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Monthly Archive for September, 2009

Ethiopium for the Masses

Published
by
Michael Hansen
on September 30, 2009
in MP3
. Comments

dr. no's ethiopium

We don’t bring up hip-hip too much around here. Not sure if ya’ll (i.e. Billy Corgan) consider that a good or a bad thing. But one common thread throughout all the musical bases covered here is a good dose of hauntology. Where short-wave enthusiasts on labels like Ghost Box re-contextualize the past into un-filmed-film scores, L.A. producer Oh No creates hypothetical worlds and collaborations that bridge decades and countries. So I think it’s time to start budgeting some real estate for  cerebral hip-hop here at TDT. Not to mention, listening to Dilla’s Donuts for the first time all the way through was easily one of the most psychedelic listening experiences I can recall. Anyways-

Hot on the trail of rap’s left-field/late-night hero and older brother Madlib (a.k.a. Otis Jackson), Oh No is constantly finding ways to challenge himself within the family business. Last year’s Dr. No’s Oxperiment focused it’s excavation almost entirely on Turkish and Lebanese psychedelic rock (which included the “Heavy”-hitter track that you know from all those Skate 2 commercials). His newest expedition makes a B-line down the Red Sea towards the fabled Ethiopia for the aptly titled Dr. No’s Ethiopium, coming out on Stones Throw this fall.

Regional funk, jazz, folk, soul, and psych are all surgically arraigned into ecstatic moments of diverse technique and style. His careful attention to sample texture, cut and spliced in origami fashion, produce banger after banger on this collection. Still a devoted hobbyist at heart, Oh No is securing a parallel reputation as one of underground hip-hop’s most innovative producers.

Dr. No’s Ethiopium is available for digital download on Stones Throw now, and will be available in CD and vinyl format this November.

For Fans Of: Madlib, J Dilla, Guilty Simpson, Edan, Blueprint

MP3 :::
Oh No – The Pain
Oh No – Melody Mix

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York Redoubt Carve a Heavy Slab Out of ’90s Nostalgia

Published
by
Michael Hansen
on September 28, 2009
in MP3
. Comments

york redoubt

Though Halifax, Nova Scotia is typically overshadowed by Canada’s other cultural Meccas like Vancouver and Montreal, there is no lack forward thinking among its musical tinkerers. Whether it’s lo-fi trail-markers Eric’s Trip, or the scruffy hip-hop testimonials of Buck 65, this tight knit community is always gestating new twists on old favorites, and York Redoubt, one of the area’s newest and most exciting acts, are no exception. Recorded largely at a nearby abandoned schoolhouse, these greenhorns are anxious to unroll their  full length self-titled debut on Hot Money Records this September.

Trying to grasp the band’s main influence is a difficult procedure. There are occasional spouts of playful dissonance á la Slanted & Enchanted, angular post-rock landslides, and many irreverent hat tips to math rock. With the glassy guitar tones, the closest peers would have to be Calgary’s Women (one of today’s most promising rock acts). The vocals teeter a fine line between naturally demure and an almost self-deprecating take on late 90’s college rock similar to the faux-anthemic Oxford Collapse. With ADD songwriting, flashes of hard/soft contrasts, and breakdowns that contort and scrub themselves at the first sign of sounding cheesy, these guys will run laps around your expectations, but have your blood pumping the entire time.

York Redoubt are set to play at the Pop Montreal and Halifax Pop Explosion this October, and I can only suspect they put on a pretty ecstatic live set. In the mean time, you can download the Cheap Funerals EP for free here.

For Fans Of: Women, Built to Spill, Oxford Collapse

MP3 :::
York Redoubt – I Said Slightly
York Redoubt –  Stenciled Lines

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The Entrance Band Coming to Ear X-Tacy, 10/6

Published
by
Kenny Bloggins
on September 28, 2009
in News
. Comments

entranceband The Entrance Band Coming to Ear X-Tacy, 10/6

Oh, hello! That’s what’s up! This came out of left field and I’m stoked for it. Good work, bruhs! For any additional and/or pertinent info, go to the Ear X website. Otherwise, I’ll see you there. Bring drugs.

MP3 :::
The Entrance Band – Still Be There

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Most Psychedelic Times with White Rainbow, Pauly Shore, and the Hurdy Gurdy Bro

Published
by
Kenny Bloggins
on September 26, 2009
in Visual Aids
. Comments

l_5ce6dabd617a48babf812a2cc69f9455 Most Psychedelic Times with White Rainbow, Pauly Shore, and the Hurdy Gurdy Bro

Alright, so rowdy new Kranky artist White Rainbow starts talking about Flying Saucer Attack and the golden age of space rock, and then Pauly Shore rolls through and asks him about his jams and they have a quick brodeo. No words, my friends, no words. Thanks to Porch of the Mystics for unearthing this most gnarly of vids, bud-dee.

FIST BUMP!

Actually, no… this is the most gnarly of vids. I hate that it’s called “The Worst Thing I Ever Saw On Public Access TV.” It’s the greatest thing I’ve ever seen outside The Spirit of Truth. Simply amazing. This dude is the best dude. 

Dream bill: Wolf Eyes, Jandek, Steverino, and the above gentleman (herein referred to as “hurdy gurdy bro,” as that is evidently the name of the instrument and of no relation to Donovan). So epic.

 

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The Experibass: A Classical Frankenstein Conjures Natural Splendor

Published
by
Michael Hansen
on September 26, 2009
in Visual Aids
. Comments

diego stocco
Are you a one man ensemble with not enough arms or maybe someone who’s just tired of having to duct tape your gear to the roof of your Smart Car? Well, sound designer Diego Stocco has a solution for all your gig efficiency needs. It’s called the Experibass, an acoustic totem pole of viola, violin, cello strings, and a double bass body for natural amplification. It can be played staccato, with a bow, or with various found objects (including silverware) for prepared percussion. Check out this rad video below of the inventor demoing his creation. Sounds a lot like the theme to “Lost”, doesn’t it? Imagine what Squarepusher could do with this thing. Not likely to be available at a store near you.

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Indian Jewelry Makes Like Horseshit and Hits the Trail

Published
by
Kenny Bloggins
on September 26, 2009
in News and Rockshows
. Comments

indianjewelry_new Indian Jewelry Makes Like Horseshit and Hits the Trail

Erika Thrasher’s got a lot to smile about, since Houston-based shamanistic noise psych troubadours Indian Jewelry start a healthy string of tour dates tonight in the most beautiful city’s that’s a bitch to bike, San Francisco. Not sure if this new tour means that a new album is in a the works, but this rather comprehensive jaunt is more than satisfactory in itself. I tried to bring Indian Jewelry to Louisville during this leg, but unfortunately they had to agree to the Cincy date (which is okay since the Art Damage Lodge is awesome). You’ve gotta see these dudes live. I’ll probably make the trip myself. They wear tunics, adorn the stage with animal skulls, tin foil, and a Texas state flag, blast flood-level strobe lights everywhere, and keep things evil at all times. The live show is epileptic madness. Plus, the group has solidified an impressive and eclectic collection of support dates, playing with everyone from Kurt Vile and Faust, to !!! and Celebration, to Sword Haven and Psychic Ills. Insane.

9/26 – San Francisco, CA – Independent
9/27 – Los Angeles, CA – The Troubadour
9/28 – Costa Mesa, CA – The Detroit Bar
9/29 – Phoenix, AZ – The Rhythm Room
9/30 – Tucson, AZ – Hotel Congress
10/02 – Lawrence, KS – The Replay Lounge
10/03 – Grinnell, IA – Grinnell College
10/04 – Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle
10/05 – Bloomington, IN – The Bishop
10/06 – Detroit, MI – Museum of Contemporary Art
10/07 – Cleveland, OH – Now That’s Class
10/08 – Poughkeepsie, NY – Vassar College
10/09 – New York, NY – Cake Shop
10/11 – New Haven, CT – Sundazed at Bar New Haven
10/13 – Brooklyn, NY – Glasslands
10/15 – Baltimore, MD – Load of Fun
10/16 – Gambier, OH – Horn Gallery at Kenyan College
10/17 – Cincinnati, OH – Art Damage Lodge
10/18 – Atlanta, GA – Eyedrum
10/19 – Mobile, AL – Alabama Music Box
10/22 – Austin, TX – Club DeVille
10/23 – Houston, TX – TBA

The boys and girls made a commercial advertising their “Live Music” tour. I think it captures their music well. Especially the clip of the Oregon Trail-style caravan fording the river.

MP3 :::
Indian Jewelry – Nonetheless

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Philly’s Problem Child Readies His Master Work

Published
by
Michael Hansen
on September 25, 2009
in MP3
. Comments

childish prodigy
After a few years of service in The War on Drugs, Philadelphia based songwriter Kurt Vile soldiered on as a one man outfit, self-releasing his personal brand of trenchant psych-tinged folk (or perhaps vice-versa) up until last year’s Constant Hitmaker. An equal disciple of both Neil Young and R. Stevie Moore, Vile’s amalgamation of influences afforded him a sleeper following, and a couple good label offers. Now, with a decent amount of buzz generated, and a recent signing with Matador, Vile is set to present his new full-length Childish Prodigy.

Tighter than his previous releases, or as he puts it, “less slackery,” this album is arresting in both its’ musical scope and bravado. Vile’s soon-to-be-signature croon, a bourbon-soaked Avey Tare impression with a shot of impenetrable confidence, steers and unites these 11 compositions. True, “prodigy” is a tall order, but I am having a lot of trouble finding a bad, or at very least insincere song on this LP. “Blackberry Song,” is a modern gem of AM pop. Like a decaf Ariel Pink, this folk tune is saturated in warm ektachrome colors, slowing thawing out. And when Vile goes for broke, it’s equally entrancing. The epic “Freak Train.” almost 8 minutes in length, reams like a hellbent drifter, and the fact that it all occurs over a locomotive drum machine beat makes it that much harder to pin down to any cursory music scene. The hypnotic Kraut-rock momentum, fiercely navigated by Vile’s warm howl, is as infectious as anything else to come out recently.

Gentle fingerpicking, bright tonal sprays of analog synths, and an impeccable ear for vocal melody holds every song on Childish Prodigy to the same high standards as the ones championed here. If my objectivity on this one seems feigned, well, that’s because it is. Such a tactful, researched, and persuasive statement as this is a rarity.

Childish Prodigy is available on Matador records October 6th, pre-order includes free bonus 7″.

For Fans Of: Ganglians, Woods, The War on Drugs

MP3 :::
Kurt Vile – Freak Train
Kurt Vile – Blackberry Song

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[Bootleg] Lotus Plaza Plays Live in Atlanta

Published
by
Kenny Bloggins
on September 25, 2009
in MP3 and Rockshows
. Comments

Lotus+Plaza+lockettpundt2 [Bootleg] Lotus Plaza Plays Live in Atlanta

You may remember in our interview with Mr. Lockett Pundt last spring that he said he may play live, and if he did, he would try it in front of friends in Atlanta. Well, he’s done just that. Mucho propso to the Aquarium Drunkard to getting me hip to this recording from Tuesday night (originally posted at ol’ Bradford’s blog – Internet moves fast, ya’llz).

MP3 :::
Lotus Plaza – Live at the Eyedrum in Atlanta

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Broadcast and The Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age

Published
by
Kenny Bloggins
on September 24, 2009
in Praise and Malaise
. Comments

WARPLP189-Packshot-480 Broadcast and The Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age

Broadcast, in some ways, seem to have followed rather stridently along a solid trajectory. The group started as a quartet firmly planted in haunting ’60s vocal pop and garage ballads, augmented by lightly arranged vintage atomic age samples and Trish Keenan’s silky and distant vocals. The latter was, of course, the only thing that ever remained consistent, as Broadcast became more divergent through the years, ending with 2005’s glitchy, noisy, electronics-heavy and cosmically surreal Tender Buttons.

Perhaps it is simply a new direction or the influence of Julian House from The Focus Group on this latest effort, but Witch Cults of the Radio Age acts as the bridge between the organic retro-futuristic pop of Work and Non-Work and the more chaotic latter repertoire, with extra ornate instrumentation courtesy of House. This is a spooky, gorgeous record, and probably the most accessible effort from the “library music” camp (i.e. the Ghost Box/Mute/Warp family that both samples and draws inspiration from the classic BBC Radiophonic Workshop – see Barry 7’s Connectors and the Ghost Box site for additional reference).

With the exception of Keenan’s contributions that channel Margo Guryan and The United States of America, it’s hard to distinguish where Broadcast ends and The Focus Group begins, other than the weirdo samples that House is wont to incorporate into his instrumentals (including a slew of Conet Project snippets, which is major thumbs up). The collaboration is seamless and refreshing, and has added to an extremely strong addition to the nearly flawless curriculum vitae for both Broadcast and The Focus Group. I’m not sure if I feel this way because I’ve been listening to the same Broadcast catalog for four years and this disc is new, but Witch Cults of the Radio Age might just be my favorite Broadcast release thus far. Hence, I’m getting very excited for the full length due out on Warp some time next year.

No need to give Broadcast and The Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age our normal rating or any of that jive. This is absolutely essential listening that earns its one billion smiling Donald Fagens. It’s total insanity.

You can purchase the digital release right now at Bleep, and/or grip the physical release on October 26. Get on it!

POSSIBLY RELATED :::
Praise Ye Jehova… Broadcast is Back in Action

MP3 :::
Files removed per request

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Scandanavians Do Shoegaze Right (Again) – Introducing Joensuu 1685

Published
by
Kenny Bloggins
on September 23, 2009
in MP3
. Comments

l_d9c67b76407641c0b2c9ccef263941f5 Scandanavians Do Shoegaze Right (Again) - Introducing Joensuu 1685

Been totally missing Serena Maneesh as of late. Not sure what they’ve been up to or if they’re still together or if they really dig their day jobs or what, but it’s been a minute since their eponymous record dropped. Regardless, lots of other groups pick up that slack. Joensuu 1685 is one of the best and most accurate interpreters of the bunch. Their cover of The Boss’ “I’m on Fire” captures Bruce’s grandiose battle for the working man, then noises it the fuck up with scary walls of sound. The dude’s ten minutes long, too. I’m excited to explore more of their catalog…

Joensuu 1685 have a rad blog here with lots of pretty gorgeous photos and trippy videos.

MP3 :::
Joensuu 1695 – I’m On Fire

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