Valley of the Giants- Self Titled (2004)

Being unable to remember exactly how I came across Valley of the Giants, I am going to safely assume that I saw this album up for download, on Soulseek.  Like with a lot of the releases that I have, or even review, I just see a name and if the genre is labeled with something that I am into, I usually download it.  With Valley of... being a post-rock band, I would think that was the main reason for me wanting to check them out; and after the first listen I was intrigued and then after the second, I heard a lot of the sounds/production that made me a fan. 

This self titled release that's over an hour long didn't really grab me too much after the first listen.  I have a really bad tendency to flip through tracks if I get bored with the song, or if I feel like it's dragging on a little too much.  But, there was enough there to make me give it a 2nd listen; which now I am happy that I did.  The album starts off pretty slow, beginning with acoustic guitar/violin and slow building up until the 2nd track comes in with the same pace and some female vocals.  Even though it's a little on the slow side, each track seems to build off the previous track culminating into a really thick layered sound of multiple instruments and on a few tracks, the female vocals.  Over all this is a post rock album, but with the sound that almost mimics a movie score, there are additional elements that add twists and turns to the overall feel of the album.  I like the fact that this is an "abnormal" post rock album, due to the fact that unless it's really outstanding, post rock can get a little boring in my opinion; honestly it's the female vocals that adds a dream pop sound that really gives it that twist. 

With lots of layers and sounds along with some good instrumentation, this post rock supergroup adds their own style to the post rock genre that can appeal to a wide audience, given the opportunity.  The quality of the recording is superb and is really clean yet the studio production gives it enough "dirtiness" that a music snob like myself can appreciate what is being played.  A good album to have, it might not be in a heavy rotation in your music collection, but when the mood strikes you, this will fulfill what you are needing. 

Official score- 3.25/5

Ibrahim Ferrer-Chepin&His Oriental Orchestra -Mi Oriente- 1960

My first introduction to Ibrahim Ferrer was on the Buena Vista Social Club documentary/album, which I immediately fell in love with.  There is something about this album though that hits my true music enthusiast heart of hearts.  I don't know if it's the sound of the album due to the age in which it was recorded, the style of music that is being played or the combination of all of these things.  I mentioned Ibrahim Ferrer in an early post when I reviewed a different hispanic album, so I figured I'd do a review on the album I referenced. 

Mi Oriente is a 21 track album that is a perfect representation of early latin jazz and traditional Cuban music.  Within the album there are a few slower songs, but even these songs have a tenacity for greatness with the amount of emotion that is portrayed through the music.  But in regards to the more upbeat tracks on this album, they are highly addictive rhythmical songs that will get your foot tapping and musical blood pumping.  I am not a spanish speaker, nor do I understand spanish, but in my opinion music is the one truly universal language that is spoken to any listener/fan/musician.  I have listened to this album many many times over the years and I never get sick of listening to it.  The multiple instrument percussion section along with the lo-fi stylistically recorded horns help enhance the listeners mind's eye when it comes to understanding the expressions that are being played out for us all to hear.  Being recorded in 1960, this is a very early release by Ibrahim Ferrer, and even though I am a big fan of his later releases, when he was older and the vocal style shows his age, this release of a young Ibrahim shows where he started, and helps give a clear cut picture of the Cuban music scene. 

The Buena Vista Social Club documentary/album is a great place to get an overview of this style of Cuban music, but once you get past that, and want a real portrayal of it's origins, go get this album.  I'll be honest and inform you that is this in my digital library, so I haven't purchased this, but if I ever come across it, I will buy it for my music collection.

Official score- 4/5

Deadfood- Weird Feelings (2000)

I can still remember finding out about these guys, many years ago.  I was looking online for a Subtract to Zero LP, and came across this small distro. that was running a sale.  So, long story short I was reading through the different titles they had and saw this Deadfood release.  The description said metal and jazz and some other stuff, so I was thinking, "Metal and Jazz, Hell ya!" so I picked it up for under $5!  When I got the cd I remember looking at the cover, then the inside cover, and thinking "what the hell?", due to the fact that there are only pictures of mushrooms on the cover, and not band info. what-so-ever anywhere in their packaging. Right away from minute number one, after I started playing it, I realized that this is one of the most unique sounding projects that I had come across.  With that being said, I have come across other bands that are similar in style, over the years, but with this being such a cool/cheap find, I rank it pretty high.

Weird Feelings is 13 track release that covers all aspects of musical enlightenment.  Deadfood hits the spastic uniqueness that most bands can't even comprehend.  In all honesty the only other album that can stand toe-to-toe with this is Mr. Bungle's Disco Volante album.  Multiple instruments get intertwined in a weave of highly experimental yet really well put together noise rock meets electronic rock meets noise/grindcore/experimentalism.  The band has members in other equally impressive projects but in all honesty, none can compare to Deadfood.  EdibleChrist has given me 2 other Deadfood releases, as gifts, and they are both just as freakin' awesome.  I have sat here, while typing this review to think of multiple ways to describe this project, but there is really no way to describe them.

Multiple instruments and multiple genre's and time changes mark this album repeatedly, which for any music enthusiast is a sign of great craftsmanship.  When I think of some of my favorite all time bands, broken down by genre/style, these guys definitely top the list of of their style; not to mention that I would say that they are probably in my top 25 all time favorites.  If you can find this, you should buy it, you will not be disappointed, but if you must, look on your favorite file sharing program. 

Official score- 4.20/5