Sean McCann - The Capital (2011, Aguirre)

RIYL = Axolotl, Yellow Swans, Caboladies

I’m contractually obligated to review anything Sean McCann releases in the following way: Gushingly. In said reviews, it is outlined that I must reference McCann’s extensive back catalog. In referencing his previous work, it’s important I remark that, despite the usual pitfalls plaguing overly ambitious/productive artists, McCann’s work is consistently of the utmost quality. I’m then to explain why McCann’s most recent release may just be the best thing he has produced to date. This followed by some abstract explanation of the sound of his new work – said explanation containing how expertly Mr. McCann “manages” to blend cacophony and beauty. I’m contractually obligated to conclude said description with the listener’s brain short circuiting amidst the sheer amazingness of McCann’s latest album. Governments that be will require an immediate parenthetical. This containing a disclaimer that my claims have not been formally evaluated by their audio-scientific staff. I will contend with this but eventually submit. I’m a pushover in these types of situations. The review will conclude with a prophetic conjecture that nothing could possibly top this in the course of the remaining year; that this is the best of the best.  This is one of those reviews.

Sean McCann - The Vanilla Maiden

Caboladies - Live Anywhere (2010, Aguirrre Records)

RIYL = Black Dice, Flower Man, Axolotl

I’m late to the game on this one (despite knowing about it when it was first released last year (I’m sorry)), but since there are still copies kicking around (can’t be many with only 330 originally pressed), I thought I would mention that, yes, it’s really-absolutely-totally swell-to-the-max. Of course, we’ve known this about Caboladies for some time. This recording sees the now duo of Chris Bush and Eric Lanham working live (no overdubs!?) for a Chicago radio show, and the set absolutely kills. What I wouldn’t do to see these two in the studio with their magic wands and caldrons (filled to the brim with recycled electronics), boiling up and casting all manner of electro-jumbled spells. Side A on Live Anywhere is just that, a luminescent jumble of texture spells and sounds, minorly percussive, and wonderfully synergetic. This wondrousness breaks down in the latter half of side A and on the opening half of side B into a shimmery more recognizably Caboladies’ dronescape in which lazers abound, and then into a slow series of soft breakdowns, light static and motored dying before picking up again on its tail end LP, bubbling up with synth key clusters and skittery electric animals pawing at the windows. So yeah, just another awesome, dense Caboladies record (and on vinyl to boot!).  Check it.

A2-Live Anywhere by Aguirre Records