archived brainwashed reviews
Yellow Swans, “Going Places” (Type, 2010)
The announcement of Yellow Swans’ dissolution last spring was a very disappointing one for many, as the duo were very firmly entrenched as one of the leading lights of the […]
“Nigeria Afrobeat Special: The New Explosive Sound in 1970’s Nigeria” (Soundway, 2010)
The late Fela Kuti was such a larger-than-life cultural supernova that it is very easy to forget that a host of other excellent Afrobeat bands spawned in his wake. Of […]
Josephine Foster, “Graphic as a Star” (Fire, 2010)
Psych-folk chanteuse Josephine Foster has always been a reliably unusual and singular artist, but her dissonant, artier tendencies have sometimes detracted from the beauty of her lilting, world-weary voice. With […]
Francisco López, “Machines” (Elevator Bath, 2010)
Triumphantly unfazed by the fact that it is no longer 1950, Francisco López has birthed a sprawling and ambitious double album of undiluted, unabashed musique concrète. Machines is industrial music in […]
“Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds & Ghanaian Blues 1968-81” (Soundway, 2009)
Unearthing brilliant music from Ghana seems to be a consuming obsession with Soundway label boss Miles Claret, as he has already compiled two previous albums (Ghana Soundz) prior to this […]
TwinSisterMoon, “Then Fell the Ashes…” (Blackest Rainbow, 2010)
With a few exceptions, most of Mehdi Ameziane’s recording career can be broken down into two simple categories: “great albums” and “albums that would have been great if they had […]
Our Love Will Destroy The World, “Fucking Dracula Clouds” (Blackest Rainbow, 2009)
Our Love Will Destroy The World’s debut full-length (2009’s Stillborn Plague Angels) was a strikingly ugly, cathartic, and demonic affair that seemed to take guitar-based noise to its logical extreme. […]
Richard Skelton, “Landings” (Type, 2009)
Richard Skelton has been quietly amassing a small but deeply devoted following for the last five years with a series of beautifully packaged self-released albums under a constantly changing series […]