March 2005
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March 16, 2005
Music // Response
Its been a while since I really posted about music. Now that winter is seemingly coming to an end, its time for JAZZHAMMER. to thaw out.
So, how have you been?
Good to hear.
Me?
I've been good, thanks for asking.
What have I been listening too?
Well...
Dead Meadow: Feathers LP
Everyone's favorite band is back and its time to get high! This record has been playing nonstop for me since I first heard it. If you know me, then you know that I am a tiny bit obsessed with Dead Meadow. If you don't know me and don't know about Dead Meadow, then all I can say is that they play the finest Black Sabbath/Pink Floyd inspired psychedelic guitar driven jams this side of, umm, lets see, ...the universe. Their last record, Shivering King and Others is one of my favorites. They are experts in the finest elements of the heavy psych-rock cannon. They get the meandering come down syrupy haze just right and they can effortlessly bring on the heavy and rock your sorry ass to the ground. This album plays closely to the last, though there are some important key differences. One, they have a new guitar player. In Shivering King, they were a 3 piece and it was gorgeous how the bassist would cover for the guitarist when he went for those extended guitar solo magnum opuses. This album on the other hand takes advantage of another skilled guitarist. They play off each other quite often. Shivering King had more of a theme that eventually gave way to an amazing sitar driven 2 parter. This album is much more pop oriented, with overt melodies leading some songs such as the sublime 'At Her Open Door'. It doesn't rock as hard as Shivering King for the most part but that is part of its game plan. It waddles in its psychedelic haze and let me tell you that it is fucking great in there. I dare you to find me a band that uses Orange amps and wah-wah pedals better than Dead Meadow. I am thrilled that these are two different albums and that I can love each on its own merits. In other words, 1 down 9 to go. My top 10 for 2005 already has a guaranteed spot and it is high up there.
Did I mention that this is the perfect record to hone your air guitar skills with?
Morgan Geist: Unclassics CD
A bunch of friends and I have been really into this album these last couple of months. Definitely one of the finest releases of last year. Would have made my top 10 easily had I not heard it until January. Its one hell of an italo-disco/electronic dance
compilation by Morgan Geist of Metro Area. Really a compilation of awkward disco clunkers that weren't pretty enough to dance with Travolta. Hearing the tunes, you quickly realize that your prom could have been the best night of your life had this played. Yes, some of the tracks are now legendary cult favorites, like Pluton & the Humanoids' 'World Invaders' which has the marvelous chorus of "space invaders from outer space..." sung through the mandatory vocoder. One of my personal favorite moments includes the two expertly mixed tracks, 'Margherita' & 'Man Shortage'. I'd like you to name a disco track which features a mariachi horn arrangement and another that has a Peruvian pan flute in the background which eventually breaks down to the desperate cries of "I need a man!" "I'll beg for more!". (which in all honesty is what disco really is all about) With enough Moroder synth sounds to justify Scarface amounts of cocaine, this is a 100% guaranteed good time.
We gonna dance? Yes we is!
Mia: Arular CD-R
Yeah, I know that this isn't out yet. And I am not going to even get into the ongoing hype/backlash that is too well documented for its own good. It is besides the point. This is a great record. I fell absolutely head over heels in love the first time I heard 'Galang'. What a fucking track! Pop-Dancehall! In a just world, M.I.A. would be the new Missy Elliott. (an obvious, referenced influence on this record) Hopefully her grimey/worldly blend of hip hop will not deter American listeners because by the halfway point of the record, there is nobody who can deny that this girl owns. I really believe that how this record is received will be indicative to the open-mindedness of hip-hop/popular culture. I know I shouldn't be too judgmental since I never got on the Dizzy Rascal or Wiley grime boat and I come a little too close to being a backpacker for my own good, but this girl has the class and the sass to shake your ass.
Cold Bleak Heat: It's Magnificent, But It Isn't War CD
Free jazz from Western Mass, what? A 60 year old sax player and a 20 year old drummer? Come again? Too good to be true but its right here. Local heroes Paul Flaherty and Chris Corsano, along with really local hero, Greg Kelley (Nmperign) and No Neck Blues Band hero Matt Heyner have come together to release a free jazz political record. Lucky for us, the politics is in the emotions conveyed instead of some bullshit hippy banter. Everyone is always looking to root for the hometown team and finally there is one that deserve your attention. All you need to know is that Flaherty wails like a motherfucker; Corsano beats the shit out of drums like only he can; Kelley can make the most interesting textures and tones from his trumpet and Heyner holds it all together with his bass. Having been lucky enough to seen them all play, together and apart these last few years, I have been comforted in knowing that Albert Ayler's torch has been haded down to a new generation. These folks are that process in action.
Posted by Fran at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
March 15, 2005
ECLECTIC WARRIOR
Its about fucking time...
JAZZHAMMER. PROUDLY PRESENTS:
ECLECTIC WARRIOR
57M 41S
01. Yellow Magic Orchestra: Firecracker
02. Clinic: The Second Line
03. Jorge Ben: Umbabarauma
04. Kate Bush: Eat The Music
05. M.I.A.: Amazon
06. Derrick Laro: Don't Stop Till You Get Enough
07. McNeal & Niles: Summertime
08. Black Devil: 'H' Friend
09. Matthew Dear: Dog Days
10. Luke Vibert: I Love Acid
11. Colder: Crazy Love
12. Primal Scream: Come Together
Eclectic Warrior
128 KBPS | 52.3 MB
(right click save as)
Eclectic is right. This mix runs the gamut in terms of style. The first half has a very lush, worldly flavor but then the Black Devil disco track ups the ante and a dance party emerges. I definitely took advantage of the fact that I could be as random as I could and I steered far from where the mix began, but man, once my feet started shakin', I couldn't stop! I hope it flows reasonably well and I tried to be creative in the mixing. (okay, okay gimmicky) But more important, I just hope that it is fun for you and your friends.
Cheers.
(I apologize for the flagrant use of explosions. Wait, no I don't.)
I would like to thank Mr. Ryan Browne for the amazing cover art. He is an extraordinarily talented illustrator and an extraordinarily talented friend. Please do yourself a favor and check out his work at http://www.ryanbrowne.net.
I am more than happy to announce that this is the first in the series of guest artist cover art for my silly mixes.
Posted by Fran at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)