Bandcamp Reviews (Lightning Edition): Laura Agnusdei, Terry Allen, Drew McDowall, Mamuthones, Richard H Kirk, Dead Neanderthals, Amina Hocine, Various (Submerge Records), Borusiade, and Gnod

I have fallen behind in reviews for various reasons ranging from vacation to no motivation. But I am going to attempt to remedy this by periodically having lightning editions of bandcamp reviews. Basically a bunch of mini reviews of things that should be spotlighted and championed.

Flowers Are Blooming In Antarctica by Laura Agnusdei

I am not sure if this is a Jazz album, an experimental album or an ambient album (and everything in between). At times, I am reminded of Miles Davis (In a Silent Way era) but other times the music descends into new territories. Redefining how we might think of things like Jazz or Ambient. Beyond the academic, it is a mesmerizing, relaxing and psychoactive listen. Will be on my top ten for 2025. Essential.

Lubbock (On Everything) by Terry Allen

I have been interested in Outlaw / Cosmic Country for quite awhile and yet, never heard Terry Allen. That isn't to say it wasn't available or anything like that – I just had a mental block (side note: I use – a lot, I am not an AI lol). But one Sunday morning I was looking for something chill to watch and came across a Terry Allen documentary. The trailer intrigued me and off I went. The end result is I am now exploring the world of Terry Allen.

This album was released in 1979 (I was 8!) and it was light years ahead of anything. As Iggy Pop is to punk, Terry Allen is to cosmic / outlaw country. Every song tells a story and often it is delivered with a wink. These are songs you feel and can imagine. A perfect coming down album or for a drive through an imagined West Texas. Essential.

A Thread, Silvered and Trembling by Drew McDowall

Somehow I have slept on Drew McDowall and that is really surprising. Considering that he was a prominent member of Coil during their Moon Musick phase.

It is clear that Drew Mcdowall is the heir apparent to the esoteric and left of center musickal territory that Coil mined. Note that I say mined – Drew Mcdowall is not copying Coil (and his past triumphs) but instead has taken up the task of piercing the veil.

Musically this is ambient but there is something psychedelic and mind expanding about it. This is the kind of music that suspends time and allows for oblivion to be realized. Essential.

From Word to Flesh by Mamuthones

I bought this release because it was on Rocket Recordings and I have found an affinity for that label. However, upon first listen, I did not like it. It was darkly organic, dense and seemingly dismal – the aural equivalent of a bog. It was not what I was expecting and not like anything I had heard before (so there was no reference point). None the less, I gave it a few tries and on repeat listens, I have come to love it. It is still darkly organic and dense but there is a purpose there. The music overflows with emotions and even though it isn't, there is something about the compositions that remind me of Jazz. Recommended (or essential depending on where you are coming from).

Dasein by Richard H Kirk

This release by the late great Richard H Kirk is not available on bandcamp but it is worth tracking down a physical copy. I stumbled across this release recently. I had no idea that it had even come out (it is from 2017) and I was really surprised by it. The album is very complex, intricate, highly rhythmic and aggressive. Somewhere between industrial, IDM and techno. This is the kind of CD that can get you going or provide introspective thoughts. It also feels perfect for these times (despite being from several years ago). If you have ever liked Cabaret Voltaire or Kirk's solo outings then this is a must have. Essential.

Other Worlds by Dead Neanderthals

This release caused me to do a double take and check whether I had downloaded the right band. As the Dead Neanderthals I know is a Jazz/Sludge/Noise/Drone/Black Metal/experimental band and this release was so far away from all of that. I was convinced that I had found a different Dead Neanderthals.

Yet I was wrong and somehow this fantastic Krautrock release is by them. I wish I knew more about this album and why they went this direction* but for now, the music will more than suffice. All in all, the album fully embraces the Motortik/Krautock sound with some space rock mixed in for good measure. My only complaint is the album is too short – it should be at least double in length. Always leave them wanting more I suppose. Essential. *this looks like a one off, a subsequent release is more rooted in their earlier sound.

ātamōn by Amina Hocine

From the description:

"With simple materials found in hardware stores—such as PVC pipes, water hoses, and ball valves—powered by a construction site air compressor, mesmerizing drones emerge, challenging our expectations of the material."

This intrigued me to no end but what I imagined was nowhere close to my experience with the actual music. The drones/reverberations/sounds conjured up are dense, mysterious, infinite and psychedelic. My first listen was a visceral experience that left me unsettled. I could feel this music and upon subsequent listens, this unsettled sense has given into sonic curiosity (though one part still gets me). Music to get lost in and perhaps find parts of yourself. Will be on my top ten for 2025. Essential

Various Artists - Submerge Sessions Vol 1

Also not on Bancamp and not on youtube. For those not aware, Submerge is an incredibly important label for electronic music but even more so for Techno. Submerge is the home of such artists as Drexciya, Underground Resistance, The Martian, Aux 88 etc. In short, they are a foundational label and their importance often goes unnoticed.

I used to buy a lot of techno and bought a fair amount from Submerge back in the day. As part of shuffling off the algorithm, I am revisiting artists and/or labels that meant something to me at one time (Submerge is one of those labels).

I was pleasantly surprised to see a compilation presenting up and coming artists who will serve as the next generations ambassadors of Techno/Detroit. Which means this release runs the gamut from experimental techno to old school electro. Yes, much of this sounds familiar – after all, this is about carrying on Detroit Techno and that has a particular sound but these artists make it their own. This isn't someone copying Jeff Mills or UR, this is someone inspired by those sounds and presenting their unique take on the art form. Essential.

THE FALL: A Series of Documented Experiences by Borusiade

A mixture of New Wave, EBM, Industrial, Darkwave, and goth (and maybe a little post punk). Sounding both "of the time" and modern. The kind of music that when it comes on, I immediately start listening – it conjures up a simpler time in music and life. But that isn't to say its simple, it is just the overall sound/vocals remind me of when I was first discovering this kind of music. To put it another way, before electronic music fractured across many genres/became a commodity. Recommended.

Spot Land by Gnod

This release is quite a surprise because it upends the Gnod sound. For the past few releases, their music has been more abrasive, in your face and leans heavily into the noisier side of Post Punk. This release is pastoral, hallucinatory, psychedelic and reflective. I would go as far and say that with the right nudge, they could go the jam band route. Something believe it or not, I would welcome. It would elevate the genre and provide a new experimental playground for Gnod (at least until they change again). The description of this release mentions that this is a large a break from their sound as when they released Infinity Machines (which I adore). They don't sound the same but they both majorly changed things up. Essential.

Photo by Daniel De Los Santos, Round Rock TX