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:: Aquarius Records ::
:: New Arrivals #99 ::
:: September 7 2000 ::
:: ::
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Beloved Customers and Friends,
It's been a long time in coming, but Aquarius is proud to finally to offer
soundclips from the AQ-website. Thanks for being patient, folks, and for
remembering that we are a small store with only 7 staffers to do it all.
And since all of us prefer actually running our shop rather than staring at
a computer all day, we've been a bit slow on the tech tip. But we're
totally aware that it's much easier to take a chance on new music if you've
had a chance to hear a bit. And nothing makes us happier than turning you
on to good music. There's just a few clips up now, more to come. See the
Audio page: http://aquariusrecords.org/audio.html
Note: if you've been to the AQ website lately, you'll notice that we've
slowly but surely been updating the site. Our catalogs are now as up to
date as we can make 'em, and a search function and shopping cart are on the
way.
----*
----* Records of the Week :
----*
PINETOP SEVEN "Bringing Home the Last Great Strike"
(Self-Help/Truckstop) cd 14.98
The criminally underrecognized Pinetop Seven have been plugging away for
years, as they watched Lambchop, Whiskeytown, the Old 97s and a handful of
their alt-country peers hit it (relatively) big. But with their fourth
album, Pinetop Seven's time has finally come. The band takes simple country
ballads, stretches and expands them, adding strings and lush textures,
bizarre and exotic instrumentation, and create gut wrenching, brutally
intimate country epics. The vocals are deep and trembly like the guy
singin' 'em might be about to have a breakdown -- Roy Orbison channeled
through Jeff Buckley, Thom Yorke, and Chris Isaak. You know how bands like
Godspeed and Blackheart Procession reside at the dark murky end of the
indie rock spectrum? That's what Pinetop Seven is to the alt-country scene.
And in the same say that Godspeed is, at this point, only barely connected
to an "indierock" sound, Pinetop are only tangentially "country" by way of
their slight twang. What gets us is that it's also perfectly accessible,
dark music that in a perfect world would be on adult radio all the time.
This is real honest-to-god music that lingers in your brain for a while --
it's about as far from trendy and flash-in-the-pan as you can get. Very
accessible, very deep, and very highly recommended.
Note: we also have one of their previous albums, "Rigging the
Toplights", which is one of Andee's absolute favorites of all time.
RealAudio clip: "On the Last Ride In"
CUYPERS, LEO "Heavy Days Are Here Again" (Atavistic) cd 14.98
Wow! I can barely remember the last time I heard a record as jubilantly
bursting with Life and Laughter and Energy as this lost treasure of Dutch
jazz. This record swings and stutters and gallops like Charlie Mingus'
"Black Saint", like Rahsaan Roland Kirk's almost-rocking sets, like Otomo
Yoshihide's spirited Ground Zero outfit. Imagine Vince Guaraldi's Peanuts
piano taken on a roller coaster ride, and Charlie Brown's running around
swearing like a sailor, and there's lots of thrills amidst the cacophony,
and Lucy's stomach turns over when the roller coaster's upside down, and at
some point Charlie loses his virginity. Yeah. That's how good this record
is.
Recorded in 1981(!), the only existing document of pianist Leo Cuypers
as leader, this recording also features the all star talents of
unbelievably great percussionist Han Bennink, legendary reedist Willem
Breuker, and bassist Arjen Gorter. All players had at one time or another
been part of the esteemed Willem Breuker Kollektief, but here under the
guidance of Cuypers, their skills are combined to produce one of the most
EXUBERANT pieces of modern avant jazz I have ever heard.
REALAUDIO CLIP: http://aquariusrecordSF.com/audio.html
RealAudio clip: "Alsdat de Olifantstand"
TARANTULA HAWK "s/t" (Life Is Abuse) cd/lp 13.98/14.98
San Diego's Tarantula Hawk create a heavy, epic rock soundscape, a bit
like a metal version of Godspeed You Black Emperor, with a healthy dose of
Hawkwind. The band is a four piece: with not one, but two bassists, a
drummer, and a guitarist/keyboardist, and a couple of samplers amongst
them. This, their debut recording, consists of one 40-or-so minute long
track, all instrumental, that combines metallic math-rock (including the
occasional blast-beat) with bombastic prog-rock keyboard sounds of the sort
unheard since the early '70s! The keyboards make TH remind me (and perhaps
only me) of a malevolent version of the organ-led seventies Italian prog
cult-band Le Orme, but mixed with the majestic bass-heavy attack of
Japanese prog-punk technicians the Ruins. All these sounds are then
eventually subsumed into an experiment in drone science. Ominous stuff
indeed! It's like the soundtrack to the military-occupation of a haunted
house: martial drum beats, grandiose synth themes, eerie abstract
electronics. For fans of Thrones, Neurosis, Magma, The Champs, Old Man
Gloom, etc. No wonder they're currently touring with both California
grindcore heroes Dystopia and Texas neo-psych spacerock act Yeti (scheduled
to play at Kimo's here in SF on the 17th of September, in fact), drawing as
they do from both genres. The cd version also includes a gritty cd-rom
video of a live show, about the same length as the audio track on the cd,
that's if anything heavier and scarier. Highly recommended!
RealAudio clip: "Tarantula Hawk"
----*
----* tUMULt New Releases :
----*
Andee's label/machine continues its relentless assault. He and we are proud
to present the domestic US debut of Finland's Circle, with their latest
disc (and one of their best). Then there's the second strike (following
Weakling) in tUMULt's heavy metal campaign, with Chicago's Hatewave...
CIRCLE "Andexelt" (tUMULt) cd 13.98
Finally! The new Circle record. Nine brand new tracks of droning,
hypnotic neo-kraut rock from one of our absolute all-time favorite bands.
Finland's Circle, are the northernmost heirs to the Krautrock tradition,
taking basic riffs, stretching and reshaping them, creating bleak, ever
shifting underwater grooves and dizzingly repetitive rhythms, sounding like
an otherworldly This Heat or a more damaged Can. A mesmerising wall of
sound delivered with the sheer force of Loop or Godflesh, but with dark
precision and melodic restraint Mellow, delicate jazzy passages intersect
with crushing Bonham-esque beats. Fans of Circle's other great records can
already guess that this is completely amazing and absolutely essential!!!
But fans of TransAm and Tortoise and Mogwai should definitely check this
Finnish combo's ability to out-post most post rock bands and out-space most
spacerock bands.
Released domestically on our own Andee's tUMULt label (originally
released on Finnish weird-prog label Metamorphos) with a bonus 10 minute
track and a kick ass secret track.
REALAUDIO CLIP: http://aquariusrecordSF.com/audio.html
RealAudio clip: "Andexelt"
HATEWAVE "s/t" (tUMULt) cd 13.98
The latest in killing technology from our very own Andee's tUMULt label!
This is the first (and probably last) release from Chicago's metal
mercenaries Hatewave. Completely crushing
math/speed/avant/noise/metal/grind.
Hatewave's musical bloodbath is equal parts death metal, free jazz,
grindcore, no-wave and pure noise. Furiously brutal, two guitar and drums
(no bass!) attack, whirling riffs, bursts of white noise, calculus-style
time changes, frantic blast beats, and a barely-under-the-surface free-jazz
obsession all coalesce into some of the most insane, lightning speed,
technical black metal/grind bombast ever. Featuring Chicago scene fixture
and metal/jazz obsessive, drummer Weasel Walter (Flying Luttenbachers, Lake
of Dracula, To Live and Shave in L.A.). Originally this was a limited
LP-only release -- this new cd version adds 3 bonus tracks from their 1997
demo! The LP (and at the time, soon to be released cd) was banned by some
squeamish distributors for its somewhat gory cover art and controversial
lyrics, all of which are retained on the cd.
----*
----* Selected New Arrivals in Alphabetical Order :
----*
ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE & THE MELTING PARADISO U.F.O. "Live At Occident"
(Detector) 2lp 14.98
Side A consists of two songs, entitled "Acid Milk Milky Way Also Jupiter
888" and "Rising From The Cool Fool Inferno". Side B is "Astrological
Overdrive"...you get the idea. Japan's freakiest modern psych rock combo,
with members of Mainliner/Musica Transonic/Toho Sara, Mandy Blue Heaven,
and Omoide Hatoba, among others, brought their trippiness to the US of A
not long ago and this lovely-looking double LP is the document. Although
the record starts out trippy and spaced out, most of the record leans more
toward the heavy psych of Mainliner or White Heaven.
ADAMS, RYAN "Heartbreaker" (Bloodshot) cd 14.98
Solo record from singer of alt-country darlings Whiskeytown.
Rambunctious and relaxed, more intimate, and a little less polished than
his Whiskeytown stuff. The sound is a bit more Beatlesy pop than Hank
Williams twang. Nice.
ALI, RASHIED & LEROY JENKINS DUO "Swift Are The Winds of Life"
(Knit Classics) cd 15.98
Free jazz drum legend Rashied Ali (who recorded "Intersellar Space" with
John Coltrane) teamed up with brilliant violinist/composer LeRoy Jenkins
for this 1975 recording, now reissued as part of the Knitting Factory's
"Survival Series". Extensive liner notes by jazz writer Stanley Crouch.
Lovely, mesmerizing duets.
ANTISEEN "15 Minutes of Fame, 15 Years of Infamy" (Steel Cage) cd 13.98
Rarely does a band make it to its third or fourth record, especially
when the band plays sloppy, trashy, violent, totally uncommercial punk
rock. But here it is, the year 2000, and Antiseen are still carving their
messy, bloody swath across the punk underground, 15 years and counting.
Especially amazing considering that frontman Jeff Clayton has been abusing
his body in true rock and roll style, ending every show in a bloody
disheveled heap on the floor. This is a collection of 7"s, compilation
tracks, weird out of print stuff and some unreleased songs, as well as a
bunch of covers (Roky Erickson, Screaming Lord Sutch, Troggs, Stooges)
showcasing Antiseen at their trashy, fucked up, southern-fried best.
ARCANA (Granary Books) book 22.00
Doubtless fascinating (er, haven't had a chance to read it in depth yet)
book comprised of musicians and composers writing about their work, their
creative processes, their ideas about music. Most of them get crazy
detailed about it -- charts, diagrams, scores, photos. Compiled and edited
by John Zorn, the book thus features all the usual suspects familiar to
fans of the Tzadik and Avant labels, and the New York Knitting Factory
scene, including Bill Frisell, John Oswald, Guy Klucsevek, Ikue Mori, David
Shea, Mike Patton, Marc Ribot, Miya Masaoka, Fred Frith, Bob Ostertag,
Elliot Sharp, Z'ev, Larry Ochs, Eyvind Kang, Anthony Coleman, Chris Brown,
and many more.
ART ENSEMBLE OF CHICAGO "Les Stances A Sophie" (Universal Sound) cd 18.98
Recorded in France in 1970, 'Les Stances...' features all the Art
Ensemble regulars (Bowie, Jarman, Mitchell, and Favors) but holds the
distinction of featuring two new members, drummer Don Moye, and more
strangely, Bowie's wife Fontella Bass, a fairly successful soul singer.
That sort of explains the unique sound of this recording, soulful vocals
AND lyrics alongside the traditional Art Ensmble sound.
AUER, JON "The Perfect Size" (Houston Party) cd 8.98
Yes indeed folks, this here is a little 5-song ep from the gent who
along with Ken Stringfellow make up the fabulous Posies. As the credits
tell, Mr. Auer makes all the noise on this release (with the exception of
some drum assistance from Darius Minwalla on two tracks). And what can I
say other than this release exhibits yet more shining examples of his fine
pop songwriting skills. The only problem you may find is that if you're at
all familiar with the Posies, you can't help but feel that something is
missing here because it's the fabulous vocal interplay between Jon and Ken
Posie that elevates their exceptional individual talents to pop greatness.
Nevertheless, these are some top notch tunes including a cover of "Gold
Star For Robot Boy" by another pop genius, Guided By Voices' Robert Pollard.
BAHAMADIA "Queen BB" (Good Vibe) cd 9.98
Old school hip hop diva who's skills on the mic are still heavily in
demand. She most recently appeared on Roni Size's records. Here's a budget
priced seven tracks for your listening enjoyment, with new school guests
Rasco, Planet Asia, Dwele, DJ Revolution, etc.
BARON, JOEY WITH ARTHUR BLYTHE, RON CARTER, & BILL FRISELL
"We'll Soon Find Out" (Intuition) cd 16.98
Drum god Joey Baron (known for his work in John Zorn's Naked City and
Masada groups) has collected a stellar lineup to play his compositions.
Saxophonist Blythe, bassist Carter, and guitarist Frisell are all leaders
in their own right. Unlike some of their projects (or like some of
Frisell's popular ones) this is very "inside", trad-jazz. It's the Joey
Baron record that you could buy for your mom.
BEANS "Tired Snow ep" (Zum) cd 12.98
The second release from this Vancouver, BC quintet (the first entitled
"Portal" can be found on Zulu Records from their hometown). Six tracks
totalling just under 40 minutes of moody melodiousness harking Mogwai,
Godspeed You Black Emperor, but sparing us the propensity towards
crescendos. Andee is convinced that the last track on this cd is actually
an A Minor Forest cover. You be the judge.
BEAT HAPPENING "Angel Gone" (K) 7" 3.50
With a great deal of anticipation and apprehension, I dropped the needle
on this, the first Beat Happening release in seven years. Almost
immediately I felt a warm fuzzy nostalgic swelling of my heart. Honestly
it's like Beat Happening never went away. It's Calvin, Bret and Heather
just as we remember them. Of the two songs, Angel Gone is the prettier and
stronger, while Zombie Limbo Time is much more ramshackle. The one thing
I'd hoped for from this 7" was Heather on lead vocals, but you can have
everything. Today it's primarily Calvin's turn on the mic. Groove back into
their primal pop action. Stay tuned for the 6-box set of this very special
and important band out very very soon.
BENNINK, HAN "Nerve Beats" (Atavistic) cd 14.98
A truly amazing document of a solo set performed by percussionist Han
Bennink, long acknowledged as one of the founders of European improvised
music. Full of exuberance, life, humor, this record scales the heights of
unpredictability and variety as Bennink alternately plays unidentified
pieces of metal, shimmering cymbals, tablas, rat-a-tat-tat staccato drums,
clarinets, and accompanies himself with vocal warbles, muffled quacks,
yells... This record is 27 years old but sounds fresher and more alive than
much of what was released last week! First time on cd. Highly recommended.
BLACK HEART PROCESSION "3" (Touch And Go) cd/lp 14.98/10.98
Sure, Black Heart Procession's three albums have all sounded more or
less the same, but like bands such as Dirty Three, Pole, and Low, Black
Heart do one thing but they do it IMPECCABLY. As the title suggests, this
is the third album from this "moody" rock band, with former members of
Three Mile Pilot as well as folks from Rocket From The Crypt and Blonde
Redhead. Doleful piano sits next to mournful male vocals and dark strummed
guitar. Fans of Red House Painters, Palace, and Radar Brothers will LOVE
this record, don't delay!
RealAudio clip: "Guess I'll Forget You"
BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS "Child Is The Father To The Man"
BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS "s/t"
(Columbia/Legacy) cd 11.98 each
First, classic album from the famous late '60s jazz/R&B/rock group. Now
digitally remastered, with three bonus tracks and new liner notes. Totally
fucked up proggy pop. Extended jams, crazy leads, stretched out languid
blues. Hard to believe this stuff was top 40. If you loved that first
Chicago record (and judging from how many we've sold, you do) then this
will hit the spot.
We've also got the second, equally classic album from the famous late
'60s jazz/R&B/rock group. Includes hits "You've Made Me So Very Happy" and
"Spinning Wheel", plus their cover/jam on Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love"
and interpretations of themes by Erik Satie! Now digitally remastered, with
two live bonus tracks and new liner notes.
BRINKMANN, THOMAS "Rosa" (Max Ernst) cd 16.98
"Rosa" compiles a handful of the singles that Thomas Brinkmann released
on Max Ernst of tracks that were titled with women's names. The tracks from
this series shift away from his techno utilitarianism to incorporate a
greater sensitivity to melody and texture. His technique of razor blading
locked grooves into vinyl appears to remain the same as elements of
Plastikman's "Consumed," Mouse On Mars' "Vulvaland," and any number of
Wolfgang Voigt tracks have been mashed into these terse techno grooves.
CATANI, PATRIC "Attitude PC8" (DHR) cd 24.00
EC8OR leader Patrick Catani's newest solo album, "Hitler 2000", although
now re-named (for cd release) "Attitude PC8" and with much of the 'wacky'
Hitler artwork removed, is a huge pounding slab of distorted breakbeats and
straight-up noise. Brutal and catchy and funny. Kind of like a tagteam
match between Lesser, Alec Empire, Kid 606, and Merzbow. It's hard to
believe that this stuff can keep getting harder and more distorted and more
fucked up, but it does. We're still waiting (hoping?) for a domestic
release on this one, for now here's the import.
CHARLES, CHRISTOPHE "Undirected Dok" (Ritornelle) cd 16.98
Christophe Charles previously collaborated with Markus Popp on the Oval
album "Dok," probably the most abstract piece of glitchery in the Oval
catalogue. Judging from the liner notes of his new "Undirected Dok" album,
Charles was probably responsible for the indeterminant nature of that Oval
disc. Charles proposes his idea of 'undirected music' as a means of
attaining tonal harmony through the absence of structure, a concept that
references both the music of John Cage and the the fog sculptures of Nakaya
Fujiko, among other things. For the most part Charles' electronic collages
on "Undirected Dok" succeed in their lofty goals.
As can be expected from all releases on the Ritornelle label
(experimental subsidiary of Mille Plateaux / Force Inc), Charles embraces
the closed-circuit feedback logic of fellow lowercase technicians like
Taylor Deupree and Coh; however, Charles escapes over-exposure to computer
screen irradiation by venturing out to capture some fabulous field
recordings of subterranean waterworks, bustling train stations, and
children at playgrounds, which he then adds to the alienated sounds of
digitial glitch processing.
CHUNKLET #15 magazine 5.95
If you're in the mood for newsy, chatty indierock gossip with a capital
G, then you can do no better than Chunklet. We love it. The featured
article in this issue is the "Asshole Top 100". First place: the Butthole
Surfers; second place: Courtney Love; third place: the guys who ran Cargo
Records/Distribution into the ground. Accompanied by extensive and catty
explanatory footnotes, the thing is hilarious and no-holds-barred. Steve
Albini is also interviewed on how he feels about showing up on the list
(doesn't care at all). Other things Steve has to say:
"People are now concerned about how they are perceived by others far
more than they used to be. Part of being in a band used to mean that you
were self defining, and now it seems there's much more emphasis on being
part of an economic base and being part of a scene or movement or whatever.
That makes people sensitive to what other people have to say about them.
People see this as sort of a career path and want to maintain a profile
within that community. There are fucking punk rock publicists now."
Other articles on emo, Will Hart of Olivia Tremor Control, David Cross
(Mr. Show), John Reis (Rocket from the Crypt), the infamous Band-A-Minute
list (short band reviews a la: "A Minor Forest: We're only getting away
with this because we're on Thrill Jockey" and "Modest Mouse: See a retarded
boy singing Pixies songs"), and a big thing on Charles Bronson written by
AQ-fave Andy Earles of the wonderful Cimarron Weekend zine (and when's a
new issue of THAT coming out, we wonder with baited breath?)
Note: in great demand and selling super quick, consider buying this now
before we run out forever.
CRUZ, CELIA CON LA SONORA MATANCERA "La Guarachera de Cuba"
(Tumbao) cd 15.98
The musical relationship between singer Celia Cruz and orchestra Sonora
Matancera has got to be one of the most sustained and cohesive in Cuban
history. The two are like fire and heat, it's hard to imagine them apart
(sorry, couldn't help myself on that one... So sue me.) Celia Cruz has a
voice that's silky, yet immensely powerful and once you've heard it (she
continues touring to this day), you never forget it. La Sonora Matancera
for its part is supplies a tight, clear, swinging backdrop for Celia's
vocals - never intruding on her vocal lines. Recorded between 1950 and
1953 in Havana Cuba.
CUSTER, BETH "Vinculum Symphony Live" (bc records) cd 13.98
Great San Francisco musician and composer Beth Custer (Club Foot
Orchestra, Eighty Mile Beach) assembled these players and instrument
builders for the Yerba Buena performance recorded on this disc.
DAMON & NAOMI "With Ghost" (Sub Pop) cd 15.98
The retail/press info sheet for this goes on and on about what a
boundary-crossing, genre-defying acid folk milestone this 'inevitable'
collaboration between D & N and Japanese space-folk collective Ghost is.
Too bad that's so far from the truth. 'Cause maybe if Damon and Naomi's
sound wasn't so apparently inalterable and they did indeed plan on
*actually* collaborating, this could have really been something amazing.
But instead, it's your basic dreamy, reverby, 80's college radio space/folk
pop. Truth be told, three tracks into this cd, we barely noticed Ghost's
presence at all. It was as if they were...oh never mind. This is basically
your standard Damon and Naomi record (essentially, Galaxie 500 with more
ethereal vocals and less catchy songs) with Ghost acting as their 'house
band'. So if you like Damon and Naomi already, then you will probably need
this record. But, if you were waiting for some new Ghost, keep waiting.
DEFCON, GENE "Come Party With Me 2000" (K) cd 13.98
Love him or hate him, you've gotta admire Gene Defcon's full-on party
mission. Really! 47 songs (71 minutes total) for and about whooping it up
with your pals! At times, sounding like songs that could have been on the
Revenge Of The Nerds soundtrack. Indeed, Gene Defcon Olympia's party king
seems determined to get all the sullen indie kids out of their Barlow lows,
and into their boogie shoes.
DIAS DE BLUES "s/t" (Akarma) cd 17.98
1972 heavy psychedelic blues rock from Uruguay, kind of a slightly more
wasted Latin American take on something along the lines of Cream. This
album ventures from uptempo fuzz rockers to backwards-effected dirges, all
with killer guitar leads and Spanish vocals. Cool.
ELEVENTH DREAM DAY "Stalled Parade" (Thrill Jockey) cd 14.98
The ninth record from this all-star ensemble (weird to think that EDD is
going on 17 years now, but the band members side projects are so much more
high profile: Freakwater, Tortoise, Brokeback, and Tara Key's band),
'Stalled Parade', is more of their dreamy, droney, funky, twangy, hypnotic
rock. Nice.
FERRER, IBRAHIM CON CHEPIN Y SU ORQUESTA ORIENTAL "Mi Oriente"
(Tumbao) cd 15.98
Here's a recording of Buena Vista Social Club fave Ibrahim Ferrer in his
salad days, singing with Electo "Chepin" Rossell's orchestra. Recorded in
Havana, mostly in 1960 & 1961, this lineup of Chepin's orchestra also
features: Pastor Manzano on trumpet; Remberto Ibarra on alto sax; Emerido
Ferrera on percussion; Loreto Vistel, Epifanio and Faustino on trumpets;
Luis Castell on piano; J. Guerra on tenor & baritone sax; Enrique Acosta on
tenor sax, Ismilbo Correa on tumbao; Chepin on violin; and along with
Ferrer on vocals there's Carlos Quintana and Isidro Correa.
FESTIVAL OF DEAD DEER "The Many Faces Of Mental Illness"
(Three.One.G) cd 13.98
Loud, disjointed and full of youthful rage and angst. This is raw,
noisy, twisted music constantly on the verge of combustion. On the super
cool San Diego-based record label run by The Locust's Justin Pearson.
FRIEDMAN, BURNT "Con Ritmo" (Nonplace) cd 15.98
If all of those Atom Heart pseudonyms as Latin percussion ensembles and
charismatic bandleaders weren't enought, Burnt Friedman has gotten in on
the action with his own Latin electronic stylings. Smokier, jazzier, and
more drunk than El Atomo Corazon (who does make an appearance on the Moog
on one track), Friedman's recordings are filled with laptop tricked-out
vibraphones and groovy mambo beats.
GALBRAITH, ALASTAIR "Cry" (Emperor Jones) cd 14.98
The fourth solo album from New Zealander Alastair Galbraith is a
stunner. Rarely has music this experimental been so ACCESSIBLE. But that's
genius at work, folks, right here. "Cry" mixes pastoral folk drones with
muted electric guitar outbursts, ominous organ rumblings, and Alastair's
sung poetry. It's super pretty and quiet and haunting and we highly
recommend it. Even if you've never heard this veteran of the Kiwi music
scene's records before, this is a fine, fine place to start.
RealAudio clip: "Bellbird"
GREENLIEF, PHILIP AND COVERED PAGES "Russian Notebooks"
(Evander Music) cd 14.98
Local clarinet/flute/saxophone whiz Philip Greenlief presents "music for
2 guitars and 2 wind instruments". Vinnie Golia is the other reedsman, and
the guitarists are G.E. Stinson and the AQ-beloved Nels Cline (all LA new
music scene stalwarts). The pieces (thoughtful, sometimes doleful,
sometimes pretty) are inspired by Greenlief's experiences living in Russia,
where he spent a year in '98. Both Greenlief and Cline are credited with
the use of "ray guns" in the liner notes, which kind of makes you wonder
about what Russia's like these days...
HACO "Happiness Proof" (Detector) cd 9.98
US release of a new solo album by Japanese avant-garde vocalist/composer
Haco, who used to sing for the prog-pop band After Dinner. More recently,
she formed the wonderful Hoahio trio with Sachiko M and Yagi Michiyo. Fans
of that group (we listed their recent Tzadik album not long ago) will
definitely enjoy "Happiness Proof". It's a similar sort of unpredictable
electronic-infused avant-pop. Haco gets a little help from her friends, as
lots of interesting folks appear on this disc -- it's almost a who's-who of
Japanese underground scenesters: Tsuyama Atsushi (Omoide Hatoba, Acid
Mothers Temple, Akaten, etc.), Yamamoto Seiichi (Boredoms, Omoide Hatoba,
etc.), Uchihashi Kazuhisa (Altered States, Ground Zero, etc. -- he plays
daxophone on here as well as guitar!), and turntablist Otomo Yoshihide
(Ground Zero, ISO, etc.), among others. There's also contributions from
Belgian Pierre Bastien and his Mecanium, a mechanical orchestra.
Delightful. Note the nice price too!
HIS NAME IS ALIVE "When the Stars Refuse to Shine" (Time Stereo) cd-r 11.98
People have been waiting for what seems like forever for a new His Name
Is Alive. Released as a cd-r on AQ favorite label Time Stereo (who released
the absolutely brilliant Steps), this is to tide everyone over until their
next 4AD full length. HNIA continue on their questionable path toward full
on SOUL, due in no small part to vocalist Lovetta Pippen, who also sang on
the last record. We all loved 'Stars on ESP' from a few years back, which
was a completely inspired and magical pop record. Unfortunately HNIA
haven't really been able to pull that off since. All the trademark
weirdness is gone, super creative production, samples, all gone, and in
it's place, a sort of watered down wannabe soul. If you liked the last
record, you might dig this one, if you were waiting for another 'Stars On
ESP', then I think you may be quite disappointed. Features an absolutely
painful version of 'Moon Dance'.
HOPPER, KEV "Whispering Foils" (Drag City) cd 14.98
Join Kev Hopper (former bassist of Stump) on his third album as he
meanders down a gently winding path festooned with pretty marimbas, vibes,
and musical saw. Textured percussion and strings weave their way. At times
diaphanous and shimmering, and at others shadowy and mysterious. Hopper
(who has played on albums by High Llamas and Stereolab) is accompanied on
his journey by Charles Hayward (This Heat) and Sean O'Hagan (High Llamas).
IMBROCO "Are You My Lionkiller?" (Deep Elm) cd 10.98
Loud... quiet... loud. Aah yes, a style of indie rock that will never
never go away. And Imbroco perform it with vigor and ample emoting. A
6-song ep that would make any Get Up Kids or old Superchunk fan bob their
head with glee.
IQU AND FRIENDS "Teenage Dream Remixes" (K) 12" 5.98
What was your teenage dream? IQU (formerly a trio known as ICU, now a
duo, but still pronounced ee-koo) and friends give hints to their
adolescent aspirations in the liner notes of this 12". "Teenage Dream" just
happens to be the name of an IQU song (featuring some very rock guitar and
various samples of Japanese singing, greetings and spoken word), and it
gets the remix up and down by such pop electronic luminaries as Looper (aka
Stuart David ex-Belle And Sebastian) and indie cool cats Concentrick (aka
Tim Green formerly in Nation of Ulysses, now in the Fucking Champs). Note:
the cd version includes two bonus tracks by Sonic Boom and IQU's K.O. Quite
boogie-worthy indeed.
JEANS TEAM "s/t" (Kitty-Yo) cd 15.98
Ah, the art of fine song titling. "Asphaltvibrator", "Hi Fans". And the
music? Sweet, playful techno-pop not too shy to heft a big bass beat every
once in a while. Kinda silly. Almost dorky at times. Oh yeah, and if you
look closely, you just might spot some members of StereoTotal.
KAMINUMADA YOHJI "2nd Album" (Ebisu Records) cd 19.98
Obscure, modern-day Japanese psychedelic rock band, kind of like Ghost
but perhaps folkier and poppier. With traditional Japanese elements as
well. Nice.
KOZELEK, MARK "Rock'n'Roll Singer" (Badman) cd 13.98
Windy's new favorite record. Totally gorgeous solo album from the leader
of Red House Painters, Mark Kozelek, who comes across as more direct, lush,
warm, and poignant. Just perfect. Everyone is loving this album, as the
underground word of mouth is spreading. Somehow reminds me of early,
mournful Bruce Springsteen, and of course Nick Drake but Kozelek is in a
class of his own. You will love this record! And this album's big surprise:
four of the songs are covers, one of a song by John Denver, and the other
three are...drum roll...AC/DC tunes!! (Totally unrecognizable.)
RealAudio clip: "Find Me, Ruben Olivares"
LOWFISH "Eliminator" (Suction) cd 14.98
Lowfish's "Eliminator" shuffles between early Autechrisms with sad
melody lines topping elegant post-electro / IDM breakbeats and simple
arrpeggiated synth sequences more on line with mid 80s New Order and the
recent output from Console.
LYNX "s/t" (Box Factory) cd 14.98
The latest in a long line of 'post rock' bands actually trying to
stretch the boundaries of everyone's favorite non-genre. Some of the sounds
are the same, but presented here, by these guys, it sounds pretty fresh and
new. Ultra precise, and with a complete mastery of their chosen dynamics,
Lynx mange to kick serious ass (without the unnecessary showiness of Don
Caballero) while crafting actual 'songs' that you may find stuck in your
head after repeated listens. Maybe not as far out or as mind blowing as AQ
faves Fuehler, but Lynx still pack quite a wallop, easily out-posting their
post rock peers. Definitely for fans of Shellac.
MAN OR ASTROMAN? "A Spectrum of Infinite Scale" (Touch And Go) cd 14.98
Space-surf masters' new effort, the latest in a countless line of
fan-pleasing discs.
MANNING, BARBARA "Under One Roof Singles and Oddities" (Innerstate) cd
14.98
Collection of 4-track demos, compilation contributions, 7"s and
otherwise rare tracks dating back to 1986 and extending up to 2000.
MASTER MUSICIANS OF JAJOUKA / TALVIN SINGH (Point Music) cd 15.98
Bachir Attar and the Master Musicians of Jajouka are teamed up with
producer Talvin Singh for this traditional Morrocan trance-music meets
modern club beats experiment. If you've seen the movie "The Cell" you've
heard some music from this album, used as the soundtrack to the "desert"
sequences, all layered, massive, and wailing.
MERZBOW "Live At Radio 100" (ERS) cd 17.98
Meet DJ Merzbow! Yes, the famed Japanese noise-artist Masami Akita hops
on the wheels of steel for this live Dutch radio broadcast. Wikky wikky
woo. Which means that the turntables certainly come in for some abuse! Plus
he deploys his usual noise electronics as well. Still, this is marginally
more 'musical' than most Merzbow output, 'cause of the records being
'played'. Dedicated Japanese noise fans might recall the Flying Testicle
project, that's what this reminds us of. Also featuring Merzbow members
Bara (turntables, voice) and Reiko A. (theremin). Plus guest Radboud Mens
on turntable as well. Comes in a handsome cardboard slipcover package.
Limited to 500 copies.
MIRROR "Front Row Centre" (Die Stadt) lp 17.98
The breathtakingly beautiful collaborations between Andrew Chalk and
Christoph Heemann as Mirror have resulted in three superb deep listening /
tonal drift records in a little under a year, with "Eye of The Storm" for
Streamline, "Ringstones" for Some Fine Legacy, and this for Die Stadt.
While their production techniques revolve around blurring the sonic edges
of arcane source material (highway field recordings, bowed metals, and
tape machine backmasking), Mirror allows more of the source material to
speak on its own with extended notes from orchestral warm-ups. They have
layered hazy passages for lengthy french horns, warm strings, and a
handful of their own mysterious drones within a slow building composition.
If you've fallen for Chalk's work in the past, this album will certainly
impress you also. Stunning work.
MONOS "A Natural Discordance" (Nil Records) cdr 14.98
Darren Tate, founder (along with Andrew Chalk) of the now defunct drone
collective Ora, has released his second solo album as Monos. The album
starts with a lengthy track of acoustic drones gathered from long wires and
gongs, and later processed with tremolo and dense reverb. While this track
definitely encapsulates the sound that fellow Ora members (Colin Potter and
Jonathan Coleclough, to name a few) have continued to work with, Tate's
following pieces depart from this dreamy aesthetic. The second track is
quieter, with field recordings of a burbling brook. However these placid
sounds are then interrupted by bursts of noisy activity, as if someone was
trying to move a 300 pound filing cabinet next to the brook! The final
track features a calm layering of keyboard synths. While there are moments
of this album that certainly warrant a number of listens, "A Natural
Discordance" is perhaps one of the slighter efforts to come from this
increasingly prolific school of experimentalists.
MOONEY SUZUKI, THE "People Get Ready" (Estrus) cd 14.98
No, this band has nothing to do with the seminal German band Can nor
with their two vocalists Malcolm Mooney and Damo Suzuki. Expecting a little
krautrock? Think again. Think NYC rock'n'roll, baby. That's right. "People
Get Ready" is a dozen sweaty badass numbers. With plenty of soul and
bluesy firepower. Where else but on Estrus Records? Recorded by Tim Kerr.
MOVIETONE "Blossom Filled Streets" (Drag City) cd 14.98
Drowsey guitar and piano paired with languid vocals are the perfect
soundtrackto end-of-summer garden lounging. This Bristol UK band's
follow-up to their great "Day And Night" album is a much wispier affair,
but certainly lovely.
RealAudio clip: "Hydra"
MURPHY, RIAN & WILL OLDHAM "All Most Heaven" (Drag City) cd 11.98
Rian Murphy (Drag City) and Will Oldham (Palace, Bonnie Prince Billy)
team up with all their friends (Jim O'Rourke, Bill 'Smog' Callahan,
Laetitia 'Stereolab' Sadier, Archer 'Sea & Cake-Coctails' Prewitt, Edith
Frost and David Grubbs) and play music. A project supposedly over 3 years
in the making, it's a little spotty. Recommended only if you *really* need
everything that has anything to do with Will Oldham.
NILE "Black Seeds of Vengeance" (Relapse) cd 15.98
If Indiana Jones was a metalhead, this would be his favorite band!
State-of-the-art death metal brutality/technicality with a Great
Pyramid-sized fixation on Ancient Egypt. Here are some song titles:
"Invocation of the Gate of Aat-Ankh-Es-En-Amenti", "Nas Akhu Khan She En
Absiu", "Masturbating The War God", "Libation Unto The Shades Who Lurk In
The Shadows Of The Temple of Anhur"! The liner notes even include detailed
essays giving the historical background for each song's lyrics. Our
resident Egyptologist, Elisabeth, is currently studying these for accuracy
(she thinks that they are relatively well-researched, if not based on the
most up-to-date sources...)! The archeological aggression of Nile combines
the fast and furious, yet subtly melodic approach of Morbid Angel (who also
share an interest in things occult and middle-eastern) with ethnic musical
trappings (not always Egyptian either: there's even some Tibetan monks
chanting on here). Live, these non-metal elements are brought in via
PowerBook sampling, unusual for the genre. On record, such departures are
even more effective and atmospheric. This, Nile's 2nd full-length for
Relapse, is a dark, sinewy, complex, demonic masterpiece!
NULL, K.K. "GeV" (Staalplaat) cd 15.98
"Nullsonic" electronic manipulations by Japanese guitarist K.K. Null.
Only slightly similar to the ambient noise whoosh of his many other solo
projects, and definitely unlike the Swans-metal bludegon of his heavy rock
outfit Zeni Geva. "GeV" features bleeping loops, chattering rumbles, and
sharp tone-whirr. It's all very sci-fi sounding, like you're in the control
room of some alien spaceship.
PINBACK "Some Voices" (Tree) cd 9.98
This is the newest ep from Pinback, the duo featuring Rob Crow of Heavy
Vegetable/Thingy/Optiganally Yours and Zack from Three Mile Pilot. More
dreamy, loping, lazy hazy pop songs, full of lilting melodies and quirky
instrumentation. Super pretty and super catchy.
QUEEN ADREENA "Taxidermy" (WEA) cd 27.00
Part two of my huge high school/college 'Kate' crush (the other being
Kate from Haysi Fantaysee). This is Katie Jane Garside's new outfit. You
may remember her as the filthy little waif in a tattered sackcloth dress
and wild blonde dreads from Daisy Chainsaw. While Daisy Chainsaw was all
pent up teenage agression and buzzsaw guitars, Queen Adreena is slow
simmering bitterness and warm languid instruments over Portishead-y
rhythms. Don't be fooled by track one, it's definitely a winner; a crashing
and monstrously heavy two minute barn burner that could have been a PJ
Harvey 'Dry' era outtake, the rest of the record, while not as rocking, is
certainly worth a listen. Dark and brooding and intense, almost goth. Fans
of Portishead, PJ Harvey and the like should check this out. Includes a
video for your computer, nice Quay brothers/Charlie Chaplin mix, with a
nude (!) Katie astride her bandmate. BIG import price, not sure when/if the
domestic is coming.
REDD KROSS "Born Innocent" (Munster Records) lp 14.98
Reissue of the Redd Kross debut, on 220 gram (that's heavy!) vinyl.
Awesome trashy, noisey messed up punk rock that hinted at the great pop
band Redd Kross were soon to become. But only hinted, no glossy 60's pop,
this is sloppy and care free garage band jams. And Jeff and Steve McDonald,
the masterminds of Redd Kross, were all of 13 or 14 when they recorded this
record. Features such RK classics as 'Linda Blair', 'Pseudo Intellectual',
'Kill Someone You Hate' and more. With four bonus tracks, and they didn't
leave out the poster either.
ROBERTS, DEAN AND WERNER DAFELDECKER "Aluminum" (Erstwhile Records) cd
15.98
Two extended improvs by AQ favorite Dean Roberts from (Thela, White
Winged Moth) and Werner Dafeldecker (Polwechsel, and an assortment of
improv ensembles with folks like Christian Fennesz, Jim O'Rourke, and
Martin Siewert) both playing guitars, electronics and percussion. The first
track pairs sine waves with guitar textures while the second epic track
rumbles and glides through metallic cycles and stalled clickery. Sinecore
meets clankcore.
RODRIGUEZ, ARSENIO "Montuneando" (Tumbao) cd 15.98
Another collection of recordings from Cuban tres guitarist Arsenio
Rodriguez. These were made in Cuba between 1946-1950 and feature much the
same line up as on "Como Se Goza En El Barrio" - most notably Rene Scull on
vocals. More and more I am impressed with Arsenio Rodriguez and his
output. Unlike so much of the newer Cuban releases of the Buena Vista
Social Club ilk that are being released which are so clean as to be
aseptic, these contain a beautiful rawness which is incomparable. The tres
guitar itself, which has 3 pairs of unison tuned strings, has an odd
always-semi-out-of-tune quality to it which makes my hair stand on end.
Add to that beautifully melodic and rhythmically syncopated solo lines
exchanged between tres, piano and trumpet, top it off with Rene Scull's
ridiculous vibrato singing (which I must admit, took a while for me to warm
up to, but is well worth the warmin) and you've got some kick ass Cuban
music. No collection of Cuban music should be without a disk by Arsenio
Rodriguez.
RealAudio clip: "Dame un Cachito Pa'Huele"
ROOTS OF ORCHIS "Red House In Winter" (Slowdance) cd 14.98
The Roots of Orchis are a five piece post-rock ensemble from San Diego
who can't decide which is better, Physics or Tortoise. Hey! Pick Physics
and stay away from the bad jazz-fusion basslines.
SANGRE AMADO "Inane" (Catastrophic) cd 10.98
Local black/death metallers Sangre Amado finally release a (non-demo)
cd, and it's wicked and dark and really good. Obviously influenced by the
blackest of Norwegian metal technology, with nasty rasping (female!)
vokills and epic riffing. Atypical of their Nordic heroes, however, Sangre
Amado utilizes lots of scary cinematic sampling (Gummo perhaps?) in-between
songs. Lastly, the raging drumming is courtesy of Li'l Sunshine, last heard
on the amazing Weakling album!
SCHMIDT, IRMIN "Gormenghast" (Spoon/Mute) cd 14.98
A fantasy opera, based on Mervyn Peake's gothic novels, written by
keyboardist Irmin Schmidt of krautrock legends Can. He utilizes everything
from traditional operatic vocals to synthisized breakbeats to tell the
story inspired by the great castle Gormenghast and its inhabitants.
SIXTHS, THE "Hyacinths and Thistles" (Merge) cd 14.98
The very very much-anticipated second collection from Stephen Merritt's
6ths. In case you aren't familiar with this particular project of Mr.
Merritt's, well here's the deal: all the songs are written by the man
himself and sung by various notable chanteurs and chanteuses. The first
album "Wasps' Nests" instantly became a favourite of mine with its
beautiful songs beautifully sung by the likes of Georgia Hubley of Yo La
Tengo, Lou Barlow, Mary Timony, and Mac McCaughan of Superchunk. Quite
simply, it melted my heart. This time around Stephen Merritt has rounded up
a less indie-pop crowd of voices. Among them are Odetta, Gary Numan (yay!),
Melanie, Clare Grogan (remember Altered Images?), as well as the
ultra-melodramatic Momus, Dominique A and Marc Almond. Not as immediately
infectious as its predecessor, but a very lovely and intriguing collection
nonetheless.
And you have to laugh upon learning that Merritt picked 6ths as the name
cos it's the hardest word to say, as are the 6ths' album titles.
RealAudio clip: "Dame un Cachito Pa'Huele"
SPOOKS "S.I.O.S.O.S. Volume 1" (Artimis) cd 16.98
Imagine the Roots, if Busta Rhymes and Onyx were members, and Bjork sang
all the refrains. Sounds like a mess, but it works perfectly. This was
kind of a hard record to pin down. The first track is all stuttering
Timbaland, with a demented, off-kilter, Busta Rhymes style flow. Track 2 is
a bit of jungle fluff, but from then on, it's all cream. Kind of like a
grittier, streetwise Bjork record, with catchy as fuck melodies, wicked
beats, and really funny, super creative rapping. Now usually I don't go for
the light stuff (you know, Del, Tribe Called Quest, and all that), but the
Spooks manage to add some grit and grime, making this record darker than I
expected. And consequently, my favorite hip hop record since the Zion I.
STILLUPPSTEYPA "Not A Laughing Matter But A Matter Of Laughs E.P."
(FIRE, Inc.) cdep 11.98
Four-song ep from these Icelandic electronic experimentalists. Somehow
this reminds me of the sounds one might imagine encountering in the ducts
and pipes of a massive office building, vibrating with the sounds of
computers and A/C...and then everyone's gone home, and it's very very
quiet. With some trumpet playing by Andy Diagram of the Spaceheads (for a
moment, it sounds like a Mille Plateaux Spaceheads remix), and barely-there
vocals by Japanese chanteuse Hanayo (who last collaborated with Panacea).
Very cool see-thru blue edged cd.
SUBARACHNOID SPACE "New and Exact Map" (September Gurls Records) cd 10.98
Local guitar experimentalist and noted Japanophile Mason Jones takes
another voyage with his space-rock crew Subarachnoid Space into the dark
waters of some rather lovely, guitar/synth/percussion opium ecstasies.
Eventually they get stoned enough to start on a reggae-meets-Hawkwind jam
("Fruity Drinks With Little Umbrellas"). Are you stoned enough to follow?
THIEVERY CORPORATION "Mirror Conspiracy" (ESL) cd 16.98
The Thievery Corporation tries to make silky music. But the silk that
their sound emulates is the cheaply made synthetic stuff that is woven into
the erotic apparel sold by Adam and Eve. Clad on unsexy white people who
saturate themselves in Drakkar Noir, these cheap silken garments (bright
pink for the ladies, purple paisleys for the gents) have the intrinsic
defect of chemically adhering to the skin as soon as it is permeated with
sweat. Despite the best efforts of clumsy grinding, the romantically
inclinded duo has the unfortunate task of attempting to peel this
molecularly fused cloth from their skin before moving onto more
unmentionable things. Cotton is king.
TRANS AM "Red Line" (Thrill Jockey) cd 14.98
The love-'em-or-hate-'em electronic post-rockers' fifth album. Their
Vocoder still ain't broken. Over twenty tracks here, including one that I
thought was a cover of Black Flag's "Thirsty And Miserable".
UJAKU "issue #7" magazine 3.00
We recently discovered this excellent 'zine from Australia, which has as
its focus experimental music from that country/continent (such as the
minimal electronicism of Pimmon and Minit, who are two of the better-known
names here, at least to us). Part of the beauty of this 'zine is how it
serves as an introduction to a interesting scene that you probably haven't
heard much about if you live in this hemisphere. Also, there's a healthy
review section covering not only Aussie artists but all kinds of other
international AQ-approved things from the Melvins to Sensational, from
Schoolly D to Mouse on Mars, all well written and individual. You'll also
notice some seemingly incongrous coverage of stuff in the metal realm
(there's reviews of Immortal and Peccatum, and pics of metal-oriented
graffiti!), demonstrating a broadminded taste in all forms of extreme and
unusual music, something that we always applaud here at Aquarius.
V/A "Big Mon" (Skaggs Family Records) cd 15.98
Contemporary bluegrass star mandolinist Ricky Skaggs put together this
tribute to Bill Monroe, the universally acknowledged father of bluegrass.
While this record shouldn't substitute for a Monroe record in your
collection, there are nonetheless several standout tracks worth the price
of the disc, including Dolly Parton's verison of Cry, Cry Darlin' and songs
sung by the Dixie Chicks (uh huh) and Charlie Daniels. Also appearing:
Dwight Yoakam, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Travis Tritt, Patty Loveless, Bruce
Hornsby. And Skaggs plays mandolin on every track!
V/A "Caroline Now!" (Marina) cd 16.98
"The songs of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys" as interpreted by loads
of folks, including Alex Chilton, Kim Fowley, Saint Etienne, The High
Llamas, Eric Matthews, the Peter Thomas Sound Orchestra, Jad Fair, The
Aluminum Group, The Free Design, and many others more pointless to name
here. The booklet's got an exclusive interview with Brian Wilson, as well.
With 24 tracks by such a varied group of people, one can't expect total
quality, but it's got moments.
V/A "Estrus 100% Apeshit Sampler" (Estrus) cd 6.98
Year after year Dave Crider (formerly of the Monomen) slings out heaps
of primo-garage releases from around the world on his Bellingham, WA label
Estrus. This is the second volume of rough rawk nuggets culled from his
extensive catalog. Starring The Monkeywrench, The Insomniacs, Estrella
20/20, The Von Zippers and twenty more trashy garage wonders! Plus a
super-duper price!
V/A "Fujirekodsu" (Fujirekodsu) cd 16.98
What the hell am I listening to? That's the reaction to a few minutes
spent with this comp in the cd player. It's a very weird mix of stuff!
Fujirekodsu is a new label set up by Tokyo's Cha-Bashira and Cologne's
A-Musik labels to release unknown and unusual music from Japan and Europe
(and all the artists on here, Japanese or not, either live or have spent
time in Japan). This new label/project has received some assistance from
the Tokyo record shop Los Apson, who some might recall released a bizarre
compilation of their own back in '96 or so. We are told that this is sort
of part II of that, and it is equally crazed. Don't get the idea that this
is your typical Japanese noise thing, as it's not particularily noisy in
the Merzbow sense; rather, there's a lot of different musical styles on
here, including electronic groove, installation sounds, "actionism", lo-fi
pop, and odd glitch-works. Nothing remotely ordinary however. Some of the
names involved (a few that folks might know, but not many!): Why Sheep?,
Smurf Otoko Gumi, Susumu Yokota, Christophe Charles/Brandon Labelle/Steve
Roden, Q of Q, Noise Ramones (Eye and Yoshimi of Boredoms), Evil Moisture,
Hair Stylistics, AOA, Rudolpf Eb.er, Nagata Kazunao, Tennessees, American
Cherry, Tapes Klar!, L?K?O?, Vagamoron, many more. There's 29 tracks of
this insanity. Pretty cool!
V/A "I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive" (Trikont) cd 14.98
Newest offering from Germany's Trikont label. Yet another genre
spanning collection of music, this time devoted to Hank Williams.
Featuring covers by such disparate artists as The Residents, Hasil Adkins,
Killdozer, Isaac Hayes, Link Wray, Freddy Fender, Mekons, Al Green,
Buckwhaet Zydeco, Jad Fair, Charlie Feathers and much more!
V/A "Invisible Soundtracks Macro 3" (Leaf) cd 16.98
The third compilation of eclectic electronica and noirish post-rock,
conceptually linked as all are productions to films that never existed
(definitely taking cues from Brian Eno and Barry Adamson). Artists include
Rothko, Freeform, Susuma Yokota, Rob Ellis (Spleen, PJ Harvey), 310, Bass
Communion, and more!
V/A "Music Is The Revolution" (Zenta) cd 13.98
Recordings of the legendary John Sinclair (manager of the MC5) and the
White Panther Party, spanning 1968 to 1970. Most of the recordings on this
disk were made at WPP committee meetings and feature some hilarious arguing
back and forth about the revolution, guns, guitars, drugs and sex. But
there's also some great solo rants from Sinclair and other heads of the
WPP. An amazing document!
"As we learn the language of Marxism, and the language of the Black
Panther Party, we'll be better able to explain to them what our program is,
in a language that they can understand, because we have trouble explaining
to the Black Panthers what the differences are between our two
organisations. If we can explain that difference in Marxist terms, we
could clear up a whole level of communication." So the disk begins, and it
just gets better from there! Why they felt this difference ever needed
explaining, we'll probably never know. Yet they proceed to argue themselves
into a completely opaque ball of radical nonsense. For fans of "Rock, Rot &
Rule", "Raymond & Peter", "Celebrities At Their Worst", that crazy guy
who's always screwing up what would otherwise be perfectly good Godspeed
You Black Emperor records, or anyone who's had to suffer through endless
hours of tedious consensus decision making with messed up hippies and want
to re-live the days through the safety of a cd player. Also makes great
answering machine outgoing messages! REVOLUTION!!!!
RealAudio clip: "Guitar and gun"
V/A "Sounds of the Geographically Challenged" (Temporary Residence) cd 9.98
Rarely does an indie rock comp hold well together sonically, but this
fine record is one of the few exceptions, with its laidback sonic
landscapes mixed with intimate bedroom recordings -- a hallmark of the
Temporary Residence label sound. And "Sounds of the Geographically
Challenged" even has a cool concept -- all the participating artists have
members living in 2 or 3 separate cities, each rather cutely listed in the
liner notes. Ranges from the bleak electronic work from Continental OP
(perhaps the only recording of this duo featuring David Pajo and Will
Oldham), to The Halifax Pier's southern theatricality, and Nero's muscular
math-rock. Windsor For The Derby's slide guitar hypno-rock is a major
highlight, as is the entry by Sonoroa Pine (ex-Rodan and June of 44
peoples), and the rollicking Songs:Ohia track is one of the best we've ever
heard from him. Also making appearances: Retsin, Liquorice, Hz Roundtable,
drona parva, Fuck, Wino, The For Carnation, Haelah, and Ruby Falls. All
songs except the Fuck one are exclusive!
"Sounds of the Geographically Challenged" was intended to be a four part
series of limited 12"s, but delays and natural disasters kept the project
from being completed with only 3 of the 4 singles seeing the light of day.
Although the vinyl versions sold out long ago and now fetch high bids on
eBay, the fine folks at Temporary Residence have compiled onto CD all of
the tracks from the series -- including the final unreleased 12". It's been
a long time coming, but it's certainly well worth the wait.
RealAudio clip: SONGS:OHIA "For the Neighbors of Our Age",
WINDSOR FOR THE DERBY "Sleeping in My Car"
V/A "Subterranean Hits, Vol. 3: The Ill School" (Word Sound) cd 14.98
Third installment of Word Sound's notorious Subterranean Hits
compilations. More fucked up hip hop than you can shake a corn dog at. If
nothing else, the pre-pubescent antics of Hawd Gangkstuh Rappuh MCs Wid
Ghatz track on this will have the snot running out of your nose and make
you scream for more... Or less. Once again these freaks single handedly
make this album worth its cost. But wait, there's more: you also get
excellent tracks by Sensational, Scotty Hard, Spectre and more!
RealAudio clip: HAWD GANGSTUH RAPPUH MC'S
WID GHATZ "Simple Classic Elegance"
WALTER, WEASEL / FRED LONBERG-HOLM / JIM O'ROURKE
"Tribute To Masayuki Takayanagi" (Grob) cd 16.98
Three notorious Chicago musicians, led by Flying Luttenbachers drummer
Weasel Walter (also of Hatewave, Lake of Dracula, To Live And Shave In LA,
etc. infamy), decide to record their tribute to the late legendary Japanese
free jazz guitarist Masayuki Takayangi. Dunno if Masayuji would entirely
have enjoyed this, as while his music was definitely noisy (noisier than
what's on here, sometimes!) there was also a beauty and restraint that's
not explored on this disc. Nor would we imagine that such song titles as
"Endless Corridor Of Roasted Babies", "Give Me head 'Til You're Dead", or
"Slitted Tit" would appeal to him. And the Masayuki Takayanagi
connection/concept here seems to have become secondary to a black metal
derived aesthetic, anyway: the three musicians are pictured in corpsepaint,
with evil-sounding stage names (Jim O'Rourke is dubbed "Lycanthrovampyr"),
and the last track, "Triumph of Death", is a Weasel semi-ambient solo piece
that sounds more influenced by Burzum than Mr. Takayanagi. Regardless, fans
of over-the-top drums/cello/guitar skree (or "infernal improvised music",
as these guys put it) should dig this immensely. After the first 30 minutes
of "For Jojo/Freebasing Styrofoam" some will be exhausted, but that's a
mere warm-up for the rest of the disc. The back-cover motto "play loud and
die" sums it up.
WARHORSE "The Priestess" (Ellington Records) 12" 7.98
Super doomy psych-sludge metal from underground heroes WarHorse, in the
stoned vein of Saint Vitus and High On Fire. Side One is the title track,
which d/evolves into a jam. Side Two tackles an old Wargasm tune. Handsome
sleeve as well.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? "Stand Fast Armageddon Justice Fighter"
(Sound Pollution) cd/lp 11.98/8.98
Local fastcore/bandana rock/metalcore/hardcore/straight edge/crossover.
Or something. Devon (of local metal/toyshop Howling Bull and of the late
All You Can Eat), Max (drummer of Spazz, Plutocracy and more), Craig
(formerly of Your Mother and All You Can Eat), and Robert (of Fuckface and
Artimus Pyle), got together, drew X's on their hands, donned their
bandanas, and set pits a spinning all over the world. This local 'super
group' plays a wicked strain of eighties bandana thrash/ metal-hardcore
crossover that is fast and furious and kicks total ass. Complete with
positive lyrics, extensive and heartfelt explanations of said positive
lyrics, and tons of photos of all the band members leaping and stage
diving. Hard to tell how tongue in cheek this all is, but regardless, you
may have to pull out that old bandana, X your hands and GET IN THE PIT!
WISDOM OF HARRY "House of Binary" (Matador) cd 14.98
Once an AQ favorite, with their bizarre mix of bedroom folk ala Smog or
Sentridoh, and stuttery lo-fi electronica, Wisdom of Harry have slowly
evolved into something pretty different...instead of sounding sweet,
introverted, and melodic, they now get described as murky, soundtracky,
dramatic, and certainly not song oriented. And that's fine -- we're not
going to pooh pooh anyone's right to change their sound -- but this
particular brand of murky soundtrack music smacks of a questionable move
towards the mainstream, sounding like a mess of Pop Will Eat Itself,
Garbage, Nine Inch Nails, and Tricky. And we have to admit missing bedroom
lonely guy stuff cos Wisdom of Harry did that so well (see their singles
collection Stars of Super Eight for that). Oh well, times change -- Badly
Drawn Boy is now the bedroom lonely guy du jour. (His album comes out
domestically 10/3.)
ZORN, JOHN "The Big Gundown: 15th Anniversary Edition" (Tzadik) cd 16.98
"The Big Gundown" is John Zorn's famed Ennio Morricone tribute album,
wherein Zorn and his downtown cronies (Diamanda Galas, Fred Frith, Arto
Lindsay, Vernon Reid, Ned Rothenberg, Christian Marclay, Michihiro Sato,
and many many more) play the music of the Italian spaghetti western
soundtrack master. Now it's been reissued 15 years later in a digitally
remastered, expanded edition. Yep, there's six new, recently recorded bonus
tracks (which feature another slew of notables, from Derek Bailey to
memmbers of Masada and Mr. Bungle). Arguably one of the Zorn essentials, at
the very least it, along with "Spillane", are the Zorn documents that point
to his later fixation with soundtrack-music inspired compositions in Naked
City.
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INSTORE PERFORMANCE : SPOONBENDER 1.1.1
The tele-ambient alter ego of I Am Spoonbender
will play live at Aquarius on Sunday Septmber 17th at 5pm.
Also they will be playing same night at Bottom of the Hill
with Trans Am and Neil Hamburger.
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RECOMMENDED UPCOMING SHOWS
Mountain Goats
Virginia Dare
Franklin Bruno
Jim Yoshii Pile-Up
The Places
Sunday September 17th at MakeOut Room
Tarentel
Tribes of Neurot
Coelecanth (AQ's own Jim Haynes and Loren Chasse!)
Friday September 15 at Noe Valley Ministry (Sanchez and 23rd)
show starts at 7pm!
Chris Knox
Friday September 15 at Bottom of the Hill
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ANDEE SAYS:
"NEEDED! DRIVER FOR WEST COAST *CIRCLE* TOUR!"
Looking for someone in San Francisco, who is a good driver (preferably some
experience driving a van), intersted in helping Circle out for a week on
their first ever trip to the U.S. It would require quite a bit of driving
between San Diego and Seattle. From September 29th to October 7th. It is
NOT a paying job. Meals would be included, but consider it a week long
vacation, during which you get to roadie for a rock band, and see the
amazing Circle play every night. It isn't necessarily for the whole week,
it's just crucial that we find someone for the first half (Sept. 29-Oct. 3)
who can pick up Circle from the Seattle airport on the 28th of September. I
can take over part way through if need be. Thanks.
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SELECTED UPCOMING RELEASES:
----> soon, very soon? this weekend, even!
Amon Tobin "Four Ton Mantis" cdep/12" on Ninjatune
Sigur Ros "Agaetis Byrjun" lp/cd on Fat Cat
Dead C "s/t" 2cd on Language Recordings, NZ
----> September 12th
v/a "Ethiopiques vol. 8: Swinging Addis" on Buda
Circle "Pori" cd domestic reissue on Feldspar
Softies "Holiday In Rhode Island"
Monroe Mustang "De Avonden 091099" cdep on Jagjaguwar
Emmylou Harris "Red Dirt Girl"
LL Cool J "G.O.A.T."
----> September 18th/19th
Bjork "Selmasongs" soundtrack to Dancer In The Dark. $19 list price!!
The (Fucking) Champs "IV" cd on Drag City (vinyl delayed 'til October)
Thrones "Sperm Whale" lp/cd on KRS (new date)
Talib Kweli/Hi-Tek "Reflection Eternal"
Eyehategod "Confederacy of Ruined Lives"
Posies "At Least, At Last" 4-cd box
Movietone "Blossom Filled Streets" LP on Drag City
Photek "Solaris" on Astralwerks (sadly, it's dreadful!)
----> September 25th/26th
Morphine "Bootleg: Detroit"
Mystikal "Let's Get Ready"
----> October 3rd
Radiohead "Kid A" on Capitol
Blonde Redhead "Melodie Citronique" ep/cdep on Touch & Go
Badly Drawn Boy "The Hour of Bewilderbeast" domestic on Beggars Banquet
Don Caballero "American Don" 2xlp/cd on Touch & Go
Red Stars Theory "s/t" ep/cdep on Touch & Go
The Rock*A*Teens "Sweet Bird Of Youth" cd on Merge
The Sea & Cake "Oui" lp/cd on Thrill Jockey
Versus "Hurrah" lp/cd on Merge
Richard Buckner "The Hill" cd on Overcoat
Zen Guerrilla "The Seeker" 7" on Sub Pop
Creeper Lagoon "Watering Ghost Garden" cdep on SpinArt
Snoop Dogg "Last Meal"
----> October 9th/10th
Godspeed You Black Emperor "Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennae To Heaven"
2LP on Constellation
A.C. "The Early Years 1988-1991" 2cd w/ over 7000 songs!
----> October 17th
Mountain Goats "The Coroner's Gambit" lp/cd on Absolutely Kosher
Spoon "LOVE Ways" cdep on Merge
Add N to (X) "Add Insult To Injury" cd on Mute
Deltron 3030 "s/t" cd/2lp on 75Ark (Del, Dan the Autmator, & Kid Koala!)
Russell Simins "Public Places" lp/cd on Grand Royal (JSBluesX drummer)
Enemymine "The Ice In Me" lp/cd on Up
The Waco Brothers "Electric Waco Chair" cd on Bloodshot
Sillk the Shocker "My World My Way"
----> October 23th/24th
P.J. Harvey "Stories From The City, Stories¡"
Fly Pan Am "tba" 12"/cd on Constellation
Karate "Unsolved" lp/cd on Southern
Kilowatt Hours "Strain of Positive Thinking" lp/cd on Temporary Residence
Outkast "Stankonia"
----> also in October
Ruins "Pallaschtom" cd on Sonore
Damon & Naomi w/ Ghost LP on Drag City
High Llamas new LP on Drag City
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MAILORDER PROCEDURE
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