tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56691012011-04-21T16:37:28.374-04:00Musica GenericaUncommon music criticized by the common man. (Or, exercises in futility masquerading as critical thought.)Damian Vegashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17906084881247114115noreply@blogger.comBlogger1621100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-26582073740803927702008-02-25T13:39:00.002-05:002008-02-25T14:15:40.814-05:00Free Music! All For You!Intentionally free, too. The Pax Cecilia are giving away some good music on their website. Their album from last year, Blessed Are The Bonds, is a beautifully crafted work of post/ambient/whatevah metal (for those who don't waste too much of their life reading music reviews, this is metal that is less synchronized hair pinwheeling and more art-students playing metal for Damian Vegashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17906084881247114115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-82064794325310780902008-01-07T16:22:00.000-05:002008-01-07T17:24:48.018-05:00Three?! That's It?!I posted three times in 2007. Wow. How crazy.Oh well. I already explained over on the other blog that I essentially quit blogging for 2007, but am hoping to jump back into this time-burgling pool in 2008. It's not like I stopped listening to music. If anything, I probably heard more new music this year than I have in some time. If you're interested, this is some stuff I Damian Vegashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17906084881247114115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-35338052509899818512007-04-11T01:26:00.000-04:002007-04-11T01:29:17.667-04:00Put Your Face Where We Can See It, Put It On A Show On CableYou know what you should be listening to? The new El-P album, I'll Sleep When You're Dead. It's one of the best sounding records I've heard this year; El-P's production skills have gotten even better. As an MC, he is still kind of hit or miss (more of the former), but the sounds he creates are just bugged out. Whether or not it will D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-8086277553044385772007-02-19T20:52:00.000-05:002007-02-19T20:56:55.689-05:00There Is No God*It seems Jesu will not be part of the Isis tour until further notice. The reason? Still don't have work permits. Dammit.(*That's a Justin Broadrick joke; I'm not *that* broken up about this. Hopefully, Jesu will be back on tour by the time they roll through D.C.)D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-61465060595363612742007-02-17T15:53:00.000-05:002007-02-17T16:06:23.348-05:00DamnWell, I knew it was a gamble. Tonight's Mastodon show is sold out. I bet if I went over there, I could probably by a ticket on the street. The question is, do I freeze my ass off on another gamble? I'm leaning toward no. I'm not surprised. Mastodon has pretty much become the flagship band of "metal for people who don't like metal", which is fine by me, because they do blaze and deserve D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-35792869405316778782007-02-12T23:15:00.001-05:002007-01-03T23:13:30.314-05:00It's 2007. C'mon With The Postings!Yeah, it's 2007, and it's already off to a whiz bang start. Naturally, I already feel behind, but I can say that things are getting out of the gate fast in the first two months. I can endorse heartily the following (some which haven't seen official release *cough*):Low Drums and Guns: If you liked the last Low album, or are just willing to ride with the band D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1166071861841639932006-12-13T23:48:00.000-05:002006-12-13T23:52:45.683-05:00The Top Ten of 2006: Musica Generica StyleYou'd never know it by looking at the activity of this blog this year, but I've actually listened to a ton of music, most of it new. Of course, it's never really enough, as I realized as I was compiling this list. The number of albums I didn't get a chance to peep is staggering, and with a new year upon us, I have no idea when I'll catch up. The short D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1165942951014754902006-12-12T12:01:00.000-05:002006-12-12T12:02:31.030-05:00Hipster ShuffleIt seems my iPod is in a very hep cat mood this morning. Here are the first ten songs it played:Dysrhythmia "Touch Benediction"Pavement "Old To Begin"Pepe Deluxe "Salami Fever"Public Enemy "Don't Believe The Hype"Teenage Fanclub "Older Guys"Damon & Naomi "The Great Wall"Gnarls Barkley "Crazy"Superchunk "Garlic"Elliott Smith "Waltz #2"Pixies "Bone Machine"(And the 11th song, D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1163230537903955942006-11-11T02:35:00.000-05:002006-11-11T02:35:37.960-05:00StatementI'd just like to point out that the moment at 1:30 in the Poster Children's "Where We Live", the closing track on their fantastic Daisy Chain Reaction, is one of my favorites in rock music. At least tonight. It just...erupts. Sure, the quiet/loud thing has been done so, so many times. But the timing seems so perfect here.Anyway...just notin'.D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1162051467199725262006-10-28T12:04:00.000-04:002006-10-28T16:18:11.356-04:00Call Down The (Gods of) ThunderI said this over on the other blog, but it's worth repeating: you must go get the new Melvins disc, A Senile Animal. I just cannot stop listening to it. I've been waking up to it all week, it's what I listen to on the way to and from work, and it's on in the evenings. Now, I'm not listening exclusively to it, but I might as well be. Every time I put on another D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1161322589238468082006-10-20T01:36:00.000-04:002006-10-20T01:36:29.423-04:00As A Matter Of FactI did catch the Melvins/Big Business show at the Black Cat tonight. And it was awesome. Picked up the new album, too. Can't wait to hear it. Why weren't you there?Anyway, here is a live clip of the current lineup.Buzz Osborne really does have the best white man's fro ever. It's so...Sideshow Bob-ish.D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1160448846508482552006-10-09T22:54:00.000-04:002006-10-09T22:54:06.520-04:00DC RocksSparked by CO's heads up about The Black Keys, here are some show that should be worth checking out.9:30 Club10/28 (late show) - Jedi Mind Tricks, RA The Rugged Man, and Outerspace11/7 - Broken Social Scene, Do Make Say Think (more for DMST than the headliner)11/12 - Cut Chemist, Lyrics BornBlack Cat10/19 - The Melvins, Big Business, Joe Lally (I'm going to try make this show. Seriously.D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1159762388297069382006-10-02T00:13:00.000-04:002006-10-02T00:13:08.340-04:00Can We At Least Mention Some Music Here?I'm listening to a track off the new Melvins album called "A History of Bad Men" (you can find it here) and I'm really, really enjoying it. And so I thought, in addition to endorsing that track, why not talk about some recent music I've picked up. It's more a way to organize the new acquisitions in my head (and remind myself to listen to stuff if I D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1157222543799352622006-09-02T14:42:00.000-04:002006-09-02T14:47:49.673-04:00For WestyMike Patton talks of future projects, opinion of Wolfmother (link found at Paper Thin Walls).D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1155595843533743072006-08-14T18:50:00.000-04:002006-08-14T18:50:43.570-04:00CNN covers metal on a slow news day. Hilarity ensues.Honestly, it's not a terrible article, just rather shallow and pointless. None of these elements (social/political commentary, drawing on literature or mythology) are new to the genre. They make it sound like there is this huge movement in metal to incorporate "mature" themes, which is a total crock. These elements have always been there, D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1154564624172268092006-08-02T20:23:00.000-04:002006-08-02T20:23:44.226-04:00Paper Thin WallsBy posting three essential tracks a day, Paper Thin Walls hopes to work as a daily, A.D.D.-afflicted primer for obsessives and noobs alike. One click scores you all you need to know about the overhyped, underhyped, obscurities, oddities, locals, reissues, overlooked, underexposed, undercooked and whatever else crosses our desk—preferably while drinking your morning coffee, riding D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1154479119800841692006-08-01T20:38:00.000-04:002006-08-01T20:38:39.906-04:00For All The Fucked Up Children In The World, We Give You...Spacemen 3***I just came across the above clip while searching for Spiritualized stuff on the great timewaster that is YouTube. I think one of the little joys in my life is reconnecting with art and music after its been sitting on the shelf for a while. I posted something similar about Sonic Youth a while back (you can probably scroll D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1151430386688596252006-06-27T13:46:00.000-04:002006-06-27T13:46:26.756-04:00Another PlaceholderSo, yeah. There's been new music around these parts, not that you'd notice. The newest:Jesu - SilverBoris - PinkPraxis - ZurichKorpiklaani - Tales Along This RoadRosetta - The Galilean SatellitesAll (so far) are pretty great, especially the Praxis and Korpiklaani albums. I highly recommend Korpiklaani's oom-pah/backwoods/Oktoberfest metal, which is perfect for heavy drinkingD.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1149612521662706482006-06-06T12:48:00.000-04:002006-06-06T12:48:41.736-04:00Today's Playlist(Note: I don't have the largest metal collection, so if there are obvious choices missing, it's probably because I don't own the stuff. Also, if some of this stuff isn't as appropriate, content-wise, as it should be, well, my bad. Stop nitpicking! Now...onward to evil.)Slayer "Hell Awaits"Behemoth "As Above So Below"Cradle of Filth "Better To Reign In Hell"High On Fire "Blessed D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1148853141592687482006-05-28T17:52:00.000-04:002006-05-28T17:52:21.663-04:00Check it: Sunn O))) and Boris getting love in the NY Times.Not much of a primer or anything for the two bands, but a nice little intro for the non-metal crowd.D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1146186385434383022006-04-27T21:06:00.000-04:002006-04-27T21:06:25.493-04:00New Music!My CD Universe shipment finally arrived. The newest additions to the library:J Dilla DonutsKayo Dot Dowsing Anemone With Copper TongueLift To Experience The Texas-Jerusalem CrossroadsMadlib The Beat Konducta Vol. 1-2The Ocean AeolianSuishou no Fune Where The Spirits AreYakuza Way of The Dead and SamsaraHaven't had a chance to listen to any of this yet. Not sure what to listen to firstD.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1145413290596542302006-04-18T22:21:00.000-04:002006-04-18T22:22:23.790-04:00Add Me To The ListI completely love the new Ghostface Killah album. A complete end to end burner. I got it for ten bucks at Best Buy. You should, too. For those trying to make an informed decision, listen to "The Champ" or "9 Milli Bros." Worth the price of admission alone.(Other good music purchased in the last month or so: Stereolab Fab Four Suture, Oceansize Everyone Into Position and the D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1142532436683505402006-03-16T13:07:00.000-05:002006-03-16T13:07:16.746-05:00Lollapalooza 2006 line-up has been announced. Now with 100% more Matisyahu.D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1141971080700294852006-03-10T01:11:00.000-05:002006-03-10T01:11:20.766-05:00On a whim, I hopped over to teh Sonic Youth website. They've got a new release coming in June, and are also re-issuing a few albums, including their first. Except for that album and a couple of their SYR releases, I have just about everything they've done. I may not pull them off the shelf as much as I used to, but there are times when they are the only band in the universe who can scratch my D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1141869074538954132006-03-08T20:51:00.000-05:002006-03-08T20:51:14.590-05:00This post is stirring up a huge amount of debate over on the I Love Music board, which is actually an entertaining and informative site (with a surprising number of well-circulated, oft-published critics posting) despite how quickly a shitstorm can be scared up.Of course, it's the whole My Chemical Romance = Nirvana thing that has the critics (both professional and non-) on the board offering D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1141791456350633922006-03-07T23:17:00.000-05:002006-03-07T23:17:36.410-05:00Quick Hits:I have been listening to the first single from Prince's upcoming album, 3121 a whole helluva lot. It is, how you say, a hot track. If the rest of the album is even close to being this good, I will gladly spend my hard-earned ducats on it.I've hit a lull in terms of ripping music onto my iPod. Still tons more I want to add, as I've concentrated on getting music I haven't touched in a D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1140448512990218342006-02-20T10:15:00.000-05:002006-02-20T10:15:13.040-05:00The NY Times ran an interesting article on Susie Ibarra over the weekend. Check it out, won't you?D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1139683620490177442006-02-11T13:47:00.000-05:002006-02-11T13:47:00.536-05:00RIP J DillaSad news. And right after the release of his latest, Donuts (on Stones Throw).D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1138760933233128832006-01-31T21:28:00.000-05:002006-01-31T21:28:53.286-05:00Can't you hear the hipsters bickering? Ladies and gentlemen...Pazz and Jop '05D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1136570735877303722006-01-06T13:05:00.000-05:002006-01-06T13:05:35.890-05:00A RevisionAn excellent album that completely slipped my mind when I compiled that list was Sleater-Kinney's The Woods. There was no way I could not correct that error, because the album is so damn good. So, I bumped The New Pornographers down into the honorable mentions to make room for S-K.Really, the album is that good. You should own it. Now go. Go spend money!D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1136392240605197532006-01-04T11:30:00.000-05:002006-01-06T13:00:15.773-05:002005: The Dirty DozenAs you can see if you come to this site with anything resembling regularity, I have not written much about music this year. (And regularity, in this case, can be defined as "visiting as much as I post.") Part of that is that I haven't been listening to music as much as I would like, part of it is laziness/lack of interest in writing, and part of it is just not having the D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1131415587439291792005-11-07T21:06:00.000-05:002005-11-07T21:06:27.483-05:00Well, I suck.
I haven't made any of the shows I highlighted earlier. The one I really wanted to make--Green Milk From The Planet Orange--got nixed for a legit reason (extraordinary back pain). But the others were all due to work-related fatigue. (Read: long-ass hours.) I know many of you may consider that legit, as well, but I feel like a big pussy. Then I found out today that the Black KeysD.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1129605521975782892005-10-17T23:18:00.000-04:002005-10-17T23:18:42.013-04:00Okay, so once again, I lied about something getting written (the FME show). For once, unfortunately, it had more to do with my schedule (work hours have been insane the last month) than my laziness. And this isn't going to be much of a substitute. As a matter of fact, it's just quick rundown of some recent acquisitions. I will admit I haven't listened to them as much as I'd like, but I have D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1127157502937945692005-09-19T15:18:00.000-04:002005-09-19T15:18:22.983-04:00Art-Metal
The NY Times has an excellent roundup on what it calls art-metal. Naturally, such a broad term will encompass another of disparate styles, from the avant-doom rumblings of Khanate to the robo-shred of Orthrelm, but every band mentioned in the article is worth your time and money.
A band not mentioned, but easily fitting into the "art-metal" mix, is Italian prog-metallers Ephel Duath,D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1125189431564995722005-08-27T20:37:00.000-04:002005-08-27T20:37:11.580-04:00The Last Ten
Here are my final ten selections from eMusic:
Afu-Ra f. RZA as Bobby Digital "Dangerous Language"
Copywrite "Clap!"
The High And Mighty f. Eminem "The Last Hit"
High On Fire "Thrall of Caanan"
James Blood Ulmer "Double Trouble"
Sons of Otis "Way I Feel"
Teeth of Lions Rule The Divine "He Who Accepts All That Is Offered (Feel Bad Hit Of The Winter)"
Ugly Duckling "Opening Act"
Ying D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1124926162838896562005-08-24T19:29:00.000-04:002005-08-24T19:29:22.883-04:00Ten More To Go
As I mentioned previously, CO set me up with an offer for 50 free downloads from eMusic. Of course, the hope is to entice the user to sign up for a full/paid account. While I have not had much problem finding songs for downloading, way too many of my searches came up completely empty, so I think I will opt to not sign up at this time. Besides, I do prefer listening to music on D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1124818465650043772005-08-23T13:34:00.000-04:002005-08-23T13:34:25.693-04:00Heavy Metal Food Fight
It seems Sharon Osbourne and Iron Maiden (more specifically lead singer Bruce Dickinson) were beefing, culminating in an mass eggings and other chicanery on Maiden's last tour stop.
Who knows what really triggered the events. I just find it funny that metalheads took to eggs as a form or retribution. They need more Hell's Angels working security, methinks.D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1124251981205877982005-08-17T00:13:00.000-04:002005-08-17T00:13:01.250-04:00We Got Your Music Right Here
So, my little foray into eMusic has already yielded fruit. I picked up Of Montreal's latest, The Sunlandic Twins, based on one song ("The Party's Crashing Us") I downloaded. At the low cost of only eleven bucks, it was worth the gamble. I already had one of their albums, but it didn't really get its hooks into me. This one seems to be a different beast, though. D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1124048647569509152005-08-14T15:44:00.000-04:002005-08-14T15:45:17.183-04:00I'm A Downloader Now!Thanks to CO, I am now testing the waters of eMusic. I must say, I have not been terribly successful with my searches. Even well known bands (The Ohio Players, for instance) that I look for only have partial discographies listed. I understand it comes down to the deals they have with certain labels, but still. It's doing me no good here!I should be able to at least get 50D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1123025526134367342005-08-02T19:32:00.000-04:002005-08-02T19:32:06.170-04:00Endorsements
Okay, jackasses. Get off your behinds and go pick up the March Into The Sea EP by Pelican. A truncated version appears on their sparkling new album The Fire In Our Throats Will Beckon The Thaw, but the 20 minute EP version is the one to have (though, both are good). It's instrumental heaviness in the best possible way. The EP has two tracks, "March Into The Sea" and a remix of "D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1122753185122452372005-07-30T15:53:00.000-04:002005-07-30T15:53:05.160-04:00First Impressions: The Black Dahlia Murder's Miasma
I just picked up the newest from one of my favorite bands from the last few years, The Black Dahlia Murder. Right now, I'm about half-way through the disc and I thought I'd say a few things about it.
I must say, I'm really feeling it right away. Whether it holds up after many subsequent listens remains to be seen. It's kind of easy to get D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1121315405736753962005-07-14T00:30:00.000-04:002005-07-14T00:30:05.780-04:00Hey now....let's talk about some music!
I haven't posted in a while. I have, since then, picked up some music. It's a short list, so here goes:
Behold...The Arctopus Nano-Nucleonic Cyborg Summoning (Troubleman Unlimited)
Boris Akuma No Uta (Southern Lord)
Orthrelm OV (Ipecac)
Pelican March Into The sea (Hydra Head)
Stereolab Oscillons from the Anti-Sun (Too Pure)
The Boris is my favorite ofD.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1119017273747506252005-06-17T10:07:00.000-04:002005-06-17T10:07:53.783-04:00Listen up, hipsterati. You've been put on notice.
Actually, I agree with this sentiment, snarky thought it may be. In the rush to emulate the British music press, too many critics choose hyperbolic proclamations rather than actual criticism in order to sell the merits of a band. Why evaluate the place of an artist within the great musical continuum (or even their own body of work) when you D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1118768123209361892005-06-14T12:55:00.000-04:002005-06-14T12:55:23.240-04:00Another one that flew by my radar: Orthrelm's OV. I'm going to go out on a limb, and I don't think it's much of a stretch, and guess that this disc will be awesome. For those unfamiliar with the dynamic duo, Orthrelm play instrumental (guitar and drums) music that seems to occupy some region in the Venn diagram of music between improv and heavy metal, even though their music is actually 100% D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1117859817879784722005-06-04T00:36:00.000-04:002005-06-04T00:36:57.916-04:00Just wanted to say a brief word about a few recent acquisitions:
Pitbull M.I.A.M.I.: This is a nice album. Not surprisingly, the Lil Jon produced tracks are the better ones. I need to listen to it a bit more, to be fair, but that's my assessment so far. What gets lost in Lil Jon's "colorful" personality (thanks in large part to the whole Chappelle's Show bit) is that the man can produce a D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1117740357301317342005-06-02T15:25:00.000-04:002005-06-02T15:25:57.343-04:00Here is a much more coherent and knowledgeable review of the Brotzmann Chicago Tentet performing live in Philadelphia the night after I saw them here in D.C. I'm not sure if I would be as effusive if I had the writing skill to match (though, I think Parker's prose is a little overboard at times; still I respect the enthusiasm). I can't believe I forgot to mention the slide saxophone that D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1116262555729572912005-05-16T12:55:00.000-04:002005-05-16T12:55:55.776-04:00So, I caught the Brotzmann Chicago Tentet last night. I went in there with no expectations, with only Brotzmann's reputation as a foundation for the possibilities, but nothing more. The performance was at once everything I might have anticipated and nothing like it at all.
First off, I must say I was impressed by the turnout. I thought there might only be a couple of dozen people showing upD.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1115605910697546072005-05-08T22:31:00.000-04:002005-05-08T22:31:50.806-04:00Show Alert
The Peter Brotzmann Chicago Tentet will be playing at the Black Cat next Sunday. This will be my first live free-jazz experience. I'm trying not to over-anticipate the concert, which is difficult considering Brotzmann's stature in the jazz world and the playing I've heard from some of the other members of the tentet outside of this context (Gustafsson, Lonberg-Holm, McPhee, D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1115267277622437162005-05-05T00:27:00.000-04:002005-05-05T00:27:57.723-04:00A Case For Downloading
This track is part of the most recent Z-Trip album I purchased (not his new one; the live from L.A. album). Only part of it plays (not even the entire first verse), but it is hilarious. It's set to Barry White's "I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Baby". The image of Cookie Monster as seducer is funny in ways that shouldn't need explaining, but I don't think I couldD.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1114662758254006062005-04-28T00:32:00.000-04:002005-04-28T00:32:38.253-04:00Some Endorsements
Anaal Nathrakh - Domine Non Es Dignus (Season of Mist) For the regulars (that I know of), I can pretty uniformly guarantee you won't derive much pleasure from this album. Then again, "pleasure" isn't exactly something associated with Anaal Nathrakh's strain of brutality. This album is absolutely crushing, unleashing some of the nastiest (and I mean that in the best possible D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1114229604864945552005-04-23T00:13:00.000-04:002005-04-23T00:13:24.863-04:00It looks like Lollapalooza announced part of their lineup. I think I'll pass.
Also: I got the previously mentioned Drums of Death tonight. That was quick. I also picked up the new Fantomas disc. (No Z-Trip in stock.) I'm listening to Drums now and it's quite good. I can't really do any sort of detailed review, obviously, but probably will soon. I can say that it probably doesn't Rock as D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1114104014705245532005-04-21T13:20:00.000-04:002005-04-21T13:20:14.706-04:00The other day I'm watching Sportscenter and they are doing their "Ultimate Highlight." The soundtrack for this week's highlights is "Shock and Awe" by Z-Trip f. Chuck D. I thought, that's nice, it must be on the new album. Say, when will that drop?
It dropped on April 19th. The album is called Shifting Gears and is on Hollywood Records. Apparently, the lead single, "Walking Dead" f. Linkin D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1113940379000298412005-04-19T15:52:00.000-04:002005-04-19T15:52:59.000-04:00So, I just ordered this from Melody Records in Dupont (check the linkage to the right). Based on the reputation of the two principles (DJ Spooky and Dave Lombardo, for those too lazy to click the link), not to mention their guests, this should be awesome.
Speaking of Lombardo, for the unaware, Fantomas has a new album out. Didn't you know Carl Stalling was avant garde?
Tangentially (from one D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1113577773046637792005-04-15T11:09:00.000-04:002005-04-15T11:09:33.046-04:00A few things:
I caught part of the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony a couple of weekends ago. When Mean Gene Okerland came out, they played his cover of "Tutti Frutti" as his entrance music. I had completely forgotten how sublimely ridiculous Mean Gene's singing style is. Bravo!
On the other end of the spectrum: this is now on the radar. I've seen the Staalplaat label name a number of times, but D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1113363290885749972005-04-12T23:34:00.000-04:002005-04-12T23:34:50.886-04:00A Question
Once again, something CO said in the comments has got the ol' noodle going. Just something to throw out there, perhaps to be fleshed out in some fashion at a later date.
Modern Art vs. Modern Music
CO said he "can enjoy abstract painting for what it is and the emotive response it creates," while he does not get the same enjoyment from free jazz. Obviously, there is no rule saying D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1113195886758477002005-04-11T01:04:00.000-04:002005-04-11T01:04:46.756-04:00Roundup
I've made a number of additions to the collection in recent weeks:
High on Fire Blessed Black Wings
Mars Volta Frances The Mute
Orthrelm 2nd18/04 Norildivoth Crallos-Lomrixth Urthiln
Anata Under A Stone With No Inscription
Anaal Nathrakh Domine Non Es Dignus
The Flying Luttenbachers Systems Emerge From Complete Disorder
Meshuggah Chaosphere
Those last four discs came in late this past D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1112806183745213442005-04-06T12:49:00.000-04:002005-04-06T12:49:43.746-04:00I have been drafting a piece for this site re: avant-garde music when CO posted the following in the comments of a previous post (about QBICO Records):
The more abstract music (or any art) gets, the more its about the process.
I was going to try to incorporate this sentiment into my other mini-essay, but have decided to briefly address his point instead.
Let me start by saying that CO is not D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1112431053454298592005-04-02T03:37:00.000-05:002005-04-02T03:37:33.456-05:00I just finished listening to the two CDs I bought tonight, back to back, on headphones: Orthrelm's 2nd18/04 Norildivoth Crallos-Lomrixth Urthiln and The Mars Volta's Frances the Mute. Wow. Just...wow. What will I dream about tonight?
(Funny...I think Orthrelm may have actually packed as many, if not more, notes into their album than MV, even though the latter's album is more than twice--77 D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1112377942448047382005-04-01T12:52:00.000-05:002005-04-01T12:52:22.446-05:00It appears that Lollapalooza is attempting to resurrect itself yet again. After the tour was brought back, then canceled before it began last year, I figured it was gone for good. It turns out I was wrong. Adopting the more popular weekend format instead of being a traveling circus, Lollapalooza will be taking place in Grant Park in Chicago this summer. It will be interesting to see what the D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1112373217132894862005-04-01T11:33:00.000-05:002005-04-01T11:42:27.933-05:00A sad, fat clown joins Powder in remake of Bee Gees song.D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1110380647197394652005-03-09T10:04:00.000-05:002005-03-09T10:04:07.196-05:00QBICO RECORDS: "Ltd. Ed. vinyl only label of free jazz, experimental, electronic and improvised music from the past to the present for the NOW and the future."
I won't be ordering from them any time soon as I have no record player, but I am digging the album art. Another reason why I hope vinyl never fades completely into oblivion. Thank god for audiophiles. That Double Leopards picture disc D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1110246682948355192005-03-07T20:51:00.000-05:002005-03-07T20:51:22.946-05:00Petra Haden, former member of that dog and daughter of jazzman Charlie Haden, sings The Who Sell Out. Merry prankster Mike Watt is behind the idea. Pete "The Researcher" Townshend gives it a thumbs up.
I may pick this up.D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1110051934184120632005-03-05T14:45:00.000-05:002005-03-06T03:55:17.826-05:00So, I went a bit nuts yesterday over at Turntable Lab. While not the hugest haul at a whopping five discs, it does represent my biggest purchase of 2005 so far. The damage done:Greg Caz/Sean Marquand Brazilian Beat: Baile Funk 2 - I was lured in by the description. Besides, there's more to Brazilian music than Gil/Gilberto/Os Mutantes, right?Cosmo Baker & DJ Eleven I'm Rick James, Bitch! - D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1109645597954079402005-02-28T21:53:00.000-05:002005-02-28T21:53:17.956-05:00As expected, the second night of the Teenbeat 20th Anniversary showcase was much better than the first night, and I missed all of opener Holland (I refuse to do that fruity spelling he uses, mostly because I cannot remember how it's done) and everything but the last song of Hot Pursuit. There has got to be a better way to handle entry into sold out shows.
The rundown:
Aden - Meh. I've never D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1109351742658850842005-02-25T12:15:00.000-05:002005-02-25T12:15:42.660-05:00Last night was day one (of two) of the Teenbeat 20th Anniversary showcase. I wound up at this event solo, because there was some miscommunication between ES and the person she asked to buy tickets. The result: only one ticket per night, instead of two. And then the event sold out. So, ES graciously let me have the tickets. Anyway, it was a good time. The Fontaine Toups, +/-, and Eggs were goodD.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1108674611104991662005-02-17T16:10:00.000-05:002005-02-17T16:10:11.106-05:00Yes, this is nearly four years old, but that doesn't mean it's not ridiculous. Though, I'm guessing the ODB version of "Sussudio" is comedy gold. How am I now just hearing about this?D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1108611958091102262005-02-16T22:45:00.000-05:002005-02-16T22:45:58.090-05:00Teenbeat Records is celebrating its 20th Anniversary next week. With any luck, my tickets will be purchased tomorrow night. (Thanks, ES.) I'm aiming to go to both nights. This will be the third Teenbeat anniversary show I've attended, though, I haven't been to one in many moons. Should be a couple of great nights of classic indie pop, fuelled equally by good tunes and nostalgia, as indie big D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1107998027122832752005-02-09T20:13:00.000-05:002005-02-09T20:13:47.123-05:00Jazz pioneer Jimmy Smith dies.D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1107554459258326092005-02-04T17:00:00.000-05:002005-02-04T17:00:59.256-05:00Today's question: Can anybody tell me why I'm supposed to like the Arcade Fire?
Bonus question: WTF happened to Merge Records?
(Hipsters, I apologize if you take my questions as a personal attack on your superior tastes.)D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1107495903049634412005-02-04T01:45:00.000-05:002005-02-04T18:38:31.646-05:00First: Slint is coming to the 9:30 Club. This I won't miss. I missed Mission of Burma, I missed the Pixies, but I won't miss this. Though, I must say, I'm driven more by curiosity than I am nostalgia (I didn't discover Slint for myself until well after they had disbanded).
Now then...
The Great Destroyer
Low
Sub Pop - 2005
Duluth. Mormon. "Slowcore." Quiet. Sad.
There, I got all of theD.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1107368242377649902005-02-02T13:17:00.000-05:002005-02-02T15:50:00.166-05:00I picked up a couple of records on Monday: Low's The Great Destroyer and Grails' Redlight. I've listened to the Low album a few times already, and will probably put up a review tonight or tomorrow. I will say a couple of things, though. First, it is definitely a departure from their previous work, though not a complete 180 by any means. Nor is the progression entirely unexpected. Second, the D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1106065807146411472005-01-18T11:30:00.000-05:002005-01-18T11:32:45.816-05:00So, Low has a new album coming out. It's called The Great Destroyer and, if the reviews (such as this one) are accurate, I'm guessing this will be one of those albums that will cause indie nerds (I say that as a term of endearment, by the by) the world over to get into heated slapfights.
You see, much is made about Low's religion and location (Mimi Parker and Alan Sparhawk are Mormom; the band D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1105102970002971822005-01-07T08:02:00.000-05:002005-01-07T08:02:50.003-05:00The eleven worst songs of 2004.
I did not write this. But I kinda sorta wish I did. Sometimes bile for the sake of bile is gold. I leave it to you to decide if this is one of those times.
(Ugh...have the tv on as I write this...Rick James is barely cold and Papa John's is using "Give It To Me Baby" in a TV spot. I'm not against musicians selling their songs for commercial purposes, even if D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1104981563158128142005-01-05T22:19:00.000-05:002005-01-05T22:19:23.156-05:00Word.
Okay, sorry, that was the comic in me. Seriously, give that article a read. It's a very good look at Hip Hop at 30 and it's increasing (ir)relevance, depending on how you look at it.D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1103841736364061862004-12-23T17:42:00.000-05:002004-12-23T17:48:52.416-05:00MUSICA GENERICA'S TOP 20 FOR 2004 (PLUS FIVE MORE)
It's that time of year again, when every slackjawed music fan with a blog and enough time puts together their favorite albums/singles/performances/whatevers from the previous twelve months. Since I fit that mold, it is my ridiculous obligation to do the same. So, without further ado, here are the 20 Albums that did it for me in 2004, plus fiveD.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1102602885570918862004-12-09T09:32:00.000-05:002004-12-09T09:34:45.570-05:00Dimebag Darrell, of Pantera fame and recently of Damageplan, was shot to death onstage while performing with the latter last night in Columbus, Ohio. Four others were killed before police shot the killer to death.
That's pretty fucked up.
RIP, Dime.D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1102454547804079082004-12-07T16:10:00.000-05:002004-12-07T16:22:27.803-05:00Recent additions to the music collection:
Phil The Agony Aromatic (2004)
Mastadon Leviathan (2004)
Dysrhythmia No Interference (2001)
Isis Oceanic (2003) and Panopticon (2004)
Those last two were purchased last night from the merch table at the Isis/These Arms Are Snakes/Dysrhythmia show. Friends and foes, if you get a chance to catch Isis live, you absolutely must go.
But let's begin at the D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1102002662986268612004-12-02T10:49:00.000-05:002004-12-02T10:51:02.986-05:00I came across two items of note on Pitchfork (yeah, yeah) today:
Item #1: This Slowdive collection. Very necessary, especially in light of the increasingly (and lamentably) tepid offerings from post-Slowdive outfit, Mojave 3. Though, I really do dig the recent Rachel Goswell solo album.
Item #2: A tribute to Junior Kimbrough.D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1101961178103366602004-12-01T23:19:00.000-05:002004-12-01T23:19:38.103-05:00An exercise (again, stolen from SR). This is a list of artists by whom I have more than 2 albums. An asterisk indicates I've seen this artist live.
Not sure what purpose this list serves; I just find it interesting.
Sonic Youth-17*
Pavement-10*
Beach Boys-8
Butthole Surfers-7
Flaming Lips-7
Fugazi-7*
Mudhoney-7
Nirvana-7*
Spiritualized-7*
Stereolab-7*
Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1100795314054481432004-11-18T11:25:00.000-05:002004-11-18T11:28:34.056-05:00The Top 40 Bands in America Today (via Kottke.
Oh really?
Well, reading through the comments, it seems that taking shots at the list would be useless at this point. As one guy said, they "just asked questions and tallied the votes." It's just disappointing that the music bloggers that responded have such...dull tastes. Not that all of those bands on the list suck; a good number of them don'tD.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1100749088702850782004-11-17T22:25:00.000-05:002004-11-17T22:38:08.703-05:00Dang. I missed The Blues Explosion, but worse, I missed Lamb of God with Children of Bodom. The reason for missing them (friends in town) was totally worth it, but I still would have liked to make both.
I'm stuck in the middle of electronic week of my music library re-exploration. It's going slowly for a couple of reasons. First, I've been working late a lot and when I get home, I just veg D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1098834473081513602004-10-26T19:47:00.000-04:002004-10-26T19:47:53.083-04:00In another attempt to try to listen to more of the music I own and to justify its continued existence, I have decided to have theme weeks for the foreseeable future. It's not intuitive at all, but there are a buttload of albums that I don't think I've given a fair chance to impress me. Anyway, this week's genre is classical music. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of classical music, so I'll D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1098810943162332292004-10-26T13:14:00.000-04:002004-10-26T13:15:43.163-04:00R.I.P. John Peel
Sad.
***
So, JW and I (...now with Carl O.) did make it to the Mike Watt show on Friday. Openers on the bill were The Nuclears and The Comas. It was a decent show, though due to heavy intoxication*, I may not be the best judge.
Local battle of the bands winner The Nuclears were pretty much standard neo-garage fare, with an occasional guitar solo to punch up the festivities.D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1098237916104937422004-10-19T22:05:00.000-04:002004-10-19T22:05:16.103-04:00Picked up a couple of new discs on the way home today. I wasn't even planned; I was actually past the store when I randomly remembered that one of them was just released. Ha ha...pointless information.
The newest additions to the music liberry:
The Electric Wizard We Live (2004)
Comets on Fire Blue Cathedral (2004)
I'm listening to The Electric Wizard right now, and upon first impression, D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1097192421426878072004-10-07T19:40:00.000-04:002004-10-07T21:26:44.696-04:00So, Carl O. and I went to the Black Keys show last night. The Keys put on one helluva live performance, enhanced by the weak showing of opening band The Cuts, who weren't bad so much as they were bland. The Keys, on the other hand, were anything but, turning in quite a lively set for a duo. Many bands with twice the members don't rock that hard. The only drawback was that it was a bit of a D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1096689628150642722004-10-02T00:00:00.000-04:002004-10-02T00:00:28.150-04:00Black Keys show this coming week. CO, are you ready to rock?
And hey! It's a review!
Ashes of the Wake
Lamb of God
Epic - 2004
Disclosure time: I'm not the best person to make a compelling review for a metal album. My metal collection is rather puny, making my knowledge of relevant points of reference rather lacking, thus probably not helping out the random horns in the air metalhead that D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1095913296734296112004-09-23T01:21:00.000-04:002004-09-23T00:21:36.736-04:00How do. Not much to say for myself, really. Did pick up a few discs lately that, by gum, I'm actually inspired to write about. So, expect that to come soon. (I know. I have said that way too often.) Anyway, the discs are:
Lamb of God Ashes of the Wake (2004)
Dillinger Escape Plan Miss Machine (2004)
Motorhead Inferno (2004)
All of them are pretty damn great and I recommend them without D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1094144464744818212004-09-02T12:59:00.000-04:002004-09-02T13:01:04.743-04:00Hey there, kids! Looking to check out some great live music this fall? Well, if'n you're in the D.C. area, why not try the following shows:
The Black Cat
9/19 - Melvins
9/29 - RJD2
10/14 - Mission of Burma
10/21 - Mouse on Mars
10/22 - Mike Watt
11/3 - Dillinger Escape Plan
9:30 Club
10/6 - Black Keys
10/25 - Ministry
11/13 - The Blues Explosion
11/14 - Lamb of God, Children of Bodom
11/16 - D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1093460269435326002004-08-25T14:57:00.000-04:002004-08-25T14:57:49.436-04:00Dave Matthews unleashes latest pile of poo onto unsuspecting audience. Band sued for environmental damages. "Still better than hearing them play music," says one victim.
(Thanks to JW for the link.)D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1091930591225952882004-08-07T22:01:00.000-04:002004-08-07T22:06:58.726-04:00I finally broke down and went on something of a mini-music binge. I think my lack of buying new music may be a factor in the white noise static that has been this blog for the past few months.
Anyway, I bought (well, ordered) four cds. They are:
Jason Forrest: The Unrelenting Songs of the 1979 Post Disco Crash (Sonig, 2004)
Brute Force: Brute Force (reissue on Sepia Tone, 2004)
DJ Shadow/Cut D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1091133838639737242004-07-29T16:43:00.000-04:002004-08-07T22:01:17.933-04:00How did it come to this?
There's just too much music out there. Too much. I could never be a music critic, because there is simply too much I want to hear (or think I want to hear), that I never give the new stuff enough time to sink or swim.
I came to this realization while making the rounds at music sites today, trying to catch up on new stuff I'm missing (and old stuff I think I should haveD.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1090425155681928752004-07-21T11:51:00.000-04:002004-07-21T11:54:57.600-04:00I haven't even heard this, but I give it a thumbs up.D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1089173407598204962004-07-07T00:10:00.000-04:002004-07-07T00:10:07.596-04:00Elvis was a hero to most... Good read, not that most music fans don't already know this. But if you didn't, you should. So read!
In other news, I have once again neglected this site for far too long. A small part of me thinks that I should shut 'er down, but I really don't want to do that. I think I just need to regiment and actually make time specifically to contribute to this blog. D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1086735134495222582004-06-08T18:52:00.000-04:002004-06-08T18:52:14.496-04:00So, after work, I picked up the latest from Sonic Youth, Sonic Nurse. (I know, kind of a clunky title.) Anyway, I'm still going through the first spin, but so far, so good. I'm not at a point yet where I can honestly declare the critics overzealous in their praise of the record, but I can say for certain that me rikey. It's funny, Sonic Youth is one of a handful of bands that I always wind upD.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1086671275700881802004-06-08T01:07:00.000-04:002004-06-08T01:07:55.700-04:00R.I.P. Mr. Quine
While the rest of the world has focused on the bigger death of President Ronald Reagan (rightfully so), I thought I'd take a moment to recognize one of the best rock guitarists of the last 30 years, known most famously as being part of The Voidoids with Richard Hell (or perhaps to modern rock/power pop fans for his work with Matthew Sweet), who recently took his own life. Who D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1085540924081628652004-05-25T23:08:00.000-04:002004-05-25T23:08:44.080-04:00Rock In Opposition: In searching for "new" (as in, new to me, not necessarily newly released) music, I kept coming across RIO, or Rock In Opposition in the descriptions/reviews of bands I think I might like. So naturally, I decided to do a little digging to find out more, and came across the above link. It definitely sounds like something I would enjoy (Acid Mothers seem to fit into the RIO D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1085094224997025712004-05-20T19:03:00.000-04:002004-05-20T19:03:44.996-04:00Finally...bought some new music. Well, I've ordered some new music, from Wayside. My incoming trio of discs:
Larval Obedience (Cuneiform, 2003)
Gary Smith/Hugh Hopper/Shoji Hano Glass Cage (Paratactile, 2001)
Gary Smith/Nanjo Asahito/Shoji Hano (Chronoscope, 2000)
I'm really looking forward to hearing the two Gary Smith records. The reviews/descriptions I've read make them sound like D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1085091934126304132004-05-20T18:25:00.000-04:002004-05-20T18:25:34.126-04:00Two things: Fictional Jazz Musicians (A Working Checklist) (from Bagatellen)
And this: Hassle the Hoff. I think I'll get this. Could be right up there with the recent novelty classic, William Hung's Inspiration, an album I'd love to hear re-mixed by N.E.R.D. or RJD2.
(Btw, just read a review of the new RJD2. If the review is even half-true, color me extremely disappointed.)
D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1084332474240702632004-05-11T23:27:00.000-04:002004-05-11T23:27:54.240-04:00As I stated over in my other blog, I've been feeling rather indifferent to blogging these days. I still hit the usual haunts, but personal blogging is falling by the wayside. This blog probably suffers the most, because I want it to be strictly about music (so far, so good), and I just haven't bought much music lately. Yes, the original intent was to write about stuff I already have, but D.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5669101.post-1083298577867161832004-04-30T00:16:00.000-04:002004-04-30T00:19:24.543-04:00Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O. "Mantra Of Love": I think this will be one of my next purchases. AMT has become one of those rare bands where I would buy their newest release based on reputation alone.D.C.noreply@blogger.com