Category Archives: Blog

Thoughts etc

TOTW: Oneohtrix Point Never_We’ll Take it

Posted on by
Reply

Every release of an Oneohtrix Point Never album has left me dumbfounded. His ability to constantly vary a sound that sits on the fringes of modern music has made him one of my favorite musicians currently working.

His latest album “Age Of” is closer to pop music than any of his previous works. However, it’s mangled through a unique production and composition techniques that create a surreal and often bleak experience for the listener.

Many of the tracks contain vocals as a leading element but for this week I decided to go for an instrumental piece.

“We’ll Take it” sounds somewhere between music and machinery. Jittering percussive electronic hits provide the basis of the track as they rip their way into a cavernous spring reverb. The percussive elements may be in the front and center of the track but its the samples and synth pads that create its sinister tone. As the piece continues it undulates in different directions, defying expectations to its very conclusion.

As modern electronic music continues to push the boundaries of music, OPN leads the charge. In doing so he creates fresh and exiting music that’s always worth a listen.

Spotify:

TOTW Playlist:

TOTW: Skee Mask_Kozmic Flush

Posted on by
Reply

On latest album “Compro” electronic artist Skee Mask takes you on a Journey. Over it’s hour long playtime it morphs from an ambient, dark and brooding textures to percussion led dance music.

The track Kozmic Flush comes towards the end of the album as it’s in full swing. Percussive rhythms, reminiscent of Aphex Twins finest breaks are complex and constantly changing.

These rhythms are underpinned by cold, dark samples and synth textures covered in reverb which warm up in the breakdown before the drums plunge us back into the icy coldness for the tracks conclusion.

The album is great, The track is great and if your a fan of electronic music it deserves a listen:

Youtube:

Spotify:

TOTW Playlist:

TOTW: eels_Guest List

Posted on by
Reply

Mark E Everett has created an incredible and varied catalog of music since the 90’s under the band name eels. Although the music has always fit into an indie rock aesthetic, the instrumentation has varied massively along with their live performances.

I have seen the eels play on several occasions and never has the layout of the band consisted of the same musicians or types of instruments. From a two piece to a full string section, The eels sound has morphed and changed over the years to fit the tastes of Mark E Everett. These styles are then applied to older tracks giving them a new life in the live environment every time you see them.

This ability to morph the songs into different styles proves the universal quality of the melody’s and lyrics. Mark E Everett has always spoken for the suffering outsider throughout his career and does so with a poetic reverence that always manages to come across as honest and heartfelt.

An early example of this is the track Guest List from the bands first and self titled album. It portrays a character who’s being turned away from event or club, but this small event is a metaphor for the characters life of being constantly downtrodden and sidelined. There’s a real pain and vulnerability to the vocal delivery that enhances its meaning, Giving the song a poignancy that could be grating from less experienced artist.

Spotify:

TOTW Playlist:

TOTW: The Strokes_Ask Me Anything

Posted on by
Reply

When i first heard the album First Impressions Of Earth twelve years ago the track Ask Me Anything stood out, but not in a positive light. My 18 year old brain was not ready for a track like this, I remember thinking ‘this is barely music’ and yet it has stayed with me for many years and over time, my perspective on the track morphed to a highly positive one.

Now, Turning 31 this week I can see the songs satirical bent. It’s purposefully awkward, as Julian Casablancas out of tune vocals deliver lyrics that can be seen as either self loathing or arrogant. A musician that states he has nothing to say and yet will take up your time telling you about it.

It also adds lyrics of pure self entitlement, “I’d like to watch, I’d like to read, I’d like a part, I’d like the lead, but I’ve got nothing to say” manage to exemplify white privilege at a time when I had no idea what that ment.

It’s this dichotomy in the vocals that keep the track in my head to this day. Should we feel sorry or hate the character they lyrics portray. As he croons over a mellotron i’m left thinking maybe its a bit of both. In all its weirdness “Ask Me Anything” ironically has something to say, And it says it poignantly:

Spotify:

 

TOTW Playlist:

Website Down and Track Of The Week Delay

Posted on by
Reply

Hi readers of my site,

I’m sorry for my delay of the Track Of The Week segment from last week and the occasional issues with the website being down over the past week. I needed to do quite a bit of updating on the back end of the site to make it both more efficient and secure.

Unfortunately as a single man operation this work ate into the time I had to write my TOTW. Something I have done consecutively for over 5 years. I will put up last weeks TOTW shortly and things should continue as normal into the foreseeable future.

Regards,

CT

 

 

TOTW: Unknown Mortal Orchestra_American Guilt

Posted on by
Reply

Out of a more psychedelic album, the track American Guilt hit me like a ton of bricks. It’s big distorted blues guitar riffs are driven by John Bonham sounding drums. It creates a sound that is more reminiscent of acts like Jack White or The Black Keys, and came in stark contrast to the more refined tracks on the rest of the album Sex & Food.

The track works well in its own right, but really shines through in the context of an album. It provides a shot of rough energy that keeps the listener intrigued.

Bandcamp:

TOTW Playlist:

TOTW: Autechre_Eutow

Posted on by
Reply

Autechre are an act that have always pushed the boundaries of the electronic musical genre they have worked in. Their Third album, entitled Tri Repetae was released in 1995 and still holds its own to this day as both a great album and an influence to many electronic albums.

My track of the week Eutow demonstrates what makes their work special. Eutow manages to straddle the line between experimental and more traditional mainstream electronic music. It’s minimal instrumentation allows the instruments that are used to be massive all consuming monsters. They chew up the audio spectrum with ripping synth sounds that still feel as modern as they did when they were created.

If electronic music interests you and Autechre haven’t make it on your radar, you owe it to yourself to give them a listen. Eutow is a good place to start.

Spotify:

Youtube:

TOTW Playlist:

Totw:Oneohtrix Point Never- Black Snow

Posted on by
Reply

Oneohtrix Point Never always manages to defy expectations with every release. His latest track black snow is a ballad; something that’s far more accessible then his experimental work up to this point.

A stripped back sound design provides a minamalist base for the vocals until the halfway part, where larger elements of synthesis and samples draw out a world that is iconic to OPN’s style. No matter the genre of music he’s creating his unique vision shines through.

OPN still manages to subvert and surpass my expectations with every release. And the more populist direction of black snow is the most surprising thing he could have done. A calling card for his new album that I’m now highly anticipating.

Youtube:

Spotify:

TOTW Playlist:

TOTW: A.A.L_ I Never Dream

Posted on by
Reply

Against All Logic is the pseudonym of Nicolas Jaar and under it he’s released a collection of soul focused house music made between 2012 to 2017. The mix of old and more obscure samples with heavily compressed and distorted electronics gives the tracks a unique flair in a well trodden formula.

On the track I Never Dream sampled drums are chopped to add extra groove to accompany the vocal swells and synths. By the four minute mark the vocal samples are mangled to a joyous rapture of positive energy which provide a counter point to the more downplayed synth section. It manages to keep an energetic and enthusiastic style throughout that’s infectiously fun on repeat listens.

Youtube:

Spotify:

TOTW Playlist: