OPM: Long Tail Rock

Kid Lightbulbs – Infinite Normal

Unusual fusion of art-rock and prog elements with confessional pop, industrial and post punk. It’s a distinctive and iconoclastic combination, and the genuine love of the raw material shines thru these songs. From telltale-heart piano interludes to raucous industrial workouts, this covers it all, working the pieces until they fit together into some fairly rare, but always functional, shapes. 

Squalling guitars, brooding vocals, emotive piano, electro-inspired beats – there’s a lot of different ingredients to the stew, combined in some surprising ways at times. Like so many of the albums I cover here, the real draw of this material is interfacing with such a passionate take on a unique set of influences – alternative ‘90s, prog from both before and after that, little bits of ‘80s post punk, etc. Simply listening to this is a ticket to the front row of another human’s fascinating, one-of-a-kind musical experience.

(Listened to the entire album)

–

BbartokK – The Next Constant

A joyful collection of industrial and techno adjacent modular-synth-based compositions, plus an ambient closer. The raw beating heart of this music is techno, but a grinning, spinning, playful take on it that isn’t afraid to get into the weeds, if that’s where the fun is to be found. There’s some industrial ambience and intensity worked in there too, but it doesn’t subtract from the upbeat nature of the music. 

Even when things get a little moody and mysterious on the title track, there’s still an underlying exuberance to things that keeps the smiles coming. The closer does shift gears into a floating, droning ambience that’s perfect for coming down from the near-manic highs of the rest.

(Listened to the entire album)

–

Jazzaria – “Poems to Oneself”

A fetching solo jazz improvisation on clarinet that covers a lot of ground in its three minutes. Welcoming at first, reminiscent of classical and film uses of solo clarinet, cyclically working its way into wilder territory, landing in an experimental place before returning once more to more familiar territory. This is the first solo clarinet piece ever submitted to OPM, and it’s a delightful change of pace. Don’t let the fact that you generally don’t listen to solo clarinet based in a jazz idiom stop you from listening to this one – it’s well worth the time it takes to experience. 

–

Imaginary Prisons – Eleven Dance Songs I Made

Varied collection of synth-driven IDM that dips into jungle, ambient techno and other genres for inspiration. Steeped in the warm, wobbly chords, deep basses and electronic percussion of the classics, several of these tunes also go hard into the experimental fringe that’s always been a part of IDM’s DNA. 

The mix of warm-and-comfy tunes and prickly experimental excursions keeps things interesting thru your time with the album – the balance leans heavily into the chill and welcoming, but you never know for sure what the next track will bring.

(Listened to the entire album)

–

The Vermen – Dawn of the Vermen

Pleasantly varied rock album that incorporates several of the best flavors of post millennial rock. From blustery Queens of the Stone Age-esque swagger rock to heartfelt Midwest emo-influenced indie rock belters, there’s a little something for everyone who still believes in the power of guitar, bass and drums played with passion. 

The distinctive and effective voice of singer Matt Sharff does a lot to paper over any apparent distance between its rock flavors. It’s a pretty natural evolution of rock, honestly, and definitely worth a listen if you still love to rock.