Back from Austin, and will have lots of newness in the upcoming week, but for now...
Always fun to run into something you like someplace you wouldn't think to find it. Did not expect to find this video at Biomusicosophy, but it's awesome!!
"Easy Wind" live on Calibration tv show - 8/30/1970
KQED Studios, San Francisco, CA
Reminded me to go ahead and post this too!
"New Speedway Boogie" live in Calgary, AB - 7/3/1970
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Grapes from the estate. - Oren Ambarchi (#10, 2004)
Oren Ambarchi has a pretty interesting background. Per All Music Guide, "Ambarchi was born in 1969 in Sydney, in a family of Sephardic Jews from Iraq. He spent his teenage years learning to play the drums, favoring free jazz at first." Et cetera... He does mostly ambient-ish stuff, but I was surprised that he's known mainly to use guitar. This is the only album I have, and I would have guessed keyboards of some sort (trad, synth, computer). Also, collaborating with Attila Csihar and the Sunn O))) guys was unexpected!
"Remedios the Beauty" [edit] from Grapes from the Estate (2004)
I'm only going to make one more video, because the 10-minute ambient stuff doesn't seem to get watched too much. There are only 4 long tracks, and none on Lala and YouTube before I got there.
"Remedios the Beauty" is the catchiest of the tracks, although it's repetitive enough that I didn't make another 5 minutes of Part 2.
"Girl with the Silver Eyes" from Grapes from the Estate (2004)
The first tune, "Corkscrew" eases in with a minimalist pattern of tones and hitches. It insinuates very slowly, but in a hypnotic way that seems to vaporize before you notice. Then "Girl with the Silver Eyes" continues in this vein, but heading towards the more rhythmic "Remedios." After which, the album concludes with "Stars Aligned, Web Spun," which stretches past 20 minutes. After the gradual track-by-track build, this recedes almost to Feldmania: single notes stretched to their breaking point, with minimal additions and variations. But after 20 minutes, things add up and tones are clusters and static glitches are looped in and it's a whole new thing.
Seems like Ambarchi's albums don't sound all-too-much alike, which is good. I wouldn't necessarily want a lot of records built on this template. But it's more difficult to know where to proceed, and I'm not quite inspired enough to just dive in and muck around. As much as I enjoy this one whenever I'm in a certain relaxed mood...
"Remedios the Beauty" [edit] from Grapes from the Estate (2004)
I'm only going to make one more video, because the 10-minute ambient stuff doesn't seem to get watched too much. There are only 4 long tracks, and none on Lala and YouTube before I got there.
"Remedios the Beauty" is the catchiest of the tracks, although it's repetitive enough that I didn't make another 5 minutes of Part 2.
"Girl with the Silver Eyes" from Grapes from the Estate (2004)
The first tune, "Corkscrew" eases in with a minimalist pattern of tones and hitches. It insinuates very slowly, but in a hypnotic way that seems to vaporize before you notice. Then "Girl with the Silver Eyes" continues in this vein, but heading towards the more rhythmic "Remedios." After which, the album concludes with "Stars Aligned, Web Spun," which stretches past 20 minutes. After the gradual track-by-track build, this recedes almost to Feldmania: single notes stretched to their breaking point, with minimal additions and variations. But after 20 minutes, things add up and tones are clusters and static glitches are looped in and it's a whole new thing.
Seems like Ambarchi's albums don't sound all-too-much alike, which is good. I wouldn't necessarily want a lot of records built on this template. But it's more difficult to know where to proceed, and I'm not quite inspired enough to just dive in and muck around. As much as I enjoy this one whenever I'm in a certain relaxed mood...
Genre - Electro-Acoustic Ambient
Official - orenambarchi.com/
Myspace - myspace.com/45213783
Location - Sydney, Australia
Review - Pitchfork
Download - Amazon ($3.56!), iTunes
Lala - other Ambarchi
Purchase - Amazon
Friday, March 5, 2010
The Fantastic Story of Ed
In honor of the upcoming Pong (3rd!) record release show, tomorrow night in Austin... We're gonna be skipping over the The Clash in discography series, and jumping to: the mighty Ed Hall!!
"Pay For Me" [live] from Love Poke Here (1990)
7/11/92 Norman, OK show: pt.2, pt.3, pt.4, pt.5, pt.6.
This was originally just going to be a bunch of videos because there are some cool ones out there, and some good stuff missing. But then I remembered about the album-by-album artist biographies. So here we are.
Ed Hall were an Austin trio of deranged folks making deranged music for deranged fans. Gary Chester on guitar/vocals, Larry Strub on bass/vocals, and originally Kevin Whitley on drums/vocals. When Kevin left to play guitar with Cherubs, the kit was manned by Lyman Hardy from Houston underground heroes Bayou Pigs. More of the background in this cool Myspace tribute site or even Wikipedia. Chester, Hardy and Lyman later formed Pong with a couple of other Austin luminaries, and they are releasing their 3rd album tomorrow night, playing live and everything!
Two songs from Texas comp The Polyp Explodes (1988).
Ed unleashed havoc on the world by contributing to the 1988 comp The Polyp Explodes (FREE!), with such other distinguished mayhem-inducing artists as ST-37, Crust, and Miracle Room. Their two songs were "Dirt" and "Sister Ruth." You can hear the Ed-ness just starting to form. The sister is trying to scam card-readings and $80 mojo candles, and the ravings of "Dirt" would re-appear on debut album Albert, but with a different name - and a different songs would steal its title. (Really??)
"Reading" [live from 2003 Reunion] from Albert (1988)
Albert (1988) 6/10 - Still kinda putting it together at this point, the debut doesn't quite have the pummelling heft or slicing cleverness of later releases. I think Ed found their niche with pseudo-insightful humor that poked holes and pierced bubbles - rather than stoopid funny, poo-poo jokes, etc. Still lots of great noise rock and several really good songs.
[Lala goned.]
"Turkeey" [live Austin 1996 SXSW] from Love Poke Here (1989)
Love Poke Here (1990) 9/10 - This was my first Ed Hall record, after seeing them open up for Butthole Surfers a couple of times in May 1990. I still consider "Pay For Me" one of the greatest live show kick-offs. Maybe a little heavy on drummer-sung tunes (never a good idea), this one houses multitudes of all-time favorites: "Blue Poland," "Hearty Tom Foolery," plus the whole run from the awesome "Buddha" to the end. Still one of my absolute favorite albums!
[Lala goned.]
By this time, Ed Hall were getting hugely gigantic in Texas and landed a part in Richard Linklater's Slacker (1991). The band finishing a show to an improbably empty house while a bouncer picks up the photographer, and Whitley as the guy whose friends dump his typewriter over the bridge.
"Luke Flukenstock" from Gloryhole (1992)
Gloryhole (1992) 10/10 - Wow. This album delivers on all the promise. Being contrarians, every song is named for some fictitious character, from "Rachel Hourglass" through "Sandra Gubernatorial" (which is their cover of Kiss ballad "Beth" already retitled "Deth" on the 7" single). "Hortense Buttermilk" is actually the driving psych anthem "Grumbler." And "Buster Enamel" is a second go at crowd-pleaser "Buddha" from the previous one. They're pretty much all standouts!
"Guido O'Brien" from Gloryhole (1992)
The embedded videos here are from the Trance Syndicate Love & Napalm vhs comp. There were two 7" and one CD comps by this name, plus the videos. Wally Rowell, who did film projection at their live shows, directed both. I always wondered if this was the same Wally film-maker who used to come to Star Laser Force back in the day, but never figured it out for sure. Ed Hall live shows were just completely epic.
"White House Girls" from Motherscratcher (1993)
Motherscratcher (1993) 8/10 - Just a week ago, I made this my #2 Record of 1993, and it was awfully close to #1. First record with Lyman on the sticks, and he brings a more solid, less frantic beat. The songwriting would have to take a dip after the heights of Gloryhole, but there's too much good stuff here. Any remaining punk has fully given way to pure weirdness, and the instrumental jams are among their very best.
La La Land (1995) ??/10 - I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've never owned this album. When it came out, I just didn't dig it. Looking back, that was probably sour grapes - since I was living in abject poverty and angry despair. But that's not the case anymore, and so I've got no excuse. I won't cover up this part, but I'll add on later when I've rectified the situation.
Oh, and Pong will be releasing their 3rd album, Escobarb (2010), tomorrow night at the Continental Club in Austin!! Free cd if you dress up like a robot.
"Pay For Me" [live] from Love Poke Here (1990)
7/11/92 Norman, OK show: pt.2, pt.3, pt.4, pt.5, pt.6.
This was originally just going to be a bunch of videos because there are some cool ones out there, and some good stuff missing. But then I remembered about the album-by-album artist biographies. So here we are.
Ed Hall were an Austin trio of deranged folks making deranged music for deranged fans. Gary Chester on guitar/vocals, Larry Strub on bass/vocals, and originally Kevin Whitley on drums/vocals. When Kevin left to play guitar with Cherubs, the kit was manned by Lyman Hardy from Houston underground heroes Bayou Pigs. More of the background in this cool Myspace tribute site or even Wikipedia. Chester, Hardy and Lyman later formed Pong with a couple of other Austin luminaries, and they are releasing their 3rd album tomorrow night, playing live and everything!
Two songs from Texas comp The Polyp Explodes (1988).
Ed unleashed havoc on the world by contributing to the 1988 comp The Polyp Explodes (FREE!), with such other distinguished mayhem-inducing artists as ST-37, Crust, and Miracle Room. Their two songs were "Dirt" and "Sister Ruth." You can hear the Ed-ness just starting to form. The sister is trying to scam card-readings and $80 mojo candles, and the ravings of "Dirt" would re-appear on debut album Albert, but with a different name - and a different songs would steal its title. (Really??)
"Reading" [live from 2003 Reunion] from Albert (1988)
Albert (1988) 6/10 - Still kinda putting it together at this point, the debut doesn't quite have the pummelling heft or slicing cleverness of later releases. I think Ed found their niche with pseudo-insightful humor that poked holes and pierced bubbles - rather than stoopid funny, poo-poo jokes, etc. Still lots of great noise rock and several really good songs.
[Lala goned.]
"Turkeey" [live Austin 1996 SXSW] from Love Poke Here (1989)
Love Poke Here (1990) 9/10 - This was my first Ed Hall record, after seeing them open up for Butthole Surfers a couple of times in May 1990. I still consider "Pay For Me" one of the greatest live show kick-offs. Maybe a little heavy on drummer-sung tunes (never a good idea), this one houses multitudes of all-time favorites: "Blue Poland," "Hearty Tom Foolery," plus the whole run from the awesome "Buddha" to the end. Still one of my absolute favorite albums!
[Lala goned.]
By this time, Ed Hall were getting hugely gigantic in Texas and landed a part in Richard Linklater's Slacker (1991). The band finishing a show to an improbably empty house while a bouncer picks up the photographer, and Whitley as the guy whose friends dump his typewriter over the bridge.
"Luke Flukenstock" from Gloryhole (1992)
Gloryhole (1992) 10/10 - Wow. This album delivers on all the promise. Being contrarians, every song is named for some fictitious character, from "Rachel Hourglass" through "Sandra Gubernatorial" (which is their cover of Kiss ballad "Beth" already retitled "Deth" on the 7" single). "Hortense Buttermilk" is actually the driving psych anthem "Grumbler." And "Buster Enamel" is a second go at crowd-pleaser "Buddha" from the previous one. They're pretty much all standouts!
"Guido O'Brien" from Gloryhole (1992)
The embedded videos here are from the Trance Syndicate Love & Napalm vhs comp. There were two 7" and one CD comps by this name, plus the videos. Wally Rowell, who did film projection at their live shows, directed both. I always wondered if this was the same Wally film-maker who used to come to Star Laser Force back in the day, but never figured it out for sure. Ed Hall live shows were just completely epic.
"White House Girls" from Motherscratcher (1993)
Motherscratcher (1993) 8/10 - Just a week ago, I made this my #2 Record of 1993, and it was awfully close to #1. First record with Lyman on the sticks, and he brings a more solid, less frantic beat. The songwriting would have to take a dip after the heights of Gloryhole, but there's too much good stuff here. Any remaining punk has fully given way to pure weirdness, and the instrumental jams are among their very best.
La La Land (1995) ??/10 - I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've never owned this album. When it came out, I just didn't dig it. Looking back, that was probably sour grapes - since I was living in abject poverty and angry despair. But that's not the case anymore, and so I've got no excuse. I won't cover up this part, but I'll add on later when I've rectified the situation.
Oh, and Pong will be releasing their 3rd album, Escobarb (2010), tomorrow night at the Continental Club in Austin!! Free cd if you dress up like a robot.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Russian Memories
So, we're brought to the third sets within each trilogy, although not to a final post. I think there's one more vein to exploit in these mines. Of course!
<- Previous [#2] = = = Next [final] ->
Oneohtrix Point Never - Russian Mind (2009)
For the most part, this one is much more placid than the previous installments. They're clearly from the same source, but it just goes down smoother all around. Whether that's preferable is a matter of taste and mood. Not a downer for me - it fades into the background easier, but better than arpeggio-mageddon front to back. But only two tracks on YouTube, so maybe not everyone's favorite.
A1 "Months"
Slowly... slowly... awake. Cryogenically frozen moisture in the corner of your eyes. Tears?
A2 "Physical Memory"
Cosmic rays stream through the hull, as the retro-thrusters fire a slow-burn. The spacecraft arcs around a foreign sun. It’s amazing. Still groggy from suspended animation, your ship descends through an electric-blue methane atmosphere. You miss Earth... and feel melancholy.
A3 "Grief And Repetition"
I think there's a glitch with the airlock exhaust - it's cycling irregularly. And causing the door tones to play randomly - ajar, opening, closing, ajar, sealed, closing, interrupting, sealed...
B1 "Russian Mind"
Action packed!! Massive bubbling lava escape run to safety!
B2 "Time Decanted" (titled "Actual Air" on Rifts)
The tectonic chaos subsides, a forest of alien plant-life provides real oxygen – a chance to decompress after the day’s adventure.
B3 "Immanence"
The morning sun burns off the metheric stormclouds, and a new day rises across the horizon.
After writing all that up, it dawned on me that I think this is actually a concept album with a "story" and everything. I don't know if I ever picked up the details. So if my narrative representation overlaps with whatever it really is, that would just show effective execution. Look it up if you want, or make up your own!
Leyland Kirby - Memories Live Longer Than Dreams (2009)
Like the jump from first to second, I’ve noticed a lot more going on here after listening a few more times – especially with the background ambience. Either Kirby is expanding on the details, or two full double-albums have established the environment enough to hear beyond the surface. Still working with the same sonic palate, with a few exceptions, but my appreciation grows. Official videos are YouTub edits.
A1 "Memories Live Longer Than Dreams"
Two piano pieces, this one is more melancholy, reverbed and plinky.
A2 "Don’t Sleep I Am Not What I Seem, I’m A Very Quiet Storm"
This one is firmer, more chord-oriented, with some kind of sustain-hum ambience. And pauses...
B1 "A Longing To Be Absorbed For A While Into A Different And Beautiful World"
Possible highlight? Relatively noisy (and loud), shifts between synth layers and less peaceful tones
B2 "Days In The Wilderness"
Less than 5 minutes... what?! Experimental radio-tuning transience.
C1 "Stralauer Peninsula" [YouTube pt. 2]
Sliding sounds not used so far, but within the general mood.
D1 "We All Won That Day, Sunshine" [YouTube pt.2]
Somewhat non-descript ghostly pulse, from which marches a staccato clipped piano.
D2 "And At Dawn Armed With Glowing Patience, We Will Enter The Cities Of Glory (Stripped)"
Similar to the piano and resonant hum of the previous set's final track, with a key change and a big, Rachmaninoff-worthy chord pile-up! And a practically soaring, optimistic finale.
One (or maybe two) more coming up!!
<- Previous [#2] = = = Next [final] ->
Oneohtrix Point Never - Russian Mind (2009)
For the most part, this one is much more placid than the previous installments. They're clearly from the same source, but it just goes down smoother all around. Whether that's preferable is a matter of taste and mood. Not a downer for me - it fades into the background easier, but better than arpeggio-mageddon front to back. But only two tracks on YouTube, so maybe not everyone's favorite.
A1 "Months"
Slowly... slowly... awake. Cryogenically frozen moisture in the corner of your eyes. Tears?
A2 "Physical Memory"
Cosmic rays stream through the hull, as the retro-thrusters fire a slow-burn. The spacecraft arcs around a foreign sun. It’s amazing. Still groggy from suspended animation, your ship descends through an electric-blue methane atmosphere. You miss Earth... and feel melancholy.
A3 "Grief And Repetition"
I think there's a glitch with the airlock exhaust - it's cycling irregularly. And causing the door tones to play randomly - ajar, opening, closing, ajar, sealed, closing, interrupting, sealed...
B1 "Russian Mind"
Action packed!! Massive bubbling lava escape run to safety!
B2 "Time Decanted" (titled "Actual Air" on Rifts)
The tectonic chaos subsides, a forest of alien plant-life provides real oxygen – a chance to decompress after the day’s adventure.
B3 "Immanence"
The morning sun burns off the metheric stormclouds, and a new day rises across the horizon.
After writing all that up, it dawned on me that I think this is actually a concept album with a "story" and everything. I don't know if I ever picked up the details. So if my narrative representation overlaps with whatever it really is, that would just show effective execution. Look it up if you want, or make up your own!
Leyland Kirby - Memories Live Longer Than Dreams (2009)
Like the jump from first to second, I’ve noticed a lot more going on here after listening a few more times – especially with the background ambience. Either Kirby is expanding on the details, or two full double-albums have established the environment enough to hear beyond the surface. Still working with the same sonic palate, with a few exceptions, but my appreciation grows. Official videos are YouTub edits.
A1 "Memories Live Longer Than Dreams"
Two piano pieces, this one is more melancholy, reverbed and plinky.
A2 "Don’t Sleep I Am Not What I Seem, I’m A Very Quiet Storm"
This one is firmer, more chord-oriented, with some kind of sustain-hum ambience. And pauses...
B1 "A Longing To Be Absorbed For A While Into A Different And Beautiful World"
Possible highlight? Relatively noisy (and loud), shifts between synth layers and less peaceful tones
B2 "Days In The Wilderness"
Less than 5 minutes... what?! Experimental radio-tuning transience.
C1 "Stralauer Peninsula" [YouTube pt. 2]
Sliding sounds not used so far, but within the general mood.
D1 "We All Won That Day, Sunshine" [YouTube pt.2]
Somewhat non-descript ghostly pulse, from which marches a staccato clipped piano.
D2 "And At Dawn Armed With Glowing Patience, We Will Enter The Cities Of Glory (Stripped)"
Similar to the piano and resonant hum of the previous set's final track, with a key change and a big, Rachmaninoff-worthy chord pile-up! And a practically soaring, optimistic finale.
One (or maybe two) more coming up!!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Top 10 Albums of 2004!!
Not much to say, except that I'm really happy with this one. I look forward to posting individually (album-title links) on pretty much all of them! Quite a change.
#10 Grapes from the estate. - Oren Ambarchi
"Remedios the Beauty" [edit] from Grapes from the Estate (2004)
Genre - Electro-Acoustic Ambient
Official - orenambarchi.com/
Myspace - myspace.com/45213783
Location - Sydney, Australia
Review - Pitchfork
Download - Amazon ($3.56!), iTunes
Lala - other Ambarchi
Purchase - Amazon
#9 Satanic Panic in the Attic - Of Montreal
"My British Tour Diary" from Satanic Panic in the Attic (2004)
Genre - Indie-Psych Dance-Pop
Official - ofmontreal.net/
Myspace - myspace.com/ofmontreal
Location - Athens, GA
Review - Stylus Magazine
Download - Polyvinyl Records, iTunes
Lala - Satanic Panic in the Attic
Purchase - Polyvinyl Records
#8 Krautrock-Sessions 1994-2001 - Space Debris
"Long Distance Voyager" from Krautrock-Sessions 1994-2001 (2004)
Genre - Kraut Jam
Official - spacedebrisprojekt.de/
Myspace - myspace.com/spacedebrisprojekt
Location - Baden-Württemberg, Swabia, Germany
Review - a few here at Official
Download/Lala - neither...
Purchase - All That Is Heavy
#7 With No Human Intervention - Aborym
"Digital Goat Masque" from With No Human Intervention (2004)
Genre - Hard/Black Alien Industrial Metal
Official - code666.net/aborym/
Myspace - myspace.com/aborym666
Location - Italy
Review - Metal Storm
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Lala - With No Human Intervention
Purchase - Amazon
#6 Hypnotic Underworld - Ghost
"Ganagmanag" from Hypnotic Underworld (2004)
Genre - Jazz-Prog Psychedelia
Official/Myspace - myspace.com/ghostjapanpsych
All Music Guide - Ghost
Location - Toyko, Japan
Review - Dusted Magazine
Download - Drag City, iTunes
Purchase - Drag City Records
#5 Happy Birthday - The Pillbugs
"Happy Birthday" from Happy Birthday (2004)
Genre - Psych Pop
Official - pillbugs.com/
Myspace - myspace.com/thepillbugs
Location - Toledo, OH
Download - others on iTunes
Lala - Monclovia (pre-EWAWO best-of)
Purchase - Strictly OOP
#4 The Willows - Belbury Poly
"The Willows" from The Willows (2004)
Genre - Hauntological Electro-Experimental
Official - ghostbox.co.uk/belburypoly.htm
Myspace - myspace.com/belburypoly
Location - Britain
Review - Stylus Magazine
Download - Greedbag, iTunes
Lala - The Willows
Purchase - Greedbag
#3 Panopticon - Isis
"In Fiction" from Panopticon (2004)
Genre - Thinking Man's (Post-) Metal
Official - isistheband.com/
Myspace - myspace.com/isis
Location - Los Angeles, CA
Review - Dusted Magazine
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Lala - Panopticon
Purchase - Hydra Head Records [2xLP]
#2 The Plus and Minus Show - Michael Haaga
"If And When" from The Plus and Minus Show (2004)
Genre - Indie Rock
Official/Myspace - myspace.com/michaelhaaga
Location - Houston, TX
Review - Houston Bands
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Lala - The Plus and Minus Show
Purchase - Amazon
#1 Cosmos - Zombi
"Serpens" from Cosmos (2004)
Genre - Horror Soundtrack Synth-Prog
Official - zombi.us/
Myspace - myspace.com/zombi
Location - Pittsburgh, PA
Review - Sea of Tranquility
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Lala - Cosmos
Purchase - Relapse Records [2xLP]
There were actually quite a few I didn't enjoy leaving off, and almost made it a Top Twenty. So, here are some other albums of interest... links to Lala and bandsites, or whatever. Five compilations and five regulars!
Blue Cathedral - Comets on Fire
Ta Det Lugnt - Dungen
Rehab - Rusted Shut
Now Here Is Nowhere - Secret Machines
Let The Light In - 27
Compilation 30-second samples... now:
Confuse Yr Idols - A Tribute to Sonic Youth.
Future Soundtrack of America - Companion disc to liberal fake future dictionary.
Left of the Dial - '80s Underground.
Neurot Recordings I - Great label sampler.
So Young But So Cold - French coldwave.
#10 Grapes from the estate. - Oren Ambarchi
"Remedios the Beauty" [edit] from Grapes from the Estate (2004)
Genre - Electro-Acoustic Ambient
Official - orenambarchi.com/
Myspace - myspace.com/45213783
Location - Sydney, Australia
Review - Pitchfork
Download - Amazon ($3.56!), iTunes
Lala - other Ambarchi
Purchase - Amazon
#9 Satanic Panic in the Attic - Of Montreal
"My British Tour Diary" from Satanic Panic in the Attic (2004)
Genre - Indie-Psych Dance-Pop
Official - ofmontreal.net/
Myspace - myspace.com/ofmontreal
Location - Athens, GA
Review - Stylus Magazine
Download - Polyvinyl Records, iTunes
Lala - Satanic Panic in the Attic
Purchase - Polyvinyl Records
#8 Krautrock-Sessions 1994-2001 - Space Debris
"Long Distance Voyager" from Krautrock-Sessions 1994-2001 (2004)
Genre - Kraut Jam
Official - spacedebrisprojekt.de/
Myspace - myspace.com/spacedebrisprojekt
Location - Baden-Württemberg, Swabia, Germany
Review - a few here at Official
Download/Lala - neither...
Purchase - All That Is Heavy
#7 With No Human Intervention - Aborym
"Digital Goat Masque" from With No Human Intervention (2004)
Genre - Hard/Black Alien Industrial Metal
Official - code666.net/aborym/
Myspace - myspace.com/aborym666
Location - Italy
Review - Metal Storm
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Lala - With No Human Intervention
Purchase - Amazon
#6 Hypnotic Underworld - Ghost
"Ganagmanag" from Hypnotic Underworld (2004)
Genre - Jazz-Prog Psychedelia
Official/Myspace - myspace.com/ghostjapanpsych
All Music Guide - Ghost
Location - Toyko, Japan
Review - Dusted Magazine
Download - Drag City, iTunes
Purchase - Drag City Records
#5 Happy Birthday - The Pillbugs
"Happy Birthday" from Happy Birthday (2004)
Genre - Psych Pop
Official - pillbugs.com/
Myspace - myspace.com/thepillbugs
Location - Toledo, OH
Download - others on iTunes
Lala - Monclovia (pre-EWAWO best-of)
Purchase - Strictly OOP
#4 The Willows - Belbury Poly
"The Willows" from The Willows (2004)
Genre - Hauntological Electro-Experimental
Official - ghostbox.co.uk/belburypoly.htm
Myspace - myspace.com/belburypoly
Location - Britain
Review - Stylus Magazine
Download - Greedbag, iTunes
Lala - The Willows
Purchase - Greedbag
#3 Panopticon - Isis
"In Fiction" from Panopticon (2004)
Genre - Thinking Man's (Post-) Metal
Official - isistheband.com/
Myspace - myspace.com/isis
Location - Los Angeles, CA
Review - Dusted Magazine
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Lala - Panopticon
Purchase - Hydra Head Records [2xLP]
#2 The Plus and Minus Show - Michael Haaga
"If And When" from The Plus and Minus Show (2004)
Genre - Indie Rock
Official/Myspace - myspace.com/michaelhaaga
Location - Houston, TX
Review - Houston Bands
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Lala - The Plus and Minus Show
Purchase - Amazon
#1 Cosmos - Zombi
"Serpens" from Cosmos (2004)
Genre - Horror Soundtrack Synth-Prog
Official - zombi.us/
Myspace - myspace.com/zombi
Location - Pittsburgh, PA
Review - Sea of Tranquility
Download - Amazon, iTunes
Lala - Cosmos
Purchase - Relapse Records [2xLP]
There were actually quite a few I didn't enjoy leaving off, and almost made it a Top Twenty. So, here are some other albums of interest... links to Lala and bandsites, or whatever. Five compilations and five regulars!
Blue Cathedral - Comets on Fire
Ta Det Lugnt - Dungen
Rehab - Rusted Shut
Now Here Is Nowhere - Secret Machines
Let The Light In - 27
Compilation 30-second samples... now:
Confuse Yr Idols - A Tribute to Sonic Youth.
Future Soundtrack of America - Companion disc to liberal fake future dictionary.
Left of the Dial - '80s Underground.
Neurot Recordings I - Great label sampler.
So Young But So Cold - French coldwave.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Seven Thunders Rolling
Based on where I heard the name, I'd always assumed that Voice of the Seven Woods was some kinda drone-folk. And they well may have been. New album this year, under updated name Voice of the Seven Thunders, has a little of that - mixed in with a big helping of heavy stonerish guitar psych-rock.
Kind of reminds me of Six Organs' Ben Chasny playing with Comets On Fire. Except this is more continuous than a gang-up, and the folk carry-over is more prevalent. So check out these songs, there's good rockin'...
O yeah, and "Burning Mountain" seems to be an actual single from this album, with "Dry Leaves" as the b-side.
"The Burning Mountain" of the Seven Thunders
"Dry Leaves" from Voice of the Seven Thunders (2010)
"Kommune" by Voice of the Seven Thunders
"Out of the Smoke" from Voice of the Seven Thunders (2010)
Kind of reminds me of Six Organs' Ben Chasny playing with Comets On Fire. Except this is more continuous than a gang-up, and the folk carry-over is more prevalent. So check out these songs, there's good rockin'...
O yeah, and "Burning Mountain" seems to be an actual single from this album, with "Dry Leaves" as the b-side.
"The Burning Mountain" of the Seven Thunders
"Dry Leaves" from Voice of the Seven Thunders (2010)
"Kommune" by Voice of the Seven Thunders
"Out of the Smoke" from Voice of the Seven Thunders (2010)
Monday, March 1, 2010
Lust for Iggy Bluegrass 7"s for Life
Bad Livers were/are extremely super-excellent, and they're the only bluegrass act I've ever really listened to. I can't believe the only time I've mentioned them so far was in the 3 Who Would Open for Butthole Surfers post! The selling point, in addition to valiantly defending their share of a bill with the Buttholes and Pigface, is their non-trad cover tunes.
The previous post had their Johnny Cash/Motorhead medley, and here we have their raw-power 7" cover of Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life!" With b-side of total hoedown-throwdown "Jeffro's Dream." I didn't realize until now that this 7" (1991) came out a full year before their debut album, Delusions of Banjeur (1992). I would have thought the opposite...
Bad Livers live stuff can be downloaded free from Archive.org, shows from 1991 to 2009. So, you should do that! The 8/12/91 Saxon Pub show is my favorite so far.
Here's some more Livers trivia for you. They did a bunch of the soundtrack music for The Newton Boys (1998) movie from Richard Linklater. Per Wikipedia, Danny Barnes did some guest work on the Dave Matthews Band's big album last year. Weird.
The previous post had their Johnny Cash/Motorhead medley, and here we have their raw-power 7" cover of Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life!" With b-side of total hoedown-throwdown "Jeffro's Dream." I didn't realize until now that this 7" (1991) came out a full year before their debut album, Delusions of Banjeur (1992). I would have thought the opposite...
Bad Livers live stuff can be downloaded free from Archive.org, shows from 1991 to 2009. So, you should do that! The 8/12/91 Saxon Pub show is my favorite so far.
Here's some more Livers trivia for you. They did a bunch of the soundtrack music for The Newton Boys (1998) movie from Richard Linklater. Per Wikipedia, Danny Barnes did some guest work on the Dave Matthews Band's big album last year. Weird.
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