Botched Executions - 23 Years

{Botched Executions - 23 Years}

This is fucking intense.  

A debut of the latest side-project of Eric Tomillon which will leave you trembling after it cures what ale's ya deep within.  

Written by Alroy Mellor

9 out of 10 stars

Echo Options - 2018 - Review

Shambolic Neuromancers by TRASH GODZ

{Shambolic Neuromancers by TRASH GODZ}

A constant source of surprise and delight, TRASH GODZ delivers something far sweeter than any found material on the side of the road, though one can't be entirely sure until you've examined every single street on every single trash night ever.  This 6 track album is like plugging in something you initially thought was broken and it turns out to work better than you could have ever imagined.  

What stands out are the levels and a carefully mixed set of solid rhythms complimented by background vocals which tease the listener to listen closer to hear what's being said.  The lyrics are pure poetry which tap into and out of different modes of psychedelic sub-consciousness.  At times sounding like a mad scientist trying to explain the mysteries of life while on a heady trip into another dimension, the vocals give the tracks a new life and take the listener on a tour of a sonically rad-trip that you can appreciate as if put into a Zoo where the animals are actually scientific instruments monitoring your experience from within.  Hard to explain how cinematic the soundscapes are in 'Shambolic Neuromancers' but you can see for yourself in your minds-eye as you listen to this, the depth is ever-expanding.  Reading the 'Neuromancer' isn't a prerequisite to appreciate the dynamics of this album but I'm sure it's worth checking out when you get a chance (the book).  

If you can appreciate the falling-into-a-rabbit-hole-like chaos you'll be happy to find a comfort zone in this beautiful abyss.  

Written by:  Alroy Mellor

 (Thanks for letting me take a year off of writing reviews my loyal followers... the hiatus/rest was well-deserved!)  

{TRASH GODZ}

9.3 out of 10 

Echo Options - 2018 - Review

Hot Tropic by Reptile Tile

{Hot Tropic by Reptile Tile}

Reptile Tile has done it again!  This time it's even more power-pumped.  

           134 tracks clocking in at 7 hours worth of material, Reptile Tile has set new boundaries to cross into long term relationships with music.  This isn't your average jam band going-on-and-on with no sense of tasteful limits, this is carefully coordinated compositions which explore the eternal mystery almost as accurately as a science.  Beautiful psychedelic bliss like this could only be expressed in a vast and constantly expanding environment that still makes you feel at home and comfortable while still busy questioning how these master-craftspersons have manifested such a glorious big-bellied ship to carry us to a new promised land.  

         Setting the framework for a new conception of album consumption, this masterwork requires a long sit or a powerful standing grounding stance rooted in the positive vibrations from tracks like 'Snake Oil' which make you nostalgic for the old days.  You will be wondering how such kind human beings could have ever made all of this wealth available to the masses with such care and consideration for the listener and their experience.  You will feel lifted and exposed to the inner world which will be visited by the new breed of reptilian rockers.  If you want to know how it feels to have deep space-time distortions which lead to the most inspiring internal dialogues then this is the right album for you.  Sit back & relax and enjoy the show and the most epically glorious noises ever generated by molecular life in this dimension.  Crossing over into so many different genres may disorient some but for the initiated few they will understand the deep references and feel the justice these tracks to in service to their honor.   

        Without spoiling too many surprises, I will leave it up to you to experience the ride yourself.

Written by: Alroy Mellor

{Reptile Tile}

10 out of 10

Echo Options -  2016 -  Review

*MIDNIGHTERS~* by Pond Scum

{*MIDNIGHTERS~*  by Pond Scum}

1.  margaret jane

2.  themes of neoplatonism, platonihilism, plates of steel rhythm, and the gestapo

3.  the gfsf 

4.  freeze the clock

5.  aries

6.  am too

7.  head lopper

8.  incompatible genetalia 

9.  temptress

10.  i can no longer think in guitars

11.  drama club!  

12.  digitalis

13.  sexual betrayal

14.  ghost

15.  grow pretty or beautiful

16.  shopping whore / starmen

                   Get ready to listen to the sounds of the approaching summertime of your soul.  Rise and shine, these are quality electro-pop songs which are clearly better than the greats of the older generations.  Pond Scum has created something really worth listening to here.  You'll be dancing and clapping hearing these tracks while wondering how these time travelers have managed to find you in time to calm your wild heart and reassure you there are good people making amazing music all the time and here it is.

                   Behold a masterwork of glorious pop and, at sporadic but appropriate times, ambient joy noise and other escapades of sonic delights.  There are countless moments where this album completely takes over your consciousness leaving you comfortably in the hands of those who know how to guide you to an ultimate climax of enjoyment through tonal manifestations and psychic phenomena.  Keep this album close to your top 10 most played songs on your iTunes.  Without spoiling any surprises, I recommend hearing it for yourself and experiencing the magic.    

Written by:  Alroy Mellor

{Pond Scum, VA}

Echo Options -  Review -  2016

10 out of 10 stars

Emeralds of Opium by Sandcastle

{Emeralds of Opium by Sandcastle}

1.  dark deal
2.  blue tattoos (of angel wings)
3.  dust
4.  alone
5.  riding with the wind

_________________________________________________________________________

                    Sandcastle happens to be one of the best DIY bands from Philadelphia at this current juncture in human evolution.  Emeralds of Opium does a splendid job staying true to the original Sandcastle soundscape featuring whimsical and magical concepts made as sweetly and enjoyable as honky tonk pop-rock can be when under the control of a tasteful composer.  These songs are almost out of a space-time vortex connected to the 70's.  There's something very other-worldly yet timeless about these tracks which can only help to launch the creative mind to feel immediate inspiration (and at times heavy perspiration) at the rush of amazing tones and guitar riffs.  It hits right to the soul of what makes good rock and roll so addicting and fulfilling on a musical-spiritual level.  

                   I was fortunate enough to hear their album Kisses for Witches back in 2013 via Dingus and was blown away by the instrumentation complimented by the most gentle and beautiful vocals.  Recently I was even more fortunate enough to see their live set at Cha-Cha-Razzis last show with Moor Mother Goddess and R. R. Perkins, as well as other amazing acts.  

                                         This is a band to keep your eyes & ears tuned to.    

Written by:  Alroy Mellor

________________________________________________________________________

Echo Options - Review - 2015

10 out of 10 stars

Paraísos artificial by Daniel Yafalian

[ Paraisos artificial by Daniel Yafalian ]

1.  Bowduk (cuarto de yerra)

2.  Mercedes y Gaboto

3.  Paraísos artificial

4. Duerman Ovejas

5.  Solo en el monte

6.  Pequeño Mao

7.  blablablablablabla

8.  Carrusel

9.  Muerte en el tarde

10.  Columna Durruti

11.  Sergio Leone

                Having seen the film 'Gigante' by Adrián Biniez, I was immediately struck by a few key moments during the soundtrack and then I found out Daniel Yafalian was behind the best parts.  

                     This album is immensely lush and living as the soundscape goes from soothing experimental drone to forrest sound orchestra.  The ambience expresses so many different moods in a powerful storm of electroacoustic resonance coupled with dynamic dissonance and delivers as well as Brian Eno at his best.  Getting lost in the trance will increase the visualizations of the glory of sonic arrangements and the paradise which is present inside this work of immaculately structured tracks.  

Written by:  Alroy Mellor

10 out of 10*

Echo Optons - 2015- Review

Layman's Worms by Vanilla Lord

[Layman's Worms by Vanilla Lord]

1.  Worm Game

2.  The Tube (Cha-Chee-Cho)

3.  Mechanical Demands

4.  E_Rectangles 

5.  Zillion Weevils

6.  Heartworm (Returning)

                     The Philadelphia based musician known as Vanilla Lord is Mac Kennedy who leads the way with brilliantly syncopated vocal melodies and synthesizer harmonies.  Accompanied by three other fantastic musicians, they perform as professionally as they sound on their bandcamp page.  

                    This album specifically resonates to people who appreciate blissful up-tempo pop music mixed with indie synth rock.  You could possibly hear comparable qualities to bands like Islands, or Blitzen Trapper mixed with Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, perhaps even Arcade Fire.  

Written by: Alroy Mellor

10 out of 10* 

Echo Options - 2015 - Review