Andrei Machado - Lacuna (V0)

Piano is a beautiful instrument.

Ambient, minimal and at the same time thick with emotion.

La Mi Realidad

Download it here.

This music free to share under a Creative Commons Music Sharing License.

Andrei Machado on Myspace.

Kevin Greenspon & Cloud Nothings - Kevin Greenspon/Cloud Nothings Split EP (FLAC)

1: "We’re going to die in this cave."

2: "No we won't, stop telling me what to do."

A short, nonsense summary (above) of both sides of this new 2010 release from Cloud Nothings and Kevin Greenspon. A split EP with 10 simple short songs (the entire EP totaling up a little more than 18 minutes) all of which are pure (1) hook after hook after hook and then the next song starts and it repeats from (1).

Here’s a taste of both sides of the split: Kevin Greenspon - Carpool Pepsi and Cloud Nothings – You're Not That Good At Anything
If your mouth is watering for more or you're a masochist and hated it, then:
Download V0
Download FLAC

Philip Glass - Koyaanisqatsi (V0)

Koyaanisqatsi is the soundtrack partner to the film of the same name. Now, I haven't even seen the film, although I've heard a lot about it. I found this soundtrack because I'm a huge fan of Philip Glass, and honestly this is my favorite work of his.

This soundtrack is an out and out masterpiece. Six tracks of some of the most excellent compositions I have ever heard. It stands up so well on it's own even without the film. You can listen to it while knowing absolutely nothing about the film, like I did on my first listen, and you'll still be driven through an experience like never before. It's honestly hard for me to try and find a way to describe the sound. It uses full orchestras, choirs, and then uses synthesizers as well. And boy they are used to their full extent. There isn't much I can say to paint a good picture as to what to expect, but going into it blind is half the fun.

I've discussed this soundtrack with others, and everybody agreed it was an experience like no other. Some went as far to say it was life-changing. This is one of those things you just have to experience to understand it... So I recommend anyone and everyone to listen to this. It's not the kind of thing to listen to many many times, but the experience of your first full listen is one that you'll never have again. Without words, this album will give you so much to think about, and to contemplate. It'll leave you speechless.

Highlights: Koyaanisqatsi, Pruit Igoe, Prophecies

Download here.

The Deadly Syndrome - Nolens Volens (V0)

I unfortunately didn't hear about The Deadly Syndrome until earlier this year, when I was still spending all my nights in my room awake until 3 AM just listening to music and watching re-runs of Reno 911. I had heard about them from a friend who, ever since I had taken him to a Blind Pilot show, was obsessed with this understated, simplistic pop sound. The songs they do remind me of lost journal entries, or small composition notebooks filled with thoughts and musings about people and love.

Say what you know,
and fake what you don't,

You can't accept,
They won't have kept,
Your name with your death,
and life will be easier.

– "Wingwalker"

Nolens Volens, their 2010 self-released album, carries an aesthetic feel that almost feels ambient at times. The songs "Villan" and "Afterwork," while retaining a somewhat poppy aesthetic, seem to go into self-indulgent territories, which is something absent from most music like this these days. One of my favorite things about The Deadly Syndrome is the careful attention they put towards the instrumentation. There are plenty of swelling synths and calm acoustic guitars, which balance well with the pop-rock songs like "Party City," which almost gives a Rogue Wave vibe. It's a great album for the autumn season, so take this one with you somewhere. You won't regret it.

Download it here, buy it here.

I also invite you to have a listen to their 2007 release, The Ortolan.

Daft Punk - Alive 2007 (FLAC)

By 2007, Daft Punk had already achieved legendary status in the dance music industry. It's no surprise that Alive, a soundboard recording from one of their late-career performances in Bercy, Paris, is one of their most stunning works to date. Remixing and rehashing their new and old material effortlessly and infectiously, constructing and deconstructing vocals and synthesizer loops with ease, Daft Punk prove that they deserve all of the applause that can be heard throughout this recording. The structure of each part and the flawless transitions between them leads one to wonder if Daft Punk really are human after all.

Download.

Mike Oldfield - Ommadawn (320)

Ommadawn is a completely unique work. It's progressive rock only in the sense that it is actually progressive: it bears little resemblance to the giants of the genre. Oldfield has a dense and layered approach to songwriting; there are many instruments being played at the same time but they are all Oldfield himself using tape loops and editing. The result is a trance-inducing, ethereal, mystical work that should be required listening for anyone interested in modern instrumental music. It's the foggy Scottish countryside in audio form.

Don't let the new age tag scare you away, trust me.

Lusine - A Certain Distance (320)

The more I listen to Lusine the more I'm convinced this man is the second coming of IDM. Best described as a mix of Plaid and Boards of Canada, with a dash of electropop, A Certain Distance is a head trip that doesn't contain a single note of filler. From the incredibly catchy melody on "Two Dots" to the brilliant synth layering on "Double Vision," Lusine shows his influences but never rips them off. A true gem in a genre that too often tries to remake drukQs 10 times a year.

Who is responsible, when the line becomes a triangle?