If there is any band that simply refuse to rest on their laurels, it is Mogwai. The Scottish post-rock outfit has enjoyed the status of titans of their genre since the late nineties. Despite their widespread acclaim, Mogwai has continued to release new material at a seemingly exponential rate that would make any Radiohead fan jealous. It appears that the Glasgow quintet has a very comfortable and productive relationship with each other. There are, however, tradeoffs involved in this type of relationship. The solace of routine can narrow the disorderly paths to creativity. On Rave Tapes, Mogwai tend to straddle the line between retreading old material and pushing forward into unfamiliar territory. The album contains moments of middling routine-ness but is saved by the talent and artistry we have come to expect from Mogwai.

The album opens with the pleasingly minimalistic track “Heard About You Last Night,” the slow development and subtle textures of this song bring to mind the works of contemporary composers such as Arvo Part, and is a reminder as to why this band is so sought after for soundtrack work. The album drifts into electronic territory with the songs “Simon Ferocious” and “Remurdered," the latter sounding like it was inspired by the music of 1980s arcade games. 

Of course, anyone who has seen Mogwai's live show knows that this band is fond of drastic dynamic sweeps, with crescendos dominated by ear-splitting waves of distorted guitars. Rave Tapes shows flashes of this side of the band. Songs like “Hexon Bogon” and “Master Card” are urgent, guitar-driven, rockers, that beg to be played at high volume levels. The b-side drags a bit with songs like “Deesh” that are overly-repetitive and lack any kind of sonic payoff. “Blues Hour”, the only song to feature clean vocals, it starts off sounding like the band Low but slowly drifts into doom metal territory. Thankfully the album finishes strong with the song “The Lord is Out of Control”, a vocoder driven track that unfolds beautifully and is on par with some of best songs in the band's extensive catalogue.

While Rave Tapes does flirt with being formulaic, it is a formula that only Mogwai can pull off. For die-hard fans of the band, this album has a lot to offer and, like many of their albums, is rewarding to return to again and again. If you are not a fan of the band by now, this album won't change that. Mogwai has elected not to stray to far beyond what we have come to expect from them on Rave Tapes, for better or for worse. The results yield no surprises or disappointments.

Grade: B-

There is only one day remaining in this year, and a million more days to enjoy Medison’s 2013 Winter Mixtape. Released five days ago, Buffalo’s DJ Medison shows exemplary talent and fun in this new mix available to stream on his SoundCloud page.

The opening guitar riff puts a chuckle in the belly so you know its going to be amusing. Then after warming the Hip-Hop vibe, around the 9 minute mark Medison drops into this crazy Jersey Club and Juke combo with a DJ Irresistible edit of Trinidad James' “All Gold Everything.” My favorite part of the mix is at the 23:28 mark when we hear the Baaze remix of Yheti's “Crack the Window.” That song is nutty, like exhaling smoke and watching it dissipate out of a cracked car window with that unique and breathy synth line that totally trips you out! 

Medsion then transitions perfectly to Thrizzo's “Hotter Than Hot” and follows that up with SwaggleRock edit of the Baauer x RL Grime x Nelly's “Infinite Flaps” mashup. That part of the mix is so fun and so weird that it makes Blake Anderson momentarily enter your soul to dance in a bear suit! If you’re searching for something to listen to for that pre-game New Year’s Eve Party, this is an upbeat power hour. Of course if you like this, do NOT forget to check out WaxMusemRadio where you can hear DJ Medison every Thursday from 5-6 pm.

Mass Appeal 2013 is finally upon us tomorrow night, and here at buffaBLOG we are super stoked to be presenting the after-party to the main event, Heavy Rotation: a buffaBLOG Dance Party. This week, we have been previewing all the DJ acts we will be showcasing, and last but not least, is "Your Boy" MEDISON! DJ Medison has had a big impact on Electronic Dance Music and dance parties in Buffalo since first moving here. Co-founder of the Queen City Cartel, Medison, aka Steve Rittner, has always been willing to push the boundaries, and not allow his Buffalo compatriots to become complacent. From his experiences in Orlando and NYC, he has been extremely helpful in the growth of the music and fashion scene in Buffalo in his own unique way, and it is fitting that he be the selector (DJ) for MASS APPEAL 2013, the quintessential Buffalo event that highlights the relationship between music and fashion. 

Always keenly dressed, Steve brings cool with him wherever he goes, and when on the decks the party gets real. He will be spinning his mix of Dance and House music before, during, and especially after the event tomorrow night. When Heavy Rotation starts at approximately 9:45 you can catch Medison in the main room from 10:45 until Midnight! $5 at the door.

Accompanying George FitzGerald's latest track is a playful and seductive music video. Categorized by many critics as a step towards ordinary for the Berlin based British Producer, "I Can Tell (By The Way You Move)" is a club banger suitable for many moods. To go along with this track is a music video chronicling the night into daytime escapades of a group of German youths. The video compliments the heart of the music quite well and shows glimpses of faded Berlin night.

From their early days at the Pink to tomorrow night's buffaBLOG Summer Party, DJs Stephen Pieroni and Sean Heidinger, aka Spooky Business, have come a long way. After winning Artvoice's "Buffalo's Best DJ Crew," the pair have increased their street-cred around the Queen City, including a memorable set at 2013 Taste of Buffalo. With roots planted all down Allen, the two started by playing the Pink on Tuesdays, collecting a mixed audience. From there, they went on to numerous showcases and openings at Hardware becoming, in my opinion, the unofficial DJs of the bar's Back Room.

Myself, I first encountered Spooky Business playing in a hot-as-balls living room at the birD day's house. The crowd was pressed in and dancing on each other as Stephen and Sean laid down a healthy beating of rap songs.

Spooky Business is all about crowd pleasing. They play to the mood and atmosphere of the room, seemingly always bringing  the energy UP! They're style reaches all ends of the spectrum, from Hip-Hop to House and everything in between. Check out their fresh flavor at the party tomorrow night beginning at 10pm and running all night long. While not a video of Spooky Business exclusively, the clip below is from that party I had originally seen them:

Editor's note: If you missed any of this week's selections, you can check them out here.

James Wild

Album:  Justin Timberlake - The 20/20 Experience

Seven years after Timberlake released his masterpiece, FutureSex/Love Sounds, he has polished his already sterling composing ability. With the release of The 20/20 Experience earlier this year, he met the expectations of his fans and earned respect from the haters. Though highly publicized, the album lives up to the hype, proving to be a composition of songs that help to define Timberlake's catalog. The song "Mirrors," though extremely popular, is one of the most beautiful and meaningful songs I have ever heard.

Australia is quietly introducing new talents such as new Future Classic artist Charles Murdoch. In the early stages of coming to the forefront, he has been selected to open for artists like Shlohmo, Nicolas Jaar, and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. This song, "No Lungs," is exemplary of his Chill House and often atmospheric offerings. One can appreciate through the layering that each sound used is still detectable and thoughtful. With a melancholy, but uplifting melody, it's perfect for a gloomy cold Monday. 

Electronic jam super-group Conspirator have separated themselves from being just a spin-off of The Disco Biscuits. Forming in 2004, Disco Biscuits members Aaron Mangner and Marc Brownstien started a new musical journey that is now no-longer just a side project. Tonight, they are making what has become a common tour-stop at the Town Ballroom, one of their favorite venues to play in. Coming off their latest release, the Unleashed EP, the band has added Pendulum's tour drummer KJ Sawka along with Conspirator regular and Raq guitarist Chris Michetti. What's more is that on this tour, they have brought along their friends Break Science, Adam Deitch and Borahm Lee, whose duo has made waves and gained a lot of new fans in the electronic jam scene in the past two years. 

Both bands will take the stage with a high level of good energy, so if you are a fan of this type of music this is a show you would regret to miss. Even if you can appreciate talented live drumming, the quality of these two individuals performing tonight in Sawka and Deitch is paramount and again not to be passed over. Tickets are $20.00 in advance and can be found HERE through MNM Presents. Doors open at 7pm. The event is All Ages. Town Ballroom 681 Main st. Buffalo, NY.


friday 4/5
LOKI DNB & OHM ULTRA LOUNGE CUSTOMER APPRECIATION NIGHT
10p-4a
Free
OHM ULTRA LOUNGE
948 main st. Buffalo, NY
Good old fashion FREE danceparty with many styles of EDM featuring PAUL KUENZI, LOONEY TOONS, THE MICK, LOKI, and DA BUTCHA.

saturday 4/6