Montreal Band Karmadoza pays tribute to The B-52s

 

 

Paying great homage to the “world’s greatest party” band but forgoing the bouffant hairdos, progressive band Karmadoza’s latest album – “K-52s – A Tribute to The B-52s” – is chock full of splendid songs from the new wave rock pioneers The B-52s.  Karmadoza features a collection of Montreal’s hip accomplished musicians:  Guitarist Stéphane Vigeant (Floating Widget, Madking Ludwig, Groovy Aardvark), Vocalist Vicky Martel (Vénus 3, Killing Venus), Guitarist François Legendre (Paranoland, Groovy Aardvark, Lumberjack), Drummer Raphaël Corbeil (Madking Ludwig), and Bassist/Vocalist Vincent Peake (Kosmos, Floating Widget, Groovy Aardvark, Grim Skunk).

     Karmadoza’s eleven song album – currently available for download through www.emusic.com – features The B-52s classics of their signature anthem 52 Girls, Lava, and 6060-842 from their kitschy self-titled debut album.  Karmadoza’s 52 Girls version rivals that of the Offspring’s cover.  The rhythm section really savages the beat.  Vicky’s melodious vocals equally match both Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson.  Vincent `a la Fred Schneider harmoniously duets with Vicky, keeping the music as amusing as it should be.  The more psychedelic Private Idaho, Dirty Back Road, Strobe Light, and Give Me Back My Man – a campy song about a woman losing her “man” to a man-eating shark – from the “Wild Planet album”.  Karmadoza exhibit these absurd renditions in fabulous style.  My favorite cover is Channel Z, a quirky tune about a fictional radio station. 

     This album is the pursuit of fun loving pop culture at its best.  Rather than being nostalgic, the usually rock/metal influenced Karmadoza modernizes The B-52s sound without imitating it.  Their purpose is pure; the quality is inventive.  It’s a fresh, liberating musicianship as opposed to cheesy pop-tart art.  If The B-52s welded punk rock into new wave, then Karmadoza transformed new wave back into punk rock. 

     To find out more, please visit Karmadoza’s Myspace page at www.myspace.com/karmadoza.

 

Click here for a free download of “52 Girls”  http://www.karmadoza.com/K52/52_Girls.mp3
Enjoy!

The Kosmic Konnection – Kosmos Premiere Album Reviewed

Kosmos – a new project by Voivod drummer Michel “Away” Langevin – is dedicated to progressive music at its psychedelic best. Both friends and musicians, these guys must have launched together in the spaceship that traveled them back to atomic punk. All of them – experienced in their art – give them license to explore the genre further. Joining Away on his space odyssey is the flamboyant hip swiveling JetPhil giving us his smoky groove guitar playing, the omnipresent Vincent Peake providing his rocket-fueled bass, and Alex Crow, guitar extraordinaire and electrically-talented keyboardist.

Dedicated to Denis “Piggy” D’amour, Voivod’s singular guitarist, who succumbed to colon cancer in August 2005, the album’s 12 songs are each chock full of bizarre distortions set to the maximum level taking you on a time traveling journey. The first song, which happens to be my favorite, Psycho has flavors of 70s prog rock bands such as Yes and Rush. JetPhil captures Jeff Beck’s guitar sounds at his best and Alex Crow channels Rick Wakeman in this whirlwind ride. Dreams remind me of a lullaby high on laser beams while Grand Grizou flies the spaceship to the next galaxy. The space-induced whispers of Yawa leads into the cosmic shaman sounding Indu Kush complete with Indian chants and featuring Away’s notoriously thunderous drumming.

This mostly instrumental album also has a couple of tunes with vocals. The Mark Bolan-style bluesy Much Too Old featuring Xavier Caféϊne on vocals and the poetic spaced-out Amerique Innavouable showcasing Vince Peake’s incredible bass grooves. Krautrock is a generous tribute to all the Kraut rock bands like Hawkwind, Zombi, and Monster Magnet. Finishing the tour is rocket-fueled Septial and Mess Noire – a 70’s grooved song that’ll have you up and dancing wondering what happened to Be-ins.

The best thing about Kosmos is the dream journey they unwittingly take you on – letting you forget the troubles of today and finding a future in your tomorrows. Close your eyes and keep believing.

Please visit their website at www.myspace.com/kosmostheband.

Featured Band – The Asylum

THE ASYLUM – Hot Arizona Metal 

Looking for a great sound with an innovative crunch and ferocious complexity?  You’ll have that with The Asylum – an up and coming Phoenix-based heavy metal band.  Self-described as emotional, powerful, heavy and aggressive, The Asylum certainly live up to their expectations.  Reminiscent of old Metallica and Megadeth, they effectively break the sound barrier of mainstream metal.

Formed in the summer of 2005, the lineup consists of Jason Kendall’s spine chilling vocals, Vince LuPone’s faster than the speed of light guitar playing, Gerard Burick’ assailing thunderous bass and Dan Edwards’ head banging drums.

Recorded in Vince’s home studio, their debut album Closer to the Evil contains 11 songs of intense magnitude.  You can listen to a sampler at www.myspace.com/theasylummetalband.com.  The album starts with the riveting “This War Ends” which showcases each member’s talents.  Jason’s vocals sound like a pumped up Rob Zombie.  Mellower “Torn Apart” is The Asylum’s powerhouse ballad – metal style.  The album finishes with “Boundaries” a nine minute thought-provoking piece.  Lyrics are challenging with opalescent rendering.

The Asylum is currently touring Arizona, California, Nevada, and New Mexico with a few dates at the legendary Whiskey a Go-Go in Los Angeles.  Make an effort to join Jason Kendall in lacing up your straight jackets and go see them live.  Tickets are available for the Whiskey shows at their MySpace page.  

The Asylum – “This War Ends” live at the Whisky a Go Go

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Current tour dates are as follows:

Upcoming Shows ( view all )

Aug 10 2007

9:00P

Andersons Fifth Estate Scottsdale, Arizona

Aug 15 2007

10:30P

Whisky a Go Go Los Angeles, California

Aug 24 2007

10:30P

Alice Cooperstown Phoenix, Arizona

Sep 28 2007

11:15P

Whisky a Go Go Los Angeles, California

Oct 27 2007

11:00P

Club Red Tempe, Arizona

 Please visit their websites at www.TheAsylumFans.net or www.myspace.com/theasylummetalband.com.