A question popped up yesterday on Ask Metafilter for recommendations of instrumental rock, pop, electro, whatever "just no vocals" from the past 5 years. Highly recommend checking out the entire thread, but I thought I'd post my own responses here for posterity. Many of these have been featured here before, but many haven't. Great stuff … Continue reading Instrumental throwdown: Check these out
Author: Joe Brockmeier
Editor, writer, communications expert, former community manager, open source enthusiast, music nut, and cat guy. Not necessarily in that order.
Saturday sounds: Nightmares on Wax, Buckethead
Two discs from the back catalog to talk about today, In a Space Outta Sound by Nightmares on Wax and Forgotten Library from Buckethead. In a Space Outta Sound (2006) by Nightmares on Wax (★★★) The entire album is a fantastic trip, but "I Am You" is a must-listen cut that brings a lot of … Continue reading Saturday sounds: Nightmares on Wax, Buckethead
Time-traveling with Billy Thorpe’s “Children of the Sun”
Yesterday I was watching the first episode of Fargo season two and got a little trip back to the 70s. The episode features a hefty snippet of Billy Thorpe's "Children of the Sun," a song I don't think I've heard or thought about since the 80s. What a ride. It was a little unsettling to … Continue reading Time-traveling with Billy Thorpe’s “Children of the Sun”
“Sextant” by Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock recorded 31 albums during his stint with Columbia Records & CBS/Sony Japan from 1972 to 1988. I know this because it's on the copy of the back of the box set, Herbie Hancock: The Complete Columbia Album Collection 1972-1988. I picked up the set as an impulse buy while record shopping in NYC … Continue reading “Sextant” by Herbie Hancock
5 essential rainy day albums: The Jayhawks, Sarah McLachlan, Khruangbin, Johnny Cash and The Cure
It's Saturday and the sky has finally opened up over Durham. After a really good deluge this morning, it's dreary, drizzly and a perfect day to stay in and listen to records. To make the most of it, you have to choose the right music for the mood. Lucky for you, I've got five suggestions … Continue reading 5 essential rainy day albums: The Jayhawks, Sarah McLachlan, Khruangbin, Johnny Cash and The Cure
August 2021 Bandcamp Friday suggestions: ZENKA, Information Society, Harmony Woods, The Robotic Hands of God & more
Once again, Bandcamp Friday is upon us. It's a good time to snag anything you've had your eye on from Bandcamp, and if you haven't had your eye on anything? Well, I have suggestions! Each single or album has a rating, using a modified Robert Christgau scale. Also check out my earlier recommendations from March. … Continue reading August 2021 Bandcamp Friday suggestions: ZENKA, Information Society, Harmony Woods, The Robotic Hands of God & more
A little metal, a little post-rock: King Woman and Vasudeva
How do you rate music? I mean, actually express a rating for music? I have a post brewing on this topic, I think I've written about it previously, but the whole "five star" rating thing just doesn't work for me. Right now I'm adopting a modified Robert Christgau rating system, but expect that to mutate … Continue reading A little metal, a little post-rock: King Woman and Vasudeva
Listen to this: Mdou Moctar, Foo Fighters go disco, Andy Summers w/Robert Fripp
Something old, something new, there's something in today's music roundup for everybody. "Afrique Victime": Mdou Moctar "Afrique Victime" is going straight into heavy rotation at my house. Most of the time when I listen to new music, I can sort it into one of three categories: "no thanks," "so-so," and "I might like this." After … Continue reading Listen to this: Mdou Moctar, Foo Fighters go disco, Andy Summers w/Robert Fripp
Bill Laswell & Pete Namlook: Psychonavigation 1-5
Bill Laswell's discography is intimidating, and I've been grappling with it for a few years now. This week I decided to sit down and give the entire five album Psychonavigation series a listen. It's a trippy, bass-y journey that won't work for everybody, but has a fair amount to offer for fans of experimental ambient … Continue reading Bill Laswell & Pete Namlook: Psychonavigation 1-5
John Taylor: The Japan Album (1999)
Did you know John Taylor, of Duran Duran fame, has a string of solo albums? I did not, until very recently. Though a little digital crate-digging I managed to find his 1999 release, John Taylor and give it a listen. To be entirely fair to the album, I've only given it one listen so far … Continue reading John Taylor: The Japan Album (1999)