the nomadic subject

Blancmange - Irene and Mavis (Blaah, 1980)

2012-01-28T12:45:00.002-05:00

Blancmange formed in Middlesex, England, 1979, is Neil Arthur and Stephen Lunscombe. They recorded this short run EP of synth pop, eastern rhythms and no wave aesthetic. The simplicity of this release makes it beautiful. Its a light-hearted romp through laidback yet dancey, goofy yet elegant off kilter pop.

They did manage to get included on the Some Bizarre album with Soft Cell and Depeche Mode, and they did get a single up to #7 on the UK charts a bit later, but not much else was to come. This is a fantastic little record though. Lots of fun.

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Adem - Takes (Domino, 2008)

2012-01-28T01:54:00.006-05:00

Adem Ilhan is not a household name like his bandmate in post-rock band FRIDGE, Kieran Hebden (aka Four Tet) is, but after listening to this album, you'll probably remember him.

This is the best pop cover record I've ever heard. I'd like to talk so much about it but I'd prefer you hear it the way I did, listening to each track play and slowly recognizing the songs as they come. Its exciting and quite emotional.

I will say this: Imagine trying to transcribe acoustic guitar for an Aphex Twin song.

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Pete Swanson - Man With Potential (Type, 2011)

2012-01-27T12:04:00.005-05:00

I can't help but think the mop-headed militant character on the album cover is a tongue in cheek jab at French noise enthusiast Vomir, who always performs his noise sets hidden underneath a kaffiyeh. Ironically, this scarf has become more recognizable as the fashion of a 22 year old hipster girl than the original image of Yasser Arafat and the PLO.

There are three types of listeners that will drop the needle on this one: The Drone / Noise fans of Swanson's now defunct project Yellow Swans, fans of elegant and classically-minded instrumentals typical of the Type label, and then there are those dance music fans who are as surprised as I am by beats surfacing as a newly integral part of the avant-garde Ambient / Noise / Drone world.

None of these three are remotely prepared for what happens on this album. Swanson decided to fuck with everyone here.

With a hynosis-like approach, he sends you back in time to that really bad tripping experience at the warehouse party in Detroit circa '95. You remember, the one where one of the dj's was walking around shaking hands with people, and later all your friends were talking about how he had dosed his hand with more liquid acid than you could possibly imagine.

By the time you were peaking you saw no reason not to accept the offer for some ketamine. Shortly thereafter, the lights were sizzling your brain like you were staring into the sun, and you were pulling on the side of your head trying to remove that drill bit that was furiously burrowing into your cranium.

All that to say this: Here we have blistering noise-laced techno. This is Jeff Mills, Muslimgauze and Vatican Shadow buried under 6 feet of Prurient and Wolf Eyes.

Remember to take your Dramamine and keep that gallon of oj on hand just in case you want it all to go away.

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Thank you, Etta

2012-01-21T12:08:00.003-05:00

The Blue Angel Lounge - Narcotica (8MM / A Records, 2010)

2012-01-20T01:35:00.006-05:00

One of the greatest tortured genius assholes in the music business has been hard at work, not with his own band, but with several others under the guise of his own label A Records.

Anton Newcombe of Brian Jonestown Massacre has produced and mastered the work of Germany's own, The Blue Angel Lounge. They haven't had quite the internet presence that Iceland's Dead Skeletons (Newcombe's new band) has worked so hard at marketing but they do bring a similar gothic bluesy psychedelic shoegaze sound. The difference here is more control. There is a definitively post-punk / new wave / Nico bent, as opposed to the straight Jodorowsky psychedelic psychosis Dead Skeletons work in. I appreciate the idea of the "in between" presented here, the working within the margins mentality akin to Warlocks work on The Mirror Explodes. Keep your eyes on this one.

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Vestibule - Hell Loose in a Gen X (Mixtape, 2011)

2012-01-16T13:45:00.002-05:00

Heavy ass Psych mix straight out of the Book of Thoth. Don't worry, after you vomit the trip is nice.

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Amen Dunes - Through Donkey Jaw (Sacred Bones, 2011)

2012-01-15T00:06:00.003-05:00

Its extremely rare that I hear an album without having preconceived notions. Its even rarer that I am positively stunned by what I'm hearing. Acid folkster Damon McMahon stunned me today. With his blatently hallucinogenic and jangly, off kilter tunes (don't even think about assuming he sounds like Syd because its not that simple), he conjures spirits and levitates around metaphysical lyrics that always retain a sense of cohesion.

Yes, there are a few cliches. Nearly infinite reverb and occasionally sitar-like guitar lines abound but I never find them annoying, possibly due to the structure of the record.

The first few songs are disturbed and effected folk tunes, after which he begins to experiment, alternating between psych-pop themes and spiritual feeling sounds that feel genuine but never over the top. There is also a subtle tribal element to the predominantly floor tom-based drumming that really suits my fancy.

Ultimately, I can't help but describe this as the best hypnagogic pop / folk record ever recorded... and possibly the only one. If that term doesn't fit your snooty criteria, just forget I called it that and download / buy the fucking record anyway. Everyone should own this one.

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Zombi - Escape Velocity (Relapse, 2011)

2012-01-14T23:23:00.003-05:00

Zombi is a space rock duo from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, consisting of Steve Moore on bass and synthesizers and Anthony Paterra on drums. The group makes use of looping to create multi-layered compositions in the progressive rock and dynamic instrumental arena. What separates them from the current crop of "any kid with a korg can make arpeggios" revivalist phenomenon is that they've been doing this since 2002 and they have a fucking sick live drummer. Everything they do sounds, feels, and actually is analog. These two monsters sound like a four piece band from '79. Delicious.

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Virgo Four - Resurrection (Rush Hour, 2011)

2012-01-14T11:36:00.007-05:00

This compilation of unreleased original tracks from 1984-1990 showcases the brilliance of Chicago deep house producers Eric Lewis and Merl Saunders.

In opposition to the jacked house of the time, Virgo Four's beats and bass were more ethereal and they incorporated ambient sounds, all the while keeping it minimal and grasping at the negative space. Many of the parts were played by hand, which makes it warmer and also works well with the borrowed krautrock vibes.

They could've been huge but Stricltly Rhythm didn't have the faith to sign them. This is really impressive stuff except for some of the attempts at lyrics. The vocals are a bit silly. Also check out their first release Virgo Four EP.

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Zomby - Dedication (4AD, 2011)

2012-01-13T20:04:00.003-05:00

Its been almost three years since Zomby released his debut album Where Were You in ’92, a rave album paying homage to early 90′s dance culture. With antiquated gear such as the Akai S2000 and Atari ST, he impressed critics with his production skills as well as his enthusiastic authenticity.

Most Americans may not know or care but its an exciting time for UK musicians with the onset of the post-dubstep environment. Burial’s brilliant hybrid of jungle, two-step garage, dark breakbeats and ambient jump-started a stale club scene in 2007, creating an alter ego of dubstep. Artists like Shackleton, Demdike Stare and Zomby took this as their cue and began pushing the Dubstep envelope further into the realms of sci-fi, fantasy, ambient and exotica.

Dedication is an antithesis of sorts. This is not only a departure from the party aesthetic but a quite cerebral and melancholy outing that may not set well with most. Zomby has lost someone important in his life and this really feels like a dedication to that person.

“Witch Hunt” opens the album with a surprising and quirky DJ Screw style crunk number more appropriate in Houston circa 1993. This screwed and purple dranking track leads into “Natalia’s Song”, one that feels like early bedroom dubstep. He chops ethereal female vocals and quickly delves deep into ominous terrain. “Alothea” feels serious and thought provoking with its somber and introspective shuffle that abruptly gives way to “Black Orchid”, the first cut on the record that really jumped out at me. His synth stabs are incredible here. It feels like a tasteful Nintendo music segway.
“Riding with Death” reflects the best in ambient and minimal dub techno a la Basic Channel / Chain Reaction. As soon as this gets deep, he drops out into another sick and twisted hip hop number that just skitters around my concept of time signatures. Shortly thereafter, a gunshot fires and the star child himself, Panda Bear, appears from nowhere in what is sure to be a hit at the top of many lists this year. The unfortunate part of this “Things Fall Apart” equation is that Panda Bear will benefit from this collaboration far more than Zomby. Its a great song that could have been just as good with another vocalist.

Following “Salamander”, a brief encounter with Arthur Lyman, and “Lucifer” a lovely fifty-seven second ballad, he returns to the dj booth with “After the Rain”, one that pumps and confuses the dancefloor. Is it dancehall? Is it house? Is it hip hop? This is the best production work on the album.

“Vanquish” is the extremely dark and depressing fifty-nine seconds before “A Devil Lay Here”, a beautiful piece that really profiles this artist’s vast array of influences and recording techniques. “Florence” is interesting because its technically an intelligent jungle piece in under two minutes. I wish I’d heard this in 1996 when I was really into that genre.

I truly love “Haunted” and “Basquiat” because I’m a sucker for the classic house piano and string tradition. It still touches me in a nostalgic way incomparable to anything else. “Mosaik” is a great dancefloor cut that could have been more enjoyable had it been placed somewhere else in the mix. After the vibe he seemed to be going for, it seemed awkward to end the album on an upswing. That being said, this is a startlingly mature and accomplished album.

Zomby has been signed to 4AD. Some will scoff, some will approve, but I applaud the label for giving more exposure to such an interesting sound. Can’t wait to have this one on wax.

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Crone - Endless Midnight (Translation Loss, 2011)

2012-01-13T19:57:00.003-05:00

Ever wonder what happens when an intelligent post-rock/metal outfit runs out of creativity? They disband, that’s what. ISIS realized it was time to stop and thankfully so. I think they realized it a bit late but “better late than never”. Much to the dismay of their dorky young male cult following, the first related project release is not metal in any way. The web is abuzz with these childrens’ negative comments about this release from ISIS bass player Jeff Caxide.

Newsflash, people, talented artists mature. Veteran musicians with evolving and expansive tastes cannot continue performing the same genre of music their entire life. And, since I see drone as the new indie rock, I’m impressed with Caxide for changing with the times.

This is a drone record but there still exists a sound akin to his previous work. Guitar based loops and echoes reverberate through a gloomy film-like soundscape with additional instrumentation from ISIS members Aaron Harris and Bryan Clifford Meyer (drums and keyboards, respectively). My first reaction when listening to the second track “The Silver Hammer” is that ISIS is all grown up. This is the cut that most resembles their catalog, slow and sweeping epic guitar lines paired with e-bowed swells eventually cross paths with Aaron Harris’ giant kick drum and washed out cymbal work.

An interesting aspect that separates Caxide’s first solo effort from much other drone music floating around is one that may only be noticeable to other musicians. It is quite apparent that this is music made by someone that was in a rock band for many years. The precise execution of everything presented here screams the experience of staying in time with other players. Add to this his background as a sound designer and it all begins to make sense.
Caxide also manages to give us thirty-nine minutes of multiple moods and often shifting emotions as opposed to some drone that can be flat and devoid of change. This record leaves me feeling fulfilled. My musical and intellectual hunger is completely satiated.

I also appreciate that a not too surprising finishing touch of the release is a DVD style package designed by ISIS vocalist / guitarist Aaron Turner. Its nice to realize that it wasn’t a textbook example of band demise. They definitely didn’t break up because they hated each other.

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Porter Ricks - Biokinetics (Basic Channel, 1996)

2012-01-11T11:06:00.004-05:00

Type Records just celebrated their 100th release with the reissue of this 1996 classic from Basic Channel. It was the first of the Chain Reaction imprints, in which the label birthed a subgenre of deeper, buried techno sounds.

Contrary to what you might think, Porter Ricks is not the warden from the tv show Flipper. Its actually multimedia artist and dark ambient pioneer Thomas Koner along with mastering engineer Andy Mellwig (Mille Plateaux, Klang Electronik). Together they produced an atmospheric style of techno, often with an underwater aesthetic that’s exemplified by song names like “Port Of Call” or “Nautical Dub (Tidal Mix).” Biokinetics simultaneously plunges us thousands of fathoms under the sea and light years into space. Womb-like pulses are dark and buried but always dance-floor friendly. A notable characteristic of much of the music is that even when certain more experimental tracks deconstruct the four on the floor aesthetic, they still have a film score affectation.

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Le Lendemain - Fires (Home Normal, 2009)

2012-01-11T10:42:00.003-05:00

David Wengrenn and Danny Norbury have previously worked together under the guise of Wengrenn's "Library Tapes". On this album, recorded as Le Lendemain, Norbury's multitracked strings interact with Wengrenn's piano structure like never before. The tracks presented here are a doorway into the composer's minds, an initmate journey that feels like watching their mutual creative processes.

These are relaxing tunes in the vein of Rachel's, Jóhann Jóhannsson, and Richard Skelton, very thought-provoking and introspective material.

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No More - 7 Years (Rustblade, 2010)

2012-01-05T11:07:00.003-05:00

No More is yet another German band from the 80's I just discovered that is now blowing my mind.

They were formed in Kriel, Northern Germany in 1979. After their wildly successful 7" single "Suicide Commando", NME was prompted to state that they were "suitable German Electro fashion". The song was so big that a Belgian band named themselves after it.

It was a typical setup of vocals, guitar, bass, synth and drums but they really had their own thing going on. This was an fascinating blend of minimal wave, electro and edgy post-punk with early Cure, Joy Division and Bauhaus all over it. Several of their tracks broke barriers as well, seeping into the techno scene.

Most of their really good material was on on singles so here is a fantastic compilation of their work from 1979 to 1986.

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Labradford - Mi Media Naranja (Kranky, 1997)

2012-01-04T11:31:00.002-05:00

I've owned this record since 2003 and have listened to it well over a thousand times. This is in my handful of records that never gets old. On my deathbed, when I'm compiling my Top 100 albums of all time, this will be pretty high on the list.

Richmond, VA-based Labradford creates lovely ambient music. Incidentally, they were making these sounds long before the birth of the "drone" tag. With twangy western electric guitars, waxy organs, subtle string arrangements and tasteful vibes and percussion, they create hypnotic and accessible drone that actually borders on pop. If I were turning someone on to the genre, I would surely start with this. Using thematic elements reminiscent of anything from Morricone's soundtracks for Leone to Badalamenti's scores for Lynch, This duo have been turning heads since the early 90's.

This is one of the most beautiful pieces of music you'll ever hear.

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Rachel Grimes - Book of Leaves (Karate Body, 2009)

2012-01-03T17:51:00.003-05:00

Unforgettable band "The Rachel's" piano player herself, Rachel Grimes, offers us a full-length recording of solo works.
you'll know her distinguished sound within the first bar. This veteran of the iconic Classical / Rock crossover act retains the vibe of the band's earlier albums such as Selenography, my personal favorite.

This is not to be missed.

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25 Essential Albums to Get You Through the Winter

2012-01-03T12:50:00.004-05:00

1. Nagamatzu - Sacred Islands of the Mad
2. Demdike Stare - Forest of Evil
3. Ezekiel Honig - Folding in on Itself
4. Fluxion - Bipolar Defect
5. Ulver - Shadows of the Sun
6. Morton Feldman - Rothko Chapel
7. Chrisma - Chinese Restaurant
8. Coil - Guide for Beginners
9. Cocteau Twins - Garlands
10. Tindersticks - Can our Love...
11. Death in June - Burial
12. Villages - Grey East
13. Lurker of Chalice - S/T
14. Legendary Pink Dots - 9 Lives to Wonder
15. Deaf Center - Owl Splinters
16. Brian Eno - Apollo: Atmospheres & Soundtracks
17. The Chameleons UK - Script of the Bridge
18. Christian Death - The Decomposition of Violets
19. Angels of Light - How I Loved You
20. Arthur Russell - World of Echo
21. Asunder - A Clarion Call
22. Earth - Hex:Or Printing in the Infernal Method
23. Boards of Canada - Music has the Right to Children
24. Bohren and der Club of Gore - Black Earth
25. David Sylvian - Gone to Earth

Psychic Ills - Hazed Dream (Sacred Bones, 2011)

2012-01-01T02:24:00.003-05:00

Since 2003, these New York psych rockers have been offering spacious sonic explorations. After three albums and a slew of EP's and singles, they've made they're most accessible recording yet.

This one is pretty straight-forward, a hybrid of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Brightblack Morning Light, Mazzy Star and the most mellow tracks from Wooden Shjips, Hazed Dreams is a mature and focused trip down tremory lane so faded you can't even think about criticizing it.

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VA - A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector ( Philles, 1963)

2011-12-25T09:48:00.005-05:00

For all my obsession with the most famous avant-garde record producers of pop history (Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois, Sam Phillips, George Martin, Tony Visconti, John Cale, Tom Dowd, etc., nothing matches Phil Spector. You may disagree, but as far as originality goes, nothing impresses me more than his "Wall of Sound" treatment.

This is the greatest Christmas album of all time yet it has been a relative failure. How is this possible? These recordings coincided with Spector at the peak of his creative genius. With The Ronettes and The Crystals on board it doesn't seem like anything could go wrong.

Well, there is a legitimate reason. Historically, Phil Spector has had a multitude of misfortune. Some of it his fault, some of it not, much of it due to serious psychological problems. Either way, Philles Records released this on Nov. 22, 1963. Does that date ring a bell? Yeah? That's because JFK was assassinated that day. Yep, Spector got screwed again, and although Apple re-issued it in 1972, Ronnie and Darlene's delicious voices weren't still wooing the world at that point.

As is often the case with great records like this, the original pressings sell for $400-500. I don't own it. If you do, I'm jealous. One day I'll crowd around the hi-fi and watch this turn on my platter. Until then, lets all crowd around the mp3's with our friends and family on Christmas day and celebrate the better hand fate has dealt us than Mr. Spector. Merry Christmas everybody.

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Dr. John, The Night Tripper - Gris-Gris (Atco, 1968)

2011-12-21T13:42:00.003-05:00

"My group consists of Dr. Poo Pah Doo of Destine Tambourine and Dr. Ditmus of Conga, Dr. Boudreaux of Funky Knuckle Skins and Dr. Batiste of Scorpio and Bass Clef...(rambles on)...who were all dreged up from the rigolets by the zombie of the second. Under the eight visions of Professor Longhair reincannted the charts of now."

Dr. John Creaux (Mark Rebinnack) was quite the character. After making it big in the Crescent City's R & B scene, he got especially creative and offered us this psychedelic swamp gumbo of a genre. Melding the blues, R & B, Hatian voodoo a la New Orleans, and Afro-Carribean percussion, this genre spawned many cult hit songs.

As weird as it is brilliant, this would easily be in my top 100 albums ever recorded.

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My Top 25 Albums of 2011

2011-12-18T00:35:00.003-05:00

25. Skull Defekts - Peer Amid (Thrill Jockey)
24. Cindytalk - Hold Everything Dear (Editions Mego)
23. Hype Williams - One Nation (Hippos in Tanks)
22. Elm - Nemcatacoa (Sweat Lodge Guru)
21. Zomby - Dedication (4AD)
20. True Widow - As High As the Highest Heavens and From the Center to...(Kemado)
19. Shabazz Palaces - Black Up (Sub Pop)
18. The Field - Looping State of Mind (Kompakt)
17. Liturgy - Aesthetica (Thrill Jockey)
16. Pete Swanson - Man With Potential (Type)
15. Dead Skeletons - Dead Magick (A Red)
14. M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming (Mute)
13. Villages - Grey East (Hooker Vision)
12. Pinch & Shackleton - S/T (Honest Jon's)
11. The Caretaker - An Empty Bliss Beyond This World (History Always Favours...)
10. Oneohtrix Point Never - Replica (Software)
09. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake (Vagrant)
08. Tim Hecker - Ravedeath, 1972 (Kranky)
07. Tuneyards - Whokill (4AD)
06. Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring for my Halo (Matador)
05. Vatican Shadow - Kneel Before Religious Icons (Self-released)
04. Ezekiel Honig - Folding in on Itself (Type)
03. Implodes - Black Earth (Kranky)
02. Clams Casino - Instrumentals (Self-released / Type)
01. The War on Drugs - Slave Ambient (Secretly Canadian)

Surprised? Shocked? Pissed? Too bad... God Bless America, Bitches...

Implodes - Black Earth (Kranky, 2011)

2011-12-09T12:17:00.004-05:00

The curtain opens and a lovely siren calls you to join a cult that has been around since before time began. The dreamy guitar welcomes you to a murky world of tribal yet simplistic percussion, washed out vocal incantations, over-driven infinite reverb, delay and distortion. These elements elegantly cloak this deceptively pretty soundscape.

The theme here is oppressively dismal but irresistible. With a legacy of influences like Swans, J&MC, Flying Saucer Attack and Jesu, this Chicago quartet coalesced around guitarists Matt Jencik (HURL, DON CABALLERO) & Ken Camden finds a narrow path with definitive intent. Never does this record feel like it strays. Its an extremely cohesive Drone experience. One of the best records of 2011, and by far the best album cover.

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Vestibule - Droned and Disowned (Mixtape, 2011)

2011-12-09T01:10:00.002-05:00

My latest mixtape. Drone out mother fuckers...

Noveller - Glacial Wave
Deaf Center - Divided
Richard Skelton - Noon Hill Wood
Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto - Trioon I
Tim Hecker - Borderlands
The Caretaker - False Memory Syndrome
Calypso Borealis - Xelim (Ekuri Awai)
William Basinski - Untitled
Confused Kundalini - 1971
Locrian - Coprolite
Elm - Breath of Midnight Still
Thoughts on Air - Lazy Haze A1
Motion Sickness of Time Travel - Inner Circle

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Dead Skeletons - Dead Magick (A Records, ltd., 2011)

2011-12-01T12:18:00.005-05:00

If you're as tired of the word psychedelic as I am, you're probably going to hate when I tell you that this is the best psychedelic band I've heard in years. They actually sound like salvation for the genre as a whole.

Mysterious and occultic, the imagery in these songs is vibrant and virile, with a seeming overuse of verbal psychotropics and a healthy fear of God and Death. Danger lurks around every corner here, buried in mescaline-soaked minor cords and peyote-laced reverb. Everything here is some religiously erotic incantation worthy of a Jodorowsky film.

The sound is a driving yet loose ride through elements of Jesus and Mary Chain, Black Angels, the Brian Jonestown Massacre's Methadrone era, roadhouse blues and tuvan throat singing. Quite frankly, this is about as romantic as a nightmarish bad trip can get. Highly Recommended.

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Elvin Jones - Midnight Walk (Atlantic, 1967)

2011-11-29T12:52:00.003-05:00

After Trane's passing, and after the previous couple years of being a blistering powerhouse of polyrhythms, it seems as though Elvin Jones needed something fun to play. He got with his brother, trumpeter Thad Jones, and they recording some good time, funky, soulful r & B numbers. The title Midnight Walk basically explains the vibe of this record. Not much avant-garde here, just lots of simple yet lovely and catchy numbers.

With the great Hank Mobley on tenor sax, solid Donald Moore on bass and the legendary Dollar Brand on piano, this is a classic crew of heavy hitters. The chemistry between these players is outstanding. Of course, as bandleader and as the greatest drummer of all time (says I), Elvin can't help but still knock our socks off at several points on the record. You have to listen closely. The brilliance is in the subtlety of Elvin's playing. Check the busy undercurrents, the explosive drum fills, notice how Tintiyana begins, tension created by imposing a 4/4 line on his 3/4 drumming.

And if this line-up wasn't heavy enough, the record was engineered by Tom Dowd. Wow, this one gets me every time...

The Cure - Paris (Elektra / Asylum, 1993)

2011-11-26T12:53:00.004-05:00

If you want to bitch about The Cure being capitalistic by the early 90's, I'll give you that. If you want to say you were sick and tired of them putting out every damned live show they felt like, I'll give you that too. But, did you ever hear this one?

I remember digging through the cut-out bin at K-Mart when I was 18 and finding this failed gem of a cassette for $2.99. It was quite a nice surprise to see the track listing of older, darker, more cult classic songs like "The Figurehead" and One Hundred Years" (this was pre-internet, so I wasn't familiar with every available release by the band. Guess I had stopped following Rolling Stone at that point).

Recorded at Le Zénith de Paris, in October 1992 during their Wish tour, what makes this show so special is the voracious crowd. They can't get enough of these classic early goth tracks, songs that make up what the band (Smith) was originally about. Its pretty powerful to hear the whole place singing along to the keyboard line on "Play for Today".

A moving recording for those fans partial to the early work.

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Vestibule - Body Without Orgone (Mixtape, 2011)

2011-11-24T10:29:00.004-05:00

My latest mixtape. Enjoy.

Coil - Something (Live)
Ann Clark - Sleeper in Metropolis
Actress - Maze
Pinch and Shackleton - Torn and Submerged
Monolake - North
Eleven Tigers - Songs for You
Coil - Further Back and Faster
Arthur Russell - Me For Real
Nagamatzu - Roma Distruta
Ezekiel Honig - Between Bridges
Boards of Canada - Telephasic Workshop
Xambuca - Varra
Burial - Night Bus

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The Tear Garden - The Last Man to Fly (Nettwerk, 1992)

2011-11-18T12:16:00.003-05:00

This is the best output of a very special collaboration. Edward Ka-Spel (The Legendary Pink Dots) enlisted cEVIN Key (Skinny Puppy) for this project after Key served as sound engineer for a Dots tour in Canada in 1985.

This is a shift in sound for both of them in that the sound is essentially psychedelic rock. Dirty electric guitar slithers through dirgey bass lines and a slow, bobbing, dub-influenced live drum kit sound. The vocals are trademark Ka-Spel but more pleading and the music is obviously Key but less abrasive, more sensitive, and ambient groove-based.

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Xambuca - Joulupukki (Erototox Decodings, 2011)

2011-11-18T00:14:00.004-05:00

The Sami, Europe's northernmost inhabitants, are an indigenous arctic culture inhabiting Fennoscandia (the Scandinavian Peninsula, the Kola Peninsula, Karelia and Finland). There, underneath the Baltic Sea, lies the Baltic Shield, the exposed Precambrian northwest segment of the East European Craton. It is composed mostly of volcanic rock belts which have undergone numerous deformations through tectonic activity. This region contains the oldest rocks of the European continent. During the Pleistocene epoch, great continental ice sheets scoured and depressed the shield's surface, leaving a thin covering of glacial material and innumerable lakes and streams. The Baltic Shield is still rebounding today following the melting of the thick glaciers during the our current ice age, the Quaternary Period.

This first full-length from Xambuca states dedication to the Saami people and the nation of Sapmi. The music here seems to equate not only to the 3 billion year old geological history of this icy multi-cultural region, but to the ancient pre-christian shamans, cult images and animal ceremonies so important to its people. Unfortunately, and much like the rest of Scandinavia, Swedish priests eventually refuted and abolished anything they deemed heathenism, superstition or witchcraft.

Joulupukki is cerebral electronic music fueled by dark ambience and introspection. These are soundscapes that are at once glacial and volcanic, driven by minimal beats that feel post-industrial and post-techno. There is a consistently somber mood presented here. Certain pieces hint at martial percussion and there are even sounds that invoke concepts of science fiction and Marinetti's retro-futurism that are all shrouded in Orwellian discontent. Later there is a track of doom-laden electric guitar that ever so slowly cuts through the breakers of the Baltic Sea.

Under this monumental weight, the Atlas that is Joulupukki manages to attain catharsis. The latter pieces over-driven, the beats big, brutal and nasty, the record seems to therapeutically expunge itself of all emotion, culminating in a final cut that is a defiant ship lost in a storm, battered by rogue waves yet faithfully waiting for the calm. In this state of mind, devoid of all concern, there is nothing left but a meditative stasis.

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V/A - Pomegranates: Persian Pop, Funk, Folk and Psych of the 60s and 70s (B-Music, 2010)

2011-11-17T10:59:00.004-05:00

Finders Keepers has impressively researched the exciting and turbulent political times of Iran's 1960's - 70's. The compiler, Massha Taghinia is an American born of Iranian parents and many of these tracks come directly from his mother's record collection. Because of this connection, we receive a rare glimpse of the superstars of that country's Pop, Folk, Funk, Proto-Disco and Psych. Not only is every track delightful but the overall experience is enhanced by the idea that all of this music happened under the Shah's reign. A curious experience ranking with Sublime Frequencies collections of rock n' roll tracks from Cambodia during the period under the Khmer Rouge. We are privileged this has have fallen on Western ears.

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Sybille Baier - The Colour Green (Orange Twin, 2006 / recorded 1970-73)

2011-11-15T13:35:00.003-05:00

Fans of director Wim Wenders' first knew Sybille Baier's face from the 1973 film Alice in the Cities. Her music has been featured in Jochen Richter's Umarmungen und Andere Sachen(1975) and in Wim Wenders' Palermo Shooting(2008).

Much the same as Nick Drake, it was decades after the fact that her music gained general notoriety. With one of the most charming voices I've heard, she sang brave and honest pastoral folk songs that she composed in her dark, bleak manner. I'm reminded of Sylvia Plath every time I listen. Unlike the hippie psych folk popularized by Vashti Bunyan, Baier didn't need any gimmicks, bells or whistles. This fraulein kept it simple but somehow elegant with production akin to the atmosphere of early Leonard Cohen recordings. I only wish there was more.

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Senor Coconut - El Baile Aleman (Emperor Norton, 2000)

2011-11-14T01:13:00.002-05:00

What could possibly be as good as a Kraftwerk record? An electro-latino record covering Kraftwerk. German composer Uwe Schmidt knows how to masterfully fuse various genres of music so well that you can't tell if its tongue-in-cheek or not. Trans-Europe Express (Cumbia), Showroom Dummies (Ch-Cha), Autobahn (Merenge)? Seriously, what's not to love here?? This is the most brilliant nonsense I've ever heard.

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The Louvin Brothers - Satan is Real (Capitol, 1960)

2011-11-12T04:35:00.004-05:00

Ira, Ira, Ira... what happened to you? You preached the gospel yet set such a poor example. I mean, if you want people to take the Lord Jesus seriously, you have to be a better role model. What you chose to do was to drink way too much corn liquor and beat the shit out of your wife until she shot you in the chest multiple times. Granted, you're a stubborn mother fucker, you lived, but come on man, what were you thinking?

And Charlie, besides pioneering Close Harmony (thanks for that), how the hell did you put up with your bro and all this misbehavior? At least you didn't get a bad rap by association. I'm sure you were no angel but at least you never got caught.

I don't believe in Hell, the rapture, the tribulation, the day of judgement or Jesus answering any sort of prayer but when I drink enough (like while I'm writing this) I begin to feel my church-raised childhood creeping in. Then some false sense of guilt arises that makes me feel bad about every decision I've ever made...and isn't that what Christianity is all about? Praise the lord and pass the whiskey. And by the way, Satan's Jewelled Crown is one of the prettiest songs you will ever hear.

Most importantly, you can thank Ira for this album cover, possibly the greatest one ever conceived.

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Quincy Jones - In Cold Blood OST (Colgems, 1968)

2011-11-10T23:23:00.005-05:00

In 1966, Truman Capote scared the hell out of America with a novel containing brutality that most hadn't heard of before, much less read about. A year later, Richard Brooks adapted the novel for film and threw it in the faces of the rest of them that didn't read much. The film is incredible and lost the Oscar for Best Picture only due to The Graduate having a more accessible commercial appeal.

What I always found most notable about the picture was Quincy Jones outstanding score. The same man who was well known for his happy, bouncy big band feeling soundtracks dug deep into his psyche and manifested a true evil, a fear at the heart of all men and the first truly menacing jazz score.

This was also a true breakthrough for black composers in Hollywood. Jones had just done the music for In the Heat of the Night and although this was more popular with the mass audience, critics were more focused on his work with In Cold Blood, in which he really pushed the envelope, creating a genuinely disturbing theme. This is a magnificent achievement.

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Ornette Coleman - Love Call (Blue Note, 1968)

2011-11-09T23:18:00.003-05:00

After years of searching for an affordable copy, I scored this vinyl at my neighborhood record store. Freaked out a bit when I first picked it up.

This is Coleman toned down just a bit. By 1968, he had mellowed. Don't get me wrong, this is still top notch freedom, but there's something magical about these sessions (this album was actually recorded alongside New York is Now) because he acquired the classic John Coltrane Quartet rhythm section. And that essentially means you're hearing the greatest rhythm section of all time (I dare you to disagree). However, at no point does this rub off on him. The entirety of these sessions still just sounds like Ornette Coleman, and this I find incredibly impressive. Together with his Alto sax and trumpet is Dewey Redmond's tenor sax, a strong voice in its own right. This is simply some of the best jazz you'll ever hear.

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Sun Araw - Ancient Romans Drag City / Sun Ark, 2011)

2011-11-09T12:16:00.004-05:00

So I'm having this dream. I eventually reach that desirable lucid state only to find myself wondering "Is this primordial ooze or bongwater or a cocktail of both?" I'm not sure what Cameron Stallones is going for with this project but he's light years further into the cosmos than any of his fellow travellers. The undulating organs, warbly keyboards and noodly guitars are only bested by the far out vocal tracks and dubby bass. Much of this record feels like the middle of a wormhole. I say middle because it feels like you're warping but you have no idea if its forward or back. Listening to Sun Araw feels like being deep underwater and losing track of which way is up only to discover that it doesn't frighten you.

Alice and John Coltrane didn't die, they just started working for SETI.

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Grauzone - S / T (Off Course, 1981)

2011-11-07T02:33:00.006-05:00

Swiss band Grauzone was one of the most creative bands of the post-punk era. Most people will never know who they are because they only recorded one album and some singles. This is a shame. They had it all: rock, disco, synth-punk and pop, all with a genuine approach that really connects emotionally. The recording is meticulously approached. Too mature for a band that was together so briefly. You're gonna thank me for this one.

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Barn Owl - Lost in the Glare (Thrill Jockey, 2011)

2011-11-05T01:10:00.004-04:00

Do you love Earth? Do you find yourself listening to those three dirgey western rock records over and over to the point of obsession? Do you get tired of it? Do you ever ask yourself "Is there more? Will I ever feel satisfied by something like this besides Dylan Carlson?" Well pardner, do I have good news for you. Today, right now, right here, you can download your very own copy of the brightest, biggest, hottest star this side of the Mojave. All for the one time low low price of absolutely free. It'd be the right thing to do if you go out and buy the vinyl real soon though. Fellers gotta make a livin'.

Evan Caminiti and Jon Porras' dueling guitars mixed with farfisa, blissful e-bow drones and electronics create what sounds to me like the most creative take on Cormac McCarthy's "Blood Meridian" I've ever heard. Lost in the dry heat, beat down by the sun only to freeze in the cold Sonoran night, Carlson, O'malley and Anderson could never have made a record this interesting. I kid you not. This is fucking incredible. Still waiting for my vinyl so I can do it right. I need that full analog signal. It's gonna be one I spend many hours listening to in the future.

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Paul Giovanni and Magnet - The Wicker Man OST (1973, Trunk, 1998)

2011-10-25T14:18:00.004-04:00

With Robin Hardy's 1973 film "The Wicker Man" a different method was employed for the score. Instead of the typical startling and abrasive strings striking fear into the hearts of watchers, Hardy chose Paul Giovanni to write pastoral Celtic-style folk songs conducive to the setting of the film, Summerisle. These songs are probably more effective at making the watcher feel uncomfortable as they don't initially seem creepy, however, the deeper one gets into the plot of the film, the more disconcerting these ancient pagan sounding odes become.I'm imagining Pentangle and Sandy Denny as psychotic pagans bent on bloodletting of innocents.

One of many favorite terrifying horror film scenes would not have been as disturbing without the music. This is really powerful stuff.

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Riz Ortolani - Cannibal Holocaust (Lucertola Media, 1980)

2011-10-22T13:03:00.002-04:00

This film is all shock and schlock. Often banned and berated internationally, Deodato's film is a disturbing gutmunching extravaganza.

What's bizarre about the soundtrack is that its misleading and doesn't really make any sense. The main theme is not indicative of the horrific bloodfeast to follow but a soft, warm and tinkly number designed to relax and not alarm. Following that are unusual pieces that range from jazz and funk to children's music and loungey electronics.

Extremely weird and awesome.

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Ennio Morricone - The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (Italy, 1969)

2011-10-20T11:58:00.002-04:00

The Bird with the Crystal Plumage was the great Dario Argento's directorial debut as well as one of his best plotted films. This was the first of his "Animal Trilogy" along with Cat o' Nine Tails and Four Flies on Grey Velvet shortly thereafter. All of these films were score by the man himself, Ennio Morricone. To put soundtrack in perspective I feel its important to point out the impact he made on the whole of film. When horror was bogged down with cliche, Morricone broke the mold, much the same as he did with the western genre on his DOLLAR scores.

Instead of the the overuse of strings, Morricone's approach was drug-addled experimental jazz. In the violent scenes he trademarked his placement of lullabyes and heavy breathing that became a oft-imitated standard in horror. As simple as these ideas sound, they are incredible unsettling and very creepy in the context of the film.

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Popol Vuh - Nosferatu (Egg, 1978)

2011-10-20T01:18:00.003-04:00

Florian Fricke was the mastermind behind Popol Vuh, one of the earliest ambient music projects and one of the lesser known "krautrock" acts.

Werner Herzog is...well... Werner Herzog. Obviously this is one of the strangest vampire films you'll ever see. Its not weird so much as that its very...well...Werner Herzog.

The pairing of visual and audio hear is simply stunning, one of the best ever. Popol Vuh's piano and acoustic guitar based pieces are absolutely gorgeous and as poignant as could possibly be. You don't even need the film aesthetic to enjoy it.

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Les Baxter - The Dunwich Horror (1970)

2011-10-17T16:05:00.002-04:00

1970 saw the release of a Roger Corman produced B movie adaptation of this H.P Lovecraft story starring Dean Stockwell, Sandra Dee (naked Gidget) and Ed Begley in his last film role.

The king of equally campy music himself, Les Baxter, is perfect as composer here. His score, anchored by an contagious recurring main theme, transports the listener to a vivid and ridiculously colorful psychedelic 60's landscape that is part Monkees, part Acid Test, part art house porn and part I Dream of Jeannie.

Classic Bernard Hermann themes mixed with funky drums and strange electronics give way to more sleazy than creepy motifs. More Planet of the Apes than "The Old Ones". Not too scary but a helluva lotta fun.

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Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo - Forbidden Zone OST (Varese Sarabande, 1980)

2011-10-11T11:41:00.004-04:00

Richard Elfman, wrote and directed and his brother Danny scored this dark, manic, paranoid, cabaret-ish, new wave, punk, theater on film epic.

This cult classic has something to do with minnie the moocher (the druggie made famous by Cab Calloway's call and response scat classic) infiltrating the perverted fears of the unknown, yet slightly expected but later nonchalantly forgotten, reasons of reality.

Many of the actors actually lip synch to old recordings of Cab Calloway and Josephine Baker while wearing black face and performing faux anti-Semitic themes. Apparently, people in 1982 couldn't appreciate the displeasure of bad art done well though the film eventually explains itself with the confusion that it mirrors.

The sixth dimension lies somewhere as close as the forbidden zone.

--Sean Dail

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Wojceich Kilar - The Ninth Gate OST (Silva America, 1999)

2011-10-10T17:08:00.007-04:00

We probably all agree this wasn't the best outing Polanski ever had but maybe its one of the best for composer Wojceich Kilar.

Well known for scoring Coppola's "Bram Stoker's Dracula" and Polanski's "The Pianist", he has achieved a well-deserved esteem for his trademark grinding basses and cellos, deeply romantic themes and minimalist chord progressions. As a part of the post-war Polish school of minor key mournfulness, its no surprise you'll hear similarities to Gorecki.

This score is very creepy but I feel its important to remind all that it cannot be listened to unless its in its entirety. Out of context, some of the pieces and their inherent repetitious qualities will go unnoticed and may even sound unappealing. Its best just to sit back, close your eyes and let the devil take hold.

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The Vampires of Dartmoore - Dracula's Music Cabinet (1969, Finders Keepers, 2009)

2011-10-06T12:16:00.006-04:00

With this post I'd like to introduce a pre-Halloween horror score extravaganza. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, a whole month of spooky, scary and / or campy treats for you to prep your All Hallows shindig.

Vampires of Dartmoore were not an actual band, Dracula's Music Cabinet was not an actual film. And in stating this I'm proud to say that faux film scores are not the latest fad. They've been happening since 1969. So there, Ha!

Not just another Vampyros Lesbos-type score to add to the list of hip 60's catalog, this joint has a Psychsploitation theme(I stole that from somewhere). The opening track leaves us wondering if the moaning is from sexual pleasure or the pain of the blood-sucking nightbreed. Later we're offered anything from detective / mystery outings with Scooby Doo on the Mighty Wurlitzer to proto-hip hop beats by Casper the Friendly Ghost with an S&M habit and a sheet of acid.

Ultimately, this is a fine burlesque show funky jazz hip hop horror masterpiece just waiting to be sampled to death. Supposedly this recording was the creative outlet of a group of people that were employed to make sound effects records for a German library archive. Only a job that boring could spawn something this exciting.

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Solomon Ilori and his Afro Drum Ensemble - African High Life (Blue Note, 1963)

2011-10-04T13:10:00.003-04:00

Before ol' Fela Kuti was a household name there was Solomon Ilori. After Art Blakey embraced his heritage and began incorporating the afrocentric mentality into his own style of jazz he utilized the talents of Ilori. This is high life before the rest. The first recording to drop stateside, on Blue Note no less. Ilori's high life is a beautiful marriage of traditional African and Carribean styles. Really smooth, funky and amazing material here. Enjoy.

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Manilla Road - Crystal Logic (Black Dragon, 1983)

2011-10-03T11:10:00.005-04:00

Witchita, Kansas, 1977: Mark 'The Shark' Shelton and high school buddies Benny Munkirs, Rick Fisher and brothers Robert and Scott Park started playing some progressive hard rock in the local bars. After cutting a couple records and cutting the fat, 1983 saw a new and thrashier drummer in Randy Foxe. With this came a new heavy metal sound that carved a niche for them with this good time / bad time / mystical burner.

This record has every cliche in the book and then some. I love that Manilla Road's lyrics range from nuclear war and holocaust to Norse and Arthurian legend, a bit of Cthulu and maybe something about saving the manatees? Not really sure about the last part, may have misheard it...I want that to be what I heard though.

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Igor Wakhevich - Docteur Faust (Pathe Marconi EMI, 1971)

2011-09-27T13:27:00.003-04:00

OK, what the hell is this? It's good, I think....I think.
Doctor Faustus is a play based on the Faust story. Common themes are sin and affirmation and Satan. So with that in mind, needless to say this album is dark and scary in tone. “Docteur Faust” is almost set up like a surreal score for the play itself. This album is really pure progressive rock in it's most cluttered and abstract form. The smooth jammy grooves of early Pink Floyd are holding hands with the martial sounds of King Crimson and Stravinsky and they're walking along, yet keep on falling into puddles of Goblin goo. As this album is purposely composed as it is, it is a bit much in the way of never gaining any sort theme other than confusion and torment. Which, if that is what Igor Wakhevich was attempting to do, he has exceeded his goal. Seriously though, this album sounds like Satan's own martial symphony is playing while marching straight into the cave where several species of small fury animals are grooving with a Pict. This album is definitely worth checking out.

--Sean Dail

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Ensemble Economique - Psychical (Not Not Fun, 2010)

2011-09-26T01:36:00.003-04:00

I know this fantastic artwork is just making you think "Witch House" but don't be deceived, Brian Pyles from California project Starving Weirdos has succeeding in bypassing that cliche and making an incredibly original campy shlock horror score that will impress any skeptic with the most discriminating tastes.

This selection of percussive drones and psychedelic loops has a tongue in cheek aesthetic that actually delivers a worthwhile product that may just stand the test of time. It creeps me out without any campy routine. Tracks flow seamlessly creating a meditative state of horror, sex and drug use in a way that I've never experienced. Try lumping this work into the Goblin worship category and you've got another thing coming.

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Horslips - Aliens (DJM, 1977)

2011-09-25T18:39:00.003-04:00

My birthday happens to fall on St. Patrick's Day, and on that day a couple of years ago a friend of mine gave me a copy of the Horselips album “Aliens.” This was a great addition to my Irish music collection, which I wear out on my birthday. Plus, it's not so “skee-diddley-dee,” that is so stereotypical of Irish music. In fact, I enjoy listening to this band all year round now I've been introduced.
Horselips were a Celtic rock band that originally formed in Dublin during the early seventies. Some have considered Horselips as a progressive rock band. I believe that is primarily due to their renditions of traditional folk songs and use of a flute or fife. Do people call anything that is traditionally “white” sounding “prog?” Anyway, it is said that they started a band to get beer tabs in their local pub and realized that they had something worth while. As they are know for their rock versions of traditional Irish folk tunes, the album “Short Stories and Tall Tales” which came out later in their career in 79', is inherently Irish sounding, but very rock-pop driven, in the manner of some of the best Thin Lizzy songs and albums. When I first put it on the turn table, of course certain associations come to mind, and I thought “this sounds like Jethro Tull without all the dramatic frills.” Don't get me wrong, I really appreciate the works of Ian Anderson, but you know, sometimes you wanna listen to something sans theatrical development. Horselips is a solid, driving rock group that conjures up styles of many pub rock or punk rock bands of that era. This album is super catchy with simple combinations of guitar fuzz, keyboard blipping melodies, steady beats and hearty vocal arrangements. The lyrical content often reflects everything from love and love loss, to moral decision making and giving a description of the Irish working class. One of my favorite tracks is the song “Rescue Me.” It tells of a sea bound and stranded man falling away from his home as he dreams of life on land. A great metaphor for many aspects of life. Oh, and “Rescue Me” has a killer flute solo. Yeah!

--Sean Dail

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Hype Williams - One Nation (Hippos in Tamks, 2011)

2011-09-19T13:34:00.004-04:00

This popular video director from the 90's has fully embraced the hypnagogic pop movement. Hype was a great director who now makes great music.

None of what I just said is true. No one knows who the fuck these weirdos are but Damn, is it some addictive shit! Lovely chilled out familiarity from somewhere in your future past. Smoke 'em if ya got 'em.

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Coil presents: Black Light District - A Thousand Lights in a Darkened Room (Eskaton,1996)

2011-09-15T12:50:00.003-04:00

Following a very quite few years in the early 90's Coil released many re-issues and the wonderful Elph project "Worship the Glitch" in '95. That record showed that the acid house era was complete for ol' Jhon and Sleazy, with somber ambient song structures. The follow up project, which they called Black Light District, saw them fully embracing the next phase in their musical history. This is grown up Coil. The presented us with magickal, alchemical sound-sculpture in the creepiest environments conceivable. Reminiscent of the post-rave movement in the UK, it seems like that acid house psyche is recognizing the impact of all the amphetamines and accepting the reality of deplenished neurotransmitters. Often, the depressive introspection brought on by this physiological state causes beautiful yet oppressively emotional and intimate music. Coil was not afraid to let us in. Coil was never afraid of anything.

Long live Coil.

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Villages - Grey East (Hooker Vision, 2011)

2011-09-13T14:25:00.003-04:00

"I love tranquil solitude" --Percy Bysshe Shelley

This quote kept coming to mind while listening to the latest release and first cassette from Asheville composer, Ross Gentry. These soundscapes epitomize the mature and lauded sounds of his contemporaries while succeeding in isolating his own sense of character and vision. Grey East is a recombination of all that has come before and all we've yet to see; a recording that exists on the plane of consistency.

Philosopher Gilles Deleuze posited that an idea dwelling on his plane of consistency, or plane of immanence, exists or remains within. This idea never transcends into a metaphysical beyond. This is a quality I hear and recognize as intrinsic with Villages' general repertoire. None of the pieces are overworked or forced. On the contrary, they emote a near static existence that seems almost aggressively opposed to transcendence. This is work that seems to consciously exist "in between". Perfect examples are his choice in closing sides, A4 "Opt Abysmal" and B3 "The Cryptids". These lengthy compositions buried in minimal nuance exist passionately between the lines, his isolation motif coming into fruition, all the while giving a glimpse into a future direction.

Most fascinating is his choice of track arrangement. Both sides begin with icy shimmering and cerebral etudes that seem to beckon the thaw but ultimately lead to a return of cold hibernation and an ultimate cryogenic state.

Side A with "Postpone Joy", "Mourninga" (brilliant and romantically schizophrenic treatments of vocalist Nathaniel Markham) and "Cemetary Lights" hints at drips from the stalactite before the north wind ices it over once again.

Side B attempts another exit strategy. "All the Bells Stopped" struggles to break free and the soft and slow yet driven guitar melody of "Front Street" looks to open the hatch. Unfortunately, transcendence is not seen. "The Cryptids" make [makes] sure of that. This number has a primal spirituality and sage-like tenacity only comparable to Lustmord. The mantra could have evolved ad infinitum as far as I'm concerned.

This is some of the most thought-provoking ambient music out there today. Beautiful and somber yet complex and well-defined, Villages is one to keep your ears on.

Get this tape Here (if its not sold out)

Excerpt of "Mourninga Here

Hans Wurman - Chopin a la Moog (RCA, 1970)

2011-09-11T12:42:00.002-04:00

Machine electric composition via Moog of Chopin by way of Wurman. The horns have started turning. The fridge is getting louder. This 1970's release of Wurman's renditions of Romantic composer Frederic Chopin are performed on a classic Moog synthesizer and done fantastically well. The rest happens when you listen to it.

Ballad in G major Op 23

Etude in A-Flat Posth No 2

Etude in C Minor Op 10 No 12 (Revolutionary)

Etude in E Op 10 No 3

Etude in F-Minor Op 25 No 2

Etude in G-Sharp Minor Op 25 No 6

Mazurka in D Op 33 No 2

Polonaise in A Op 40 No1

Prelude in D-Flat Op 28 No 15

Waltz in A-Flat Op 34 No 1

Waltz in C-Sharp minor Op 64 No 2

Waltz in D-Flat Op 62 No1 (minute)

Waltz in E-Minor Op Prosth

Now noticed where you have haphazardly placed your doilies and remember how you spilled your favorite batch of eggnog and schnapps on the NES. Just remember, it was out of your control and bound to happen anyway. Enjoy

-- Sean Dail

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Guitars of the Golden Triangle: Folk and Pop from Myanmar and Beyond 2 - V/A (Sublime Frequencies, 2005)

2011-09-07T11:54:00.003-04:00

This collection of music from one of the most foggy and mysterious places on the globe is a great example of western influence on eastern cultures. It is interesting that the title of this compilation is focused on the golden triangle aspect of the region rather than what the music itself is about. Although the Golden Triangle does lend itself to shape the culture that surrounds the Mayanmar region. This music comes from the Shan State in Burma, which is known infamously for it's heavy production of heroin. It was the leader in opium trade and production from the 1920's through the 1980's, due to it's elevation in the mountainous part of Burma and the nature of addiction, business, lack of human rights and laws. The elusive Shan State is barely known by it's surrounding communities of Mayanmar, so to be able to listen to this music, it is a wonder of an experience. This country has one of the longest running civil wars in history after gaining independence from British rule in 1948 and then remained under military rule from the 1960's to 2010. The military was dismantled after a general election in 2010 and then came the introduction of Burma's civilian government.

The reason I introduced this review with a perspective overview of this area's sociological history is because it is important to keep in mind the perpetual struggle this culture has endured. It is not only amazing that this music was created in such austere circumstances but also that fact that we even have access to it from the other side of the world. So be sure to give props to your fellow ethno-musicological detectives for digging deep.

Ok, now about the music. Much of these songs were recorded in the early seventies and due to the limited sources of access to this culture and the destruction of much of the music, the recordings themselves are a bit worn and faded. Cassette tapes onto cassette tapes have been the only source of documenting these sounds. But that doesn't take anything from the music and the quality of creativity. Much of the music is stylized in western pop, country and their native folk music. Lots of organ and dinky drum rhythms with twangy sharp guitar melodies fill this compilation. Four or so artist comprise the comp, and I say “or so” because there is one unknown artist featured. As the music is fairly standard pop, it definitely presents itself with the impression of a haphazardly drugged out culture. Since I don't understand the lyrics, I can only get an idea of what the songs are about through the English translation of some of the song titles. Such as Khun Paw Yann's “Hopes and Goals” and “You got what you got” as well as Lashio Thein Aung's “Mistake of a small bird” and “Don't say goodbye”. I like to think some of these songs are either about love or philosophical thoughts about gracefully dealing with reality. I am not sure but that's the feeling I get. This music is truly a rare glimpse into a mysterious and forgotten culture. By researching this album, I find myself wondering how western music was able to influence this isolated area. I have heard that truckers that would do deliveries in this region would be listening to music in their vehicles and would share music with the people and in return, the people were influenced and inspired. I am not sure of the reliability of this notion, but it doesn't seem impossible. I hope you can enjoy this as much as I have.

--Sean Dail

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Anne Clarke - Changing Places (Red Flame, 1983)

2011-09-07T03:16:00.002-04:00

Ok. So, I'm definitely gonna take some shit for this one. British spoken word artist / poet / composer Anne Clark made one of my favorite breakbeat / electro songs in '83 with "Sleeper in Metropolis". Its definitely over the top and you probably won't listen to the entire effort but there's just something endearing about her voice with these beats and synths. It feels like a dance party that could have happened when the film version of Orwell's "1984" was finally complete. With this kind of melancholy existentialist funk, one can only imagine Annie Lennox doing the worm with John Hurt at a Gay Pride parade... and who can't get down on that??

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Group Acanthus - Le Frisson des Vampires (1971)

2011-09-01T13:54:00.003-04:00

Le Frisson des Vampires (The Shiver of the Vampire) was a completely over the top hippy vampire film by director Jean Rollin. The film is dadaist-feeling exploitation which came about due to his experience in the May '68 revolution as well as his dealings with the surrealists and the Fantastique movement.

Group Acanthus was a teenage psych combo that churned out some really nice deep cuts for Rollin. Think Gong, some funky Soft Machine, a pinch of Floyd and a dash of Can. Way groovy, baby. Dig.

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Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet - Savvy Show Stoppers (Glass, 1990)

2011-09-01T00:29:00.002-04:00

Alright, get your boards and nail them to the floor. Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet are a Canadian musical act from the 80's that plays surf music, yet are not a surf band. This is known because they have a song called “We're Not A Fucking Surf Band”. Besides that, they play bad ass surf detective rock & roll. The trio are most widely known for the song “Having An Average Weekend”, which was featured as the theme song for Canadian sketch comedy troupe Kids In The Hall.

The compilation Savvy Show Stoppers is a collection of pre-90's singles originally released in 1990. This bunch of songs range from dark, smokey lounge licks to Link Wray rumble riffs with every type of raw instrumental post-pop “surf” sounds that slide swaggering down the sci-fi fret board.

--Sean Dail

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Coil - Live in NYC 08-18-01

2011-08-30T18:51:00.002-04:00

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Alejandro Jodorowsky - The Holy Mountain OST (1973

2011-08-28T11:29:00.003-04:00

Film plot in summary: A Christlike figure wanders through bizarre, grotesque scenarios filled with religious and sacrilegious imagery. He meets a mystical guide who introduces him to seven wealthy and powerful individuals, each representing a planet in the solar system. These seven, along with the protagonist, the guide and the guide's assistant, divest themselves of their worldly goods and form a group of nine who will seek out the Holy Mountain, in order to displace the gods who live there and become immortal.

If you haven't seen this film then watch it NOW! Afterwards, scope this wacky Chilean score by Jodorowsky himself, along with the inimitable Don Cherry. The album is action-packed with snippets of Tibetan throat singing, other creepy chanting, jazz, classical, authentic acid rock and even some Indian vibes.

The film is a truly bizarre experience but the score stands on its own pretty well.
Man, hallucinogenics and catholicism make for some disturbing and hilarious adventures. "We manufacture hyper-sexed, brown native vampires..."

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Cindytalk - Camouflage Heart ( Midnight Music,1984)

2011-08-27T12:31:00.003-04:00

After the demise of Scottish punk / new wave band "The Freeze", David Clancy and Gordon Sharp formed Cindytalk in 1982. This project is something Sharp described as ambidustrial. I know that doesn't really roll off the tongue but it does summarize how he took elements of Editions EG's ambient releases and fused them with the then hip and new industrial sound.

In case you hear some familiar elements to the vocal stylings, guitar and production, that's because it sounds like This Mortal Coil, the 4AD ambient supergroup that Sharp was a part of. In fact, the single "Kangaroo" that Sharp sang on was the big UK indie hit off "It'll End in Tears" which is one of my favorite albums.

This record is raw, nasty, dirgey, mournful and experimental yet somehow retains a punk as fuck feel. Its bloody good, it is.

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Ry Cooder - Paris, Texas OST (Warner Bros., 1984

2011-08-26T01:07:00.003-04:00

This film changed my life. Of course, if you were to have extracted the brilliantly painful and moving score, I'm not sure it would have had quite the same impact. Those long takes alongside the minimal dialog would not be nearly as effective without Cooder's solitary and melancholic steel guitar. The A/V is completely synonymous. Its also a real treat to have a song on here sung by Sir Harry Dean Stanton (ok, I added the knighthood moniker but I'm sure you feel me). I've been listening to the cd for years and had forgotten about it for a while until I picked up the cassette at a thrift store a while back. Now I want the vinyl. This is the jewel in the crown of one of the greatest film music composers. Throw this on while sitting outside in the sunshine drinking a cerveza. You have my word you won't be disappointed.

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Mark Fry - Dreaming with Alice (Sunbeam, 1972)

2011-08-25T01:55:00.003-04:00

I know what you're thinking, you saw the photo and thought it looked like some member of The Black Crowes and his kid. Well, its not. Its a guy named Mark Fry. He cut one pretty bad ass pastoral psych folk record and that's all you need to know about the man himself.

This is really good stuff. Elements of Donovan, Incredible String Band, Pentangle and the Wicker Man soundtrack give way to some Indian ragga feeling pagan folk vibes. There's even a hint of some weirder Maharishi lovin' Beatles in here. For fans of all that freak folk revival and some Ben Chasny. Again, this is really good stuff.

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Night of the Living Dead - OST (Varese Sarabande, 1968)

2011-08-24T14:01:00.005-04:00

I don't think I really need to convince you of anything here.

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Nagamatzu - Sacred Islands of the Mad (Dark Entries, 2011)

2011-08-23T13:51:00.004-04:00

I've recently fallen in love with the Dark Entries label. They are re-issuing a ludicrous amount of early 80's synth-based acts that fell through the cracks. Limiting the LP's to 500 hand-numbered copies, they are creating a bit of hysteria. Here is a cassette release that is blowing my mind. By the time of this, their second album, Nagamatzu had moved from Ipswich to London, Stephen Jarvis (SETI, Legion, Terror Against Terror) & Andrew Lagowski (Pure Motorised Instinct, Terraform) were on a distinctive coldwave / post-punk / synthwave tip manifested by hollow-feeling drum machines, cheap synths, minimal guitars and sparsely placed vocals. The name is taken from J.G. Ballard's novel "Atrocity Exhibition" (seems to have been the most influential book of the coldwave scene) and sounds as dystopian as you would imagine.

This is some cold dark music for fans of "Faith" and "Seventeen Seconds". Get the LP fast!

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Nurse With Wound - Soliloquy for Lilith (Idle Hole, 1988)

2011-08-22T01:04:00.003-04:00

Stephen Stapleton is one of my music gods. He's one of those artists with an unbelievably prolific output over many years that never really disappoints. Often touted as an industrial artist, much of his dark ambient and drone work seems to fall by the wayside for most. This is his magnum opus. Its quite simply 106 minutes of meditative creepiness. I forget what an impact music like this can make on the psyche. I was just out for a late night stroll through the neighborhood with my dogs while listening to this one, and succeeded in spooking myself a bit. The frequencies in these drones really did a number on me. For those of you a little disillusioned by goth or black / death metal or horror scores, try a bit of the drone. It can cure your desensitized ears and give you the creeps you thought were a lost cause. A big hit if you're a fan of Coil's "Time Machines" record.

"The album was recorded by Steven Stapleton and his wife Diana Rogerson in May 1988. The only sound source was a number of effects units which he had set up to operate in a feedback loop - there was no original input signal being processed, simply the feedback hum generated by plugging the original chain of pedals back into itself. However, when Stapleton went near the pedals he found the sound changed in accordance with his proximity to the various pedals and units. Stapleton told author David Keenan (in the book England's Hidden Reverse) that he had created the album by gently moving his fingers above the various units to create the slow, subtle changes in the sound. As this shouldn't happen, Stapleton has put the album down to an electrical fault of some sort in the studio. This was acknowledged on a later reissue with the credit "our thanks to Electricity for making this recording possible". He remains proud of the album, describing it to Keenan as "fucking brilliant". The album title refers to Stapleton and Rogerson's daughter Lilith who was born that year." -- from Wikipedia

Get pt. 1 here
Get pt. 2 here
Get pt. 3 here

Christopher Robin Waite - The Black Cassette (Mixtape, 2011)

2011-08-21T01:34:00.003-04:00

In 1996, I started djing house parties. In 1997, I started djing nightclubs and "raves". By 1999, I was sick of djing for stupid kids that cared more about the speed and mdma than the music. Everything started to slow down...way down. I had done a few gigs in DJ Wally's opium den type lounge in NYC and decided to submerse myself in that whole "illbient" thing. I began mixing with as many mediums as possible. I used turntables, cassette walkmen and cd players, all the while forgetting about beatmatching and no longer worrying about trainwrecking. One night I got really stoned and randomly mixed Nina Simone with Einsturzende Neubauten, Angelo Badalamenti, Prince Jammy and Ligety. It was a magical and life changing experience. The result was mindbending and it struck me to continue this artistic accident into the public sphere. I still do it to this day. Its evolved over the course of a decade but the unique mind altering state that it puts my audience in still exists.

Chris Waite is on my wavelength, only, his mix is completely mature and stunningly thought out and executed. This is a real gem. sit down, relax and enjoy the lobotomy.

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Winter - Into Darkness (Future Shock, 1990)

2011-08-19T01:51:00.004-04:00

Quite disturbing, bleak and creepy, this New York Death / Doom Metal band released this highly influential ep that didn't see much success at the time but went on to make an impact on bands like Sunn O)) and Unearthly Trance. They took their name from an Amebix song and didn't produce much more than another mediocre follow up in '94 but this stands the test of time. Into Darkness is slow and crushing. I dare you to disapprove.

This link contains the ep with bonus tracks

R.I.P. Conrad Schnitzler (1937-2011)

2011-08-07T10:31:00.003-04:00

Founding member of Kluster and early member of Tangerine Dream, Conrad Schnitzler, has passed away of stomach cancer. He was a powerful force in the history of electronic music. After leaving Kluster in '71, he focused on solo recordings and continued to release over 100 albums including "00/830", finished just days before his death. He also opened the Zodiac Club, which is where Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk playeed early shows.

He will be terribly missed.

Watch "Auf dem Schwarzen Kanal" Here

Flying Lotus - Thundercat (Mixtape, 2011)

2011-08-06T23:39:00.005-04:00

Wow, this is... wow. The man can mix and his selection of cuts by the bad bass player himself, Thundercat, is just...wow. Hip Hop, Jazz, Funk and Soul are well represented here. Chill out, slow down and dig this. Righteous.

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Goblin - Buio Omega OST (Cinevox, 1979)

2011-08-06T02:19:00.004-04:00

Are you a young rich orphan who lost your girlfriend to voodoo performed by your jealous housekeeper? Just dig that grave up, clean her out, stuff her, and make her look pretty, ya know, just for old time's sake. Just make sure to wear your headphones so you can rock the original companion soundtrack to a film where this actually happens. Necrophilia Prog? Gross, yes...awesome tunes, yes.

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One week hiatus!

2011-07-28T13:03:00.002-04:00

i'm moving all these records into a new house. It takes a lot of time. I'll be back in a week. For now, just stick with The Hearse.

Be good.

Deutsche Wertarbeit - S / T (Sky Records, 1981)

2011-07-26T13:19:00.003-04:00

After leaving Dusseldorf progressive rock band "Streetmark", Dorothea Raukes had one shining moment with this beautiful synth classic. A true diamond in the rough, Deutsche Wertarbeit has been re-issued and is sure to stoke the mental fires of synth nerds everywhere. Driving motorik, komische, avant garde and meditative pulses and rhythms populate this incredibly gorgeous one off release. Its quite a shame that this is the only release of hers in this style. If you dig Tangerine Dream or the Editions Mego / Spectrum Spools material, you'll will flip over Dorothea Raukes.

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Brainticket - Celestial Ocean (Hallelujah, 1974)

2011-07-25T13:35:00.003-04:00

“Celestial Ocean” is both an adventure and voyage for explorers of the human experience. In other words, the walls are breathing. Or maybe it is the projection of your own vibration as the air comes in and then out again. Either way this album is pure cosmic indulgence on a “space is deep” kind of level. Whoever has taken strong psychedelics will try and convince someone that this or that is the best music to fall into the depths of time and space. But the truth is, any kind of music or sound can seem completely psychedelic when under the influence. And with that said, there is a difference between just any kind of music and musicnauts who actually prepare to take you into the abyss and then do it with grace. Brainticket are one of those musical groups.

Brainticket is a collection of middle European musicians, primarily consisting of German and Swiss descent. The band started releasing albums in the early seventies. The two albums that precede “Celestial Ocean” were “Cottonwood Hill”(1971) and “Psychonaut”(1972). These albums gave guidance to what would be expected. Which means it is not safe to expect something in particular of the sound of Brainticket. Just know that the 1974 release of “Celestial Ocean” expanded the already vastness of life and all perceptions of it. The album tells a story of an ancient Egyptian king traveling on a ship that courses though the afterlife, inspired by the Egyptian book of the dead. One thing should be understood, Brainticket takes themselves seriously when presenting the subject matter of other and ancient worlds with space ships and dreams. Some people get turned off when musicians and artists wholeheartedly believe in what they feel no matter how unreal it may seem. Most roll the psychedelic mumbo jumbo off as being playful and goofy, like a “arn't I just the strangest thing” sorta way, not Brainticket.

Kaleidoscopic sounds twist around synthesized rhythms that continually grow and decay while creating a unknown landscape as a cacophony of voices clutter and vanish in the same breath. Yeah, it's really like that. The album is presented in a book end form, opening with “Egyptian Kings” and closing with a reprise of the beginning track, titled “Visions”. Everything in between is an absolute pleasure. At times it creates a yoga or meditation environment. Nobody thinks flutes are cool anymore. Well, they have their place along side with such complementary instruments as organs, zithers and odd sound generators. O.K. This review was my own indulgence in describing the pure psychedelic force that is Brainticket. All I really had to say was that the band is called Brainticket and don't take more than you can handle. But seriously, this should get the party started if the kind of party you like is the one where everyone lies naked on the floor and forget they have bodies and lose all concepts of reality. Just moans of ecstasy and fear as the collective consciousness merrily drifts up and down the celestial ocean. Yo! I said it. Yo! Buy the ticket, take the ride.

--Sean Dail

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Chrisma - Chinese Restaurant (Polydor, 1977)

2011-07-24T12:05:00.003-04:00

In 1976, Maurizio Arcieri and his wife Christina Moser formed the duo under the name 'Chrisma." That year, the couple moved from Milan to London to record "U" and "Amore" with the producer Nico Papathanassiou and his brother Vangelis (yes, THE Vangelis). Their collaboration with Papathanassiou and Vangelis continued through 1978. During this time, the duo recorded the album "Chinese Restaurant."

This is synth-punk meets Goblin meets Carpenter with some funk and jazzy guitar thrown in. Christine's vocals have that unusual sensuality of a Jennifer Charles or an Anne Clark but without the discomfort of the spoken word. This is one of those records you discover and want to kick yourself for not having listened to it for the past ten years.

They didn't have much more as weird or interesting as this; however, there are a handful of tracks that make the catalog worth sifting through. The renowned film composer Hans Zimmer even joined them later for some really uninspiring material. wow. Either way, this is definitely worthy of our time.

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Aqua Velvets - Guitar Noir ( Milan,1997)

2011-07-23T11:36:00.004-04:00

The album is called “Guitar Noir”, and that is exactly what it sounds like. The band, Aqua Velvets, and now you can almost smell it. Smooth, refined and hypnotically dark with a tinge of expected monolog that tells the first person story of a lonesome night as the days past are reflected in rain shimmering off the streetlights of some abandoned alley. Yeah, that's right.

Aqua Velvets are a southern California surf group that first appeared in the late 80's. "(The band) doesn’t slavishly imitate others or attempt to duplicate the past. All songs on the aptly titled Guitar Noir are originals and many are quite good"(Los Angeles Daily News). These fellas are part of the rebirth sound of surf to be known as neosurf. A lot of Aqua Velvets tracks have been featured in prime time detective shows and nineties noir films. It is pure guitar noir, and that is basically all there is to say about this album. Now, all one needs to do is, get a pack of smokes, scrounge up enough money for your favorite fifth, put the record on and get to work. It'll be along night, yet you know all that is left is a reason, a reason why you're here. Good luck kid, you'll need it.

--Sean Dail

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White Orange - S/T (Made In China, 2011)

2011-07-17T11:12:00.004-04:00

I’d like to file this Portland quartet comfortably between progressive and sludge metal. Unfortunately, their sound is not that simple and it would be an injustice for me to label them as such. They are mesmerizing. With a slick, complex production and a swirling, psychedelic personality all their own, this overdriven, fuzzed out metal behemoth combines a multitude of influences while remaining completely unique.

With regret, I must do a lot of name-dropping here. They borrow from hard rock and metal bands like Deep Purple, Hawkwind, Black Sabbath, Kyuss, Nebula, The Sword and Mastodon; also included are hints of grunge such as Mudhoney and Nirvana; and there’s a nice touch with vocal sounds not far removed from Al Jourgensen’s Wax Trax days.

I want to call this stoner rock but in good conscience, I cannot. White Orange are more akin to drinking a vat of liquid acid. Space rock? Sure, but these guys travel by way of a wormhole to another dimension. Upon arrival, they are vacuumed into a black hole and spit out the other side, only slightly singed by the neighboring red dwarf.

All metaphors aside, the recurring musical theme of this album is always endearing and tasteful repetition is always welcomed. With fascinating time signature changes, the material never stales.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Rarely does anything so progressive compel this intelligently. White Orange arhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gife masters of their craft and deliver their unusual message with grace and tact. Several times during my first listen I found myself drifting off into a bit of a trance. There is an innovative brand of psychedelia presented here that is currently unmatched. What we have here is a forty-four minute album that feels like a lifetime. This band is musical DMT.

The opening track hooked me with a Hawkwind “Psychedelic Warlords” feel. Not much later, there are lyrics that command us to “set the controls for the heart of the sun”. With that theme engaged, White Orange offer us an uncanny narrative that is sure to stake their claim as a new breed of metal.

buy it

This article originally appeared in DOA

Black Math - Phantom Power (Permanent Records, 2010)

2011-07-15T21:04:00.004-04:00

This is the most exciting and possibly the best rock band in Chicago. There, I said it. I will not get tired of them...ever.

These compositions are predominantly darkwave a la early Cure but also contain groovy slabs of nasty shoegaze. They toy with garage rock, occasional girl group vocals and crunchy yet danceable post-punk. Mind you, all of this occurs in each cut. Always creative and never boring, Black Math know how to play me like a harp. i never would have thought anyone could fuse many of my favorite genres so effortlessly.

They use an interesting setup of guitar, keyboards, electric cello and drum machine, a configuration that enhances their already definitive recording technique. If they manage to stick together, look for them to have quite a loyal cult following.

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GNOD Drop Out with WHITE HILLS II (Rocket Recordings, 2010)

2011-07-14T12:45:00.002-04:00

A joint effort with some of the best psychedelic, komische, tripped out crazy krautrock you'll ever hear. These two outfits sound like Neu, Tangerine Dream and Cluster playing together in a very small room. Dizzying soundscapes behind dense motorik drumming. Too too too tasty.

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Erik Skodvin - The Sickening (Mixtape for Type, 2011)

2011-07-09T12:27:00.004-04:00

When label boss Rik Skodvin isn't slaying my brain with his own Miasmah imprint, he's slaying my brain with his friend Otto Totland as "Deaf Center", and sometimes he slays my brain with his solo project "Svarte Greiner. Here is a mixtape he did for Type. Sit back, relax and enjoy this voyage to the bottom of the drone-colored abyss. Cheers.

Don't forget there's a free download option.

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Cult of Youth - A Stick to Bind, A Seed to Grow (Dais, 2008)

2011-07-08T13:03:00.006-04:00

Is it possible? Could it be that a Gothic Neo-folk record can exist without utterly emulating Death in June? Could this also be an American artist? Why, yes, its actually happened. Sean Ragon has recorded an acoustic guitar driven album ripe with that martial sounding european pop intensity that we all know and love. He nods to many artists here, DIJ, Current 93 and I even hear a little Bad Seeds thrown in for good measure. I'm impressed and very excited about this debut full length. There is also a new one out on the ever impressive Sacred Bones label. Eat this one up.

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Charles Manson - LIE : The Love and Terror Cult (Awareness,1967)

2011-07-05T20:04:00.005-04:00

This album is really bad and really good at the same time. What we have here is a seriously narcissistic delusional psychotic moron who managed to pull off one hell of a psych folk record. No, the lyrics are not good but if you can get past that, just listen to the cool guitar and the smooth sound of his voice. I dig it. Sorry.

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Chrome - Half Machine Lip Moves (Siren, 1979)

2011-07-01T17:42:00.004-04:00

More weirdo sounds from San Francisco, this time from the late 70's. Helios Creed and Damon Edge used guitar, bass, trashed drumkits, various moogs and tape loop noise to create some of the coolest noise rock ever made. Way way way before its time. Everything and the kitchen sink is thrown in a tree mulcher alongside an intense punk vibe driven by a kraut / motorik / industrial groove. Oh, and lots of sheet metal clanging around. Chrome are the definition of cyberpunk. Sci-fi as fuck. One of the best Rock albums ever made. Cheers.

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Fifty Foot Hose - Cauldron (Limelight, 1967)

2011-07-01T01:59:00.004-04:00

San Francisco, 1967. Psychedelia is rampant, bands like Jefferson Airplane, Big Brother and The Holding Company and Quicksilver Messenger Service are making their presence known. During the mega-dosing that these bands were doing, Fifty Foot Hose were making psych rock but with an incredibly unusual edge. Influenced by Dadaism and experimental composers like Edgard Varèse, John Cage, Terry Riley, and George Antheil, this outfit secured their inacessibility and obscurity by being too intelligent and electronic for the masses. Singer Nancy Blossom lustfully meandered through the paisley fields of free love in such a casual way that most didn't take notice.

The synth work is as gripping as the guitar. Everything about this band is groundbreaking and mindblowing for the timeframe. For the love of God, download this now. Its like a remix of all things 60's pop but its authentic and really happened in the 60's. There's a cover of Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child" that sounds like Silver Apples attempting to embarrass The Fugs.

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Doom Ribbons - The Violence (Open Letter, 2011)

2011-06-30T00:31:00.002-04:00

To call this album "a work years in the making" might sound like a trite description to create some sort of grandeur but I assure you, its just plain true. After anticipating this release for three years, guitarist Shane Perlowin finally put it in my hands.

Perlowin and percussionist/samplist extraordinaire James Owen were patient in letting us in on their incredibly eclectic ideas. Having heard some of these compositions live and being impressed each time, I still wasn't prepared for the studio treatment of the material.

Both musicians have been staples on the Asheville, North Carolina music scene for over a decade. Always interesting and charismatic players, this duo has finally unveiled a magical recording that is as playful as it is cerebral.

"Food for the New State" begins with a pastiche of birds singing along with bursts of industrial noise. This softly builds into lovely classical-flavored acoustic guitar paired with ghostly echoing vocals creating a gorgeous though ominous soundscape that culminates in a loop of what sounds like a massive street riot. with "Prayer for Collapsing Economies" we're transported into more straight ahead terrain. A punchy and groovy drumkit rhythm meets African feeling guitar melodies in a somewhat familiar pop and rock structure.

"Big Other" is the beast on this record. Acoustic and electric guitars loop and loop again, together with soft and unassuming percussion, delicately plodding toward a yet unseen destination. Like one slow and long panning film take, we wait until about seven minutes in, the cacaphonous assembly is fiercely unleashed and just like that...its gone.

"Horvat Jerusalem" is a paricularly dark minor number that ventures into jazz territory with accordion and horns in a middle eastern vein. This is the most engaging track on the album, with brilliant and mature compositional skills and overtly political subject matter without having to verbalize as much. The piece has a Muslim Gauze-like militance that I find captivating. "Drmfdbk" is an unexpectedly vicious and noisy track that leads up to nasty skronking sax and bowed bass. The closer "Die alone" begins in an almost shoegaze approach with more of the haunting vocal sampling and mellow electric guitar. Eventually, an almost meditative chanting appears out of the ether, part ancient funeral march, part praise song.

This album is about to get a lot of press but it will not receive as much as it deserves. A must have. CD available now. Get It Here

Look for the vinyl soon.

Tall Dwarfs - 3 EPs (Flying Nun, 1994)

2011-06-27T14:08:00.003-04:00

This goofball New Zealand duo, founded in 1981, is pretty ridiculous but equally talented and interesting. Chris Knox and Alex Bathgate made several records with guitar, organ, casiotone and hand percussion. They were DIY pioneers of the lo-fi aesthetic, using 4 track recordings buried in the lovely land of tape hiss.

3 EPs was a particularly interesting development for the band as they invited fans to record their own instrumentation and what not on cassette and submit them. The band used this material as fundamentals for many pieces.

A sloppy Spacemen 3 on acid instead of heroin, these guys also incorporate the stylings of Donovan, George Harrison and a bit of a Fugs motif.

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The Caretaker - Persistent Repetition of Phrases (Install, 2008)

2011-06-26T00:37:00.003-04:00

Remember the feeling you had when you were watching Stanley Kubrick's The Shining and Jack enters the Gold Room, the ballroom of the Overlook Hotel? There is a definitive emotion that occurs when the first notes of that 1920's jazz begins to play. Its ominous, creepy, spectral and unrelenting. That sequence in the bathroom with Delbert Grady, the previous caretaker, is quite possibly the most brilliantly frightening experience I had as a young person ingesting art of any kind.

Electronic musician James Kirby recreates these feelings with this project. Cutting and pasting jazz from the 1920's and 1930's, he reduces the tempo and adds effects, resulting in an alien transmission as beautiful as it is psychotic. These soundscapes are unmatched in their simplicity and elegance.

"No sir, YOU are the caretaker. You've always been the caretaker. I ought to know: I've always been here."

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Loss - Despond (Profound Lore, 2011)

2011-06-21T12:56:00.003-04:00

Nashville doomsayers Loss have finally achieved a full-length album and the result is passionate, moving and simply stunning. For all you kids out there that think you listen to "Doom" this might be a wake up call and a redefinition. Doom is not smoking weed and chillaxin' with your bros. Doom is remorse, sorrow, regret and suicide and self-loathing. A soundtrack for when you're numb or too depressed to shed a tear.

Loss has mastered these emotions. A sprawling, barren and pitiful landscape devoid of anything positive is delicately presented to us on Despond. When listening, its almost as if this music is a loving arm placed on your shoulder in an attempt to comfort but not knowing what to say.

While depressing in subject matter, this remains epic and beautiful music. Fans of Asunder and Katatonia will welcome this as a masterpiece almost six years in the making. This is funeral doom. This is one of the best albums of 2011. Enjoy.

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Akron / Family - Akron / Family (Young God, 2005)

2011-06-17T12:49:00.003-04:00

You may know Akron/Family as a bullshit jam band because that's what they are these days. Well, before the bullshit they put out one of my favorite folk pop albums of all time. This sweet little record is genuinely honest freak folk that is sure to win you over. All you have to do is try to forget who you're listening to. I promise you its good.

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R.I.P Seth Putnam (May 15, 1968 – June 11, 2011)

2011-06-16T02:28:00.006-04:00

The Anal Cunt himself has passed away of a heart attack. He was 43. Thank you for the grindcore, the most offensive song titles in history and most importantly, thank you for "311 Sucks".

311 Sucks

Can't Touch This

Tearist (Cdr, 2009)

2011-06-16T01:47:00.003-04:00

Imagine one oddly attractive female writhing around singing as if in mid-sex and simultaneous epileptic fit occasionally messing with a pile of vocal effects pedals at her feet. Imagine awkward new wave looking male looking gothically disinterested in front of a synth rack. Put these two in a claustrophobic feeling room and voila, you have Tearist.

This is 24 minutes of avant-garde post-punk dance and witch house. A demon-ridden Diamanda Galas and a nymphomaniacal Siousxie haunted by the ghost of the original 4AD ladies dancing like Ian Curtis and recorded all lo-fi by Salem and Zola Jesus while on speed.

Shocking, confusing and brilliant. Dance alone in front of your mirror, bitches.

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Comets on Fire - Blue Cathedral (Sub Pop, 2004)

2011-06-15T12:39:00.003-04:00

I remember my original face. It was ok but I was never really fond of it. So, luckily, I wasn't too distraught when in 2004, I picked up this album and that face was melted. Of course, I should have had a better plastic surgeon, alas, so it goes.

What we have here are the finest aspects of The Stooges and MC5 launched into a funnel cloud with the best elements of Blue Oyster Cult and early Pink Floyd. Oh, and toss in an overused Echoplex. One of the coolest and most acid-drenched burning rock n' roll records I've ever heard. And lest I forget, Ben Chasny (Six Organs...) is in the band. Thirsty yet?

Take amphetamines.
Take some LSD.
Listen to Comets On Fire.
Just sayin'.

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Or:

Clams Casino - Instrumental (Mixtape, 2011)

2011-06-13T13:45:00.002-04:00

So its official, a Hip Hop producer has jumped on the Shoegaze bandwagon. That's right, the man who has been bringing beats for Lil B, Main Attrakionz and even Souljah Boy is all up in your cerebrum with some dreamy, blissed out tracks that are sure to leave you feeling euphoric.

This is a summer jam for sure.

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Leviathan - A Silhouette in Splinters (2005, Profound Lore)

2011-06-13T00:47:00.004-04:00

Through me you pass into the city of woe:
Through me you pass into eternal pain:
Through me among the people lost for aye.

Justice the founder of my fabric mov'd:
To rear me was the task of power divine,
Supremest wisdom, and primeval love.

Before me things create were none, save things
Eternal, and eternal I endure.
All hope abandon ye who enter here.

Such characters in colour dim I mark'd
Over a portal's lofty arch inscrib'd:
Whereat I thus: Master, these words import.

--Dante Alighieri "Divine Comedy, 1321

Wrest is one of the most complex and fascinating characters in Black Metal today. Barring all the controversy about his personal life, he remains a prolific and competent artist in multiple realms. He is the force behind not only Leviathan but Lurker of Chalice (my favorite album of 2006) and a contributor to Twilight, Nachtmystium and Sunn O))).

I can't praise this album enough. Whereas Leviathan is typically a project that emulates classic washed out and lo-fi depressive black metal recordings that always sound like demo tapes, you'll find no blastbeats here. This is a purely ambient venture that rivals the likes of early Lustmord. Droning layers of electric guitar slink across our conscious mental processes, navigating dark and untouched hemispheres of repressed memories. Meditative and patient, these environments quietly shriek of malevolence, misanthropy and discontent.

Without resolution, this album eloquently leads us down a road toward hopelessness. Listening to this record is akin to watching the apocalypse unfold before your eyes after ingesting an overdose of sedatives.

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Brilliant Colors - Introducing (Slumberland, 2009)

2011-06-09T10:55:00.003-04:00

In December 1989, Slumberland Records released "What Kind of Heaven Do You Want?", a shared 7" featuring early line-ups of Velocity Girl, Black Tambourine, and Powderburns. Two decades later the label is still true to their original Twee / C86er aesthetic, offering us The Pains of Being Pure of Heart and this retro wonder, Brilliant Colors.

This all girl trio provides us with many vital late 80's elements: jangly hooks and melodies, muffled New York No Wave atonal vocal delivery, blown out reverb guitar (think sloppy but charming early Kevin Shields), punchy but loose basslines and the crucial Black Tambourine-style tom heavy drumming.

The only negative criticism I have is that the record is 24 minutes long. At an average of 2 minutes a song, every time I'm really feeling something, its suddenly over.

Most importantly, this is just a fun record. If you were a teenager in 1989, dig this; if you're a teenager in 2011, dig this. Introducing is a nostalgic joyride that many should be able to relate to.

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tUnE-yArDs - WHOKILL (4AD, 2011)

2011-06-09T10:27:00.005-04:00

Yes, the name looks absurd. That’s because this is a soundtrack to the theatre of the absurd. The calculated cacophony of Oakland songstress and producer Merill Garbus is some of the most oddly attractive yet puzzling music I’ve heard recently. No wave / post-punk / indie / dance pop that Laurie Anderson and the ghost of John Cage would drunkenly dance to.

The first track verbally introduces us to the character that she is, an anti-diva, anti-M.I.A and anti-inhibition personality with impressive instrumental talent and an incredibly commanding vocal range and presence. A sort of “I am awkward, hear me roar’ mystique. Gifted and unbelievably different, she dispels any attributes of her initial outing Bird Brains.

The first four tracks, “My Country”, “Es-so”, “Gangsta” and “Powa” bang out bizarre but rocking dancefloor numbers. Then with “Riotriot”, she eases into a delicate ballad that seems timely, only to twist the mellow vibe a couple minutes in, creating some kind of psychological carnage.

“Bizness”, the proverbial hit of the record, showcases a beautiful horn section with a very soulful and passionate vocal delivery.

“Doorstep” delivers with one of the most avant-garde vocal cuts on the album. “You Yes You” is essentially a cryptic funk track complete with discordant electric guitar rhythms.

Then there is is finally rest for the weary listening traveler. “Wooly Wolly Gang” is a somber and sweet lullaby admirable for its simplistic line-up of vocal track, acoustic guitar and drum machine, but one that still has a haunting and somewhat disconcerting nature, in keeping with the rest of the record.

Wrapping things up is “Killa”, a peppy and positive fly-girl number that reaffirms Garbus’ female confidence and audacity, one that again confuses by feeling as if its as comfortable in the Caribbean as it is in the club.

African pop, funk, R & B, and jazz are all homogenized with honest acoustic folk pop; however, the lyrical material is ripe with extremely relative themes of self-image, race and gender issues. She takes nothing as lightly as it sounds. This is heavy and intense music that I find difficult to call pop. She deserves better.

This post originally appeared as an article I wrote for Adequacy.net

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Spektr - Mescalyne (Moribund, 2007)

2011-06-08T12:04:00.003-04:00

This entire album is frantically sharp and steeped in hollowed layers of tattered atmosphere. The French black metal duo present the four song ep Mescalyne with full electronic voracity of brightly distorted, melodic guitar hiss and meticulous drumming that often slips into a rhythmic dichotomy, enhancing a sense of depth. I would almost venture to say that this album is seemingly gray rather than black in it's tone. This album is far too taken care of, as an important representation of it's creator's art to be thought of as low-fi or cold recorded. Though it's feeling brings a chill, it doesn't remind me of damp viking crawl spaces, looming heavy moans. Mescalyne is reflective of the Gothic shadows of the ages and the intellectual horrors that emerge from progress, holy faith and validity. Or it sounds like broken glass has been inserted behind your eye sockets while waking up in a wind tunnel, which ever translation you prefer.

--Sean Dail

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Harry Nillson - The Point! (RCA, 1971)

2011-06-03T13:22:00.003-04:00

This is the town and these are people of Harry Nilsson's “The Point!” This album is the story of Oblio, a young man with no point. You see, the town in which Oblio lives, everyone has a point on the tops of their heads and everything in the town has a point; literally. So, the story is a classic tale of bridging differences as Oblio is banished to the pointless forest that surrounds the town due to his lack of having a point in order to ultimately find that everything has a point.

So to get to the point, American song writer Harry Nilsson creates a fantastic world of imagination that mirrors our own reality. In the mid to late sixties societal norms were starting to change and the point was to offer a perspective that allowed American culture to reflect on the functionality of individuals and their value they offer, no matter the differences. Anyone who is familiar with the voice of Nilsson knows the power and clarity of his use of melody and harmony rivaling the best of vocalists. And some say there has not been such a singer since. The entire album is a dreamy, smooth piano pop piece that is laden with strings and 60's orchestra sounds. As the good humor and contemplative feeling of reflection drifts up and down like a lullaby, Nilsson intermittently pops in with the narrative of the story.

“The Point!” was later made into a musical play and an animated film. The album has Nilsson providing the voices for all the characters involved, which gives a sense of old school story telling as if kids were sitting in a semi-circle around grandpa imitate and contort his voice to match the characters. And as the story seems a little elementary, the simple yet perfectly portrayed cast of characters combined with the angelic voice of Nilsson, deliver a well satisfying dose of comfort. Many have grown up listening to this album or watching the animated version during their childhood. I had only been turned on to this piece about four years ago and as an adult and first time listener, I was able to fully appreciate every narration and song on the album, thus having Harry Nilsson's “The Point!” still be a valid one.

--Sean Dail

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Sonic Youth - Simon Werner a Disparu (SYR, 2011)

2011-05-26T11:07:00.003-04:00

I know its difficult to remember but there was a time, long ago, when music described as experimental was just that: fragmented ideas, stream of consciousness, and just plain rambling. The ninth release from Sonic Youth's SYR label reminds me of the youthful exhuberance of musicians messing around.

Although most of the releases on this label have been for abstract, this one marries the two personalities of Sonic Youth. This is a nice blend for those who enjoy the avant garde and both early and later material from the band's three decade long roller coaster ride.

Although this is definitely "SYR Lite", this instrumental score to Fabrice Gobert's teen psycho-drama fits the juvenile and often confusing emotional landscapes the band began their career exploring.

Most of what we get here is various noodling interludes where Thurston heads somewhere with Lee wandering musically, Kim and Steve in tow. Even though that description doesn't sound too stimulating, I honestly enjoy the record.

I'm not recommending you race to your nearest record store to grab it but do check it out at some point. Experimental background music is a rather nice concept.

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