December 14, 2011

Now Spinning: Spiritualized - Lazer Guided Melodies


when you shine,
you know you take a massive part out of me.
 


A recent purchase and reissue, I got around to putting this one on tonight after a long day and was (and still am, after putting it back on for round two) reminded of what a classic album this is. Given that it’s been awhile since a Now Spinning post, it feels justified to talk about this masterpiece.

I’ll always associate the album version of ‘Shine A Light’ with coming home after a long hike one day back during my second year down in SD. The sun was setting down over the ocean, and I was spoiled enough to have a view of it from my dorm room. I sat down on my bed exhausted, and let the wave of sound rush over me. That track followed by ‘Angel Sigh’ is a ridiculous one-two punch. It was truly a priceless sonic moment…the only thing that could have made it better would have been if I owned the vinyl back then. 

The reissue’s packing isn’t anything too amazing; though I do enjoy that instead of A/B/C/D side labeling, it is color coordinated with both the track list on the back of the package and the respective sides of the sleeves as well as each side’s inner sticker. Neat. It’s 45 RPM and sounds fantastic; the strums of the intro chord of ‘I Want You’ has never sounded as crisp to me as it did here, and the strings and bass on ‘Step Into The Breeze’ really shined through, for instance. 

The sticker that came on the cellophane claims it is an album “to be listened to with headphones in a dark room” - and while I can respect (and have done) that, it really isn’t as dark as its successor, Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space. That should not be mistakenly interpreted as Lazer Guided Melodies does not rival it in terms of a mental and physical drain it takes on me each listen, however. That said, digesting both of these albums all the way through from start to finish consistently yields a significantly more rewarding experience than in segments.

It does say one thing on the sticker that I unquestionably agree with though - “essential listening.” Get to it.

9:37pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZHoTZyDHXH_t
(Notes: 5)
  
Filed under: spiritualized Lazer Guided Melodies j spaceman jason pierce vinyl Now Spinning 
September 15, 2011

Now Spinning: Modest Mouse - The Moon And Antarctica


the stars are projectors, yeah.
projectin’ our lives down to this planet earth.
everyone wants a double feature,
they wanna be their own damn teacher, and how,
all the stars are projectors, yeah.
projectin’ our lives down to this planet earth.
 


If there is an album that has grown on me the most in the past 4 years, it is this. Yes, behind the game, but it was a gradual realization for me that Modest Mouse’s major label debut is one of the defining albums of the 2000s. I would unquestionably put it in the Top 10 of the 2000s thus far.

I’ve shared many a late night with this album, though the most memorable comes to mind heading home late one night during my brief residence in NYC. Just upon exiting the subway, The Cold Part, in all of its infiniteness, came on as I put my collar of my jacket up to make the jaunt back to my apartment. It really hit me how perfect of an album this is, through and through.

Immediately thereafter, Alone Down There’s chorus of Brock’s plea that he doesn’t want me “to be alone down there” slays me each listen. The previously quoted The Stars Are Projectors that follows is the cornerstone of the album clocking in at 8 epic minutes, only to be relieved by the brief, accordion-infused ballad, Wild Packs of Family Dogs.

When the band surprisingly played I Came As A Rat one night and Lives the other night of Bridge School last year I about near wet my pants; they are two more stellar tracks that both come on the last of the four sides of the vinyl. It is just testament that this front-to-back masterpiece of an album is truly that - an album. It is not a happenstance of songs, rather it is a flawlessly paced and structured piece of work as a whole.

I could keep going. There are simply too many great moments and lyrics on this album to even begin rattling off any more. I will leave it at buy this album immediately if you somehow don’t have it. 

An interesting part of this vinyl: the ending lyric of Perfect Disguise (“broke my back”) is in the inner groove of Side A of the first disc…so it just keeps flowing and repeating endlessly. Very cool. I thought I had a skipping disc the first time I listened until I got up and realized what was going on. 

Not a whole lot of glitz and glam in this packaging, even being the re-issue that came out a few years ago. It is almost as if they still just wanted the music and the solid lyrics by Brock to speak for themselves. Give this album a focused listen and you’ll quickly understand why.

12:12am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZHoTZy9X_dKC
(Notes: 7)
  
Filed under: now spinning vinyl modest mouse the moon and antarctica isaac brock Late Night Music 
August 22, 2011
"I do think music sounds better when it’s on tape and more simply recorded. I’ve been arguing with people for 10 years about tape versus digital, and I believe tape is absolutely essential in getting the sound that’s conducive to the enjoyment of music. I wonder if it’s going to go back to that. Sometimes think it has to. As music becomes more computer-based, it’s lost some emotional impact. When I pull out vinyl— which isn’t that often anymore— it’s undeniable that I get a different feeling. There’s a different physiology happening between the sound waves and the body that doesn’t happen with music playing off the computer. About five years ago, I got a turntable that hooks up to your computer, and I put the vinyl in there and I listened to it back-to-back with a CD, and it didn’t even compare. But people don’t have time to go track down vinyl, lower it in, all that. And they probably don’t care. It’s hard to make music knowing that it’s not going to be received by the listener in the way that it should be."

—

Beck.

Great article here, highly recommended reading. The part about Sea Change was great.

12:58pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZHoTZy8e0AOt
(Notes: 2)
  
Filed under: beck vinyl sea change analog vs. digital 
April 25, 2011

Now Spinning: Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven


I even got, when I was very small, I even got lost in Coney Island…
But they found me…on the beach…
And we used to sleep on the beach here, sleep over night…
They don’t do it anymore…things changed…you see…
They don’t sleep anymore on the beach…


I would hardly declare myself an avid GY!BE fan (I regretfully did not even make an attempt to see them live on this recent revival tour) but this album consistently slays me. It’s one of those albums that I think only sounds good late at night, and the later the better. I recall one such late night back in my UCSD days when I put it on at around 3 or 4 in the morning after a rough evening when it just fully clicked, and I’ve loved it since. Thus when I randomly chanced upon this LP at a shop back in Salt Lake City a few years ago, I knew I had to buy it - regardless of the fact that I would have to lug it back home to California on the airplane.

I suppose I say this for half of the Now Spinning posts I make, but the packaging on this one truly is something. If you’re not familiar with the album - for shame! - it is essentially eighty-seven minutes of sonic deliciousness without vocals (except for a few samples) divided up into four tracks. Each track is divided up into movements within the title, e.g. track three (my personal favorite) “Sleep: They Don’t Sleep Anymore On The Beach / Monheim / Broken Windows, Locks Of Love Part III”. 

One of the pictures above shows the nifty breakdown showing the relative length of the movements within the track. Kind of cool to have after previously only having the album digitally and not knowing the separations for sure. The two sleeves for each respective disc (also pictured) likewise have some great art as well.

A definite vinyl, or at least digital, recommendation from The Brams.

9:34pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZHoTZy4czsyZ
(Notes: 5)
  
Filed under: godspeed you! black emperor gy!be late night music lift your skinny fists like antennas to heaven now spinning vinyl 
April 10, 2011

Now Spinning: Eddie Vedder - Into The Wild

 

Leave it to me as I find a way to be.

Consider me a satellite, forever orbiting;

I knew all the rules, but the rules did not know me,

Guaranteed.


I got this vinyl late last year, and despite having listening to it digitally plenty of times prior, for whatever reason I held off on actually playing the record. I suppose I was waiting for the right moment, and it just never came while I was semi-living at home. Upon getting my own place a few weeks back, I eagerly brought up my stereo and got it all set up in my first trip. I brought my actual record player the trip after that. Long story short, for one reason or another, it took me a few trips back and forth from home of forgetting tools, etc., (even getting my car slammed into while trying to buy some speaker cable…) to get my speakers mounted on the wall as I had envisioned in my mind when I decided I wanted to go with this studio. I was tempted to put this album on last week while my speakers were still on the floor - I even had it on and spinning but decided against dropping the needle. Something just wasn’t right; I needed things to be perfect for that initial listen…I am not really sure why, but I just knew what I wanted.

I drilled into the walls tonight and got everything in place, sat back, and dropped the needle. How can you have a moment quite like that when you push play in iTunes? It’s impossible. And it will never sound this freaking amazing (as I spin it for its second time as I type) with my windows letting the cool breeze in. Living in an LA studio is hardly stepping into the wild like Mr. McCandless, but nevertheless…

If you haven’t given this album a listen, you are blowing it. Pearl Jam bias aside, you can’t listen to this (especially if you’ve seen the movie or read the book) and not be moved each time. Eddie freaking nailed it and fit the role like no one else could have.

The packaging of this product is truly a work of art. Each track has a large two page photograph associated with it, with hand-written lyrics as seen above. If you can find a copy of this somehow, don’t hesitate to pick it up.

11:51pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZHoTZy4DHjuI
(Notes: 5)
  
Filed under: eddie vedder films into the wild life now spinning vinyl pearl jam 
February 27, 2011

Now Spinning: Thrice - Beggars

 

All you great men of power, you who boast of your feats -
Politicians and entrepreneurs -
Can you safeguard your breath in the night while you sleep?
Keep your heart beating steady and sure?
As you lie in your bed, does the thought haunt your head
That you’re really, rather small?
If there’s one thing I know in this life: We Are Beggars All.

All you champions of science and rulers of men,
Can you summon the sun from its sleep?
Does the Earth seek your council on how fast to spin?
Can you shut up the gates of the deep?
Don’t you know that all things hang, as if by a string,
O’er the darkness - poised to fall?
If there’s one thing I know in this life: We Are Beggars All.

All you big shots that swagger and stride with conceit,
Did you devise how your frame would be formed?
If you’d be raised in a palace, or live out in the streets?
Did you choose the place or the hour you’d be born?
Tell me what can you claim? Not a thing - not your name!
Tell me if you can recall,
Just one thing, that’s not a gift in this life?

Can you hear what’s been said?
Can you see now that everything’s grace after all?
If there’s one thing I know in this life: We Are Beggars All. 


“Martin Luther’s last written words, written on a scrap of paper, were “We are beggars: this is true.” I used those words as a springboard for the lyrics of this song, exploring the idea that we all take credit for far more than we should, and therefore should be grateful for far more than we are.” - DK

Dustin = genius. One of the best lyricists (and bands) out there that is sadly too often glanced over. Honestly, this album has some of my favorite lyrics that I’ve ever heard (e.g. “Mix our mortar with bones”, “We move like swingsets..”, “I kept my spare change and my pride in a tight fist”, and this entire song - just awesome, awesome imagery.)

Did I mention these guys know how to make a quality physical product? Their previous 4-disc project is probably my favorite vinyl that I own, and one I must surely document at a later time. Somehow this one rivals it despite being a typical album. They were all numbered out of 2000 and signed if you pre-ordered, and there were a few colors of the actual vinyl available that you received at random. Mine is a lime-green-y-yellow that looks pretty sharp in the light. You may also notice a minor track list re-ordering; I don’t know the story there but am curious as to the logic.

The booklet is absurdly classy. Each song gets a full 2 pages devoted to it; gorgeous photos on the left hand side (generally somehow related to the songs lyrics, the ones pictured are for Wood and Wire and Beggars), and the full lyrics + each band member writing their memories of recording the song, or thoughts on it, on the right. Their passion for their work and appreciation of fans who actually support them really shines through with each album, and this is why I will always gladly support these four quality gents. Irvine pride!

4:30pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZHoTZy3Jr-97
(Notes: 2)
  
Filed under: Eddie Breckenridge Riley Breckenridge Teppei Teranishi beggars dustin kensrue life lyrics thrice vinyl irvine 
February 27, 2011

Now Spinning: The Verve - Urban Hymns

 

I must be feeling low; I talked to God in a phonebox on my way home.

I told you my answer; I left you my dreams on your answering machine.


It had been far too long since I’d listened to any of this album, but on a whim I put on The Rolling People last night when driving in the rain and it really hit the spot. There are so many amazing moments on this album so it’s a shame that many people really only know the hit, Bittersweet Symphony. All the way through are sprinkled some real gems - Lucky Man being the most well-known of which, and for good reason; every time I hear that song it is a breath of fresh air. The 6+ minute, more druggy tracks The Rolling People & Catching The Butterfly are likewise standouts.

For me though, the last track on the album is the real beast - Come On. When it’s been a long time since I’ve heard it (such as when I blasted it this afternoon on a great, clear California day driving on my way to work) it freaking destroys me.  It is undeniably one of my favorite rock moments on record. What an epic ending to a solid album through and through.

Pick this one up if you never have. It’s not too tough to find on vinyl and as you can tell, the packaging is quality & it comes on two 180g discs. No full lyrics, but that one sleeve pictured with the amalgamation of a line of lyrics from each track is very interesting. Goodnight.

2:33am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZHoTZy3JAFW9
(Notes: 5)
  
Filed under: the verve urban hymns now spinning favorite albums vinyl 
February 5, 2011
Some folks have been requesting more details on my day on Wednesday, thus rather than individually repeat… Okay, I’ll admit it, I fan-boyed out on Wednesday. Definitely not a kosher move while running, but the band and I were getting along well on a few earlier runs so I decided to go for it. I drove Paul, Daniel, & Pajo twice, once from RIMAC Arena to the hotel after their soundcheck, then picked them up from the hotel to take them back to the venue. Sam & Brandon must have just stayed in their tour bus/green room at the venue. We chatted about a bunch of topics including La Jolla (Paul asked whether or not it was a “college town” - which it is far from being), Dan’s man-crush on Blake Griffin, the Black Angels album I had playing in the van at one point (Paul approves), what they all had for dinner, and the new Ricky Gervais show that I must now start watching. Anywho, it went something like this just before dropping them off before they were about to go on stage… Me: “So do you all care if I do something completely unprofessional and ask for an autograph…or is that no bueno?” Paul (in the passenger seat next to me): “No, it’s no problemo. Just give us something to sign…” (I pull out the ready-to-go vinyl & sharpie) Paul: “…well that was easy.” (lols, signs, hands it to Daniel, thanks me for everything & gets out of van) Daniel (in the second row of my van, signs it, then looks up): “uhh so should I give it…” (looks towards Pajo, the new bassist who technically didn’t play on TOTBL, who is in the third row). Me: “Well, up to you two…whatever you want to do.” Daniel hands it to Pajo. Pajo signs it. I could have gone either way at the time, but now I’m glad he did; Pajo has his own impressive back history prior to joining up with Interpol, and I’ve respected his bass skills since the Zwan days…despite the awesome drama regarding the breakup of Zwan & Billy Corgan’s accusations of Pajo & other band members. Who knows who to fully believe, ultimately; all I know is that the dude was very kind & appreciative throughout the experience to me. Dan’s signature is on the left, Paul’s on the top, Pajo’s on the bottom right. Quite an amazing day when you meet a band you’ve loved for 8 or 9 years, it turns out they’re super nice guys, and you get paid for doing it. Granted there were the typical runner annoyances/stress, but I’ve been used to working the 15 hour show days for free for the past 4 years…and I would have done it for free once more to spend a few minutes in the car with those guys. Watching Paul & their TM shoot some hoops in the arena afterwards wasn’t all bad either :). My 200th post, yay!

Some folks have been requesting more details on my day on Wednesday, thus rather than individually repeat…

Okay, I’ll admit it, I fan-boyed out on Wednesday. Definitely not a kosher move while running, but the band and I were getting along well on a few earlier runs so I decided to go for it.

I drove Paul, Daniel, & Pajo twice, once from RIMAC Arena to the hotel after their soundcheck, then picked them up from the hotel to take them back to the venue. Sam & Brandon must have just stayed in their tour bus/green room at the venue. We chatted about a bunch of topics including La Jolla (Paul asked whether or not it was a “college town” - which it is far from being), Dan’s man-crush on Blake Griffin, the Black Angels album I had playing in the van at one point (Paul approves), what they all had for dinner, and the new Ricky Gervais show that I must now start watching.

Anywho, it went something like this just before dropping them off before they were about to go on stage…

Me: “So do you all care if I do something completely unprofessional and ask for an autograph…or is that no bueno?”

Paul (in the passenger seat next to me): “No, it’s no problemo. Just give us something to sign…”

(I pull out the ready-to-go vinyl & sharpie)

Paul: “…well that was easy.” (lols, signs, hands it to Daniel, thanks me for everything & gets out of van)

Daniel (in the second row of my van, signs it, then looks up): “uhh so should I give it…” (looks towards Pajo, the new bassist who technically didn’t play on TOTBL, who is in the third row).

Me: “Well, up to you two…whatever you want to do.”

Daniel hands it to Pajo. Pajo signs it. I could have gone either way at the time, but now I’m glad he did; Pajo has his own impressive back history prior to joining up with Interpol, and I’ve respected his bass skills since the Zwan days…despite the awesome drama regarding the breakup of Zwan & Billy Corgan’s accusations of Pajo & other band members. Who knows who to fully believe, ultimately; all I know is that the dude was very kind & appreciative throughout the experience to me.

Dan’s signature is on the left, Paul’s on the top, Pajo’s on the bottom right. Quite an amazing day when you meet a band you’ve loved for 8 or 9 years, it turns out they’re super nice guys, and you get paid for doing it. Granted there were the typical runner annoyances/stress, but I’ve been used to working the 15 hour show days for free for the past 4 years…and I would have done it for free once more to spend a few minutes in the car with those guys. Watching Paul & their TM shoot some hoops in the arena afterwards wasn’t all bad either :).

My 200th post, yay!

9:45am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZHoTZy2wKga5
(Notes: 8)
  
Filed under: fanboy interpol turn on the bright lights ucsd vinyl paul banks daniel kessler david pajo zwan