What's a Listening Log? Well, the idea is quite simple. It's a weekly segment that consolidates all the mini-reviews Dozens Of Donuts has given on RateYourMusic over the past week, split between the Past and Present. A straightforward grading scale has been put in place, ranging from A+ to F-, with C acting as the baseline average. There is no set amount of reviews per week, just however many I get around to reviewing. And don't expect week-of reviews. I wait one month - with at least three listens under my belt - before I rate and review an album. Enjoy!
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Future Garage is all about including moody atmosphere in inundated beats. Rainer Veil's Struck accomplishes that, almost to a fault. Rather than provide a unique footprint, the five-track EP almost feels like a boilerplate for the genre at large, straying only in the sense of lost vocals that provide indiscernible lyrics in an effort to heighten the aura. Think early How To Dress Well, circa Love Remains. Stark, cold, barren. Really, only the title track hints at an Industrial secondary, what with Rainer Veil's overt take on brutalism dominating the aesthetic. In terms of favorite tracks, that has to go to 'Slow Beaming' and 'Wade In.' The former provides a subtle, Dub-esque melody with reverberating sound effects enticing the background, much akin to Balam Acab's Wander / Wonder, just substituting a mystified pond with a murky puddle.
C
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1995 | Post-Hardcore | Listen
LANGUISHED IN THE MIRE, DEPRIVED OF COMPANIONSHIP
Inlet's materialization from nowhere sparked my interest in Hum, a band on the fringe of once capturing stardom during the mid-90's Grunge and Alternative Rock movement before disbanding after enthusiasm waned. You'd Prefer An Astronaut rides that wave with such matter-of-fact precision, incorporating some slick and massive cords that one would typically align with Shoegaze or even Metal. Tracks like 'Little Dipper' and 'The Pod' become quite entrenched in this sonic claustrophobia, with Hum's enticing variance emerging in Matt Talbott and Tim Lash's subtle cord changes, best seen in the latter track's glorious final minute wherein an understated and sublime riff circumvents irate Grunge.
That's where You'd Prefer An Astronaut thrives. Not in the clamor, nor the calm ('The Very Old Man'), but the middle ground where those two extremes balance in harmony. Standout 'Stars' captures this vivacity with wonder, constantly keeping listeners on their toes, while 'Why I Like The Robins' and 'I'd Like Your Hair Long' accomplish the same feat with a little less stupefaction. Despite being a slow trudge akin to Space Rock, or even Slowcore, closer 'Songs Of Farewell & Departure' exquisitely wraps the bow on You'd Prefer An Astronaut, highlighting Hum's knack for air-tight murk. Like a walk through an infested swamp, Hum's breakout LP merges the distress with the tenacity to trek on.
B
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