With a slightly different approach than previous iterations of our yearly compilation, Year 5 is complete and will come out on July thirteenth, Thursday. In order to highlight the change, it doesn’t continue the Melocules – literally little music – series. Instead of regrouping songs at the whim of me and other collaborators, Year 5 compiles songs from albums that we have mentioned in our ‘Monthly Recommendations’ posts. So, it’s really a recap of the year, hence the title. All of what you hear is music that has been released from July 2016 to June 2017 inclusively. We have been … Read more
Bisonwar – Bisonwar
California’s math rock band Bisonwar is what I want to see more of from this genre, and what it was originally set to do: a focus on instrumental prowesses, all the while borrowing slightly from jazz for its harmony but keeping it all generally easygoing. Well, the band’s debut self-titled full-length does just that, and more! The only thing it lacks is odd measures. While math rock has always been fascinated with guitar, Bisonwar shares the spotlight equally between the guitarist Joe and the bassist Peter. There is an abundance of parallel riffs – where the bass plays the same … Read more
The Blog Is Five Years Old. Ask Me Anything!
Yes. On July 13, 2017, Can This Even Be Called Music? will be exactly five years old. We’ve covered a countless number of artists and albums, throughout the years, and I feel it would be fun to answer some of the questions you might have for me! So, do your worst!
Comment on this article or on the analogous facebook post so I can see your questions, and I’ll make up a video or a text post, hopefully on the thirteenth, answering them all!… Read more
Sproingg – Sproingg
Sproingg is a fitting name for such a bouncy and lighthearted avant-prog trio! The band, which takes its roots in Germany, have just released their debut, self-titled album via bandcamp, and it’s one of those that you can’t afford to miss. First of all, one of its springy legs is Johannes, violin and Chapman stick player. The former instrument is uncommon but not rare, but it’s one of unfortunately too few opportunities to catch a band boasting a stick! That, on its own, is a good reason to check out this band, but you’ll stay for their bizarre, oddly rhythmic … Read more
Love Theme – Love Theme
Love Theme is Alex Zhang Hungtai and Austin Milne on saxophone, and Simon Frank. Love Theme, their debut album, is a languishing and bleak experimental jazz recording edited from improvisation sessions. The record is droning over almost all its runtime, with electronic music elements complementing the saxophonic exchanges. It’s melancholic and atmospheric, reflecting on the past and reaching within. There is nothing flamboyant about this release – it’s actually quite drab –, but in being so it goes straight to the point it wants to make: an ode and elegy to love. Through the slow burn of noise percussions … Read more