The Phenomenal Handclap Band – The Phenomenal Handclap Band

December 4th, 2009  |  by daniel surwit  |  published in funk, indie rock, psychedelic  |  1 comment

To be fair, the Phenomenal Handclap Band probably can’t do all things for all people. In some ways, with an end product that is not overly unique or extraordinary, this group might not be able to live up to it’s own name (can you think of a catchier one in recent memory?). But with a core of members from other bands such as TV on the Radio, L’Trimm, Calla, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Mooney Suzuki, and Sí Se, as well as the accompaniment of multiple other cameos, this collective puts forth an album that is undeniably magnetic.

Bibio – The Apple and the Tooth

November 11th, 2009  |  by jason grishkoff  |  published in ambient, experimental, folktronica, funk

It has been a matter of weeks since I first posted about Bibio, and his June 2009 album Ambivalence Avenue, and to be honest, the last thing that I was expecting was to see a new album released less than six months later. The feat is perhaps dampened by the fact that only four of these tracks are completely original to the artist, but the eight additional remixes featured on The Apple and the Tooth provide some real gems.

Bibio – Ambivalence Avenue

October 21st, 2009  |  by jason grishkoff  |  published in ambient, experimental, folktronica, funk  |  4 comments

Like English compatriots Bonobo and Caribou, Bibio has developed his own electronica style that is at once warm, funky, and full of all things experimental. Following a few releases that embodied a folk/field recording blend, Stephen Wilkinson signed with Warp records, home of my favorites, Boards of Canada. The product of his evolution stands in stark contrast to his prior work: it is as if he has evolved into a whole new beast.

dam-funk – toeachizown Vol 1: LAtrik

September 24th, 2009  |  by camden andrews  |  published in electronic, funk, instrumental, house  |  6 comments

Dam-Funk creates a similar blend, mixing Kraftwerk’s robotic electro-pop with undeniably funk-influenced bass lines and wonky beats, while throwing in his own element of narcotic spacey-ness. The result is a sedative mid-tempo electronic album with a groove that is more likely to make your head bob than to put you to sleep.

The Whitest Boy Alive – Rules

May 11th, 2009  |  by jason grishkoff  |  published in dance, electronic, funk, indie pop, jazz

Take Kings of Concenience, and give them some funk. Somehow this group manages to keep things upbeat, dancey, cutting-edge-indie, and yet totally chill. Perhaps it’s the clean sound of the guitars, the grooving keyboard, or (most likely) the mellowed out vocals of their frontman. Word around the webnet is that the band took a more ‘organic’ approach to recording, with all of the tracks being done live with no overdubs or additional effects. I think you’d be hard pressed to find another band doing the same thing these days.