GODSEND REVIEWS : R

The Race - "The Perfect Gift" CD - Loose and playfully dramatic, almost jazzy rock from a Chicago-based 3-piece. The quavering, sensitive vocals remind a wee bit of Tim Buckley or especially Thom Yorke, which in my book isn't a bad thing. And the music is texturally rich, leaning towards the sad end of things, yet with a definite post-rock sort of glint in the eyes, again begging comparisons to RADIOHEAD. A solid work that sounds oddly familiar, yet strangely alien at the same time. Cool stuff. (Flameshovel Records)

Elaine Radigue-Biogenesis CD3-Musique concrete sounds that are as near to ambient as can be. Radigues cyclic drones are subtle and mysterious, giving no clue towards their origin. A sharp, throbbing bass tone also punctuates the mix, giving the sound a distinct rhythm. Mesmerizing. (Metamkine)

Radio Iodine-Never Meant To CDS-A promo single of this dance/rock track featuring remixes by Doug Firley of GRAVITY KILLS and Buzz McCoy of THRILL KILL KULT. (Radiouniverse/Universal)

Radio Iodine-Tiny Warnings CD-A St. Louis band thats following the footsteps of GRAVITY KILLS with their radio-friendly dance/rock hybrid. IODINEs vocalist Ellen Bledsoe weaves a sweet web that reminds of CURVE and especially the very similar CHAINSUCK, and the music is strong as well. Production by John Fryer. (Radiouniverse/Universal)

Radiowave-"Journey Thru OZ!" CD- Kansas-based solo artist Greg Paugh makes his listeners question what they know about the guitar on this, his debut CD release. Using solely a guitar synthesizer and guitar, Paugh has crafted some lovely semi-ambient atmospheres that sound (in most cases), nothing like a guitar. Paugh's breadth of influence encompasses everything from classic rock and metal to soundtrack musics, and indeed, some of the work here would easily appeal to fans of stuff like TANGERINE DREAM, STEVE ROACH, or PINK FLOYD (in their spacier moments). 'Journey Thru OZ!' is melodic and quite often punctuated by rock-oriented guitar (both acoustic and electric), though the ambient space/soundscapes dominate the mix. A more than solid release and well-worth the time. (MP3.com/radiowave)

James Rays Performance & Gangwar- Best Of CD-A collection of tracks taken from early Merciful Release singles, this Andrew Eldritch-produced dance/ rock hybrid is a must-have for fans of classic SISTERS. Excellent work. (Fifth Colvmn)

Razed In Black-Shrieks, Laments.. CD-Electro-rock from Hawaii thats really far too much of a shallow NIN/L-STRIP ripoff. N.D.N.Y.L. even sounds just like March Of The Pigs! Maybe next time.. (Cleopatra)

Razor Skyline-Journal Of Trauma CD- This debut weaves goth-y girl vocals around electro-rock grooves. A decent starting point but the pretentious, dramatic vocals really grated on my nerves. (COP)

R/B-Two Nights 7-Decent post-industrial sound manipulatons that are evocative of an abandoned shipyard on a windy night(side B). Enjoyable and subtle. (Crippled Intellect)

various-Re-Constrictions 10(=5) Year Anniversary CD-An amazing collection/ sampler of Re-Cons diverse electro-rock roster, with choice cuts by 16 VOLT, CHRIST ANALOGUE, COLLIDE, IRON LUNG CORP.(a great guitarheavy cover of NITZER EBBs Murderous), TINFED, and many more. BUY! (Re-Con/Cargo)

The Red And The Black - "Plans For Next Year EP" CDEP - Quality melodic indie-rock from this new Brooklyn quartet. 'Plans For Next Year' ranges from downtempo emo-style to more angular, upbeat and atmospheric rock. Some skillfully intricate guitar and drum interplay shows TRATB's pedigrees and obvious experience (the members have been involved in a number of Brooklyn-area bands). Definitely quality work that aims high and proves that these guys are poised for bigger things. (The Self-Starter Foundation)

Red Harvest-Hybreed CD-Diverse, forward-thinking heavy rock/metal that also throws down some experimental soundscapes and grand, gothic melodies & atmospheres. Easily a step ahead of most rock acts. (Voices of Wonder)

Reel-Stock CS-4-song sampler of this Dutch groups hard electro-metal-crossover sound. More than competent grooves for fans of SWAMP TERRORISTS and with more diversity than KMFDM. (Reel)

Regard Extreme-"Vague A L'Ame" CD-A superb album of modern classical/soundtrack music from a French group now signed to World Serpent. Leader Fabien Nicault samples melodic strings and piano to create a dramatic mix of dark, filmic moods and seductive melodies to waft over the head. For fans of stuff like IN THE NURSERY, this CD is a certain 'must have' purchase. With traces of murky, sullen sorrow peering in around the edges, REGARD EXTREME's modern dark classical is certainly poised for international recognition (and hopefully a film score) in the future. Marvelous! (Regard Extreme)

Sakamoto Rei - "Sex Friend Nurezakari" DVD - Another in the 'pink cinema' series that Eclectic is interestingly picking up for worldwide release, this 1999 film really is only 'pink' in that it includes several steamy sex scenes (which, by the way, are absolutely unnecessary as the film stands well without it). 'Sex Friend' (actually titled a more-fitting--though oddly-offensive--'3 Balls, One Strike' in Japan) is an odd yet entertaining sort of sports/ghost story. Long-dead baseball player Tsutomu visits a pair of his old teammates and convinces them (and the hot little accessory/girlfriends) into replaying the fateful game from their childhood which resulted in the the Big-4's crushing loss to the Dragons. It's about 1/3 softcore, 1/3 ghost story, and 1/3 coming-of-age baseball tale. Director Rei was obviously aiming at something much grander than a simple sex tale, and he succeeded, as this film works on a whole different level than may seem from the advertising and press info. (Eclectic DVD)

c. reider - "Some Things I Did When I Lost My Mind" CDR - A new collection of instrumental and experimental soundscrapes (yes, you read that correctly) from this Colorado-based writer/musician. 'Some Things I Did...' begins on a relatively harsh note and continues much in that fashion, carving out it's own language of dense, claustrophobic electronic passages and deeply mysterious textures. Distant rhythms and playful, almost innocent patterns emerge from the seeming chaos, only to be swallowed up by larger, more sinister demons (the kind that inhabit the farthest reaches of consciousness). This is the soundtrack to a perfectly surreal nightmare, where nothing is as it seems and walls evaporate into viscous plumes of toxic fumes. reider's ever-evolving walls of post-industrial sounds are abstracted and fogged, yet they never get tedious or monotonous. He has a keen ear for creating cinematic moods and hallucinogenic collisions of sound. Fine work here. (Vuzh)

Remora-Remora CS-Experimental pop songs that arent afraid to counterbalance and season the melodies with noise and nontraditional instruments. Reminds me a bit of early PSYCHIC TV in some ways. Interesting work with much potential. (Remora)

various-The Resonance Found At The Core of A Bubble CD-A number of obscure ambient/techno acts, with only DJ SPOOKY being familiar to me. Some fine low-key, subtle electronic compositions to envelop your head in late at night. (Bubble Core)

Markus Reuter - "Trepanation" CD - Reuter is a versatile musician, composer, and sound designer who has been involved in an astonishing array of releases and styles through the years. This solo release (his 6th) is firmly working out of an ambient/electronic framework, but it's only partially successful. The title of this release implies a darker, more subversive outlook, and indeed there are shadows and ghostly apparitions present. However, this subtle album reveals some sparkling melodic turns and some lighter fare as well. The opener, 'The Key To Conscience', jumps around in an almost jazz-like fashion - actually sort of annoying and haphazard. It's followed up by the edgy and cinematic 'Preparation', which proves to be much more successful to these ears. 'Beat' is simultaneously glitchy and crystalline, yet really goes nowhere, while 'Oneness To Deceive' is a bit more mysterious, with distant voices buzzing through the mix as if from a dream. My problem with this release lies in it's lack of focus. The atmospheres don't seem to go deep enough into any one direction, and instead they try to do too much almost, even within a single track. It fails to be truly melodic, or truly atmospheric, or sweet, or bleak...just kinda somewhere maddeningly in-between. (Lotuspike)

Rev, Martin-Marvel CD-The 1980 solo LP from half of the electronic pioneers SUICIDE, this reissue includes 20 minutes of unreleased work. Hypnotic, droning synth sequences and atmospheric effects. Sounds remarkably modern in the wake of bands like THE KLINIK/DIVE or even SPACEMEN 3. Definitive. (Daft/ Discordia)

Various - "Revelation" CD - An apocalyptic selection of rhythmic industrial and heavy-duty noise-electro acts, 'Revelation' seems to be a harbinger of things to come from new label Bugs Crawling Out Of People. From the propulsive beats of openers PROSPERO to the horrific dirge of DEAD MAN'S HILL, there's a wealth of dirty and aggressive electronic work here. Standouts include the ominous ambience of CASUAL COINCIDENCE and PNEUMATIC DETACH's mutant industrial drum & bass terror. Also notable are LEGION ULTRA's agonized and seething screamer 'Mute (demo version)' and SCRAP.edx.'s pounding dancefloor attack on 'All Those Fucking Eyes'. Overall, a satisfyingly challenging and collection of sounds for those with an ear for the dark and abrasive. (www.bugscrawlingoutofpeople.com)

Revolting Cocks - "Cocktail Mixxx" CD - Al Jourgensen of Ministry's track (pun intended) record has, well, missed the mark more often than not in recent years. His last Ministry album was seething and powerful, whereas the last Revco release (which this release remixes in it's entirety) was a horribly underdeveloped clot of nonsense and poorly-produced metallic rock 'songs' that just didn't connect. These dancified mixes (upping the electronic ante) improve on their master tracks somewhat, but that old adage 'You can't polish a *$#!' holds true here. The production is tinny, the songs are bland and uninteresting, and it seems that Uncle Al and company are simply trying to please fans both old and 'new' with this insubstantial and needless album. Blah. (13th Planet/Megaforce)

various artists-"Rhythmic Anthology Vol.01" CDR-A collection/sampler of 5 instrumental electronic artists (or more likely one artist under various guises) who are totally unfamiliar to me, and unfortunately, there is little info on this release to explore further. At least we have the music, which varies from post-industrial dance pieces to more modern techno-influenced rhythmics. Some fine work, here, too, from the likes of BLEACHER (proto-industrial but melodic electronic sounds that remind me of a mix between SMERSH and maybe BOARDS OF CANADA), CHROMA (thumpy, almost house-oriented trance techno), DAEMON X (hyper-kinetic noise/techno that really grates), MAN-MACHINE CONNEXION (trippier, crunchy AUTECHRE-ish IDM), and NEURAL (almost ambient techno). Some solid work from some rising electronic artists. (Secret Level Recordings)

Robert Rich - "Open Window" CD - A sort of new leaf for this groundbreaking and ultra-influential ambient/world/electro-acoustic composer. 'Open Window' focuses on Rich's extended grand piano improvisations, and 'Open Window' manages to sound, well, composed, despite the mostly spontaneous nature of the music. These tracks, which range from under 2 minutes to over 14 in length, range from sadly cinematic to almost out-jazzlike in spots, sometimes within the same song, even. Robert has always had a very visual, filmlike aspect to his sound, and 'Open Window' is no exception. The expressiveness of 'Open Window' is fleeting and warm, with the mood is relaxed and mysterious. Really a wonderful release of piano work that is not the usual nor predictable. This holds a special place in my collection. (Soundscape)

Riou-"Pops" CD-Excellent minimalist techno sounds from a rising Japanese artist. RIOU's pounding electronic stew is full of underlying frequencies and depth. And the sounds he uses are unusual and jagged, coming across like a cross between Detroit techno and AUTECHRE or LASSIGUE BENDTHAUS. A superb work. (Invisible)

Riou-"Exhibition Of The Samples" CD-The debut release from this Japanese wunderkind, rereleased by Invisible for US appreciation. This 11-song album lacks the ultra-sonics of the followup, "Pops" (also released thanx to Invisible), and is more in line with standard minimalist ambient techno. Nonetheless, this is an excellent release and quite worthy of attention, especially as RIOU went on to produce the uncompromisingly experimental "Pops" just a short time later. (Invisible)

Steve Roach/ Roger King-"Dust To Dust" CD-A magnificent and atmospheric journey into the dusty old west from noted ethno-ambient soundtrack artist Roach in collaboration with guitarist Roger King (who also contributes bass, washboard, percussion, and voice). This highly melodic and ethereal album conjures the mysteriously desolate-yet-peaceful (and somewhat spooky) spirit of an old ghost town, complete with tumbleweeds and dilapidated saloons. At times tense and gripping, at other times introspective and ghostly, "Dust To Dust" is an excellent album however you look at it. (Projekt)

Dean Roberts - "Be Mine Tonight" CD - These extended pieces from noted improvisor Roberts were recorded in Italy, and apparently, these signal a sort of new direction--that of actual songs. Not that this is your usual singer/songwriter-type stuff, though. Roberts and his band create rough and often loose songs that seem to teeter between defined structure and free-flowing soundscapes. The quiet nature of these tracks and the sparseness of the arrangements make for a rather poignant and introspective portrait. Using aspects of a variety of genres, Roberts and company manage to find a middle ground that cannot be confined nor described, only heard. Fans of stuff like labelmates LOW or Jessica Bailiff will find this ultimately rewarding. It's brief (at only 35 minutes), but as can be expected from Kranky, another winner worthy of your time. (Kranky)

various-Rock & Roll Myths Vol. 1 CD- Generic thrash & death metal, with only Michael Knight rising above the stereotypes. (Wild Rag!)

Rockers Hi-Fi- Rockers To Rockers CD-Decent dub with a light, poppy sort of slant.(Island)

Kristoff K. Roll-"Des Travailleurs De La Nuit, A L'Amie Des Objets" CD3-Subtle electro-acoustic collages from this French composer. Roll uses the human voice as his predominant sound source here, with accompanying bits of (mostly) quiet string-type plucks, clicks, and dings. The overall 22-minute piece sounds much like a surrealist short film, which I imagine is the intention here. Fans of more "industrial" music could compare this to early NWW in many ways (random conversations punctuated by snippets of sound and tape cutups). Another fine installment in the impeccable and ever-continuing "Cinema For The Ear" series. (Metamkine)

Rorschach Test-"Unclean" CD-A heavy metallic rock sound with programming that reminds me of WHITE ZOMBIE on several cuts...but luckily this Seattle group doesn't follow that lead through the entire album. RORSCHACH TEST's heavy rock sound is solid, but their songwriting doesn't quite hit the mark. Vocalist James has a coarse style that rivals that of labelmates DROWN or CLAY PEOPLE, and though he belts it out well enough, the songs (and drum machine) simply don't convince. Not quite there yet, but maybe next time. (Slipdisc)

Rosa Mota-Bionic CD-Punky-style indie rock in a variety of tempos. Aggressive but melodic and accessable. (Mute America)

Ros Bobos-Kissing Cannibals CS-A collection of entertaining and often humorous media snippets and pirated bits from radio broadcasts and old records with some suitably experimental music in the background. A surreal listening experience and an impressive tape. (Tulip Tapes)

Rose Chronicles-Happily Ever After CD-Absolutely gorgeous and atmospheric rock from this Canadian band that boasts the powerful vocals of Kristy Thirsk. The music is quite strong, never fitting into any pigeonhole or trend, while Thirsks vocals range from angelic to passionately screamed. A great disc! (Nettwerk)

John Rose-"Cosmogenesis" CD- This debut CD by a founder of the wonderful space/ambient group SPACECRAFT shows a different facet of the artist's work. Whereas his main group provides a distinctive blend of electronics and ambience, much of 'Cosmogenesis' consists of richly melodic and slowly-enveloping electronic fields, with sparse piano and dulcimer providing fragile and mysterious melodies. There are some of the 'cosmic' space music ties to his work with SPACECRAFT, and similarities to some ENO can be registered in spots, but Rose brings a more melodic, personal, and emotive edge to his soundscapes. 'O.B.E.', for example, is a touching soundtrack of introspectiveness that builds itself up to an inspiring conclusion. Marvelous and beautiful work! (Space For Music)

Rosetta Stone-Hiding In Waiting CD-New material and remixes here that mix their MISSION/ SISTERS sound with more modern electronics and noise. An improvement over other recent work. (Cleopatra)

Rosetta Stone -Tyranny Of Inaction CD-MISSION/SISTERS clones discover NIN, and subsequently rip off the Trent Reznor sound.(Cleopatra)

Rostiges Riesenrad / Aalfang Mit Pferdekopf - "Figuren in der Nacht..." CDR - This split-release from these German artists presents a series of experimental sound/noisescapes that function quite nicely as soundtracks to tense mystery or horror films. Opening with some smoldering atmospheres from ROSTIGES RIESENRAD, and following with similar tracks from AALFANG MIT PFEDERKOPF, this lengthy disc congeals well, as both artists' sounds blend into a cohesive whole. If dense, amorphous, and fairly abrasive (yet subtle) post-industrial textures are up your alley, this is a solid piece of work from some rising sound architects. (Aalfang Mit Pferdekopf)

Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR) - "etudes4violin&electronix" CD - As the title denotes, this is a provocative and forward-thinking mix of sounds and vibes from all over the musical map. On 'etudes..', Haitian-American violinist/composer Roumain collaborates with such folks as DJ Spooky, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Philip Glass, and the resulting music eloquently touches upon exotic soundtracks, cinematic out-jazz, and modern classical. There are some beautiful tracks here, like the ghostly dub-hop of 'Black Man Singing', or the gentle 'The Need To Be', featuring elegant piano courtesy of Sakamoto. The cheesy electronica/beat piece 'Fayetteville' (with DJ Scientific) is perhaps the least interesting here, but taken as a whole, 'etudes4violin&electronix' is a surefire winner, and something that's quite different than anything else I've heard before. Which makes it easily recommendable for those looking for mature, well-thought out sounds of a simultaneously beautiful AND experimental nature. (Thirsty Ear)

Rrope-"Mahagonny" CD-This indie rock act here releases a short (22 minute, 7 song) album of their quirky guitar-based rock. RROPE's music generally reminds me of classic, early SONIC YOUTH (circa "Bad Moon Rising"), when they would demolish their instruments fiercely in a whirlwind of primal energy. On the other hand, "Pocket Song" conjures images of a weird collab between SLINT and maybe Dave Yow or Les Claypool, if you can imagine that bastard pairing. RROPE have just the right amount of tension and melody. Likeable enough. (Silly Bird)

Ruby-"Altered & Proud (The Short-Staffed Remixes)" CD- Lesley Rankine is apparently quite the fan of remixes, as this is her second full-length remix album. Eschewing much of the vocals, these remixes/reinterpretations run the gamut from glitchy-fried weirdness to post-drum & bass to Warp-ed electro and everywhere in-between. Standouts include the KID 606 frenzied deconstruction/mutilation of 'Lilypad' and the entirely new mellow string version of 'Grace' by HER SPACE HOLIDAY. Other mixes emphasize the big funky trip-hop beats to point RUBY closer to the dancefloor than usual. Some cool stuff here, though lacking much of the substance of the original album. (Thirsty Ear)

Ruby-Salt Peter CD-Lesley Rankine (ex-SILVERFISH/PIGFACE) tries on her solo shoes with assistance from Mark Walk (PIGFACE,WELT) on this fine dance/rock/pop album. Much more personal and subtle than her past work, and ultimately more satisfying. (Work/Columbia)

Ruby-"Short-Staffed At The Gene Pool" CD- It's been a long 5 years since her last release, and RUBY mainwoman Lesley Rankine (along with musical foil Mark Walk) has delivered a sizzling follow-up to 'Salt Peter', with a musical maturity and slinky funk vibe that rises above. It's a cool, even jazzy dance-rock format, ripe with seductive electronica/trip-hop grooves and memorable pop hooks. The welcome addition of the ocassional trumpet, vibraphone, and trombone add another dimension to the proceedings, while Walk's production has been honed to perfection and Lesley's vocals are subtle and earthy. A definite step forwards from Lesley, and 'Short-Staffed' is as cool and as catchy a pop record as you're likely to hear this year. (Thirsty Ear)

Run Away From The Humans - "We Exist" CDEP - Featuring six songs in a sensitive indie-pop vein, this new trio from Philadelphia combines shoegazer-ish guitar pop with electronic/synthpop flourishes and emotive vocals for a sound that is reminiscent of stuff like DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE or MONSTER MOVIE. RAFTH write catchy songs that glisten and sparkle with a wide-eyed sensibility and naivete. From the opening track, the lovely 'Wake Up, Wake Up', the band creates a diverse and consistent series of tunes. 'Lost My Way' even manages to merge dance beats with anthmic Britpop. Much potential here, and I thoroughly enjoyed 'We Exist' from start to finish. (EX011 Records c/o Noreaster Media)

Carl Hancock Rux - "Good Bread Alley" CD - This excellent album of forward-thinking jazz/blues is a collection of grooves and ruminations on the human condition. Rux plays the role of philosopher/preacher/bluesman with aplomb, as his assembled cast of players (including DJ David Holmes and Vernon Reid) create wicked soundscapes that utilize aspects of old-time blues, gospel, jazz, soul, ambient, and rock. It's a stunning set, really, uplifting and powerful, while showcasing Rux's talent for spoken word as well as some strong harmonies and pop-song potential. 'Behind The Curtain' is a highlight, being a piano-led sort of post-rock inspirational tune, if you can imagine that. The dynamic 'All The Rock Stars (For Kurt Cobain)' is another strong track that could be a radio hit, in a just world. So much music fits neatly into stereotypes, but 'Good Bread Alley' shuns convention and creates human music without parameters. I think it's just great, thus you have my full recommendation. (Thirsty Ear)

Rx-"Bedside Toxicology" CD-The long-awaited collaboration between Ogre and Martin Atkins is a winner, combining Atkins' incredible drums and unique production with Ogre's oblique subject matter and expressively abstract lyrics. A faithful reproduction of SYD BARRETT's "Scarecrow" opens the proceedings, immediately throwing off any semblance of PUPPY-isms with only a simple acoustic guitar and Ogre's voice. Other tracks are reminiscent of recent PIGFACE, as Atkins' electronic production and drums are heavily in evidence. Ogre seems intent on learning to SING instead of scream on this album, which may surprise some listeners, although he's toyed with it on past PUPPY works as well as in PIGFACE in recent years. The diversity of "Bedside Toxicology" is a plus, as songs like "Crackhead Waltz" (a carnival loop/dirge that finds Ogre at his weirdest--and least successful) and the closer, "For Dusts and Mists", which is an excellent instrumental sound collage, illustrate. Ogre has taken a step forward with Rx, and I anxiously await his future projects. (Invisible)