RecommNeds | The Amazing, Papir & Bright Light Social Hour

Words By: Aaron “Neddy” Stein

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Jams nouveaux

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The Amazing: Picture You

I had high hopes for the new album from Swedish jammers and RecommNeds veterans, The Amazing, and they did not disappoint in the least. Reflecting the mood of its cover, Picture You is an album of infinite shades of sleek Scandinavian grey finding subtle beauty in its shading. This is the new prog: evocative and dreamy, patient and powerful. What really struck me on first listen is the masterful drumming on this album, it’s somehow both at the forefront of the sound and yet entirely understated. Picture You is an album to be listened to beginning to end on repeat for a week or two. One of my favorites of 2015’s first quarter.

Rdio: http://www.rdio.com/artist/The_Am azing/album/Picture_You/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5W c6k0uTvL4C0zaccreJVQ

Rhapsody: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/the-amazing/album/picture-you-ptkf

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Papir: Live at Roadburn

You there! JamBase reader! You like jams right? Well, open wide for the latest offering from Papir. The Danish trio played three sets at last year’s Roadburn Festival and for those of us who weren’t there, thankfully the tapes were rolling resulting in this live release. These are hair-raising, blood-pumping, adrenaline-draining jams; each 10+ minutes of pure improv with names like “Live 1” or “Monday” that can all be described as sick! This is a recording of a band at their psychedelic peak that leaves me with just one question: how can we get some live Papir over here in the States?

Rdio: http://www.rdio.com/artist/Papir/albu m/Live_at_Roadburn/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6yg 9wNG9cis4aJwA0NDfPg

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The Bright Light Social Hour: Space Is Still the Place

I’ve been on the hard sell for The Bright Light Social Hour for several years now, but they haven’t had a new album since I first got into them. Thankfully, the wait was worth it, as the Austin quartet has delivered the goods with Space Is Still the Place. The sound is a gooey concoction of old school Southern rock, stoner daydreams and boogie-down electronic dance music. While their live shows are chaotic fun, this studio version of TBLSH reveals some stellar songwriting and a maturing sound… and, for sure, is still a pretty good time in the end.

Rdio: http:/ /www.rdio.com/artist/The_Bright_Light_Social_Hour/album/Space_Is_Still_the_Place/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/65h woi3mrKta30Hd0pyTCg

Rhapsody: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/the-bright-light-social-hour