Seefeel are an extraordinary, epoch-defining band, a group which one often finds name-checked in the write-ups of other essential music. Their debut album is a groundbreaking masterwork that exists far outside of time.
Month: April 2009
Terry Riley – A Rainbow In Curved Air
I’ve previously referred to this compositional wizard. Finally, an elucidation: Terry Riley is one of the founding fathers of modern minimalism and, more subtly, inspiration to myriad genres and generations of popular music since his first groundbreaking compositions. I’m here to share my love for A Rainbow In Curved Air
So I’m sharing this landmark recording. The title cut is an unequivocal masterpiece. Anyone speaking otherwise is obviously ‘out of their element’ and should, by all means, give it a listen. There isn’t much to write in the way of a description, other than noting that this recording is analogous to a profound dream: deeply affecting, nuanced, beautiful, yet devoid of concrete meaning. The feelings evoked are an end unto themselves. These sounds are subconscious and natural. This composition is eternal.
Just listen.
[purchase at amazon and rejoice. thank me later]
Tanlines
Tanlines are sort of a mystery to me. But these aren’t the kind one gets from passing out on the beach – this one makes indellible instrumental sunny tropical dance music like so:
Basically, these two songs are uplifting, energetic, summery, and addictive. Short on time, these tracks are tall on feeling and instinctually catchy rhythm. Give it a spin and see for yourself.
And Tanlines, to give you more info (available on their myspace), have remixed tracks by the likes of Telepathe, El Guincho, and The Tough Alliance.. if that gives you a hint. Hopefully it also whets your appetite. This is a good discovery waiting for you to make it.
[purchase these tunes at Boomkat, and be sure to tell them how much you enjoy the fun sounds.]
Bullion – Young Heartache + Get Familiar
Bullion. Are you familiar?
If not, it’s imperative you become so. Because this guy is going to blow up big time, I guarantee. The reason? He is quickly becoming my favorite new producer, and I’ll relate why.
First of all: the Young Heartache EP
Simply put, these four tracks will blow your fucking mind in less than 15 minutes. There’s no other way about it. Weaving in lush classic pop-tinged (and -sampled) melodies through a romantic vibe reminiscent of early Daedelus, he hints at the impression of none other than a true successor to the Avalanches‘ definitive (and only, so far) LP. Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, but I haven’t felt this way about a record since, well, Since I Left You. This is not to say Young Heartache is on par with my all-time Desert Island record; rather, the potential bursting through every second of this release is unbearable. I cannot wait to hear what he has in store next.
Fifteen minutes is insufficient time with such talent, so with that in mind I present: Get Familiar 7″
Just two tracks and a remix, this will get your heart pumping faster than the previous EP in all likelihood. Spinning a more beat-oriented sound inside of a space-vaccuum atmosphere of spindly synth stabs and trebly claps, the title track slams in such a way that the question, “Why hasn’t some mainstream rapper used/abused this already?” is nigh unavoidable. Next with “Rude Effort,” Bullion absolutely shakes the listener to his core with a calamitous bass shuffle, fist-pumpingly anthemic keys and percussion which leaves absolutely no mystery about the reason behind its title. If nothing else, this track will convince you that I’m not just high when I proclaim forthcoming popularity with this guy.
Of course, it’ll help if people are actually listening and buying these nuggets of pure 24k brilliance. So put on the headphones, drop him a line, get familiar.
[and of course, help make my prediction reality by purchasing his work HERE at Boomkat]
Shogun Kunitoki – Vinonaamakasio
With a name like Shogun Kunitoki, you’d be forgiven for assuming the band is Japanese in origin. Fittingly, they’re scandinavian. These Finnish fellows create a sound which I first described as “Steve Reich using Black Moth Super Rainbow‘s instruments, scoring a Miyazaki film” upon hearing the debut, Tasankokaiku. And truthfully, my silly description still stands tall if you’re familiar with the references. If not, then read on.
This band takes elements of the strain of minimalism exemplefied by Terry Riley and later, Steve Reich – but the influence is exactly that: an element of the sound. The album is full of defiantly fleshed-out songs with structure and mood shifts, beginnings and endings. The instrumentation is refreshingly lived-in, with warm analog synths and the unprogrammed appeal of live percussion. The atmosphere is pure 60’s sci-fi and lounge wrung through a modern sensibility which betrays the artists’ hindsight and ingenuity; in other words, this music doesn’t simply coast on the preconditioned atmosphere moog tones and synth squeals conjure – it’s pulsing with the (seeming) foreknowledge of punk zeal, bulging fuzzy psychedelic rock acoustics, and a post-rock ache for reinvention of the comfortable and pedestrian.
If you are familiar with the debut album, then you know what to expect when I say it’s more of the same and beyond. In other words, there are no game-changing shifts in approach; this is an update and expansion on the unique slice of sound Shogun Kunitoki have previously carved out for themselves.
And if you’re truly lacking in inspiration, do yourself and the world a favor: go watch Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.
Neil Diamond – Cracklin’ Rosie
There’s not much that needs to be said. This is a clap- and sing-along pop spectacular. Neil often gets a bad rap (and strangely of late, an ironically good one) but if you’re not familiar, cast negative thoughts to the side and indulge. If you are, then you’ve probably already hit play.
Gang Gang Dance – Saint Dymphna
Saint Dymphna is the patron saint of those who suffer from mental illness. You can find all manner of pop-pyschology diagnoses relating the unique title choice to this indisputable masterpiece of an album, from the lowliest myspace blog to the glossiest of mainstream magazines; I feel that talking about the music itself is probably more relevant.
Optimistic Underground 