Vandal?Vandal!: Demos

 

Demos is the debut EP from Missouri post-punk trio Vandal?Vandal! The three tracks are a testament to the enduring nature of garage music. Edgy, in your face and with raw production, Demos shows influences from Jay Reatard to DIIV. Vandal?Vandal! have delivered an EP that is everything one could want from the genre. This is a strong debut and makes one yearn for more. Stream and download Demos at the link below.

 



The Watermark High: In Flux EP

 

In Flux is the new EP from FZB favorite The Watermark High, aka South African producer/artist Paul van der Walt. The four tracks feature nice piano lines framed with glitchy synths and ambient textures. The beats favor a more dubstep like vibe and the whole EP is an upbeat enjoyable foray into IDM. The EP shows continued growth by the artist since the Slow Motion Clarity EP reviewed earlier this year. Stream and download In Flux at the link below.

 

Good Weather For An Airstrike: Lights

 

As we hinted at in his EP review a couple weeks ago, today marks the release of Lights, the new album from Good Weather For An Airstrike, aka post-rock artist Tom Honey. The eight tracks flow through an ambient landscape of atmosheric synths and melodic guitars. The lush passages swell and diminish like waves of emotion across the psyche. Orchestral in feel, yet intimate in nature, Lights is a beautiful work that will touch the listener in a personal way. Stream and buy Lights at the link below.

 



Cosmic Birds: Chronicles Of The Windwar

 

This week marked the release of Chronicles Of The Windwar, the new album from Spanish dreampop band Cosmic Birds. Long a FZB favorite, Cosmic Birds continue to deliver stirring and intimate records. The thirteen tracks have an epic quality to them, while still being very personal in both arrangement and lyrics. Sterling production and flawless performance brings it all together. This is one of our favorite albums of the year. Stream and buy Chronicles Of The Windwar at the link below.

 

Stalagmites: Be An Animal

 

After two singles, UK shoegazers Stalagmites have released their debut EP, Be An Animal. Drawing from the rich post-punk influences of bands ranging from Echo and the Bunnymen to Interpol, Stalagmites craft a sound that is both melodic and edgy. The four tracks leap out at you with dynamic arrangments, visceral guitar lines, perfectly placed vocals and engaging lyrics. This is a band that is growing with every release. Stream and download Be An Animal at the link below.

 



Concert Review: araabMUZIK & Sleigh Bells, The Granada Theater, Lawrence KS

Last night the powerhouse tour featuring araabMUZIK and Sleigh Bells blasted the roof right off of the Granada Theater.  First up was AraabMuzik, aka Abraham Orellana. AraabMUZIK is the premier beat maker in Hip Hop right now and may well be the best ever. Seeing his mastery of the MPC 2500 live is an un paralleled experience.  One is immediately struck by the intence focus he maintains to deliver his performance. So much so, that he relys on a sidekick MC to extol the crowd and provide personal interaction with it. To say he is a man possessed of virtuoso manual dexterity would be a gross understatement. The music arabMUZIK produces through the physical manipulation of the MPC pads is breathtaking. If you ever have a chance to see this artist live take it.

Headlining the show was Sleigh Bells, the duo of Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller. Now expanded to a trio with the addition of a second guitarist for live shows, Sleigh Bells is one of the most original bands ever to grace rock n roll. Defying genres, they mix pop vocals, hardcore guitars and hip hop beats into a compelling lo-fi musical mix. Live, they make the energy of a full on punk concert pale in comparison. Krauss takes complete command of the stage with her physical presence, while bombastic guitars explode all around her. Since first hearing the demo of Ring Ring (what became Rill Rill on their debut Treats) this is a band that I have wanted to see live. They did not disappoint, running through a set that included all of their many now instantly recognizable songs. They took the crowd by the throat and never let go.  The pairing of araabMUZIK and Sleigh Bells together on tour was surprising when first announced, but seeing how well the two acts complimented each other, it is now obvious why this choice was made. This is a tour that is a must see if you get the chance.

Xambuca: カムィ

 

カムィ is the new album from experimental group Xambuca. Conjuring a heavy avant garde classical aesthetic, Xambuca mine unique sounds and textures to create music that is true to the tonal poem ethos. Emotions interplay as the layers of sound rise and fall through the course of thirteen tracks. Atmospheric, lush, dark, light, gutteral, embracing are all apt descripters for the music that lies within this masterful work. Stream and download カムィ for free at the link below.

 



Coming: FZB Top 20 of 2012, Your Page Views Determine Who Makes It

On December 27 & 28, we will unveil the Floorshime Zipper Boots Top 20 Albums of 2012. It is your page views that determine who makes our list. This year's list is shaping up to be a stellar group of artists, who have given us superlative music in 2012. Make sure you support your favorites and get your page views in over the next two months. Then check out the blog on Thursday, December 27th for #20 - # 11 and then on Friday, December 28th for #10 - #1.

Need A Name: What You Were, What I've become

 

What You Were, What I've Become is the new album from Italy's Need A Name, aka Dario Lupo. The ten tracks are electronic masterpieces with glitchy textures, ambient vibes and an IDM aesthetic. Crisp production and imaginative beats make this an album that transcends mere electronic mortality. Lupo is a producer of rare talent with an ear for moving electronic music beyond itself. Stream and buy What You Were, What I've Become at the link below.

 



Good Weather for an Airstrike: This Is As Good A Place As Any

 

This Is As Good A Place As Any is the latest release from UK post-rock artist Good Weather for an Airstrike, aka Tom Honey. The three track EP is a warm and sensual stroll through ambient fields. Lush with texture and orchestral in tone, the EP presents beautiful sonic imagery. Honey has a new album, Lights, coming our in a couple of weeks, so watch for a review here. Stream and download This Is As Good A Place As Any at the link below.