Time Being -"A Dimension Reflected" CD

The first release from the duo of Phillip Wilkerson and Jourdan Laik, "A Dimension Reflected" is a stately and wistful collection of pure ambient music. That is to say, these 8 extended passages are fleeting and vaporous clouds of relaxing and peacefully mysterious electronic drones and pulses. Think Steve Roach, Robert Rich, or classic Brian Eno. "Dust Of Sorts" shimmers and sparkles, reminding of a lovely lake at dawn, rife with ripples and reflections. "Future Forming" is majestic, with a hint of shadow. Beautiful music here, and perfect for unwinding to. (Lotuspike)

Voivod - "Warriors Of Ice" CD

A well-recorded live album from these Canadian tech-prog-metal futurists, "Warriors" reunites the 3 surviving original Voivod members for a set of classics and favorites, including "Voivod", "Nothingface", and "Nuclear War".

It's good to hear these legends going back to their thrashy roots, with songs like "Overreaction" being blurs of primal metal fueled by visions of a post-Bladerunner cyberpunk world. "Brain Scan" is prog-metal with clarity and guts, and sans pretense or wankiness. It all closes with the band's notorious and wonderfully faithful cover of Pink Floyd's Syd Barrett-era psychedelic masterpiece, "Astronomy Domine". The recordings here are crisp and punchy, with plenty of bottom-end crunch. Superb work from some legends who keep motoring on. (Sonic Unyon Metal)

official Voivod site

"Live From Tokyo" DVD (director: Lewis Rapkin)

This is an extraordinary and enlightening documentary of the underground Japanese music scene, and I was pleasantly surprised and inspired by it. Rapkin focuses his lens equally among bands and clubs, with all sorts of musics represented. The backdrop of the bustling urban metropolis (Tokyo) is daunting, but somehow technologically beautiful, in a futuristic way, and an entirely different vibe than New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles.

Japan, as a culture, doesn't have the extensive history and background in rock and avante musics. Their European and American inspirations are evident, but the ingenuity of many Japanese artists are taking these templates into entirely new and unexpected directions. Makoto Oshiro, for example, is a mad genius of sorts, creating odd feedback instruments and some explosive performances. As well, the Enban club/live house/shop/bar is a place I'd be inclined to visit, and a comfy place for left-of-center and eclectic musics and fans to congregate and socialize.

There's plenty of samples of live musical performances, some interesting characters interviewed, and plenty of info, especially for anyone interested in exploring the thriving underground music scene in modern Tokyo. Well-done! (Good Charamel Records via MVD Visual)

Official site with trailer

East Bay Ray And The Killer Smiles - "self-titled" CD

Former Dead Kennedys guitarist and band (fronted by current DKs vocalist Skip Mcskipster) here team up with Butthole Surfers guitarist Paul Leary, who acts as producer. The results are strong and heavy on the punk tip, not surprisingly.

"You're Such A Fake", for example, is a punk song at heart, with hints of rockabilly and surf, courtesy of Ray's distinctive riffage. "Area 51" is a driving, up-tempo heavy attack, while "The Heart Is Something" is melodic, downtempo, and almost balladic, reminding me of Green Day. The boys will hate me for saying that, but it's true. "It's Broken" runs back to the more aggressive side, while "I'm A User" is classic-style melodic punk. This is a completely solid album, with superb production and plenty to offer for fans of classic punk rock. (MVD Audio)

East Bay Rayspace