bruno

Digital Cloud is a CD-r label, DIY in the most literal sense. With that in mind, it’s not surprising that a fair number of the bands on this compilation also fall within the DIY aesthetic. Many of the tracks are home-recorded in a variety of fidelities, from lo-fi to hi-fi. That’s not the only way this comp is eclectic. In a span of three tracks, it goes from a piano-based Anglo-American folk tradition-like ballad (Beatbeat Whisper) to a lo-fi casiotone for the marginally melancholy song (Megamoog) to a glitchy electro post rock tune (The Tomatometers). If there was an attempt to characterize this comp, it’d be that it leans toward the lo-fi and songs with Casio-like beats. That’s still leaving a lot of room for variation, I know.
Another thing one notices immediately is the lack of big names. I know a few of these bands, sure, but even as someone that prides himself with being familiar with a lot of bands, I have to claim ignorance on many of these. Just because this doesn’t have your favorite big indie band on it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check it out; rather it acts to show you new bands once you give it a chance.
The highlights of the compilation are almost too numerous to list. The Fits’ “Sign Language” is an upbeat organ-and-guitar rocker with a familiar-sounding and catchy chorus. The French-language “Je Suis un Petit Lapin” by Little Naps has lovely-but-campy synths and beats along with a nice female-lead vocals. Messes’ “I was Right” is perhaps the highlight of the comp; a medium tempo fingerpicked guitar lies under a breathy male vocal which is accompanied by a female vocal during the chorus. It’s simple and beautiful. Beatbeat Whipser’s English acapella-turned-piano-folk ballad shows the talents of this talented local group. The final track, The Tomatometers’ “Sunrise_1.0? is a really nice instrumental track that falls somewhere between the melodic electronica of IDM and the minimalism of post-rock.