Random Impulse - Full Metal Alchemist

UK Grime artist Random Impulse released his second album on Black Unicorn records recently. Apart from the fact that Black Unicorn is a US based label, what sets this release apart is not just it’s length - it runs 17 tracks long - but the production quality of this genre hopping release.

Grime hasn’t made much of an impact in Australia yet, while other more US-centric variants of Hip Hop have managed to get a foothold. Dirty South and Crunk regularly get air play on JJJ - maybe it’s just another indication of how Australia looks to the US for cultural stimulation - surely an oxymoron.

‘Full Metal Alchemist’ samples rock, soul, funk and Sci-Fi, with Jovel’s rapid fire delivery sitting nicely over all of these genre. He plays guitar on most of the tracks, and maybe that’s what elevates this release from other ‘electronic hip hop‘ like Akala. The narrative is strong and not in the least pretentious. There’s not a single ’shory wants to freak me’ track on here. No ’slangin’ crack’ tracks. And that’s another reason why you should check out this album. A breath of fresh air from ‘ghetto-booty-tech’ soaked air waves. ’Full Metal Alchemist’ is one of the most original albums I’ve heard this year.

Jovel Walker ( Random Impulse) answers our questions after the jump - 

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_triplejaysus_exclusive! - Feral Children

Feral Children, a Seattle quintet, are the latest band in the triplejaysus series of exclusive interviews. They have just released their debut long player, produced by Scott Colburn (Animal Collective) called ‘Second to last frontier’.  

The nice people at Sarathan Records have given triplejaysus readers access to their 4 tracks from the debut in an exclusive EP.

‘Jaundice Giraffe’opens with keys and an oompah beat. Layered on that come ‘Beach Boy’ backing vocals, but don’t let that mislead you. Frank Black-esque barks signal the escalation into cacophony. Brock-like vocal calisthenics continue with what must be carefully constructed abandon, because you cannot deny that it catches you with many of its hooks.

‘Zyghost’is a pounding track with crazy carnival keys and a dirty bassline, and screaming backing vocals I haven’t heard since The Dead Milkmen’s ‘Stuart’. It’s brilliant stuff, and well worth the bandwidth. Go get it!

Jeff Keenan (co-lead singer and stand up drummer) took some time out to answer my questions after the jump. (more…)

_triplejaysus_exclusive - The Fairline Parkway

Next in the series of triplejaysus exclusive interviews isThe Fairline Parkway, following the release of ‘A Memory of Open Spaces’.

The Fairline Parkway’s second album is a breezy summer affair, perfect for lazing back on a sunny Sunday and having music wash over you. On Album opener ‘Westward Bound’, intimate vocals are gently whispered over the delicate filigree of drums and keys. This sets the tone for the next ten tracks, with crisp production keeping the album moving forward rather than getting caught up in its own swirling melodies.

‘The Great Plain’, an instrumental track, evokes images of frontier country but also marks a change of focus for the remaining tracks. The Fairline Parkway prove that they can capture your attention with smooth indie pop melodies, so they set out to push their boundaries ( with varying degrees of success) on Side 2. ‘Nowhere to Be’ is a composition that takes a few listens before it reveals it’s charms, while ‘Movie Stars’ offers little more than the name implies.  

A Memory of Open Spaces is for the most part a beautiful album, and not a challenging album. The Fairline Parkways success lies firmly in what they do best, and bar the odd misstep, they deserve success because they do it better than most.

Raj takes some time to answer my questions after the jump:
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_triplejaysus_exclusive! - Motocade

We receive a lot of emails from bands, labels and websites here at triplejaysus, asking us to listen and if we like, to share the music they have sent us. Most of what I have received to date, while really good, doesn’t quite fit in with what we’re trying to do with this site. Motocade are different.

Motocade are a rock band from NZ, that have built up a following with great live shows and EP’s filled with quality tracks of tight, catchy rock. They are recording their debut full length album at the moment and asked triplejaysus to check out the first two tracks completed.  

Needless to say, the fact that I’ve featured them means that I really dig their stuff. Motocade manage to find the perfect balance between catchy riffs and substance. Their sound is crisp and clean on ‘Soap Opera’, yet they still manage to keep a rock edge that gives their music longevity. ‘Come back Kid’ opens with a  thumping bassline that grabs you immediately, countered by falsetto guitars.

Overall, I think that the two tracks featured give plenty reason to consider Motocade’s debut a highly anticipated release. Although the band couldn’t give me details of a release date yet, Eden did take time out from recording to answer a few questions.
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