Dublin Duck Dispensary
Luanqibazao (2008) (RRR081)

1. Bible Stories (3:17)
2. Break a Leg (2:19)
3. Little Brown Dog (2:26)
4. Prestidigitation (2:27)
5. I Smell the Blood (2:27)
6. Happy Holidays (2:10)
7. What Happens in the Junkyard Stays in the Junkyard (2:21)
8. Brain Damage (0:25)
9. Irish Rebel Song (2:58)
10. Roald Dahl (1:07)
11. Beach Philosophy (2:19)
12. The Death Threat (3:37)
13. Luanqibazao (3:23)

With their scratchy guitars, and synths. The Islands-tinged, Dublin Duck Dispensary return to Rack & Ruin, with their new album - catchily entitled, Luanqibazao, something that I have mistyped more times than I have typed correctly. Thanks for the learning experience guys!

On to the music. As already mentioned, for fans of Canadian pop band, Islands, the sounds produced by the Dublin guys will be welcoming to your ears. Throw together some ridiculously catchy guitar riffs, then add in some synths, and lastly add the self assured vocals, and out comes Lunaqibazao.

Dublin Duck Dispensary are a band who do not mess around. On more than one occasion, it is a case of verse, chorus, embed into your head, Fin. It sounds a simple method, but I'm not sure many well established bands could create an anthemic song in little over a minute. That is not to say that these short bursts, are all that these lo-fi lads can come up with. The longest track on this album weighs in at 3:37, "The Death Threat", and to many it may well be the standout. As with an earlier track "Break a Leg", it plows along in one direction, and then takes an unexpected turn, to end the song in a more unexpected fashion.

I'm not sure how many more people will learn how to spell Luanqibazao from this release, but one thing I am sure of, is that many more people will be looking out for the Dublin Duck Dispensary moniker in future.

Slothbear
Slothbear EP (2008) (RRR082)

1. The Exceptional Bastards (3:18)
2. Empathize (4:09)
3. Don't Taunt A Tiger (2:55)
4. You Make Me Choose You (4:59)
5. No Faith Schizophrenic Crack Pipe Dreams (Spacey) (5:33)
6. Jose (4:47)

artists note:

We made this EP over the course of this past spring. We actually began recording it hi-fi with our bassist dbleek turning the knobs. that was this past winter. but we weren't happy with how they came out and abandoned the sessions and our main drummer, ory (we had two at the time). We began making these demos on my old 4-track in the basement of our other drummer, batesmaroo, without any microphones. we recorded the six songs one at a time every couple weekends and didn't ever intend to release any of them. I don't think any of them were done in more than 2 or 3 takes. but we had no other way to record and get our music out, and were all (eventually) happy with the vibe and energy the recordings captured.

R&R note:

This debut offering from Slothbear is already causing a bit of a buzz. One of their tracks recently featured on the Burning World blogspot (Pod Fodder 5), the blurb accompanying the track simply said "Apparently the band are still unsigned. If only I had a label.", well I know how Mr.Burning World feels, as the raw, rough energy exuding from this band is plain for all. This is fuzzed out pop, with lost vocals grappling their way out of a wall of noise pop. Imagine Psychedelic Horseshit, Times new viking or Eat Skull, playing poppier music, on a broken tape deck. Bliss.

Woodland Heights
EP (2008) (RRR083)

1. Things Have Changed (2:57)
2. That's Not Me (3:25)
3. ...Quitely into the Night (4:19)
4. I Never Stood a Chance (2:46)
5. Chasing Ghosts (3:49)

“People are afraid of themselves, of their own reality; their feelings most of all. People talk about how great love is, but that's bullshit. Love hurts. Feelings are disturbing. People are taught that pain is evil and dangerous. How can they deal with love if they're afraid to feel? Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they're wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It's all in how you carry it. That's what matters. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you're letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain.” - Jim Morrison

Woodland Heights' EP is a collage of scrappy unpolished pop lamentations that leap through genres with ease. An amalgam of tracks cultivated over several years of recording, EP is an extroverted look into an introverts mind.

Magnavox
Naptsud EP (2008) (RRR084)

1. The Time is Prime (0:42)
2. hyde'n Speakers (4:01)
3. Molly's Lips (2:26)
4. I Hate Green Eggs & Ham (2:18)
5. Monsters Will Have a Ball (4:35)
6. Child's Play (3:51)

Naptsud is the first release by Magnavox. It was recorded between April and July of 2008 using a Tascam digital 8-track and Audacity, and was originally released entirely independent, distributed on CD-R's and through utilization of the internet. The album, though mainly the creation of Magnavox, includes a cover of "Molly's Lips" by The Vaseline's (though the song is known better as a Nirvana song, who covered it on their compilation Insecticide), and features close friend Nosferatu on vocals for his rendition of the Dr. Seuss classic, Green Eggs and Ham. Although some guitar work is featured, the bulk of the EP utilizes samples, most of which were created by Magnavox using a vast array of instruments and gadgets ranging from a synthesizer to a handful of spare change; although some samples were taken from free domain sources, or from registry sound-banks in which a small fee was charged to acquire publishing rights.

Dark in the Fields
Dark in the Fields (2008) (RRR085)

1. Any/Help (2:36)
2. Broken Neck (6:10)
3. Closing Her Lungs (3:57)
4. Curled Up (2:34)
5. Meeting Your Death (1:03)
6. Rabbitttttttttttttat (3:49)
7. Through the Painted Atmosphere, hid under Light (4:08)
8. Cave Hike (5:00)

Dark in the Fields debut album is a study in experimental pop collages that deviate from melancholic repetitive drones, to an earthy collection of freak-folk ideas. Combining together to produce a fascinating display of noise. That is not to say that this is a loud record, it is very much the opposite, a soothing and warm experience for the most part - albeit to ensure that it doesn't get too comfortable for the listener, there are the likes of "Broken Neck", which at 6:10 is the longest track, and most downbeat and cheerless track on display here.

It is the contrast between warm and cold, light and dark, that is what makes Dark in the Fields very listenable, his music is not for casual listening. It is an album that requires your undivided attention.

Chimney Fish
Colorwheel (2008) (RRR086)

1. White (3:04)
2. Silver (4:23)
3. Red (2:49)
4. Gold (2:17)

Chimney Fish returns to Rack & Ruin, with more of her lush ghostly vocals layered on top of each other to create an angelic choir stirred from the spirit world.

Annie Culver demonstrates once again that loops, depth, and textures of the voice can be the most powerful and evocative instrument. Backed with simple drum patterns that blend effortlessly with the vocals, to create a hypnotic barrage of true beauty. The swirling echos, and distant cries expand more on Chimney Fish's previous offering, and create an even more rounded and balanced end product.

The flow, structure, and undoubted charm of this release will no doubt bring more listeners to this very exciting artist.

Fuzz Dream
pinx (2008) (RRR087)

1. Before We Go (3:26)
2. pinx (variations) (1:34)
3. Beetle Bug (4:09)
4. Moments in Blue (3:29)
5. Creatures (2:05)
6. Light My Candles (1:36)
7. pinx (short film) (11:43)
8. As We Go (6:37)

pinx is the debut album of Fuzz Dream. The album is mostly a reflection on memory, moments, and separation. pinx mixes elements of ambient music (particularly in the second half of the album), experimental rock, and dub into what the artist hopes is a coherent, flowing experience across 8 tracks and 34 minutes. If pinx were available on vinyl, the first 6 tracks would comprise Side A, and the last 2 tracks would be Side B.

Recorded completely on Audacity with a low-quality microphone normally used for VoIP, a distinctive fuzz carries over every track. This fuzz is often modified and distorted to add another layer of sound and ambience. Much of the song-writing actually occurred in the production phase on Audacity, which was heavily influenced by the aritist's interest in dub in particular - except all the "samples" used were created by Fuzz Dream.

Roger Haddad
Warmth Drip (2008) (RRR088)

1. Warmth and Time (6:57)
2. Temper Float (4:36)
3. Lily of the Valley (4:17)

Roger Haddad's Rack & Ruin releases have been as varied as night is to day. From harsh abstract noise, to calm warm ambience, throw in a glorious collaboration, and you have a strong back catalogue for willing ears.

Warmth Drip, as the title suggests, is more inclined towards the lighter side of his sound spectrum. Recorded in June 2008, this release is a live improvisation using guitar and hardware electronics, coming together in a 4-track mini disk recorder.

A soothing calm for headphone users everywhere.

Elm
Parties and Such (2008) (RRR089)

1. Change (2:44)
2. Luck (5:14)
3. As Of (3:36)
4. The Oxen's Heart (2:02)
5. Middle (3:54)
6. One (3:01)
7. Two (2:38)
8. Short (2:33)
9. Ice Caps (5:44)
10. Shadow (4:13)

"Parties and Such" is exactly what Adam Loomis wasn't doing in the making of this album. Back in his Chicago apartment, he found it easy to sit down a couple hours a day and pump out another purely electronic album. This album varies in styles, and yet flows with glorious ease. There is almost a 70s throwback overlay of sounds on many of the tracks, combined in parts with upbeat dance rhythms that wouldn't have felt out of place in the late 80s, or early 90s. Despite these obvious nods to the past, there is still a youthful and "now" feeling surrounding this album. Adam has suggested that maybe some of these songs will return someday in search of vocals. But until the coming of microphones, and the right mixing software, we must wait.

_
_ (2008) (RRR090)

1. 34 A project to construct the world's highest observation wheel pt. 1 (2:22)
2. 35 (1:23)
3. 36 (0:39)
4. 37 (1:24)
5. 38 (0:39)
6. 39 (3:01)
7. 40 (1:21)
8. 41 (0:29)
9. 42 (1:40)
10. 43 (2:45)
11. 44 (1:09)
12. 45 (1:01)
13. 46 (1:35)
14. 47 (1:11)
15. 48 (2:12)
16. 49 (2:27)
17. 50 (2:06)
18. 51 (1:33)
19. 52 (0:38)
20. 53 (3:03)
21. 54 (1:43)
22. 55 A project to construct the world's highest observation wheel pt. 2 (13:13)

_ is back with another collection of noises, and he's still refusing to name his songs (with two exceptions). Amps whine and drone, guitars chug, synths warble and...yes, I'm pretty sure there's a game of ping pong in there too. Sounds and sketches whizz past at a rapid rate, it's hard to keep up. It's like there's a higher purpose to _'s work. The piles of abstract noises wash against the ears and build up into...what? Sonically he's trying to build the observation wheel that opens and closes the new record. If he continues this way, I'm looking forward to the view from the top.