ISO50

RSS

Guest Post: Needledrop’s Anthony Fantano

Posted by Jakub



Today we have a very special guest that you might recognize from Youtube, it’s Anthony Fantano from Needledrop. I really respect Anthony’s consistency and dedication of quality reviews he does on his Youtube feed. He always helps new listeners with describing what he’s listening to with plenty of references and adjectives, kind of like we do it here on the ISO50 blog but he takes it to full on video with characters and all. Enjoy his playlist he put together, its the first time we’ve ever had Metal on here in our 5 year existence.

1. XibalbaNo Serenity
Despite how much it irks some of my loyal viewers, I like to keep a somewhat (ir)regular flow of metal reviews coming. This Xibalba album really stopped me in my tracks with some massive, chugging riffs and the kind of primal ferocity that you’d typically find on a metal-infused hardcore album. I usually prefer my metal to be a bit more, uh, heady, but this was just too good to be true: A teenage favorite mixed with the kind of dense, low-end sounds that my adult self currently enjoys on numerous Southern Lord records. Plus, this is my current favorite workout record.

2. Matthew DearAhead Of Myself
I’ve known Matthew Dear to put together some eerie tracks, but this is the first time he really struck me as being a tender dude as well. He’s got a few moments like that on his new LP, Beams, and I love ’em–especially this one. The watery synth chords on this track are absolutely intoxicating. It’s like they’re just about to fall into a slumber or something. Meanwhile, Matthew’s seductive croon delivers some mantra-heavy vocals.

3. Meridian BrothersSalsa Caliente (Versión Aumentada)
This is a bit of experimental salsa from Columbian sonic experimentalist Eblis Álvarez. He’s got a new LP on the way titled Deseperanza under the name Meridian Brothers. The dude really took the art form of the genre and mutated it into something odd and subtly psychedelic. The lazy instrumentation, oddball melodies, and lightly tortured vocals add up to something that would sound perfect in a David Lynch movie, for sure. Definitely a strange experience.

4. TNGHTBugg’n
The musically savvy are too hard on bangers. Not everything needs to be this big, flowery, moving, significant thing. Loosen up, have fun, go nuts. When it comes to that, TNGHT is my jam. This is about at anti-elitist as you can get while still keeping your listening habits underground. What I like about TNGHT is that they create such visceral music with such experimental sounds. If “Bugg’n” were a movie, it would feature some of the most unlikely casting in music history, featuring the sounds of babies, spaceships, bubbles, and more.

Anthony’s Youtube Channel

12 Comments Leave A Comment

1

Michael says:

August 29, 2012 at 5:11 pm

Fantastic! I’ve been following Anthony for a bit now. I enjoy his personal view and take on the reviews; he does it in way that doesn’t come off as pretentious and the videos are always entertaining.

2

Patrick says:

August 29, 2012 at 5:49 pm

The Needledrop is one of my very few sources for reviews. I’ve been following Anthony’s work for quite some time now, and It’s cool to see him featured in this blog. And also, what Michael said.

cheers.

4

Charles Mertens says:

August 30, 2012 at 12:52 am

Xibalba on ISO50 blog. This is amazing. Hardcore and design for me has always seem separated since for many people the two just don’t fuse well and very rarely do they come up in conversation together. It’s great to see my favorite blog mention one of my favorite bands, really made my day. Thank you Jakob and Anthony for this post!

9

Anonymous says:

September 2, 2012 at 8:03 am

Anthony’s criticism on “Burned Out” by The Field still makes me skeptical of his taste and reviews. Good choice with the MD track, but the rest… ew.

10

Anonymous says:

September 4, 2012 at 10:58 am

I agree that Anthony should definitely be revered for his consistency, whether it’s favorable or not to my tastes- he provides a service that keeps me coming back! Awesome guest feature.

12

Tiago says:

October 1, 2012 at 6:41 pm

Hello FSRA! I am a Calgary-based professional phhrpgtaooer who is doing a shoot for Calgary Co-op in September. I am looking for a 40s/50s era pick-up truck to rent for the day. Know anybody with such a vintage piece that would be interested? Any advise as how to source an old truck would be much appreciated. Thanks, Robert Lemermeyer