30.6.10

Einstürzende Neubauten - 09-15-2000, Brussels


2002; 22 tracks


I used to really dislike live albums for some odd reason, but after hearing Coil's ...And the Ambulance Died In Their Arms, I knew that live albums were really amazing. As my friend put it, they are "intimate snapshots into a moment in time that cannot be recreated." Many things go into a live performance, sometimes things that didn't exist during a recording session, so the effects are always interesting, varied, and unique. This record of performances, I feel, is one of the closest and most intimate looks at Einstürzende Neubauten.

After giving 9-15-2000, Brussels a few good listens, I might say that this is one of (if not my absolute) favorite Einstürzende Neubauten album(s). It is a live performance of the band in Brussels, Belgium (duh), and it features songs from various other EN albums. I really love this version of "Der Schacht von Babel," originally on their album Ende Neu. I highly recommend this live album to fans of the group who wish to get a closer look at the people behind the amazing music.


Download.
+ Tracks 5 and 10.

Altorių Šešėliai - Margi sakalai


2007; 10 tracks


I've already done a post for Altorių Šešėliai's demo because I thought it was his best, but I feel like this album deserves some serious respect as well. A few tracks here remind me of Empyrium, but Altorių Šešėliai's are quite a bit less gloomy/doomy. There are plenty of soft neofolk sections, such as on "Gelsvas mėnuo III" - flute, acoustic guitar, running brooks - but the atmospheric black metal sections are what make me love this album.

From Metal-Archives:

"Avinpapis’ true strength lies in his skills of composition. While the songs presented on Margi Sakalai are all quite simple, their draw lies in the subtle changes in mood which he is able to create through slight tempo, riff or drumming changes, each one of which adds another layer onto the music and the atmosphere. Avinpapis’ vocals also add quite a lot to the feeling of the album, always maintaining a low-fi growl which seems to just float on the music and become part of the atmosphere, rather than ever being intrusive or overpowering which wouldn’t work in such a mellow album.

This is the perfect album for going to sleep to. It is just a beautiful, laid-back 45 minutes of music, which is able to transport you to rain-soaked fields and forests, thick scrubland, misty moorlands or wherever you let it if you’re feeling so inclined to go on transcendental nature journeys."

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Akron/Family & The Angels of Light - Akron/Family & The Angels of Light Split


2005; 12 tracks


This is a split between The Angels of Light and Akron/Family - two very talented groups. I personally like Michael Gira performing the Angels of Lighttracks the most, but the entire album has a very southern feel, if that makes any sense.... There are moments where it feels straight out of Their Eyes Were Watching God or something. In this magical split are moments of soft, pensive, and acoustic gentleness - others of communal song and richness. There is something very special about this EP, and I feel like it might be one of the better releases from The Angels of Light. I didn't know much about Akron/Family previous to hearing this split, but their performance of the tracks here (written by Gira) is very strong and full of life. If you didn't know, The Angels of Light is a project started by Michael Gira after he disbanded Swans. Some say that this project shows a more feminine side of Gira that you couldn't very well see in Swans... in any case, I love The Angels of Light and this is an awesome release by them (and Akron/Family too >.<).

Here is what Michael Gira himself had to say:

"A week after an extended US Tour and a few shows in Europe Akron/Family and I went into the studio and recorded this album straightaway. Everything was recorded live, with a few overdubs - mixed and finished in nine 8-hour days. Akron/Family is my favorite "Rock Band" in the universe (or "rock-related band" - something like that!). They generate such pure JOY, coupled with a wild sense of constant invention, that it's impossible not to get sucked into their weird world of sonic chaos, then gorgeous vocal harmonies, then march-of-the-crazed-clowns with ever-escalating psychedelic mantra crescendos, then country stomps, then genuinely touching plaintive, atmospheric songs, then extended improvisations, then into some kind of Beatles meets Beefheart backwoods midnight incantation ("Raising The Sparks" - a song that never fails to get the audience whooping like suddenly zapped and enlightened idiots) - and on and on.

Also contained on this album are 5 songs performed by me, with Akron/Family serving as (my) Angels of Light. They have an uncanny ability to step into the world of the songs I wrote (also covered here is Bob Dylan's "I Pity The Poor Immigrant²) - without imposing their own aesthetic - and lift them up to something beyond what I could have initially imagined. I've never had a better backing band, ever. I hope you enjoy this record!"

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COLTEMONIKHA - COLTEMONIKHA


2009; 7 tracks


Last night I started listening to Coltemonikha and thought it was a Capsule/Perfume clone (the man from Capsule is actually in Coltemonikha) but... I was wrong :3 This mini-album is actual proof that Japan has some of the most amazing electro/technopop in the entire world. I think the reason for this is the cute vocals (Listen to "Communication"), and of course the wonderful Capsule-like electronics in the background. This is a really cute, fun, and endearing album.

Oh my god!

27.6.10

Zero Kama - The Secret Eye of L.A.Y.L.A.H.



Zero Kama was a ritual experimental project of Michael DeWitt, the founder of Nekrophile Records. This album is awesome and reminds me a lot of the most early Coil releases... It's very atmospheric and dark, but also very clever and beautiful. The instruments used to create the music is also a testament to their unique sound.. :x


"All instruments to be heard on this album were exclusively made from human bones and skulls by the hand of Zero Kama. They never have been used since the time of its recording, which took place at the Secret Temple of Laylah from 5th to 28th of May 1984 . Remixed at Psychonaut Studio Vienna in November 1987, and dedicated to the symbol of Laylah, meaning night and death, as well as to its numerical equivalent, Oz, a goat or unrestrained sexual force of creation, thus showing the identity of the basic two opposite forces in this generous universe of beauty and strength, in which the Lovers my find ecstasy in Pan. Who wishes to enter this world of darkness, in which the Great Goat dwelleth, may pass through the sigil of Oz given at the front of this Cover.

The Secret Eye Of L.A.Y.L.A.H. was originally released on tape in 1984 by Nekrophile Records (NRC 07). Rereleased on LP in 1988 by Permis De Construire (PER 009) and on CD by the same label in 1991 (PER 023)."

This is the LP version.


1988; 11 tracks


Download.

25.6.10

George Crumb - Vox Balaenae


George Crumb is an American avant-garde composer, born in 1929. His music is among some of the most unique and not retarded avant-garde classical music I've heard. It's extremely atmospheric - and interactive. I'm sure the performers had fun playing these pieces. The music of George Crumb is more difficult to play and decipher than it is to listen to, I think. The instrumentation is a tiny bit complex - many outside tools and instruments aside from the basic piano and string and wood instruments are used in these pieces to create Crumb's desired effect. For example, in Vox Balaenae, Crumb has instructed the piano performer, at certain parts, to pluck at certain strings in the piano while the lid is open, to place a chain on top of the strings while playing so as to create a metallic effect as the hammers hit the strings, as well as to play a key repeatedly while moving the flat head of a chisel up and down a string so as to increase and decrease the pitch of the key, making it sound much like a synthesizer. There are many sounds on this album that I had no idea these basic instruments could make, and the range of effects is purely magical.

This might be one of my new favorite classical albums for sure, (though I am enjoying Camille's 3rd Symphony quite a lot). It is full of life and yet so mystic you feel as though you are passing through a small wooden door into a new, brighter world. Just listen and let yourself be taken away, perhaps for a moment - perhaps for a lifetime, by George Crumb.


2006; 24 tracks

Download.


1-11. Eleven Echoes Of Autumn (Echos 1) for violin, alto flute, clarinet and piano.
12-15. Four Nocturnes (Night Music II) for violin and piano.
16-23. Vox Balaenae (Voice of the Whales) for electric flute, cello and amplified piano.
24. Dream Sequence (Images II) for violin, piano, percussion and glass harmonica.

Performed by the Ensemble Für Neue Musik Zürich.


Vast, lonely, timeless...

Einstürzende Neubauten - Silence is Sexy


2000; 15 tracks


I only recently became interested in Einstürzende Neubauten, but I am so glad I did. I really think they will (or maybe already are) be one of my all-time favorite bands. I've heard 3 other EN albums now, and I'm going to listen to Perpetuum Mobile soon and then try to hear everything else. For some reason, this album remind me a lot of Keith Haring and the contemporay urban art that he did in the late '80s and '90s. I'm not sure why I connected these two things, but I did. >.<

Silence is Sexy is an industrial masterpiece, the only one of it's kind.

My favorite songs are "Beauty," "Die Bifindlichkeit Des Landes," "Redukt," and "Total Eclipse of the Sun."

Beauty remains in the impossibilities of the body.

22.6.10

Camille Saint-Saëns - Piano Concertos 1-5, Wedding Cake Caprice-Valse, "Africa" Fantaisie


2005; 16 tracks


Jean-Philippe Collard performs as the pianist in these stunning Saint-Saëns piano concertos. The orchestral music is performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by André Previn.

Piano Concerto Op. 17, No. 1 in D Major
I. Andante - Allegro assai
II. Andante sostenuto quasi adagio
III. Allegro con fuoco

Piano Concerto Op. 22, No. 2 in G minor
I. Andante sostenuto
II. Allegro scherzando
III. Presto

Piano Concerto Op. 29, No. 3 in E-flat Major
I. Moderato assai - Allegro Maestoso
II. Andante
III. Allegro non troppo

Piano Concerto Op. 44, No. 4 in C minor
I. Allegro moderato - Andante
II. Allegro vivace - Andante - Allegro

Piano Concerto Op. 103, No. 5 "Egyptian" in F Major
I. Allegro animato
II. Andante - Allegretto tranquillo quasi andantino
III. Molto allegro

"Wedding Cake," caprice-valse for piano & strings in A-flat Major, Op. 76, No. 3 - Molto allegro

"Africa," Fantaisie for piano & orchestra in G minor, Op. 89


Part 1.
Part 2.

Luc Arbogast



This is definitely medieval music, and it's very true to form. Luc Arbogast uses something called a Irish bouzouki, which has a similar sound to a mandolin, mixed with a banjo. This music reminds me much of Lord of the Rings. Luc Arbogast's music, according to Last.fm, "is inspired by medieval France and the farming tradition." Apparently, he also "unites melancholy and spirituality." This is a pretty interesting aspect to this unique musician - maybe you should take a look at the lyrics... wherever they are. Oh yeah, the album covers are pretty ghey. Doesn't necessarily mean the music is.


Domus


2004; 13 tracks

Download.



Hortus Dei


2007; 12 tracks

Download.



Aux Portes de Sananda


2009; 12 tracks

Download.

21.6.10

Camille Saint-Saëns - The Carnival of the Animals & Symphony Op. 78, No. 3 in C Minor, "Organ Symphony"


2006; 17 tracks
Alberto Lizzio, Hanspeter Gmur / Munich Symphony Orchestra & South German Philharmonic


Camille Saint-Saëns was a Romantic composer of classical music from France. His music, as shown here in his symphonic suite The Carnival of the Animals as well as his Symphony No. 3, is extremely whimsical and yet very grandiloquent. His structural advantages are that his music is very lighthearted and friendly-sounding, especially in Carnival. The Symphony is an extremely grand, rich, and majestic piece - one that I had the pleasure of hearing performed live this past winter. It is an amazing piece, as well as all of the enjoyable movements of Carnival.

Download.

Véronique Gens - Nui D'Étoiles (Mélodies Françaises)


2000; 27 tracks


This is an amazing album of perfectly gorgeous French songs, or pieces for the voice + instrument, sung by Véronique Gens. My favorite is the Gabriel Fauré Clair de Lune. I played the piano part a few years ago when I was 12, and my mom played the flute. She's gone now... I can only think of her when I hear that piece sung, and Gens is so magnificently ethereal that I nearly always get tears to my eyes, and chills to my skin. This is an amazing collection of French songs sung by a beautiful French operatic singer.

Gabriel Fauré
1. Après un rêve, Op. 7, No. 1
2. Sylvie, Op. 6, No. 3
3. Au bord de l'eau, Op. 8, No. 1
4. Lydia, Op. 4, No. 2
5. Le papillon et la fleur, Op. 1, No. 1
6. Mandoline, Op. 58, No. 1
7. Clair de lune, Op. 46, No. 2
8. Les berceaux, Op. 23, No. 1

Claude Debussy
9. Trois Chansons de Bilitis, I. La flûte de Pan
10. Trois Chansons de Bilitis, II. La chevelure
11. Trois Chansons de Bilitis, III. Le tombeau des Naïades
12. Fêtes Galantes, I. En sourdine
13. Fêtes Galantes, II. Fantoches
14. Fêtes Galantes, III. Clair de lune
15. Nuit d'étoiles
16. Beau soir
17. Fleur des blés
18. La Belle au bois dormant
19. Noël des enfants qui n'ont plus de maison

Francis Poulenc
20. Banalités, I. Chanson d'Orkenise
21. Banalités, II. Hôtel
22. Banalités, III. Fâgnes de Wallonie
23. Banalités, IV. Voyage à Paris
24. Banalités, V. Sanglots
25. Deux Mélodies de Guillaume Apollinaire, I. Montparnasse
26. Deux Mélodies de Guillaume Apollinaire, II. Hyde Park
27. Les chemins de l'amour

Download.

20.6.10

Six Organs of Admittance - School of the Flower


2005; 8 tracks


Six Organs of Admittance is an experimental folk band, founded by Ben Chasny, in 1988/northern California. This album is extremely delicate and all the while intense. There are some really nice acoustic parts in this album. Most notable might be the ending track, "Lisboa," which is a very beautiful guitar lullaby. As if that weren't enough, there are also obvious drone/noise influences in this album, ranging from Sunn O))) to Fushitsusha.

"School of the Flower is one of those rare, understated but compulsive collections you'll want to listen to on repeat until it's time to blow out the incense, dump the wine in the sink, and step fuzzy-headed into the imperfect sunlight of the prosaic, but suddenly potentially transcendent world."

Download.

Autumn's Grey Solace - Over the Ocean


2004; 12 tracks


I've really been meaning to put this amazing album up for a long time, but I sort of put it off in search of new music. Now, I'm re-listening to it, and I really must post it. Autumn's Grey Solace is a dream-pop/shoegaze band from the United States. Out of their entire discography, I believe that this album, Over the Ocean, is their greatest, most flawless album. It encompasses pretty much everything I believe a dream-pop album should - the ethereal eloquence of a beautiful female voice, along with the natural elements of the ocean and the soft mandolin in the background.

The most amazing thing about this album, however, is the final track. "Over the Ocean." It is without a doubt one of the most stunning pieces of music I have ever heard in my life - come enjoy it with me pls.

Sinking into my bed,
Hoping to be left behind

19.6.10

Blut aus Nord - Memoria Vetusta II: Dialogue with the Stars


2009; 9 tracks


Blut aus Nord is a black metal band from France, formed in 1994. This is their 7th full-length, and it is beautifully atmospheric. In terms of "black metal," this is definitely a breath of fresh air.

"Memoria Vetusta II: A Dialogue With The Stars is a magnificently produced album with justice being done to every aspect of the music, especially the riff. The riffs themselves are plenty in number and come in all shapes and sizes which swing through diverse moods and tempos. Lots of ideas are flirted with including a variety of acoustic/clean guitars parts, keyboard-heavy atmospheric melodic passages, menacing thrash-inclined chug based riffs, dissonant hanging chords and spaced out psychedelic solos along with other oddities. Doesn’t sound like the black metal you know? Don’t jump too far ahead for the core of the album is made of unsympathetic, blast-beat driven, tremolo picked riffs consisting of odd meters and an unhinged notion of darkness.

A characteristic sense of twisted melody is prevalent throughout, serving as the backbone of the album – a distinctive skill achieved by very few bands (I’m looking at you Summoning and Septic Flesh). Many purists may believe that the term ‘melodic black metal’ is a perfect example of an oxymoron. But I urge all of them to listen to Memoria Vetusta II: A Dialogue With The Stars and truly experience what ‘melodic’ black metal is all about."

Download.

18.6.10

Voice of the Seven Woods - The Journey EP


2008; 6 tracks


This is an amazing EP by Voice of the Seven Woods, now known as Voice of the Seven Thunders. It's the folk/acoustic project of Rob Tomlinson. The Journey is 6 tracks of acoustic perfection - really, I can't believe how beautiful it is. My favorite track might be "3am, Home".. It reminds me of sleeping in for hours and hours ^_^

Breaking Moonlight

Thränenkind - Eine Momentaufnahme - Der Rest ist nur Einsamkeit


2008; 5 tracks


This is Thränenkind's debut demo, (Self-released), and it's really great. It's post-rock influenced black metal from Germany, with depressive/suicidal tendencies. There are many soft parts and many Gris-like parts, which make this a very interesting demo for sure.

"The sound of Thranenkind is that of most Post-Black Metal bands, droning, repetitive guitar lines interspersed with short interludes of atmospheric clean strummed guitar. While the band does nothing new in terms of style, the two members of the group Nathaneal (guitars/bass/vocals) and Pesten (drums) obviously have great skills in terms of song-writing, with Eine Momentaufnahme - Der Rest ist nur Einsamkeit clearly being a highlight album in the burgeoning Post-Rock influenced sect of Black Metal.

Another great aspect of the album is the contrast between songs with a depressive atmosphere and songs with a joyous atmosphere, giving the album great variety. One can only be doing themselves a favor by this acquiring this excellent demo and start following the progress of Black Metal's soon to be most prolific band."

That's a pretty dumb review, but I think it gives a good introduction to what this band's about. Thränenkind's demo is awesome.

Download.

17.6.10

Claude Debussy



Claude Debussy is often credited with being a pioneer in "Impressionist" music, but it is scarcely fitting to label his music without having any introduction to this unique composer's background, his environment (personally and historically), as well as his personality. He was born in France in 1862, and went on to become one of the most popular composers EVER. Believe me, many people who have never given classical music a listen still know who Debussy is. (Is this because of his music's demeaning appearance in Twilight? Perhaps). Anyways, the music of Debussy "established a new concept of tonality in European music," according to Réti. He not only deviated from the more Romantic tonal styles of his time, but he also helped move the classical music scene into the Modernist era. This is primarily because he wanted to, as Ezra Pound put it, "make it new."

Here, in Debussy's own words, is this shown:

"I am trying to do 'something different' -- an effect of reality... what the imbeciles call 'impressionism', a term which is as poorly used as possible, particularly by the critics, since they do not hesitate to apply it to Turner, the finest creator of mysterious effects in all the world of art."

Hmmm, mysterious effects...in all the world of art... I like that. I love his piano music, and am here posting it in it's entirety, but nearly all of his compositions give off the innocent feel of a child searching for a hidden world far away from the playground. In his préludes especially, which are among some of my favorite pieces in all classical piano music, I am reminded of the dreaminess of childhood. I often associate this feeling with trying to recall a dream, or attempting to recreate one that I really liked as accurately as possible. It's a journey... My favorite is La fille aux cheveux de lin, The Girl With Flaxen Hair. The feeling I get while I listen to that piece is indescribable, like articulating something that doesn't exist in the world of words.

In the end, Debussy's music is marvelous - not to be trivialized or commercialized, but also not overlooked.

Piano Music


Walter Gieseking plays Debussy - 24 Préludes


Claude Debussy's Préludes are two sets of pieces for solo piano. They are divided into two separate livres, or books, of twelve preludes each. These beautiful pieces of music were written between 1909 and 1913.

Download.


1. Danseuses de Delphes (Dancers of Delphi)
2. Voiles (Veils or sails)
3. Le vent dans la plaine (The Wind in the Plain
4. Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir (The sounds and fragrances swirl through the evening air)
5. Les collines d'Anacapri (The Hills of Anacapri)
6. Des pas sur la neige (Footsteps in the Snow)
7. Ce qu'a vu le vent d'ouest (What the West Wind has seen)
8. La fille aux cheveux de lin (The Girl with the Flaxen Hair)
9. La sérénade interrompue (Interrupted Serenade)
10.La cathédrale engloutie (The Engulfed Cathedral)
11. La danse de Puck (Puck's Dance)
12. Minstrels
13. Brouillards (Mists)
14. Feuilles mortes (Dead Leaves)
15. La puerta del Vino (The Wine Gate)
16. Les fées sont d'exquises danseuses ("Fairies are exquisite dancers")
17. Bruyères (Heather)
18. Général Lavine
19. La terrasse des audiences du clair de lune (The Terrace of Moonlit Audiences)
20. Ondine (Undine)
21. Hommage à S. Pickwick
22. Canope (Canopic jar)
23. Les tierces alternées (Alternating Thirds)
24. Feux d'artifice (Fireworks)

12 Études and various other pieces


Download.


Images, Estampes, 3 Pieces for the Piano, and Children's Corner


Download.


Suite Bergamasque (Clair de lune) and various other pieces


Download.

Pinkshinyultrablast - Happy Songs for Happy Zombies EP


2009; 4 tracks


Pinkshinyultrablast is a Russian shoegaze/rock band whose style is very dreamy and shoegazey. It's also pretty noisey, but that's because this is a very fuzzy and buzzy little EP. Their sound is comparable to artists such as My Bloody Valentine and early Slowdive, but Pinkshinyultrablast's sound is a bit more vibrant. Happy Songs for Happy Zombies is very, very enjoyable and I'm looking forward to more releases from Pinkshinyultrablast in the future.



Download.

Micmacs OST


2009; 21 tracks
Composers: Raphael Beau and Max Steiner


Micmacs À Tire-Larigot, (shortened to Micmacs), means 'Non-stop madness.' It's the latest film of French auteur Jean-Pierre Jeunet. He also directed Amélie and Delicatessen, if you've never heard of him. Micmacs was released in 2009, and the soundtrack was done by Rapheal Beau and Max Steiner. I haven't seen the film yet, but I will soon - it looks AMAZING. I am very excited.

This soundtrack is very charming, and parts of it remind me of Yann Tiersen's soundtrack for Amélie, although Micmacs is slightly more "industrial." I don't mean "industrial" as in Skinny Puppy/Throbbing Gristle, but more like this score incorporates city sounds and mundane sounds such as the slicing and sheathing of knives and swords, the clash of glass breaking, the spring of a mousetrap and the metallic ring of a cash register as a means of rhythmic progression. These sounds also add a very comical and "carnival"-like texture to the gentle and romantic melodies of the accordion and piano. I found this soundtrack very whimsical and magical.

Download.

16.6.10

Ocrilim - Annwn



2008; 7 tracks


Ocrilim is the project of Mick Barr, a supposedly very popular guy ( I guess?). This is his 3rd album.

"Devastating guitar trio record, only it's one person - Mick Barr - who plays everything. The idea's simple: layering multiple tracks of guitars with no effects (apart from what sounds like some octave in the mix), no reverb or delay, only a little distortion and constant picking.

Moments when chords upon chords increase, lifting up into the infinite, and everything starts to levitate.

Pure music that has the best effect when you close your eyes and just listen, without distraction, open to the sounds that are happening."

This is a pretty accurate description of Annwn. It is a complex album, impossible to describe in terms of "tags," and simply incredible. A friend had been heatedly recommending it to me forever and I decided to OH WHAT THE HELL listen to it today, because I got new headphones last night ^_^ I listened to it early this morning, and was perfectly content just letting the music flow into my ears, not distracted by anything. It is a very amazing album, and I really did like it!

Download.
My brother (5 years old) keeps asking me questions about death, life, the relationship between the two, the connection between "soul" and "body," the physics of the body, the physics of decay/death, etc... but in kid form. He also loves to touch my knees, nose and fingers because he likes to feel my bones. It's like he's reassuring me that I'm alive, or that I'm a carnal being.

He's very sure of himself and his thoughts about how the world works. He's like a tiny doctor, and it's so cute.

My brother asked me, "Allie, where is grandma's grandma?"

I looked at him and was thinking, "How the hell should I know...?" but instead said, "She's up there *points to sky*, with Jesus." I don't really believe this, but it seems like a much more pleasant thing to say to such a young soul... I don't want him to become cynical and depressed at such an early age, so what's the harm with telling him that?

But he is wwaaayy too smart for his own good, I think.

He said, "How does a body get up there? Does she have any hair? What does she look like?"

"It's not your real body, it's just your soul. Her body is probably turned into dirt."

"What's a soul?"

"A shiny, squishy thing in the very center of your heart."

"I can't feel it."

"I can't either..." I have a sad look on my face.

He starts making funny faces, imitating the faces Hogarth Hughes makes in our favorite movie ever, Iron Giant. It's really cute.

I randomly think of Walt Whitman's Song of Myself, and I say, more to myself than anyone else, "When people die, they go into the ground. They make the grass grow. There are tons of dead people all over the place, in the ground. It's like a circle of life and death, nothing more or less important than anything else."

I noticed my brother was asleep, his head resting on my shoulder.

To die is different from what any one supposed,
and luckier.

15.6.10

coolest weekly charts ever:



top three have mikes in their pictures. Interesting :3
Jhonn Balance, Michael Gira, David Edwards, John Zorn, Sergei Rachmaninoff, James Vella....

pointless post!

14.6.10

Dead Can Dance - Within the Realm of a Dying Sun and The Serpent's Egg





Dead Can Dance is a modern classical/gothic/new wave group from Melbourne, Australia, comprised of Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerard. They formed in 1981 and have been active up until around 1998 (though they did do a world tour in '05). I've loved them for about a year now, and ever since hearing Within the Realm of a Dying Sun for the first time, they have become the ultimate band for me, in terms of the genre. I am in love with Gerard and Perry's voices and their lyrics are so deeply profound, as well as poignant and lucid... Ahhhhhhhh. These two are my absolute favorite albums of theirs.
Within the Realm of a Dying Sun
 
 1987; 8 tracks

This is the first Dead Can Dance album I've ever heard, and WWWOOOOWW was I surprised. I really don't like gothic/neo-classical/new wave stuff (normally), so I wasn't expecting this to be something I could like. But as soon as I got deep into the first track, "Anywhere Out of the World," I felt drawn into the album sort of like being drawn into a dark forest, and I couldn't resist. I was frozen throughout the entire album. As far as my musical "journey" goes, I have never come across a more haunting yet simply perfect album as this. I can't even begin to explain how much this album means to me, and how excruciatingly close it is to my heart. The lyrics are all dealing with very mature (sophisticated might word better for this...) subject matter, such as Biblical themes, good vs. evil, the philosophy of free will, and other interesting things like that. Gerard's voice is one of a goddess - resonant, achingly gorgeous, and multitextured as though it were a bird's song (or, perhaps, a bird prophet?). In the end, this album has haunted me from the moment I first heard it and has graciously brought to me a renewed sense of what "beauty" really is.

Will the sun illuminate your way,
Or will the nightmares come home to stay?
 

The Serpent's Egg
  
1988; 10 tracks
 
The Serpent's Egg is a gorgeous, mystical album, but I absolutely adore the first track, "The Host of the Seraphim." It seems to masterfully, powerfully and successfully formulate the human condition/extent of emotion that every other beautiful song in the world attempts to articulate... I guess I think of it as the ultimate song of humanity, of beauty, of "original sin." The entire album may fade in comparison to that one song, which I think might be greater than all other DCD songs put together, but The Serpent's Egg is still amazing.
 
Tomorrow's child is the only child...
so today i made something with my brother, because he was being unsually sweet to me..

it was Scorponok, of Transformers... out of Legos.

it was fun, i did most of the work because he got bored of constructing it after a while (all he wanted to do was PLAAAYY with it)! It took me barely any time at all, though we were missing two really tiny pieces that turned out to be crucial to the completion of the whole thing... Hmm. Oh well.

it turned out much like this but the sides were orange and i got to put cool stickers on it. i took some pictures but i can't transfer them here, for some reason.

it felt weird to be doing something like that, but it was fun... i have no idea if it's in one piece anymore, though. i guess we'll find out soon :x

13.6.10

Woven Hand - Consider the Birds and Blush Music


Consider the Birds
2004; 10 tracks
 


Woven Hand is the solo folk project of David Eugene Edwards. I came across them today while reading an article somewhere, and after reading a description of them including the words "heavy," "somber," and "country folk," I admit I was intrigued. As a result of much intense listening, Woven Hand might now be one of my new favorite artists - ever. Edwards' voice reminds me much of a younger Michael Gira, but not quite with the distinctive raspiness of whiskey drinking. Faulkner also came to mind upon hearing Woven Hand - particularly his novel As I Lay Dying. The desolation of a Southern Depression-era wasteland, accompanied by the death of a mother, the brokenness of thought, the questions of existence amidst the billowing, nebulous, dark dust clouds of Missouri... That's what I think of when I hear this album.

As a side note, I have fallen hopelessly in love with the track "Chest of Drawers." She floats in air
In these three ways
You know
You know
The road does not trust me to keep
Beneath the bushes
The three of us asleep

Go into the Lord's house
And go in a mile
The world will bow
The knees will be broken for those who don't know how
He delights not in the strength of horses
He takes no pleasure not in the legs of men

He's a working man
And none can stay his hand
His are the three
Faces of time
We keep walking
And thinking things to talk about
Down on our prayers bones in line

Go into the Lord's house
Go in a mile
The world will bow
The knees will be broken for those who don't know how
He delights not in the strength of horses
He takes no pleasure in the cleverness of men

 
 
Behind a door,
Hand to face,
Conscience is the wound..
 
Blush Music
2003; 10 tracks





I'm coming to love this album just as much as Consider the Birds. This is another great album from Woven Hand, if not even more intense than his later album(s). I think this is due in great part to the song, "Story and Pictures," (which might be one of the most beautiful things in this world). I mean, oh my god, look at the lyrics!

Shook out my salvation
In all four corners of my room
Lowly is the dust
Trustworthy, the broom

White lady
Growlin' on a chain
Peacock caw the sound of my lover's name
The tone was pure and played on gut
From your birdhouse aflame

Your fire burns for me
Red as grace
The blush came easily to your face
Your fire burns for me
Red as grace
And she says that none would have her

As a boy I too drew near
To the love of dust
Toughskin blue light cowboy
Idle hands they rust

Your fire burns for me
Red as grace
The blush came easily to your face
Your fire burns for me
Red as grace
And she says that none would have her

Let us allow the character to build
Wise as serpents and harmless as doves
Let's allow the emptiness to fill
Rich mercy and brotherly love

Watch me run.

12.6.10

Coil - Colour Sound Oblivion Sampler



This video shows us a sample of what can be found in the Colour Sound Oblivion Box-Set. These performances are extremely personal and seething with dark, sexual energy... I found it very emotional to watch, and felt a deep longing to be there and witness these shows. This video also includes the very first Coil live appearance, which features Jhonn Balance and John Gosling at the Air Gallery, London in 1983. If you've never seen a live Coil performance before, you really should watch this video.

11.6.10

Coil - Moon's Milk (In Four Phases) + Bonus Disc


1998; 15 tracks


Bonus Disc:


2003; 3 tracks


This is a compilation of 4 singles: Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox, and Winter Solstice. These links also include the Bonus Disc. More info on the compilation here. This album features many amazing, meditative tracks. This might be one of my favorite Coil releases, and I think that is primarily because of the lyrics. I love Copal, Bee Stings, and Moon's Milk or Under an Unquiet Skull, pts. 1 and 2.

Part 1.
Part 2.
Part 3.

The Cure - Pornography


1982; 8 tracks


The Cure is an English new wave/post-punk rock band. This album is, in my opinion, the most amazing thing I've heard of this genre. It has the melancholy chaos resonant of a lost generation, and captures the reebellion of an era in 8 dark, deeply reflective tracks of post-punk perfection.

Download.

Amocoma - Go To Hell


2009; 9 tracks


This is some very dreamy noise/black metal, and I love it.

“Amocoma traffic in an ultra lo-fi, muddy murky blackness. It’s definitely black metal, there is plenty of buzz and blast and howled vocals, but at the same time it’s sort of stumbling and noise rocky, it’s probably a little of both, but it’s all rendered nearly indistinct by the incredibly FX drenched lo-fi production. Beginning with dreamy swirls of soft focus harmonics and distant rumbles, it doesn’t take long for the band to lurch into action, a simple hypnotic riff, looped over and over, almost sounding more like a bass than a guitar, and not so heavy as it is trancelike. The drums are mechanical and repetitive, the vocals are howled and swathed in reverb, spread out over the proceedings like a black cloud, so much so that at times they just sound like another layer of buzz. And the more you listen, the more pretty it sounds, sure it’s raw and harsh, but the melody is so hypnotic, and the swirling clouds of distortion and reverb give everything a sort of soft focus shimmer.

Damaged and dreamy, freaked out and fucked, one of our new favorite slabs of black beauty for sure…”

You Shall Yet Rise

10.6.10

Swans - The Burning World


1989; 10 tracks

This is Swans' sixth studio album, produced on their first and last major record label. This album features one of my favorite Swans songs, God Damn the Sun. It is unlike most of the other Swans albums that I've heard in that it incorporates achingly beautiful, gentle melodies with a roughness in Gira's voice that I can't quite describe. Of course, every Swans release is great, but this particular album stands out to me and I felt the need to post it. The album also incorporates a number of extra musicians, see here for more information.

Download.

6.6.10

Sergei Prokofiev - Piano Concertos 1-3



Sergei Prokofiev was a pretty cool guy. Not amazing, but cool. I love his Piano Concertos so here's a link to three of them. People back in Soviet Russia used to call him the "white negro" because of his big lips and long, dangly arms. Weeeeird.

Download.

The Residents - Animal Lover


2005; 20 tracks


Who DOESN'T love The Residents? I have never met someone who hasn't, unless they just haven't heard them before. Animal Lover is a gorgeous album. According to Wikipedia, this album "portrays human life through the eyes of different animals." This album mixes the absurd with the elegance of civilized life, or shall I say the monotony?


Download.

Sparks - Propaganda


1974; 14 tracks


Sparks is an American glam/pop-rock band, formed in 1970 by brothers Ron and Russel Mael. I love this album so so much, as it reminds me of Queen but is actually much better. The brothers are very charismatic musicians/performers and if you've ever seen a youtube video or something of them performing their music, it is quite awesome. Anyways, this is my favorite Sparks album, and I really love the song "Something for the Girl with Everything."

Download.

Pensées Nocturnes - Grotesque


2010; 8 tracks


Pensées Nocturnes is a French one-man black metal project, where everything is done by Vaerhon. This album is one of the better black metal releases I've heard lately. It's full of lovely, rich texture. Also, "Thokk" is a black metal reproduction of Grieg's "Morning" from his suite Peer Gynt. So yeah, another reason to love this album.

Download.

5.6.10

Pain of Salvation - The Perfect Element, Part1


2000; 12 tracks


This is my favorite of all Pain of Salvation albums. I'd have to say that the lyrical content is the most striking to me - it's maturity, it's subject matter... they are all unprecedented. Plus, Daniel G.'s vioce is pretty amazing in and of itself. The entire album looks as if it's a concept album, which it probably is, but I like to think of each song as a journey. They are all difficult songs to understand - that may be why I love this album so so much. My favorite tracks are Used, Ashes, King of Loss, and Her Voices. And then, one of the few songs that I can call my favorite in the entire world: the title track, The Perfect Element.

I set myself on fire, to breed the Perfect Element...

Download.

4.6.10

Alan Hovhaness Harp Music



Alan Hovhaness was an extremely prolific American/Armenian composer of contemporary classical and neo-classical music. Here I have an album compiling his most famous music for harp, as well as flute, cello, guitar, and a giant tam-tam. The harp in these pieces is played by none other than Yolanda Kononassis. Kondonassis is an amazing harpist, certainly one of the greatest in the entire world. Her interpretation of music is utterly stunning, and I highly recommend listening to this haunting compilation of Hovhaness' harp music. As Last.fm perfectly notes, the music of Hovhaness is "reverential, mystical, and nostalgic." Indeed, his music has a certain holiness to it - his use of experimenting modal harmonies and folk rhythms (most prominent in "Spirit of Trees") will certainly arouse tranquility in the heart. I've used this CD to fall asleep many, many times... and it always works.


2000; 21 tracks


1-5. "Spirit of Trees," Sonata for Harp and Guitar, Op. 374..
6-10. Concerto for Harp and String Orchestra, Op. 267
11. "Upon Enchanted Ground" for Flute, Cello, Giant Tam-Tam and Harp, Op. 90, No. 1
12-14. Sonata for Harp, Op. 127
15-21. "The Garden of Adonis," Suite for Flute and Harp, Op. 245

Download.



:\ I spelled his name wrong in the file description, my apologies.

Cécile Chaminade - Piano Music



Cécile Chaminade was a French composer and pianist, mostly of Romantic and Impressionist music. The New Grow Dictionary of Music and Musicians wrongly describes her music in this brief entry: "Notwithstanding the real charm and clever writing of many of Chaminade's pieces they do not rise above drawing room music." This is quite insulting to a woman of such impish talent, such magnificent piano-playing skills. I urge you to listen to her piano music and tell me whether or not you agree with that assessment of her music. My personal favorite is the Scarf Dance, or Pas des éscharpes, Op. 37.

Chaminade: Piano Works, Played by Eric Parkin.

1991; 20 tracks


1. Pierrette, Op.41, Allegretto
2. Contes bleus No. 2, Op. 122, Andante sostenuto
3. Minuetto, Op. 23. Allegro
4. Danse créole, Op. 94, Allegretto
5. Sérénade. Op. 29, Moderato
6. Air de ballet, Op. 30
3 Romances sans paroles, from Six Romances sans paroles, Op. 76)
7. No. 1: Souvenance, Andantino
8. No. 3: Idylle, Allegro moderato
9. No. 6: Méditation, Lento
10. Autrefois, Op. 87, Andante
11. Guitare, Op. 32, Allegretto
12. Sous le masque, Op. 116, Allegro capriccioso
13. Pas des sylphes: Intermezzo, Andante
14. Automne, Op. 35, Lento
15. La Lisonjera, Op. 50, Moderato molto capriccioso
16. Air à danser, Op. 164, Ben tranquillo
17. Pas des éscharpes, Op. 37, (Troisiéme Air de ballet)
18. Toccata, Op. 29, Presto
19. Valse arabesque, Allegro vivo capriccioso ben catando
20. Lolita (Caprice espagnol), Op. 54, Allegro vivo

Download.