From Mont Ventoux To Todmorden

 

In 2023, the Nuremberg-based band Konformer released one of the best LPs of the year with their debut album. After a three-year hiatus, they have now released their second album, which they have simply titled Konformer II. 

Not much has changed. The three members continue to play instrumental music whose driving sound is a direct nod to krautrock, before drifting off into psychedelic realms. But these days, it’s quite something to maintain the standard you set on your debut. 

They do have one unique selling point. I don’t know of any other band that has written a song named after the town – Todmorden – where they’re due to play in two months’ time.

This Year In Music - Part V

 

Here comes the rest of the show of albums that impressed me very much this year. Slowdive is a band that was named together with other shoegaze bands but for me they were always Mogwai's little brother that could also play great ballads over extended guitar and synth patterns. everything is alive could be their breakthrough to a wider audience.

Konformer is a three piece band from Nuremberg, Germany that I got aware by recommendation by Adam from Bagging Area earlier this year. Five instrumentals on their self titled LP are all awesome, just because I don't know any band at this time making cosmic and dark inspired music like they do.

Kevin Rowland is back with another album I bought blind before I ever heard any song of it. Just because he can't make any worse record for me. And my high expectations were fulfilled. Northern soul inspired songs alternate with intimate ballads. Certainly a record that will be played often at my place.

 

David Holmes was very busy this year and while I prepared this list he released Blind On A Galloping Horse an album that is ahead of many others. Together with Raven Violet he showed his spectrum in electronic music. There was no filler on this record and probably a masterpiece.

From Edinburgh multi-instrumentalist John Brydon appeared as Eyes Of Other, a band many people could agree. It is impressive how many ideas he combined into a very unique sound. One of those albums you could play in a row without getting bored.

Monday's Long Song

 

Yesterday Adam posted a mix of songs he reviewed the albums for Ban Ban Ton Ton blog. I have to admit that most of the artists were new to but and all worth to listen. But one band sticks out. Konformer is a three piece band from Nuremberg, Germany celebrating classic krautrock joining with dark sounds and the robotic of Kombynat Robotron (another recommendable band). Read Adam's the superb review here.