Big Business

Following two albums of frenzied beats, thunderous bass, and epics howls, the punishing rhythm section known as Big Business has officially bestowed the title of third member to touring guitarist Toshi Kasai.

Between the addition of Kasai and the band's natural progression, the group's third album, Mind the Drift, is its "weirdest, most epic album yet" according to indefatigable drummer Coady Willis.  And that's a welcome direction, because even the best of artists grow tiresome when they become stagnant.

Kasai's presence is easily detected via prominent, quasi-clean guitar lines that undulate high above Willis and bassist Jared Warren's familiar murk and mire.  Bits of organ and bizarre vocal moments additionally separate Mind the Drift from its predecessors, and purposeful restraint is evident on nearly every track.

"The Drift" and "Ayes Have It" are semi-operatic singalongs that showcase Warren's vocals and will be instant favorites. Yet the rumbling distortions remain, comprising the backdrop for much of Big Business' newfound experimentation.  Mind the Drift may polarize fans, but it's far from leaving the trio as unrecognizable.

Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra: Take Off! (Alien Transistor)

Led by 25-year-old German composer Daniel Glatzel, the Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra is a 20-piece modern classical ensemble with its hands in film scores, jazz, and much more.  For reference, Glatzel cites videogames and elevator music as influences alongside Béla Bartók and Arnold Schoenberg.

Take Off! is a beautiful and dazzling creation, romping through playful orchestrations, big-band swing, foreboding soundtrack cues, sad string arrangements, and more.  Without prior knowledge, one might mistake it to be the work of someone forty years Glatzel's senior.

Music fans may recognize the ensemble's work with The Notwist for its live album and newest effort, The Devil, You & Me. Shortly enough, however, the industry should take notice of Glatzel and his masterful creations.

Jeremy Enigk: OK Bear (Lewis Hollow)

Scaling back a bit from the instrumental overdubs of albums past, former Sunny Day Real Estate frontman Jeremy Enigk mostly employs a minimalist rock lineup (plus piano) for his newest solo release.

Enigk's high-pitched vocal leads are instantly recognized, and they fit well with the soft, somber tunes of his personal catalog (even if they also fit the harder rock moments of Sunny Day Real Estate).

Fans waited a decade between his first solo release, the 1996 album Return of the Frog Queen, and 2006 album World Waits.  Enigk has since issued three albums in three years, and those who enjoy his work should have no qualms with this melodic singer/songwriter disc.

Supermachiner, the haunting, mostly instrumental side project from Converge members Jacob Bannon and Kurt Ballou, will soon have its complete 30-track, two-disc collection, Rust, available through Deathwish Inc. Listen to a few tracks here.

Big Business has announced the release of its new album, Mind the Drift, for April on Hydra Head. Listen to a new track, "Gold and Final," on the group's MySpace page.

Japanese post-rockers Mono have a new album, Hymn to the Immortal Wind, being released on March 24 on Temporary Residence. The album boasts guest contributions from a 28-member orchestra.

Seven Signs, the Southern culture documentary by J.D. Wilkes of Th' Legendary Shack Shakers, is now available on DVD.

Following the release of Old Money via Stones Throw on January 26, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez takes his group to Europe in March. Click here for a list of dates.

A new alt-metal super-group called Shrinebuilder is recording a debut album for Neurot Recordings, due this summer. The group consists of Wino (The Hidden Hand), Scott Kelly (Neurosis), Al Cisneros (Om, Sleep), and Dale Crover (Melvins) and will be in the studio with Toshi Kasai (Big Business).

Orange Tulip Conspiracy, the exceptional multi-genre new group led by Estradasphere guitarist Jason Schimmel, will play a full US tour in May. If you're involved in setting up shows, you can help Schimmel fill in dates — head here for details.

Grandaddy singer/songwriter Jason Lytle has a solo debut album, Yours Truly, being release on Anti- on May 19.

Finger-tapping indie-rock specialist Kaki King is playing a "solo guitar and no other bullshit tour" in California from January 21-31. Head here for the dates.

Post-rock/jam keyboardist Marco Benevento plays a weekly residency in February at Yoshi's in Oakland in the middle of a handful of other West Coast dates. During the stint, Benevento will be joined by special guests that include Scott Amendola, Billy Martin, Reed Mathis, Jeff Parker, and Skerik.

California math-rock trio Tera Melos has a new EP of cover songs available to download for free. Band member Nick Reinhart also has new band with drumming wiz Zach Hill, called Bygones, that has a debut album set for release in March on Sargent House.

Starting today, the new Cattle Decapitation album, The Harvest Floor, is streaming in its entirety on buzzgrinder.com. The stream will run through January 19.

Thrash/punk four-piece Trash Talk has announced a handful of shows that span Japan, California, and Georgia (the state). The shows include performances with Fucked Up, Pig Destroyer, Converge, Torche, Mastodon, and Neurosis.

Hardcore tough guys Hatebreed have posted a cover of Sepultura's "Refuse/Resist" on their MySpace page. The cover is included in the soundtrack to Punisher: War Zone.

It rocks! Production was postponed due to the hectic schedule of Big Business and The Melvins (the guys' other band), but we hear it's worth the wait. Producer Phil Ek (Pretty Girls Make Graves, Earth, Fleet Foxes) is on board once again, resulting in a more mature (?) and bigger Big Business that includes new full-time guitarist Toshi Kasai.

Big Business: www.bigbigbusiness.com
Big Business on Myspace: www.myspace.com/bigbigbusiness
Hydra Head: www.hydrahead.com