Big Rock Finish… reviews of independent music

A brief explanation for the uninitiated. Eclectic Method essentially pioneered the art of audio-visual mixing and redefined what it means to move a crowd. Beginning with their experimental splicing of U2’s “Mysterious Ways” video with the Beastie Boys’ “Intergalactic,” Eclectic Method’s exploration of cutting and pasting disparate sounds and images revolutionized our collective experience of music, politics, pop culture, and life in general.

Case-in-point: groundbreaking viral videos featuring cut and looped reimaginings of works by everyone from Quentin Tarantino to Wu-Tang Clan.

www.eclecticmethod.net

On April 1, 2011, The Apollo Effect finalized their negotiations and are now celebrating the signing of their worldwide contract with the Spectra Records family. Finishing touches are being put on their new cd, “Escape Plan” which is due for release mid-summer 2011.

Needless to say we’re pretty jacked about it, knowing Escape Plan will be given a proper release with focus on the U.S. market as well as international markets. Because of Spectra’s game plan, the album won’t be released officially until mid-summer. However, that gives us a little more time to make a few additions to the album that otherwise might have been set aside. Still, it will definitely be worth the wait.

We are getting set to start filming a video for Night Time (from the new disc Escape Plan). Toronto film maker Jimmy Keegan will be directing the video which is going to be a pretty intense little piece of cinema.

www.theapolloeffect.com

We predict very big things for this band who has already gained notable press and highlights such as a placement in the season finale of MTV’S “Skins”
, Metromix
, Paste Magazine’s “Top 100 @ SXSW”
, Filter
, RCRD LBL
, Creative Loafing
, YouTube Feature
, AOL Spinner Listening Party
, Much Music “First Spin”

and an ever growing army of fans throughout the U.S and the world!

http://www.facebook.com/littletybee

MarilynMusic is the partnership of musicians/composers Michael Gaines and Casey Conrad. Gaines and Conrad created MarilynMusic to combine their knowledge and love of a broad range of musical genres with the tastes of today’s pop audience. The prolific team has numerous tracks expertly produced, with new material constantly being created. Gaines and Conrad collaborate on every aspect of the music from the writing to the finished production.

www.marilynmusic.net

After forming in 2002, the collective of musicians that comprise Theta Naught have continued to push their own idea of improvisational, experimental, instrumental music into new realms. They have recorded and released five albums on the Differential Records label: Something Scientific, Abacus, Sound Weave, Naught Christmas, and Omnium- Gatherum. Their music has also been featured on a variety of compilation albums, and television and film scores. Drawing influence from a wide spectrum of art and science, the group has been compared to a cross-genre hybrid of acts like J.S. Bach, Faith No More, Miles Davis, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Pink Floyd, and more. No strangers to collaboration, Theta Naught has been involved with performances and recordings featuring the addition of movement, light, and voice, by means of dancers, projectionists, films, poets, word-shakers, et cetera.

www.thetanaught.org

Photography by Maurice

Since forming in 1999, My Education has released 5 full-length albums, a 12″ vinyl collaboration with avant-hip hop duo Dalek, several singles, and numerous compilation appearances. Recordings have been remixed by members of bands Kinski, Pelican, the Red Sparowes and Dalek. Several tours have ensued, all over the United States and into Canada. Albums include 5 Popes, Italian, Moody Dipper, Bad Vibrations and the latest, Sunrise, out on Strange Attractors Audio House in the USA & Canada and on Golden Antenna in Europe. Touring vets who have shared the stage with A Place to Bury Strangers, Kinski, Bardo Pond, Maserati, Red Sparowes, Dalek, The Black Angels, Warpaint, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, This Will Destroy You, Sleepy Sun, White Denim, Radar Bros., Eluvium, Sian Alice Group, Don Caballero, Trans AM and more!

www.myeducationmusic.com

Sweden’s number one purveyors of sweet pop melodies are back! It’s been nearly six years since Acid House Kings graced us with a new album, but perfection takes time. And that is exactly what these delightful human beings have delivered with their fifth studio album, Music Sounds Better with You, which dropped March 22. In 2005 the Kings released Sing Along with the Acid House Kings. With the mantra “untrendy is the new trend,” the album was considered by many to be the Kings’ crown jewel, the quintessential representation of upbeat, bookish sensitivity coupled with an unparalleled understanding of what it means to craft catchy pop tunes.

www.acidhousekings.com