The Hylozoists - L’Île de Sept Villes:  This 2009 effort from Toronto based instrumental collective is based on Paul Chaisson’s book The Island Of Seven Cities.  After much archaeological research trouncing about in the wayfarlands of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Chaisson argues that  a Chinese presence existed in North America long before the arrival of European colonizers in the 15th century.  The album feels like a field trip through Northeastern Canada set to lush classical arrangements (with a bit of 60s French jazz thrown in for good measure).  A great album for late Summer days.  Here’s the title track (respect the hand claps!!!):

World’s End Girlfriend – Seven Idiots: Katsuhiko Maeda has to be one of the most talented neo-classical composers producing music today.  If you’re wondering what neo-classical sounds like . . . in World’s End Girlfriend’s case it sounds like – as my friend Ben put it – a full chamber orchestra accompanied by Aphex Twin.  I’m not even going to try and do justice to reviewing or even describing this album.  It is a lot different from his earlier work like Hurtbreak Wonderland (which is amazing).  This album is quite complex and interweaves lots of guitars, synths, classical strings, driving 4-4 beats and glitches galore.  I can’t describe it so you should just listen:

Clem Snide – Clem Snide’s Journey:  Everything about this EP by Eef Barzelay is fantastic.  Wanna know why?  Because the entire 6-song record is comprised of Journey covers – JOURNEY COVERS. . . not to mention it was funded as a project on Kickstarter.  Songs include “Anyway You Want It”, “Don’t Stop Believing”, “Faithfully”, “Lights”, “Wheel in the Sky”, and “Who’s Crying Now”.  If you’re accustomed to some of the more dramatic arrangements from albums like 2001′s The Ghost of Fashion, look elsewhere.  Barzelay’s voice moves slowly, sorrowfully, mournfully through most of the tracks.  I dig it the most . . . but then again, I’m a Journey fan!

Miaou - The Day Will Come Before Long:  I’ve been in love with Miaou for a long time.  I first came across their work while teaching a class on Western World Literature pre-1600.  I had a copy of the 1911 Liguoro filmic representation of Dante’s Inferno.  While the film itself was silent, I thought it might be an interesting experiment to give it a soundtrack.  I turned to songs from Happiness and Painted.  It was really lovely and the students certainly appreciated it.  There are even guest vocals on two tracks from Ben Holton (Epic45) and Ben Cooper (Electric President).  Miaou are my favorite Japanese postrock band (even better than Mono for me!) and I really believe this is the best release they’ve put out to date.   Here’s two for preview: