T-Ho: Fit to Mold

A feathery touch of modern nostalgia

In a world where the ease and safety of ephemeral standards imposes a more and more alarming uniformity in artistic expression, inspiration drawn from purer, time-resisting sources can make a notable difference. South Korea based singer/songwriter Tim Haagenson (T-Ho) from Minneapolis proves that when stylistic "loans" and influences from the past are dexterously molded into a modern perspective, they can play a crucial part in the creation of a personal signature.

Disciples of Bob: New Roman Tragedy

Decline and fall of the New Roman empire(s)

It was the band name that first caught my eye: intrigued, I ran a search for "Disciples of Bob" - which yielded a few unrelated and inconclusive results, seemingly having nothing to do with the little musical pearl I was listening to; or, on second thoughts, maybe they were all connected with it in some way. Whatever the case, New Roman Tragedy remained a gripping collection of songs worthy of an attentive listen, or many.

Melnar Tilromen: Valley of the Withered River

Boris Christoff meets Dead Can Dance

Looking for Celtic/Gothic rock on behalf of a friend (and having received a few very nice recommendations in private, for artists on and outside Jamendo) I discovered this beautiful surprise.

Naadir: Synapticollapse

The dynamics of reaction

A four-song EP of energetic funk rock, flirting with punk and jazzy elements and with some beautiful melodic moments. The songs denounce the injustices of life and the vanity of the world, with vigorous, passionate vocals and lyrics that manage to be angry and sensitive at the same time.

EsprieM: EsprieM

A voice, guitars and a small dark world

An almost entirely acoustic album, relying heavily on guitars. The voice is a very beautiful hybrid of Brian Molko and Kurt Cobain (mostly Molko, especially in the way the voice "slides" on the notes in Angel's Fly), with an edge of its own and a remarkable expressiveness and flexibility. The lyrics are some of the best I heard lately, conveying powerful, dark emotions.

fresh body shop: orgamilk

Fragile beauty

A pretty but somewhat disturbing cover, a mysterious title... and twelve beautiful acoustic ballads, with very nice lyrics and a voice that caresses the ears. The fragility of the fallen doll on the cover is reflected in the sensitive melodiousness of the songs.

DIXIT: Morsure de la nuit

The heart of the beast, or the beast in the heart?

Maybe because of the initial cover that had to be replaced by the (very nice) current one, the title of this album always makes me think of The Beast Within - second episode of the Gabriel Knight game trilogy, which tells the story of a forbidden passion and of a fight for life and principles. The hero's internal conflict is as powerful as the struggle against the enemy; and when the enemy also exerts a fatal attraction on his rival, the fight becomes a lot more than a matter of life and death.

NanowaR: Other Bands Play, Nanowar Gay!

Brilliant meta-metal!

When art defines itself in technical terms from within a work of art, then it becomes meta-art. Accordingly, when metal music defines itself in the same way from within the songs of an album, it becomes meta-metal. And when a generous dose of humor is blended in the mix, then we have parody at its best, making merciless fun of metal music while paying comprehensive homage to it at the same time.

DOGMA: Trasmissione 0.1

Original and entrancing

An extremely original mini album, creating a kind of "film noir" atmosphere through entrancing sounds and a beautiful voice.

Convey: Convey - EP

Promising!

Very nice vocals, high-spirited rhythms, vigorous melodies, general atmosphere reminding of some of the best '90s bands.

The beautiful minimalistic cover is another plus.

deathstar: starlight

Sweetness...

Anyone who liked deathstar's previous album will not be let down by this one - there is a continuity in the style and themes, even references to song titles of hope themselves (another Blue Rose here), but with a somewhat more prominent element of cosmic atmosphere.

starfirefive: All Lyrics Are Lies

Songs never lie...

And how can they, since they are born from the deepest, purest darkness of the soul and the mind, from the very essence of feelings and experiences... This album is rather raw material (with distinct references to Depeche Mode), but I wonder whether some more elaboration would actually do it any good.

Equals Conquest: Manifest Destiny

Ambitious, with beautiful vocals

A very well-made work whose cover art concept predisposes for the dominant atmosphere. I liked the lyrics in most of the songs; the melodies are pleasant to the ear in spite of the somewhat dark themes, while the voice is beautiful and expressive. It's the kind of music you can listen to again and again, and always discover something new.

LES2VAINS: Just stand on the light

Soul-cleansing

Beautiful melodies sung by interesting voices, honouring their influences (The Beatles, Belle and Sebastian, Simon and Garfunkel, R.E.M. and others, as also noted in their profile) but also contributing their own element of originality.

Fragile New Virus: Eye Scream

Viral melodies

The sound echoes bands like Nirvana or Pearl Jam, but with an even darker twist, while the little word-game of the title (Eye/I) is potentially a reference to Marvel comics and The Residents (on a lighter note, it also sounds like "ice cream").

Eugenie: Cio che vorrei

Electrifying!

An album full of robust energy. Even the darker-themed songs are brimming with a high-spirited dynamism that dispels all melancholy, leaving a trace of elation and hope in the listener's soul.

Of The I: Twelve Sequences of a Storm (Demo-noid E.P.)

Strange and beautiful

Beautiful, strange sounds creating a dreamy ambience, with an alternation of melodic repetition and intense rhythm among the tracks.