Broken Shoulder-The Tape of Disquiet

As completely obvious as it seems, it's rather perfect that Broken Shoulder named his newest release The Tape of Disquiet. Disquiet is a much better description of the style of of ambient music that Broken Shoulder makes rather than say "noisy". The band (even though it's just one man) personifies this with the massively sprawling A-side/opening track "Oak & Mirrors" Really encapsulates everything Broken Shoulders is as an artist, mainly their/his ability to meld abstract guitar lines in conjunction with the non sequential but not random workings of the analog synths, here mashing them together so seamlessly that it just envelopes the listener in a warm fuzz. The fact that the song manages to be twenty minutes long, and not seem overlong, is a testament to the band.

The B-side, handles in darker territory, probably best exemplified by the cassettes art work. "Other Tropisms" is the closets the band is has come to pulsating with one their tracks, though it does emerge at it's end in the same warm synth bath as to fit together nicely in Broken Shoulder's discography. "Marry in Haste" is the shortest song and a very lovely track, sparkling almost, especially the way Broken Shoulder uses his guitar work in the second half of the song to raise it to substantial heights, creating the audio version of watching the sunrise. Then the tape ends so not quietly with the dusk evoking "Mirah", at once a mixture of rising and dropping synth lines and feed back guitar lines, all dropped under water.

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I would kick myself if I didn't bring this up as well. My buddies over at Audio Anti-Hero put out a wonderful split EP a little while ago between Broken Shoulder and the band he played (plays) in before he broke his shoulder and started creating his solo material. The Broken Shoulder's side is more in the style of crafting waves of fuzzy synth and guitar-lines-that-sound-like-screams that crash over you again and again. Here Broken Shoulder truly solidifies that he is the UK's answer to Kevin Greenspon. The Fighting Kites side is very cool though. It's instrumental indie music that is neither post rock nor ambient. Instead the band has crafted four quiet excellent instrumental indie rock tracks. Just perfect Pavement with touches of math rock-esque jams without the vocals. And if you don't think it would work, take one listen to "Wojtek the Bear" to be proven wrong. A great EP, go and get it.

(mp3) Fighting Kites-Wojtek the Bear

(mp3) Broken Shoulder-Organomegaly

Links:

Broken Shoulder's Tumblr
Fighting Kites' Bandcamp
Buy The Tape of Disquiet here, from Tape Your Mouth
Get the split EP here, from Audio Anti-Hero

Audio Antihero: Broken Shoulder and Bob Hope Would

Audio Antihero is at it again. Continuing their wave of supporting whatever underappreciated band they come in contact with, AAH is supporting the digital release and physical release of brand new British artist Broken Shoulder. Broken Shoulder first ever release is the seven song Broken Shoulderrr EP, is completely different from anything Audio Anti-Hero have release in that it is the label’s first foray into ambient music. However, to describe this EP and this band as just another “ambient” artist is selling him short on way to many levels. One listen to “Morning Is Broken” takes you to the desolate twilight that is crafted here in the mind, with waves of singular static and warped to infinity guitar tones used as the perfect foils to this sound. I’m a still a newbie to this entire genre of music, but even I can feel the simple, rhythmic beauty made here. Every part of the songs falls and cascades on each other, each time bringing a new tone or element with it, so when they finish it is something every so subtly different than how the songs originally started. From the weeping guitar lines that encompass “Uff/Magow” to the singular piano tone that manages to stretch “Chocolate One Room Disco” into a 10 minute note of beauty, Broken Shoulder should be put up there with every other “experimental/ (noisy) ambient artist out here in the US, though labels are becoming increasingly irrelevant to this genre of music. One listen to “Sato Costume” and “Ultimate Donko” back to back speaks volumes as to every angle Broken Shoulder is trying and can accomplish. Listen at night with your headphones on and your eyes closed.

(mp3) Broken Shoulder-Uff/Magow

Links:

Stream and buy Broken Shoulderrr here, from Audio Antihero
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As you’ve heard, Japan got hit by just about every single natural disaster known to man with the past few weeks, and is now dealing with a nuclear and radiation situation, not to mention limited supplies and housing for all the people they had to evacuate. Not surprisingly, several bands and labels have set up various projects to raise funds to the situation in Japan, and Audio Antihero is playing their part as well. Bob Hope Would is a massive 34 track digital compilation of almost completely exclusive, alternate, or demo songs not only from Nosferatu D2, Benjamin Shaw, Jack Hayter, and Broken Shoulder, but Fighting Kites, Paul Hawkins and The Awkward Silences and a mountain of more. It’s only ₤3.99, has tons on great music, and it's all for a good cause.



Links:

Stream and download Bob Hope Would here, from Audio Antihero