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. Through 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)
Three sentences in a trench coat pretending to be a coherent thought
At least once a week when I'm reading, or editing, copy related to work I'll skim over something and realize that what I just read makes no sense. Sure, the words are used properly. The paragraph is composed of sentences that seem grammatically correct. But if you stop to think about what the copy is … Continue reading Three sentences in a trench coat pretending to be a coherent thought
Saturday singles: Ministry “Good Trouble,” Theon Cross “We Go Again”
Catching up on new music today and two singles grabbed my attention above the rest, a single from Theon Cross and a cut from Ministry for their upcoming album Moral Hygiene. Theon Cross: "We Go Again" Theon Cross is a jazz tuba player, and his 2019 LP Fyah is a must-hear for anybody who wants … Continue reading Saturday singles: Ministry “Good Trouble,” Theon Cross “We Go Again”
“No Sudden Move” is all surface and no substance
My first thought after finishing No Sudden Move last night was "what the hell went wrong?" (Spoilers below, so beware.) No Sudden Move is a heist film, though you really pick this up only in dribs and drabs. Oh, and it's also a big deal because the heist isn't about jewels or money, it's about … Continue reading “No Sudden Move” is all surface and no substance
Jukebox selections: Tristen, Black Sky Giant, HUBRID & The Racers Feat. Hunter Norton, Hashshashin
Been a little quiet on the music front, but not for lack of listening. The opposite, really. The last month or two have been a musical firehose of new stuff, but I haven't quite sorted through everything and sorted out what I actually like from what sounded OK on first listen. For now, these four … Continue reading Jukebox selections: Tristen, Black Sky Giant, HUBRID & The Racers Feat. Hunter Norton, Hashshashin