Music for 8/10/22!!! Cruel Sister, Mail Grab

@@@ Cruel Sister: Chihiro (N/A, 2022) I set up this blog post last week before I fell off a low roof and fucked up my ribs and landed on a bunch of pain meds, no oxy! Long story short I can’t remember how I got to these two listens. I can’t listen to Apple Music on this Apple laptop (fuckin weird) so we’re stuck with GooglePimpTube. The opening here is very U2-ish, big chimey echoed guitar, thumping drums, oh I have to shut my eyes when the band comes in full because the female singer is doing some way dramatical movement in the video and it’s making me want to stop the song. This is a shoegaze slammed into U2 rock thing with drums high in the mix. Big reverbed vocals which I don’t like but the drums high in the mix does work for me. I think Edge’s kid is up on this track that’s how close to biting it they are. Rawk is a tough sell for me and the video is not helping.

@@@ Mall Grab: Patience (N/A, 2022) Oh, here we go with the classic skittering techno hi hats, four on the floor kick drum but sitting under a carefree female singer saying almost exclusively ‘that’s how we work’. It’s a nice contrast, the tightness of rhythms and the chill sitch vocalist. In between the vocalist and the drum machine is a thick layer of marshmallow fluff synths. Okay I’ve rocked what I can hear let me see if I can get my ghetto Apple Music GUI to play another track by these guys. I’m checking out another track called Hand in Hand in Wonderland and it’s a similar Kraut-y drum machine vibe with echoed vocals I like, and an arpeggiated synth I’m agnostic about. I like how this track is closer to being a dub track than a formal track.

Music for 10/27/21!!! Black Marble, The Pineapple Thief

@@@ Black Marble: Somewhere (Sacred Bones, 2021) More listening off this week’s All Music notable release email. I like this label and think they put out a bunch of interesting stuff but this is the sort of ’80s influence white people, half krauty synth rock that I’ve never cottoned to. I like the lead synth sound, the second one is a bit lazier and more syrupy, and the drums, oy the drums, oh big shift into a more Devo-ish place with a spraying high synth patch. Almost two minutes in before the singer shows up and he’s cool, pretty standard for the sounds. It’s a six minute banger and I’m at 3.5 minutes and I’m sure these are perfectly fine folks but these sounds have never worked for me. If you like a nice klunky drumbeat this will go down smooth. I mean that, f’real.

@@@ The Pineapple Thief: Wretched Soul (Snapper, 2021) These guys are big rock/prog and it opens up with a male singer exclaiming ‘I’ve got a wretched soul’ and to that I say what? Have a sandwich maybe. Or a snicker doodle, a snicker doodle can be quite delicious. Sonically, the drums are indeed arena-ish and the singer is doing a less anguished but still pained Thom Yorke thing. He let it get a hold of him, that’s what he’s singing now, buttressed by a big guitar riff and the drums, oh the drums! I’m entertaining myself, always not a good sign about the music if I’m forced to amuse myself. There’s big middle part with a version of a guitar solo with some doublekick bass drum and then a comedown. It goes out with another guitar blast, a more formal sounding guitar solo

Music for 8/31/21!!! The Bug, Churches

@@@ The Bug: Pressure (Ninja Tune, 2021) Today’s listens are off this week’s All Music notable release email. The second track off this full length banger is clipped below. The record is notable for it’s guest vocalists (including Moor Mother who Imma big fan of) and on this track it’s a Caribbean flavored MC who brings energy to the dark sounding bassline and the generally ominous ambience of the track. My experience is that lots of guests can be a mixed bag — a vocalist that can elevate a track can be the vocalist you’re missing in the next track where another vocalist has taken an alternative approach. Overall it’s a dark, slightly apocalyptic dancefloor flavor pack as the player moves to the third track, Demon. I’m feeling this music fits the moment we’re in and I plan on checking it out more completely when I get the chance. I’m on a fifth track and I’m feeling it so if my word counts for anything check it out.

@@@ Churches: Violent Delights (Glassnote, 2021) Also off this week’s All Music notable release email. Big sweeping 1980’s flavored sounds busting out of the speaker as soon as the play button hits. Dreamy female vocals, a big synth wave, this is quite in contrast to the title of the song, though the energy does build. Energy, in my mind, does not equate to violence or violent delights. I like the singer in spots, especially in the chorus — the vocal hook is ‘these violent delights keeping sneaking into my nights’. It’s all right as a vocal hook goes, violent delights is a dramatical statement. The song also is somewhat built around a crushed (compressed) brief snare roll that propels the tune. Overall, a B- as far as I’m concerned, 1980’s synth rock is a stretch for me.

Music for 5/23/19!!! Francine Honey, Silence in the Snow

@@@ Francine Honey: Stay (N/A, 2019)  I got to this tune via the music blog Indiepulse.  A bluesy torch song in the vein of Lucinda Williams but more straigh ahead.  Ms. Honey has a really nice voice and she rides over some minimal guitar noodling, a mellow organ swell, a piano player, drums and bass.  Right around 3 minutes in comes the tambourine when the emotion of the tune reaches its peak.  You can’t fuck with tambourine or cow bell for that matter.

@@@ Silence in the Snow: Break in the Skin (N/A, 2019) I got to this heavy record via an email from the hardcore indie radio station KFJC in California.  Great station with djs with great taste.  I thought this was going to be some ill ambient dark goth metal electro shit, but it’s pretty straight forward dark electro pop.  Frankly I would prefer the other formulation but this is probably better for most folks.  The female singer sounds a bit like Patti Smith and the tunes are dramatical.  This music is an updated ’80s guitar/synth rock but with more drama sauce.  It’s not bad, it’s just not for me.  Check it out if you’re headed out on the town with the black eyeliner.  Maybe they could have held back a little on the delay on vocals.

YTD recordings listened to: 263
Good music, not list worthy: 153
Not good music: 93

Best: 0
Honorable Mentions: 0

Possibles: Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, Slidhr, The Chewers, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Luther Dickinson, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Satoko Fuji, Moken, Juan Atkins, Lantern, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Unfun, De La Soul, Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes, Noname, Klara Lewis, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Oddisee, RAM, Fiver, Succumb Succumb, Gloom, Priests, Propaganda, This is the Kit, Roberto Gonzalez, Integrity, Tuba Skinny, The Expanders, Criolo, Billy Strings, Flowers of Sulphur, Portal, Lawaii, Etran De L’Air, Ruby Karinto, Elysia Crampton, Parquet Courts, Moskus, Kendl Winter, Tkay Maidza, Barro, Daniel Khan, Tallawit Timbouctou, Sumac, Tropical Fuck Storm, Harriet Tubman, Ammar 808, Anais Maviel, Chaka Khan, Pom Poko, Fried Egg, Horndal, Wyxz, Tarek Atoui, Hawktail, Saicobab, Shannon and the Clams, General Purv

Music for 3/15/19!!! CHAI, Foals

@@@ CHAI: Punk (Sony, 2019)  All girl Japanese slightly buzzy and brisk pop being offered up as a punk variant.  I like some of the sounds here, but the Alvin and the Chipmunks influenced vocal sound can grate a bit.  They have big and high energy and score weird ass punk points for sure.  With song titles like Choose Go, I’m Me, and Feel the Best you know what you’re in for here.

@@@ Foals: Part 1: Everything not Saved will not be lost (Warner, 2019)  I got to this record as well as the Japanese gals up top via Line of Best Fit.  This is some meaningful and dramatical Brit rock with a lower register singer who is quite serious about being serious.  The synth sounds are gorgeous and there are a few threads of funk but the art school/Lord Byron singer really takes the wind out of the sails here for me.  There are some guitars here for those who like that bit but it’s not a rock record and I apologize for any misdirection in calling it Brit rock early on.

YTD recordings listened to: 143
Good music, not list worthy: 85
Not good music: 52

Best: 0
Honorable Mentions: 0

Possibles: Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, Slidhr, The Chewers, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Luther Dickinson, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Satoko Fuji, Moken, Juan Atkins, Lantern, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Unfun, De La Soul, Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Klara Lewis, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Oddisee, RAM, Fiver, Succumb Succumb, Gloom, Priests, Propaganda, This is the Kit, Roberto Gonzalez, Integrity, Tuba Skinny, The Expanders, Criolo, Billy Strings, Flowers of Sulphur, Portal, Lawaii, Etran De L’Air, Ruby Karinto, Elysia Crampton, Parquet Courts, Moskus, Kendl Winter, Tkay Maidza, Barro, Daniel Khan, Tallawit Timbouctou, Sumac, Tropical Fuck Storm, Harriet Tubman, Ammar 808, Anais Maviel, Chaka Khan, Pom Poko, Fried Egg

Music for 12/21/18!!! Nils Frahm, Django Django, First Aid Kit

@@@ Nils Frahm: All Melody (Erased Tapes, 2018) The #1 record off one of the more varied best of 2018 lists out of Esquire (of all places).  The first tune is titled The Whole Universe Wants to be Touched which is quite an eye grabbing title.  Let us see what Mr. Frahm has for us.  The description of this record was one of combining classical music and pop.  Of which I’m suspicious.  Oh boy, it’s true with some cathedral organ, some choir action.  Right here I want to hear Mother Mary cut a giant pussyfart!  To keep shit fresh.  Fuck that is so inapprops.  This is gonna take its time and I’m not sure I’m up for giving said time.  The third tune, A Place, brings in the electronic action and I’m more up for this combo platter.  I’m finding this a tedious pace.  The sounds are meticulous, they’re arranged well but it’s not holding my interest.  It might hold yours.

 

 

@@@ Django Django: Marble Skies (Ribbon Music, 2018)  Off the same best of list from Esquire.  This is proudly marketed as straddling every genre they can reach which is usually a red flag for my ears.  This first tune is a luxurious ’80 anchored synth/guitar thing with a lot of energy and maybe less purpose.  Or porpoise whichever way you go.  The second tune has a wooden dancehall beat and too many vocals.  I fear this release is not going to work for me.  This isn’t working for me.  It’s too soft and nowhere for my taste.

 

@@@ First Aid Kit: Ruins (Columbia, 2018) These days an album of Swedish farts would go gold.  Here we have two Swedish singers singing pop in various sonic settings.  This first tune is kinda alt country sad.  Okay, it looks like this is not pop, they’ve been rocking country/folk on the GooglePimp.  Let’s check more but my first impression is that there are dozens of American outfits that do this schtick much better.  I correct that, this is out there for non-country fans to hear pop singers do country songs.  This is like Abba having a lesbian love baby with Emmylou Harris.  It’s not awful, it’s pretty light.

YTD recordings listened to: 697
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 377
Not good music: 269

Best: 16
Honorable Mentions: 8

Possibles: Retox, Defeater, Jonwayne, Okkyung Lee, Slidhr, The Chewers, Susie Iberra/Roberto Rodriguez, The Coral, T.O.M.B., Lozen, Erase Errata, Mastery, Hartley C. White, Weed, Cold Water, Janelle Monae, Luther Dickinson, Graeme Barrett, Fast Asleep, Goldlink, Cavanaugh, Satoko Fuji, Moken, Juan Atkins, Lantern, Twin Peaks, Djelimady Tounkara, The Oh Sees, Denny Zeitlin, MILF, Unfun, De La Soul, Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes, A Tribe Called Quest, Noname, Klara Lewis, Krullur, The Lowest Form, Hard Proof, Yotoco, Jungle Fire, Sandoz, Oddisee, RAM, Fiver, Succumb Succumb, Gloom, Priests, Propaganda, This is the Kit, Roberto Gonzalez, Integrity, Tuba Skinny, The Expanders, Converge, Criolo, Billy Strings, Flowers of Sulphur, Portal, Lawaii, Etran De L’Air, Ruby Karinto, Elysia Crampton, Parquet Courts, Moskus, Kendl Winter, Tkay Maidza, Barro, Daniel Khan, Tallawit Timbouctou, Sumac, Tropical Fuck Storm, Harriet Tubman

Active Music Listening Friday October 25, 2013

YTD recordings listened to: 807
Good music, not recommended for purchase: 495
Not good music: 247

Honorable Mentions: 18
Buys: 16

Possibles: Boyd Rivers, Abdoulaye Alhassane Toure, Cryptopsy, Chris McGregor, Brother Ali (2009), Alvin Youngblood Hart, Dave Arner Trio, Trap Them, Bill Horist, MAKU Soundsystem, Joseph Arthur, Melt Yourself Down, Zomby, Retox, Owiny Sigoma Band, About Group, Andrew Cedermark, Jello Biafra, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Jessie Mae Hemphill, All Pigs Must Die, Chris Shifflett, Kendl Winter, Shigeto, Bone Dance, Cage the Elephant, Carcass, Defeater, Tal National, Touche Amore, Sidi Toure

@@@ Polica: Shulasmith (Mom & Pop, 2013).  Very indebted to the synth rock of the mid-80’s.  Handclaps, multiple layers of synth tones, some long and cloudy, some metallic and bouncy.  The second tune, Smug, takes the same sonic palette, takes the tempo down and produces a more trip hop vibe.

@@@ The Men: Campfire Songs (Sacred Bones, 2013).  Opens up with a long acoustic guitar intro and then come the high, fragile male voices.  Wispy and strained and sad and alienated – the voices that is.  It’s a lot of acoustic guitar strumming.  The second tune, The Seeds, introduces a shaker to the proceedings.  It’s a little too static for my taste — I keep waiting for something to happen and it doesn’t.

@@@ Best Coast: Fade Away (Jewel City, 2013).  A clean punk sounding record I caught on the MOG new release page.  Tight band, it’s a Joan Jett/Ramones smash-together.  Myself I could use a bit more mess.  I like the messy shit.

@@@ Plain White Ts: I Shoulda Gone to Bed EP (Hollywood, 2013).  Your classic shopping mall pop rock/cliche lyrics, big production.  It’s hard for me to feel something when the lyrics are an avalanche of cliches and fake intimacy.  To me this is more product than music.