The Dear Hunter – ‘Act IV: Rebirth In Reprise’ [Review]

The Dear Hunter

Before you press play on this album, you’d better brace yourself. This is for three reasons:

1) The Dear Hunter have been going for five studio albums and a series of nine EPs now, so it’s safe to say this band is a bit of a Big Deal;

2) The Dear Hunter’s main project is a six (or rather VI)-act story, in the process of being presented over the course of six/VI albums. Act III: Life And Death was released back in 2009 – and so this album, Act IV, has been six years in the making, and fan anticipation (fanticipation? …maybe not) has been at fever pitch for a long time now;

3) Act IV: Rebirth In Reprise is beyond epic.

This is an absolute rollercoaster of an album, launching into ultra-rich Biffy-Clyro-crossed-with-Queen harmonies which soon give way to forest-party-falling-down-the-stairs folk and an inquisitive orchestral section. As opening statements go, Rebirth is pretty damn unique – a very rare statement in today’s musical climate. Then we get pitched into Read more…

Posted on 04 September 2015

TMMP’s Guide To The Aristocrats [Feature]

The Aristocrats

Our culture is obsessed with superheroes, ordinary people gifted with beyond-human powers. The X-Men, the Avengers, and their peers dominate minds and screens across the Western world. Small wonder, then, that the Aristocrats have achieved such popularity in so little time.

Formed following a fateful and rapturously received jam at a NAMM show, the Aristocrats are guitarist Guthrie Govan, bassist Bryan Beller, and drummist Marco Minnemann. Beyond the band (named after a dirty joke you can read more about here), each member has paid his dues via a star-studded solo and sideman career. Govan and Minnemann both currently Read more…

Posted on 01 September 2015

Alright The Captain [Interview]

Alright The Captain

Last year, I described Alright The Captain’s Contact Fix as suitable for those whose evening plans involve “chugging absinthe, spinning round in circles until you fall over or puke or both, repeating the above until you pass out, and then waking up and putting on your coat and going to work”.

Today, I still stand by those words. Here, ATC discuss their upcoming set at ArcTanGent, taking in surprise gingerness, fire-breathers, and a hint at what they’d be doing if the music ever stopped…

You’re set to hit ArcTanGent 2015 this week. How’re you feeling about it?

Excited as fuck! Marty’s been running round like a spring lamb since last year.

What’s the best thing about festivals for you?

They’re a good chance to escape reality for a while and Read more…

Posted on 19 August 2015

The Blessed Beat – ‘MiV’ [Review]

The Blessed Beat

Understatement of the day: Charles Bukowski is a little bit influential. Hailed as a literary hero after publishing his debut novel Post Office at the age of 50, Bukowski’s fingerprints can be found all over Californication (the hit US TV show whose protagonist, Hank Moody, was partially based on Bukowski); legendary journalist Neil Strauss’s disturbing seducer’s memoir The Game; and now, this album of beyond unsettling, straight plain fucked up instrumental jazz-rock.

MiV is primarily influenced by Bukowski’s short story The Copulating Mermaid Of Venice, Calif. – a not exactly family friendly tale about Read more…

Posted on 16 August 2015

Paolo Raineri [Interview]

Paolo Raineri

TMMP regulars will have read much about experimental instrumental group KoMaRa, comprised of David Kollar, Pat Mastelotto, and Paolo Raineri. Here, TMMP talks to the ‘Ra’ in KoMaRa…

How’re you feeling about the release of KoMaRa’s debut album at the end of this month?

I’m excited, can’t wait to release it! I’m really curious about what people will think about it! We worked really hard to make it better and better: billions of different versions, overdubs, changes in structure, thinking what to do.

And Pat’s team is just great: Adrian who helped us a lot with sounds, structure, mixes; Bill recorded amazing voices over the album and did some mixes; Denis with his stunning graphic work for CD [and] vinyl and, of course, Adam [Jones, of Tool] who created the creature of KoMaRa. Unbelievable team and very nice persons.

I want to mention also my bandmates David and Pat: it’s really a pleasure Read more…

Posted on 25 June 2015

The Aristocrats – ‘Tres Caballeros’ [Review]

The Aristocrats

UPDATE: TMMP has been reborn! This video has the full story:

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Almost nobody in the world has mastered the art of instrumental mindfuckery to the degree the Aristocrats have. This fusion-powered power trio (Guthrie Govan on guitar, Bryan Beller on bass, and Marco Minnemann on drums) have been hailed as heroes the world over, and for a number of reasons:

Reason 1: Virtuosity. The musicianship on display throughout Tres Caballeros is nothing short of world-class. Considering the pedigrees of the players involved, this is hardly a surprise – but nonetheless, on a technical level this album is crammed full of brain-stunningly inventive moments and axe / stick / finger gymnastics that deserve recognition. Tres Caballeros is the sound of master musicians pushing Read more…

Posted on 23 June 2015

Pat Mastelotto [Interview]

Pat Mastelotto

Pat Mastelotto is a busy guy. His CV is a mile long, including his current position as King Crimson’s drumming lynchpin; one third of acclaimed virtuoso trio Stick Men (alongside Tony Levin and Markus Reuter); and a huge range of additional projects including KoMaRa (whose self-titled album was reviewed on TMMP here), and O.R.k. (whose album Inflamed Rides received the TMMP treatment here). This is an epic-length interview Pat Mastelotto treated with the same generous attitude as anything with which he becomes involved.

Whether you’re a fan of King Crimson, Stick Men, KoMaRa, O.R.k., the man himself, or any of his other innumerable projects, you’ll find a ton of fascinating info here. Read on… Read more…

Posted on 03 June 2015

Beardyman – One Album Per Hour (The Dream Team Sessions) [Live Review – The Jazz Cafe, Camden, 21/4/2015]

Beardyman

Beneath iconic billboards broadcasting HD consumerism, Piccadilly Circus’s resident beatboxers are going through the motions.

While undoubtedly deserving of respect from anyone whose beatboxing repertoire is limited to repeating the phrase “boots, cats, boots, cats,” until the throat goes dry, these acts consist of Read more…

Posted on 24 April 2015

Morning Bound – ‘Morning Bound EP’ [Review]

Morning Bound

The hell with the UK. I’m moving to NYC.

New York has long been associated with none-more-cool music of assorted kinds, and this EP continues that home-town tradition by eschewing norms and traditions in favour of a purely eccentric, experimental approach to composition and performance. I Did Fine features Read more…

Posted on 15 April 2015

Portico (ft. Jono McCleery) / Sea Stacks / Matt Emery [Live Review – The Boileroom, Guildford, 13/3/15]

portico press shotThis past Friday night, Guildford’s residents were offered a prime opportunity to catch three fascinating acts in the act of creating incredible music. It’s rare to experience a gig crammed this full of uncategorizable music – but then, the Boileroom isn’t your average venue. Kudos first has to go to the booking brains behind this show; that kind of talent isn’t Read more…

Posted on 14 March 2015

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