Song: Disintegration Loop 1.1
Artist: William Basinski
Album: The Disintegration Loops
Also try: Brian Eno, John Cage, Steve Reich
Commentary: This is substantially longer than anything I've posted here, but it's necessary. It takes the hour to unfold (unwind, disintegrate). But if you don't like it in the first few minutes, you won't like it any more later. I think it's beautiful, although it helps to know the story (myth?) of how he was digitizing old loops of his as the metal peeled off with each turn. It's a milestone in ambient music, but I'll let you read up on the mythos of this music and Basinski's reflection on how it associates with 9/11.
PS I've also posted this as part of the playlist so you can just let it roll on into the other disintegration loops. Wonderful.
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Monday, March 31, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
"Strong Hand" by Chvrches
Song: Strong Hand
Artist: Chvrches
Album: The Bones of What You Believe (bonus track)
Commentary: The choreography of this fitness show is impeccable. The whole music video is just pretty spot on. Plus Chvrches deserve some love here, even if they didn't make my year-end list.
Why don't our fans ever do anything this great for Esteban songs? Just because we don't have any originals?? Or even releases?
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Artist: Chvrches
Album: The Bones of What You Believe (bonus track)
Commentary: The choreography of this fitness show is impeccable. The whole music video is just pretty spot on. Plus Chvrches deserve some love here, even if they didn't make my year-end list.
Why don't our fans ever do anything this great for Esteban songs? Just because we don't have any originals?? Or even releases?
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CHVRCHES - Strong Hand (Unofficial Video) from Secret Powers on Vimeo.
Monday, March 24, 2014
"Cherish the Day" by Sade
Song: Cherish the Day
Artist: Sade
Album: Love Deluxe
Commentary: Shuttle driver was groovin' to Sade (shah-DAY) at 5AM. I was drawn in despite the early hour. Nice harmonies, voice. Chill.
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Artist: Sade
Album: Love Deluxe
Commentary: Shuttle driver was groovin' to Sade (shah-DAY) at 5AM. I was drawn in despite the early hour. Nice harmonies, voice. Chill.
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Friday, March 21, 2014
"Life Round Here (remix)" by James Blake
Song: Life Round Here ft Chance the Rapper
Artist: James Blake
Commentary: James Blake is cool, Chance the Rapper is cool. This version of "Life Round Here" is pretty cool. And they have a decent music video for it.
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Artist: James Blake
Commentary: James Blake is cool, Chance the Rapper is cool. This version of "Life Round Here" is pretty cool. And they have a decent music video for it.
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Monday, March 17, 2014
"Insurance" by Lil B
Song: Insurance
Artist: Lil B
Album: 05 Fuck Em
Commentary: I like to quote David Berman (Silver Jews) and say, "All my favorite singers couldn't sing." I thought I felt differently about rap, you know, I only wanted to hear good rappers. Lil B is pretty much amazing though. Insurance epitomizes why I love Lil B's rapping, so if you only like good rappers, you will probably hate it. If you've got any more tips for rappers who can't rap, leave them in the comments. Please.
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Artist: Lil B
Album: 05 Fuck Em
Commentary: I like to quote David Berman (Silver Jews) and say, "All my favorite singers couldn't sing." I thought I felt differently about rap, you know, I only wanted to hear good rappers. Lil B is pretty much amazing though. Insurance epitomizes why I love Lil B's rapping, so if you only like good rappers, you will probably hate it. If you've got any more tips for rappers who can't rap, leave them in the comments. Please.
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Saturday, March 15, 2014
"Wicked Games" by the Weeknd
Song: Wicked Games
Artist: the Weeknd
Album: House of Balloons
Also try: Rhye, Frank Ocean
Commentary: Abel Tesfaye rocked 2011 with 3 good albums. Nice falsetto, cohesive image, and excellent production made the Weeknd's trifecta.
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Artist: the Weeknd
Album: House of Balloons
Also try: Rhye, Frank Ocean
Commentary: Abel Tesfaye rocked 2011 with 3 good albums. Nice falsetto, cohesive image, and excellent production made the Weeknd's trifecta.
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Monday, March 10, 2014
"Easy" by Son Lux
Song: "Easy (Switch Screens)" feat. Lorde
Artist: Son Lux
Album: Lanterns
Also try: S/S/S, Sufjan Stevens
Commentary: Nice musician combo, playing to strengths of both.
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Artist: Son Lux
Album: Lanterns
Also try: S/S/S, Sufjan Stevens
Commentary: Nice musician combo, playing to strengths of both.
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Friday, March 7, 2014
"Queen Anne's Lace" by Beggars
Song: Queen Anne's Lace
Artist: Beggars
Album: Beggars
Also try: Maquiladora, Holy Modal Rounders
Commentary: I don't know a lot about Beggars, just saw a review from Piero Scaruffi and like some clips. I like the deliberate, avant-garde, alt-country feel of the songs. The album was in my top 10 of the year. This song is representative.
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Artist: Beggars
Album: Beggars
Also try: Maquiladora, Holy Modal Rounders
Commentary: I don't know a lot about Beggars, just saw a review from Piero Scaruffi and like some clips. I like the deliberate, avant-garde, alt-country feel of the songs. The album was in my top 10 of the year. This song is representative.
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Monday, March 3, 2014
"Love Crimes (cover)" by the Afghan Whigs
Song: Love Crimes (Frank Ocean cover)
Artist: Afghan Whigs
Also try: Frank Ocean, earlier Afghan Whigs stuff, the Twilight Singers, the Gutter Twins
Commentary: Fellow Cincinnatians the Afghan Whigs aren't really my thing. I was trying to get into their 90s music videos (they're really 90s), but couldn't do it. This cover is nice, though. The idea of fusing soul with punk rock is appealing. Maybe I'll like their new stuff.
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Artist: Afghan Whigs
Also try: Frank Ocean, earlier Afghan Whigs stuff, the Twilight Singers, the Gutter Twins
Commentary: Fellow Cincinnatians the Afghan Whigs aren't really my thing. I was trying to get into their 90s music videos (they're really 90s), but couldn't do it. This cover is nice, though. The idea of fusing soul with punk rock is appealing. Maybe I'll like their new stuff.
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Saturday, March 1, 2014
"Black, but Comely" by Baby Dee
Song: Black, but Comely
Artist: Baby Dee
Album: A Book of Songs for Anne Marie
Also try: Joanna Newsom, Anohni & the Johnsons, Current 93
Commentary: I think I've mentioned that Drag City is my favorite label. I continue to discover wonders through it. Somehow I missed the other harpist/pianist (besides Joanna Newsom, who I also adore). Some of Baby Dee's tunes might sound ... uninteresting in some ways, but I find her voice and lyrics entrancing. Her Youtube presence includes a lot of grainy, staticky phone vids and this is one of them. Watching her play the harp and hearing her live vocal maneuvers seem worth it. I'm still trying to decide if I like her newer, jazzier stuff, though.
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Artist: Baby Dee
Album: A Book of Songs for Anne Marie
Also try: Joanna Newsom, Anohni & the Johnsons, Current 93
Commentary: I think I've mentioned that Drag City is my favorite label. I continue to discover wonders through it. Somehow I missed the other harpist/pianist (besides Joanna Newsom, who I also adore). Some of Baby Dee's tunes might sound ... uninteresting in some ways, but I find her voice and lyrics entrancing. Her Youtube presence includes a lot of grainy, staticky phone vids and this is one of them. Watching her play the harp and hearing her live vocal maneuvers seem worth it. I'm still trying to decide if I like her newer, jazzier stuff, though.
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