archived brainwashed reviews
Oren Ambarchi, “Intermission 2000-2008” (Touch, 2009)
This collection consists of five relatively lengthy works culled from an eclectic array of recordings by this renowned Aussie experimental guitarist. The unifying theme seems to be that all pieces […]
Dean McPhee, “Brown Bear” (Hood Faire, 2009)
Dean McPhee’s debut EP takes a divergent path from the current prevailing solo guitar trends, venturing into neither Fahey/Basho-inspired steel guitar virtuosity nor pedal-stomping soundscapes. Instead, Brown Bear quietly captures […]
“Africa Boogaloo: The Latinization of West Africa” (Honest Jon’s, 2009)
One of the best international compilations that I heard this year was Tumbélé, which examined the impact of African music on the Caribbean. Africa Boogalo is its logical counterpoint, providing […]
Black to Comm, “Alphabet 1968” (Type, 2009)
Black to Comm’s Marc Richter is an artist that perpetually seems to be on the verge of releasing an absolute masterwork, always creeping closer and closer but never quite nailing […]
This Immortal Coil, “The Dark Age of Love” (Ici d’ailleurs, 2009)
It is difficult to avoid being moved by the four years of hard work, love, and tireless enthusiasm that Stéphane Grégoire has poured into assembling this globe-spanning homage to the […]
“Tumbélé!: Biguine, Afro & Latin Sounds from the French Caribbean, 1963-74” (Soundway, 2009)
There has certainly been a flood of excellent African and Latin compilations released over the last few years, but Soundway seems to have outdone themselves (and everyone else) with this […]
Om, “God is Good” (Drag City, 2009)
Om’s first studio album with Grails’ Emil Amos on the drum throne contains some of the most confident, ambitious, unexpected, and brilliant work in the bands’ history. Exasperatingly, however, there […]
“Siamese Soul: Thai Pop Spectacular 1960s-1980s Vol. 2” (Sublime Frequencies, 2009)
This follow-up to 2008’s beloved Shadow Music of Thailand ambitiously expands the scope of its predecessor to cover three decades of Thai pop in Sublime Frequencies’ characteristically non-comprehensive and freewheeling […]