I have had this album for over two months now, and love it. It merits a good review.

Asobi Seksu (Japanese for “playful sex”) are a female fronted Shoegaze/Dreampop band from New York, led by japanese singer, Yuki, and guitarist, James.

I’ll start of by saying that this was the perfect time to discover this album, this is definitely music for the spring and summer months.
In recent years, the shoegaze music genre has gained new popularity, and with that, a new string of acts. Asobi Seksu are definitely one of the high and outstanding bands.

The album overall has a crisp, sunny feel. Yuki’s voice being the sun in your eyes, and Jame’s guitars being the warmth in your hair. It is mostly fast paced,though not in a repetitive way, this album has a great diversity in tempo. Yuki’s voice swings and sways through both japanese and english vocals seemlessly, her vocal melodies are bouncy and sweet. She has a talent for vocal range, and it can have more of a pop sound at times, or it can have a lighthearted, ethereal thrum.
The lyrics themselves seem exploratory and diverse, which reach an emotional peak on “Thursday” bittersweet lyrics about remembrance and longing in a detached mannerism… kind of cure-ish in it’s context.
“With sharpened tongue
I cried out for you
And must I refrain
Now that I need you
The autumn wind feels
As if it were you
And swayed through the fields
Where I once held you”
Mixing subtle and symbolic imagery with a hefty feeling of nostalgia. Her voice could be compared to that of Harriet Wheeler of the Sundays at times, but mostly it has no comparison. Very fresh.

The guitars frequently morph between a misty, skyward shimmer and a sunny, crisp jangle even branching the a hazy drone much reminiscent to My Bloody Valentine or Flying Saucer Attack(I think they hate being compared to MBV, it is a little redundant but…they did happen to pull off that sound a good few times in this album) in the song “Pink Cloud Tracing Paper”. The rhythm is also different than a lot of dreamgaze these days. It spurs along, almost aglow, rather than a harsh wall of noise, it is like a winding trail, leading you through the songs and into the atmosphere like a curious child.

Notable tracks are few, since the album is devoid of “dud” songs and keeps the listener’s attention from beginning to end.
But there are a few blissworthy moments. “Red Sea” begins with a chaotic effectual followed by a lush, atmospheric melody that takes your breath away…then Yuki comes in over drenched melodies with a high note worthy of sunrise itself.

“Pink Cloud Tracing Paper” is a very strong song, filled with staticky shoegaze haze, and male vocals. With a droning guitar melody tastefully applied to an ethereal swell.

Also, the single “Strawberries” appears on this album. A very good introductory track. Fast paced, with lyrics bordering on the fantastical.

Overall, magnificent. Brings images of sunny fields under buglit sunset to mind. I will be listening to this a lot this summer.

http://www.myspace.com/asobiseksu

“Thursday” music video

Click here to view the embedded video.

Give them a listen!

Air is adapted from a Visual Novel by Key, who have a history of releasing amazing things like this, and this anime is no exception.  It is one of the most titillating and beautiful anime I have ever watched, it almost put me in a dreamlike state.  Seriously, it took me a while to emerge from it and shake it out of my head.
It takes place in a coastal town based on Kasumi, Japan (though some of it takes place in historic japan)
I’d call it a fantasy/slice of life drama/comedy, even though it goes so far beyond that.

The art is what immediately caught my attention. The art and the animation. So fluid and beautiful in a way that takes anime to a new level. In fact, Air was the first anime to be released in Blu-Ray format. The first anime in HD! Amazing!
Unfortunately, I had to order it DVD format (I watched the first episode in HD, though, at my friend who recommended it….and it BURNED)
The movement is not choppy at all, the colors and lights are seamless, and the way that nature and movement is depicted is beyond perfect. Most anime seems flat, colors seem bleached. This world is alive and rhythmic. From the wind in the fields to the clouds, and the water, which is gorgeous. So surprising for this kind of anime.
Which brings us to the story and setting. The story begins with Yukito, a traveling puppeteer with a unique talent… He meets a young girl, being stranded with no money(and little success from the mightily stale local children). Misuzu is an accident prone sweetie who apparently uses the word “Gao” as a sentiment.
I won’t get too far into the story, it goes through multiple arcs and many characters with each their own mysterious past. I will say that this anime can be brutally sad.
Very sad to a new edge. Yet, I also found myself laughing hysterically, the humor of this anime is not like most. Not perverted or fluffy, just genuine.
Now I am a dubfan, and they did a very good job with the english cast, the voices have depth and are not canned. And the setting of this anime, a nostalgic little town on the coast, can almost seem alive at times with noises and movements.
The soundtrack also adds to the overall unforgettable effect of the anime(the opening song still sends chills up my spine) And most of the background music is very calming and ambient piano tracks(and not even the cheesy soap opera shit)

This show has restored my faith in anime for years to come. It is a great and epic story. It has this calming effect I mentioned before. And it just…dazzled me.
Look this thing up and give it the support it deserves. Even if you are an action anime fan or not a fan of anime at all. This is a living and breathing work of art. In fact, a breath of fresh air.

(Opening sequence in Blu-Ray)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Come join me on Tuesday, February 17th, 12noon CDT / 1pm EDT / 6pm CET (LondonDST) / 7pm CET(BerlinDST), When my Feature Artist will be BRAVE from Washington, D.C. and we will be spotlighting their new Anthology CD “Lost In Retrospect” due for release on Feb. 20th.

In 1997 guitarist Scott Loose and drummer Trevor Schrotz begin exploring and writing melodic, atmospheric and diverse music. Shortly thereafter, Scott’s sister, Michelle Loose, joins the band to provide keyboards and lead vocals. this band, known as “Arise From Thorns” records their first self-titled CD that releases in 1998. In 1998, the trio was joined by bassist Chris Welborn, and guitarist Tom Phillips. The five of them began work for their follow up CD entitled Before An Audience of Stars and continued to play clubs and festivals on the East Coast.

In March 2000, AFT changed their name to BRAVE to make a distinction between the origins of the project and the band in its most complete form.

http://www.myspace.com/braveband
http://www.bravemusic.com/

No, not the affliction… the BAND !

A.D.D. (Analog Digital Disorder)is a rockin’ powerhouse from the Chi-Town area…My feature artist today !!!!
Just a scant 13 months ago , I introduced A.D.D. to all my listeners. A LOT had happened with them since then! New music, New releases (an exteneded 11 track version of “Elements of Emptiness’) , even a worldwide distribution deal with Femme Metal Records !!!
Vocalist Margaret Young has the kind of voice that simply demands attention, and you can hear it clearly over the superb guitar work of Dave Adams and Jeremy Sparta. All of this is underpinned by the thunderous ryhthym section of Randy Berg on bass and Ron Bailey on the skins makes for an amazing sound.

If you live in the greater Chicagoland area, you OWE it to yourself to go see A.D.D. Live .
If not…buy this CD. You won’t be disappointed.

Check em out !!! http://myspace.com/addloud
Tuesday February 10th , 12noon CST / 1 pm EST / 6pm GMT-CET (London/Berlin)

DJ Silverwuulf

“Howlin’ wit da Wuulf”
Top Genres Played : Rock, Metal, Indie, Random
Top bands played: The new, the favorites, and anything else I find
Location: Texas!
Usual Time Slot: Tuesdays, 10 EST to 1am EST

THursdays shows will now start at 9pm CST/ 10 pm EST, OK ???

Come join me on Thursday , January 8th, 10pm CST / 11pm EST/4am (Friday) CET-GMTfor a trip into the world of OPM…Other Peoples Music.

Struggling musicians who are just making a name for themselves never want to say, “Oh. I”m in a cover band.”

But once they’ve gotten a bit of fame, look out ! Everyone is recording everyone ELSE’s songs !

It’s wacky , I tell ya !!

It’s also my return to the airwaves on Thursdays !!!!

Come join me on Thursday , May 8th, 10pm CDT / 11pm EDT, When my Feature Artist will be Dying Passion from the Czech Republic !
Defined by Zuzana’s stunning vocals, the beautiful melodies, urgent guitars fused with poignant keyboards form an untypical mixture of sounds.

Since their debut ..Secretly.. in 2000 the band become well-known by making lots of appearances at venues throughout their country and found lots of fans around the world. They have recorded 4 albums and could be seen on the biggest festivals in the Czech Republic.

http://www.myspace.com/dyingpassionmusic
http://www.dyingpassion.com/en/