Hoarder Myna – Rememberable Rifts

‘Rememberable Rifts’, the debut EP from progressive Leeds 3 piece Hoarder Myna, is an immensely tight, crisp sounding debut from another great UK band blurring, and expanding, the definition of Math Rock.

Each song flows constantly, moving from one idea to the next, the roving guitar lines intertwine with the melodic bass patterns, underpinned by drums playing stacatto lead flourishes and driving rhythm simultaneously, before all comes together in harmonic unity. It may take many listens to fully understand the genius behind each movement, but good music should lend itself to repeat listens.

Tracklisting :

1. Ham Wallet
2. Dressed My Arsehole To Look Like An Arsehole
3. Hoarder Me A New Direction Darling
4. Basil The Great Mouse Detective / Search for Mufassa
5. Drama Weary Johns
6. More He She’s Please

Download from archive.org / torrent

From The Sky – Like Crystal in a World of Glass

From The Sky’s second release, mini-album ‘Like Crystal in a World of Glass’, was originally released in 2006 by Sound Devastation records and was well received for the young band. We now re-release ‘Like Crystal…’ on Lost Children in memory of the now defunct band as an accompaniment for their third release, EP ‘A Warm Place With No Memory’, which is also on Lost Children. For those wishing to purchase a CD version of ‘Like Crystal…’, there are still copies available from Sound Devastation here.

A more upbeat and energetic instrumental rock release than many post-rock releases in 2006, it laid the groundwork for From The Sky’s manic and often chaotic shows which commonly ended with the live favourite ‘Someone To Remember’ and very little of the stage left.

This version of ‘Like Crystal…’ also contains the previously unreleased version of ‘Needle Happy Paediatricians’ as a bonus track.

Tracklisting :

1. Electric Snow
2. When The Sun Sets The Clouds On Fire
3. Position Of The Stars
4. There Are Ghosts In The Glass
5. Someone To Remember
6. Needle Happy Paediatricians

Download from archive.org / torrent

Double Handsome Dragons – A Musical Study of Vicious, Flying Insects

‘A Musical Study of Vicious, Flying Insects’ is Double Handsome Dragons’ second release and was given a limited self-release by the band late last year but is now joining their first EP on Lost Children. If you do want a CD copy there are a few remaining which can be ordered directly from the band here.

Developing their brand of Alternative Instrumental Rock, ‘A Musical Study of Vicious, Flying Insects’ continues to incorporate electronic noodlings into their mix of dynamic harmonising guitars and jarring drums, flicking between discordant staccato sections and driving melodic passages to create a impressive three song EP that continues to show the promise and potential of Double Handsome Dragons.

Tracklisting :
1. Bee
2. Flies & Eggs In His Lungs
3. Jim’s Midnight Ride On The Wasp

Download from archive.org / torrent.

sleepmakeswaves – In Today Already Walks Tomorrow

“A rainbow wall of prettiness – like any piece of good art, it’ll capture you for that brief, but striking moment” – sputnikmusic
“The music sweeps from delicately-textured ambience to shattering metallic riffage and back again in the blink of an eye, held together and underpinned by driving rhythms and delicious melodies” – OzProg.

Two fitting introductions to sleepmakeswaves first full EP, ‘In Today Already Walks Tomorrow’, following their earlier demo EP released on Lost Children, and for more quotes of gushing praise visit the band’s myspace, or forums around the internet, just in case you have any doubt as to the quality of this release. Originally self released in early 2008, ‘In Today….’ went on to appear in many top releases of the year lists and pushed sleepmakeswaves higher among the ranks of the post-rock masses.

2009 looks to be another promising year for sleepmakeswaves, an upcoming split album this Spring with fellow Aussies, the jazzically brilliant, Tangled Thoughts of Leaving, writing for a future full-length of their own, hopefully a few more shows to cement their bright future, and all starting with this Lost Children release of their EP to spread the word further.

There are still a few digipack CDs of ‘In Today Already Walks Tomorrow’ available to purchase for those of you who would like the physical copy to own, with it’s delicious artwork and full quality sounds. Contact sleepmakeswaves directly through their myspace or send an email to sleepmakeswaves@gmail.com for further details and they are available for shipping worldwide. You can also show your support and contact the band via their forum : http://www.ozprog.com/forum/sleepmakeswaves.

And some final words :

“If you are in search of a precisely produced, sweepingly cinematic, post-rock album then search no further” – The Silent Ballet

Tracklisting :
1. I Will Write Peace On Your Wings And You Will Fly Over The World
2. Exits To Nowhere
3. One Day You Will Teach Me To Let Go Of My Fears
4. So That The Children Will Always Shout Her Name
5. It’s Dark, It’s Cold, It’s Winter
6. What We Cannot Speak Of Must Be Passed Over In Silence

Download from archive.org / torrent.

Stellardrive : ERS-3

Recorded in the Summer of 2008, ‘ERS-3′ is the third EP from the French outfit following both previous releases on Lost Children and again contains quality guitar-driven instrumental post-rock whilst expanding upon the formula with the use of keyboards, electronics and the clarinet.

‘ERS-3′ is a nice progression from the earlier releases whilst remaining resolutely Stellardrive, this time the instruments are given more space to breath and grow, mixing in their trademark driving riffs with delicate interplay and allowing the less conventional instruments to shine through more reflective moments. This, in addition to the perfect production, makes ERS-3 a stunning EP release.

Tracklisting :
1. Terraforming
2. Space Is There (For People Who Can See It)
3. Ecotone
4. Conversation

Download from archive.org / torrent.

Also, the first two Stellardrive EPs and bonus material are being collated for a physical release as ‘Omega Point’ from October, so please visit their website for more details and purchase a copy to help them out if you enjoy their material!

I Am The Architect : 11

I AM THE ARCHITECT found their place in student-town Muenster (Germany) in autumn 2007. Having a diverse musical background the four members focussed on a certain goal: Finding a unique musical style that relies on Post-Rock, early ninetees Shoegaze and classical music.

Out of this mixture occur songs that are able to combine contrasts. Complexe structures meet catchy melodies, a melancholic atmosphere opens the door for brute soundwalls. No song sounds like the other but nevertheless an intense closeness emerges, especially live!

The music of I AM THE ARCHITECT is not limited by musical boundaries in order to develop a diverse sound which is enriched by instruments like violin, cello or transverse flute. Together with a distinctive basement of keyboards and synthesizers you’ll hear an impressive musical broadness.

In a relatively short period of time the band became an important part in the music scene of their hometown and the area around it. The discrete songs and the passionate live-shows met with high approval by audiences and critics. A highlight has been the support show for THIS WILL DESTROY YOU in April 2008.

Press Reactions:

“I AM THE ARCHITECT from Muenster captivate with their interpretation of Post-Rock with melody and melancholy, but also with outbursts of fury.”
(www.gleis22.de)

“..how I AM THE ARCHITECT manage to balance their masterpiece between noise and an adorable melody, that is smart, that is classy, that is style.”
(www.muensterbandnetz.de)

“…the intent of attaining the lyrical fragility and naive aggression of formations like Aereogramme and Sigur Ros with purely instrumental means and without the pull of their nasal and heavenly vocal pull respectively is much more than just harking back to days of glory, but a mission statement worthy of widespread attention.”
(www.tokafi.com)

Tracklisting :
1. Quit
2. Remote Control
3. Silence, Silence
4. Solitude

Download from here.

Loss of a Child : Hundred Million Angels

‘Hundred Million Angels’ is the fourth release from Loss of a Child, following on from the three albums all previously released on Lost Children. A single track clocking in at just over 20 minutes qualifies ‘Hundred Million Angels’ as an EP but the lack of repetition and wide breath of ideas ensure that this EP is in no way short-changing anyone, experimental through its strict structure and detailed song writing as opposed to the freedom and improvisation of many instrumental acts.

Complex instrumentation hidden beneath simple ideas, dynamism created within the melodies in addition to volume, and the standard multi-instrumental Loss of a Child approach providing many hidden melodic passages requiring repeat listening to find and understand, but each proving that the obvious is not necessarily the best when it comes to musical depth.

There is also a FLAC version of ‘Hundred Million Angels’ available for those audiophiles who appreciate the dynamic range of music aided by the deft under-production. Download from here : Hundred Million Angels FLAC version.

Tracklisting :
1. Hundred Million Angels

Download from here.

From The Sky : A Warm Place With No Memory

‘A Warm Place With No Memory’ is From The Sky’s third release and displays a huge progression from their previous work, upping the complexity and ambition whilst retaining the melodic hooks, short compositions and detailed structure which sets them apart in the Post-Rock landscape.

Multiple influences combine to produce a cohesive yet varied EP, from melodic passages to heavy riffs, rhythmic math to soaring post-rock noise. ‘A Warm Place….’ shifts from pin-drop quiet to crashing distortion encompassing everything in between and is definitely From The Sky’s best release so far.

Tracklisting :
1. Delusions of Grandeur
2. She Who Stares
3. To The Friend I Once Knew
4. Lost In The Woods

Download from here.

The Shy Trafficker : Hard Fought, Found Thought

‘Hard Fought, Found Thought’ is the second full length release from The Shy Trafficker, recorded in Seattle at Attercop studio by Reed Griffin, and follows their 2006 EP ‘Halves and Have Knots’.

The Shy Trafficker is an interesting equation to crack; it possesses an elaborate infrastructure of instrumental indie rock ideals, a jazz-sensibility, and heroic interludes to build thematic “songs within a song.” The Shy Trafficker has been described to have a “Chicago” type sound which builds with raw materials based on rhythm and complexities coming from only three players. Often the Shy Trafficker is associated with bands such as Pele, Pell Mell, Tortoise, and Do Make Say Think.

A higher quality CD version of ‘Hard Fought, Found Thought’ is also available and can be bought from CDBaby here.

Tracklisting :
1. Confusion
2. Renovo
3. Romance and Sequiturs
4. Ape Will Eat Chicken
5. Frontier
6. Pitches and Creme
7. Intermission
8. Vicissitudes
9. Santa Margarita
10. Candelabra
11. Uds Madre

Download from here.

Loss of a Child : Adam and Eve

‘Adam and Eve’ is the third Loss of a Child album and extends upon the subtle math rock, classical structures and epic melodies of the previous two albums. The blending of pianos and strings alongside the heavier guitar, bass and drums provide songs that will grow each time you listen to them, a sound that bring different instruments to the fore in different listening environments, dynamics that improve the sound of the album when played loud, a wall of sound unlike any other.

This is an album that requires many listens before all becomes apparent. Focusing on one instrument throughout a song will add another layer to a separate instrument and there is much to be heard and discovered, each layer making the song’s focus and harmonies clearer. Hope you all enjoy.

Apologies for any ambition shown.

Tracklisting :
1. Adam
2. Path of the Butterfly
3. Change Theory
4. Esh
5. Not Part of the Pride
6. You Write, I Read, Two Different Stories
7. Puppy Conflict
8. Quiet Summer Dreams
9. Lobsang
10. Beauty Will Save The World
11. Eve

Download from here.

You can also now download ‘Adam and Eve’ in full, as it was written and meant to be listened to, along with all other Loss of a Child albums in full from here.