Between two points there is the SPIRIT OF SPACE

As done as it will ever be...

2011-05-29T00:39:00.000-07:00

After what feels like an eternity, I submit the latest in a long line of spirit of space projects:

THE SPIRIT OF SPACE - PLACE TO PLACE

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What is the role of critical thoery?

2011-02-08T21:29:00.000-08:00

Thesis 1: The role of critical theory is the disillusion of reality as it appears.
Inherent in this statement looms the threat of that easily appealed to notion of 'false consciousness'. But this is not the case. It is not the role of critical theory to reveal a 'truth' that is behind the object/objects/totality, but rather to show the very truth of that object itself. The "disillusion of reality" occurs not through a turning away from the appearance, but rather by holding the appearance up to itself.

Thesis 2: The role of critical theory is to take what is given and show what it does not show in its showing; to reveal, or even revel in, how it is that what is shown has come to show itself. And so...

Thesis 3: The role of critical theory is to historicize what appears to be non-historical, eternal, or given.
What does it mean to use this space? Why do I use it? etc.

Outside, passing cars scatter the dark slush, defiling the piles of white.
In the hall, the clicks and pops of feet.
Next door, people talk loudly in several languages.
The house (that is not a house) settles in for the night.
The pipes in the walls clink and clank.
From the inside, the role of critical thinking is to push apart the world by bringing it together.

reflection #1

2011-01-18T22:32:00.000-08:00

it is clear by my profusion of opinions that i have not been very busy. in this moment when i am confronted by the pending tasks at hand, each calling out in its own unique voice, conspiring to create a masterful symphony that sing of (potential) labor, opinions are a luxury. negative critique, even of its self, requires the existence of surplus. but what is this surplus but the surplus labor of leisure, which hides its own parasitism in the guise of a languid pose or its opposite: a frenetic cleaning or arranging that nods along to the notion of "idle hands are the devil's play thing" without recognizing its ideological capacity to ensure the totality of labor.

Quit Hatin' the South (unedited version of MAPH blog post)

2010-10-03T09:29:00.000-07:00

(AJ made me appear like a much better writer there than I am here, or in reality. Scroll down for a link to some audio intended to compliment the post.)

Taking the title of this post from a song off of Port Arthur, Texas’ own UGK (Pimp C & Bun B) album titled Underground Kingz, I come with a gift of sorts. A six-song mix comprised exclusively of rappers from the South (UGK = Houston (Chewston), Texas; Lil’ Wayne = New Orleans, Louisiana; Project Pat/Three 6 Mafia = Memphis, Tennessee (Tennekee); Clipse = Virginia Beach, Virginia).

In a way I am here to enlighten you. Excuse me as I add yet another joke about the material that we read, which sometimes has a tendency to smack of taking this material not as serious as it demands (and David Wray recommends as well it seems). I know that this all sounds patronizing, and I only apologize to the extent that I don’t want the messenger to ruin the message.

I will not stand here (as a digital avatar) and preach that I am an expert on Southern rap music or possess an exhaustive knowledge of the complete history of rap (see: Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop for the history lesson). To quote “Quit Hatin’ the South” one more time as a means of defending my lack of interest in exhaustive knowledge: “There’s some trash in the south, I promise you/from the east to the west, some of y’all [rappers are] garbage too.” I have not heard it all and, in a way, I don’t want to; I cherry pick, though I prefer to call it bricolage.

But for the last year, as I listened and re-listened (and re-listened) to some of these songs, I felt like they called out in their own language with their own metaphysical system (Order of Things as it were); there is an internal logic, and my (continued) goal is to investigate that logic.

Yes, it can be uncomfortable. There is rampant homophobia, misogyny, promotion of illicit activity, including tame things like smoking pot, but also regularly drinking promethazine (‘purple,’ ‘syrup’) whilst operating vehicular units, which clearly is not safe…Oh yea, and the persistent discussion of guns, assault and murder. I clearly do not condone these things and, honestly, part of my interest in this music comes from this fact. The challenge to myself has been to see beyond, or rather to contextualize, those things, to see in what way they work together with other pieces of the music, discussions of employment, external (social) and internal (individual) pressures, etc. to paint a portrait of American life that exists simultaneously with mine. As I clearly don’t represent my life in this way, nor have I had to experience 95% of what they are discussing, I wonder what it must be like to have experienced it…

I feel that this music is indispensible for someone who is attempting to understand the complicated fabric of American society, which is my interest. As a demonstration of the pervasiveness of this music, I have included the first song off of Girl Talk’s Feed the Animals, which opens with Pimp C’s verse from the song “International Players Anthem.” Where as Girl Talk disseminates these rappers and their music by co-opting for musical purposes, I want to do the same, but co-opting it for social theory, hence why I’m at MAPH…Questions/comments, bring ‘em. But try to enjoy the music.

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The Spirit of Space - Sonic Assault

2009-08-26T12:19:00.001-07:00

Oh kiddies! How we have all waited fer this day to come! And by we, i mean the four members of the now disbanded SPIRIT OF SPACE. the basic tracks were recorded in january 2009 with mr. troupe dammage of a certain band called SPEAK (www.myspace.com/hearspeakhere). despite taking way too long, in this humble bloggers opinion, the record is fucking smashing. mr. dammage did a wonderful job bringing together the structured chaos of this music, which i coined "bourgoise punk." give it a listen and tells us we suck. cause it won't matter, we broke up dummy! still...hands down the best spirit of space record of the 10 that have been recorded so far.

THE SPIRIT OF SPACE - SONIC ASSAULT

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Boolar - Found Album (Palindrones)

2009-08-10T13:57:00.000-07:00

Boolar is two friends of mine from Portland, OR. I met them at a coffee shop in NE Portland during a cosmic trip a musician i was working with dragged me on. We ended up recording a few tracks at the old locations of Elliott Smith and Larry Crane's Jackpot Studios, lost touch with each other, then re-connected and ditched the errant tripster. They have always been an inspiration to me, musically and mentally, and I am glad to call them friends. We would randomly jam in their basement and I somehow ended up with one of the tapes. There were a couple co-lab songs on it that I am glad I recovered and digitized, but the real treasure was this previously unheard, slowed down, layered, mostly improvised, ambient, delayed piano music that kept me up all that night and all that winter. I did a bit of mixing and editing and ended up with 4 'movements' out of the whole tape. Really beautiful stuff.

Their website is full of songs, pictures, and recipes. Make sure y'all check it out!

here is the found album

The Woods - Sunlit 7"

2009-08-10T13:40:00.001-07:00

I picked this up at the Woodsist showcase during SXSW. Tour only release, from what I can tell.

'The Dark' has definitely been my favorite single all year.

don't you run in the dark, oh oh oh

The Belleville A Capella Choir - Honor the Lamb

2009-08-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

It's sunday and to celebrate the day the lord rested, let the voices of this a capella gospel group bring the good word into your home and teach you about sundry bible topics like the creation of the world ("creation"), israel ("come on, israel") or being in battle against evil ("on the battlefield for my lord"). spread the love and cheer, a record of christ is finally here! and if thats not enough to convince you, its a part of the alan lomax collection so you know this aint no bullshit...cause its old...

THE BELLEVILLE A CAPPELLA CHOIR - HONOR THE LAMB

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Nancy and Lee - Nancy and Lee/Nancy and Lee Again

2009-08-07T07:27:00.000-07:00

So i'll give you a lil break from all the rock and try to convince you that i have a diverse taste (which is complete bullshit). I got these records a couple of years ago when i went through a MAJOR music swap with an old work friend. i had heard about lee hazelwood from this book i have called "unknown legends of rock n roll" but didnt really pay it any attention. like all hipsters i had heard versions of "some velvet morning" (which is not one of the stronger songs on these two records) and only know nancy sinatra from "these boots were made fer walkin" (written by hazelwood) and that scene in full metal jacket where the girl says "me love you long time."
anyway, upon first listen, i decided these records were the fuckin tits. both examples of hazelwood's awesome song writing and nancy sinatra's interesting voice. plus! lush string arrangements. in my opinion, the second record is better, but the first record is no slouch. "you've lost that lovin feelin" will take you back to all those failed relationships you've had, but still appreciate the tinkling piano line. "greenwich village folk song salesman" is full of 60s topical humor which is always fun!
but where this shit gets really good is "nancy and lee again." starting off with the one of the BEST fucking mini pop operas ("arakansas coal") this record is much less conventional than the first record. by the end of my first listen "down from dover" had me weepin on my knees (just a doode crying to 70s pop...not gay...), "did you ever" motivated me to do a cover with a girlfriend at the time to show both our lack and abundance of love (how indie!), and "tippy toes" made me never wana have kids because lee sounds more like PETERFILE (get it?) than a happy dad...
not only evidence of the fact that lee hazelwood is one of the greatest song writers of the modern era, but also an early example of a vocal duo that really compliment each other. shes got the voice of the ol blue eyes tradition while he made a record called "cowboy in sweden" if thats any indication of where he's comin from. both really classic records that you should hear if you never have not already.

NANCY SINATRA & LEE HAZELWOOD - NANCY AND LEE

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NANCY SINATRA & LEE HAZELWOOD - NANCY AND LEE AGAIN

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Ol' Dirty Bastard - Nigga Please

2009-08-05T09:38:00.000-07:00

In addition to Lil Wayne, ODB is my favorite rapper prolly ever. It's like giving a schizophrenic a microphone. Most of this record doesn't even make sense, especially because he has two vocal takes going at all times and songs pretty much move back and forth between which one seems more cohesive. Still, produced by the Neptunes, this record is pretty sick. And has some pretty great one liners about drugs and girls doing some weird, gross shit and has that one song that we all remember seeing the awesome video for on MTV. Y'll see which one im talking about when you down load this shitttttt.

OL DIRTY BASTARD - NIGGA PLEASE

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(and is that not the coolest album cover?! keep in mind when listening that this doode died with a bag of fucking cocaine IN HIS STOMACH! AND HE DIED OF AN OVERDOSE! shitz intense son...)

Caethua - The Pleasures of Manhood

2009-08-04T10:42:00.000-07:00

Caethua is Clare Hubbard, who is Sports, DBH, and SaxWand Records.

She is a recent obsession ever since I randomly came upon her record, The Pleasures of Manhood, on one of my favorite lo-fi sites. I decided to download it for now particular reason but am now finding out that she is quite a prolific and esteemed artist, with a new double ep, The Long Afternoon of Earth/The Dog-Dayed Night, released from Australia's Preservation Records, which is a record label I have been seeing a lot on the blogs lately, particularly in that they are pretty closely tied to BoomKat, which is a pretty awesome distributor of whatever the fuck medium people want to release shit on, and is a pretty good gauge of how available some of this small pressing stuff is.

I would say that this ep specifically is a good cross section of Caethua song/sound making. I have a few other records of hers and this one bridges between her noise-only stuff (like 'Post-Mortem Lines', the last track), her meditative lo-fi (like the first track, 'I Am Become My World'), and her more singer songwriter side ('A First Breath' and 'To Be a Man').

In general, I would say that this is a really good release from an artist I am continually exploring. I just placed my order for her LP, If the River Dries Up, I May Be Gone for a Long, Long Time, off of Sax Wand, because I also enjoy that release, and it is currently in stock, and likely won't be for very long, considering the way that she is being written about online, and once the US/AU dollar exchange rate is better (1=1.18 right now) I will have to buy a copy of the double ep, too.

I am Become My World

The Presidents of the United States of America - S/T

2009-08-03T19:43:00.000-07:00

Playful rawk, probably the best way to describe this record. This isn't really high brow. They sing about cats and bugs and being naked and shit. They would never fuck yer girlfriend or wear all black. But they do know to fucking bring it. And that's awesome. Plus this was the first CD i ever got, so i got a soft spot for this shit. Bottom line: fuckin awesome record.

THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - (SELF TITLED)

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Postscript: Weird Al's "Gump" is just as awesome as "Lump" AND! the video for "Peaches" a great song in its own right, had them fighting fucking ninjas! WHAT?! Fruit and karate? DOPE!

The Dictators - Go Girl Crazy!

2009-08-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Back when I didn't have as much hair betwixt mine limbs (and I felt like I got laid twice as much), the Dictators (and the Brian Jonestown Massacre...whoops) acted like my role models for how to live life. I felt like this album spoke to me: I also drank coca cola for breakfast, I also felt like I lived for "cars and girls" (less so the cars than the girls), I also fucking loved hamburgers, and technically I also hadn't graduated from high school yet so the line "i never gradeeated from high school" was still applicable. And these guys have the balls to call Lou Reed a "creep." The sound of Jews rockin' nards and talkin' 'bout New York. Give it a listen. Especially if you love mid 70's punk guitar albums. Big (cock) rock. Plus their mascot is a fucking wrestler. This is some pre-WWFEWCWECWWHATEVERTHEFUCK shit so it's totally legit.

THE DICTATORS - GO GIRL CRAZY!

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Eddie & the Hot Rods - Life on the Line

2009-08-01T06:34:00.000-07:00

I hope no matter how pretentious I (am) get, I will always love rock n roll. No matter how into my field of study I get, I want to always appreciate a song that makes me wanna blow up the fucking world. Well luckily my dick still works and I DO like rock music. ALOT! And so I present you with a band that I actually discovered through the Rhino "No Thanks Punk Rebellion" box set. In addition to this band, I would also highly recommend trying to listen to "2-4-6 Motorway" by Tom Robinson Band. Equally fucking awesome.
I am almost definitely going to talk about the opening track of this record in my ensuing philosophical treatise regarding the inherent lack of ethics in our culture...even though these dudes are British...even though I embody most of the sentiments of this song (see: "No one tells you nothing, even though you know they know). sigh. This record is the sound of mid-seventies self empowerment. They thump the shit out of that "this is my life, i'll do whatever i fucking want to" sentiment...that we have since run with and run into the ground. Pretty balls rock though. Double check it out. Yer gonna get hooked.

EDDIE & THE HOT RODS - LIFE ON THE LINE

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Twin Peaks Original Soundtrack

2009-07-29T14:31:00.001-07:00

Definitely into the super wet soft synths with the super dry drumset.
If someone can find the electric piano only version of the Theme Song, I would really appreciate it!

Two
Parts

Y'all!

Twin Peaks Pilot: 'Northern Exposure'

2009-07-29T14:20:00.000-07:00

Some of the best TV.

From Wiki:

Twin Peaks is an American television serial drama created by David Lynch and Mark Frost. The series follows the investigation, headed by Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan), of the brutal murder of a popular teenager and homecoming queen, Laura Palmer(Sheryl Lee). Twin Peaks's pilot episode was first broadcast on April 8, 1990 on the ABC Network, which led to another seven episodes being produced, and a second season, which aired until June 10, 1991. The show was set in a small fictional Washington town. Exteriors were primarily filmed in Snoqualmie and North Bend; most of the interior scenes were shot on standing sets in a San Fernando Valley(near Hollywood) warehouse.

'She's dead, wrapped in plastic.'

Miles Davis - In a Silent Way/Billy Bragg - Life's a Riot with Spy vs. Spy

2009-07-06T23:13:00.000-07:00

Too long. Goodness. To make up for it, I'll post two records. Hopefully you will listen to both of them and continue to validate my taste in music otherwise I'm just another asshole who posts on a website that no one sees (or hears the contents therein). First Imma hit you in yer head:

I shoulda posted this record a long time ago. Ive always tried to convince myself that I was a jazz guy. I went and bought a history of jazz book and read (some of) it. I remember listening to Kind of Blue and thinking I got it (totally didn't and don't but I think its awesome). But this record continues to impress me. Its got Herbie Hancock (yes the same one from the beginning of Black Sheep) on electric piano throwin down some weird-ass ambient keys. Even in the times where it gets pretty a little out there, the drums are layin down this really driving rhythm almost exclussively on the high hat. I know that might seem lame, but don't listen to me, listen to Miles. And ye'll get to feel extra special cause yer prolly a white kid listening to jazz! We are so bohemian!

MILES DAVIS - IN A SILENT WAY

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And now Imma hit you in yer face!

He never got better than this record. I don't care how much you like Mermaid Avenue (which prolly has more to do with yer retarded love for Wilco), this record is too precise not to be into. Just a dude, amp and guitar. And what a guitar player he is! Able to be folky, but totally knowing how to rock (see "Richard" or "The Busy Girl Buys Beauty"). And! Its only an EP so if you don't like it, it's prolly almost over. AND! This shit is crazy British (similar to TV Personalities), which is great because everyone hates America! Plus, I'm positive that once you hear "A New England" (and if you have a soul) yer life will never be the same. This record gave me a heart-on for like a month when I first got it. Check it out!

BILLY BRAGG - LIFES A RIOT WITH SPY VS SPY

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i'm bleedin ole time country!

2009-06-21T16:15:00.000-07:00

I've come into the following Bear Family compilations:
- Louvin Brothers - Close Harmony (8 discs)
- Jimmie Rodgers - The Singing Brakeman (6 disc)

Sorry, but that's a shit ton of country music.

Anyway, posts coming soon...

Television - Adventure

2009-06-08T23:52:00.000-07:00

I had no plans to put this record up, but i love it way too much not to share. Of course everyone loves "Marquee Moon" (cause its awesome and a classic record, duh!), but i think this record is good in a different way. No, it's not as "groundbreaking" and lacks a 10 minute winding song in the middle. But these are not only catchy songs, but contain a really matured pair of guitar players. Verlaine and Lloyd blend their styles in this record in a way that feels a little stylisticallymdifferent from Marquee, but is just as talented and interesting. It's a cool record, plus its only 8 songs so if yer an asshole andy dont like it, its prolly almost over...may as well just hear them out.

TELEVISION - ADVENTURE

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ps - im trying to acquire the 8 disc Louvin Brothers retrospective that was put together by the Bear Label. This company also put together a 12 disc Carter Family retro that contains every song they ever recorded and a 50 page book! So expect some old country music soon! LOTS!

Arvo Part - Alina

2009-06-04T18:19:00.001-07:00

things have felt pretty hectic lately. for me at least. and maybe they have for you as well. so i thought id post something that is very calming. i cant remember how i came across this record (and if any of you out there are responsible, totally step up), but i pretty much instantly fell in love with it. 20th century minimal classical music is kinda the S (see steve reich, philip glass, more obscure people that id just look like an ass for referencing).

simple piano line with some dryyyy violin = think about life a lil bit. the music is pretty emotional, but thats not necessarily a bad thing. check it:

ARVO PART - ALINA
(plus dude's got a little rasputin thing goin on in this picture, which is never bad)

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Lil Wayne Mix

2009-06-02T17:36:00.000-07:00

oh man, ive been lazyyyyy. i dont even know what to post either. so imma give ya something special.

i think all my friends know im a big LIL WAYNE fan. and ive sifted through about 4 of his albums. as in actually listened to them. some of the tracks are sick, some are lame. so im posting a mix of 17 songs that are the dopest. spanning from da drought 3, da drought 6, and carter 3, this is the cream of the crop. like a starter sampler for people who enjoy good rap. what i respect about lil wayne is he wants nothing more than to rap about money and girls and drugs. PLUS! he doesnt write anything down! i love it. this is low brow shit. check it.

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Arthur Russell - World of Echo

2009-05-27T10:05:00.000-07:00

I just watched "Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell" so I thought it would be appropriate to post some of his stuff. Also, talking to someone the other day, I realized that some music nerds still don't know about this guy! It's way too good to be obscure.
Even though this record is a little bit long, I think it rewards repeated, close listening. "World of Echo" is basically a compilation of his more experimental-ish stuff. Mainly distorted cello and reverbed-out vocals, these songs can get pretty out there. Check out: Being It, Soon to be Innocent, Our Last Night Together. They are oddly romantic and emotional (even when you can't understand what he is saying).

ARTHUR RUSSELL - WORLD OF ECHO

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Television Personalities - And Don't the Kids Just Love It

2009-05-26T18:57:00.000-07:00

I got into this album a couple of years ago, but still love it just as much. The lead singer is pretty nuts and was in jail for something or other. I don't know, but you can wikipedia it if need to. Their earlier material is much better than where they go later, especially for people who love simple, snobby punk music. This is their first record, but their first EPs are also pretty sweet.

I think I'd describe this as a punk record, but not like Sex Pistols bullshit. I mean, it has a song about everyone's favorite former Pink Floyd lead singer burnout! Shitz very British, but awesome. Stand out tracks? Um fucking all of them!

TELEVISION PERSONALITIES - AND DON'T THE KIDS JUST LOVE IT

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The KLF - Chill Out

2009-05-26T01:06:00.000-07:00

I think I really wanted to just start a music blog so I could put up the following record. For those who know me, you know I have a kinda retarded love for ambient music. Like listening to some pretty awful, synth-washy shit. But this has to be the very best ambient record I have ever heard. Supposedly it was done in a single take, which is fucking cool (and wicked material for rumors!). It's like Orb's Adventures but it never really kicks in with beats or specific melody lines. Mostly found sound stuff. But anyway, it is fucking awesome. Here's what I'd recommend: chill out and then put on Chill Out, dummy!

THE KLF - CHILL OUT

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The Cramps - Songs the Lord Taught Us

2009-05-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

So I've been considering making this into a music blog for some time, so the other day I went ahead and acquired an account at one of those file uploading things. Here I am, let's make this thing dope. Check back for regular uploads of (hopefully) cool music in a variety of genres.
I've been racking my brain as to what I should put up first. I couldn't figure out anything poetic or approriate, so I thought I would just go awesome. May I present to you:

THE CRAMPS - SONGS THE LORD TAUGHT US

"TV Set" was the first Cramps song I ever heard and I thought it was equally terrifying and hilarious. I think the same goes for the majority of the record. This is their first, and in my opinion, best record. Despite the term being completely lame now, this is a sweet psycho-billy record. There's something here for everyone who likes weird guitar rock, including an anthem for people who actually like to wear sunglasses after dark but hate that gay Cory Hart song about it.

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SXSW

2009-03-22T22:53:00.000-07:00

Bands that are good:

- Pains of Being Pure at Heart

- King Khan and the Shrines

Bands that are bad:

- Yours.

The new Peter Bjorn and John record is almost unlistenable. What happened? Remember when Writer's Block was like really awesome and we whistled "Young Folks" all the time. And they had guitars and shit. Yea, well that's all gone. Replaced with keyboards and shit. The lyrics are not clever and ramble a lot. SUX.

The new YEA YEA YEAS record is pretty sweet. Though they have transitioned towards making electronic-y 80's music, it kind of works. The single "Zero" is actually catchy. Other highlights include "Skeletons." It's basically like "Maps" but with keyboards. Totally worth a listen.

And don't be a h8r...but bands that I'm re-learning to love = Blink 182, Soundgarden (specifically Down on the Upside), Foo Fighters (!!!!), Nirvana, Goo Goo Dolls, Gin Blossoms. That 90's alt shit really knows how to lay it down. I'm appreciating that in this time of people making lame music that's way too sentimental and lacks the rock element. After seeing Pains of Being Pure at Heart, I'm glad to know that people still know how to not only fucking rock, but actually sound good. It's one thing to rawk, it's another to rawk and sound aesthetically accessible.

Lot's of time. Lot's of new music listening going on. BYE.

Summer Reading

2008-08-11T13:16:00.001-07:00

Fiction:
Philip K. Dick - Valis
Vladimir Nabokov - Lolita
Ray Bradbury - Fahrenheit 451
Murakami - The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles
Orwell - Down and Out in Paris and London

Non-Fiction:
Female Chauvinist Pigs
Talking Heads Bio

Dinosaur Jr - Beyond

2008-07-29T14:03:00.000-07:00

Dude! These guys know how to start an album off right. Think back: "Freak Scene" (!!!) to start off Bug, "Feel the Pain" for Without a Sound, and now "Almost Ready" for the most recent Beyond. Now I know this record was released long, long ago in 2007, but I recently acquired it and already think it is fucking awesome. This is an example of a band that, in this humble blogger's opinion, has stayed as good as they were when they first started (maybe even got better). J Mascis still moans about cryptic high school worries (i think...?) and rips some bitchin' solos. Murph still slams. Dinosaur Jr is awesome and could kill your band (and mine). That's it.

I haven't gotten into Jay Reatard, but I saw this quote from him at the recent P-fork Music Fest and feel like it represents Dino Jr, and my sentiment, pretty well (especially in the midst of the sometimes lacking indie music scene): I want to see guitars! I want to see people playing guitars really loud, and I don't know if there's so much of that.

Bonnie Prince Billy - Lie Down in the Light

2008-07-29T13:12:00.001-07:00

A little over a year ago, I wanted to be this guy. I wanted to write gentle folkish/country songs about gender confusion and feeling sad or something. "Brother and Sister" is probably the closest I got to emulating his style. When I went to New York the first time, I listened to nothing but Ease Down the Road. Literally. I have that shit memorized. Superwolf was awesome (in my opinion). Master and Everyone was my muse. I even appreciated "Love Comes to Me" from the excessive, dramatic The Letting Go.

So what happened?

Lie Down in the Light is the newest full length release from Mr. Oldham. To make a long story short, it meanders. Even the songs that have potential end up rambling. Luckily, the strings from the last record are gone, replaced by the more appropriate accompaniment to the folk artist's style. Bare bones guitar, light drums, and the omnipresent steel guitar (and random country female singer). But every song, stylistically and lyrically, ends up with Oldham just singing non-related phrases with sparse guitar strums, which is a shame because "Easy Does It," the record opener, actually has alot of good qualities and is obviously the best song on the album.

It's frustrating to watch all the people who were releasing really amazing material within the last tens years continuing with the careers, but fail to hit anywhere near the power of their previous works (save for one or two songs). But I guess that's the plight of the artist.

Lolita

2008-07-28T08:57:00.000-07:00

was much better than I realized while I was reading it. It truly is one of the most well written books, containing too many clever uses of the English language to even quote. Nabokov is awsesome. Read it.

I'm tired...

2008-07-17T14:00:00.000-07:00

of beards. (and people with beards in bands (aka bearded bands))

of country music influenced bands. (and indie country/americana/neo-folk etc)

of blues guitar players.

of uncreative indie music. (aka "experimental pop" or whatever)

of music that is cute.

of beeps and boops.

of the same old shit.

Lil Wayne - Tha Carter 3 Review

2008-07-16T09:42:00.000-07:00

So I got a copy of Lil Wayne - Tha Carter 3 from a bit torrent (right before I got a virus for trying to download Civilization 4). I realized it was missing one song, but I feel like I got a good feel for the record after a couple of listens. The first criticism, which is common with most rap records, is that this record is too long at 16 songs. It has a lot more slow jams then I thought it would. Maybe I got used to the pacing of Clipse or something, but the best songs on the record ("Mr. Carter," "A Milli") are faster paced with Lil Wayne spitting more creative verses. For instance, "Mr. Carter," the verse about the various reasons that the seasons of the year dislike him is probably the most creative lyrical moment on the whole album. Kayne West's song are consistently disappointing, structurally and lyrically. They lean toward sounding like updated Boyz 2 Men songs or something. Blah. However, the David Banner produced songs are creative and interesting. The chop/skrwd chorus on "La La" makes this song sound the most thugged out. Despite the weak lyrical content on "Dr. Carter," the jazz/funk musical accompaniment sounds similar to the first track on Histoire de Melody Nelson by Serge Gainsbourg, which makes the song instantly interesting. The album is plagued with auto-tuned vocals and wanna be club hits (see the chorus of "Got Money").
I don't think this record lives up to all the hype it has been getting. Not even "Lollipop" was that entertaining. Auto-tuned vocals and a chorus repeated a million times is pretty obvious. After listening to this a couple of times, I definitely would not place Lil Wayne in the best rappers ever category. He is not as good as UGK or Clipse or Nas. Lil Wayne's ratio of slamming songs to not so slamming is weak. If you listen to "Mr. Carter," "A Milli," "Phone Home," and "La La," you could save yourself a lot of time and a lot of slow jams.

#1

2008-02-14T13:59:00.000-08:00

I have a lot to say about a lot of things. Most of them are very pretentious and boring. You shouldn't waste your time...and neither should I.

thespiritofspace.