Album Review: The Coma Recovery - Goddverb

Of all the things that come out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, spacy-progressive-post-rock group The Coma Recovery is certainly one of the most unique. A recent Deep Elm-sign on, the musical influence and developed style of the band takes the new album, Goddverb, to very dark places in the genre of post-rock at times, but can also be much more uplifting and light than comparative artists as well.

Fan Deep Elm Records for Free Music

Us at MuzikDizcovery love Deep Elm Records (if it wasn't apparent from the massive amount of posts we've done about their bands). Moonlit Sailor has already topped Mat's midyear top 5 list, and I won't be surprised if that record enters mine as well. Well, Deep Elm Records recently posted on Facebook that if they get 2000 fans on their page by July 15th, they will give away an album for free every week for the rest of 2011. I have honestly never heard a record released by the label that is poor, and a deal like this can not be found anywhere else. Please, please, please go to the label's Facebook page and fan them here.

Album Review: Moonlit Sailor - Color In Stereo

It's really hard not to find something to love on any Moonlit Sailor album, whether you be an indie snob, a post-rock junkie, or just plain appreciative of oratory arts. The new record, Colors In Stereo, is hardly different. The sound the band creates on this album is very much a hearkening back to their indie rock roots, even more so than on So Close To Life; though, at the same time, the band strengthens the post-rock side of their sound with a powerfully-renewed vitality, with more energy and emotion poured into each song, resulting in something remarkable.

The Ghost Of Otis

The Ghost of Otis has done something that very few bands have made me done before; actually read the lyrics and allow them to provoke my own opinions about the topic at hand. Religion ("I agree with the words of Jesus but not with the Christians, and I agree with the ways of Siddhartha but not with the Buddhists.", politics ("Passing ideas from one leader to the next, they say it creates structure, but who the fuck wants structure? We create it with our taxes. We paid the bill, but we're still in debt, and without a way out. So how do they fix it? Create more taxes, and raise the ones they already had."), and social issues ("Your car eats more gas than you can afford, and those cigarettes you smoke, they run eight bucks a pack. That's another hour's work for you; light another one boy, here's to your health. Another car crash on your way into work, five seconds late and your boss gives you crap. Eight more hours 'til your freedom is won, but by then you're so tired, you just want to crash.") are all common topics throughout the record. These deeper topics are mostly spoken rather than sung by gruff speaker Jason McCray, while siblings Krista and Matthew D'Amico add sweeter vocals at other times. Krista also contributes massively with her deep, vibrant baritone saxophone, which works pleasantly together with Matthew's heavy guitar riffs. Though some of the lyrics may not fit your views entirely, it is best to listen to Hopes and Denials with an open mind, as the thoughts reflected in the lyrics are at the very least worth understanding.  The music itself is beautiful, but the societal views make this record special. You can stream the entire album on the band's Deep Elm page here.

Ethienne

It's hard to get a feel for what Ethienne actually sounds like until you take a real listen to it. At times during the band's latest release The Old And The New World, the band's rock edge takes to the front, layering customary guitar riffs with synth and eerie electronics as in "A Fist In The Snow", or keystrokes as in "Random Walk". Other times the band shows a poppier side, like in the dancy electro-pop "Ultrapop!" or the beautiful piano ballad "Crave", or an atmospheric, post rock like side like in "Once Again" or "Iter". Really, the best way to describe Ethienne is Ethienne, as the band takes influences across genres and infuses them into their own music, creating somewhat of a boundary hopping record. Deep Elm has found another gem of a band, one whose uniqueness will continue to assist the growth of the label, and leading them to even more success. You can stream the record on the band's Deep Elm page here.

Deep Elm Review of 2010: Dorena - About Everything And More

Another excellent band from Deep Elm Records, Dorena play post-rock in the vein of Mogwai or Laura. About Everything And More may have been influenced by these greats of the genre, but never mimics them. To create this relative individuality, Dorena incorporate musical ideas that most other post-rock bands do not. For instance, "From The Window Of My Room" builds to a nearly indie-pop section, complete with catchy synth, about three minutes into the track. Soon, vocals enter the mix to great effect. Singing is used sparingly throughout the record, but never muddies the vibe Dorena aim to craft.

New Deep Elm Signing - The Cast Before The Break

By this point, it should be expected that Deep Elm will never sign a poor band. The Cast Before The Break is a perfect fit for the label, as the label has already produced and developed quite a few bands of similar style, including The Appleseed Cast, Athletics, and Moving Mountains. The band's post-rock meets indie-rock meets post-hardcore style is perfectly represented on "Head On A String", as they go from an Explosions In The Sky like intro to a vocal based verse, to a much heavier instrumental segment. The band has re-released their newly remastered LP Still, and hopefully will begin on recording new music soon. You can stream and buy the new album on the band's Deep Elm page here.

Deep Elm Review Of 2010: Goonies Never Say Die - No Words To Voice Our Hopes And Fears

Naming a band based on a very famous movie may not be the best move for giving an audience hope of originality, but luckily for Goonies Never Say Die, they should be able to shed that label within moments of hearing their latest album No Words To Voice Our Hopes And Fears. Another solid post-rock band on Deep Elm's roster, they are one of the heavier and more technical ones. The spoken word intro "Of What May Come" is one of the only uses of vocals of the album, and the eerie voice goes perfectly with the instrumental buildup going along around it. "Nothing Remains Forever Yet The Future Still Holds Hope" gives the feeling of the storm going on in the album artwork, with piano strikes leading the way. The song also highlights the amazing talent of drummer Danny Kerr, as he shows off his ability to drum insane rhythms at impossible speeds. Time signature changes are scattered throughout "This Low Point Can Only Be Followed By A High", one of the more ambient tracks on the record. Don't think for a second that means that the drums lack, because they are just as strong as always, while the keys are mixed in perfectly with the guitars to form a much brighter sound than most of the record. "I Love You But In The End I Will Destroy You" almost seems like it could be the music behind an epic love song, showing more melody than most post-rock songs. It almost seems like there is a (gasp) chorus at times. The band pulls off the unconventional post-rock jam perfectly, as it is definitely one of the highlights of the album. "Indifference Speaks Louder Than Anger" is a rocking closer with crunchy guitars that will leave a listener out of breath and amazed at the variety of tracks the band has placed on the record. Goonies Never Say Die has injected post-rock with the attributes of every other genre, creating a unique, powerful album. Deep Elm has another gem of a band on their hands, and nothing can stop Goonies Never Say Die from bursting to another stratosphere in the future. You can stream the album on the band's Deep Elm page here

Deep Elm Review Of 2010: I Am Sonic Rain - Between Whales And Feverish Lights

The entirety of I Am Sonic Rain revolves around water. The band's name could stand for the combination of sound and water. The album cover is underwater. The album title, Between Whales and Feverish Lights, mentions a marine animal. Even the music sounds like it could take place in the ocean or under falling rain. Opener "Jellyfish Are Murders" (yet another marine reference) features electronics that sound like a bloom of jellyfish are swarming the area, before stinging and destroying their unfortunate prey. "Fog Is Drowning Us" begins with a distorted guitar riff that feels exactly as the title dictates. However, it then clears up and becomes an ambient journey through the band's world. Electronics are abound, at times reminiscent of 65daysofstatic. "As Rain We Fall" is a building storm, from the onset of a drizzle to a raging and destructive flood. "Just To Rise The Day After" is a follow up of the previous storm, as the sun finally comes up and begins restore things back to normal. "Between Whales and Feverish Lights" is the sound of playful whales, moving throughout the open sea, with keys and other electronics expressing their every move and emotion. The band's brand of post-rock takes its influence from the simplest of sources. The behaviors of nature and weather fuel this powerful album, and allow a listener to forget all that's around them and bask in the harmony of the music. You can stream and purchase the whole album on the band's Deep Elm page here.

Deep Elm Review Of 2010: Athletics - Why Aren't I Home?

Athletics is reminiscent of the kid in school who talks only when he has something important to say, yet is extremely brilliant. Often only having a few lines of lyrics in a song, Why Aren't I Home? focuses more on the ambient atmosphere of a song, while speaking enough to relay the powerful messages of the song. The title track features the usual post-rock buildup, ambient guitars soaring, the rhythm section feeling like a driving train, before the climax hits with one line of powerful vocals. Vocalist and guitarist Garrett Yaeger launches in to state the powerful message of the title track and maybe the whole album, shouting "Well I'm lost again, as my world finds it's end. No safe place to exist, but to pretend we never did." Flowing seamlessly into the much heavier "See You On The Other Side", as the flowing ambient guitar riffs support the lower, heavier crashes of sound. The surprisingly vocal heavy "Jordan" is a powerful self reflection, while "Lullaby" is anything but one with angry vocals glaring from behind the atmosphere. "It's Night, It's Enough" seems to be one of the more mellow songs on the album, until you reach the halfway point of the song. A large, powerfully emotionally scream of "You haunt my dreams." begins the powerful blast of sound that erupts through one's speakers. "The Cost Of Living" closes the album with depressive lyrics, though powerful, leaving chills as the album quickly fades away. Why Aren't I Home? is an adventure through the powerful distresses of the band. It strays away from usual post-rock, yet keeps the aspects of the genre that makes it all great. The vocals are the last key that makes the record more than just an emotional journey, but a journey in every such way, as it will leave you breathing heavily, sweating, and questioning reality. You can stream the album on the band's Deep Elm page here.

Deep Elm Review Of 2010: Ride Your Bike - The Connection

Don't let the album cover of Ride Your Bike's The Connection turn you off. Unlike the food on the cover, this six song EP isn't junk. The band packs  a gritty indie-rock sound in the vein of early The Get Up Kids, but that sound wouldn't be expected after a listen of the title track. Vocalist Mike Getches sounds almost like Leighton from Lydia at times, with backing strings used to squeeze the emotion out of the rest of the music.  However, this mellow track doesn't represent the rest of the album at all. "Coat Rack" is a perfect model of the band's sound, with driving guitar riffs surrounding the nasally, yet powerful vocals. Getches shows off his surprising range, going from low notes to highs in a matter of a couple notes. "Firefly" may not be a Saves The Day cover, but it could easily have been done by the band. Though the vocals may not be as unique as Chris Conley's, but they go much better with the style of music. Closer "Time We Took Those Chances" shows the band at its peak ability of song writing, lyrically honest words surrounded by some of the strongest musical ability on the entire EP. Chants fill the backgrounds of the chorus with life, igniting the song to even higher heights. The band's somewhat silly name, combined with the absolutely outrageous album cover makes the band seem almost like a joke. Through one listen of the band, it's obvious that the band is dead serious about what they do, which is make great music. Check the band out on their Deep Elm page here.

Deep Elm Review Of 2010: Down To Earth - Prisms

Thrice is on record for saying that they have progressed past their older melodic post-hardcore sound. Who would have imagined that one of the best replacements for the lovers of older Thrice would be French? Down To Earth channels Thrice, Fugazi, and At The Drive-In in creating a brutal, yet melodic effort. Prisms is centered around the three opening tracks, "Prisms 1", "Prisms 2", and "Prisms 3", that almost seam together perfectly and seem like three parts of one, larger track. The tracks build up until the angry climax of the three songs that is "Prisms 3", which shows off the band's strong talents, showcasing mighty riffs and a driving rhythm section, highlighted by the bass lines. The first two minutes of "Versus" are instrumental, combining atmospheric with some extremely dark riffs, before mellowing out, then busting out with the band's signature heaviness by the end. "Radio Stoned" takes a lot from At The Drive In's Relationship and Command both instrumentally and vocally. Early 2000's post-hardcore has been dying out as bands mature or break up. Down To Earth brings back the good feeling about the genre, and gives hope for its future. Stream the album on their Deep Elm page here.

Deep Elm Review Of 2010: Cari Clara - You Better Run

Cari Clara has already been featured once on this site, and definitely deserves another mention as the first Deep Elm record that will be reviewed here. Not many bands can pull off comparing themselves to Radiohead. With vocals only comparable in style to Thom Yorke or Matt Bellamy (Muse), you can only expect the epic sound that the band creates, which is instantly heard on the title track. The dark sound created by the ambient guitars, background hums, and the aggressive string section starts the record off with a bone chilling blast. "Neither Weapon" returns the guitars to the forefront of the music, as the bridge features a distorted guitar solo backed by the band's signature ambient vocals. "Our Famed Escape" finally lightens up the mood of the EP, with high pitched bells and a mature somewhat dancy feel that could easily be heard in a love scene for a movie. EP closer "The Great Departure" is in fact a great departure from the band's usual sound, with every single vocal section echoed instead of the usual vibrato along with what sounds like a demonic sounding choir and percussion that could be found in someone's garage. However, Cari Clara pulls off all these effects to great success. Radiohead and Muse are two of the biggest bands in the world. Cari Clara has both the creative uniqueness and exceptional talent that both of those bands have. If they are huge, why isn't Cari Clara? Stream and purchase the band's album on their Deep Elm page here.

Review of Deep Elm 2010

Muzik Dizcovery and Deep Elm Records are working together for the month of February to do a review of some of the best releases on Deep Elm Records from 2010. The label has easily become my favorite, with high quality streaming and MP3s of every release, excellent ownership, and of course, extraordinarily good bands. Les Sages, Goonies Never Say Die, I Am Sonic Rain, and She Bears are just a few of the bands that will be covered on this site throughout the next month. For now, everyone needs to go on the Deep Elm site and check out all of their bands. There's lots of stuff coming in the future for the label.

Cari Clara

Another day, another Deep Elm Records artist I discover. Cari Clara has a distinct sound compared to all of the other Deep Elm artists I have recommended. In fact, the vocals sound eerily similar to the one and only Thom Yorke of Radiohead. Those haunting vocals surrounded by mysterious arrangements of the traditional rock instruments with some strings definitely seem to be influenced by Radiohead. So obviously, if you like Radiohead you need to listen to Cari Clara. Even if you don't check them out. You can stream the entire album on the Deep Elm Website here.

Deep Elm Records - Sampler 10

Deep Elm Records has just released their Sampler 10, containing fifteen new free songs. As posted earlier this week, Deep Elm is probably my favorite record label out there right now. This sampler contains quite a few of my favorite Deep Elm artists, including Goonies Never Say Die, Athletics, Dorena, Last Lungs, I Am Sonic Rain, and Moonlit Sailor for the post-rock fans with Les Sages and She Bears for those fans of indie pop/rock. This sampler is a must download for anyone wanting to find a ton of new artists to put on your mp3 player. Check it out and download it here.

Deep Elm Records

Deep Elm Records has one of the best catalogs I have seen in a record label in quite some time. From known bands like Moving Mountains and The Appleseed Cast to upcoming stars like Desoto Jones, Moonlit Sailor, and Goonies Never Say Die, Deep Elm knows what good music is. They stream practically every one of their albums on their site through Bandcamp, and allow many different purchasing options. If you like good Post-Rock, Emo, Punk, or Indie, check out many of the bands on the site, especially the ones listed above. Deep Elm also has 99 songs on samplers for free right here. Download them and post which artists you are fans of in the comments.