Exposé Online

A Beautiful Day in Mill Valley —
The David and Linda LaFlamme Interview

While his musical resumé is lengthy and varied, ranging from symphony orchestras and pop bands to jazz ensembles and improvisational work, David LaFlamme is best known as the violin and lead voice of the legendary San Francisco band It’s a Beautiful Day, whose debut album in 1969 produced the FM radio hits “White Bird” and “Hot Summer Day,” a powerful musical statement that has stood the test of time.  » Read more
(Posted by Peter Thelen 2003-12-01)

Visions and Dreams —
The Edgar Froese Interview

To use an overused yet highly appropriate cliché, Edgar Froese is truly a man who needs no introduction. As founding member of the immensely successful band Tangerine Dream, he practically invented and defined a new genre of music, which still defies easy categorization. Whether you call it electronic music, electronic rock, space music, kraut rock, or (shudder) new age or whatever, Froese and one-time TD member Klaus Schulze were the true forerunners who would spawn a generation of loyal followers, fans who buy their music as well as musicians who strive to imitate their classic sound, particularly from their arguably most innovative period in the 70s and 80s. Now going over 35 years strong and with his son Jerome at the co-helm, Edgar was kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule and answer a few questions for Exposé.  » Read more
(Posted by Phil Derby 2003-12-01)

2 by Bukowski - Drink from My Bastard Grail

After reviewing two of this Greek post-rock outfit’s previous...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 2003-12-01)

Agalloch - The Mantle

Black metal often joins the wallop of heavy, dense rock and roll with occult overtones that stretch back to 70s Black Sabbath. Because of this very tenet the genre is often maligned and...

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(Posted by Jeff Melton 2003-12-01)

Anekdoten - Gravity

The most distinctive things about Anekdoten have always been overdriven bass, Mellotron, cello, and the vocals. This CD answers the question of what happens when you remove two of those elements,...

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(Posted by Jon Davis 2003-12-01)

Anekdoten - Gravity

I was heavily into this band, but it’s been about ten years since Vemod. Time has passed and I can...

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(Posted by Dane Carlson 2003-12-01)

Anekdoten - Gravity

I sense the members of Anekdoten believe they’re close enough in sound and style to successful mainstream groups that it wouldn’t take much to push them into a larger public spotlight....

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(Posted by Paul Hightower 2003-12-01)

Ars Nova Biogenesis Project - Biogenesis

Biogenesis is the kind of overblown sci-fi epic that has both a built-in audience and legions of detractors. The fact that it comes from Japan’s Ars Nova, not exactly known for...

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(Posted by Jon Davis 2003-12-01)

Ars Nova Biogenesis Project - Biogenesis

Biogenesis marks the sixth release for this Japanese trio. And if nothing else it’s not just “another ArsNova CD.” Keiko Kumagai’s brush with the master of...

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(Posted by Dane Carlson 2003-12-01)

Audra - Going to the Theatre

Audra is the stylishly gothic venture of brothers Bret and Bart Helm who originally hailed from Chicago. Going to the Theatre is the trio’s second CD after three West Coast tours and...

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(Posted by Jeff Melton 2003-12-01)

Birdsongs of the Mesozoic - The Iridium Controversy

Birdsongs is back! The lineup hasn’t changed since Petrophonics: Eric...

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(Posted by Jim Chokey 2003-12-01)

Birdsongs of the Mesozoic - The Iridium Controversy

If music can evoke various images, ideas, and concepts, such as nature, history, war, culture, concepts from literature, and so on, then the music of Birdsongs of the Mesozoic — for this...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 2003-12-01)

Birdsongs of the Mesozoic - The Iridium Controversy

This new offering from my favorite prehistoric animal noise group certainly lives up to the high standards of their previous releases, and over the long term may turn out to be one of my favorites....

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(Posted by Jon Davis 2003-12-01)

Blast4tet - Altrastrata

I’ve never heard Blast before, but a couple of the members were part of the group Otolithen, whom some readers...

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(Posted by Mike Ezzo 2003-12-01)

Brandywine Bridge - An English Meadow

English trio Brandywine Bridge released its LP, An English Meadow, in 1978. The album, just reissued by Kissing Spell, contained twelve original songs penned in the style of traditional...

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(Posted by Jim Chokey 2003-12-01)

Brannan Lane / Ashera - Sextant

Why is it that I always end up reviewing CDs like this late at night? In fact I’ll probably be conked out long before the disc is finished; fortunately I’ve been playing this one at...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 2003-12-01)

Brazelton / Naphtali - What Is It Like to Be a Bat?

The opening tracks offer sweet bits of melodic a capella and seemingly lighthearted lyrics mixed with grinding industrial guitars, experimental ambient bits and noisy cacaphonic interludes, all...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 2003-12-01)

Brian Auger's Oblivion Express - Happiness Heartaches

The latter incarnation of Oblivion Express (led by Hammond B3 player extraordinaire Brian Auger) was characterized by soulful blues-rock, percussion, and danceable grooves. Ex-Return to Forever...

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(Posted by Jeff Melton 2003-12-01)

Cast - Al-Bandaluz

By this time, many readers will know what to expect from Mexico's Cast: complex, keyboard-heavy neo-progressive with lots of odd meters. They've stuck to that for what seems like twenty or...

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(Posted by Jon Davis 2003-12-01)

Cherno - Missing Illusion, Trigonometric Reactor & Slight Trick All Around

At its core, Cherno is the duo of Shin Sugawara (sax, wind synth) and Junichi Kishimoto (guitar, guitar synths, drum programming), sometimes joined by other players, track and disc depending...

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(Posted by Peter Thelen 2003-12-01)