From the monthly archives: July 2012
And finally, Sasha. Sasha has a unique ability to show up on the cam right when the sun is shining on the kitchen floor. With her light fur, she occasionally looks like little more than a glowing ball of fluff. She has gained the nickname “Sasha Supernova.”
Coco, always the source of visual amusement (live or on secret video).
Mercury Rev – Chasing a Bee: The older, crazier Rev.
Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey – Song For Johnny Cash: Quiet tune from the duo’s relatively recent album.
Lou Reed and Metallica – Dragon: Look it up online; this must be the most loved album ever.
Frank Black – White Noise Maker: From the ever enjoyable Teenager of the Year.
The Crystal Method – You Know It’s Hard: Bounce bounce bounce.
Radio Thailand – 21st Century Perspiration: An odd mix of traditional Thai music in a popular radio format.
The Spiny Anteaters – A Little Bit Fell: Very minimal sound with a certain VU and Sebadoh feel.
Narcotic Dreams – Decide: A little noisy, a little blah.
One thing that always interests me on nature hikes is how aquatic animals flee in terror when they hear me coming, no matter how far away from the trail they may be from me.
To put this in perspective, it is nearly impossible to see toads on a stream bank or turtles on a log. Typically, when I lumber by in my heavy boots over the trail, I will hear a series of splashes and, if I’m fortunate, see the back legs of a critter scurry underwater. The distance from the trail to where the toads and turtles are is typically dozens of feet and well beyond the range that my clumsy self could ever cross without tumbling down a stream bank and, more than likely, landing face first in the mud to drown.
This guy didn’t get the memo. When a collection of turtles sunning themselves dove into the water, he climbed out. Obviously happy to have the log all to himself, he sat there for the longest time while I stood quietly and snapped a few shots. However, as soon as I took one step, apparently the vibrations I caused on the ground alerted him to my presence, and under the water he dove.
Monster!
Deerhoof – Dummy Discards a Heart: One of the wacky sounding tunes that endears me to this band.
Quasi – Goblins and Trolls: Good fun Quasi.
Yo La Tengo – Big Day Coming: Recorded by the NYC Tapers last December, this is probably the most timeless Yo La Tengo song out there.
Siamese Temple Ball – Untitled: From the mysterious album with virtually no information of its existence, even to the point of not titling the tracks. But this is just neat; fun, fast Asian sounds.
Volcano Suns – Deeply Moved: One of many near-Mission of Burma bands, with similar MOB sounding results.
Merzbow – Penderrecki: A little quiet for Merzbow…at least, until it isn’t.
Chainsaw Kittens – Tongue Trick: Not really one of my favorite songs from Tyson Meade’s band, but hey, it’s the Kittens.
Nico – Vegas: Very upbeat for Nico.
From the bridge crossing the Potomac to Roosevelt Island.
The Ozzy Collection
Minor Threat – Salad Days: And with a quick Google search, I now know what this idiom means.
Amon Tobin – Goto 10: From the ever-fun ISAM.
Robyn Hitchcock – Agony of Pleasure: Quiet rendition from one of the Eye anniversary shows.
Boris – Melting Guitar: A slow melt, apparently.
The dB’s – What I Dig: From an old live recording that was from an older Sneakers release…standard Stamey poppiness.
Slint – Ron: Good Tweez tune.
Merzbow – Kirie: Noise noise noise.
R.E.M. – Feeling Gravity’s Pull: Not noise noise noise.
Contemplating Silent Wishes
Contemplating Silent Wishes, the second release from Fertanish, presents minimalist, experimental rhythms and sounds that patiently travel through a complicated and mesmerizing composition.
Zero Zero Three
Stray
