SmokeCDs.com - Recent Reviews

Ghost Crash - Frayden

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00 -1300

"Frayden. Zen like monster pop three piece formerly from Wanganui, now firmly embraced by Auckland. Notable for Zappa-squeezed moments of individuality and once described as the most alternative band in the country. Recorded by Bob Frisbee, 'Ghost Crash' is essential listening on vinyl, perfectly capturing the flying dagger appeal of live Frayden, and is stunningly packaged with art by the band that simply hums on the twelve-inch sleeve format. For fans of Sonic Youth, Melvins etc."

Electric Dirt - Levon Helm

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00 -1300

Legendary musician and rock icon, Levon Helm will be releases his second solo album. As with 2007's 'Dirt Farmer', multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell, took the reigns as producer. 'Electric Dirt' again finds Levon steeped in tradition in his connection to the land and those who live by it, and at the same time goes deeper and fuller in painting a musical canvas by incorporating some gospel, blues and soul with a wide range of original compositions and eclectic cover songs.
The album starts off with a rousing rendition of The Grateful Dead's 'Tennessee Jed' moving on to a beautiful stripped down version of Happy Traum's 'Golden Bird'. 'Growing Trade', written by Levon Helm and Larry Campbell tells a deeply heartfelt story of a farmer's struggle to preserve his livelihood and the rousing horn arrangements by Allen Toussaint and the Levon Helm band on 'Kingfish' written by Randy Newman, brings the swagger of New Orleans to the forefront.
Available from July 6th

Nadja & Blackboned Angel - Nadja & Blackboned Angel

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:00 -1300

Concept: Canada's prolific neo-doom duo Nadja meets NZ's pitch black droners Black Boned Angel.
The idea for this inspired collaboration - sure to appeal to fans of Sunn O))) and Oren Ambarchi - was first hatched in conversations between 20BuckSpin and Nadja's Aidan Baker back in 2006. 20BuckSpin introduced Black Boned Angel's Campbell Kneale to the work of Nadja and he quickly realised the complimentary potential, instigating the cross-continental collaboration by digitally trading their music.
Both groups - plus Campbell's alter-ego Birchville Cat Motel - were busy releasing their own material, but by the end of 2007 the collaborative effort had realised 3 fully formed tracks. One of those tracks, 'Christ Send Light' (which included vocals), was released in 2008 as a CDEP on Kneale’s own Battlecruiser imprint - the other 2 make up this self-titled full-length release.
With the CD being a collaborative effort, 20BuckSpin also convinced 2 close comrades, David D'Andrea and Stephen Kasner, to collaborate on artwork. Again, artistic collaborations take a great deal of time and finally in 2009, both art and music have finally come together for this much-anticipated release.

Octahedron - The Mars Volta

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00 -1300

Octahedron - the fifth studio album from The Mars Volta- sees the band progressing from their previous albums, taking their sound in a more mellow and concise direction. As close to an acoustic Mars Volta album as you'll probably get.

Tubular Bells - Mike Oldfield

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00 -1300

Mike Oldfield is an artist like no other. Over the last 37 years he has produced timeless, unique and inspirational music that has enthralled listeners the world over. Fans old and new can celebrate the great man's work with a special release of his classic, multiplatinum selling album Tubular Bells. It is 35 years since the opening passage was used in the film THE EXORCIST, making the album a global phenomenon.

This new version of his 1973 groundbreaking album has been remastered by Mike himself. This DELUXE EDITION also has a 5.1 mix.

Tubular Bells - Mike Oldfield

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00 -1300

Organic - Joe Cocker

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00 -1300

In 1996 Joe Cocker went into the studio with legendary producer Don Was to record a selection of his biggest hits in an acoustic flavour, with a band of amazing musicians to flesh out the songs. The result of those sessions was 'Organic', a stylish collection of Joe's tastiest moments.

Covers The Classics - Creedence Clearwater Revival

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00 -1300

Creedence Clearwater Revival built up a vast arsenal of covers during their lengthy apprenticeship in the local Bay Area music scene (as Tommy Fogerty & the Blue Velvets, and then later as The Golliwogs) by the time they emerged on the national stage in 1968.

Harkening back to the 1950s "Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll" during their heyday, CCR hardly missed an opportunity to salute their musical heroes whenever they could. This collection brings together for the very first time their classic covers.

A New Haven - The Sixteen

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00 -1300

A New Heaven narrows the gap between our secular age and a time when the Anglican Church was among the most important patrons and consumers of British music. The composers gathered on this disc represent the continuity and evolution of British church music from Victorian times to the second Elizabethan age.

Live At Brixton Academy - Pendulum

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00 -1300

Disk One:
CD recorded live at Brixton Academy on December 4th and 5th 2008.

Disk Two:
DVD of the gig directed by Paul Caslin