Plod "Perave The Ornithorynque Displaceable"
(self-production - cd 6 titles)
Be careful, here's a little jewel of rare creativity. Behind Plod are hidden two ex-Happy Anger accompanied by a violinist, and surrounded, according to the occasion, by various guests. But if Guillaume and Andrew's past is reminiscent of a Lyon emo-punk scene, this new project flew away from their previous band. The instrumentation, based on 1 violin, 1 cello and a drum, can already guide you to the music presented here. Creativity picks up happily in Eastern music, electronics dancing, breakbeat, or even in the groove of R'n'B. Like the noise groups, the mind remains free and emotional and gives a subjugating result. Impossible to resist the bouncing and minimalist rhythms, you will rush to the dance floors. It is also impossible to resist the depth of the cello and the exploits of the violin. Everything here innovates without getting lost. Even guests deliver the best of themselves, like Kabuki Buddha's Seb/the Thing that transforms "I'll be there (summertime)" into a hit with its abracadabrant vocal melodies; or this musical saw by David Bouvart that puts you the chicken pulpit from his first notes. My friends, remember that name, Plod, because you're not finished hearing about it.
(mg)

See also: Plod

Elevate newton's theory "aerostar"
(on the ring - cd 6 titles)
As much as admitting it right away, this is a new French group of which a lot of people, including the media, cause... and for once, I understand why. Because if the intro of the first track strangely recalls the Seven Hate, the musical universe of Elevate Newton's Theory is built to light years of skate melodies. Through these six titles, the group impresses in terms of its level and effectiveness. Energetic, passionate, emotional, compact, mature, everything is there. Arpeggio alternate, as tradition dictates, with powerful and syncopated riffs, while singing retains a certain melodic aspect. Really, this group has something to impress more than one. It's a pity that all these ingredients feel terribly re-sudged after the success of At The Drive-In. Nasty Boomerang is on the edge of plaggia. Anyway, it doesn't matter, it's just a first stream, and given the class of this record, I'm willing to wait for a real album to ask them for more personality.
(mg)

See also: At the Drive-In

Labradford "Fixed:: Content"
(Mute - cd 4 titles)
It is always difficult to chronicle the new realization of such an important group, especially when it is considered to be a great representative of the style in which it evolves, or, in our case, the post-rock. All the more difficult when my last memory of the band remains the deep bore that their concerts inevitably cause ... Nevertheless, I must confess that these 4 new titles have a certain charm. Of course, we start to get used to Labradford, the listener has to take his time and devote himself entirely to listening to sounds. The group opens the doors of its universe, but it's not style to come and take you by the hand. The best thing is to lie down in bed, even if the image remains a thousand times cliché tightened, to close one's eyes and let oneself be lulled. The table grows without hitting each other, the strings pierce without hurting us... we'd almost look like the big blue. The sounds are pleasant and delicately laid; nothing should disturb your journey. Now, if this sixth LP subtly touches lovers with peaceful sound ambiences, it becomes also terribly hollow if you don't fully immerse yourself in their universe, and risks bored with a large number of non-tentive listeners.
(mg)

See also: Pan American, Tortoise

Wei Ji "Wei Ji"
(Sanjam recordings - cd 4 tracks)
Under a sexy cover with a pretty damsel, this is the new group of ex-Sixpacks. The Stephanians cleaned their sound and searched their compositions for our delight. You take Sixpack there or you've left it, you add cleaner guitars with more sought-after arpeggios (neasily no trace of distortion or really low level), arrangements worthy of the best pop bands (cell cell forays), and a less pushed song so better mastered, and you get the new quartet recipe. Recorded and mixed by Wilo (former guitarist of Condense) and Eric Rageys (who had already worked on Condense's albums), the sound is very good and matches the band's new style. In short, sixteen minutes of e-pop that we listen pleasantly to. The only reproach is a rhythm section that may be a little too linear (which reminds us of too much Sixpack)... For the fans, we must know that there are 3 unreleased on the soundtrack of the film "Baise me", as well as 2 unpublished (including a live) on a 45t released on Kerosene.
(Greg)

See also: Sixpack, Fugazi

Natural Snow Buildings "two sides of a horse"
(self-production - K7 6 titles)
On that day, our mailbox contained a very strange cassette. Dark and unwelcoming visual, no info... I must have had some fears about the music of this dark band. What a mistake. Behind Natural Snow Buildings is a sensitive character who gives us 6 long songs recorded between January 99 and September 2000 (the gentleman takes time). A guitar, a few sheets, two or three samples, the instrumentation does not look very far, but this "two sides of a horse" seems to be looking for its strength elsewhere. The gentleman's sensibility is honoured, and ours can only appreciate it. Of course, we are not yet up to Black Heart Procession, but this little lo-fi recording, without pretending to be, is brilliantly trying to do the same exercise in style: to restore these letters of nobility to a sad and clean music, where song and atmosphere are finally brought together.
(mg)

See also: Black Heart Procession

The Lot Six "the hot spot"
(espo - ep 3 titles)
If Espo decided to release three songs from the band's demos, it was no coincidence. Everything was already there, enough to unveil the music for the Lot Six has a larger number. A nervous and energetic music that does not forget its melody and emotions. They fit quite logically into this emo tradition where calm plans alternate with noisier explosions. The United States is full of such groups. The recipe is almost always the same. The difference comes from everyone's talent. But by hearing millions of emo clones, I was afraid I would no longer know how to recognize those who would come out of the lot (six). Yet, go and find out why, these are doing wonderfully well, and their little 7" with the very attractive orange pouch conquered me. I don't really know why... their emo is good, I think that's all. There are usually harmful ingredients, but here the whole thing goes without any problems. Everything is cleverly dosed. For a first 7", this group ensures a good entry into the field where more numerous others have burned their wings.
(mg)

See also: Hoover, At the Drive-In, Fugazi, Garrison

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France