Tabs Out

New Batch – Moss Archive
2.11.15 by Mike Haley

I always pluralize Moss Archive. Moss Archives just seems right to me. But I think label head Joe Bastardo is mega-OCD, so let me triple check that I got it right above…..

Okay, looks good. So Moss Archives just did the world a favor and put out two new cassettes by Adderall Canyonly and Blostma. Both blackened nugs of crisp, dank energy. Both home dubbed editions of 50 copies with artwork that looks like invitations to a funeral. Both necessary cassettes, or “cassettessary™”. Here is the situation.

MOSS 15 finds Adderall Canyonly in first-rate form on “Beneath The Crystal Canyon A Spark Remains”, an eight track C32. AC (not to be confused with Animal Collective, Alice Coltrane, or Anal Cunt) has been quite the prolific artisan over the past few years, with stellar output on Tranquility Tapes, Jehu & Chinaman (now J&C Tapes — Thanks, Obama), and Field Hymns to name a few. The signature radiation bursts and shimmering pinches are present in classic form, readily available to hypnotize and/or char the senses, as Canyonly delivers operatic kosmische music. But that isn’t the be-all and end-all on the trip. Infused through this hour hour grandiose jammer is some earthy space music with synths, guitar, and tambourine (??) providing some low-key, multi-planetary spaghetti western soundtrack music. It’s a hell of a drug. See for yourself.

MOSS 16 is a self titled C38 from Blostma. A new name to me, and you wont hear any complaints about this inaugural experience. Menacing vocals, occasionally with a putrid gargle, and distorted guitar shredding given the tin can treatment. Blostma incorporates elements of black metal, dark ambient, and punk to compose six fairly beast songs. It’s like someone took teenage angst and shook it up in a Pepsi Kona can down by the old train tracks. And I mean that in a good way. I think one can only mean that in a good way??? Blostma a pretty sweet surprise / departure for the label, and that sort of thing is always welcomed. Have at it.

Both tapes are currently available from Mosses Archive for a five dollar bill each, plus shipping & handling. Check the archives while you’re there. Archives. ChiveSSSS.

Ratkiller – Comfortably Declined
2.10.15 by Mike Haley

I don’t know much about Estonia, other than it’s where Skype was created and it’s rather small population. One of it’s 1,315,819 residents is Mihkel Kleis, who can be found sailing from cluster to cluster of plasmic soundholes as Ratkiller. Kleis has a sprinkling of cassette releases, including a handful on the most excellent Rotifer, but “Comfortably Declined” is the first effort I have had the pleasure of hearing. Many high fives to Baba Vanga for pushing it out of their birth canal.

Ratkiller gets the ball rolling with a muggy confab of Casio’d squirts. Simple keyboard drum patterns and miscellaneous notes that are less ‘dance party’ and more ‘eating-a-spaghetti-sandwich’ vibed. A motif that quickly changes as the spools spin. Zappy synth filters and bouncing about the house beats are introduced, along with a sort of mutated Shaft soundtrack philosophy. Is this cat Ratkiller a bad mother? Shut your mouth and you’ll find out. Copious zones are explored on this overflowing cassette, from polished 80’s prom pop to exploratory sampled hip hop, sometimes in the same track. And always wonderful.

Fantastic artwork brings the whole thing together. Sit back, grab a spaghetti sandwich, and funnel Ratkiller into your ears. Purchase a copy here before you are unable to do so.