let's get things going - listening thread 2006!

[Lukas]

Nah, that's some weird Japanese issue in an extra-deep box (I have no idea why). The version with the bonus tracks is on Acme, a British label. I got it through Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001V59MW). There's also a CD of (pre-album?) demoes called The Virgin Prophet but I've not picked that up . . . yet.

Virgin Prophet is pretty good too, but not nearly as mind blowing as S.S

[earl grey]

I think tracks 3 and 4 (Rapture and Sleepin Around) are pretty uninspired, lyrically and musically. Track 5 (What a Waste) is just awful. I like 1, 2, and 6 quite a bit, however. I need to listen to the rest of the album more carefully; but so far, I not impressed (and I’m one of those fans that tends to give more praise to SY albums than they deserve).

Of course, there is a chance this stuff will grow on me, but I doubt it.

give it time. my initial reaction wasn't as strong as yours, but still pretty middling. but it's grown on me *a lot* ... really enjoying it a ton now. i still kinda wish they'd bring the noise a little more, or at least stretch out a bit, but i've mostly adjusted and i'm digging almost every song. "sleepin around" is one of the lesser tracks IMO, but it's such a pretty album ... "reena" and "jams run free" are beautiful. "rats" rules too ... of course, i generally think lee can do no wrong.

i've been thinking about how my favorite SY "era" is probably the run from 'washing machine' on, with "the diamond sea" arguably being their springboard into everything that came afterwards, and parts of this album seem like "TDS" boiled down to its essence. hard for me to rank this album next the other recent ones because i like those so much, but it definitely holds its own.

-----

edit: i do agree that the lyrics aren't anything to go nuts for. but i'd say that about SY lyrics in general. (i'm also not much of a lyrics guy ... good lyrics can certainly make a song (or band, even), but as long as they're not so bad as to distract me, i'm cool w/ whatever...)

[9000]

clipse - lord willin'
ghostface killah - fishscale
m.i.a. - piracy funcs terrorism
cherrystones - rocks
andy votel - songs in the key of the death
glimmer twins - dj kicks
celebration - s/t
mission of burma - signals, calls, and marches
x - los angeles

[Futureman]

"reena" and "jams run free" are beautiful. "rats" rules too ... of course, i generally think lee can do no wrong.


Agreed. Those are some great songs, and Lee's the shit. I'm going to be listening to the second half of the album more carefully this evening.

[Paul]

Agreed. Those are some great songs, and Lee's the shit. I'm going to be listening to the second half of the album more carefully this evening.Good idea! The last 3 tracks are some of the best ones.

[Lukas]

...so I just read at the jicks board that Mr. Ibold is going to take over J.O's bass duties on their upcoming tour. AH!!

[Paul]

...so I just read at the jicks board that Mr. Ibold is going to take over J.O's bass duties on their upcoming tour. AH!!Ibold in SY? Ehhhhhhhhh... is that a good idea?

[Lukas]

It has been done before, sorta - Free Kitten

[Paul]

It has been done before, sorta - Free KittenYeah, that's why I'm asking.

[Eleven O'Clock]

screamin' jay hawkins - voodoo jive
the birthday party - prayers on fire
rodan - rusty
rumah sakit - s/t
oval - 94 diskont
rjd2 - dead ringer

[Lukas]

Yeah, that's why I'm asking.

So then what is your question? Ibold was fine in Free Kitten and he will be fine in SY.

[tinobeat]

I think Paul was being sarcastic, suggesting that Free Kitten was something of a rotten band, and that Mark didn't help much in keeping them from being rotten.

I've been wrong before, though.

[Futureman]

Paul's been a bit of a pill lately.

[johansen smith]

give him a break, he's probably just exhausted from all that pretending to like the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs album.

[Paul]

I guess I've been slightly pillish lately, but it has nothing to do with that YYYs album (which I'd still give a 7 out of 10) or that Futureman doesn't think the new SY album is completely awesome (he'll come around).

I think I just hate the internet this week. Sorry fellas.

[Futureman]

No problem, Paul. I enjoy the banter. And you were right, the last three songs on the new SY are terrific.

[Kid B]

word up.
Sonic Youth is the band to rule them all. accept it.

Sonic Youth- Washing Machine, Goo, 1,000 Leaves
Black Heart Procession- 2

new to me this week:
Dresden Dolls- yes, Virginia ( I like it a lot. More melodic than the first record i'd say. Damn Amanda Palmer is one psycho bitch and i love it.)

[Salman]

Add me to the SY bandwagon. Jim O'Rourke was holding them back!

Oh, and, I'm giving Bitter Tea my first listen now. The backward vocals are a bit distracting, but so far I think it's fairly promising.

[tinobeat]

oh man, I just REALLY can't step to the Dresden Dolls at all. I've seen them play so many goddamn times against my will (working) and its just so obnoxious and affected and precious and gah, fuck, blech.

anyway. I think I caught whatever paul has.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

The Evens The Evens
Nico Desertshore
Budgie Squawk
Altamont Our Darling
AMM The Nameless Uncarved Block
Faceless Werewolves Medium Freaky
Kalas Kalas
Solbakken Zure Botoa
Eagles of Death Metal Death by Sexy
MC5 High Time
Suplecs Sad Songs . . . Better Days
Shakin' Street Shakin' Street
Terry Riley Songs for the Ten Voices of the Two Prophets
Puka Puka Brians Pet Cemetary Sounds
The Martha Dumptruck Massacre The Atomic Plains EP
Pretty Girls Make Graves Élan Vital
Venom Metal Black
Tom Recchion Chaotica
Jucifer The Lambs EP
Monks Black Monk Time
Skeleton Key Fantastic Spikes Through Balloon
Keats Rides a Harley

[earl grey]

oh man, I just REALLY can't step to the Dresden Dolls at all. I've seen them play so many goddamn times against my will (working) and its just so obnoxious and affected and precious and gah, fuck, blech.

anyway. I think I caught whatever paul has.

if the dresden dolls are the topic, i've got the same bug too. saw em live once and it bordered on unbearable.

now someone should just bring up the unicorns!

[SkagNBone]

got a lot of listenin' done

animal collective - prospect hummer ep
belle and sebastian - if you're feeling sinister (i never thought i'd enjoy college bedsit gayness so much)
dirty projectors - the glad fact
fiery furnaces - bitter tea (i haven't heard the brilliant parts yet)
gnarls barkley - crazy single (awesome)
jonathan fire eater - wolf songs for lambs
klaus nomi - the essential
pixies - trompe le monde (my favorite)
the pogues - if i should fall from grace with god
screamin jay hawkins - cow fingers and mosquito pie (yeah!)
voxtrot - raised by wolves ep

[pizzagratis]

What I've been listening to lately,

stuff taken from the library:

The Story of Jamaican Music box (I really like the original version of Uptown Top Ranking...suppose this is all probably pretty elementary stuff to a lot of you...same with the original Police and Thieves....I skip the Jimmy Cliff and Marley hits, though I'm sure each of those respective guys has stuff worth hearing)

Folkways Music of Bahamas disc (really pretty, kind of unusual guitar stuff...unexpected...I like it a lot)

Stuff not taken from the library:

Chris Knox-Songs of You and Me (My favorite used find of the year...such perfect lyrics...not sure anyone else could get away with writing about the same things he does and make it seem not repulsive)

Jeffrey Lewis- The Last Time I Did Acid I Went Insane (you guys all know about this...it's great, yeah...complements the Knox stuff surprisingly well)

Silkworm Rarities mp3s (good, but no real revelations so far...except for the alternate take on 'Grotto of Miracles', which is beautiful)

[Lukas]

now someone should just bring up the unicorns!

after repeated listens islands' new recird is grand

[johansen smith]

whether together or apart, the members of the Unicorns never fail to be terrible.

[vesper]

old and new stuff, first time listening.

feathers, feathers
psychic paramount, gamelan into the mink supernatural
boris, pink

old stuff that helps me write papers.

the band
creedence clearwater revival, cosmo's factory
willie nelson, red headed stranger

[tinobeat]

feathers, feathers
psychic paramount, gamelan into the mink supernatural
boris, pink

the Feathers LP turned out to be so much better than I'd even hoped, and the Boris is sick.

I was profoundly disappointed in the Psychic Paramount. I was a pretty big Laddio Bolocko fan (the band they were in before), and I was hoping this would be even better, but its not even close...

[SkagNBone]

what makes the unicorns terrible? i've never heard them, but they seem to generate positive reviews everywhere except here.

[vesper]

the Feathers LP turned out to be so much better than I'd even hoped, and the Boris is sick.

I was profoundly disappointed in the Psychic Paramount. I was a pretty big Laddio Bolocko fan (the band they were in before), and I was hoping this would be even better, but its not even close...

true on both the feathers and boris front. as much i like the latter, though, i'm not sure if i think it is better than akuma no uta; that record is so sick! feathers isn't nearly as cloying as i assumed it would be. the first song, "old black hal with a dandelion flower," is gorgeous, at least as good a riff on sunshine folk as anyone on elephant 6 imagined. imho anyway.

the psychic paramount record is also pretty great in my opinion. it sounds kinda shitty, has huge drums and bass, and dude rips on guitar -- this might actually be what i really wanted out of turing machine's zwei come to think of it. (still a sick record though!) my opinion may be tainted by my complete ignorance of laddio bolocko.

[Futureman]

Boris is sick.

Arrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhh!!!! That *it*! I'm comin' after you, tino!!!!

[vesper]

it doesn't bother you that i said the word twice in one post? priorities, man...

[Futureman]

it doesn't bother you that i said the word twice in one post? priorities, man...

A pox on your house as well, then!

[Miss Tasty Princess]

Fight, fight, fight!!!

[Paul]

what makes the unicorns terrible? i've never heard them, but they seem to generate positive reviews everywhere except here.They're self-consciously goofy, and we eat our own here.

[johansen smith]

cloying, overly cute and yeah, nauseatingly self-aware, that's the Unicorns. only good thing about them blowing up big is that at least Alien8 can afford to put out more albums by other, more expiremental artists.

[vesper]

did you make that typo on purpose?

[johansen smith]

what typo is that?

[Lukas]

"The Unicorns are one of the most original and brilliant bands of the 21th Century" - Everyone except Paul + J.S

EDIT - SHHHH PAUL

[vesper]

what typo is that?

"expiremental" -- unless yr response was a deeper layer of the joke. i have no idea.

-edit-

while we're on the unicorns, someone (paul maybe?) once compared them to pixy sticks -- great for a couple minutes, but more likely to make you feel like shit for longer. that seemed pretty appropriate (and this is from someone who used to like that album with the stupid title!)(and i saw them live!)

[Dave]

"The Unicorns are one of the most original and brilliant bands of the 20th Century" - Everyone except Paul + J.S

You can add me to the except list.

Dave

[Paul]

"The Unicorns are one of the most original and brilliant bands of the 20th Century" - Everyone except Paul + J.SDoesn't their entire recorded output hail from the 21st Century?

[Miss Tasty Princess]

Unicorns nothing, no opinion, keep fighting
Vietnam Past Away
Boredoms 2001 Boredoms
Dave Longstreth The Graceful Fallen Mango
S. Process More Me
Big Sugar Dear M.F. EP
Stalk-Forrest Group What Is Quicksand? single
Calamus The Road Trax EP
Richard Leo Johnson Fingertip Ship
The Turn Ups Urban Blight
Tormentor Anno Domini
Robyn Hitchcock Moss Elixir
Pretty Things Freeway Madness
Lhasa Cement Plant Chakra Full of Blood
Zeni Geva Freedom Bondage
King Crimson The Nightwatch
High on Fire Blessed Black Wings

[johansen smith]

I think even their biggest fans would not lob the word "original" at them.

[Lukas]

I honestly can't say that I know another band that sounds similar to them. Sure they have been influenced by a whole bunch of people, but they have done a good job of distancing themselves from them.

[Futureman]

Did you know that JS actually looks like his avatar?

[johansen smith]

it may even have something to do with how the drawing is of me.

[9000]

aside from being all good looking and hip like js, is there some secret to getting an avatar up? i'm like permanently blocked from getting one up.

[Lukas]

ask Patrick, it is like that for everyone for some reason

[johansen smith]

the Matador higher-ups weren't going to allow me to use an avatar until I showed them my sales reciept for My Daughter the Broad.

[Patrick]

There is some problem that mysteriously popped up with vBulletin when I was making some changes. The options have gotten so numerous that it's easy to turn something off or on when you don't mean to.

If anyone needs to get a custom avatar up and can't, please PM me and I'll take care of it.

Patrick

[tinobeat]

Yesterday I listened to Dead Meadow's Feathers a bunch, for the first time in a while. I'm happy to say it got better over time, and I really liked it when I first got it. What a great record.

Also, that Steve Reid/Kieran Hebden Exchange Sessions CD is off the hook, er, I mean, SICK! thanks for the recco, earl and others..

The Unicorns are one of the worst bands in recent memory. I bought the CD, and listened to it a ton, trying to figure out what I wasn't getting. I figured out that I wasn't getting that people like listening to shitty music.

[9000]

Yesterday I listened to Dead Meadow's Feathers a bunch, for the first time in a while. I'm happy to say it got better over time, and I really liked it when I first got it. What a great record.


don't want to seal the deal for the mataboard hall of shame, but what's the best starting point with dead meadow? after that, we can move on to mogwai.

[tinobeat]

Dead Meadow:
I suggest beginning with Feathers, the newest one. Its much better than the first Matador release, possibly their best one. Competing for the "best" though is their 2nd LP, called Howls From The Hills, which is phenomenal, but also out of print (not to tell you guys how to do your job, Matador, but a nice re-ish of this would be sweet. just sayin'). Feathers is really spaced out, totally chill, real gorgeous stoned-out psych rocknroll. Before, they were a bit heavier and chunkier, and Howls From The Hills is real awesome, riffy stuff, still pretty psyched out, but a bunch chunkier. Both phases are tremendous.

Mogwai:
I've actually gotten really into Government Commissions, the BBC sessions disc, that sort of spans their career. The performances are hot, the recordings great, actually a pretty good starting point, even. Also, the new one, Mr. Beast, is awesome, and Young Team is the "classic" record that sort of defined them.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

Dead Meadow:
I suggest beginning with Feathers, the newest one. Its much better than the first Matador release, possibly their best one. Competing for the "best" though is their 2nd LP, called Howls From The Hills, which is phenomenal, but also out of print (not to tell you guys how to do your job, Matador, but a nice re-ish of this would be sweet. just sayin'). Feathers is really spaced out, totally chill, real gorgeous stoned-out psych rocknroll. Before, they were a bit heavier and chunkier, and Howls From The Hills is real awesome, riffy stuff, still pretty psyched out, but a bunch chunkier. Both phases are tremendous.Tino is absolutely correct.

[9000]

much appreciated.

[earl grey]

i cast my vote for 'howls' on the dead meadow front, but 'feathers' is great too and you'll have a much easier time finding it. i should listen to 'feathers' again, it's been a while.

[tinobeat]

i should listen to 'feathers' again, it's been a while.

That's actually what I thought a few days ago, and I can't fucking stop listening to it. Its amazing how much better it got with time.

[mydogcheckers]

Motor-Klunk
Gang Gang Dance-God's Money
Ol' Dirty Bastard-The Osirus Mixtape
Hoodoo Guru's-Electric Soup
BBC Radiophonic Music-st & The Radiophonic Workshop
Ciccone Youth-The Whitey Album
Calexico-Garden Ruin
Ghostface-Fishscale
Jim Noir-Tower of Love
Raymond Scott-The Secret 7 "The Unexpected"
Gotan Project-Lunatico
Tom Ze-Estudando O Pagode
Shooting At Unarmed Men-Yes! Tinnitus!
Television Personalities-My Dark Places
Built To Spill-You In Reverse
Sparks-Hello Young Lovers

[johansen smith]

Mogwai:
I've actually gotten really into Government Commissions, the BBC sessions disc, that sort of spans their career. The performances are hot, the recordings great, actually a pretty good starting point, even. Also, the new one, Mr. Beast, is awesome, and Young Team is the "classic" record that sort of defined them.
and to completely disagree with Tino, let me say their best is Come on Die Young, followed by Rock Action and the EP+2 (or, if you can catch the import, grab the EP+6 from their UK label).

[tinobeat]

and to completely disagree with Tino, let me say their best is Come on Die Young, followed by Rock Action and the EP+2 (or, if you can catch the import, grab the EP+6 from their UK label).

CODY is really good, and definitely up there, and I do love EP+2/6 as well.

Rock Action is easily the least interesting thing they've ever done. I don't like it one bit.

[johansen smith]

you must be joking to suggest Happy Songs is better than Rock Action

[tinobeat]

you must be joking to suggest Happy Songs is better than Rock Action

no joke. but there's also a reason that record hasn't been mentioned yet.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

More fighting!!!

Venom Metal Black
King Crimson Cat Food single
The B-52's Wild Planet
The Locust The Locust
Yo La Tengo Is Murdering the Classics
Ted Nugent Free-for-All
The Punkles Punk!
Tom Jones Delilah
Early Man Closing In
Taylor Hollingsworth Tragic City
Thin Lizzy Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy New Day EP
The Findells Naked & Blue

[9000]

dead meadow - feathers --> after yesterday's thread, went out and got this. digging it. any other recommendations in a similar vein? preferably on the heavy/noisy and/or beat driven end of the spectrum.
mogwai - young team --> starting here. not sure yet.
the fall - hex enduction hour
kudu - death of the party --> did you give in yet, paul?
YYY - show your bones
isolee - we are monster
kaito - hundred million light years
beats in space w/ james murphy -> dude is better at making records than spinning 'em.
vesper mix

[Lukas]

dead meadow - feathers --> after yesterday's thread, went out and got this. digging it. any other recommendations in a similar vein?

I would also like to know

[Lukas]

Spoon - Gimme Fiction
I just got this urge for it

[earl grey]

beats in space w/ james murphy -> dude is better at making records than spinning 'em.


very true.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

dead meadow - feathers --> after yesterday's thread, went out and got this. digging it. any other recommendations in a similar vein? preferably on the heavy/noisy and/or beat driven end of the spectrum.Datura Visions for the Celestial (very trippy psyche-metal from NZ)
Electric Wizard Let Us Prey (much heavier than DM but very trippy)

[Lukas]

sick thanks mr.

[Futureman]

Lukas, I've been enjoying Bardo Pond. Less metalish than HCI's recommendation. Lots of fuzz and noise with nice melodies buried underneath. Try the following:

Bufo Alvarius Amen 29:15 (their first release)
Lapsed (an outstanding Matador release; a current favorite)

I recently got a copy of Amanita (another Matador release), but have yet to listen to it.

[vesper]

dead meadow - feathers --> after yesterday's thread, went out and got this. digging it. any other recommendations in a similar vein? preferably on the heavy/noisy and/or beat driven end of the spectrum.

i actually made a psych mix a long time ago that you would probably like. i'll send it yr way next week.

[9000]

awesome. thanks, vesper & hci.

[Futureman]

awesome. thanks, vesper & hci.

Oops. My posts was directed to you, 9000, not Lukas (no offense Lukas).

[Lukas]

Lukas, I've been enjoying Bardo Pond. Less metalish than HCI's recommendation. Lots of fuzz and noise with nice melodies buried underneath. Try the following:

Bufo Alvarius Amen 29:15 (their first release)
Lapsed (an outstanding Matador release; a current favorite)

I recently got a copy of Amanita (another Matador release), but have yet to listen to it.

I thought of them immidiately as well, but they are too well known in these parts so I didn't bother to mention them

[9000]

Oops. My posts was directed to you, 9000, not Lukas (no offense Lukas).

you three, futureman. i've got some investigating to do. woefully behind the curve here.

[earl grey]

> spacemen 3 - forged prescriptions. the demo version of "starship" on this is fucking smokin'! especially with the 9-minute "ecstacy symphony" right afterwards.
> brightblack morning light - "everybody daylight" MP3. dying for more. does their already-released stuff sound like this?
> animal collective - feels
> akufen - psychometry vol. 1-3
> john tejada + arian leviste - back to basics
> cat power - the greatest. took me long enough, but i now can't get enough of this.
> daniel wang - i was a disco malcontent
> the fiery furnaces - bitter tea
> chicken lips - clicks acid and disco
> young people - s/t
> tom tyler - forward going backward
> matmos - the rose has teeth in the mouth of a beast

[Lukas]

brightblack morning light - "everybody daylight" MP3. dying for more. does their already-released stuff sound like this?


The only other song I have heard is "New Mexico" and it is equally as impressive.

EDIT - you can download it here - http://www.midheaven.com/fi/audio/New_Mexico.mp3

[Salman]

The only other song I have heard is "New Mexico" and it is equally as impressive.

EDIT - you can download it here - http://www.midheaven.com/fi/audio/New_Mexico.mp3

Thanks.

Taraf de Haïdouks - s/t
Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan - Ballad of the Broken Seas
Mark Lanegan - Scraps at Midnight
Pawnbrokers RMBB mix
The Fiery Furnaces - Bitter Tea
Destroyer - Destoyer's Rubies
Sly & the Family Stone - Life
Kemialliset Ystävät - Alkuharka
Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
Fairport Convention - Liege & Lief
Fraser & deBolt - Fraser & deBolt with Ian Guenther
A Hawk and a Hacksaw - Darkness at Noon

[Fiona]

Here's one of those weird kind of things; I remember that Bardo Pond's "Lapsed" was recommended highly in the NME by one Stuart Braithwaite some 9-odd years ago.
Futureman, 9000, not sure if either of you are fans of/have come across Hash Jar Tempo, which at various stages featured some or all of Bardo Pond, but if they grabbed you I don't see why HJT woudn't. I'm a big fan of Lapsed, fwiw.

[vesper]

*the klf, chill out wow! i had heard a lot about this, but never expected it to be *this* good.
*liars, drum's not dead + "drum and the uncomfortable can (remix)" the latter might be my favorite or second favorite song of the year -- neck to neck is joakim's "i wish you were gone," which i guess i've said before.
*the knife, silent shout big grower. i like it more every time.
*nathan fake, drowning in a sea of love my enthusiasm has died off a bit since first hearing it, but i still think this is one of the better releases of the year's first half.
*v/a, the third unheard: connecticut hip hop revisiting this one after a year or two without. really wishing i had used "potential 1980" or "million dollar legs" or or or or, pretty much any of these great party tracks.

[earl grey]

The only other song I have heard is "New Mexico" and it is equally as impressive.

EDIT - you can download it here - http://www.midheaven.com/fi/audio/New_Mexico.mp3

thanks for the link. not as good as the new song IMO, but still good.

[Lukas]

Eugene's KCRW performance

[pizzagratis]

The Essential Jerry Reed
(Amazing...how come I don't here more about this?)

Kim Mitchell-various mp3s
(a wild party, true)

Destroyer-Rubies
(I don't wanna like this, I don't know why, but I'm finding my toes moving to it)

Joel Phelps-3
(I like!)

I also found these cds/tapes at a tag sale for 10 cents each this weekend:
Sebadoh-III (so far this does very little for me), Pussy Galore-Sugarshit Sharp (so good), Les Thugs-Strike (I like this a lot...good and heavy), New York Dolls-Rock and Roll (it's got some good songs, but I dunno...I find it hard listening all at once), Big Black-Racer X/Atomizer (Atomizer's great...I actually think the second song is kinda pretty), Grateful Dead-Anthem of the Sun, Bush Tetras-Room in the Night, The Dwarves album with the bloody naked women on the cover (not bad!), Luna-Bewitched, Rapeman-Two Nuns..., stuff by Boss Hog, Crass, Phantom Tollbooth, and some more I'm forgetting. Not a bad deal to have some older punks in yr neighborhood.

[johansen smith]

why do you not want to like Destroyer?

[earl grey]

Bush Tetras-[B]oom in the Night

great pick.

[Paul]

Not a bad deal to have some older punks in yr neighborhood.Crass, huh? What'd you get by them? I'm not a die-hard fan, but I do like them a great deal.

[tinobeat]

Destroyer-Rubies
(I don't wanna like this, I don't know why, but I'm finding my toes moving to it)

I'll echo johansen, why the conscious effort to dislike? I mean, I understand why people would genuinely not like it ('sup, Paul!), but at the same time, if you're enjoying it, then, you know, fuckin enjoy it!

[pizzagratis]

why do you not want to like Destroyer?

ok ok ok...a couple years ago, I read an interview with Mr. Bejar in the Globe and Mail (Canada's answer to the New York Times) in which he spends more time talking about how his music is influenced by Jean Luc Godard and, if I remember halfcorectly, postmodern theory than anything else. While maybe there were some interesting things said, something about the article turned me off and made me question the genuineness of his music.

Later attempts to reconcile this to myself didn't work. While a song like "The Sublimation Hour" is immediate, something about the way he'd throw around all those polysyllables into something that just stopped short of making sense or, in my opinion, being as successfully impressionistic as Pollard couldn't help me shake the feeling that he was trying to trick the listener into rocking/feeling something that wasn't actually there.

I dunno what changed for me with Rubies. Maybe it's that I just like the music better. Maybe it's that I've just stopped caring (probably). What I heard from the EP with Frog Eyes (a band I'm a real lot more iffy on) definitely warmed me up for this.

[Futureman]

Actually, Bejar's music has been far more influenced by Jean Luc Piccard of the Starship Enterprise. Few people know this.

[johansen smith]

ok ok ok...a couple years ago, I read an interview with Mr. Bejar in the Globe and Mail (Canada's answer to the New York Times) in which he spends more time talking about how his music is influenced by Jean Luc Godard and, if I remember halfcorectly, postmodern theory than anything else. .
see, this makes me like him a whole lot more than I already did.

[tinobeat]

see, this makes me like him a whole lot more than I already did.

funny, cos I have the same reaction as pizzagratis reading that. I love his lyrics and his presentation, but that kind of pretentious stuff just bugs me.

[johansen smith]

postmodernist theory isn't pretentious, it's a lot more interesting than sincerity.

[tinobeat]

postmodernist theory isn't pretentious, it's a lot more interesting than sincerity.

I swear, that statement just made the space/time continuum warp a bit...

[Futureman]

postmodernist theory isn't pretentious, it's a lot more interesting than sincerity.

You're right. Most postmodernist theory [sic] isn't pretentious; but its intentional obfuscation is enough to discredit it as a subject of serious study. Nietzsche's remark seems particularly apt here:

"Those who know that they are profound strive for clarity. Those who would like to seem profound strive for obscurity" (The Gay Science, sec. 173).


Anyway, I really like the new Fiery Furnaces.

[vesper]

i don't want to get into the postmodern schlock on the rmbb, but it's worth pointing out that pizzagratis's problem with bejar probably just comes from a difference in critical attitude -- specifically, i'm not sure how you can take a proclaimed postmodern theorist to task for not seeming genuine, but that's cos i actually buy into this whole theoretical biz.

and i completely disagree that "its intentional obfuscation is enough to discredit it as a subject of serious study," when its intentional obfuscation is what leads to new studies!

[Futureman]

So much the worse for the academy, says I.

OK. I had the last word. Nyah!

Back to music...

[vesper]

dude, when/if i get my phd, i'm going to scholar stalk every article you write and bash it.

-edit-

oh but i've been listening to "planet rock" all day!

[Futureman]

dude, when/if i get my phd, i'm going to scholar stalk every article you write and bash it.

-edit-

oh but i've been listening to "planet rock" all day!

Seriously--good luck if you chose to take the academic route. It's a great life!

[johansen smith]

Vesper and I just became strange bedfellows on this subject. modern and postmodern approaches to literature and film are the only ones worth bothering with.

[Paul]

I'd love to actually read this Globe and Mail interview so I can speed of the process of my ambivalence for Bejar become full-on hate.

There's no room for academia in rock music. If that makes me sound like a total knob, then so be it. Why the hell even bother recording songs/albums when you can just jerk your brain off in book form?

[vesper]

some of us want to jerk off in performance (http://performance.tisch.nyu.edu/page/home.html) form! (which has a lot to do with rock, actually!)

[Futureman]

Why the hell even bother recording songs/albums when you can just jerk your brain off in book form?

Now we're on a topic Paul knows something about!

[pizzagratis]

okay...so after looking around for a while, I found a copy of said article. To my embarassment, most of the postmodern talk about context and Godard are from the interviewer himself (who titles the piece "Rock antisongs and antirock songs"...ick). Suppose my memory needs a little sharpening.

If you're still curious, here it is:

http://www.evalu8.org/staticpage?page=review&siteid=3142.

But yeah...this is a cool debate...will jump in once I'm done studying for this afternoon's exam.

[Futureman]

Oh yeah: for all you college folks, good luck on exams. Wish me luck grading them in time for graduation. I'm currently looking at a stack of 40 papers I have yet to start.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

I'll leave it up to y'all to decide which ones are post-modernist and which aren't:

Venom Temples of Ice
Peggy Lee Sea Shells
After Dinner Paradise of Replica
Das Polyrhythmia~Ensemble spielt Musik von Siegfried Fink Pictures for Percussion
Venom The Waste Lands
Quartz Quartz
Captains of Industry A Roomful of Monkeys
N.W.A Straight Outta Compton
Anthony Braxton Saxophone Improvisations / Series F.
Die Monitr Batss Girls of War
Glenn Branca Symphony No. 9 (l'eve future)
Pale Nudes Wise to the Heat
Goatsnake Flower of Disease
Void Condensed Flesh EP
Move Shazam
The Martha Dumptruck Massacre The Burning Bridge
Stone Jack Jones Bluefolk
Made in China Live at WREK
Khanate Khanate
Zero Boys Vicious Circle
Nadja Truth Becomes Death

[vesper]

tiga, sexor + "(far from) home (dfa remix)" + "good as gold (morgan geist monophonic mix)" -- all three are, of course, awesome. i see what 9000 means when he says that sexor is a summer album released too soon. i wonder what kind of reception it would have gotten with a later release date? i also wonder if more people will get into it once the summer gets going?

the klf, chill out -- i'm still completely knocked over by this.

fiona's mix -- never did comment on this much, but i love it. the low re-remix and susumu yokota/rothko tracks complement each other perfectly, the lindstrom & prins thomas track is naturally ace and "crap kraft dinner" made me pay more attn to hot chip than i had before. great stuff.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

Hedningarna Trä
Evan Johns and the Hillbilly Soul Surfers Moontan
Orthrelm OV ← this is, to quote someone here, "sick" . . . I need more
Slayer Seasons in the Abyss
Borah Bergman/Peter Brötzmann/Andrew Cyrille Exhilaration
No Trend Teen Love/The Early Months
Constantines Shine a Light
Slapp Happy Sort Of
Sadistik Exekution We Are Death Fuck You
The Evens The Evens ← sounds like a cross between The Malarkies and Fugazi (not that I'm surprised or anything)

[vesper]

the new rapture single, "w.a.y.u.h.," is also good stuff.

[tinobeat]

Orthrelm OV ← this is, to quote someone here, "sick" . . . I need more

This Orthrelm record is pretty unique in that its that one massive track, with long repetitive bits, etc. Their previous albums are excercises in brevity, with the most extreme being Asristir Vieldriox, which is a 99 track (!) EP, fitting on one side of a 12" record. 4-5 second bursts of metal insanity, hypertechnical and brutal. I think you'd be really into those too, but just so you know, this one record is a massive departure from the other stuff in terms of assembly, though the personality is the same.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

Savage Republic Ceremonial
Stone Jack Jones Bluefolk
Judas Priest Rocka-Rolla
RF7 God Forbid
The Jupiter Watts Let It Lie
Can Soundtracks
The Damned The Black Album ← deluxe remaster, disc one
Soft Machine Third
Stavesacre Live from Deep Ellum EP ← co-worker loan
Railroad Jerk Sauberes Hemd EP
The Damned The Black Album ← deluxe remaster, disc two

[Kid B]

Tired, drinking, and listening tonite.

Violent Femmes- hallowed ground
Dismemberment Plan- change
the Black Heart Procession- amore del tropico
the Replacements- pleased to meet me
Bob Mould- body of song

[dwight fry]

Ed Kuepper - Character Assasination
Gun Club - Mother Juno
Flipper - Sex Bomb Baby
Mission of Burma - The horrible truth...
Small Faces - From the Beginning

[Futureman]

...Futureman doesn't think the new SY album is completely awesome (he'll come around).

I've warmed up to it considerably. In fact, its hard to pick a favorite tune, but I love love love 'Reena', 'Jams Run Free', 'Rats', and 'Pink Steam' (among others). Still, I think tracks 2-4 are bland and uninspired (although 'Sleepin Around' has a groovy interlude). I dislike them for the same reasons I dislike tunes like 'My Friend Goo' and 'Little Trouble Girl.' Considering how great the rest of the album is, I find the presence of these songs to be a little disappointing.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

Sufjan Stevens Seven Swans
YOB The Illusion of Motion
Love Four Sail
Young Heart Attack Mouthful of Love
Crossing the Red Sea with The Adverts
The Adverts One Chord Wonders single
The Adverts Gary Gilmore's Eyes single
The Adverts Safety in Numbers single
Alchemist Embryonics ← disc two
Neu! Neu!
Vágtázó HalottKémek A semmi kapuin dörömbölve

[pabost]

I dislike them for the same reasons I dislike tunes like . . . 'Little Trouble Girl.'

Wow. That's one of my favorite SY songs.

[Futureman]

No it isn't.

[Paul]

I still really do like tracks 2-4... "Sleepin' Around" is great in some non SY-centric ways, but I think "Incinerate" is up there with "Teenage Riot" in epic, building uptempo SY greatness. "Do You Believe In Rapture" is the dullard of that set, but it's still a really nice song (and actually really pretty when it gets to the Velvet Underground-ish part).

I seriously can't get enough of "The Neutral," though. Best KG song ever!

[earl grey]

I think "Incinerate" is up there with "Teenage Riot" in epic, building uptempo SY greatness.

"Do You Believe In Rapture" is the dullard of that set.

I seriously can't get enough of "The Neutral," though. Best KG song ever!

i like tracks 2-4 a lot too, but i'm having trouble deciding which of these three statements is the farthest off-base. i'm torn between #1 and #3.

[Paul]

i like tracks 2-4 a lot too, but i'm having trouble deciding which of these three statements is the farthest off-base. i'm torn between #1 and #3.Once again, you'll come around.

[earl grey]

Once again, you'll come around.

not so sure of that, "teenage riot" is in pretty rare air for me and i don't even think "incinerate" is one of the better tracks on 'rather ripped.' but i might come around to "the neutral" being kim's best moment on the new one. for now, i'm sticking to "reena" and "jams run free."

[vesper]

i know nothing about the new SY (waiting to buy it), BUT this spank rock record, yo yo yo yo, is AWESOME.

[Kid B]

i know nothing about the new SY (waiting to buy it)
Yeah same here.

[Dean]

So did anybody here this new Neil Young protest record yet? I'm listening to it right now, and it's pretty ridiculous. Theoretically it sounds like a good idea, you know, using cultural elements co-opted by the right wing to protest 'em (patriotism, spirituality, etc...), but it plays kind of odd. He's singing better than he has in a few records, though, and some of the stuff sounds more like songs than anything off of Greendale. Points for effort at least.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

I take it all you arguers are downloading the new Sonic Youth? It's not out for a few months yet, right?

Since last night:

The Malarkies Best Map EP
King Crimson Lizard
Carcass Symphonies of Sickness
Subhumans From the Cradle to the Grave
Amon Düül II Lemmingmania
AC/DC Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap ← Australian version
Town and Country Up Above
Saint Vitus Hallow's Victim
Roadsaw Takin' Out the Trash
Venom Metal Black
Sam Rivers Crystals
The Dresden Dolls Yes, Virginia . . .

[Paul]

I take it all you arguers are downloading the new Sonic Youth? It's not out for a few months yet, right?Out June 13. But I couldn't wait... damn technologies!

[earl grey]

Out June 13. But I couldn't wait... damn technologies!

yeah, i can talk a big game about waiting for a proper release, but wave a new SY record in my face and it all goes to shit.... (i would've had a little more control if the early word wasn't so overwhelmingly positive.)

[Lukas]

So did anybody here this new Neil Young protest record yet? I'm listening to it right now, and it's pretty ridiculous. Theoretically it sounds like a good idea, you know, using cultural elements co-opted by the right wing to protest 'em (patriotism, spirituality, etc...), but it plays kind of odd. He's singing better than he has in a few records, though, and some of the stuff sounds more like songs than anything off of Greendale. Points for effort at least.

I digged what i heard

[Kid B]

Damn am I the only one left on planet earth with some self control? Haven't heard a single note from the new Sonic Youth album, and I won't until June 13th when I buy it. Damn technologies indeed.

[Patrick]

Time to start a new thread.. 6 months.... yeeessssssh.