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" Are you sick of always reading reviews of the same bands at the newsstand? There is so much music out there, oftentimes we find ourselves simply perched at the tip of the iceberg. Here is your pick-axe. Break through to the other 90% of the music realm..." |
m i n i o n s unxmaal |
2001-06-13
- 10:40 p.m. okay, i just added two links:
this is my buddy blakey's site dedicated to one of the most underrated bands in los angeles. if you are ever out there, do not miss them live. it is a religious experience!
ah, a fellow durannie and music fanatic -- why else should i link him? besides, i simply [heart] the website's name.
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i have not had the time to write any reviews or fiction as of late as my concentration has been focused on changing jobs. alas, i just received word today that i got a new job, so things will finally get back in the groove. until then, from out of the archives, here is an old version of "pu pu platters" that was posted up at trusttheprocess.com back in the day. i would still recommend everything on the list to this day. enjoy! _____ Pu Pu Platters: A Dip into RadiantBaby’s Top Ten Musical Turn-Ons NOTE: Instead of the usual method of just choosing 10 pieces of music that are currently affecting me, I instead wanted to take the approach of choosing 10 things about music that have the most impact on me and how I judge the music. To go with each of these, I chose an example of an album that I feel currently fits in those parameters. 1) PRECISION: Man or Astroman? - 1000x Yes, I know that I have mentioned this EP before on this site (editor's note: trusttheprocess.com), but when I think of precision in music, my thoughts are drawn to this band. Every note, harmony and musical sequence is executed with an almost anal perfection. If flaws are in the sound they blend so well that I cannot perceive them. 2) MOVEMENT: “NuBalance: Domesticated Drum & Bass” A Compilation A self-proclaimed “first” piece to combine the best of D&B from both coasts for the novice American consumer, this compilation is presently receiving heavy rotation on my CD player. Outside of the Crystal Method, many of the artists are relatively unknown in the U.S. but that doesn’t stop the integrity of the mix. Beginning with Front BC’s “The Front” pumping straight through to Cyphonix vs. Protosound’s “Brainkraker” this compilation rocks the decks. 3) REFLECTION: Fiona Apple - Tidal Radiantbaby, purveyor of all that is independent and obscure, has let some mainstream seep under her skin. I suppose there was an inevitability in it all -- the lyrics were intense, the vocals sublime. She speaks my speak, exposes my core, I almost feel like it’s a soundtrack for this existence. Thus I suppose she is a reflection of sorts of my life. 4) STYLE: El Vez - Gracialand This was the hardest choice to pin down. Style is so elusive, but so important to my appreciation of music. El Vez is someone who is often not taken seriously as a performer and rightly so, he is a complete parody of himself and the music business in general.(thus appropriately signed to the “Sympathy for the Record Industry” music label). Still, this Spanish guy dressed up like Elvis, deconstructing Rock Music as we know it, has an undeniable style. Besides anyone who can mix The Smith’s “What Difference Does it Make?” into a ripping cover of Wall of Voodoo’s “Mexican Radio” gets a tortilla in my book. 5) SUBTLETY: Mike Watt - Contemplating the Engine Room Every time I think Mike Watt has achieved an absolute state of genius, he throws me another curve ball. This new offering from the seminal bassist is a working class punk rock opera. There’s simplicity of sound, underscored with intensity waiting to break the surface. Still, there are few instruments on this album driving that ambiance. It’s minimalism at it’s best, folks. A man and his bass. 6) DISSONANCE: The Stooges - Raw Power Here’s a punk rock classic with the weight of much of modern music on its shoulders. To say that it was “seminal” would be an understatement. Mr. Jimmy Osterberg (that’s Iggy Pop to you) pushed his Stooges to the limit with their final studio release. More raucous and diverse than previous releases like “Fun House” (another big favorite), it surely packs a punch. Live it, love it, and learn it. 7) TRANSCENDENCE: Eon - Void Dweller An old techno, “electronica” standard, this albums affects me on so many levels. This is probably one of my favorite albums of all time, especially in the dance realm of music. No matter what frame of mind I am in when I put this one on, I am always transported to a higher state of reality. 8) INNOVATION: Massive Attack - Mezzanine I could have easily put this album under “transcendence” but I feel it belongs more in “innovation.” Massive Attack, and their former cohort Tricky, is revolutionizing sound, as we know it. Haven’t heard of Massive Attack? Well, just wait, their cult following is being spread slowly into the mainstream. Let this one in. 9) LA FAIRE RIRE (TO MAKE LAUGH OR BRING JOY): Big Ass Truck - Big Ass Truck I am sure that everyone is well aware of the emotional affects that music can have of oneself. One of my favorite emotional benefits of music is that oftentimes it can pick me up when I’ve got the blues. Big Ass Truck is a southern outfit that can only vaguely be described as “redneck hip hop.” Full of ridiculous lyrics, samples and overall humor, this is a band to watch out for. 10) PASSION: John Taylor - Feelings Are Good (And Other Lies) I really tried to write this up without including John. It seemed so cliché and expected, but I found that as I put this piece together, I knew that I could not deny how much I enjoy John’s music. Once I accepted the fact that I am most passionate about his music, I found it was difficult to pinpoint a particular work of his to highlight. Given his solo catalogue is not large, it is eclectic. I decided to choose the album that it all began with, the one that blew me away the first time I listened to it and moved me more than any other album had in years. Looking back, my feelings for the album have softened, but still it pulls emotions from the deepest recesses of my soul. It is my passion.
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