Saturday, 23 August 2008
Änglagård
I started using Last.fm seriously yesterday and it brought me very quickly to an excellent prog rock band from Sweden, Änglagård. Expect mellotron and superb arrangements on their album Epilog.
Monday, 11 August 2008
Stages of techno
I am listening to two lives, both from Carl Cox, both at Tribehouse Neuss in Düsseldorf. The first one is allegedly from the mid-1990s and sounds very much like it: I can hear track sI have already listened to in mixes by Jeff Mills. I can hear acid tracks, and a lot of tracks that are also featured on the F.A.C.T. volumes. The second mix is dated 30th April 2008, and has almost nothing really interesting. It sounds very much like some of that commercial electro crap that you can listen to pretty much everywhere. I have no enthusiasm for that second stage of techno -- I believe the best stuff is now in minimal techno (Ritchie Hawtin) and in hard techno (Chris Liebing, Frank Kvitta). Technasia and their friends (Joris Voorn, Renato Cohen) stay on top of my all-time list.
Saturday, 9 August 2008
Friday, 8 August 2008
Monday, 4 August 2008
Drums Cats
"Dream of Cat" show, Edinburgh Festival, August 2008, truly excellent.
Related videos:
In a different scenery:
Related videos:
In a different scenery:
Sunday, 3 August 2008
In the morning
In the morning, I enjoy some light jazz. Anthony Braxton's "Seven Standards" are extremely appropriate. Here he is, playing Coltrane's "Impressions":
Thursday, 31 July 2008
Monday, 28 July 2008
Michael Andrews
“Through the Fog”:
The genius who brought you “Mad World”, Donnie Darko soundtrack version (below), also has an album called Hand on String. Simply excellent. Favourite tracks are “Tracings” and “Just a Thought”.
Here's a very different version of “Tracings”, recorded during soundcheck:
And there he covers some Nick Drake:
The genius who brought you “Mad World”, Donnie Darko soundtrack version (below), also has an album called Hand on String. Simply excellent. Favourite tracks are “Tracings” and “Just a Thought”.
Here's a very different version of “Tracings”, recorded during soundcheck:
And there he covers some Nick Drake:
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Best of Plastikman
Ping Pong -- from Closer, 2003
Mind In Rewind
I No
I Don't Know
Aquatik -- from Nostalgik.1, 2004
Consumed -- from Consumed, 1998
Spastik (Dubfire Rework) -- from Nostalgik.3, 2007
Helikopter -- from Sheet One, 1993
Plastique -- from Musik, 1994
Kriket
Plasticine -- from Sheet One
Mind In Rewind
I No
I Don't Know
Aquatik -- from Nostalgik.1, 2004
Consumed -- from Consumed, 1998
Spastik (Dubfire Rework) -- from Nostalgik.3, 2007
Helikopter -- from Sheet One, 1993
Plastique -- from Musik, 1994
Kriket
Plasticine -- from Sheet One
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Fripp
Fine, there is a new album by Robert Fripp. Not only Fripp actually:
I need it! And I still miss the Fripp & Eno from last year.
And the BBC guy is comparing it to Nik Turner, who composed the best industrial rock track ever produced ("Thoth").
Thread was created in one improvised sitting, one day in 2007. Fripp, having already guested on one track on Travis' album, Double Talk, joined forces with the saxophonist and flautist best known for his work on the boundaries of Canterbury axis in bands like Gong and Soft Machine Legacy.
I need it! And I still miss the Fripp & Eno from last year.
And the BBC guy is comparing it to Nik Turner, who composed the best industrial rock track ever produced ("Thoth").
Robert Plant
His live at Nashville, TN (dated 06-29-05, whatever that means, probably 29 May 2006) is excellent. Find it.
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Saturday, 28 June 2008
Klaus Schulze
Tonight, I became a real fan of Klaus Schulze.
“Floating”
Klaus Schulze wrote what I consider to be the first real techno track in 1977, on the album Body Love 2. The track is called “Nowhere - Now Here”.
“Floating”
Klaus Schulze wrote what I consider to be the first real techno track in 1977, on the album Body Love 2. The track is called “Nowhere - Now Here”.
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Fight Fire with Fire
A video from March 14th of this year. It's amazing how quickly one can get hold of music video, just by following a few Dailymotion user feeds (I did not even know Metallica was playing there, and I did not look for it in particular).
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
Saturday, 31 May 2008
Best of Underworld
This track, originally by The Orb and remixed by The Future Academy of Noise, Rhythm and Gardening, is brilliant.
Which makes me think it's time to reveal my best of Underworld tracklist. I have an extremely strong bond to this band. I remember getting the double vinyl of Second Toughest in the Infants (1996), not for "Born Slippy/Nuxx" but for "Juanita," one of my favourite electronic tracks and possibly one of my favourite 10 tracks ever. Underworld will be in Inverness soon but the price is outrageous and the new album less in line with my taste (although it is beautiful).
The selection fits on a CD.
1. Juanita/Kiteless/To Dream Of Love -- from Second Toughest In The Infants, 1996
2. Spoonman - from Dubnobasswithmyheadman, 1994
3. Jumbo -- from Beaucoup Fish, 1999
4. Shudder/King Of Snake -- from Beaucoup Fish
5. Pearls Girl -- from Second Toughest In The Infants
6. Banstyle/Sappys Curry -- from Second Toughest In The Infants
7. Faxed Invitation -- from Oblivion With Bells, 2007
8. Dinosaur Adventure 3D -- from A Hundred Days Off, 2002
Which makes me think it's time to reveal my best of Underworld tracklist. I have an extremely strong bond to this band. I remember getting the double vinyl of Second Toughest in the Infants (1996), not for "Born Slippy/Nuxx" but for "Juanita," one of my favourite electronic tracks and possibly one of my favourite 10 tracks ever. Underworld will be in Inverness soon but the price is outrageous and the new album less in line with my taste (although it is beautiful).
The selection fits on a CD.
1. Juanita/Kiteless/To Dream Of Love -- from Second Toughest In The Infants, 1996
2. Spoonman - from Dubnobasswithmyheadman, 1994
3. Jumbo -- from Beaucoup Fish, 1999
4. Shudder/King Of Snake -- from Beaucoup Fish
5. Pearls Girl -- from Second Toughest In The Infants
6. Banstyle/Sappys Curry -- from Second Toughest In The Infants
7. Faxed Invitation -- from Oblivion With Bells, 2007
8. Dinosaur Adventure 3D -- from A Hundred Days Off, 2002
Sunday, 25 May 2008
Coroner
I do not know this band well, but a full live from 1990 is now online.
The same user has some good Exodus.
The same user has some good Exodus.
Monday, 19 May 2008
“The Ecstasy of Gold”
For all the Metallica fans, the classic version of “The Ecstasy of Gold” by Ennio Morricone:
Saturday, 17 May 2008
Black Sabbath, "War Pigs"
Two version of "War Pigs," a landmark in angry blues:
The song fully qualifies to the term "heavy," along with a few others like "Whola Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin. The emotional charge that you get from its otherwise simple melody and rather normal pace is definitely heavier than what you would expect.
The song fully qualifies to the term "heavy," along with a few others like "Whola Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin. The emotional charge that you get from its otherwise simple melody and rather normal pace is definitely heavier than what you would expect.
Friday, 16 May 2008
Aphex Twin - Coachella 2008
Aphex Twin is the only artist I know that can assemble a playlist that will resist full reconstitution by drum and bass forums for over two days. The Coachella 2008 mix is easily found via search engines (hint: coachela).
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Ministry very clearly rocks (rocked?)
I am not attracted to industrial rock concerts in general, but I would gladly make an exception for Ministry. Their last stuff is extremely powerful. I do not think it is improving or deteriorating – as far as I can tell, all their albums feature a few very good tracks. Their last one, The Last Sucker, starts with a very good opening.
Here's the Fillmore 2008 live (find the original track first, it's also on Youtube; and obviously, remember the high quality mode in Youtube):
More of the Fillmore live, starting with my favourite Ministry track, NWO:
If you want to see what industrial rock activism looks like on stage:
Thieves (watch from 1m00s onwards, the chorus is crazy):
And the hilarious ad:
The dub version of Rio Grande Blood ends up on an incredibly good remix of “Lies Lies Lies”, check it out: “Lieslieslies (Known Unknown Lies Mix)”. Ministry is the only band to blow my brains out on first hearing; I remember staying dumbfounded after listening to “Unsung” and “Impossible” for the first time.
Apparently The Last Sucker is indeed their last album.
Bonus – Rio Grande Blood cover, with a lot of symbolism to dig out (I find the freemason reference exquisite):
Here's the Fillmore 2008 live (find the original track first, it's also on Youtube; and obviously, remember the high quality mode in Youtube):
More of the Fillmore live, starting with my favourite Ministry track, NWO:
If you want to see what industrial rock activism looks like on stage:
Thieves (watch from 1m00s onwards, the chorus is crazy):
And the hilarious ad:
The dub version of Rio Grande Blood ends up on an incredibly good remix of “Lies Lies Lies”, check it out: “Lieslieslies (Known Unknown Lies Mix)”. Ministry is the only band to blow my brains out on first hearing; I remember staying dumbfounded after listening to “Unsung” and “Impossible” for the first time.
Apparently The Last Sucker is indeed their last album.
Bonus – Rio Grande Blood cover, with a lot of symbolism to dig out (I find the freemason reference exquisite):
Thursday, 27 March 2008
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
Monday, 24 March 2008
Venom, “Witching Hour”
From Welcome to Hell, the album usually designated as the starting point of back metal.
Saturday, 15 March 2008
Saturday, 8 March 2008
Links
The sidebar on the right-hand-side now features a few links to some good music websites. Suggestions appreciated.
Friday, 22 February 2008
Black Medicine jazz
Black Medicine has some cool, unidentified jazz this morning, and the sound is good enough to make the bass solo audible. I like this place (both of them, the Nicolson St one and the Marchmont Crescent one; I am writing from the latter).
… And now they're playing one of my Rolling Stones favourites, Midnight Rambler!
… And now they're playing one of my Rolling Stones favourites, Midnight Rambler!
Sunday, 17 February 2008
Happy Hardcore
Exhumed from my musical history. All tracks are featured on Happy Hardcore 5. Merci Pacôme !
Mindtrust, “Ravers Groove”
Party Animals, “Hava Naquila”
Probably the cheesiest of them all, DJ Paul Estak, “Promised Land” (music starts at 3:45 approx.)
And then my favorite at the time, T-Bass & Centigrade, “Walk of Life”
Mindtrust, “Ravers Groove”
Party Animals, “Hava Naquila”
Probably the cheesiest of them all, DJ Paul Estak, “Promised Land” (music starts at 3:45 approx.)
And then my favorite at the time, T-Bass & Centigrade, “Walk of Life”
Best of Trust
Cleaning my hard drive means I have to make some sacrifices within my iTunes library, and fall back on my backup drive. This selection what I think is Trust at its best was threatened, so here it is, rescued as a screenshot:
Friday, 8 February 2008
Best of Stones, my take
This a very personal selection of what I prefer in the Rolling Stones. I am too young to pronounce the sentence "It's been ten years since…" very often, but it has been ten years at least since I started listening to the Stones. You will notice that I like Keith Richards a lot, and that I like the recent stuff as well as the old. I am lazy, so this is captured directly from iTunes.
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
Good techno in a good mix
If you plan to get only one mix of electronic music for the coming months, get Laurent Garnier's "Excess Luggage" CD4, mixed at the Rex.
Jeff Mills' "The Bells" and Technasia's "Descent" on the same plate, what can I say? Genius!
And Garnier is also very interesting to watch live. I saw him mix with jazz in Vienne a few years ago and enjoyed it.
Jeff Mills' "The Bells" and Technasia's "Descent" on the same plate, what can I say? Genius!
And Garnier is also very interesting to watch live. I saw him mix with jazz in Vienne a few years ago and enjoyed it.
Monday, 4 February 2008
Inlandish
France Musique is currently broadcasting a track from this new release. No doubt the first composer has worked with Brian Eno.
What it means to be musically at home is when you get to listen to hundreds of different music styles, but only one or two of them make you feel you are in your element.
I happen to enjoy electronic music (from downtempo to hard techno), jazz, rock, hard rock, classical music, and a bit of other styles like world music and stuff that does not fit categories. But it's only when I listen to an ambient piano track or to a progressive rock guitar melody that I know where my ear resides.
What it means to be musically at home is when you get to listen to hundreds of different music styles, but only one or two of them make you feel you are in your element.
I happen to enjoy electronic music (from downtempo to hard techno), jazz, rock, hard rock, classical music, and a bit of other styles like world music and stuff that does not fit categories. But it's only when I listen to an ambient piano track or to a progressive rock guitar melody that I know where my ear resides.
Saturday, 26 January 2008
Daily Thrash Motion
It takes about thirty seconds to connect with very large groups of music videos on Dailymotion. “Thrash Militia” has particularly good stuff. Make sure you adjust sound volumes between videos, some of them are very quiet/loud.
You probably need to know the studio version to enjoy this:
You probably need to know the studio version to enjoy this:
Thursday, 24 January 2008
MDK
Yay! I just got offered "MDK," Magma's best album. I used to have this album on magnetic tape, with Agitation Free "II" on the other side. Listen to "MDK" over the sound module at Prog Archives.
To me who listens music almost solely on the MacBook or on the iPod Shuffle, a physical CD is of almost no interest. Worse, living abroad means that if I ever pack back home one day, I will have to move the CD with me; a CD is small but you have to multiply this to everything in life, and it soon amounts to tons of stuff.
The only advantage is that the CD can be put in the hi-fi and the hi-fi has a clock-timer thingee. In brief, I can wake up with Magma. I love it. Thanks B and G!
To me who listens music almost solely on the MacBook or on the iPod Shuffle, a physical CD is of almost no interest. Worse, living abroad means that if I ever pack back home one day, I will have to move the CD with me; a CD is small but you have to multiply this to everything in life, and it soon amounts to tons of stuff.
The only advantage is that the CD can be put in the hi-fi and the hi-fi has a clock-timer thingee. In brief, I can wake up with Magma. I love it. Thanks B and G!
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
Monday, 14 January 2008
Recent additions
Back to blogging. Here are recent additions to my ear:
- Overkill, Taking Over (1987) -- which goes along with my Overkill craze.
- Oldelaf & Monsieur D., “Le Café” (2006) -- a hilarious track from their last album:
- Black Strobe, Burn Your Own Church (2007) -- I saw them play most tracks in Edinburgh last year at Cabaret Voltaire, and they were simply amazing. Check their excellent podcast.
- I also exhumed a lot of Rolling Stones album from my musical past, in order to build my Ultimate Best of Stones. I am not part of the Nostalgic Snobs Club and I like much of the recent stuff from Voodoo Lounge (err, 1994, fairly recent let's say, but I was already listening to it when it came out!).
- Nick Drake, Five Leaves Left (1969) -- a good pick, especially for the song “Riverman”.
- A Pink Floyd bootleg recorded in 1970-71 on the French radio Europe 1 (mistakingly referred to as Europa 1 in the bootleg). I have listened only to the first two tracks, the quality is acceptable. The last track is an orchestra version of “Atom Heart Mother” which sounds very average, I am not that impressed.
Happy New Year, Invisible Tiny Readership!
- Overkill, Taking Over (1987) -- which goes along with my Overkill craze.
- Oldelaf & Monsieur D., “Le Café” (2006) -- a hilarious track from their last album:
- Black Strobe, Burn Your Own Church (2007) -- I saw them play most tracks in Edinburgh last year at Cabaret Voltaire, and they were simply amazing. Check their excellent podcast.
- I also exhumed a lot of Rolling Stones album from my musical past, in order to build my Ultimate Best of Stones. I am not part of the Nostalgic Snobs Club and I like much of the recent stuff from Voodoo Lounge (err, 1994, fairly recent let's say, but I was already listening to it when it came out!).
- Nick Drake, Five Leaves Left (1969) -- a good pick, especially for the song “Riverman”.
- A Pink Floyd bootleg recorded in 1970-71 on the French radio Europe 1 (mistakingly referred to as Europa 1 in the bootleg). I have listened only to the first two tracks, the quality is acceptable. The last track is an orchestra version of “Atom Heart Mother” which sounds very average, I am not that impressed.
Happy New Year, Invisible Tiny Readership!
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