I have written a review for both the new I'm Not A Gun and the new Helios (see below). They will both be posted within the next couple days on my webpage www.kexp.org/aspnet_client/get_dj_archive.aspx?djs=289 which I update with new reviews eveyr week or so.
Cheers,
Greg J
KEXP 90.3FM
www.kexp.org
I'm Not A Gun We Think As Instruments (City Centre Offices)
This is the third album from this duo comprised of renowned California-based electronic producer John Tejada and Japanese multi-instrumentalist Takeshi Nishimoto. Similar to their first two albums together, this is a beautiful mixture of electronic and acoustic instruments, bluring the line between IDM, jazz, and post-rock. Comparisons to Chicago band Tortoise are inevitable (a very good thing in my opinion) but "We Think As Instruments" is a purely original and unique work and will greatly appeal to anyone who appreciates intelligent, textured, well-written instrumental music. *This review done with help from Alex Ruder.
Helios Eingya (Type)
This is the second album from Boston based artist Keith Kenniff going under the Helios moniker (he has also released an album under the alias Goldmund). Like his first album, Unomia, this is gorgeous, serene ambient electronic mixed with lovely guitar and piano. Kenniff, who studied music at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, shows a great talent for composition and melds this diverse range of sounds wonderfully. I hear similarities to Boards Of Canada at times, Brian Eno, and even Sigur Ros sans vocals. This is my favorite release so far this year.
Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2006 09:59:59 -0400
From: Alan Lucas <alucas@gmail.com>
To: David Seruyange <g3scom@gmail.com>
Cc: Intolerable Daily Madness <idm@hyperreal.org>
Subject: Re: [idm] I Am Not A Gun + Helios: Eingya
On 4/29/06, David Seruyange <g3scom@gmail.com> wrote:
quoted 7 lines Has anyone written any reviews of their new work? The chemistry between
> Has anyone written any reviews of their new work? The chemistry between
> Tejada and Nishimoto seems really intact. After a little while of shopping
> on Bleep I ended up with their work and find myself really liking it. Not
> to mention the Iron Giant reference is a good easter egg.
>
> David
>