This album celebrates EN's 20th year of operation with a marked improvement in production values. The focused and streamlined sound finds equal space for pulsing, naked bass guitar, trimmed-down sound effects, low-end percussion, and strings. Not least of all, the punchy production brings EN's often-personal lyrics and intense delivery to the forefront--to double-edged effect.

The world can never have too many bands who sound like they really love Spacemen 3. This Boston three piece is a band to keep an eye out for. A couple weeks ago I reviewed their set I caught, which caught me off-guard. The band have magically formulated a beautiful sound on recording in addition to the wonderful live set.

In an article for MilkMagazine, author Josh Modell, commenting on the popularity of Slint's"Spiderland" years after its initial release, said "It's now regardedas a classic, which is funny, because McMahan has already topped it."

Broadcast's long-awaiteddebut proper album on Warp will probably not disappoint fans of the1960s retro film score sound, made popular in recent years by artistslike Saint Etienne.

Luke Vibert (aka WagonChrist, Plug, etc.) teams up with legendary pedal steel guitarist BJCole (further augmented by six additional musicians including TomJenkinson aka Squarepusher) for what would seem to be a bizarre andunlikely collaboration.

This features two brand new approximately 15 minute tracks. Listening to the CD is a treat for Coil fans as bits and pieces strike a nerve, remeniscent of last year's phenomenal Musick to Play in the Dark. Quick piano strikes from "Black Nurse" echo "Red Queen" while noises echo bits from "Red Birds."

The new single clocks inat a mere 10 minutes, and contains two tracks. The first is of courseour first chance to hear Antony and the Johnsons, whose album isapparently being released through Dutro later in the spring.

Four words: Leif Garrett covers Nirvana. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" to be exact.

After listening to this everyday for over a week now, I am happy to report that it is indeed growing on me!

Instrumental dark ambient charnel ground, atmospheric music - from New York, of all places!

This is a wonderfully schizophrenic release, with an aptly chosen name.

Since Swans demise in 1997, Michael Gira has meticulously re-packaged exactly what he wants to preserve of Swans 15 year legacy via double cd re-issues, this being the fourth and final one. This set couples the long out print 1983 debut album Filth and the 1982-85 studio out takes and live recording collection Body to Body, Job to Job. In addition is a previously unreleased 25 minute live show in NYC from 1982/3 and a 9 minute live version of "Raping a Slave" from 1984. Noticeably missing are the four songs from the debut s/t EP from 1982.

Kate Messick, vocalistfrom Unto Ashes, appears with composer/lyricist James Babbo on thisalbum, and her full upfront vocals seem flatter and less textured thanon Moon Oppose Moon.

Featuring a wide array ofexotic old and world instruments, fused with modern electronics andvocals in three different languages, Unto Ashes blends the renaissancefolk goth genres into a melange of pathos.

The first release onTricky's Durban Poison label, this album from English collective TheBaby Namboos expands the boundaries of trip-hop (a genre which hasbecome rather tired lately), presenting interesting pop songs, soulfulmelodies and just enough rap and reggae to keep you interested.

Why review a Cure record for Brainwashed?

Through Piskidisk comes this release from Rose MacDowell's Sorrow and various other related bands.

Although I was only alive for two years during the 70s, I can definitelyappreciate the annoyingness of overproduced 70s arena rock (mostly through the magic of those VH1 "Behind the Music" specials).

Wow, this has got to besome of the best hip-hop I've heard in years. I'll admit that I don'tknow much about Mos Def, but I do know that this album is amazing andit makes me want to find out more about him.

I literally cannot stoplistening to this CD. Although it's only been a few days, it's quicklybecoming one of my favourite Current 93 pieces ever.