Just Browsing: Neur-Isis-core Cult of Luna, Deadbird, Del Rey, & Windmills by the Ocean
By Jason Jordan
What you're reading right now is the inaugural installment of "Just Browsing," which delivers rapid-fire reviews of albums that are connected in one or more ways. Essentially, the point of "Just Browsing" is to briefly touch on albums that we didn't receive for review, but we feel are important to mention anyway. The first issue - there is no set schedule as to when "JB" will appear, however - centers on the hazy subgenre now referred to as Neur-Isis-core.
Cult of Luna Somewhere Along the Highway
Earache Records MOSH344 June 27th, 2006
The latest from Swedens Cult of Luna Somewhere Along the Highway draws from efforts by the genres progenitors, but is also striking in its own, unique way. Arguably more adventurous than their previous full-length Salvation, and at times as emotional as fellow scenesters Envy and Mouth of the Architect, Cult of Luna continue to explore by incorporating uncommon instruments such as the banjo, odd rhythmical patterns furthered by simple yet unpredictable drumming, and captivating instrumental sections punctuated by typical, Neurosis-style vocalizing. I could easily do without the Jesu-esque Marching to the Heartbeats and dusty crawler And with Her Came the Birds even if integral to the story since distortion-drenched songs like Finland and Back to Chapel Town cannot be overtaken. Though their material is memorable, I almost always feel something is missing, as if the Swedes are capable of producing music of a higher caliber.
7.5/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Cult of Luna Website
Official Earache Records Website
Deadbird The Head and the Heart
Earache Records MOSH317 March 21st, 2005
Originally issued by Codebreaker and grouped in with the oft-overlapping subgenres known as doomcore and Neur-Isis-core, Deadbirds The Head and the Heart blends the sludginess found in bands such as The Abominable Iron Sloth and Black Cobra with the overriding traits of Minsk and Neurosis to arrive at a dirty, dirty result, which isnt quite flabbergasting since the group hail from Arkansas Louisianas neighbors to the north. Perhaps a cop-out assessment would claim Deadbird sound like a Neurosis gone sludge, but THatH is much deeper than it first appears partially because muds visibility level tends to be rather low.
7/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Deadbird Website
Official Earache Records Website
Del Rey A Pyramid for the Living
My Pal God Records MPG063 September 26th, 2006
Fans of Isiss and Tidess respective mixtures of lonely drifting and violent crashing, along with Giant Squids introspective moments, will surely appreciate Del Reys new one the five-song, 50-minute A Pyramid for the Living. Having several full-lengths and releases under their belt, its astounding that this Chicagoan outfit have slipped by unnoticed when a group like Russian Circles can hit it relatively big with only a 1000, sold-out copies of a self-released EP and an excellent, debut full-length on Flameshovel to their name. At any rate, Del Rey are 100% instrumental, and continuously prove they can hang with nearly all of their peers. Olympus Mons simultaneously reveals and reaffirms the M.O. that many of these similar-minded bands use: calm, soothing lead-ins build up to turbulent portions filled with restrained prowess. A Pyramid for the Living requires patience, though, especially in regards to the uninitiated. However, those in the loop know exactly what to expect, and the fact that the epigones of Neurosis, Isis, et al are staggeringly proficient says something about this particular style (Neur-Isis-core/post-rock) and this particular four-piece.
8/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Del Rey Website
Official My Pal God Records Website
Windmills by the Ocean Windmills by the Ocean
Robotic Empire ROBO066 August 8th, 2006
This could possibly be the most interesting of the bunch based on history alone. Recorded in 2003, Windmills by the Ocean is just being heard for the first time, and features current and/or previous members of 27, Anodyne, Red Sparowes, and Isis. Containing five, untitled songs that last almost 40 minutes, WbtO parallel Isis and Red Sparowes during their post-rock moments naturally but occasionally venture into experimental drone/doom territory on latter tracks, a la Jesu and SunnO))). Sure, the approach is disjointed and all the songs up for grabs are too monotonous for their own good, but Ill be damned if the third track isnt catchy as catchy can be. Also, in a strict sense, the now-defunct Windmills by the Ocean are merely near-instrumental since the disc has a handful of la la las scattered about. On the whole, Im glad this recording was unearthed as it provides a glimpse into the individual members musical histories and will, more than likely, lead to a greater understanding of the projects the guys would move on to form or flesh out.
7.5/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Windmills by the Ocean Website
Official Robotic Empire Website
By Jason Jordan
What you're reading right now is the inaugural installment of "Just Browsing," which delivers rapid-fire reviews of albums that are connected in one or more ways. Essentially, the point of "Just Browsing" is to briefly touch on albums that we didn't receive for review, but we feel are important to mention anyway. The first issue - there is no set schedule as to when "JB" will appear, however - centers on the hazy subgenre now referred to as Neur-Isis-core.
Cult of Luna Somewhere Along the Highway
Earache Records MOSH344 June 27th, 2006
The latest from Swedens Cult of Luna Somewhere Along the Highway draws from efforts by the genres progenitors, but is also striking in its own, unique way. Arguably more adventurous than their previous full-length Salvation, and at times as emotional as fellow scenesters Envy and Mouth of the Architect, Cult of Luna continue to explore by incorporating uncommon instruments such as the banjo, odd rhythmical patterns furthered by simple yet unpredictable drumming, and captivating instrumental sections punctuated by typical, Neurosis-style vocalizing. I could easily do without the Jesu-esque Marching to the Heartbeats and dusty crawler And with Her Came the Birds even if integral to the story since distortion-drenched songs like Finland and Back to Chapel Town cannot be overtaken. Though their material is memorable, I almost always feel something is missing, as if the Swedes are capable of producing music of a higher caliber.
7.5/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Cult of Luna Website
Official Earache Records Website
Deadbird The Head and the Heart
Earache Records MOSH317 March 21st, 2005
Originally issued by Codebreaker and grouped in with the oft-overlapping subgenres known as doomcore and Neur-Isis-core, Deadbirds The Head and the Heart blends the sludginess found in bands such as The Abominable Iron Sloth and Black Cobra with the overriding traits of Minsk and Neurosis to arrive at a dirty, dirty result, which isnt quite flabbergasting since the group hail from Arkansas Louisianas neighbors to the north. Perhaps a cop-out assessment would claim Deadbird sound like a Neurosis gone sludge, but THatH is much deeper than it first appears partially because muds visibility level tends to be rather low.
7/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Deadbird Website
Official Earache Records Website
Del Rey A Pyramid for the Living
My Pal God Records MPG063 September 26th, 2006
Fans of Isiss and Tidess respective mixtures of lonely drifting and violent crashing, along with Giant Squids introspective moments, will surely appreciate Del Reys new one the five-song, 50-minute A Pyramid for the Living. Having several full-lengths and releases under their belt, its astounding that this Chicagoan outfit have slipped by unnoticed when a group like Russian Circles can hit it relatively big with only a 1000, sold-out copies of a self-released EP and an excellent, debut full-length on Flameshovel to their name. At any rate, Del Rey are 100% instrumental, and continuously prove they can hang with nearly all of their peers. Olympus Mons simultaneously reveals and reaffirms the M.O. that many of these similar-minded bands use: calm, soothing lead-ins build up to turbulent portions filled with restrained prowess. A Pyramid for the Living requires patience, though, especially in regards to the uninitiated. However, those in the loop know exactly what to expect, and the fact that the epigones of Neurosis, Isis, et al are staggeringly proficient says something about this particular style (Neur-Isis-core/post-rock) and this particular four-piece.
8/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Del Rey Website
Official My Pal God Records Website
Windmills by the Ocean Windmills by the Ocean
Robotic Empire ROBO066 August 8th, 2006
This could possibly be the most interesting of the bunch based on history alone. Recorded in 2003, Windmills by the Ocean is just being heard for the first time, and features current and/or previous members of 27, Anodyne, Red Sparowes, and Isis. Containing five, untitled songs that last almost 40 minutes, WbtO parallel Isis and Red Sparowes during their post-rock moments naturally but occasionally venture into experimental drone/doom territory on latter tracks, a la Jesu and SunnO))). Sure, the approach is disjointed and all the songs up for grabs are too monotonous for their own good, but Ill be damned if the third track isnt catchy as catchy can be. Also, in a strict sense, the now-defunct Windmills by the Ocean are merely near-instrumental since the disc has a handful of la la las scattered about. On the whole, Im glad this recording was unearthed as it provides a glimpse into the individual members musical histories and will, more than likely, lead to a greater understanding of the projects the guys would move on to form or flesh out.
7.5/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Windmills by the Ocean Website
Official Robotic Empire Website
