Music

Sever “Coma Circle” LP – hardcore scream metal

With a great mix of hardcore metal and rock that will knock your socks off, Sever is a band worth listening to. With the traditional line-up change expected from a band that's more than a decade old, Sever's current lineup is as perfect as can be. Coma Circle features 10 tracks filled with energy and rawness that's hard to find nowadays. Perhaps the fact that they are relatively unknown (as of yet) adds to the appeal, but this German band certainly deserves a chance to be heard.

Kadohadacho – free compilation release from Exponential Records & Friends

2010 SXSW might be over already, but you can still get some good free music from many labels. Exponential Records, Ninja Tune, Stones Throw, Daly City, Creaked, Innovative Leisure, and Fake Four have put together a 19-track compilation for you enjoyment and made is available as a free download to everyone. With tracks from all over the world and across many different genres everyone is destined to find something they will like.

Dirty Wings by Josh Woodward – Pop Rock with Quirky Lyrics

The one-man alterno-acoustic livewire act from Ohio strikes again. One of the most consistent creative commons artists out there, Josh Woodward is definitely one artist to watch out for every time he releases something new. Dirty Wings is actually an older album from his entire collection, but like most of his work, its filled with catchy, pop, acoustic indie tracks that are nice to sing along to.

Another Quiet Winter by NCThompson – Music for Quiet Moments

NCThompson, an American musician, officially steps into the online scene for the first time with an EP called “Another Quiet Winter.” From the title, one could easily expect an easy listening experience, perfect for a winter that is, well, quiet. Asked about his insights on his new EP, NCThompson says, “These songs just seem connected by the loneliness of looking up and seeing nothing but a cold gray sky; when all that’s left is a longing feeling for times once passed. And as depressing as that may sound, I think there’s something to be said for the kind of emotions that such longing can inspire.”

Zoe.LeelA’s Queendom Come – vibrant electro-pop

German pop songstress Zoe.LeelA describes her music as "New Plastic Soul," and to be honest I can't think of a better category to put it in. This 6-song EP, appropriately titled Queendom Come, is a bold statement of feminist energy and sexual tension. Zoe already has quite a following in Germany and France, but it remains to be seen whether her very European sound will translate well across the pond.

The Silent Ballet Volume XIV – compilation album from The Lost Children netlabel

The Lost Children Netlabel and The Silent Ballet have teamed up again to present some of the most talented but yet to be discovered musicians around the world. As the album's title says, they are now on "Volume XIV." There are 12 tracks in this compilation album of ambient-electronic music. The tracks are combination of relaxing and emotionally stimulating music, but it is predominantly trance. Some tracks have a far more intense energy than others, so I am not quite sure whether I'd be playing that as background music for a "quiet me time." Most tracks, however, are decidedly soothing.

I Am Not Lefthanded “Time To Leave” – Indie Pop Rock Sound with Captivating Vocals

Pop indie music with dashes of alternative and coupled with sweet girl vocals. They might not be lefthanded but they sure can create good lovely music. I Am Not Lefthanded makes simple music sound as if it's the only kind of song worth listening to. Their short album Time to Leave is a great blend of melodic indie rock with small doses of alternative rock. Citing some of Indie music's darlings (Rilo Kiley, Deathcab for Cutie and Weezer) as among their top favorites; it's hard not to notice the obvious influence in sound and lyrical quality. Citing some of Indie music's darlings (Rilo Kiley, Deathcab for Cutie and Weezer) as among their top favorites; it's hard not to notice the obvious influence in sound and lyrical quality.

Pull My Daisy (Ex Lillian Gish) – Yellow Cake & Velvet Crash

A touch of dark, industrial, melancholic and straight up rock music with a French twist. Pull My Daisy rose up from the remains of French band Lillian Gish and came to create a soundscape filled with rockish guitars, a 90s flair and easily likable tunes. Yellow Cake & Velvet Crash is filled with dark noise rock, instrumental beats that makes you to listen from one track to the next without putting up much of a fight. It's easily likable especially if you still dream of the days when great angry 90s rock music filled the radio.

L’autre endroit – A Golden Sound of Silence

Heavy guitar trip-hop all to the sound of Silence. Native Belgian, Vincent Gires, dubs himself as a Silence and creates music infused with trip-hop, industrial and ambient. Although some might argue about labeling his music as trip-hop when its leaning more towards straightforward industrial sound, there is no doubt that certain tracks on this album centers on thought provocation which is the core of trip-hop. Stop!, for instance, features a woman on the verge of being a victim to a crime. L'autre endroit compiles heavy guitars and synthetic beats that takes you for a ride into the unknown.