Every time I hear the opening piano lines of “Two Weeks” I have an unrealistic hope that I will suddenly hear Jay-Z’s angelic voice come over the speakers and say something like, “Uh, turn the bass line up” or “Alright, Grizzly Bear, Jigga, Remix”. My hopes are in vain until some real collaboration happens, seriously, …
Sometimes it pays to be on a bands e mail list. Sigur Ros has never once let me down. Last week I received an e mail from Sigur Ros themselves! announcing that Fanfarlo is offering their album for a free download until it’s physical release date in the states on July 4th. Turns out that …
My knowledge and tolerance for anything labeled “Metal” is pretty limited and hard won. So most everything that I seek out in the realm of metal is either highly praised or carries some sort of qualifier like “post” or some other catch all phrase. What I like, however, I latch onto and bask in every …
WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM – BLACK CASCADE (ARTEMISIA, 2009) Read More »
Man, this is pretty. Like the photograph on top of the blog pretty. Like driving through the salt flats in the early morning pretty. Like birds flying off a telephone wire underneath a cloudy sky pretty. Like Deerhunter at their most fluid and ambient pretty. Lotus Plaza is the solo project of Deerhunter guitarist Lockett …
LOTUS PLAZA – THE FLOODLIGHT COLLECTIVE (KRANKY, 2009) Read More »
To use the adjective “beautiful” in a review of an album of classical music isn’t even trying, worse it can turn into a pejorative phrase if over used. So, I am going to assume that you, the reader, know that most classical music is pretty. And if you are familiar with the three neo-classical contemporaries …
MAX RICHTER – HENRY MAY LONG (MUTE SONG INTL, 2009) Read More »
When people ask me who my favorite artist/musician is I unequivocally say Neil Young. The reason being is that I have had more goosebumps per song ratio then any other artist. His song “War of Man” scared the hell out of me as a kid, I would listen to it over and over, reading the lyrics; my …
When I was in high school a friends dad loaned me a copy of Psychocandy by Jesus & the Mary Chain. Instead of being immediately smitten I became confused, frustrated and ultimately disappointed with the entire experience. I thought something was wrong with my stereo, I kept on adjusting the bass and treble levels trying to eliminate …
THE CROCODILES – SUMMER OF HATE (FAT POSSUM, 2009) Read More »
So, here is the story. In 1992 minimalist composer with huge ideas compiled 400 guitarists to play a 12 hour living, breathing testament to sound by playing on the bascilla of the Sacre-Couer in Paris, France. We have the pleasure of having on record an hour of this beautiful landmark of sound. For how incredible …
RHYS CHATHAM – A CRIMSON GRAIL (FOR 400 ELECTRIC GUITARS) Read More »
Sister Suvi had a few things going for it before I gave it the first go around. First, I had never heard of them and they were recommended by a very musically inclined friend. Second, after a little bit of research I found out they shared members with the Islands (another point in their favor). Third, they …
SISTER SUVI – NOW I AM CHAMPION (COMMON CLOUD, 2009) Read More »
“Oh, to experience cosmic bliss through the transcendency of the soul expanding act of striking universal chords through the corporeal body of the guitar.” I am sure that is what Peter Walker was thinking as he sat cross legged, stocking footed, with a look of ecstatic joy on his face as he picked away on his guitar. …
PETER WALKER – LONG LOST TAPES (TOMPKINS SQUARE, 2009) Read More »