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Post by Whoopsie Goldberg on Dec 20, 2010 16:25:42 GMT -8
haha good luck!
what are we supposed to do without a record for the day?? I feel so lost...
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Rusty
North American Scumfoot
Posts: 710
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Post by Rusty on Dec 20, 2010 16:35:57 GMT -8
I have a small museum of pipes, bongs, bubblers, chubblers, steamrollers, hookahs and bats. Even so, it's the ferrets I'm most concerned with finding a good hiding place for. At this point I'm procrastinating. I'm outta here. This was a hilarious list of drug paraphernalia/ferrets (fucking ferrets), made me laugh for a good 45 seconds out loud in the middle of the quiet section of the library. I didn't even realize I was laughing out loud until I noticed everyone starring at me. Good Luck! Hope everything goes well, and that there is a new Record O' Day tomorrow. |
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Post by wolfhat on Dec 20, 2010 17:15:44 GMT -8
Even so, it's the ferrets I'm most concerned with finding a good hiding place for. Just hide that aquatic mammal in the bathtub! PS. Nice marmot. |
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Post by Horned Gramma on Dec 20, 2010 17:20:30 GMT -8
I said ve'll cut off your johnson![/b]
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Post by Horned Gramma on Dec 21, 2010 9:28:37 GMT -8
12/21/10Brian Eno - Another Green World Nobody wants to admit that they've never listened to any Brian Eno, so don't raise your hands. And don't feel bad: I was twenty-four years old before I ever got around to earnestly listening to his studio work. A lot of you may wonder why I'm taking the time to tell people that they need listen to 'Another Green World' because it seems so obvious, one of the anchors of any sensible record collection. At the same time, a lot of you probably just know his name and that he is associated with a massive, diverse body of work. 'Another Green World' is the place to start. Eno's music before 'Another Green World' is some of the flat-out weirdest stuff you'll ever hear. Like I mentioned in my piece on 'Duck Stab', the lyrics come from a place of sound rather than a place of meaning. Eno kind of sounds like a Dracula, and on songs like 'Some of Them Are Old' and 'The Fat Lady of Limbourg', the syllables drip from his mouth like thick syrup. 'Here Come the Warm Jets' (which was ripped off extensively by LCD Soundsystem on 'This is Happening' - compare the title track from 'Warm Jets' to 'All I Want' for a little giggle) and 'Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy)' established Eno's unique mid-70's sound before he started doing some more experimental work with Robert Fripp of King Crimson. 'Another Green World' is the real jewel of Eno's work from the 70's. It combined the jaunty and surreal songwriting of 'Warm Jets' and 'Tiger Mountain' with elements of the pioneering ambient music he started devoting his attention to immediately after. Breathtaking instrumental tracks share equal space with some of the finest examples of Eno's songwriting, and the album never breaks its stride. I'll never forget the first time I heard the opening track on 'Another Green World'. The sounds on this album are just utterly alien, and 'Sky Saw' throws you right into the middle of a huge puddle of scraping, jittering noises. Of course this is how Eno had made a name for himself, as the knob-twiddler for Roxy Music, but as you hear the sound of the sky saw crashing back and forth through this track try to remember that this was 1975 and you couldn't just dial these frequencies up on your laptop. So although there are waves and waves of electronics there is something weirdly primitive and organic about them. There is a piece of music by Modest Mussorgsky (and later covered by Emerson, Lake and Palmer) called 'Pictures at an Exhibition' which could be considered one of the earliest concept albums and which seems to be at least a conceptual inspiration for 'Another Green World'. 'Pictures at an Exhibition' starts out with a slow, stately march which is supposed to conjure images of a large but stately fat man slowly walking down the hall of an art exhibit ("Promenade"). He stops at each painting, and individual pieces of music represent what the man is seeing: a gnome, an old castle, the hut of a witch. The cover art of 'Another Green World' suggests that the instrumental pieces on the Eno album behave similarly. The finest example is 'The Big Ship', which as the title indicates will very clearly put in your head the image of an impossibly vast ship, perhaps cutting through a dense bank of fog. Close your eyes and listen, with headphones if possible: More than a little Ratatat in there, right? You start to get a feel for just how far-reaching Eno's influence is when you hear shit like that. Other 'sound pictures' on this record are equally effective: 'In Dark Trees', 'Sombre Reptiles', 'Little Fishes'. It makes me wonder if that alien brain in Eno's head started with the images or the sounds, or if they both came to him at once. For most of the album, the instrumentals and the songs with lyrics come in ones and twos; 'I'll Come Running' is a sweetly deranged little song and 'St. Elmo's Fire'is probably one of the wildest experiences you'll ever have on a pair of headphones. The incredible sonic exploration -- nobody in the world does it better than Brian Eno -- is insistently varied, each track a shimmering ocean of sounds and insect rhythms. Three quarters of the way through comes 'Golden Hours'. I've mentioned several of my absolute favorite songs, like the Elvis Perkins song, that have the irrevocable power to atmomize my brain at the drop of a hat. This is the other song on that list. It is a song about the passage of time. Its measured, mutedly polite beat marks out a nervous shuffle like the second hand of a clock, and as Eno sings about the mounting confusion that comes with every minute that passes on the Big Clock you can almost hear him aging and turning to dust. A transcendent guitar solo zips in and out of a haunting descant like a humming bird. It is beautiful. It is the final argument that some of us are inspired and some of us are not. The remainder of the album after 'Golden Hours' takes all of the ambient elements as well as the more traditionally structured elements from the first ten tracks or so and rolls them into a big ball; everything loses its form and pianos and electronics and vocals wander through the field of vision inside your head. When the music fades you feel abandoned in some other place; certainly not where you were when you started. One of Eno's obsessions as an ambient composer is the way a piece of music can alter and enhance the mood and feel of a room without dominating it. The fragile but slightly unsettling 'Zawinul/Lava' sounds almost like something that should be on the Windham Hill label, until the surface tension is broken by a distant scream. In a certain state of mind it really can be quite frightening, but the piano melody is so delicate and soothing that it makes you question whether or not you even heard anything at all. Seriously, if Brian Eno is just a name to you do yourself a favor and find a copy of 'Another Green World'. This is desert island music, this is music that will still be pondered over and studied in a hundred years. Here's 'Golden Hours'. I listened to it three times writing this, and after I post this I'm going to listen to it again.
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Post by Friendly Destroyer on Dec 21, 2010 10:06:47 GMT -8
Excellent review. I believe Know had mentioned that "Girl Talk" was his go to artist when he was stuck on who to listen to, I've had an Eno playlist for some time that has served as my "ol' Relable". But as you said about the headphones, you need to be listening with either a good pair of those or speakers, and loud.
In 2005 I had read a feature on Eno about the recording of his early albums (in Exclaim! for all the canadians). At that point i had tried on and off to really sit down and get into his stuff, but never really followed through enough. After reading the feature I was sold 100%. I hope your review does the same for many people here. Also last week I found "Evening Star" at a thrift store, I was pretty excited until I found out that David Lindley was the vinyl inside.
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Post by Horned Gramma on Dec 21, 2010 11:34:46 GMT -8
Excellent review. I believe Know had mentioned that "Girl Talk" was his go to artist when he was stuck on who to listen to, I've had an Eno playlist for some time that has served as my "ol' Relable". But as you said about the headphones, you need to be listening with either a good pair of those or speakers, and loud. Me too, actually. When I don't know what I'm feeling, I'm always feeling Eno. Lately it has been 'Before and After Science' or 'Wrong Way Up' (with John Cale). Dude. Ouch. |
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Post by Nash Bridges on Dec 21, 2010 15:19:55 GMT -8
12/7/10Clem Snide - End of Love Hello all, Long time listener, first time poster. I read this post a few days ago and felt like mentioning that I've long considered myself a big fan of Clem Snide. This post, however, kinda kicked me in the ass and made me realize that I really was only a big fan of The Ghost of Fashion and I have never given the rest of their catalog proper due. Not quite sure why, as I've been listening to this album for damn near 10 years now....laziness I suppose. Anyways, started my Clem Snide (re)discovery with the album mentioned here and I must say that I'm (re)hooked. Stellar. I cannot listen to "Made for TV Movie" enough. So, thanks. You efforts are much appreciated. You're doing God's work here. |
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Post by Horned Gramma on Dec 22, 2010 7:58:50 GMT -8
Lofty praise, and from Mr. Don Johnson himself! Thanks Nash!
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Post by Drew on Dec 22, 2010 8:44:28 GMT -8
Skipping back several pages...
Tarquin's Half-assed Mission Statement by Philistines Jr. is a fucking really good song. I can't get it out of my head.
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Post by Horned Gramma on Dec 22, 2010 9:55:41 GMT -8
12/22/10Brian Dewan - The Operating Theater They Might Be Giants traditionally have either the very best or the most obscenely bad opening acts when they tour. For every OK Go and Corn Mo, I've had to put up with a Cub or a Guggenheim Grotto or something equally awful. Their 1997 tour in support of the 'Then: The Earlier Years' retrospective promised a set from the innocuous sounding Brian Dewan. I was not optimistic. My outlook did not improve when the lights went down and a roly-poly Andy Richter lookalike wearing short sleeves and a tie came out from the wings and sat down at a large modified autoharp. He played a little less than a dozen weird little songs, but I was first intrigued and then absolutely sold. He sang about cadavers (more than once), gave dour little religious sermons, told the story of Rumplestiltskin and the history of tobacco - all with the clipped, almost medieval assistance of that weird autoharp. It was my first real exposure to the world of music that exists entirely in the margins. When his set was over, he told the audience "If you liked what you heard, I have CDs for sale in the back. I advise you to buy one now because if you don't you'll have a hell of a time finding them later." I foolishly did not heed this advice and it was almost four years before the internet had advanced to the point that I could search for and purchase copies of his albums. You may not recognize his name, but I am certain that every one of you is familiar with some aspect of his work. Most notably, Brian Dewan is responsible for the 'Flying Victrola' image printed on the 'In the Aeroplane Over the Sea' disc, and is included in that record's liner notes. He is an inventor of new musical instruments with his brother Leon Dewan; the Dewanatron is a kind of synthesizer that has most recently been used by Trent Reznor for How to Destroy Angels, as well as being featured prominently on the most recent Philistines Jr album (the Dewan brothers are good friends of the Katis brothers). He is one of the founding members of the Blue Man Group, providing designs for some of the original percussion instruments they used as well as some design ideas. He is a preservationist of turn-of-the-century Americana music, a creator of film strips and, years ago, he had a 30 second spot promoting MTV2 (which during the time of its existence was THE place to discover new independent music). I learned these things about the man one at a time over the last 10+ years since the night I saw him perform, and every time I find his stubby fingers in another pie I just laugh and say, 'Of course.' At this point you could tell me that he stole the Lindbergh baby or that he cracked the Liberty Bell and it wouldn't surprise me. 'The Operating Theater' is his second album, and it's an interesting little thing. It has his 'Rumplestiltskin' on it, which is really just a straight-faced telling of the story but manages to be really catchy. His song 'Cadavers' is a sea shanty about the many uses of human bodies: "Insult them and degrade them They will not protest Except with quiet gurglings Arising from the chest Kicked aside and picked on by ordinary folks Employed by student doctors in ungodly practical jokes..." ...and then THAT is followed up by 'The Trial', which without cracking a single smile puts a man in a courtroom for vandalizing public property. The court is lenient, but with righteous fury in his voice Dewan bellows that 'God will show his wrath!'. On the track 'Loathsome Idols', he explains how he first rips a poster with an image of a rock star off his son's wall before proceeding to the Museum of Natural History to destroy ancient artifacts because God has commanded that we not worship false idols. It's hard to pinpoint the things that he's actually being serious about. The autoharp - a tablet-like stringed instrument usually used to teach basic musical theory to kids - is his axe, and that combined with his reedy baritone and dry-as-sand delivery make every one of these songs sound like a lecture being given to a classroom full of children in an old schoolhouse circa 1905. I took one of my friends to see The Residents one time, someone who was not necessarily a fan but wanted to go because I was so excited about it - someone who I might not have encouraged to attend, because I knew going in that he was too 'cool' for it. When the show was over, his response was this: "I'm not sure if I liked that, but I will say that I'm glad that there are people in the world doing the kind of thing we just saw." That may be the reaction some of you have to the music of Brian Dewan - as if the 'Schoolhouse Circa 1905' thing wasn't an indication of that. If you're a TMBG fan, though, his surreal sense of humor might really tickle your fancy. I listen to this album a LOT. I really do, if that tells you anything about me. Like the Optiganally Yours record, it's got really unique instrumentation and features the musical sensibilities of a true American weirdo. The sing-song melodies are terminally hummable (especially the title track, which is a casual observation of open heart surgery). Report to Mr. Dewan's MySpace page for his studio version of 'Rumplestiltskin', or stay here for a live version featuring Julian Koster of Neutral Milk Hotel on singing saw. www.myspace.com/briandewan/music
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Post by Horned Gramma on Dec 22, 2010 10:06:07 GMT -8
So kiddos, that's 2010. I'm doing Christmas with my wife and her family this weekend starting tomorrow, and then on Monday I'm flying down to California for a week to see my family and to see the motherfucking Residents open for motherfucking Primus on December 30th, and also to see Primus' 20th annual New Year's Freak-Out on the 31st. If I survive the experience, A Record a Day will resume in the first week of January. Once again I would like to thank every one of you who reads this column each day - by my estimation there are between 75-100 of you, which is a dramatically larger audience than I ever anticipated when I started this thing. There has been a tremendous amount of positive feedback and kind words, and I have had the distinct pleasure of rediscovering many of my favorite records with a slightly more focused approach. Much more to come in 2011! I'll see you rascals then. Happy Holidays to each of you. Be safe out there.  Prost! -David aka Horned Gramma |
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Post by Horned Gramma on Jan 2, 2011 19:38:43 GMT -8
I've often thought that Rogue should pay me money for that image.
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Post by topspin on Jan 2, 2011 23:56:10 GMT -8
I've often thought that Rogue should pay me money for that image. I've often thought of becoming a golf club |
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Post by Horned Gramma on Jan 4, 2011 19:47:34 GMT -8
Late Submission1/4/11The Decemberists - The King is Dead THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT!
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Post by Pea on Jan 4, 2011 19:50:42 GMT -8
I'd love to read a review from you of it dude!
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Post by Horned Gramma on Jan 4, 2011 20:04:00 GMT -8
Sounds like old timey R.E.M. I'm on my first go-round, streaming it over at NPR right now. More detailed thoughts to follow. But I really love it.
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Post by Horned Gramma on Jan 8, 2011 12:34:51 GMT -8
The column has been on hold this week for a few reasons. I'm having my Macbook repaired. In the meantime I am figuring out the best way to upload mp3s from my collection and have them hosted somewhere. I'm also trying to determine where the best, least cheesy blog site is. When all my ducks are in a row, I'm going to transfer A Record a Day to a place that is a little more official and feels a little more 'mine'.
Details soon. Of course I'll still be around the board, but A Record a Day will have it's own home. Hopefully some of you will make the migration with me. Stay tuned (or don't)!
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Post by Drew on Jan 9, 2011 2:25:28 GMT -8
Excellent idea. I'll be there
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Rusty
North American Scumfoot
Posts: 710
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Post by Rusty on Jan 9, 2011 13:25:22 GMT -8
The column has been on hold this week for a few reasons. I'm having my Macbook repaired. In the meantime I am figuring out the best way to upload mp3s from my collection and have them hosted somewhere. I'm also trying to determine where the best, least cheesy blog site is. When all my ducks are in a row, I'm going to transfer A Record a Day to a place that is a little more official and feels a little more 'mine'. Details soon. Of course I'll still be around the board, but A Record a Day will have it's own home. Hopefully some of you will make the migration with me. Stay tuned (or don't)! Sellout! Just kidding, this sounds like good idea, keep us posted. Plus now I'll be able to say things like, "I was there when he was still posting on a message board", which will be cool. |
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