Wizard Of- Face/Skeleton (2014)

Wizard Of, aka Bob McCully, made the first album I have really enjoyed from this year.  Face/ Skeleton reminds me of Fuck Buttons' Tarot Sport at times because of its aggressive sound is much more in-your-face than most electronic music.  The synthesizers on it have a very analog sound, similar, like those on Tycho's Dive (though I imagine that they are done by something like a microkorg that is emulating analog).

Face/ Skeleton consists of two multi-part tracks, one for each cassette side.  The tracks within each side utilize similar samples and emphasize a mutating repetition within each other.  Initially, I preferred "Face", but now I am on the fence.  Overall, "Face I" and "Face II" are a great opener, but by "Face III" things seem a little stagnate, at least for that track.  With Skeleton though, the samples really benefit from the time and growth, making for a stronger overall side (also, the vocal samples reminded me of Blockhead at times).

I was very surprised to find out that this was a cassette release.  Maybe it is because when I think of cassettes I think of vaporwave, drone, and all around less accessible music, I'm not sure.  This album is something that should be pressed though, as it definitely left a good impression on me.

While the cassette is all sold out now, you can still listen to the album and buy a digital copy Here.  Also, click Here to check out the Wizards Of bandcamp.
Finally, the album can be downloaded with This.

Razorlegs- Live Cuts (2014)

I reached out to Fadensonnen a few weeks ago, asking whether we should be expecting a 2014 release (we should, and it is getting pressed to vinyl this time round, so great news!).  When I asked him, in addition to learning that we are, I found out P.D. worked on the side project Razorlegs.  Intrigued, I managed to get ahold of a copy on CD.

Razorlegs area  duo who make free-jazz that often ventures into a more drone-based realm (see "Cliveden Reach").  Over the course of the album, Andrew Hurst jumps from drums/percussion to keyboard and guitars while PD Fadensonnen plays guitar, sax, and stylophone.  Much like when I first heard Zebra Pulse' album last year, I was surprised that this was a live album.  With Live Cuts, Razorlegs often end up making a much larger sound than one would expect from just two members.

If you have heard Fadensonnen's 2012 album, you may not be terribly surprised by the loose guitar structures that come up, but for listeners going in thinking that this will be free-jazz saxophone over drums (as the first track does seem to falsely foreshadow), they will be quickly surprised.  Tracks like "Razorlegs" smash such preconceptions.

For me, the standout track was "Ulrich's Dilemma".  This track coupled interesting percussion with a nice saxophone piece that ended up being much stronger than I expected.

If you want to order yourself a copy of the CD, contact Andrew Hurst.  Check out two tracks Here and Here.