Man's Volta

Here's the news:



The Mars Volta announces their 6th studio album Noctourniquet due out in March. That's right, sixth album. Where has the time gone.

If you don't know The Mars Volta, let me give you my summary and essentially everything you need to know about them.



Once upon the 90s, the prog/punk band At-The-Drive-In split to form Sparta and The Mars Volta. These two bands (with impressive but very different skill sets) were ATDI's split personalities. Where Sparta went the more convetional rock music route, whereas TMV went uber progressive.

I hadn't heard of TMV, and when I saw them open for A Perfect Circle in 2002 I thought it was ATDI because of their trademark large hair and spastic performing. They were awesome to behold. My compadre, Crispex, made haste the next morning to buy De-loused in the Comatorium their first and greatest LP. It was awesome to behold. For whatever reason, these musicians struck a chord with me. I saw them in concert two more times touring their second and third albums. Each subsequent show was a little less impressive than the previous. I feel like once they got a strong fan base they just released every studio jam session no matter how subpar the track. Jon Theodore was their drummer and I thought he really pulled the band together. (Much like a quality rug can pull a room together.) He got tired of working with ego tripping lead singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala and left the band much to my disamay. Initially I thought that Theodore was irreplaceable, but their next drummer (though not as good a fit for TMV in my opinion) was actually more impressive. Thomas Pridgen (aka 'tha predator') played on The Bedlam in Goliath their 4th album. He is an animal, and awesome to behold. He makes this album my second favorite behind only thier first. Here they are performing 'Wax Simulacra' from said album.





Later Pridgen had a similar experience with the effeminant Bixler and also quit the band after releasing their 5th, Octahedron, which was so unremarkable I almost gave up on them completely. But in the end, I'm a sucker for some new Volta music so I'll be preordering my copy soon. Yes, it may very well be a "listen once then forget about it" type of CD, but I'll have to go ahead and make sure. If thats the case, then this post you're reading will then be an even bigger waste of time. But since you've read this far I'll be honest, I just came across this band image and wanted to post it somewhere, then I thought maybe I should put some words under it.

So these are those words.

Shallow and worthless I know.

Life is short I know.

What are we doing talking about TMV?

For that I have no answers.


Anybody heard news about Tool's new album? I've searched the interwebs and can't find anything but rumors. Proof links anyone? Hello? Anybody still reading this?

Some Goodies

Com Touch by Chris Clark is an exciting little taste of his upcoming album set to be released sometime this year. I would classify it as modern prog synth. Clark has been around since the advent of IDM and most of his music is comparable to Aphex Twin and the like. This song: A+, and as with most electronica, you miss out on 75% of the music when only using computer speakers. (Nudge nudge, hint wink, wink nudge, nudge wink, wink hint, nudge hint, SLAP! Bet you didn’t see that coming.)

The Butterfly Technique by Mux Mool has a sweet break beat that’ll get your head-a-bobbin’. Also includes some very engaging synth work that builds to a subtle yet epic climax. Mux Mools recent release Planet High School is definitely an album worth your consideration. So consider it.

Sonic Armada by Air is one of my fav’s off of their new album “a trip to the moon” aka “Le Voyage Dans La Lune.” I think that a good way to describe this song would be: funky beat with a mad R2D2 solo. Overall, I would say that Air doesn’t have the same depth of emotion that many of their previous albums have, but its still an enjoyable listen if you spotify or find a stream.

Let’s Groove by Teen Daze is one of his most unique songs, in that it doesn’t really fit into his genre of Glo-fi/Chillwave music. (And this genre, by the way, is definitely a sinking ship. Too many uncreative kids are creating this music in their basement and making it very difficult to wade through it all to find the bands worth listening to. Bands like such as: Teen Daze, Washed Out, Teeel, and Brothertiger… speaking of which…)

Next is Evening Glow (Keep Shelly in Athens remix) by Brothertiger who is touring Europe this spring with TEEN DAZE. He also makes some worthy tunes, this is one of my favorites, even though it is heavily remixed.

Lastly, Love out of lust (Saturday, Monday Bootleg Remix) by Lykke Li. Why this you ask? I guess I just tacked it on because, well, I came across it and I liked to listen to it so you should also listen to it because you should also enjoy what I have been enjoying without you up until now. No further questions; have a good day.



And remember:

Clammy echos

Two musical items for which you should take note; both of which are featured in post's mixture.



Firstly: Echo Gardens-

These are some foreigners that have soft melodies that are easily digested by the ears. Nothing complicated. Just nice easy listening. Ironic enough the couple songs I put in this mix are basically their most poppy songs. But hey, they're fun and harmless and they still maintain some of that dreamy texture that characterizes the rest of their music. In short, I'd say they are Zero7 meets Múm meets OK Computer.



Secondly: Clams Casino-

This guy is just your friendly neighborhood beat maker. Originally I rode him off because his choice of rappers was so poor. (I'm sorry but ASAP Rocky? Who likes that crap?) But I later heard the music he makes without the MC's, and me likes. Me gusta muy mucho. I love the lo-fi samples he chooses, the wordless vocals he utilizes, and the overall nostalgic feel of his songs. They are really simple, but so deep at the same time. Perfect for cloudy days. And partly cloudy days. And partly sunny days. And sunny side up eggs. This particular track I have listened too about 100 times (seriously, I have a high tolerance for tracks I like) and have concluded that should I have any say, I'd like to be listening to this song when I die.



Now for specifics, here's the track listing:

Echo Gardens - Step 0:01
Clams Casino - I'm God (instrumental)1:50
An Alien - Monologue 6:17
Echo Gardens - Intro 6:47 /Purple 8:51
Steve Hauschildt - Batteries May Drain 12:17
Radiohead - Staircase 14:20
Professor Penguin - Pilot (Wrigglesworth PSB Edit) 18:10
Stumbleine - Ember (Sorrow Remix) 22:52

Hymn

I asked the Lord that I might grow 

In faith and love and every grace, 

Might more of his salvation know, 

And seek more earnestly his face.

‘Twas he who taught me thus to pray; 

And he, I trust, has answered prayer; 

But it has been in such a way 

As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that, in some favored hour, 

At once he’d answer my request, 

And by his love’s constraining power 

Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, he made me feel 

The hidden evils of my heart, 

And let the angry powers of hell 

Assault my soul in every part.

Yea, more, with his own hand he seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe, 

Crossed all the fair designs I schemed, 

Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

Lord, why is this? I trembling cried; 

Wilt thou pursue this worm to death? 

This is the way, the Lord replied
I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I now employ 

From self and pride to set thee free,
And break thy schemes of earthly joy, 

That thou may’st seek thy all in me.

Top 5 of 2011

Fresh out the box.
Stop!
Look, and watch.
Ready yet?
Get set.
It's moooore music!
 
(High fives if you know what that is.  Double dream hands if you don't...)
 
These little ditties are a good time for all.   Nujabes is one artist who made music that is pretty well universally appreciated.  With a plethora of instruments this boy was no synth-only composer,  he did well to sample many'a'flavors over some of the dopiest beats.  Piano, woodwinds, strings, exotic fruits, and the like, he makes about anything flow in these rich, smooth, and supple compositions.
 
And if you're not sure how 'supple' can describe music, you are not alone.  And if you wonder how beats can be dopey, you are not alone.  But if you don't like Nujabes on some level, there is something seriously amiss in your person. 

Spiritual State came out this year and will be his last LP.  (Unless his record label wants to release a lame remix album to make a buck, which is likely.)

Dude was undeniably talented and will surely maintain his underground fanbase long after his death.  There are certainly undertones of nostalgia in these trademark upbeat major-keyed tunes.  (Maybe I'm reading into them though the lens of my experience with Nujabes music...)  This album as a whole is good front to back, I've included just a few my fav's.
 
Enjoy.
 
Please. 
 
And thank you.





And (a couple weeks late) I have the best (in fact, not opinion) albums of 2011 in this particular order:

#5. Spiritual State by Nujabes

#4. Bless the Self by Geotic

#3. King of Limbs by Radiohead

#2. Drive by Tycho

#1. Tamer Animals by Other Lives


These may not have won any of MTV's "Idiot Music for Pop Society" awards, but they're the type of albums you can put on repeat, listen to them for hours on end, and still want to listen more the next day.  At least that's my experience with them.  They are probably in Bethany's list of "most overplayed" of 2011, which may hold some weight, but not really. 
 
Get these, people.  Get them all.  Play them back to back to back, over and over and over.  You don't have to be a rocket surgeon to appreciate them, but it may help.
 

muliebrous post

Hey.


How are ya.


Glad to see you.


I'm surprised you still come around these parts.


It being all barren and such.


Monthly posts.


If that.


Usually pretty stupid.


Sometimes worse.






Well, now that I've got your hopes down, have anothern!  THIS is probably the most incredible mix floating around the interwebs up to this date in history. It includes all kinds of music ...from about two genres. If you don't like the first track, wait for the second, you may change your mind. If you hate the second track, give the third one a try. If the third one bores you to an unarousable coma, you just wait for the bass to drop in the fourth track. If you still have issues with appreciation, BOOM. There's a fifth. Should your face implode with hatred for that one, bliggity-BLAOW! Sixth. By this time, if your fancy is anything but tickled, I'm sorry for your loss.

*Note: Uniquiest Mix Yet*

Know why?

It contains only female vocalists! Aha, I am no musical sexist! I am an equal opportunist for all composers; no matter the gender handicap!

1. Redford Piano Remix

Peaceful, delightful, trancendent, you choose the adjective. 

2. Florence + the machine - Take Care

Yes, I know Ms. Machine is mainstream, but you know what?  This is a good song.  And for that ...I don't know how to feel.

3. Little Dragon - Twice

NOT mainstream, these people make observably obumbrated obscurities.  Take a listen.

4. Bonobo (feat. Speech Debelle) - Sun Will Rise

This gal is british, mate   ... I mean, chap.

5. Seven Saturdays - True Romance (Teen Daze Remix)

Beats, people.

6. Lana Del Rey - Blue Jeans (Count Ninjula remix)

There is anywhere from four to four hundred billion dubstep remixes for everysong produced.  (Yes, even the Happy Birthday song.)  And I have taken the burdensome task of sorting through the mess of them to present to you the very best dubstep versions of a given song.  You're welcome.  Really you are.  And if you don't have some kind of positive response to this tune ..... I sigh in disappointment.  I don't know who's failed who... or whom ...or what ...or something... or another...

Otiose Viscocity

OK people,  here's some songs you probably won't listen to, but maybe, just maybe, this ONCE, I'm ok with that.

I like them in ascending order-


AudioDax - Smile

This song is a couple guys' attempt at catching the ear of highschoolers everywhere.  Best of luck to them, hope their 15min is everything they hoped it'd be.  This one has the highest cheese content of anything you will ever hear on this blog, that is my official promise to you.  Originally, I thought this song was worth a listen so I downloaded it.  On the second listen, it'd lost its luster, by the third listen I was basically over it, and now I'm pretty sure I dislike it altogether.  The problem is that before I came to this conclusion I've already made this mix and uploaded it.  Do you know how tedious that is?  Not that tedious.  But I'm a busy man, I can't go around all day reversing everything stupid I do.  That's no way to make progress. 

Anyway, this song is undeniably chipper and catchy, and sure to have you doing the Carlton. 

(Honestly, this image fits so well, I had to leave it! Admit it, you laughed.)

Jhameel - Waves

Without a doubt, this song is absolutely, undeniably: meh.


Hilltop Hoods - I Love It (featuring Sia)

This is a good time for all.  Sia has much higher quality solo stuff (and Zero7 stuff) but I haven't heard her do any hip to the hop such as this.  I haven't much listened to these  Hoods atop hills until I saw they choose high quality features.  Conclusion: I'll take it.

Gobble Gobble - Lawn Knives (Teen Daze Remix)

Now we're getting to the good stuff that will never make it on the radio.  I'm less inclined to listen to these guys as I am to anything that Teen Daze remixes.  He's got a way of morphing a modern tune to sound like it should have been released in the late 80s (aka the most depressing era of human history).  This song delights me on multiple levels.  Including ground level.

Example - Midnight Run (Flux Pavilion Remix)

Here we come to my favorite of this mix.  This is another poppy song I was at first ashamed to like, but am now willing to admit to the massive audience that is my blog readers (which is basically just my mom, hi mom) that I have listened to it some 100 times and still like it.  (Bethany can attest.)  If you need a kickin track to drop on new years eve, this may be your song.  I know I'm going to put it in my new years party mix to spin ...at a reasonable volume ...around 9:30 ...while I'm changing the diapers of my 9 month old kids ...after they're done eating their mashed peas and carrots.  

2 things...

1.

 

and 2.

Dreamz by BEWILDERBEAST

Happy Giving of Thanks