While there can be
different factors that make reviewing some bands easier or harder, it is
nonetheless pretty simple that if a band or band member follows me, they get on
the review list. When an agent or label follows me, that becomes somewhat
trickier. That happened in January when I was followed by Fluttery Records.
They have a lot of
artists, but what they also have is a pretty extensive free sampler up on
Bandcamp. I decided I would review that.
One of the first descriptors
they use is ambient, generally right after post-rock. That could work for some
of the tracks, but don't let it put you off. Most of the tracks have tunes and
melodies. While they might in some cases take more inspiration from classical
music, incorporating violins or non-traditional instruments, most bands still
sound capable of a broad appeal.
That may come about in
surprising ways. For example, "Irradia" by En Plein Air starts out
with a dark bass line that could easily start a Three Doors Down song. Instead
it brings in violin, then a counterpoint to that with dramatic percussion. The
song becomes an instrumental meditation that leaves you with heightened
alertness and senses. The overall effect is not rock, even if many of the
track's individual elements would fit comfortably into rock.
It is not unusual for the
tracks to be instrumental, and often quite long, fitting in with Fluttery's
experimental side. That is not a rule; "Molecula's Dance" by Olekksii
runs barely more than a minute. They may also pull in more bands from other
countries, though I may just be assuming that based on some names.
For the record, if I had
decided to listen to the sampler for the purpose of picking an artist to review
(as opposed to reviewing the sampler) I would probably have ended up reviewing
Mooncake or Neko Nine.
But you never really
know.
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