Lumerians - Burning Mirrors (2008-2021)

 

Bio:
Lumerians are a psychedelic rock quartet that emerged from the San Francisco Bay Area in 2006, later establishing themselves in Oakland, California. Known for their expansive, trance-inducing sound blending space rock, krautrock, drone and progressive elements, the band layers deep bass, synths, percussion, and atmospheric guitar to create immersive sonic landscapes that range from murky and hypnotic to rhythmically propulsive. 
After early recordings like their self-titled 2008 EP and 2011's full-length "Transmalinnia", the band released "The High Frontier" in 2013 and continued exploring spontaneous compositions and improvisation through series such as "Transmissions from Telos". In 2018 they issued the sprawling studio album "Call of the Void", followed by the single "Yellowcake" in 2019, and culminated their catalogue with the live Fuzz Club Session EP in 2021, capturing reimagined material and unreleased jams from their dynamic performances.


I was preparing a completely different anthology just before compiling this, listening to one of my old mixes. One track which really stood out for me was "Dogon Genesis" by Lumerians, and I decided to put on hold what I was working on and delve into the Lumerians back catalogue. This is the end result, feauturing favourites from all their releases, apart from their 2012 album "The Weaning and The Dreaming" which features 2 very long drone tracks and is quite different from anything else they've recorded. Also, I'm not that much of a fan of drone music! In case anyone is interested, the anthology I was working on was a compilation of various projects which featured Peter Howell, a musician/composer that not many have heard of. I'll complete that eventually...

I first posted this Lumerians anthology (in mix form) on hearthis, and an online friend commented he found their music to be "banal", as "everything had already been heard somewhere before"... OK, there's nothing highly original here, but what they do, they do very well. Sure, you can hear influences from several bands such as Spacemen 3 and Can, but I don't find anything wrong with that. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this latest anthology. Cheers!

  1. Tawazula (3:11)
  2. Silver Trash (5:33)
  3. High Frontier (4:58)
  4. Olive Alley (3:14)
  5. Untitled 3 (6:59)
  6. Corkscrew Trepanation (7:08)
  7. Atlanta Brook (5:16)
  8. Laser Barn (2:27)
  9. C-Rock (3:23)
10. Life Without Skin (5:57)
11. Hook For an Eye (7:28)
12. Fictional (7:32)
13. Orgon Grinder (5:51)
14. Dogon Genesis (5:53)
15. Burning Mirrors (4:43)

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Wire - Partial Exposure 2002 - 2020

 

Short bio:
Wire formed in 1976 in Watford, England and after splitting in 1980, have reformed three times. They consist of Colin Newman (vocals, guitar), Graham Lewis (vocals, bass) and Robert Grey (aka Robert Gotobed; drums). Founding guitarist Bruce Gilbert left in 2004. In 2008, Margaret Fielder McGinnis of Laika joined the band as their touring guitarist, but as of 2010 has been replaced by Matt Simms.

Wire are considered a definitive and highly influential art punk and post-punk band, due to their richly detailed and atmospheric sound and obscure lyrical themes. They steadily developed from an early noise rock style to a more complex, structured sound involving increased use of guitar effects and synthesizers. The band gained a reputation for experimenting with song arrangements throughout their career.

 Click here for full bio

Wire have featured prominently on this blog, appearing multiple times in my "Spaghetti Tree" or yearly "Best of" compilations. Over the years, several compilations of Wire’s music have been released, the most notable being "On Returning (1977-1979)" released in 1989, and "1985-1990: The A List" in 1993. However, no compilation has yet celebrated Wire’s later period. To rectify this, I've picked a few favourite tracks from their various EPs/albums from 2002's "Read & Burn 01" up to their most recent (final?) release, 2020's "10:20" which contains reinterpretations of a few old songs from their back catalogue.
As always, each track’s origin and year of original release are tagged in the music files and in the download file. I hope you enjoy this latest anthology!


  1. I Don't Understand (3:17)
  2. A Flat Ten (2:14)
  3. Hard Currency (3:50)
  4. Underwater Experiences (10:20 Version) (2:15)
  5. Unrepentant (4:56)
  6. Fishes Bones (3:02)
  7. Brio (3:37)
  8. Trash/Treasure (5:07)
  9. In the Art of Stopping (2:46)
10. Re-Invent Your Second Wheel (3:45)
11. Oklahoma (3:05)
12. No Warning Given (5:24)
13. Sleep-Walking (7:27)
14. Four Long Years (3:45)
15. German Shepherds (10:20 Version) (4:28)
16. Clay (3:12)
17. Sleep on the Wing (2:57)
18. Forward Position (4:48)
19. 23 Years Too Late (9:43)

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The Memory Band - Time and Space

 

Bio:
The Memory Band is an English folk group founded by Stephen Cracknell, featuring a rolling cast of collaborators from across the musical spectrum. High profile members over the years have included Al Doyle, Adem, Simon Lord (from Simian and The Black Ghosts), Nancy Wallace and Lisa Knapp. Cracknell’s intention from the outset was for the band to be "an imaginary band, built inside a computer and made flesh by the contributions of numerous musicians. Live an acoustic band of ever changing numbers and on record a new approach to traditional music."

After releasing a couple of EPs in 2002/2003, they released their first self-titled album in 2004, which mostly comprised of re-recorded tracks from the first 2 EPs. Since then they have released several more EPs/singles and 5 more studio albums, plus an archival collection released this year which features alternative takes, mixes and arrangements of songs from the past 20 years.

 Click here for their Bandcamp page.

Although The Memory Band have been around for several years, I didn’t know much about them until I started compiling Manerg's Wyrdology mix in April 2021. Manerg included two excellent tracks from the band, prompting me to buy a couple of their albums right away. Then, just a couple of months ago, they offered their entire digital discography on Bandcamp for under £25, an offer I couldn't resist! I paid a bit more than the asking price to show appreciation, but it was still an incredible bargain, and I wasn’t disappointed. Every release is a delight. As for my favourites, I’d say the albums "Apron Strings" (2006) & "A Fair Field" (2016), plus the "Further Navigations" EP (2014) truly stand out.
As ever, origin of each track & year of release is tagged in the music files and in the download file. I hope you enjoy this latest band anthology!


  1. Calling On (3:27)
  2. Catch As Catch Can (3:04)
  3. I Don't Believe in You (2:34)
  4. The Mason and the Lark (2:55)
  5. The Wearing of the Horns (Weyhill On My Mind) (3:04)
  6. I Wish I Wish (7:53)
  7. Blackberry Way (2:44)
  8. Hobby Horse [with Belbury Poly] (3:21)
  9. After Night (2:43)
10. Bells (1:58)
11. This Is How We Walk on the Moon (3:40)
12. Why (4:51)
13. Demon Days (3:17)
14. Green Grows the Laurel (Jon Hopkins remix) (4:12)
15. The Ballad of Imber Down [with Grantby] (5:48)
16. So Fleet Runs the Hart (3:15)
17. The Landscape Movement (3:00)
18. Children of the Stones (3:46)
19. A New Skin (2:38)
20. Voices (2:06)
21. Facing the Granite Country (3:36)
22. Time and Space (2:43)
23. The Poacher (2:58)

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Dungen - Kalejdoskopiska Klangar

 

Short bio:
Swedish collective Dungen is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Gustav Ejstes and their music blends '60s-styled psychedelic rock, free jazz, Swedish folk, and instrumental ambience. With a band of like-minded explorers surrounding him, Ejstes' records with Dungen expand sonic boundaries with songs that sound like lost psych-pop hits from late-'60s Europe. Early efforts like the 2004's "Ta Det Lugnt" set the scene for an evolution that continued for over two decades on subsequent works like 2022's "En Är För Mycket och Tusen Aldrig Nog".

 Click for full bio 

I first heard Dungen when I bought their breakthrough album, "Ta Det Lugnt". It was a total delight on first listen, and revisiting the album all these years later it still sounds as powerful as it did back then. I've purchased all their albums since, and none have been disappointing. My favourite albums are "Ta Det Lugnt", and "Skit I Allt" which was released in 2010. For this collection I've included tracks from all their albums released between 2002 - 2022, plus a couple of single releases and their contribution to the compilation album "Lagniappe Sessions, Vol. 1". Regarding their early discography, it's a little bit confusing regarding their actual first or second official album releases. I'll leave that one for you to figure out as I can't come to any definite conclusion!
As usual, origin of each track & year of release is tagged in the music files and in the download file. I hope you enjoy this latest anthology. Cheers!


  1. Fredag (4:18)
  2. Brallor (3:13)
  3. Ät Det Som Växer (5:39)
  4. Panda (4:53)
  5. Svart Är Himlen (2:08)
  6. Franks Kaktus (5:06)
  7. Klockan Slår Den Är Mycket Nu (4:07)
  8. Achmed Flyger (4:33)
  9. Vem Vaktar Lejonen? (3:28)
10. Om Du Vore En Vakthund (3:00)
11. Öga, Näsa, Mun (5:05)
12. Mina Damer Och Fasaner (3:42)
13. En Dag På Sjön (4:10)
14. Soda (3:36)
15. Gör Det Nu (3:03)
16. Nattens Sista Strimma Ljus (4:23)
17. Alberto Balsalm (4:43)
18. Lipsill (2:43)
19. Barnen Undrar (3:18)
20. Jakten Genom Skogen (4:10)

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Elephant Stone - Caught in the Noise

 

Bio:
Combining the influence of Indian classical music with the influence of British Invasion bands like the Kinks and the Beatles, Canadian neo-psychedelic outfit Elephant Stone is the brainchild of Rishi Dhir, formerly of the High Dials. The project's first album, 2009's "The Seven Seas", demonstrated Dhir's knack for breezy melodies as well as his use of instruments like sitar, dilruba, and tabla in a Western rock context. "The Glass Box" EP followed in 2010, their self-titled 2nd album appearing in 2013. Settling into a regular lineup of Dhir, Gabriel Lambert on guitar, and Miles Dupire-Gagnon on drums, their third album "Three Poisons" arrived in 2014. Their fourth LP, "Ship of Fools" was released in 2016, followed in 2020 by the band's fifth, "Hollow",  with  guitar duties now split between Lambert and Robbie MacArthur.  The French-language EP "Le Voyage de M. Lonely dans la Lune" appeared in 2022. Their sixth album "Back Into the Dream" is set for release early 2024.


My latest anthology should delight all fans of sitar-infused psychedelia. I've been a fan of the band since their first album, they've featured on several compilations posted on this blog. My favourite album by the band is probably their self-titled 2013 release; however, I wholeheartedly endorse exploring their entire discography. Their next album promises to be yet another excellent release, two tracks from which are featured here. As usual, origin of each track & year of release is tagged in the music files and in the download file. I hope you enjoy!


  1. Motherless Child (Love's Not for War) (3:29)
  2. Lies, Lies, Lies (3:19)
  3. A Silent Moment (5:14)
  4. Au Gallis (5:38)
  5. M. Lonely (4:04)
  6. The Spark (3:28)
  7. The Straight Line (7:04)
  8. Hollow World (4:03)
  9. Sally Go Round the Sun (1:43)
10. Echo & The Machine (4:22)
11. Silence Can Say So Much (3:03)
12. Alap / Strangers (4:00)
13. Harmonia (5:09)
14. La Fusée du Chagrin (3:45)
15. Don't You Know (7:30)
16. Godstar (2:04)
17. Andromeda (3:33)
18. The Sea of Your Mind (8:32)

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Labradford - Accelerating on a Smoother Road [1993-2001]

 

Bio:
Founded in 1991, Labradford consists of bassist Robert Donne, guitarist/vocalist Mark Nelson, and keyboardist Carter Brown. Their music style is experimental ambient and post-rock, although their first releases were much more related to dark drone rock.

An early press release compared them to: Neu, F/i, Spacemen3, Gate, Dead C. & Jim O'Rourke. Their first full-length album, "Prazision LP", was released by Kranky in 1993. By their third full-length album, the eponymous release of 1996, Labradford began to infuse their music with sampled and real time percussion traces, at times faintly delving into actual syncopation. By 1997, the group broadened and varied their sound with their fourth release. On "Mi Media Naranja", the group maintained their distinctive identity, adding a string section, Fender Rhodes electric piano and slide guitar to the trio's sound bank.

1999's release, "E Luxo So" features contributions from a string quartet as well as a guest on dulcimer. Subtle blips of percussion and samples interweave through blurry guitars, bubbly electric piano and plangent organ and some gorgeous piano. In 2001, the band released their sixth album, "Fixed::Context", recorded at Electrical Audio in Chicago and engineered by Steve Albini. This album found the trio stripping off the string trios of the last two albums and working with interlocking sound sources and modifiers; Carter Brown's vintage synthesizers, organs and electric piano; the distinctive Duane Eddy plays Satie guitar of Mark Nelson and Bobby Donne's four and six string basses. Though the group has not officially disbanded, they have not released another album since.


Won't say too much here, don't want to bore you with my witterings! I've never been a big fan of drone/ambient music but I've enjoyed listening to Labradford since I bought their first album back in 1993. I subsequently bought all their following albums on release, even managed to see them play live back in 2000, and still listen to them quite frequently even though it's been several years since their last album. Favourite album? That would be their self-titled from 1996, which also includes my favourite song by them, "Pico". "E Luxo So" comes a close 2nd though.
For this collection I've featured my 2 favourite tracks from all 6 studio albums, plus a compilation track and a b-side single. As usual, origin of each track & year of release is tagged in the music files and in the download file. I hope you enjoy!


  1. Accelerating on a Smoother Road (4:12)
  2. V (6:24)
  3. Comfort (6:12)
  4. With John Morand and Assisted by Brian Hoffa. (5:34)
  5. Pico (5:46)
  6. Up to Pizmo (6:15)
  7. Balanced on It's Own Flame (4:01)
  8. S (6:14)
  9. The Window (4:31)
10. Leta O'Steen. Design Assistance by John Piper. (7:41)
11. C. of People (4:52)
12. Columna de la Independencia (4:28)
13. Scenic Recovery (4:50)
14. David (6:35)

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