compared with the first album, but still I think the more accessible side of Former Ghosts portrayed here is their best side so far...

review: Former Ghosts - Fleurs

It is funny... Cold Cave has a good rumor going on, Former Ghosts is following close after them (mainly because of sharing musicians and performing together) and Agent Side Grinder is just around the corner. This "neo wave" is nothing new at all... as followers of my label know. It is right now maybe just (again) the next hype for some journalists and labels... well I hope not... I rather see this music to be taken seriously and getting the credits it deserves. It is much more daring as the music from the contemporary gothic scene (also a sort of neo wave). Which is often nothing less as simple and cheesy Garageband/Fruityloops dancefloor music with some distorted vocals.

Anyway... Former Ghosts... what a debut album they have delivered. Too be honest 'Fleurs' did not attract my full attention when I first put it on. But... after the album was finished I put it on again and again and again... The thing is that the first few songs are not outstanding... compared to the rest of the album that is. Maybe it will appeal to some peope who are looking for a not everyday but still dancefloor type of song in the 80's new wave / cold wave tradition.

My advice is to skip the first three songs and then plunge into the dark, moody and eerie sounds of Former Ghosts. The thing that sets this band apart from many other bands in the neo wave scene is that the electronic music sounds fresh and crispy. It has some cuts and clicks moments and quite clear and nice melody lines. Most bands who play this style of music have a dominating analogue sound (do not get me wrong... I like that) with lots of distortion all over it. So, not Former Ghosts.

The vocals are rather eerie and in the background a bit muffled too. The combination with the music is like an updated version of Trisomie 21 to give at least one reference.

My absolute favorite tracks are those that feature the singer from Zola Jesus. It gives me shivers all over. 'In Earth's Palm' and especially 'The Bull And The Ram' would fit perfectly in a David Lynch film. You know in a scene in some strange and run down or otherwise unsettling bar or roadhouse. With a singer on stage who seems to be half fainting or anything... well I guess you get the picture.

To conclude... wow! What a record. I should get some copies for my webshop soon...