Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Friday, January 11, 2013
Handwritten Heartbreak
The Greg Foal Group -- The Girl And Robot With Flowers Pt 1
I don't usually listen to jazz, especially contemporary jazz. But this song really caught my ear when I came across it on Mixcloud and next thing I knew I was also including Part 6 at the end.
Alessi Brothers -- Seabird
Another Mixcloud find, this off a mix done by Nite Jewel for FACT magazine. A lot of delightful weirdness going on here in what I'm guessing was originally a song meant for AM commercial radio.
Naomi Punk -- The Spell/ClS + Death Junket
When all was said and done, probably my #1 or #2 album of 2012. Didn't seem to get a lot of attention on those sorts of lists, but somehow reminds me of the glory days of spazzy northwest punk like Lync, Karp and Unwound.
Dreamscape -- Cradle
An obscure shoegaze time capsule find reissued. Love it. Ought to have been a classic of the era.
Magic Touch and Sapphire -- When I See You
Another great single from 100% Silk that makes me continue to wonder why I started to like house music just as I was entering the phase of life in which one would never ever encounter a club.
3B Unit -- Tango in the Rain
From an obscure Italian cassette only release uploaded to Crispy Nuggets. Poor sound quality, but I like what that does for it.
Spacemen 3 -- Big City (remix)
I remember really hating this song, especially the opening, when it came out, but it's ended up being one of my favorite songs by the band off what I think is its best album. This one goes on a bit, but I like the way it fits on this mix. Recently posted here.
Girls Names -- The New Life
Excellent new song by a band I haven't heard much of anything bad from. Another one that goes on a bit but really doesn't get tired. Off a 12" by Slumberland.
Christopher Owens -- Lysandre's Theme/Here We Go
Former leader of Girls off what is revealing itself on repeated listens to be a truly amazing album.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra -- Sleep and Swim (Like a Shark Does)
Kind of bums me out when I choose a song for a mix and it ends up as the single off the album. I'm realizing that's the case with the Owens track above, which even includes the interlude that precedes the song, just as I have it. Oh well.
The Greg Foal Group -- The Girl And Robot With Flowers Pt 6
Turns out this group is hailed by Gilles Peterson, whose path I don't encounter often, but always like when I do. There are actually six versions of this song on the single, which I believe was released as a 10".
The Pastels -- Ugly Town
Not originally included on this mix, but was recently uploaded by I Was a Teenage Shoegazer and is thus on my current playlist. I usually think of this as a pivotal album for me, but its mostly a pivotal song "Nothing to be Done," which I'd have to put in some sort of Top 15-20 ever. So I'm actually kind of discovering parts of this album for the first time.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Heat Breaks
Heat Breaks by Dj Ulsan on Mixcloud
An older one from a couple years ago with several selections from a couple compilations -- Yeti Vol. 9 and Welcome Home/Diggin' the Universe on Woodist. Two very notable tracks on here IMO -- Ko + Friends "I'm in Hiding," a really sweet slice of 60s pop that's a one off (as far as I can tell) by Ko Melina aka Ko Shih (Korean?) of The Dirtbombs. The other track is Run DMT's "Richard," a song I could almost call a classic, but from a band/project that too often sounds like some talented people taking too many drugs, and not in the good way. Still love this song though.Friday, December 7, 2012
Ten From Epic Soundtracks
Similar to the Felt collection I made earlier in the year here are 10 songs from singer/songwriter Epic Soundtracks. I got the idea to do this while listening to Wild Smile, the 2012 anthology by Soundtracks. This isn't really meant as a complaint, because any effort to bring more attention to an artist like Soundtracks is gravvy, but Greatest Hit type of releases of this nature are tricky. On one hand you have a nice (albeit lengthy) introduction for the uninitiated on Disc 1. But will said uninitiated ever be interested in the Disc 2 full of live versions and rarities? And for the rabid fan who'd like to get a hold of an A Capella version of "Don't Go to School," of what use are the 20 "hits" on Disc 1? Who pays $21.99 for it?
So I set out to create a collection for those less familiar with his work. I pushed myself to distill his catalogue down to 10 tunes. Truth be told, I think Soundtracks wrote 4 or 5 truly wonderful songs, and then quite a few more that are very nice. On occasion, I think he was able to get by simply because he was cool and probably had a great record collection. I would never put him in the class of some of the greats I think he tried to emulate -- Parsons, Dylan, Chilton and Lennon. I actually think he's a little like Evan Dando, who comes from similar origins and was a big Soundtracks fan and supporter. I'm sure that comparison would make a lot of Soundtracks fans sick, but Dando too has written a handful of truly great songs.
My own introduction to Soundtracks -- post Swell Maps, who I always wanted to like more than I actually did -- wasn't until 1999 with the release of Everything is Temporary, a posthumous collection of mostly outtakes and demos that was co-licensed (or something) by the record store I was working for at the time. By virtue of that it was played at least once a day for several months. Yeah, I know I just said demos don't make a good introduction, but "Everything" flows a little differently than a typical collection of demos. It sounds more like a stripped down album in my opinion, which is ironic because one of his strong suits on his proper albums was the production -- again, I'm sure the guy was above all else a music fan if not a collector.
Over the years I've wound my way through his albums, typically recognizing 2 or 3 songs from "Everything," and usually finding improved, fully realized versions on the full lengths. "There's Been a Change," "Emily May" and "Fallen Down" were such cases and all three are on this collection. A couple songs "Something New Under the Sun," which is really the first Soundtracks song that caught my ear, and "Night Time," are both presented in their stripped down "Everything" versions.
So I set out to create a collection for those less familiar with his work. I pushed myself to distill his catalogue down to 10 tunes. Truth be told, I think Soundtracks wrote 4 or 5 truly wonderful songs, and then quite a few more that are very nice. On occasion, I think he was able to get by simply because he was cool and probably had a great record collection. I would never put him in the class of some of the greats I think he tried to emulate -- Parsons, Dylan, Chilton and Lennon. I actually think he's a little like Evan Dando, who comes from similar origins and was a big Soundtracks fan and supporter. I'm sure that comparison would make a lot of Soundtracks fans sick, but Dando too has written a handful of truly great songs.
My own introduction to Soundtracks -- post Swell Maps, who I always wanted to like more than I actually did -- wasn't until 1999 with the release of Everything is Temporary, a posthumous collection of mostly outtakes and demos that was co-licensed (or something) by the record store I was working for at the time. By virtue of that it was played at least once a day for several months. Yeah, I know I just said demos don't make a good introduction, but "Everything" flows a little differently than a typical collection of demos. It sounds more like a stripped down album in my opinion, which is ironic because one of his strong suits on his proper albums was the production -- again, I'm sure the guy was above all else a music fan if not a collector.
Over the years I've wound my way through his albums, typically recognizing 2 or 3 songs from "Everything," and usually finding improved, fully realized versions on the full lengths. "There's Been a Change," "Emily May" and "Fallen Down" were such cases and all three are on this collection. A couple songs "Something New Under the Sun," which is really the first Soundtracks song that caught my ear, and "Night Time," are both presented in their stripped down "Everything" versions.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Well Rounded
Well Rounded by Dj Ulsan on Mixcloud
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Juicy Thighs
R. Stevie Moore -- Pop Music
Probably getting some attention due the Ariel Pink connection, but I can't say I think Moore has been a criminally ignored genius for 40+ years. However, this is terrific song with it's playful pokes at pop music and early Chicago (band) style horns.
The Rah Band -- Messages From the Stars (Longwave Mix)
Pretty sure I have these guys on a mix somewhere else but I can't remember where. Groovy, futuristic boogie with all kinds of cool sound effects. Wouldn't think it would fit between the two acts I have here, but it works for me. From Beat Electric.
The Olivia Tremor Control -- Jumping Fences/Define a Transparent Dream
I'm not usually too affected by musician/entertainer deaths, but this stuck in my head for a few days. There were a few moments in the late 90s where I might have even claimed OTC were my favorite band period. I saw them three or four times over the Terrastock Festival weekend in San Francisco, and they did an in-store at the record shop I was working at.
After Doss died I listened to their few albums and concluded that as a whole I never really thought the albums were great, but that OTC did record a handful of near-classic songs, and "Jumping Fences," which I'd put somewhere in my Top-something of all time. I'm attaching "Define..." here because it just doesn't sound right to not to. R.I.P. Bill Doss.
Matt Munisteri And Will Holshouser -- Orange Crate Art
A random, late addition to this mix, ripped from the YouTube posted on Facebook by an old friend who created this nifty mag. As he said when he posted it: great version of a great song.
Jerome LOL -- Forever One half of the LOL Boys, which is a great name IMO. I'd seen the name LOL Boys around, but hadn't heard it or this guy until this song. Cool, minimalist electronic funk here. Went and listened to LOL Boys afterwards and didn't like it at all. That's the way it goes sometimes.
The Fall -- Container Drivers
Wire -- A Question of Degree
My friend, whose mixes I also put on this site from time to time, is good at including "classic" songs among his new stuff and obscurities, so I wanted to do some of that on this mix too. Both Wire and The Fall are about as classic as it gets in my world.
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti -- Is This the Best Spot? Solid album. Still the worst live act I've ever paid to see.
The Records -- Affection Rejected
Where have The Records been my entire life? Actually, I've heard of the group for years, but like The Sound, never really investigated. Heard both this year. Didn't like The Sound at all. The Records are classic!
Sybil -- Don't Make Me Over
Didn't realize until just now this was a Dionne Warwick song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Guess that explains why it caught my ear. Grabbed from Soul-sides.
The End -- It's O.K.
Sometimes I'll download something like this off these kinds of sites you'll find at right and they just hit my spot perfectly. Reminds me of record collecting back in the day. B-side is total crap, which is exactly how it works sometimes!
Thom Janusz -- Memories of Georgia
Another found on Soul-Sides, which led me to look up Thom Janusz and find that he's not on Wiki, but has a reissue on Ubiquity. Also led me to this blog, which I'll take as credible and go to later by virtue that it's got Janusz on there.
Slowdive -- Alison
Almost took this off as I was finishing this mix. Probably the best song by the band, but doesn't fit here at all, and when I went back and listened to the album I rediscovered why I'd stopped listening. But like I said, great song.
David Blue -- Come on John
Off a site that for the time being has unfortunately stopped posting. This goes out to my friend Jon who I've stopped speaking to, perhaps also for the time being.
Aztec Camera -- Walk Out to Winter
What better song to say hello to the cold weather that's not quite here yet, but is fast approaching. I'm just seeing all of the band's albums are being reissued, but from what I gathered the first was the only one worth listening to by a longshot. It is a very good album all the way through.
Probably getting some attention due the Ariel Pink connection, but I can't say I think Moore has been a criminally ignored genius for 40+ years. However, this is terrific song with it's playful pokes at pop music and early Chicago (band) style horns.
The Rah Band -- Messages From the Stars (Longwave Mix)
Pretty sure I have these guys on a mix somewhere else but I can't remember where. Groovy, futuristic boogie with all kinds of cool sound effects. Wouldn't think it would fit between the two acts I have here, but it works for me. From Beat Electric.
The Olivia Tremor Control -- Jumping Fences/Define a Transparent Dream
I'm not usually too affected by musician/entertainer deaths, but this stuck in my head for a few days. There were a few moments in the late 90s where I might have even claimed OTC were my favorite band period. I saw them three or four times over the Terrastock Festival weekend in San Francisco, and they did an in-store at the record shop I was working at.
After Doss died I listened to their few albums and concluded that as a whole I never really thought the albums were great, but that OTC did record a handful of near-classic songs, and "Jumping Fences," which I'd put somewhere in my Top-something of all time. I'm attaching "Define..." here because it just doesn't sound right to not to. R.I.P. Bill Doss.
Matt Munisteri And Will Holshouser -- Orange Crate Art
A random, late addition to this mix, ripped from the YouTube posted on Facebook by an old friend who created this nifty mag. As he said when he posted it: great version of a great song.
Jerome LOL -- Forever One half of the LOL Boys, which is a great name IMO. I'd seen the name LOL Boys around, but hadn't heard it or this guy until this song. Cool, minimalist electronic funk here. Went and listened to LOL Boys afterwards and didn't like it at all. That's the way it goes sometimes.
The Fall -- Container Drivers
Wire -- A Question of Degree
My friend, whose mixes I also put on this site from time to time, is good at including "classic" songs among his new stuff and obscurities, so I wanted to do some of that on this mix too. Both Wire and The Fall are about as classic as it gets in my world.
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti -- Is This the Best Spot? Solid album. Still the worst live act I've ever paid to see.
The Records -- Affection Rejected
Where have The Records been my entire life? Actually, I've heard of the group for years, but like The Sound, never really investigated. Heard both this year. Didn't like The Sound at all. The Records are classic!
Sybil -- Don't Make Me Over
Didn't realize until just now this was a Dionne Warwick song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Guess that explains why it caught my ear. Grabbed from Soul-sides.
The End -- It's O.K.
Sometimes I'll download something like this off these kinds of sites you'll find at right and they just hit my spot perfectly. Reminds me of record collecting back in the day. B-side is total crap, which is exactly how it works sometimes!
Thom Janusz -- Memories of Georgia
Another found on Soul-Sides, which led me to look up Thom Janusz and find that he's not on Wiki, but has a reissue on Ubiquity. Also led me to this blog, which I'll take as credible and go to later by virtue that it's got Janusz on there.
Slowdive -- Alison
Almost took this off as I was finishing this mix. Probably the best song by the band, but doesn't fit here at all, and when I went back and listened to the album I rediscovered why I'd stopped listening. But like I said, great song.
David Blue -- Come on John
Off a site that for the time being has unfortunately stopped posting. This goes out to my friend Jon who I've stopped speaking to, perhaps also for the time being.
Aztec Camera -- Walk Out to Winter
What better song to say hello to the cold weather that's not quite here yet, but is fast approaching. I'm just seeing all of the band's albums are being reissued, but from what I gathered the first was the only one worth listening to by a longshot. It is a very good album all the way through.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
i'm into dark things
Put this together in late 2010 and am uploading it for archival purposes. It's a strong set starting with The Twerps "Dance Alone," a song I think the band has had trouble topping since, and ditto Raw Thrills "For Someone." Or maybe I just think of these as being the band's best material since I included them on a mix.
There are a couple minimal-synth tracks here with Absolute Body Control, Linear Movement and the French group Clair Obscur and then a tri-fecta of V.U. inspired people/groups in the "Russia," song, which sounds kind of like Nico, Virgin Insanity, which sounds like vintage Doug Yule V.U., and then Nico herself to close the mix.
There are a couple minimal-synth tracks here with Absolute Body Control, Linear Movement and the French group Clair Obscur and then a tri-fecta of V.U. inspired people/groups in the "Russia," song, which sounds kind of like Nico, Virgin Insanity, which sounds like vintage Doug Yule V.U., and then Nico herself to close the mix.
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