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Friday, April 26, 2013

Echoreview: BAMBARA's DREAMVIOLENCE


BAMBARA's back, you guys.  From Athens, Georgia to Brooklyn, New York, these guys have made a name for themselves in the noise rock scene.  Since their emergence several years ago, they've blasted eardrums across the country with their rampant, unpredictable melodies and pounding rhythm.  DREAMVIOLENCE, their first full-length album in almost five years, delves even deeper into the wild, haunted darkness they've made their own.  So what's the word on this upcoming release?

An awesome driving baseline and a varied tempo make All The Same, one of my newer favorites of the band's tunes that I recognized from their live show, a righteous beginning to the album.  Listening to it, I immediately felt as if I had arrived at an ancient Aztec temple in the heart of a rainforest, populated with creepy, almost inhuman voices.  White Dresses follows this track with monstrous, underlying tones of horror that continue throughout the record.

Free of inhibitions, with a wildly strong and intensely sexy beat, Bird Calls reveals itself among explosions of noise.  Then the deliciously dark Hawk Bones, probably my favorite track on the album and certainly one I've enjoyed from their live shows, bursts on the scene with a sound that transports me into the throne room of a party king.

After the echoing jaunt of Young Mother and the untempered and jarring Nail Polish, Train Daze rolls in with a softer edge, charging through the pitch black tunnels of the darkest places in the mind. Then Bar jumps on board, an almost upbeat track compared to the rest of the album.  A strange and not entirely cohesive pause in the record, this tune features an eerie thread running through a more standard alt rock melody.

Structure is largely abandoned in the later tracks, the screeching and mechanical Divine Teeth, the smoky Z, the melodically metallic and angry Breaker, and the hauntingly animalistic Blonde. However, these songs fulfill the ongoing nightmarish premise of the album with their wildly erratic styles and borderless explorations of noise. Then, with a villainous whisper and a crash of finality, Disappear provides a fitting end to the record.

Throughout the album, BAMBARA's sound never ceases to be evocative.  It transports the listener through time and space in a haze of color and destruction not bound by the constraints of reality and expectation.  Rather than conform their style to the audience, with each album release they instead venture further into the uncharted soundscape to establish new bounds of explosive rock and eerie melodic noise.

Pumped to get your hands on DREAMVIOLENCE?  BAMBARA's official release date for the album is April 30th, but you can let your ears in on a taste of their sound over at Spin.com where they are currently streaming a preview of the full record.  Enjoy!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Kristen's Concert Picks: April rocks its way in!


As the weather gets warmer, the shows get even more insane.  End your semester with these rockin' lineups!

Thu, April 4: Efren @ 7:00 PM @ The World Famous
Gritty Americana at its best, you'll want to start off your month with Efren!

Thu, April 4: Lazer/Wulf @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
Lazer/Wulf's melodic noise will drive you wild!

Fri, April 5: Modern Skirts @ 8:00 PM @ 40 Watt
An era in Athens music is coming to an end.  Don't miss the Modern Skirts' final 40 Watt show!

Sat, April 6: Brothers & Thayer Sarrano @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
With Brothers' indie take on a classic rock sound and Thayer Sarrano's one-of-a-kind singing style, this is a lineup you'll definitely want to catch!

Sun, April 7: Kyshona Armstrong @ 8:00 PM @ Hendershots
A weekly staple at Hendershots, Kyshona Armstrong's soulful sound will blow you away!

Wed, April 10: Adron @ 8:00 PM @ The World Famous
Adron's incredible voice dances delightfully through her band's fresh indie rock sound. Be sure to check them out at the World Famous!

Thu, April 11: The Peaks @ 8:00 PM @ The World Famous
One of my longtime favorites on the scene, The Peaks (formerly Tigerbird) will be taking the stage to share their jazzy folk sound with us.  Opening for Kite to the Moon, you've just got to see this show!

Thu, April 11: Betsy Kingston and the Crowns @ 8:00 PM @ 40 Watt
I still remember Betsy Kingston's powerful voice from last Athfest.  Catch Betsy and the rockin' Crowns at the 40 Watt!

Fri, April 12: Sam Sniper @ 11:00 PM @ Green Room
Another one of my Athens favorites, Sam Sniper's unique take on southern rock is one to hear!

Tue, April 16: Yip Deceiver @ 9:00 PM @ New Earth Music Hall
I can't see a Yip Deceiver show without dancing.  It's just not possible.  Get your groove on with them in the middle of the month!

Thu, April 18: Groove Tangent @ 9:00 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
I've been following this band's sound since the beginning.  Their time-travelling style will have you rocking through history!

Fri, April 19: Kishi Bashi @ 8:00 PM @ The World Famous
If you think that violin-playing can't be exciting, you've clearly never seen Kishi Bashi in action!  His amazing talent will leave you breathless.

Sat, April 20: Dead Confederate @ 9:00 PM @ 40 Watt
Gritty southern rock tinged with darkness, Dead Confederate always puts on a great show!

Sat, April 27: Lera Lynn @ 10:00 PM @ Georgia Theatre
Part of our town's Twilight Americana festival, Lera Lynn will headline Georgia Theatre's Saturday show with her strong and undeniably awesome rock sound!

Sun, April 28: John French and the Bastilles @ 7:00 PM @ Melting Point
Celebrate the final night of the Twilight Americana festival with the dark southern rock style of John French and the Bastilles!

Looks like this April's going to be a wild one.  Heard of any other awesome local shows happening this month?  Comment below, and tell the world about 'em.  See you around, my friends!