LP Review: "Signals Through The Flame" by Ian Blurton

Signals Through The Flame

So, there's this gentleman by the name of Ian Blurton who just so happens to be a 35 year veteran of the Canadian music scene.

Thirty Five years!

When he started, Kiss was old and Zeppelin had already broken up. Yes, time is making fools of us all is it not?

In those three and a half decades, Blurton has played in 40 bands and more than that, he's produced, engineered, mixed, etc over 100 records. Hmm, is there anything this jack of all trades has never done?

Yes, it's released a solo record. Unlike folks like Ace Frehley, David Gilmour, Roger Waters, and others, he could in fact wait to release that overly self-indulgent album.

The album itself is why I am here speaking to you today though and what of it? It's that sort of side rock that gives off a faint whiff of metal, but mostly retreats back into hard rock territory.

This record is the farthest thing from self-indulgent. There's nary a guitar solo that's in poor taste. They all service the song and the player second as Satan intended. Signals Through The Flame just strikes all of the right notes.

It's a little spacey and a little normal. This album is always straddling two lines. Two armies are fighting over an imaginary line in the dirt. This disc is the result of those two armies moving forward and retreating.

RELEASE 6/7/19 BANDCAMP

Video: "Swallow The Dust" by Spitfish

Let's talk about Gdansk, Poland. What do you know about this coastal city? I know that David Gilmour recorded a live album there. Though, could've been called Pink Floyd as there were two Floydians.

Naturally, we all know that Poland is pretty metal. So, let's talk for a bit about Gdansk's native sons, Spitfish.

They're a rock/metal hybrid thing that's almost doom metal. You can listen to them below or check out their album, Penny Dreadful, on SPOTIFY. Not surprisingly, you can also connect with them on FACEBOOK.

Beer Thirty with Kyle Halldorson of Dizzy Mystics

There's a city in the prairies of Canada that I've been longing to visit since I first heard its name back in the 1980's when their hockey team played ours.

Winnipeg, Manitoba.

How many times have you heard it called the coldest populated city in the world? Right now in that city in the plains, it's MINUS 15 F (-26 C ). This is at the warmest point in the day.

My wife told me of a museum she wishes to visit up there, so we've got several reasons now, but what's life like up there?

What kind of music is made? How in the world can the even keep their guitars in tune?

Unfortunately, I have little information to offer you in regards to those questions, but Kyle Halldorson of Winnipeg's Dizzy Mystics was kind enough to talk about beer with us.

These mystical lads are a rock band that's got more ingredients than a TV Dinner, so for now, we'll just look into the beer scene.

1. My personal favorite beer style is the might Double India Pale Ale. The best DIPA in the world is STLIPA by Urban Chestnut. 

Tell me about your favorite style.

Vinyl Review: "Victim/Nonvictim Pt. 1" by Quin Galavis

VICTIM/NONVICTIM Pt. 1

Before we move forward...

Out at night...

The Stars are big and bright....

DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS!

We are heading back to Texas for a first. Quin Galavis is now the first artist to receive three vinyl reviews here at Glacially Musical.

We're quite sure indeed that he'll take the non-existent award and cherish it as it should be cherished. Galavis is a delightful enigma currently residing (at least close to) Austin, TX

He's an enigma to me as we've never spoken, crossed paths, gotten an interview, or even exchanged words via Twitter.

I heard tale he enjoyed my review of his double LP.

There's really nothing for me to tell you about his social media presence, because I know nothing about it. Does he even have one?

LP Review: "Spaceman" by Ace Frehley

Spaceman

Kiss, like Pink Floyd has had two camps over the years.

On one hand, you have the sound of the band and on the other it's the brand name. In both cases, the trademarked name has always done better financially, but not necessarily musically.

Back in the day, Frehley's output has always been superior to that of Kiss. From Frehley's Comet vs Crazy Nights to Space Invader  vs Monster. Let's not forget that between those bookends, the spectacular Anomaly was released.

Artistically, Ace has done very well.

When you look at Spaceman, which has Gene Simmons's fingerprints all over it, it feels like a modern day Kiss album...meaning, it's basically the lowest common denominator. Even the title reeks of it. Spaceman? There's almost naught to do with space on this record and certainly nothing to do with aliens.

Then there's the the songs, Bronx Boy, Rockin' With The Boys, Your Wish Is My Command, etc. These songs are simply rehashes of former glories... Hard Times, Beth, What Every Girl Wants. There are some very good riffs on this record, but nary a good song...and let's not get started on the vocals.

No, let's. Ace kind of sounds like his mouth is full of peanut butter.

The final insult of this album is that Ace Frehley has become his own personal Tommy Thayer. Not only is Frehley rehashing the past lyrics, but he's also rehashing his solos. There's very little on this album that you haven't already heard.

Excuse me whilst I spin Anomaly and Frehley's Comet instead.

Release: 10/19/18 EOne

LP Review: "Blades, Chains, Whips, & Fire" by Magick Touch

Blades, Chains, Whips, & Fire

About five years ago, this guy was standing inside of the Firebird for the first time.

Kill Devil Hills, featuring Rex Brown, was headlining the venue that night. It was actually a large night of firsts for me.

My first interview with a legitimate star, first show in the firebird, and the first time that friend stood me up.

But the point of all of this, isn't Brown, KDH, or whatever, but the fact that this band came out and went crazy town on me for about 45 minutes...they also sold me my first new vinyl record.

Crobot was funky and chunky, lean and mean, surf and turf, and most of all, they were sharp and tarp. I'm also given to understand they have a hot sauce that could be quite tasty.

What they showed me that  night is that we were all missing out on new rockers. If you huck a penny at any of our night club districts, you'll probably wing about fifteen national metal bands....but how many rockers?

LP Review: "Breaking News" by Grande Royale

Breaking News

It's my personal opinion that many people in this world hear music, especially popular rock music, with their eyes and not their ears.

Let's explore this concept a little bit.

There's a rock band on tour right now that made their name playing blues based arena rock with a side of hippy rock. The singer is a little left of center, but in the end, they were labeled heavy metal.

There's another band, who's famous for their outlandish stage get ups, make up designs, and pioneering the modern rock stage show.

This band though, sprouted out from a complete hippy rock band. Both of these bands wrote their first songs on acoustic guitars. The thing is, both of these bands are labeled heavy metal, but it's not like Ride The Lightning or Number of the Beast were written on Guild Acoustics....

LP Review: "Speak Volumes" by Old James

Speak Volumes

It's surprising, that being a big Star Trek: The Next Generation fan that I am, not many of their episodes have really stuck with me. The books have always been more interesting, as there's no terrible acting to screw it up.

(There's also not plasticware that's in my kitchen being used by Ferengi and Klingons to distract me....)

One of the memory stickers though, is A Matter of Time. This particular episode deals with time travel, but not in the typical way.

A man steals a time machine from a future time traveler and uses it to go forward in time to find out what would be especially valuable. In the end, Berlinghoff Rasmussen admits to being a poor inventory.

He then posits that having a time machine will making him a brilliant one who'll be able to make ten fortunes with the future artifacts he's pilfered from the Enterprise.

LP Review: "Dancing On Your Grave" by The Matinee

Dancing On Your Grave

This morning on the way into the office, The Nerdist Podcast was playing in my car. As is his wont, Chris Hardwick was talking to a musician and he was giving his thoughts on the psychology of Americans and why we love what songs we do.

One of Hardwick's common refrains is that we tie experiences to music.

So, let's go full disclosure on the sophomore release by British Columbia's, The Matinee.

This past weekend, your friend and humble narrator was finally able to ditch his conventional engined Honda Civic for a new (to him) Toyota Prius.

Yup. After years of wishing and months of research, I became a hybrid car owner and the feeling of smugness has only been wiped off by the loaner car that was handed to me while they fix up the Prius.

LP Review: "Celebrate" by The Big Bend

Celebrate

Surprises are a wonderful thing.

This album came as a surprise to me, it just kind of showed up on my door step. Well, I did some detective work, i.e. searching my inbox, and figured out the mystery!

It's a feel good story is it not?

Anyway, music to me is a purposeful art form. It's not like a painting or even a play in my personal view.

There are different kinds of music for different things. Soft, instrumental music is fantastic for dinner conversation. Wildly progressive instrumental music is not.

Brutal metal is great for video gaming or just getting it done, whatever the it may be. The Blues, well that's just good drinking music.

Album Review: "Wandering Blind: by Brutus

Wandering Blind

Untiled, the director's cut of Almost Famous is one of my absolute favorite movies.

The music business was such an amazing thing back during the Seventies and that flick just captures the raw power of music in those days.

Though music is just as good as ever, if not better, the industry has sure seen better days. No one can deny that.

It's easy to wax nostalgic about some of the towering bands that prowled the earth bringing earth shatteringly loud concerts that have kept ears ringing to this day.

I can't be the only one who thinks that the vinyl rebirth didn't just start because somebody wanted to crank Led Zeppelin II like they did back in the day right? There are many things to remind us of those heady days when cocaine was the subject of song and bathroom breaks.

Album Review: "Bloodline" by XIXA

Bloodline

How many people do you know where you get a little bit upset to hear from them again?

In the dating game, you're not allowed to call someone for three days after the first date right?

I've always been really bad at dating because I can't play those games. When I liked someone, I just wanted to talk to them, but few people have the singularly creepy focus that I have.

Usually, you're at the bar, you meet someone and they come and have a drink with you and your buddies. After some time, they make their exit and then you think, that was a nice conversation.

But then you're on your way to get another round of PBRs for you and your running crew to drink while sitting around the fire outside, and there he is again, waiting in line to get to the bathroom.

 How many times has this been a good thing? I always awkwardly try to not make eye contact and hope I'm not seen....

Album Review: "Victory Motel Sessions" by King Mud

Victory Motel Sessions

An old friend of mine told me about another circle of friends that he was a part of, at least tangentially speaking.

If I recall correctly, there was a girl in that circle of friends who interested me greatly.

Isn't that always the way?

Of course, it was in another part of St. Louis and here, if you're 15 miles outside of the city limits, you're basically in a very different world.

What I was told by my friend however, is what gave me pause.

This circle of friends had known each other from kindergarten, but more than that, they had been swapping partners among themselves for as long as they had been dating. How in the world was I supposed to walk into that setup?

Album Review: "Black Blood" by Black Blood

Black Blood

How many wolves have you killed?

What about the Mountain Trolls?

Is Mount Doom near Turku?

This is my imagining of Finland. This is wholly ignorant and inappropriate I know. Sweden is a wonderfully modern, urban, civilized, and sophisticated society...


It's fun to think about all of the bands that have come out of Scandinavia and Sweden especially, but what I picture in my head is what my friend posted from his trip to watch the Blues open the season against the Detroit Red Wings there because those teams had about forty seven Swedes between them....

Album Review: "Peace Killers" by Peace Killers

Peace Killers

Probably the most oft used phrase I see in my email nowadays is "related if you like," typically abbreviated to RIYL.

Why do we need this?

I'd say partially because as music fans, consumers, and writers, we want in immediate picture of what we're going to hear when it comes out of the speakers.

I can dig that, but what if you forgot what you'd read when you wrote down to review an album and what came out was one of the most off the wall records of 2016? (Well I guess 2016 really.)

Peace Killers are a brand new band made up of veterans of the West Coast scene. There's a collective experience of forty years between the four members.

RIYL: D.R.I., Rory Gallagher, Metallica, Death, and Black Flag.

Album Review: "Come Back Shane" by Samson the Truest

Come Back Shane

Today we're reviewing the new album by Samson the Truest out of New York City, by way of Boston (originally).

It is an interesting choice of moniker for our new hero.

It's seemingly rare when an artist chooses a Biblical name for their creation. How many times has that really happened?

Well perhaps I'm enjoying far too much heavy metal where Biblical heroes' names aren't typically chosen...

 It creates an interesting symbolism, at least in my mind. It certainly made me take notice of him.

But all in all, the artist's name is seemingly meaningless, and I mean "the artist" in the general sense. I mean, Kiss isn't exactly a great  name and Megadeth isn't even spelled right, or even a word....

Album Review: "Order of the Owl" by The Charge

The Order of the Owl

Australia, Australia, Australia.

We love you.

Amen!

Today we will review the new album from The Charge. They're from somewhere on the other side of the world.

In fact, those of us in the USA don't share a single continent with them. It's sad.

Needless to say, but The Charge are from Australia. They're an independent band who're on the cusp of releasing their sophomore record, The Order of the Owl. My wife I'm sure will be interested just based on the cover and the title alone. She loves owls. Too much.

Album Review: "Dig In" by Idlewar

Dig In

More DIY music for you today.

Today we're looking at a power trio. You know, I've never liked that designation. I mean...are there non-power trios?

What about The Jimi Hendrix Experience?

What about Wolf Mother?

Rush?

Anyway, I'm losing the plot as I always seem to do. Idlewar is a brand new band. They formed in 2014, so it's possible they're not even one year old yet.

All we have here is guitar, vocals, and the rhythm section. It kind of reminds me of Rod Torkelson's Armada Featuring Herb Menderchuk. Except that not only is bass good, the drums superfine, but the whole rest of the band doesn't suck.

Album Review: "Vendetta Kind of Mood" by The FTW

Vendetta Kind of Mood

Today we're looking at the new project from Micheal Dolan, formerly of the The Turbo A.C.'s.

It's always cool to see what an artist will do once they are removed from the band that made them famous. Ace Frehley made a synthy hard rock album. Bruce Kulick and John Corabi made some dirty rock albums. C.C. Deville made a big pile of unlistenable crap.

I'm not familiar with the Turbo A.C.'s so, I'm not really going to think about that. I'm just sticking with this:

This is the debut effort of The FTW.

He recruited a couple of other gents to round out this trio, The Major Nelson on guitar and J.J. Meraz on the drums. 

When I first read about this album, I was certain it was going to be a punk record, but it's not, or even close to it. It's a New Wave of British Heavy Metal Rock'n'Roll album. Yeah work that out will ya?

Album Review: "Bloodsuckers" by Vamps

Bloodsuckers

Otaku Mode Engaged. 

Like Canada, Japan has always held a lot of intrigue for me. I grew up watching many anime (often times without knowing it), samurai movies, ninja movies, etc. 

In 4th grade we had a Japanese Springboard teacher. In the St. Louis City Public School District, they were people who lived in other cultures and came to teach us about them.

It was the first time I'd learned about Obon.

Today, we have a Japanese rock band that's currently based out of New York City.

Vamps have come together from the bands L'Arc~en~Ciel and Oblivion Dust. Bloodsuckers their first album under the brand new moniker. I think most of my readers are aware that I tend to shy way from albums with provocative covers, but I just couldn't help myself on this one.