Fennesz

"Endless Summer" by Fennesz
Ambient/Glitch Mego 2001, 2006 Re-Issue



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Fennesz's sound is so deep and expansive that in most songs the listener can mentally visualize a shape for the song. Most songs ending up being quite spherical in shape, while others have expressive indescribable shapes.

Endless Summer is a feat in solo electronic composition, showing such a range in sound and a finesse in structure.

Fennesz shows us all how meticulous composition and production mixed with a few simple musical arrangements can deliver sounds that are as profound as they are varied. This is especially prevalent in this album, as Fennesz focuses on more thematic work, with melodies and themes more seen throughout this album than his other efforts.

This a great album for napping to, doing work, wandering around on foot, and driving aimlessly. This album is another one of those albums with so many layers and textures, that it will take many many listens to pick them all out.

Happy Listening

For Listeners Of: Tim Hecker, Oval, Belong, Andrew Weathers, Alvanoto, William Basinki, Microstoria, So, SND, Pan Sonic, Ryoji Ikeda, Brian Eno, Steve Reich

Emeralds

"Solar Bridge" by Emeralds
Drone/Ambeint Hanson 2008



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Emeralds seems to be the giant right now in the newer underground Ambient Drone world. It seems everything I read and see says things like "this is some great drone, but it doesn't touch Emeralds". This reputation is what made me gravitate to this here group.

Boy was I amazed.

Upon first listen to Solar Bridge, I was immediately impressed by the ambient wall of sound the opening (1 of 2 tracks actually) song "Magic" gave me. Much like my first listen to Loveless, I was already excited to keep listening over over again to discover new layers of sound within this gargantuan sound.

What is great about Emeralds though is their track lengths, Solar Bridge contains two tracks "Magic" and "Quaking Mess". Each track may be long by conventional standards, but song length such as this gives the listener time to listen and get wrapped up in the sound and forget time itself. What is also important about long running songs is actually getting the time to study the sound and listen to each layer, compared to traditional songs where you listen for three minutes to so many different parts that you can miss a whole lot.

For Listeners Of: My Bloody Valentine, Infinite Body, Lovesliescrushing, Andrew Weathers, Full Spectrum Records, Remora, Silber Recordsm, Sun O))), Mark McGuire, Steve hauschildt, Oneothrix Point Never, Skyramps, Robedoor, Sam Goldberg, the sounds of a car driving on a highway

Andrew Weathers

"A Great Southern City" by Andrew Weathers
Ambient Drone Full Spectrum Records 2010



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Now, here I have the newest album from Andrew Weathers, the Greensboro based ambient artist creating what could be interpreted as an album dedicated to Greensboro itself. Which would not be out of the question, as Greensboro is indeed A Great Southern City.

Andrew Weathers is known for his stellar minimalist compositions, as found in previous albums In Gold and . In this album though, he throws some new weapons into the mix. Those being acoustic guitar, some strings, and, most welcoming, a few vocals. What this culminates to is an engaging, accessible romp through folk, ambient, noise, and drone.

The album starts with "Anchor", a track mostly composed of acoustic guitar that welcomes the listener into the album's sonic abode. This then goes smoothly into the next piece, "Dusty Summer Ghost"a smooth 9 minute ambient piece. What is to note here especially is the fantastic production work, akin to yesterday's Atlas Sound album.

The track that stands out to me is the third track "First Front Porch Brooklyn". This song perfectly integrates the folk aspects with the ambient style. The textures work well together in creating moments that are some of the most intricate on the album.

What makes this album standout is its variety in sounds. It varies from sounding like acts like Charalambides, to Atlas Sound, to Infinite Body. But through this trekking, one never loses a sense of Weathers. Comforting also are the sparse vocals, reminding the listener of humanity's existence; as it's always easy to forget everything with ambient music this good.

For Listeners Of: Emeralds, Charalambides, Atlas Sound, Vacation Dad, M. Pyres, Non Horse, Sky Limousine, Grouper, Infinite Body, and Endless Endless Endless, stop/eject, Fira Fem, Acid of All Ruins, Pushmi-Pullyu, Rogaland Hot Club

Atlas Sound

"Weekend EP" By Atlas Sound
Ambient Self Released 2007



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This is the very album that got me into slow, ambient music. This concept album is put out by Atlas Sound, the solo project of the famous Bradford Cox, prominent for his work in Deerhunter, his work with Panda Bear, and for Atlas Sound itself.

What is so great about this album, and what gives a good identity for a gateway ambient album is how engaging it is on most levels. Firstly, I was immediately drawn to it because of the track listing, which goes as follows:

1. Friday Night We Took Acid and Laid on Matt's Bedroom Floor Staring at His Ceiling Fan While His Parents Watched T.V. Downstairs (7:28)
2. Saturday Night We Went Swimming And There Was A Light In The Water (7:07)
3. Sunday Evening We Relaxed In Our Rooms and Called Each Other on the Phone (13:36)

Friday Night is achieved through it's slow repetitive nature. The Ceiling fan is a interestingly achieved through a constant rhythmic tone that seems circular. What also adds to it is the atmospheric yet unintelligible vocals. These represent to me aimless friend to friend banter.

Saturday is the track I find to be perfectly pulled off. The shimmering distant sounds give the perfect sense of water and swimming. The whole song uses very warm, friendly tones that express a sense of friedship and even the "Light In The Water."

Sunday night is just as good and I will leave its enjoyment to yourself, as I don't wanna tell you what exactly to enjoy, that's not the point.

Happy Listening

For Listeners of: Infinite Body, Deerhunter, Panda Bear, Sigur Ros, The Antlers, Andrew Weathers, Emeralds

Infinite Body

"Carve Out The Face Of My God" By Infinite Body
Ambient Drone Post Present Medium Records 2008



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Infinite Body is the ambient project of a mister Kyle Parker. Infinite Body uses subtle themes within drones to create a compelling relaxing universe, this use of themes is most prevalent in opening track "Dive". "Carve Out The Face Of My God" is a minimalist's digital fantasy.

Thematically, this album expresses veneration, a forgotten elegance, and an intimate sort of retrospective perspective on live. It achieves these through crooning, digital legato strings, distorted vocal drones, and great song composition. For an ambient album, the songs are pretty short (but pretty accessible) with two songs clocking in at seven minutes and the rest no more than three minutes, save the 5:31 "Dive". What this does is give the album variety, not choppiness like one would expect having heard other bands long sound scape albums (See Emeralds Solar Bridge).

Infinite Body creates an interesting aesthetic that is reminiscent of both dawn and dusk. The album starts with a strong dawn aesthetic with what is evocative of the sun rising and early morning laziness. Around the 4th track, it fast forwards to a dusk-drenched sound present in a slowly darkening sound.

At times, this album even touches on the swirling analog synth beauty of the great Boards Of Canada. Words says that Infinite Body creates a better live experience than studio efforts can express. This simple fact scares me.

For Listeners Of: Emeralds, Atlas Sound, Vacation Dad, M. Pyres, Non Horse, Sky Limousine, Grouper, Andrew Weathers, and Endless Endless Endless

Dilute

"Grape Blueprints Pour Spinach Olive Grape" by Dilute
Math Rock/Post-Rock 54 40' or Fight 2002



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Dilute fills the space between American Football and Hella in the audio spectrum, with calm spindly angular guitar with very relaxed moments to loud energetic moments as well. This band has wonderful dynamics.

Also, what Dilute does that bands like Hella don't do is expand the repertoire to a full band, where Hella is two members, Dilute is several members. The singing is also wonderful, with Marty Anderson (famous for his side project Okay) singing with his creepy yet still intimate voice. This album is worth many a listen. I recommend mostly for when working on something that needs focus. It's just repetitive enough to get lost in but dynamic enough to casually enjoy and not have to think about.

For Listeners Of: Hella, Don Caballero, Lightning Bolt, Dilute, Maps and Atlases, ughgod, Tortoise, American Football, anything Zach Hill has ever touched

Hella - Hold Your Horse Is

"Hold Your Horse Is" by Hella
Math Rock 2002 5 Rue Christine



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Hold your horse is as seamless and smooth as math rock can get, with great track to track transition.

Starts with blippy intro song "The D. Elkan" and jumps right into "Biblical Violence." Right at this point, you know exactly what to expect for the rest of the album, impossibly fast, equally as ridiculous, alternative meter drumming with angular math guitar. Just like Zach Hill's drumming, the album does not have one boring or resting point. The entire album is an assaulting pleasure on the ears of any ADD member of our generation.

Hella's songwriting approach seems like a foray into the mind of a distracted virtuoso musician, with theme after them coming and going. Sometimes brilliant themes that a normal musician would use for a whole song are introduced and thrown aside in thirty seconds time.

Hella is true talent mixed with a fun-loving, energetic approach. Sometimes after listening to a Hella song you even have to catch your breath.

For Listeners Of: Don Caballero, Lightning Bolt, Dilute, Maps and Atlases, ughgod, Tortoise, American Football, anything Zach Hill has ever touched

The Smiths

"The Smiths" by The Smiths
Rough Trade Records 1984




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Some bands that come around and join together are considered perfect bands, The Smiths might just be one of those bands. The perfect combination of music and lyrics came together with Morrissey and Johnny Marr with The Smiths.

Few lyricists match the prowess of the great Morrissey, not also to mention his angelic voice, equally as peerless. Johnny Marr's music is no shorter a feat itself with great arpeggios and chord break downs.

The bands self titled effort in 1984 is a great example of that. Sometimes one must just listen, as a great man once said, "Talking about music is like dancing about architecture."

For Listeners Of: The Cure, Joy Division, Interpol, Bauhaus, Morrissey, The Psychedelic Furs, Echo and The Bunnymen, The Stone Roses, Oasis

Andrew Jackson Jihad

"People That Can Eat People Are the Luckiest People in the World" by Andrew Jackson Jihad
Folk-Punk Asian Man Records 2007



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Angst is a topic covered to a considerable degree across many fields of music. From Neil Young to Wu Tang Clan, angst serves as great inspiration to many musicians. Angst, however, can often breed some of the shittiest music imaginable (i.e Avril Levigne), and so musicians must tread cautiously when approaching the subject matter.
The Arizona duo Andrew Jackson Jihad has found a formula for angst that works wonderfully.... take the inspiration of early American folk (Woodie Guthrie) add in the anger of late 70’s punk and come out with a truly unique album that has you singing along about a Nazi and a rapist living in your heart. People Who Eat People Are The Luckiest People Are The Luckiest People On Earth is the masterpiece for everyone who has ever felt like say “Fuck You” to the world.

But underneath the anger is a sentiment of hope for fellow man, as stated in the song “Personal Space Invader” (which perhaps sums up the album perfectly) “Welcome to this world have as much fun as you would like/While helping others have as much fun as you’re having/Be kind to those you love/And be kind to those you don’t/But for God’s sake you gotta be kind’”.

People Who Eat People is full of catchy songs. From the opening track “Rejoice”, which sets the tone for the anthem perfectly by screaming ”Rejoice despite the fact this world will hurt you/Rejoice despite the fact this world will kill you/Rejoice despite the fact this world will tear you to shreds/Rejoice because you’re trying your best”, . The rest of the album follows suit, keeping the upbeat tempo with the thumping upright bass and aggressive guitar and lends us some gems as “Survival Song,” “No More Tears,” and “People II: The Reckoning” There is no dropping point in this album; it manages to stay strong throughout, making for an almost perfect album.
In conclusion, this album, though being a reprise of common themes and a mixing of genres many consider to be past their prime, manages to usher in a fresh, unique sound. Even if you are not a folk or a punk fan, this album deserves at least one listen.

You May Also Enjoy: Ghost Mice, Those Poor Bastards, Wingnut Dishwashes Union, Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains, Early Electric Bob Dylan.

Greensboro Music Festival

Hey there to any Music fans living in Greensboro or surrounding areas.

If you enjoy music, especially independent music, you should check out this here festival to be happening in the upcoming week in Greensboro, NC. It's focusing on independent composers and their work.

It's called North "Carolina Acoustic Electronic and ElectroAcoustic Student-Run Brand New Music Festival Festival" or NCAEaEAS-RBNMF Festival.

Definitely worth checking out. Catchy title too.


Festival Page

A Tribe Called Quest

"People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" by A Tribe Called Quest
Rap\Hip Hop Jive Records 1989



Download People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm

When first sitting down to research this amazing rap album, I stumbled upon the Wikipedia article and glanced at the genres that A Tribe Called Quest are filed under. Never before have I seen a more appropriate filing. It said:

"Jazz Rap/Golden Age Hip Hop"

Perfect. Nailed It. Good Job Wikipedia. (maybe soon it'll change it to Neo-Classical Metal/Zouk though, knowing Wikipedia)

Anyway, to get to this here album quickly, People's Instinctive Travels is one of the smoothest pieces of rap music I've ever heard. The Tribe consists, on a nuclear level, of Q-Tip, Al Shaheed Muhammad, and Fife Dawg.

What got my attention for this album was the lead single, and most famous Tribe song "Can I Kick It?". Why, yes you can Tribe, yes you can. This song is a great example of the Tribe, featuring great smooth rap poetry, amazing sampling (Lou Reed's Walk On The Wild Side is sampled, possibly my favorite sampling to date), subtly comedic lyrics, and great structure for a rap song.

A Tribe Called Quest is definitely one of the most overlooked rap groups of the early 90's, sometimes overshadowed by rap giants Wu-Tang, Public Enemy and the like.

For Listeners of: Wu-Tang Clan, Public Enemy, Run DMC, NWA, Gucci Mane, Notorious BIG, or Tupac

You Forgot In People

"You Forgot It In People" by Broken Social Scene
Indie 2002 Arts & Crafts



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Sorry for the tiny delay between recommendations, but I've got a great one here for you.

Broken Social Scene (BSS) has been one of the flag bearers of the 00's Indie movement, especially the Canadian sector, that being Stars, Metric, Apostles of Hustle, Feist, and Tokyo Police Club. BSS is a legendary super group of members of all of these bands (except TPC). Sometimes live acts get up to 19 members on-stage, albums reaching even more than that in appearances.

This is the album that brought them to the forefront, and for good reason. "You Forgot In People" is one of those albums that you feel like you need no other albums. Ranging in energies, dynamics, and styles.

Early songs in the album are high energy and catchy songs, "Stars and Sons" and "Cause=Time". The latter half is a more intimate venture through jazz and folk, "I'm Still Your Fag" and "Lover's Spit". Only a few bands in recent musical history mix genres so well but still keep their "sound," the other band that comes to mind is Yo La Tengo.

Another song that really stands out is the "Anthems For A Seventeen Year Old Girl" that features Metric singer Emily Haines singing about the pressures and the "no rest" lifestyle of being a seventeen year old girl while beautifully crafted string arrangements accompany it in the back.

Few bands sound as well crafted and focused as Broken Social Scene, every line sounds intentional and well thought out. With 18 appearing musicians on this album, it's hard to believe that anybody could pull it together quite as well as these guys.

For Listeners Of: Metric, Stars, Feist, Tokyo Police Club, The Strokes, The White Stripes, Indie, Animal Collective