Oneohtrix Point Never makes some challenging music, It seems to come from another place and it’s pretty hard to describe. So it’s probably best to just listen to it and make up your own mind. Feel free to tell me what you think:
I know Ambient music isn’t for everyone, all of it isn’t for me. But at it’s best with its simple structures and interesting soundcapes, it can become something that connects to us in a very tribal way. The simplicity can seep its way through our concious thought and deep into our raw emotions.
Personally I find this very interesting. How little can an artist do and still have the desired affect of a listener feeling something? Does complexity in music actually act as a barrier separating ourselves from what was felt in its creation? By adding to the fundamentals of a track do you loose something?
Ambient music does a great job of asking these questions to the listener. It doesn’t reach out and grab you but at the same time It never bores you, even on repeat listens. Behaving like a pallet cleanser for your eardrums.
There are many artists that do it well and I expect to add a few over the following months to Track Of The Week. This week it goes to Aphex twin who has created some fine examples in his Selected Ambiant works albums. Through listening to them on the train Rhubarb really stood out to me. It envelops you with its rich textures and I find it deeply comforting, like waking up in bed and knowing you can lie in for an hour.
I’ve listened to the album Lonerism several times this week, It has an upbeat 60s feel that brings a smile to my face and flows very nicely. With lots of short tracks that are weaved together with little vignettes, If you like that 60s sound with phaseing drum cymbals and a classic hofner bass you will love it, Give it a try:
Well I’ve been gathering a collection of albums over the past few months to start to gear up for my end of year reviews. Over the past 2 weeks the Album Shields by Grizzly Bear has been getting a fair bit of play and its definitely growing on me.
There is a great mix of traditional and experimental which keep things fresh and the track yet again is a good place to start:
Loney Dear connects me to both wonderful and painful times in my life, There’s something about his music that can seem both innocent and full of longing at the same time. I can see that some people may find his music twee and even sickly, so I understand it may not be for everyone.
But for me it seems to talk about a void in my life I try to ignore. Which makes it powerful stuff indeed:
I finally got round to getting the Death in Vegas album Scorpio Rising, predominantly because of this track. Girls has a shoegaze sound to it that several modern acts ape to great results, but there’s something about the rough and ready sound of this track that I like. It lacks some of the shine of a more modern take on the genre but in return its emotions seems to ripple below the surface, which keeps me coming back to the track again and again:
Plus-Tech Squeeze Box are quite unlike anything else I have ever heard, Their frenetic use of sampling mixed with tracks that change tempo and key on a regular basis give the impression that the music was made by a teenager with attention defeatist disorder on a sugar rush.
It isn’t for most people and even the people who do enjoy it moderation is advised, But the music does provide something completely refreshing, even eight years after their second albums release:
TOTW Playlist:
I missed the WU LYF album when it came out last year, but recently this track has been floating round my head and made me pick it up. There’s allot to love but what really stands out is its production. Recorded in a church about 20mins from where I live, the album has this great boomy wash of natural reverb that adds some great texture to the whole thing. Spitting blood is a highlight for me:
After seeing lawless the other night, The cover of Granddaddy’s Aim towards the sky is brilliantly used and got me back into listening to their album The Sophtware Slump which is great from beginning to end.
I thought I would put up two tracks today, Firstly the track He’s simple, He’s dumb, He’s the pilot and secondly the cover of So You’ll Aim towards the sky by The Bootleggers feat Emmylou Harris.
Well I’ve Just got a new stack of CD’s with my first paycheck and been listening to a load of them on my two days off, They are all great, and I’m sure they will be making an appearance in future Tracks of the Week,
However the opening track to the Beach House album Bloom, is one That I’ve been returning to on a regular basis. Myth has this Dark tinge to its jangly guitar and dream pop structure that really helps the track dig its way into you, a strong opener for the album which is well worth a listen if you like the sound of it: