They Shoot, We Score
May.19.09 Filed in: Albums
Yo La Tengo - They Shoot, We Score
I cannot stop listening to Yo La Tengo’s score for the film Old Joy. Its become the type of music that I simply must keep listening to because without it I fear I may fall apart. The clean and deep electric guitar echoes out a solitude that is truly haunting and is layered perfectly with subtle layers of piano, bass and on occasion, drums. Its a simple instrumental masterpiece that my mind cannot get enough of. The music is available via an album they released which contains music for all the films they have been part of scoring over the past few years and the music from Old Joy is easily my favorite from the collection and is what I am recommending to you here. It was released on CD as well as digitally but not via the usual channels and I can only find it through their site here. There is a note on the homepage saying the sore is broken but who knows, that may be out dated. Either way if you would like to hear the music first simply watch the film, its a wonderful quiet film that may be slow for some peoples taste but I really enjoyed it.
It Ain’t Fair
May.13.09 Filed in: Songs
Cat Power - It Ain’t Fair (from the EP Dark End Of The Street)
I finished setting up a large sound system flow in the air at a half coliseum show today and was digging through my laptop for music to play to the empty room and I initially chose some upbeat Jamie Lidell songs and some Phoenix but settled into an EP from Cat Power that I had not given much of a chance called Dark End Of The Street, more specifically the last song on the EP called It Ain’t Fair. As soon as the first pluck of the stand up bass in the song was struck the large empty hall came alive as the song snuck into the room and gave my mind a much needed rest after all the work. There is nothing quite like playing music you enjoy on a big fancy PA in an empty music hall before a show. I often take the chance to sneak in favorites when I can. Anyway, after hearing it in this way I got home and put it on again and the same effect was layered into my room when I played the song. Its just a beautiful soft blues song that is hard not to enjoy while slowly nodding your head. The EP it is from is full of covers, something Cat Power is no stranger to and while I have not enjoyed her last few releases as much as her older albums this song may have me taking a closer look at what she has been up to lately. I was sad to see that it was sold out on vinyl but who knows, maybe one day I will get lucky wandering through a record shop somewhere...
iTunes Link • Artist Page
The Night of the Ankou
May.04.09 Filed in: Albums
The North Sea & Rameses III - The Night of the Ankou
This is not the first and it is certainly not the last you will see on You Disappear from the wonderful label Type Records. They have an uncanny ability to find and release some of the most beautiful music out there and this album is no exception. While it took me a while to sit down and give this album the time it deserved this afternoon it appeared randomly while I had iTunes on shuffle. As the music started to creep into my mind I hardly realized it was there. The slow drone of the music snuck into the room like a fog building slowly in the night, slowly filling my mind and causing everything around me to seem at peace somehow. The album itself is composed of only two songs both just shy of 20 minutes in length and each evolve in a way that albums split into lots of tiny ideas or tracks have a harder time accomplishing. Various elements fade in and out among the fog as gently as fireflies attempt to light the moments just before night fully settles in. It’s a really beautiful experience and will hold you in its warmth. Listen and let your heart and your mind have a moment in your day to rest...
iTunes Link • Artist Page (label)
Florine
May.03.09 Filed in: Albums
Julianna Barwick - Florine
Imagine a singular, zen like chant echoing out into a void. A choir of one voice layered and spilling over itself creating a swelling ocean of vocal harmony. That is exactly what you will find here on this short 6 song EP. It’s a beautiful exploration of one voice and a few other simple elements crafted into music that is something like slow motion. While there are no clear lyrics in these songs I find that to be somewhat irrelevant as the melodies and sounds here speak for themselves. I imagine this is what life would sound like if everything was beautiful and moving in slow motion revealing every tiny glimmer of light as something magnificent and spectacular. Maybe these words sound over the top, I don’t know, it is simply what has come to mind while I hear it fill the room.
This EP was released exclusive to emusic, heres a link • Artist Site
Cove
May.03.09 Filed in: Albums
A Weather - Cove
I am not sure where I came across A Weathers music at first but I quickly fell in love with its simple approach. I ended up ordering a vinyl copy which I just put on while I write and it’s reminding me how much I enjoy the album. It manages to be whisper quiet and calm while holding a steady rhythm that adds an uplifting note to the music that I really appreciate. I feel its something really unique in the world of this sort of music. The songwriting is playful yet it holds a wonderful grounding in a peaceful sort of melancholy that, like the music itself, manages to be both sad and happy all at once. Its a wonderful little album that I’m sure you will enjoy.
On a side note the female singing in this group is done by Sarah Winchester which I have featured here as well.
iTunes LInk • Artist Page