Monday, May 17, 2004

A huge grab bag of music went down today. On Tuesday, we have the 24th anniversary of Ian Curtis' death, so I'll certainly think of something special to tie in with this listening marathon. Besides the near-annual "Unknown Pleasures" (on vinyl, of course) listening session in the dark.

The story for Sunday:
Sigur Ros -- Ba Ba Ti Ki Di Do. It sounds nothing like their last album, it's like they packed up shop and moved over to Morr Music to join the Mums and Lali Punas in the Battle of Twee Electronica. Except they've already won, judging by this single.
Add N To X -- Add Insult to Injury. N+X are great as long as you take them in 30-40 minute doses. After that, you're just begging for them to use a new synth sound or something.
Ebn e Sync -- s/t (Wordsound)
SLEEP: Van Morrisson -- Astral Weeks, V/A -- A Brief History of Ambient Vol 3 Disc 2, Christof Migone -- South Winds, V/A -- Future Mutations (Lo-Fi Recordings), Rhythm and Sound -- The Versions. "Astral Weeks" is wonderful music for drifting off to sleep and waking up bleary-eyed. I never noticed that until now. Christof Migone supplied the freak outs with his succession of uneasy rumblings he calls an album, and the Virgin comp was its more pleasant and inviting twin. Eno's 2/2 really is one of the most gorgeous pieces of music ever written.
And after several months and many listens, I still can't remember much about the Future Mutations disc, but I certainly don't hate it.
Notorious B.I.G. -- Ready to Die. I was certainly awake after this.
Xiu Xiu -- Fabulous Muscles. There's been a lot of "greatest ____ ever" babbling these last few days, which I am very much aware of but am powerless to stop at this time. I believe it all, you see. Perhaps it's a side effect of all this music saturation. Anyhow, get ready, because there's more of this (hyperbole?) (ludicrousness?) on its way today.
The title track is one of the finest lyrics I have ever heard. It's touching, sickening, defeating, and anodyne. All at once. The key word, of course, is "lips". For instance, if that line read "come on my face" then the actions it depicts would be vulgar, or perhaps even abusive. As it stands, the line is rather sexy (the way it's sung certainly helps).
Album of the Year thus far, too.
RJD2 -- Since We Last Spoke. Very funky, very 70's. Considerably less bonkers than "Deadringer".
Orbital -- Blue Album. OK, I've decided it's better than "Middle of Nowhere". It's their fourth best after the holy trinity. It's a classic.
Throbbing Gristle -- Mutant Throbbing Gristle (remixes). Who are Carter Tutti? They steal the show -- twice.
Death in Vegas -- Dead Elvis
X-Press 2 -- Muzikizum. Shoulda been a worldwide megahit.
(mix CD while drinking beer in Amit's office, featuring KMFDM, Ministry, Sloan, Green Day, and many other songs that were the toast of the alternative club scene in 1994)
Love Spirals Downwards -- Idylls
Mogwai -- Happy Songs for Happy People
[Wavelength 213 ... to be continued in the morning once I sleep]

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