2010 remix compilation from Ferry Corsten and his System F project. In February, Ferry Corsten presented the international FC System F remix competition in which users were offered the opportunity to produce brand new versions of 10 original System F tracks. The winning remixes all feature on Champions. Black Hole. Performers: Marc Almond - Vocals; Saskia Lie-Atjam - Vocals
Dianogah's Battle Champions is Jay Ryan and Jason Harvey, tandem bassists who decided to try on the guitar for this recording. This 2000 release is brave and daring, with shifting melodies and even shiftier time signatures. It was produced by master indie technician Steve Albini. This is Chicago post-rock at its finest. The contrapuntal melodies that Jay Ryan and Jason Harvey lay down are sonorous and fresh. In a lot of ways, the instrumental interplay is a lot like that of Tortoise, but it's hard to make post-rock allusions and not refer back to them, especially when the ensemble you're speaking of is in from Chicago. Dianogah's Battle Champions is a fantastic recording, and one that truly breathes with a reviving freshness. This disc is out on the Southern records label and should be available most everywhere. Fine disc. ~ Matt Borghi, Rovi Performers: Steve Albini - Recorder; Jason Harvey - Bass Viol, Bass, Guitar; Jay Ryan - Voices, Bass, Guitar; Kip McCabe - Drums, Piano
2010 release from the Psychedelic Garage Rockers. Imperfection is a funny thing to promote in an album title. In a music media environment ruled over by terms such as "pristine" and "flawless," boldly stating a belief in the rough and rowdy comes off as an off-kilter move. But on the appropriately titled Champions Of Imperfection, Durham, N.C. band The Dirty Little Heaters flaunts its flaws proudly. Riding a well-tuned Rock 'n' Roll engine that's reverent to the legends that came before, singer Reese McHenry belts out deeply emotional angst with a wail that's powerful enough to stand beside most any Rock 'n' Roll singer -- past or present.
Valis have never known the sort of stability that comes with releasing two albums in two years, and for the same record label -- that is, until 2005 -- and Champions of Magic, their fourth overall and second for Detroit's Small Stone. That's not to say that they're dialing it in, either. A generous serving of 15 songs comprising a full hour of new music is on hand here, and, stylistically, the group is also still breaking new ground. Well, in a retrograde fashion, anyway, since Champions of Magic finds these Seattle veterans reconnecting with many of their alt rock roots following a surprisingly straight-faced flirtation with hard rock styles a year earlier. Not so straight-faced that they came off sounding like Boston, mind you (more like Monster Magnet), but enough to make new songs like "Indian Giver" and "Mealworm" -- with their distinctive, psychedelic guitar licks à la Screaming Trees, and thrumming rhythm looseness à la Mudhoney -- sound like a return to norm and form. Admittedly, leader Van Conner's frequently weak, at times off-key vocals remain a hit-and-miss proposition (see him struggle through "Pass Me By" and "Paper Doll," among others); but his dark sense of humor similarly boosts album highlight "Kill the Ones You Love" well over the top. Thanks to the likes of "Transmuter" and the two-part "Universe," space rock sound effects continue to be a part of the overall equation (after all, this is a band that lists "Lemmy from Hawkwind" among their thank-you's!), but discreetly so, making them a nice change-up, not a dominant gimmick. In short, as long as the listener has no problem with Valis' seemingly intentional lack of performing discipline ("feel" being the operative word), and nurtures a healthy interest in the previous decade's Seattle scene, Champions of Magic is well worth the tasting. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, Rovi Performers: Adrian Makins - Harmonica, Bass; Kurt Danielson - Bass; Van Conner - Wurlitzer, Vocals, Guitar
Fergie Lama
Liverpool are not in it either
should you be worried about the Europa?