FensePost

Written by Fense

“Chinese Locks”, the debut title-track by Murmansk (MySpace) opens with drone and feedback-filled guitars that last a full two minutes before any sort of rhythmic beat comes in. In a way, it sets the stage for what’s to come—Murmansk’s experimental style, female fronted rock. It’s a powerful and bold introductory statement that, in all actuality, works quite well. (more…)

Written by Fense

In part three of my Si No Puedo Bailar, No Es Me Revolución coverage, I present Souvlaki (MySpace). This band hails from Chile and is one of nearly 20 artists to appear on the recent Si No Puedo Bailar compilation Pero Ese Olor En El Cuarto Del Piano Fue El Primer Perfume Que Necesitó En Su Vida, available now from Darla Records. Here, their video for “Pequeno Corazon Multilinge” combines new with old for a unique take on video creation. (more…)

Written by Fense

The name Juan, to my knowledge, is the Spanish version of John, like the name Andy is, in many languages, translated as Andre. Therefore, the first thing I thought of when seeing the name Juan Stewart, was The Daily Show host John Stewart. But, really, that’s the only thing these two have in common. (more…)

Written by Fense

Today I present three features on bands introduced to me by a single compilation. The background: Last year, a little compilation pop label from Brazil sent me a lovely little collection of tunes, released as Porque Este Océano Es El Tuyo, Es El Mío. Well, that label has done it again. Pero Ese Olor En El Cuarto Del Piano Fue El Primer Perfume Que Necesitó En Su Vida is a pretty long name for an album, but it fits the concept. (more…)

Talking to a friend several months ago about a quote she had on her IM profile, which said Fuck is the new Wolf, I couldn’t help but make the following prediction: Sure, but Crystal is the new Fuck. I could not have been more right. (more…)

Written by bob_vinyl

Just because an artist has done all that can be expected of him and has earned the right to rest on his laurels, doesn’t mean the work he started is done. So it is with Bob Dylan, and The War on Drugs (MySpace) has picked up the cause and put their own spin on it with Wagonwheel Blues. (more…)

Written by Fense

I discovered Moto Boy way back when the group first signed to Songs I Wish I Had Written. That was back in mid 2007. Moto Boy is Oskar Humlebo and his melodies are pleasant and vibrant and a bit flamboyant. And these traits all surface in the song and surreal video for “Ride My Wild Heart”. (more…)

Written by Fense

Kosar is the first album review on FensePost to have been released on a minidisk. It’s one of those under-three-inch discs rarely found anywhere these days. I remember first seeing the technology back in the 90s in the hands of a friend who used it to record some live tunes. We were riding the school bus and people found the minidisk player fascinating. While the technology never really took hold to replace the larger compact disc, Kosar proves just how unique Grumpy Bear is as a band. (more…)

Blitzen Trapper (MySpace) has been on my radar for some time now, but I just haven’t been paying them the attention they deserve. Chalk it up to their country swagger—something I’m generally not fond of—or the sheer amount of music out there at this time (I am fairly limited by the number of hours in a day). Luckily, their latest release, Furr, just arrived in my mailbox. (more…)

Written by Fense

Oh glorious garage pop, how I love thee. I was looking for a new album to tuck nicely beside one of my all-time, top 10 albums, Up Against The Legends by The Legends, and what I found was Fort Nightly by White Rabbits (MySpace). And it worked perfectly. The elements are there—the hefty drums and electric guitars all have a massive pop ring and… oh… that tambourine! (more…)