F-Zero’s Smooth Energetic DNB Ride on “Maelstrom”

F-Zero hard at work performing a live set on laptop

Out now on netlabel NXTPhage is this 2-track single entlitled “Maelstrom” [Catalog number: NXT007] This is the brainchild of Manila-based drum-and-bass producer F-Zero (aka Michael Madriaga).

“Maelstrom” is all about the tension between laziness and hyperactivity. It pits a generic smooth jazz piano chord with a cutting sawtooth wave synth line and then constructs a two-step drum and bass pattern that alternates between going at full speed and laying about quietly at half-tempo during breakdowns. The end result is a track that’s 5:35 long but which you never want to end.

“Gravity” is slightly different in that it contains no tension between light and dark, instead it starts simply with a basic rhythm track before launching into the bowels of the earth with a fat squelching bass. The notes and textures are simple enough. But variation is added via a few changes in drum patterns and a shimmering synth buildup. It’s a driving, energetic track that throttles along with the accelerator pedal floored, but always in a smooth trajectory.

SUMMARY:
F-Zero’s building blocks are simple, but his genius lies in how he constructs his wickedly fast, but always smooth rollercoaster rides. Solid production skills and exploding beats are the icing on the cake.

DETAILS:

• Download his single from the NXT Phage netlabel on the Mediafire website folder.
• The F-Zero Facebook page.
• F-Zero’s tracks on SoundCloud.

Moaner Lisa’s industrial guitarmonica in “Bac-Up!”

Moaner Lisa - Bac-Up!

Roots. We all go back to them sooner or later. California-based electronica producer LightSleep3r returns to his own rock roots with his Moaner Lisa side project. His debut single as Moaner Lisa is “Bac-Up!” released on the fledgling StickySweetSounds (SSS) Records. It is three versions of a single industrial tune.

Track one incorporates a rollicking rock instrumental before launching into the main song, Bac-Up, which is a simple, no-frills industrial rock track, reminiscent of early God Lives Underwater and Filter. The main guitar/bass riff rumbles along atop a drum track that shows little variation — but you gotta love the distorted harmonica solo. Track two fits the song with an ’80s new wave arrangement (an alternate version arranged and performed in the style of his first band in the late 1980s, Colloidal Mixtures). Is that The Fixx, I hear in there? I think so too. And then track three returns to the original tune except with some dirty vinyl and distorted vocal effects. All in all, a catchy tune, done with perfectly snarly vocals and made better with distorted harmonica.

When he sings “it’s good to be back,” before proceeding to “dance like hell,” I must wholeheartedly agree.

LINKS

Download the entire single on one zip file.

Moaner Lisa’s MySpace page.

SSS Records netlabel home page. SSS Records on MySpace.

Courtney Olson’s angsty but sweet lovepop

Courtney Olson

Here’s something new. Instead of combing the interwebs for an album to review, I stumbled upon this Tweet containing my favorite search term “free mp3,” which in turn led to the blog, and then the MySpace page of one Courtney Olson, indie singer-songwriter whose pop sensibilities would put many mainstream artists to shame. A quick email and a half later, and I was given two tracks to review and disseminate freely on the web. And so here we are.

Featuring excellent songwriting, some rhythm piano skills, and a wide vocal range that sounds close to Jewel, Vanessa Carlton, Dido, and Debbie Gibson (maybe not the best comparisons, except for the fact that I like three of the four), Olson comes across as young, genuine, positive and heartfelt.

The first track “Better Not Settle” is a bittersweet separation song, about not settling for anything less than finding your one and only. The refrain is a catchy gem, with the melody searing permanently into your brain. The second “Catch Me, I’m Falling” has her tossing snow up in the air, giddily in love. Although the lyrics are chock-full of cliches, the vocal performance helps you forget and instead, swoon in the artist’s overflowing emotions.

Both tracks are ballads with a simple acoustic piano accompaniment, which seems inadequate for the power her vocal cords can throw. I’d love to hear these tracks produced with a full band backing her up, where she can unleash the angst. The two songs are well worth the download for pop music lovers, and for lovers in general. All hail this up-and-coming pop balladeer.

Courtney Olson is a 22-year-old Minnesota musician who just officially graduated with her Bachelor of Music degree. Make her happy. Tell her you like her music and that Audiostylites sent ya.

LINKS:
Download both songs in one zip file [9.2 MB] Encoded at 160 kbps, 44.1 kHz, stereo.

Courtney Olson’s Myspace Page.

Steve James’ primal scream in “Angry, Ugly and Alone”

Steve James – Angry, Ugly and Alone

Steve James is angry and in pain, dealing with death by creating 2 songs. In “Leaving This World,” the Pennsylvania musician begins with a wedding prayer (an old 78RPM record found in a thrift store), and segues into slide guitar blues with distorted, shouted and almost unrecognizable vocals. Then in “Angry, Ugly and Alone” he quietly sings he wants to die as he mourns the passing of his grandfather, and the lack of a purpose in life. The slow blues guitar shuffle is perfectly sad, perfectly angsty. Since this isn’t American Idol, we can forget about “pitchy” problems and simply accept an impassioned artistic expression as it is. Heartfelt and honest.

2 MP3s encoded at 192 kbps.

Download Details:
Download the full album in one zip file. (8 MB)
The single’s release page on the Collective Family.

Artist Details:
Steve James on Myspace.

Jon Protas’ blues implosion: Goddess

Jon Protas: Goddess

When Jon Protas sings “I don’t believe in virgins or whores… I don’t believe in opposite shores, I don’t believe in nothing,” he taps into the current vein of unbelief and “whatever-ness” prevalent in modern society. But he does it with so much aplomb and pizzazz — complete with a rickety rhythm section built of a single unforgettable groove, distorted vocals and overdriven guitars. This 3-minute 14-second tune is a single that would put Jon Spencer Blues Explosion to shame. Download it before it becomes the theme song of a Hollywood movie.

Release Page:
Released on the wonderful CLLCT community. Join it now to download a lot of good stuff.

Copyright
This release is protected under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives (by-nc-nd) 3.0 License.