Monday, December 31, 2012

Capsula: In the Land of Silver Souls

This is one of two albums they released in 2012. The first one was rock en espanol, they started in Argentina, but are now out of Spain. They play Ziggy Stardust live, an obvious influence that is clear. I hear some Pixies and Sonic Youth influences. Album has 14 tracks, which is a little long. Some good riffs to rock out to!

Sunday, December 30, 2012

electronic sonata for souls loved by nature



Those that know me know I'm notorious for selling shit to buy shit to sell to buy more shit.  Like, sell 100 records to buy a guitar, then sell the guitar a year later to get 100 records, then sell 100 records to get a moog, etc, etc...

I know I've had this record at least once... I feel like more than that.  George Russell's "Electronic Sonata for Souls Loved by Nature".  It was released on both the Strata East and Flying Dutchman labels.  I must have listened to it.  The problem with my approach to the fluid ownership of things is that I probably sell some stuff that I don't "get" at the time, whereas now that I am older and wiser with a more refined musical palate I could probably dig a lot of that stuff.

Luckily for me this is on Spotify... and YouTube, check the first "Event".  So dope:


Maybe the free jazz freak out breakdown was too much for me... Anywho, the first few minutes are solid gold dynamite.

dc

Friday, December 28, 2012

My top 10 from 2012 in no particular order


Tame Impala - Lonerism


Various - Never To Be Forgotten - The Flip Side of Stax 1968-1974


The Orb featuring Lee Scratch Perry - The Orbserver In The Star House


Classics of Love - S/T






Various Artists - Jahtarrian Dubbers Vol 3.





Mr. Williamz - Dancehall HobbyEP


Various Artists - Tann Up Solid EP



Macka B / Leanna - Never Played a 45 / Grapevine






Brother Culture / Manassah - Good Word / Dub the Word 7"





Soom T - We Want Out 7"

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Guns N' Roses live at the Ritz, 1988

I had a long car ride yesterday and I was listening to some old school GNR and when I got home I finally checked on youtube to see if the live show from the Ritz was up there. Of course it is, gotta love youtube, the whole show is there.

The show is from early February, 1988, taped for MTV (which was kind of a first, I believe) right when they were blowing up. It totally rocked my 13 year old world. I recorded it and must have watched the VHS tape 100 times. That show and the album Appetite for Destruction had me start learning guitar and changed my life.

The moment they come out and start with "It's So Easy" is so intense the band can barely keep up with the energy. Can you watch this show and not agree that this was one of the baddest rock bands ever? Is Axl not one of the greatest rock stars ever? He can be a bit campy with his song intros and his high-leg kicks, but what a fucking badass.

A few highlights: Axl jumps into the mosh-pit during the end of "Paradise City" and the crowd literally tears at him; as security finally gets him back on stage they tear off his shirt and Axl has cuts on his hands and torso. During the encore of Rocket Queen Axl walks off the stage during the second chorus leaving his confused bandmates looking around. He resurfaces during the mid-section jam with a cigarette. Then at the end he sees something off-stage that infuriates him and he hurls the mike at it/him/her and walks off the stage again, leaving the final refrain unsung. That's how the show ends, hahaha.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Best of 2012


What’s up ya’ll. Below is my best of list for 2012. Ever since the spotify revolution I’ve kept a file about what I check out on there, and this list is mainly pulled from that. There is a lot more that I have been feeling big time this year. I’ve listened to a lot more classical this year, continuing to learn about the music of Charles Ives, for instance. Read this biography and rode up to Vermont listening to “The Concord Sonatas” recently, that was all a big part of my 2012. But below is mainly what I got hip to this year and I was feeling in particular, with a couple notes here and there.

Sun Kil Moon, “Among the Leaves”

Mongold, “The Softest Glow”: Actually this is from 2011, but I saw them on a rooftop in Bushwick Memorial Day weekend and they killed it. I’ve seen them at Pianos since then, and just generally been following what’s up with them.

Beach House, “Bloom”

Frank Ocean, “Orange”

Mac Demarco, “Rock and Roll Night Club”: not feeling his new album “2” all that much, but really got into his EP released earlier.

Ducktails: this is one of the guy’s from Real Estate, only started listening to them this year. Not all of it is 100% solid gold, but enough of it is, and “surf’s up” is one of my favorite songs I heard this year.

Jana Hunter, “Carrion”: This is from 2007 but I heard it this year, such a great mellow feel, can’t get tired of it.

Holy Other, “Held”

Steve Hauschildt, “sequitur”: Another album I could listen to on repeat forever. Anything by Emeralds (actually they had a pretty killer album this year too) or any of those dude’s side projects I’m all over. 

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Spotify...

... is so deep.  Everything from the Blood and Fire reggae label is up there.

Bla Blazo, I know you have all that on vinyl, but for me i'm going "add to playlist" crazy.

Also, I'd like to take a minute to shout out "Personal Space: Electronic Soul 1974-1984", I've never given this the proper attention until tonight.  It's fuggin' great.  That shit is up on the 'fy as well.

Really looking forward to the weekend, you guys.

dc

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Best Of 2012.....



My vote for best of, or favorite of, 2012 is hands down Flying Lotus’ “Until The Quiet Comes”.  Here's why:

1) It’s great.  The music is enjoyable, interesting, appeals to intellectual side but still a head-nodder, not too bugged out but still pretty bugged out.  Just a fantastic record.

2) After 1,000 listens, I still hear new stuff going on every time.  Little sounds, little movements, changes. 

3) I like that it fits within a genre – which is, I guess, what we called back in my day, “electronica”, or “IDM” aka intelligent dance music, hahahaha, worst genre name ever.  Let’s call it laptop music?  Whatever.  It is definitely of that music, but pushes the boundaries and within the parameters of that scene and that music has made something incredibly unique and envelope pushing.  I dig that.

4) It’s an inspiring LP that definitely was a shot in the arm and a kick in the ass to be more creative and make more sounds. 

5) It’s the kind of record that establishes a mood and certain vibe and headspace from the first note. 

6) He’s a cool bro.  He did tons of promotion for this thing, and it never came off as “selling out”.  However, it was the antithesis of being like too cool or too much of an “artist” to spend time and energy on promoting your product.  His promotion towards the album never took away from the artistic credibility of what he created or his integrity, but rather came off as legitimately being proud of something and wanting it heard, which was refreshing.  Maybe I’m tripping, but the way this was promoted stood out for me.

7) Apparently he had a really killer live show, wish I saw it.  Check link below.

8) The cover is awesome, killer image by B+ that captures the feel and vibe of the music perfectly.  The deluxe vinyl edition is beautiful.

9) Here’s a bunch of cool links to related stuff:
            

He did a live play-by-play while listening to his album on twitter that was interesting if you dig the album.  Someone must have ripped it to one spot, but i can't find it, so if you are interested go to his twitter feed on October 2nd and check it out.

Austin Peralta, jazz keyboard virtuoso and son of Stacy Peralta, died this year.  I knew he was down with Flying Lotus and all those guys, but only after checking out the liner notes did I realize he was really all over this thing and really made a mark, so that’s definitely sad.  Never really heard of him prior to his passing.

Anywho, that's it for me. Best of 2012, slam dunk, Flying Lotus!

Happy holidays.


dc

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Kindness

It's been forever.  I don't know whether I've posted about this guy in the past, but he's all I've been listening to for the past week or so.  On repeat.  Hope all's well.

Nirvana - Can We Do Better Than a Living Legend?

As a sometimes poster on the site and someone who respects the opinions of those on this blog, I wanted to toss the following out at you all...

For some reason I felt compelled to watch the 12-12-12 concert last night.  I knew it would suck and be mostly annoying, and I have the excuse that I was 'watching for work purposes,' but it was worse than I could imagine.  However we're not here to discuss the fact that no rock star should ever wear a turtleneck on stage (your rocker card has been revoked, Jon Bon Jovi.)  I'm sure if any of you watched, it was for the same reason I ultimately did...to see Paul McCartney play with Nirvana.   While it wasn't horrifically awful as I imagined it would be and while my love for the Beatles is well-chronicled, I couldn't help but wonder the following:

If Nirvana was going to re-unite for one night, who SHOULD front the band in Kurt's place?  The rules are simple.  You can pick anyone currently alive, but you have to use them in their current state (ie., no taking 1992 Eddie Vedder or 1971 Mick Jagger.  You pick Eddie, you're getting short haired-bearded dude, etc.)  I started this conversation with a buddy of mine and came up with the following possibilities:

1.  Dave Grohl moves to front man and the drummer from Foo Fighters or QOTSA or something takes over on drums.  It keeps the front man in-house, but we've seen what happens when Dave Grohl fronts a band and I don't think anyone wants that.
2.  Trent Reznor - I like this idea, but he's an old dad now and I think the style is just a bit off.
3.  The dude from Cold War Kids.  No one knows who he is, he's got the desperation and anger, but at the end of the day, net-net, it is what it is (copyright DC,) I think his voice is a little to big and high-pitched.

Ultimately, I realized there's really just one answer:  Courtney Love.  I know, I know...she and Dave Grohl hate each other...she's a giant drug whore, etc.  But let's all admit that the first Hole record was awesome and she has the voice, the vibe and the history to pull it off.  Put it this way, if I call you up and say, I have 2 tickets to the Nirvana show and Courtney Love is fronting the band, you're going to beg me for the extra ticket.

Or maybe I'm wrong.  If I am, prove it.  Post your thoughts below.  The bar is set at Courtney Love.  Usually, that's not a very good thing...
Peter


Sunday, December 9, 2012

Scoob Redux

In case you missed it... EGMALIOUS SCOOB.



dc