Cinema Cycle
Sing It Out
Digital Download

Do you recall The Champion and His Burning Flame? If so, you may remember band member David Arnold – who also makes music as Cinema Cycle. There a number of releases available but the new Sing It Out EP really caught my ear. There’s a dark, foreboding tone to the title track and a melancholy sweetness to the second – a quality combo as far as I’m concerned.

Here are some more recent discoveries that either haven’t fully emerged yet or haven’t digested completely to make a legitimate opinion about.

From what I can glean off the Forest of Tygers page, it’s the latest project from Jim and Rachel Valosik and Shannon W – focusing on the harder side of rock. The tags go as far as to categorize it as “metal”, “blackened” and “post-hardcore.” I’ve even heard through the grapevine that it’s Serotonin level enjoyable. All that is speculation though, as all they’ve really posted is a ten minute sound collage of noise. If they’re looking to build anticipation, they nailed it.

I’m at a loss for words with The Greater Good. Musically, I think I’m in. Lots of funky little flourishes, great basslines and an obvious knowledge and respect for the soul / R&B / funk tracks that came before them. However, at its core it is a Party Rap undertaking. I’m not one to judge flow or rhyme schemes but it does give me pause. However, I will say that while listening to the EP, by the time Cuidado came on, I was invested. The gang vocal chorus is hard to deny. More listening required…

I will admit that I first clicked through to check out Timberwolf solely based on the cover art – a Devendra Banhart-esque truant just hanging out on a grassy knoll with some semi-traditional Indian face painting? I’m in. The music is a jangly indie folk number – upbeat with melancholy vocals. The singing style rides that line of being too affected (keep in mind this is entirely subjective) but stays within an acceptable range. I’d love to hear more from ole Timberwolf just to see where he takes his mountainside journey.

Siberian Traps
File Under: Demonstration EP
Free Download

I’m not going to lie, the cover art to this one is what caught my eye. Yes, it’s ridiculous but that doesn’t make it any less attention grabbing. That being said, I’m also a big fan of getting to hear demonstration recordings from bands for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost, the ideas for songs are at their most raw and, typically, not overthought. Whatever kernel of goodness may exist in the work stands out because there hasn’t been a bunch of studio second guessing. Secondly, assuming that the band doesn’t overnoodle for the final product, you get to hear the scaffolding for what may come next. Sure, they run the risk of fans falling in love with the stripped down versions moreso than the final versions but loving a song is loving a song; it doesn’t matter which version gets the adoration. I’m particularly curious to hear where “Commanche Moon” ends up.