Classic Rock

Artist: Black Bananas Label: Drag City

Artist: Blues Pills Label: Nuclear Blast

Artist: Black Bananas Label: Drag City

Artist: Shivers Label: Miasmah

Record Label: Rock Candy Style: Rock

The Lay Llamas consist of the Sicilian-born and raised but now Rome-based duo of Gioele Valenti and Nicola Giunta, who are now set to release their debut album 'Ostro' this May on Rocket. Recorded in an old-house in the Segesta countryside of Sicily, Valenti and Giunta soaked up the history-imbued environment. The makeshift studio was located alongside the great Temple of Hera that dates all the way back to 6th century BC. "We've been so influenced by the place's mood, with that ancient presence in the air" says Valenti. These recording sessions have resulted in a heavily layered album, filled (but not clogged) with various instrumentation from the expected guitars, bass, synth and drums to the more unexpected sounds of Tibetan Bells and Ukulele. Like any successful duo, harmony and contradiction are equally important artistic traits in their working relationship. Between the two they take in a continent-leaping, platform-splitting array of personal influences that then seeps into their lysergic output. Purely on a musical level there is a joint love of artists such as Ennio Morricone they then split off into the structured and the song heavy (Angels of Light, Nick Drake, Mike Scott) to the rhythmic, both the hypnotic and groove-laden sort (Fela Kuti, Broadcast, Sun Araw, Kraftwerk). Italian tradition plays a pivotal role too with the creeping tones and floating atmospheres of 60's and 70's Italian library and soundtrack music playing a subtle supporting-role. This breadth of personal influences can be found in the emphasis of stro', it's a constantly shifting record, never remaining stuck or fixated on anything for too long. Crossing continents, be it musically, stylistically or physically, seems to be something the pair return to over and over again, the subtle radiations of Africa that can be heard on the record are no accident, "I think that Sicilians are more like Africans than Europeans in some way. We have almost the same weather and architecture. We feel in our soul the same feeling of all Mediterranean people - a fatalistic instinct of drama. But in our music, Africa is such a metaphysical place, not so geographical, such a map on the sheet of the soul, connecting with ancient rites of Sun, different levels of enlightenment; a sense of a mystical path to follow." Valenti offers. "A mystical path to follow" is perhaps the most apt description of 'Ostro'. Whilst the duo work from a shared vision that places keen focus on stream-of-consciousness approaches or, as Valenti puts it "A prismatic panorama, or well, a BRAINMATIC PANORAMA!" there really is an ambiguity, an uncertainness and a sense of the unknown, the otherworldly and the mystical when traversing through the vast spheres of the record. The pair's own descriptions of some of the album's tracks are testament to the sprawling, shifting, mass of it all "Suicide and Oneida dancing together around a big campfire" - "Pagan post-punk!" - "a slow march for psychedelic warriors on the unknown planet" - "gospel-dub" - "A bad trip". And a "trip" it certainly is, some records aim to exist by not coming from a particular place but to exist in the transitions and journeys in-between them. Be them real, mystical or imaginary, present or past, the focus is on the movement rather than the end destination and the Lay Llamas' debut album 'Ostro' is most certainly one such record. Record Label: Rocket Style: Kraut Rock

Artist: Hollis Brown Label: Alive (Cargo Records)

From swirling, tumultuous outbursts to pummeling destruction, the controlled chaos that is Future Death is ready to be unleashed in 2014. Stripping everything to the bone, the band's creative process is heavily linked to impulse as they capture their feelings organically and in the moment while leaving little room for conceptualization. The Austin-based band formed in 2012 as Alton Jenkins and Bill Kenny began writing and recording what later evolved into their debut EP, which was self-released in the summer of 2013. They added bassist Jeremy Humphries to the lineup and vocalist Angie Kang found them later after months of writing. "Special Victim", their forthcoming debut full-length on Bloodmoss Records, was recorded and mixed by This Will Destroy You?' Alex Bhore in a funeral-home-turned-studio owned by producer John Congleton. With the creative tools at hand, Future Death took a bright, explosive approach on Special Victim. Like the band?s overall creative process, the concept of impulse is apparent throughout album itself. There?s not much time to breathe, and that?s exactly why it is such a thrilling and powerful listen. Record Label: Bloodmoss Rec Style: Alternative Rock

Record Label: Left Field Media Style: Rock

This box set contains three re-issues of New Zealand indie-pop pioneers The Bats ranging from early original recordings to previously unheard studio out takes. Featuring tracks from 1984 to 1988, this compilation shows a group that has gone on to influence countless bands around the world with their jangling guitars that express both an optimism and deeper melancholy. Compiletely Bats, originally released in 1987, gathers together the four-piece band's first three EPs 'By Night' (1984), 'And Here is Music for the Fireside' (1985) and 'Made Up in Blue' (1986), along with bonus outages and demos from the period. Daddy's Highway, their 1987 debut, stands as one of the most outstanding New Zealand albums from the 1980's that glows throughout with shimmering harmonies, whispered vocals, reeling baselines and a sweet sense of despair that is as catchy as it is thought- provoking. The Law Of Things, recorded in 1988 and released in 1990, was the The Bats follow up album and yet again showcased the band's knack for irrepressible indie pop songs. Re-issued this year again on 2xLP, this CD version also includes their 1988 EP 'Four Songs' as well as never heard before studio tracks from The Law Of Things sessions. Presented in a 3CD box which includes all original art work as well as accompanying, posters, flyers and ephemera from the time. Record Label: Captured Tracks Style: Independent

Artist: Beelzefuzz Label: Church Within (Alive)

CD, Album

Artist: Clutch Label: Weathermaker Music (rough trade)

CD, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Japanese mini LP sleeve CD, OBI

CD, Album

Artist: John Doe Label: Yep Roc Records

Artist: Hollis Brown Label: Alive Records