It's been a hell of a year. We're staying in and doing new years right with Leon's first record. This is a solid set of smooth R&B and Soul over which Bridges croons like a natural. There's a few danceable numbers, some love songs, and an album ender to remember. This is easily one of our most listened to albums of this year. Put this on, have some drinks and look ahead.
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Chelsea Wolfe - Unknown Rooms: A Collection of Acoustic Songs (2012)
I discovered Chelsea one night while I was blog surfing and immediately fell in love with the haunting and emotional sound of her voice. That was almost 10 years ago. Damn. Anyway I found her right after she released Ἀποκάλυψις and proceeded to fail miserably for the next decade to see her live. Every time she came to Chicago, which was like almost twice a year for a while, I coincidentally had something happening that same night that couldn't be missed. Once this bullshit year is over and the world starts to see something that resembles normalcy, I will definitely not miss the next occasion to watch her live.
About the record. This set is a moving collection of mostly acoustic songs from early in her career that were 'orphaned' as she says. Sargent House convinced her to release them as a complication, and hot damn are we lucky she listened.
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
Beth Gibbons and Rustin Man - Out of Season (2002)
I grabbed this album for $1 from the famed Reckless Records in Chicago my freshman year of college. Sadly, it was dumped in the discount bin. I ran back to my apartment and promptly listened to this album 3 times that night. Beth's voice is both sultry and inviting, however on this album it feels to me very mournful. In this collection, her voice very briefly touches on the strength she shows with Portishead, and often times is low, almost at a whisper. I like how intimate the set feels, like you're there in the room with them. Put this on, dim the lights, roll up, and relax.
Monday, December 28, 2020
Headdress – Lunes (2009)
Lunes marks a deviation in sound and growth from their first album. Turquoise felt like a long walk through the desert, while Lunes feels like a hallucination brought on by dehydration and too much sun. Big ass wall of sound, disembodied voices, and densely layered guitar drones make their second effort a beautiful follow-up. Put on some sunglasses and take this album for a walk.
Sunday, December 27, 2020
Run the Jewels - RTJ4 (2020)
Run the Jewels are the shit. Period. They've produced 3 epic bangers previously, and now ending out the 20teens with another devastating 39 minute collection. Layered beneath the ghetto ass street shit, there's a lot of conscious, political messages if you listen for them. Their beats are dope as that hard white you stuff in a crack pipe You need this in your life.
Saturday, December 26, 2020
Aidan Baker / Faith Coloccia / Jon Mueller - See Through (2019)
Here be a collection of minimalist electronic jams, aimed at relaxing your soul and helping you take that journey away from everyday stressors. I've managed to listen to this album 3 times today and enjoyed it each time. Pulsing drums that aren't too heavy, lush ethereal voices that float through the tracks, and beautifully layered drones that build a wall of sound, protecting you from the bullshit outside. Kick back, twist up, and enjoy.
Friday, December 25, 2020
Jan Garbarek - I Took Up the Runes (1990)
There's something very nostalgic about this record. It's kind of reminds me of walking through the park with my grandmother, as a kid. She used to take me downtown Chicago on Sundays to go to this big ass church. After the show, we'd visit the Space Chapel on the 23rd floor, and the usher would always bitch at me about throwing pennies out of the stained-glass windows. He would threaten me with shit like, 'if that penny hits someone on head, it could cut them in half", which naturally only made me want to throw literally handfuls more.
The point of that story was every time we visited the chapel, I could hear a busker on the corner blowing his own faith into his horn. Every single note floating upwards, towards the heavens and space beyond. I'm not a religious person. I wrestle with it daily. But whenever I hear this record, it reminds me of those simpler times I spent with her, which was a little slice of heaven.
Happy Holidays if that's your thing.
Thursday, December 24, 2020
Foy Vance – Live At Bangor Abbey (2014)
Vance has a voice that immediately grew on me. It has a slightly gravel, almost southern vibe. Reminiscent of Tom Waits circa Blue Valentine. I discovered him by chance on a random YouTube suggestion.
This set really shows him in great form, with standout tracks like Make it Rain, and Feel for Me. this is real singer-songwriter stuff here. A very intimate show, and pleasant driving music to boot. Give it a spin and relax. The year is almost over.
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
The Jesus Lizard - Head/Pure (1990)
I decided to share 2 at once. The Jesus Lizard flew way under my radar in my early years. It's a damn shame considering I'm from Chicago, where they spent a large chunk of their time gigging. I shit the bed on that. These efforts were later packaged together, although they both stand firm and strong on their own. The tracks are similar sounding in nature. They're heavy, crunchy, with Yow gurgling on the microphone like a fucking lunatic. These first recordings are genius noise in my opinion.
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Gavin Friday - Each Man Kills the Thing He Loves (1989)
Further down the rabbit hole we've discovered that Friday's solo work so far has a very sultry, dare I say 1983 vibe to it, and I am into that. Say what you will but Tom is a genius.
The earlier mentioned Virgin Prunes now ex-vocalist had a chance to stretch out and produce a set of cabaret inspired pop tunes. There's a certain sense of content, but also a longing sadness with this set. It could very well be my own sadness manifesting itself through this album? Either way you feel it, the band is on-fucking-point.
Monday, December 21, 2020
Cocteau Twins - Garlands (1982)
Anytime I hear this record it reminds me of my grandfather's house. He had a pair of love birds that would coo just like Fraser does all over this album. While her voice is sweet, and hypnotic, and most inviting, those fucking birds irritated the shit out of me. But while this spins, by the time I've reached Grail Overfloweth, I've forgotten about those birds.
Sunday, December 20, 2020
Tame Impala - The Slow Rush (2020)
Tame Impala's forth effort is filled with super lush pop tunes that'll keep you moving all day. This dude has been on top for over a decade and can honestly do no wrong. The Slow Rush is a beautiful reminder of the summer[s] ahead and that everything will be okay.
Saturday, December 19, 2020
Sleestak - Aeon (2020)
I snatched this album a few days after it dropped solely on the album art alone. The 20 point buck drew me in and made me want to take that ride and I am glad I listened. Sleestak melds progressive-metal and psychedelia jams in just the right way. There's even a Pink Floyd cover that was done actual justice. The album runs $4.99 on their bandcamp site. I highly recommend you slide over there and pick up a legit copy if you're into it. This is definitely one of my favorite albums of 2020.
Friday, December 18, 2020
Headdress - Turquoise (2008)
About a decade ago I used to carry around one of those 6th Gen iPod Nano's. The little one with the screen and a measly 32gb to cram in all of the necessary records you needed to get through the workweek. So whatever made the cut and sync to the device actually meant something to you. Headdress was the one groups that always made the cut. This is a straight-up hazy ass smoke filled slow burning record. I easily listened to this at least once a day everyday in the summer of 2010. I highly recommend giving Turquoise a spin. Works best at early morning/late evening.
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Jesu - Terminus (2020)
Oh so many feels wrapped neatly in a 52 minute set of beautiful, hazy 'pop songs' that are exactly what the doctor ordered on these cold rainy nights. There are a few slow burners here to help you relax and meditate on just how absolutely fucking weird this year has been. But! we're here, and we're healthy, and for that I am thankful.
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Swans - Filth (1983)
Here be Swans first effort, and many argue their heaviest. It does have some ridiculous crunch. It's not as assessible as their more recent albums (circa 2000-present). But it's still a darkly, pleasing debut nonetheless. For me it feeds a very brutal, and aggressive part of my brain. It churns up something deep inside my stomach, and pokes and provokes all the fury laying dormant. Driving with this at full volume in mid-day traffic is fucking terrific.
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Alain Kremski – Vibrations - Improvisations Pour Piano Et "Bols Chantants" Tibétains (1984)
It's been a weird week. I slept on a hospital cot and nearly lost my head. Nearly headless Nick? Things are getting better though and I hope they continue to do so, because this has been a year to forget.
My Wife and I really love this album. Particularly at dinner. It's got some healing, soothing vibes that somehow make the food we eat taste better. Probably because there looks to be what I can only imagine is a giant bronze salad bowl on the cover.
We could all do with turning off the tube, putting on a record and enjoying our meals with the ones we love, while we still have the chance.
Monday, December 14, 2020
The La's - The La's (1990)
I listen to this record at least 3 times a month. It's a pleasant slice of 90's alternative music that's filled jangly guitars, good vocal harmonies, and a bit of psychedelia sprinkled throughout. My absolute favorite track on this record is Freedom Song. It has a very Mojo Risin vibe and makes me want to smoke loads of weed in a park with my Wife on a glorious summer's day.
Sunday, December 13, 2020
Virgin Prunes - ...If I Die, I Die (1982)
My good friend James suggested I go back and 'revisit' the first 4-5 U2 albums, and naturally like any stoner nerd I looked the records up. My insatiable appetite for dumbass music knowledge led me to Dik Evans, and thus Virgin Prunes found their way into my ears. I honestly anticipated this record to be over the top bullshit noise, based on the cover alone, but fortunately these chaps had some chops and I was thoroughly pleased.
Saturday, December 12, 2020
Detritus - Narcissist (2019)
The winter weather has started to really move in now. It's been dark and rainy and cold for almost 3 days straight. Detritus has been a good companion, with its brutally heavy guttural vocals, and vicious driving drum beats. It will definitely keep you awake during these ever-sooner darkening days. For best result, play at maximum volume, then turn it up some more.
Friday, December 11, 2020
The Flaming Lips - American Head (2020)
I've been on the fence with the Lips forever. I dig their music, but honestly Wayne's voice kills the mood for me sometimes. It works well for this set, and I will say, this is definitely one of the saddest records I've heard in a long time. It deals with typical Lips themes. Drugs, Space, Loneliness, Death. This year in a fucking nutshell. So if you're looking for a little more pain, and a little more psychedelia, give this a spin.
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Toadies - Rubberneck (1994)
I was surprisingly pleased with with Rubberneck, besides the obvious single, the rest of the album flows really well with little to no filler. I really enjoyed driving around with this as my soundtrack this week.
Sunday, December 6, 2020
Big Youth - Screaming Target (1972)
My good friend John John played Big Youth for me way back in the early aughts and that primal scream is what turned us on the most. It just feels raw and real, not like the watered-down shit those trust funds hippies sold us in our adolescence.
Saturday, December 5, 2020
Beck - Odelay (1996)
Wild splices of virtually everything that'll get directly into your brain and boogie for days. The world needs Beck in 2020 more than ever.
Sunday, November 29, 2020
David Bowie - Station to Station (1976)
I like to move through Bowies work whenever I can. He never stuck to one sound, but if you heard something in passing you'd immediately know that was him. Recently Station to Station has been in heavy rotation. It's really easy to move to this record. My favorite part of the history of this album is that Bowie had little to no memory of the production, yet the music and vocals are so tight, you'd swear he was there in person the whole time.
Mystic Siva - Mystic Siva (1970)
Nostalgia inducing hard blues with elements of psychedelic. A very short lived 70's Detroit outfit. There's limited information on these guys, but the album is definitely worth a spin. Especially on lazy ass Sunday afternoons.
Monday, June 15, 2020
:zoviet*france: - Mohnomishe (1983)
Presented here is a slow bubbling collection of ambient tracks, bordering on noise, madness, and sometimes uneasy feelings. It is so incredibly easy to get lost listening to this album, especially if you're sitting in your own living room. It's a deep listening experience to say the least. This revolving group of nerdy, mostly English chaps make some strange, sometimes dark ambient madness. Besides the music itself being pretty unconventional and hard to pigeonhole, their packaging for releases is also strange as well. Instead of standard printed cardstock/cardboard presentations, the group insist upon handcrafting original works of art on a smallish scale. Opting for using a variety of screen-printed materials, sometimes yarn or thread, dyed muslin and other fabrics, which I feel adds an evermore outsider aesthetic. Reissues opted for easier reproduction and more commercial friendly methods, which is cool too. Grab this, strap yourself into your favorite assgroove and blast off!
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
Asenion - Darwin Among the Machines (2020)
The epic crunchiness of Death Metal and the story driven extended passages of Progressive Rock, neatly wrapped in 42 minutes of pure genius. I normally don't score, by any means, but this is 5 out of 5, for sure.
Monday, June 8, 2020
Cattle Decapitation - Death Atlas (2019)
This was definitely the best extreme album of 2019. There was a bit of truth behind this album I'm sure the band didn't recognize at the time of recording. Their music brought back the plague, and the video was a slap right in our fat American faces. Seriously. Toilet paper and bullets? Oh how the mighty have fallen. I hope you're keeping your hiney clean while spinning this banger.
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Drowning the Light - Cursed Below the Waves (2018)
THIS RECORD IS FUCKING EPIC - I've been into this album quite a bit these days. With the weather warming up, all I can think about is the ocean.
Saturday, June 6, 2020
Æternum Infinitus – .-. . .--. . .-.. .-.. .- -. - / Repellent (2018)
Heavy drones and aggressive blown-out vocals. I would suggest wearing a decent pair of over-the-ear headphones and burning a jay before taking this trip. It's a deep one.
Thursday, June 4, 2020
With the Dead - Love from With the Dead (2017)
Heavy is the best word to use for this album. Crunch is another good word. Oh, and chug-a-lug, if I can get away with that. This is the 2nd effort by extreme metal supergroup With the Dead. Chock-full of hazy stoner trips, including album closer and their longest recorded track to date. Take this one for a walk, it's a fun trip.
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Boreal - Battle of VOSAD (2020)
This is a re-recorded version of the 2006 album of the same name. It's 39 minutes of brutal buzzing or like my buddy James says, it sounds like a box full of bees. However, it's clear enough to follow the changes and engage the listener. It's early summer and full-on plague status. I'm sure most of you are doing the stay-at-home gig like me until we know what in the actual fuck is happening. Why not spin this ever-darkening masterpiece while you pace the living room.
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Banha da Cobra - Mãe D'Água (2019)
Single track live experimental soundscapes. Feels like you're in the jungle. Worth a listen.
Monday, June 1, 2020
ANMA - Kitahama Ghosts (2019)
This recording is full of white noise, mixed with big atmospheres, dissonance and empty spaces. This was released on cassette and I am really into the tape revival. I think there's something romantic about it. The more you listen, the better the chances are at stretching the tape and creating a whole different experience, or just reducing it to total shit, it all depends I guess.
I remember as a kid saving up $18.00 and visiting our local Goldblatts with my Aunt to buy my first Walkman. I was so stoked. I dubbed over weirdo sound collages on any cassette I could get my hands on. Take the advice on the cover and listen during a rain storm. It's beautiful.
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Inca Ore – A Knit Of My Own Fibers / When You're Sleeping I Tell You Secrets (2005)
Lush ambiance meets ghostly voices. This album came to me at the most appropriate time in my life. Even to this day when I listen to it, the word unraveling comes to mind. Good for early morning/late night listening.
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