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In 2004 experimental rock band Battles released the material they had recorded to date on three EPs on three different labels nearly simultaneously. The first of those was Tras, which could better be described as a single with "Tras" as the A-side and "Fantasy" as the B-side. It was released on Los Angeles indie label Cold Sweat, followed by the five-song EP B, released on L.A.'s Dim Mak, and EP C, also five songs, on Monitor out of Maryland. An unusual strategy to be sure, but apparently effective since venerable electronica uber-label Warp Records subsequently released the combined material from B and C in 2006 and signed the band for future releases. The omission of the two songs found here may result in their becoming somewhat of a collector's item, which is unfortunate because Tras perfectly captures the Battles ethos, if not its formula, as this enigmatic ensemble of indie rock veterans refuses to pigeonhole its sound. Comprised of former Don Caballero guitarist Ian Williams, former Helmet/current Tomahawk drummer John Stanier, former Lynx guitarist Dave Konopka, and multi-instrumentalist/vocal sampler Tyondai Braxton, son of avant-garde jazz musician Anthony Braxton, this supergroup fairly defines experimental/instrumental rock and its limitless possibilities; songs vary greatly in approach and appear in multiple "versions" which may or may not resemble each other, constantly shapeshifting according to whims that exist far outside the rock rule book. Casting limitations aside, however, does not result in formlessness; rather, songs like "Tras" have a palpable swing that usually doesn't exist in the avant-garde world. Beginning with a circular guitar riff and its harmonic echo, "Tras" careens through rhythms bouncing back and forth between live drum kit and sampler crunch and synth squiggle, punctuated by handclaps and percussive bursts throughout its 3:40 length. At over nine minutes, "Fantasy" is a study in polar opposites, its minimalist percussion workout being the antithesis to the Technicolor chug of "Tras." Consisting of nothing but sampled beats and vocal hisses marked by the occasional staccato keyboard stabs, it results in a more greyed-out composition that wears on the listener before it even reaches its halfway point. Definitely worthwhile for the completist, but newcomers should start with the EP C/B compilation. ~ Brian Way
In 2004, experimental rock band Battles released the material they had recorded to date on three EPs on three different labels nearly simultaneously. The first of those was Tras, which could better be described as a single with "Tras" as the A-side and "Fantasy" as the B-side. It was released on Los Angeles indie label Cold Sweat, followed by the five-song B EP, released on L.A.'s Dim Mak, and EP C, also five songs, on Monitor out of Maryland. An unusual strategy to be sure, but apparently effective since venerable electronica uber-label Warp Records subsequently released the combined material from B and C in 2006 and signed the band for future releases. The omission of the two songs found here may result in their becoming somewhat of a collector's item, which is unfortunate because Tras perfectly captures the Battles ethos, if not its formula, as this enigmatic ensemble of indie rock veterans refuses to pigeonhole its sound. Comprised of former Don Caballero guitarist Ian Williams, former Helmet/current Tomahawk drummer John Stanier, former Lynx guitarist Dave Konopka, and multi-instrumentalist/vocal sampler Tyondai Braxton, son of avant-garde jazz musician Anthony Braxton, this supergroup fairly defines experimental/instrumental rock and its limitless possibilities; songs vary greatly in approac
Battles: John Stanier, Tyondai Braxton, Ian Williams , David Konopka.
Audio Mixers: Emery Dobyns; Battles.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Ian Williams ; John Stanier; Tyondai Braxton; David Konopka.
This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. Battles Tras Songs | 1. | Tras | $0.99 | |
| 2. | Fantasy | $1.99 | |
| 3. | [Untitled Track] | |
| 4. | [Untitled Track] | |
| 5. | [Untitled Track] | |
| 6. | [Untitled Track] | |
| 7. | [Untitled Track] | |
| 8. | [Untitled Track] | |
| 9. | [Untitled Track] | |
| 10. | [Untitled Track] | |
| 11. | [Untitled Track] | |
| 12. | Tras | $0.99 | |
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Tras Review
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Purchase Tras CD To buy, Click on price to add to cart | Don Caballero What Burns Never Returns CD (1998)
Tras album
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Yet another testament of pure musical genius from the wizards of Don Caballero. This album -- probably their greatest effort to date and a keystone instrumental album -- will make musicians stand open-mouthed ...
| | Don Caballero American Don CDs (2000)
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Before, listening to Don Caballero felt similar to being beaten over the head with a huge baseball bat of pure audible genius: often too overwhelming and complicated for your average music listener to listen to for very long, much less understand. With American Don, it seems that the baseball bat has been traded in for a pillow, and instead of beating they are slowly smothering. Much of the aggressive bite of the music has been simmered out: distortion is much more rare, time changes have been minimized, even the notoriously breakneck drumming of Damon Che has been sedated. The only piece that seems most similar to the styles they had established before is the extremely quirky and choppy "Details on How to Get ICEMAN on Your License Plate"; the rest only briefly moves through familiar places, instead choosing to uproot and shapeshift in listeners' collective faces. Those familiar with Ian and Eric's other ...
| | Gastr Del Sol Camoufleur CD (1998)
Tras music CDs
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Along with fellow Chicagoans Tortoise, Gastr Del Sol has managed to create an indie-rock audience for progressive music. On this release, the last with multi-instrumentalist and producer Jim O'Rourke, the group's music is more melodic and concise than in the past. But at the same time, the group retains its dedication to experimenting with song forms and production techniques.
Augmented by friends and hired hands who play a variety of instruments, Gastr aims for the grand pop of Van Dyke Parks on tracks like "The Seasons Reverse" and "Each Dream ...
| | Battles EP C CD (2004) Extended Play
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| | Battles Mirrored CD (2007)
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If modern day indie music appears to consist of an endless queue of groups that are either bland emo retreads or glitzy disco punkers, it is then that much more refreshing to encounter a band like Battles. With a lineage that consists of some of indie rock's most accomplished musicians, Battles is a veritable neo-prog supergroup, though one that embraces the possibilities of technology used in tandem with instrumental virtuosity.
MIRRORED, the band's debut full-length makes its intent clear from the onset--to ingest 50 years of rock history and regurgitate it as fractilized micro-symphonies. Rhythms bounce whimsically from motorik krautrock beats to glammed up T. Rex shuffles; such stop-on-a-dime surprises seem to be offered ...
| | Duran Duran Notorious CD (1986)
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1986's Notorious has Andy Taylor contributing on only four songs before leaving to start his solo career, but on the strength of the title track's number two placing and "Skin Trade's number 39 mark, the album itself peaked at number 12 in the U.S. and number 16 in the U.K. On the whole, only "Notorious" showed any real livelihood, thanks to its modern gleam and the catchy stutter of its chorus. "Skin Trade" is almost as worthy, thanks to its sultry, seductive air and enchanting but complex ...
| | Humpers Journey To The Center Of Your Wallet CD (1994)
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| | Vince Jones On The Brink Of It CD (1998)
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| | Carol R U Ready~ 4 Da Streets Vol. 1 CD (2006)
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"The Truth", aka Carol Christian, is reintroducing versatility, and originality to entertainment! Emotion, experience, learning, teaching, and understanding; Life is expressed in her music!!! Carol is from Georgia, and is heavily rooted in many genres of music such as R&B, Soul, Hip- Hop, Funk, Pop, Inspirational, and Gospel music. Over time these genres conceived this Hip-Hop/Soul and R&B Diva. With her voice, lyrics, ambitious drive, and beauty, Carol is making an impressive entrance into the world of music! Carol began singing, for family and friends, at the age of 3, then later in church with her sisters at the age of 7-16. They formed a group that would allow Carol to grow lyrically, and show her creativity and passion for entertaining others. Carol began to create rhythms, melodies, and with the help of her sisters , at age 9, wrote her first song! She began dancing and playing instruments (drums/percussion) in middle school and continues to teach herself and learn from others. Informally trained, but fortunate enough to be surrounded by many talented people! Carol knew that if she wanted to learn she would have to pay attention! She's learning and working hard! "It's a challenge, but this is the life i chose and i'm up for the challenge!", says Carol. With a title like "The Truth" it is clear that as an entertainer, and a young woman, she believes in honesty! I love myself and I, too, want the love of others- It's the greatest gift that God has given us all!" Carol explains. Some say she came from nowhere, but Carol, like most artists/entertainers, is a product of her environment. Carol has been expressing herself through music all of her life. Being from "A small city called Albany, GA.!" (Field Mob). Carol has had many life changing experiences. Carol uses all of those experiences (good or bad) to write her lyrics! "When you are reciting real life you can't go wrong!" says Carol. She also uses her experience as a percussionist to create melodic patterns with her lyrics! She is no newcomer to the music scene, just one who has been ...
| | Andrew Lloyd Webber Gold CD (2006) (Import)
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| | Adam Freeland Global Underground: Mexico City CDs (2007) Limited Edition
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DJ Adam Freeland initially cut his teeth within the burgeoning U.K. breakbeat scene; becoming an in-demand producer, he scored ...
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