I Break Horses - Chiaroscuro [12", LP]

CHIAROSCURO, the second album by I BREAK HORSES, came out in January this year. Two and half years after their debut Hearts, which was one of my favourite albums of 2011. And i must say that this one also has become one of my favourites of this year. Not sure if it will end up in my Top 10 of 2014, but i've still got some weeks to think about that. Compared to Hearts, it's just as electronic - but on the other hand sounds ten times more electronic. Any connections with shoegaze like they had in the past have disappeared, however Medicine Brush would come close to dreampop if it wasn't for the beats and elecronica. A grower, this album. Put on your headphones and let it get under your skin.

Label: Bella Union
Cat.nr.: BELLAV428
Year of release: 2014

SIDE A:
01. You Burn
02. Faith
03. Ascension
04. Denial
05. Berceuse

SIDE B:
01. Medicine Brush
02. Disclosure
03. Weigh True Words
04. Heart To Know

I Break Horses - Hearts [12", LP]

This debut album HEARTS by I BREAK HORSES was released at the end of summer last year and is one of my favourite albums of 2011. This Swedish band (a duo actually; Maria Lindén and Fredrik Balck) came up with a great album filled with electronic shoegaze/dreampop/chillwave. Some songs remind me a bit of Cocteau Twins; undefinable vocals over dreamy soundscapes. But then most of the times with a solid electronic beat. Great stuff and i hope there'll be more coming out from them soon.

Label: Bella Union
Cat.nr.: BELLAV 289
Year of release: 2011

SIDE A:
01. Winter Beats
02. Hearts
03. Wired
04. I Kill Your Love, Baby!

SIDE B:
01. Pulse
02. Cancer
03. Load Your Eyes
04. Empty Bottles
05. No Way Outro

Various Artists - The Psychedelic Sounds Of The Sonic Cathedral [12", LP]

This limited awesome compilation album on yellow vinyl has the subtitle: A Tribute To Roky Erickson And The 13th Floor Elevators. And that's what it is. Thirteen songs in total; the first one being a live recording from 2008 by The Black Angels and the master himself. Furthermore some real good covers like the ones by A Place To Bury Strangers, Dead Meadow, Black Acid (Richard "Death In Vegas" Fearless' other band), I Break Horses (this was the first time i heard of this great band) and Le Volume Courbe (with Kevin Shields).

Label: Sonic Cathedral
Cat.nr.: SCR 013
Year of release: 2010

SIDE A:
01. ROKY ERICKSON & THE BLACK ANGELS - Roller Coaster
02. THE STRANGE ATTRACTORS - Reverberation (Doubt)
03. ALL THE SAINTS - Don't Fall Down
04. A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS - Tried To Hide
05. DEAD MEADOW - Kingdom Of Heaven
06. DARKER MY LOVE - She Lives (In A Time Of Her Own)
07. SARABETH TUCEK - Splash (Now I'm Home)

SIDE B:
01. FIRE ENGINE - Lower Heaven
02. HUSH ARBORS - Dr Doom
03. CHEVAL SOMBRE - You Don't Love Me Yet
04. LE VOLUME COURBE (w/ KEVIN SHIELDS) - I Love The Living You
05. BLACK ACID - Unforced Peace
06. I BREAK HORSES - Goodbye Sweet Dreams