Music

Greg Houwer: Sauna Planet

Pop rock indie artist, Greg Houwer, has recently released his 12 track full length album entitled, Sauna Planet. The album is a mix of pop rock with a slightly trippy, almost psychedelic vibe. It's released and made available online by WM Recordings. Most of the songs are accompanied with simple acoustic guitars, percussions and melodic low-pitch vocals. I won't recommend this record if you dislike anything that could potentially lull you to sleep. The entire feel of the album is that of a laid back compilation that you might want to play as background music if you are drifting off to sleep in your hammock. So if this is what you are looking for, then look no further than this compilation.

Watertank: Fairy Crimes

It's been awhile since I've checked in with my loud side. Here's one really loud metal, prog album for you then. Fairy Crimes is Watertank's latest record. It's a short 6 track compilation that's offered for free. Members of the band are based in France and seem to be heavily influenced by various metal, progressive and even hardcore bands. Heavy double bass drumming, loud and prominent guitars as well as occasional honey voiced vocals are prominently displayed in the band's sound. Watertank has been around since 2003 and have had their fair share of success. They've gotten the opportunity to share the stage with artists like Capricorns, Torche and Lair Of The Minotaur to name a few. Close that door of yours, turn the volume up and start rockin'!

Michelle: Rock and Roll Babilonia

Remember the tight leather pants, long hair, makeup, amazing drums and the heavy addition of loud, aggressive, and distorted electric guitars?! Well, although the great era of hard rock glam and bands (such as Guns'n'Roses, Led Zeppelin, Kiss, and AC/DC) that will forever fill the musical hall of fame, will more than likely never come back to us in its full glory - it is good to know that there are still musicians out there, like Michelle, who can preserve some of its sounds today.

BNegão & Seletores de Freqüência

BNegão & Seletores de Freqüência come from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with a mix of Hip-Hop, Regge, Dub, Jazz, Samba, Soul, Rock, Dance, Metal, Baile Funk and as a description on the artists’ myspace page reads their music is often characterized as explosive. In fact ‘explosive’ is just what I though when I first listened to their album Enxugando Gelo (‘Drying Ice’).

Fresh Body Shop: Bring Me Down

Eight albums released online, three features here in Frostclick and the French boys from Fresh Body Shop are back with a brand new album. Of course, it's available for free download as well so you ladies and gents can still enjoy great music from this amazing electronic, alternative rock group. Following the footsteps of their 2010 release, Directors Cut; Bring Me Down is a 9 track compilation that's filled with the resident beats Fresh Body Shop has come to own over the years. There's still that resident Reznor-esque vocals; the pop electronic alternative sound and the super catchy melodies. Check out this new record by hitting the Download Album link.

Sea Birds: A Softness

This dreamy bedroom folk compilation is simply breathtaking. Like the album cover image, it's cold, desolate, moody and simply ethereal; all in a good way. A Softness is only 5 songs long but every cut is worth listening to and downloading. Sea Birds is actually Morgan Enos. He is a talented songwriter/singer and he has released several records available for free download on CLLCT. This multi-instrumentalist and folk singer is definitely worth checking out. No matter what moniker he uses, he manages to capture you with his sweet voice and amazing instrument work. A real gem for plenty of indie folk lovers out there.

Earwig: Under My Skin I Am Laughing

Earwig is a three piece band, led by the chanteuse, Kirsty Yates, Sergei Tardo, and Dimitri Voulis. This lineup only lasted for one record though, the experimental and hauntingly melodic, Under My Skin I Am Laughing. This compilation was originally released back in 1992 under La Di Da. This compilation is the only full length release from the electronic, experimental outfit. Afterwards, Sergei and Kirsty pursued on as the Insides. They released their record Euphoria to great acclaim and this also helped solidify their jazzy, trippy, and transient sound. Currently, the group are on hiatus. Their last effort as Insides was a full length record released back on 2000, Sweet Tips. Nevertheless, you can take a listen to this Earwig record and see how it all started.

Manors: Demo EP

This 3 song (aptly titled) Demo from Manors is a lo-fi bedroom recording of tracks from this cool girl band. Each track is raw and showcases a beautiful indie pop sound that you can only imagine as being more awesome if it had been professionally recorded and mastered. Even though the tracks have sub-par recording, it does contain a beautiful feel to it. The scratchy recording captures the spontaneity and the beauty of each instrument. Moreover, the experience is heightened by the 70s style vocal unison which is very pretty in places. Give this short a demo a run over and see whether you'll like it or not. One thing's for sure, this sweet compilation is destined as background music for plenty of summer fun.

Derek Clegg: Beautiful World

I greatly admire artists whose passion and personality is strongly reflected in their final craft. I also have a great respect for those who write, compose, record, and produce their music all without the backing of a label and still come out with an album that could make many other musicians jealous. Derek Clegg, a one man band, appeared twice on our blog last year, once with a release of KJC and than with Here Comes Your Fate, Quick Duck. Today he is back with yet another Creative Commons licensed Indie/folk/pop album, Beautiful World, filled with great lyrics and laid back yet diverse sounds that will surely place some of the songs into your 'favorites' playlist - for me this included Innocent, a beautiful track that hopefully will find its way up.