C/S004 XNOBBQX – ‘ALPHA-GAL’ C46
xNOBBQx is a nearly impossible band to pin down. For over a decade they have been making a racket down in the Southern Hemisphere. Their earliest output, like their Siltbreeze released long-player, Sunshine Of Your Love, has a frantic element, everything in the red, and nothing but wild, recklessness. Though Nick Dan still bashes the drums, and Matthew Earle still hums, thuds, and buzzes the guitar, more recent releases have seen the band refine the sound into more hypnotic, albeit divisive, tunes. And perhaps divisive is the word for their style of music; for every possible melody the listener thinks they have discovered the clang-and-smack of the next moment erases it as quickly as it appeared. And for every possible point of reference the listener elicits, an abrupt conclusion wipes away the very notion of influence. xNOBBQx are a stunning band, who have captured audiences around the globe with their unique take on rock music. C/Site is very proud to bring a rare stateside release, not to mention the bands first since 2014. Ready yourself for the 46-minute journey of Alpha-Gal, in all its tape warbled goodness.
C/S005 MOUNTAIN MOVERS – ‘SUNDAY DRIVE/NO PLANS’ C20
Watching the Mountain Movers progression over the course of the past decade has truly been a treat. Their earliest beginnings saw the band documenting Dan Greene’s vast catalog of songs, while displaying a rotating cast of New Haven musicians’ unique skills. The band produced three albums and several singles of polished indie rock in this incarnation. However, their fourth album, 2010’s Apple Mountain, saw the band transition to stranger territory; home-recorded and employing an arsenal of miscellaneous instruments, the record bore a folk-psychedelic element not displayed on their previous work. Shortly after Apple Mountain, constant members Greene and Rick Omonte were joined by lead guitarist Kryssi Battalene and drummer Ross Menze to form, what is now, the bands longest running lineup. The band has since produced a series of singles, lathe-cuts, cassettes, and 2015’s Death Magic, an album that melded Greene’s song writing with the bands ability to stretch out and improvise. Now in 2016, Sunday Drive / No Plans gives the first glimpse into the Movers’ session at former drummer John Miller’s home studio. Two instrumental improvisations clocking in at just under 20 minutes that bring to mind names like Neu! and Ash Ra Tempel, as much as they do any number of American psychedelic acts of the 1960’s. A wonderful preview of what promises to be one of the most stunning albums of 2016.
C/S006 ALEXANDER – ‘NORTON ST.’ C31
David Alexander Shapiro, AKA alexander, is still young but he’s been an active force for some years now. His early life was spent just outside of New Haven, Connecticut, but his musical life truly blossomed while attending Oberlin College (perhaps not such an uncommon story). While in Ohio projects like Lituya Bay (Shapiro’s solo electric guitar wanderings) and Nagual (Shapiro’s collaboration with Ian McColm) took shape. After years spent touring, releasing cassettes and records, and a year spent studying to be a luthier, Shapiro has found himself back in New Haven. Since arriving back Shapiro has been somewhat restless, moving from house to house, and endlessly collaborating with musicians on anything from bar rock to sludge metal, noise to folk, and anything caught between. And somehow through it all he’s found the time to make solo recordings. As alexander, Shapiro improvises and writes acoustic guitar numbers for fans of Fahey, Connors, and Rose. Balancing equal parts Americana, blues, jazz, and avant-garde, and always maintaining the intimate qualities of home recording, Norton St. features 15 concise pieces from Shapiro’s time spent at that address. Like his previous Mellen St. cassette this recording documents a brief time, at a particular place in this transient artists ever-winding journey.