Jakob Battick & Friends -- Bloodworm Songs EP

Bloodworm Songs EP is the fifth total release by Portland, ME "nightmarefolk" collective Jakob Battick & Friends. If you are unfamiliar with nightmarefolk (as you should be) then perhaps this album isn't for you; it creates a dark, droning and sometimes jarring sound scape which sometimes becomes difficult to listen to. For those unfamiliar with Battick and his work this effect is intentional, the group plunges the listener under a blanket of noise and discord only to contrast the calm, soothing yet urgent mood of the rest of the music on the EP. Battick's minimalist style is evident here yet again, using hauntingly sparse rhythms he and his group of nocturnal shut ins weave a tapestry of loose ends and lamentations which ultimately conjure a sensation similar to standing on a cliff over the ocean just before dawn breaks. 

The new EP is going for $6 on the groups bandcamp site, along with the download of the EP the buyer also receives almost an hour of complementary live footage from The Oak & The Axe in Biddeford, ME.

If you're a fan of folk, dark folk or just looking to be sucked into a great live show Jakob Battick & Friends are not to be missed (except you might have to miss them because the recently went on hiatus).

Favorite Track:

Three Orphans

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The Nebs -- After All EP

I few weeks ago I heard The Nebs for the first time via Portland's fledgling Dispatch Magazine, and being curious I gave it a listen. The result reminded me a lot of a band that dominated my music sphere almost all winter last year called Pond. 

I guess that's kind of a random connection to make.

Anyway.

Basically I wish The Nebs would stick more to the sound they demonstrate on the first track of After All, the song starts off in a generally unassuming way but the calm, full, tubey, reverb laden chords quickly give way to up tempo, completely fuzzed out (slightly) thrashy awesomeness. This song is called After All, What's In A Reflection? and in addition to being by far the best song on here musically it is also by far the best songwriting effort on this record. As After All comes to a close The Neb's don't really return to the fuzz rock aspect of their music again in any real way after the first song, which is ultimately a weaker point for an album which has tons of potential, that being said I think I might like the first song enough to make up for the other three.

The EP is available for 4$ (or 1$ per song) on bandcamp.

Favorite Track:

After All, What's In A Reflection?

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(for reference...)

This is Pond. They were an early 90's SUB-POP band from Portland, Oregon.

They are good.

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Sombres Forêts -- Royaume De Glace

This band is from Montreal, Quebec and I recently came upon one of their albums by accident, and was totally blow away by what I heard. The band is called Sombres Forêts  and the record is Royaume De Glace. As far as I know they classify themselves within the "French Canadian Depressive Black Metal" realm. These seven songs (which amount to almost an hour) sound like the most chaotic, deliciously lo fi black metal imaginable, with a gentle post- rock infusion. The vocalist has one of the best and most desperate sounding  screaming voices I've ever heard.  Everyone (even if you don't normally like Black Metal) should give this one a shot.

Favorite Track:

La Nuit

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The Waldos -- Sludged Out Fish Logic

On my recent trips back to Portland I've been subject to various testimonials by members of Portland's underground scene which have assured me that this band was nothing short of amazing. I have to say I was excited to hear a band who had so impressed  the likes of folks from Red Medicine and Pamola. The band's latest and (tentatively) first set of recordings is called Sludged Out Fish Logic and is available for streaming on the band's bandcamp site and it does not disappoint in the least, in fact my only complaint is that the record is only five tracks long. The Waldos blend hardcore mathy goodness with esoteric jazzy tinglings which conjures the sensation of being underwater during a rainstorm. 

Sludged Out Fish Logic is a welcome addition to the myriad of great local releases coming out of Portland's underground recently.

Favorite Track:

Scuba Gear

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Glass Fingers -- Album

Album is the first real, serious full length musical release from from that enigmatic group known as Glassfingers, which is masterminded by none other than the preeminent Jesse Gertz himself. The music is electronic, but Gertz makes sure to never bore you with over simplified rhythmics, or worn out beats instead he weaves a beautiful tapestry of electronic and organic sounds which washes over the listener as though Gertz himself were giving you a sponge bath. Glassfingers is a relatively recent incarnation of Gertz's prolific musical career, he has many more rougher self released EPs and albums which range from indie pop to acoustic songwriting. Glassfingers is playing The SPACE Gallery in Portland, ME on March 11th with local electronica wizard Computer at Sea as well as the illustrious Dan Deacon who apparently hand picked Glassfingers as the opener. Keep a lookout for Glassfingers in the future, this shit's dank.

Favorite Track:

Beak

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