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Day 27
Dave Grohl - Marigold This is a hidden gem in the Nirvana discography and the only one written by future Foo Fighters member Dave Grohl. I don't listen to Nirvana or grunge much in general anymore, but when I do I always make sure to put on Marigold. It's such a sweet melody making it a perfect little Beatles-esque pop song very overlooked and probably should have been on a Nirvana album. |
Day 28
MF DOOM - Beef Rap So today's entry (coming directly before I get done with my review for my second journal) comes from legendary underground emcee and producer MF DOOM. If you don't know who MF DOOM is and haven't acquainted yourself with the amazingly weird stories that he has to spin get yourself some knowledge. He has put numerous projects now considered hip-hop classics (i.e Operation: Doomsday, Mm... Food, Madvillany, Victor Vaughn). Beef Rap is the opening track off of Mm... Food and boy does it start off the album on a high note, starting with your normal MF DOOM opening skit that shows his production skills off. The song itself shows some very skilled production as well with a beat that sounds like came out of an old Godzilla Movie (which instantly makes me love it). The lyrics are insanely clever comparing his hunger for taking over rap to food while maintaining his character as the supervillian in the mean time. I'm not even going to bother quoting anything because everything is quotable. |
Day 29
Neutral Milk Hotel - Naomi Sorry for missing yesterday's post I got home and fell the **** asleep so oopsie. Naomi comes off of Neutral Milk Hotel's first album On Avery Island, and by sweet mother of things that morally questionable it's my favorite goddamn NMH song. Go away Everything Is, get outta here In The Aeroplane Over The Sea and any track that inhibits it. Piss off Ferris Wheel On Fire, I will take this one track over all if it. I find it impossible to form words when praising this song, but alas I must try. Opening with that amazing chord progression that I can never seem to get out of my head (EVER). And those lyrics are really haunting and somewhat creepy "Your prettiness is seeping through, out from that dress I took from you, so pretty". After the first verse the stupid fun high energy part comes with a chord progression that you can't help but smile a bit to, yet the wavering sense of unease and creepy behavior does not let up, in fact with the new melody things seem to get much darker (or so it seems it's so hard to read into just exactly what Mangum is talking about sometimes). Take this for example "I'm hoping see will explode into one billion tastes and tunes. One billion angels come and hold her down, they could hold her down until she cries." if that doesn't do it for ya how about this "I'm tasting Naomi's perfume, it tastes like ****, and I must say, she comes and goes most afternoons". The song is undeniably creepy upon further listens and explorations into the very worded land of Mangum's psyche, yet you can't help but sing along joyously to the uplifting melody's and instrumental landscapes it provides. |
Day 30
Sunny Day In Glasgow - Shut Your Mouth It's Christmas TIME TO GET IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT YO! Sorry about that, but I felt it was needed. So the new Sunny Day In Glasgow single came out and it had this Christmas song in store for us, and it's awesome to say in the least. It completely retains there style the very dream pop, shoe gaze orientated sound they've been known for, but in a Christmas style. Lyrically it's not what you'd think from a song called Shut Your Mouth It's Christmas, it's actually a sweet song and does the whole Christmas thing justice. Musically I couldn't ask for more in a Christmas song, I mean listen for yourself it completely encapsulates the sound I think of using orchestral chimes, heavily layered keyboards (to be honest it sounds like a modern representation of a Phil Spector wall of sound type of production). So for my first day to kick of the Christmas season just Shut Your Mouth and listen to this song (really not sorry about that one). Sorry no youtube link on this one https://m.soundcloud.com/geonorth/a-...its-christmas/ |
Day 31
The Flaming Lips - A Change At Christmas ( Say It Ain't So ) Alright onto day 2 of the Christmas stuff and it brings us to what is probably my favorite Christmas song only because it brings back such strong memories of my childhood. It is genuinely a great song though it talks about how we all go through some sort of great change around this time of year, how we all become a little bit more caring and warm inside. It's a really uplifting track and I'm always happy to listen to it even when it's not Christmas. Musically it sounds like what you'd expect from Yoshimi or Mystics sounding Lips, very electronic pop with rock influences. It does meld beautifully with the "Christmasy" chord progression and the chimes (chimes always remind me of Christmas), Coyne's singing is on point as well singing in a lower register that quite honestly reminds of Lou Reed a lot. To wrap it up check this one out if you haven't already, I'm sure you'll be playing it a ton, also if you aren't familiar with The Lips I suggest going through their catalogue (it's worth it). |
Day 32
Vince Guaraldi Trio - Christmas Time Is Here Well this has always hands down been my favorite Christmas song, ever, period. I don't have much to say besides that it reminds me wholeheartedly of the Christmas season. For whatever reason the sounds and feelings of Christmas just seem embedded into the very fabric of the track and all other feelings besides that warm of childlike wonder and joy that comes with the Christmas season, something no amount of cynicism will ever take from me. |
Day 33
Jesu - Christmas Only five more days until the big one (and hopefully something cool I've yet to plan out for this journal) and today I'm bringing another song off of my Christmas playlist and that would come from Jesu project fronted by the legendary Justin Broadrick, and is known for it's drone and shoegazeish styling, honestly this song is no different. It's classic Jesu droney goodness except with a bit of a Christmas tinge to it I don't really have a better way to explain it. So with that enjoy Christmas... |
Day 34
Sufjan Stevens - I'll Be Home For Christmas So on the glorious countdown to Christmas you may have noticed if you read this journal that I've been sharing for a few days or so some non-traditional Christmas songs. Why you might ask? Am I some hipster who refuses to listen to mainstream Christmas songs? Do I actively search for Christmas songs on YouTube? Well to answer your questions no I'm not a hipster how dare you say that, no I am not being defensive shut up, and no. So there... Joking aside I do like sharing with people out of the ordinary Christmas songs, and how can I not share one of the many Christmas songs from songcrafter himself Sufjan Stevens. If you have been introduced to Mr. Stevens you may or may not know about his numerous volumes of Christmas album (I believe as of now there are nine), so being the hipster I am I cannot not share one of those. Well I'll be home for Christmas is my favorite if his Christmas songs that I've heard from the man. He does the song in a fairly traditional way, and the instrumentation is absolutely beautiful, the cacophony of strings and bell sets. And his voice my goodness I've never been so soothed by a man's voice before. I'm not gay but you know what his voice makes me question that :laughing:. Seriously though it fits the song so well and I can't believe I haven't shared this one yet. |
Day 35
Coldplay - Christmas Lights Alright so we're inching closer to Christmas, and to say we have a great Christmas song from Coldplay. I know a lot of people don't like Coldplay and that's alright, but it doesn't stop this from being a really great Christmas song. I don't have to much to say about this one so without further ado the song... |
Day 36
John Lennon - Happy X-mas (War Is Over) It's Christmas Eve (eve) and this is the first of two Christmas songs from members of the Beatles. Today's is the Christmas time classic War Is Over, I believe I can speak for almost everyone and say it's a song that everyone can enjoy around Christmas time. The songs message is one I love to using Christmas as an excuse for a potent message about peace, and it really hits without losing its overall Christmas vibe. Lennon was known for his anti-war and peace loving person a and this is one of my favorites that showcase this. In fact scratch that it's just my favorite John Lennon song which might not be a popular opinion, but it's one I'll stand by. As we inch closer to Christmas I'll be bringing out some of my favorites of all time with this one starting it off. So have a Christmas Eve (eve) and peace out. P.S - I'm really exited for Christmas as I'll be doing a big Christmas special of sorts along with Monthly Musical Madness. It's gonna be a big one (in and I've got a big announcement on Christmas for The One Where Machine Becomes Egotistical as well) so stay tuned and Christmas is gonna be awesome. |
Day 37
Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime It's Christmas Eve where I live and this is the last entry of Christmas week before the big one. And last but certainly not least it all comes down to Wonderful Christmastime by Mr. McCartney himself. If you haven't heard this one before please get out from under the rock that have hidden under all your life and make yourself better by having heard this song. This is without question my favorite Christmas song around, and that's a really hard thing to say for me because I LOVE Christmas music and I have heard so much, and so many different variations of songs that it becomes hard to pick favorites, but all the picks I've done thus far are my favorites and tomorrow's extravaganza is going to be all the amazing Christmas songs I left out plus I'll be sharing my own playlist I made up. Excuse me for getting a bit off topic but I'm preoccupied in anticipation and it has become hard to focus on anything (swear to god Christmas makes me giddy every year). |
Day 38 (a)
Honorable Mentions Part 1 The Beach Boys - Little Saint Nick |
Day 38 (b)
Run DMC - Christmas In Hollis |
Day 39
Tyler, The Creator - GOBLIN I'm back bitches! Alright so I took a week off to play some video games and be lazy and write some music and stuff (which has been going swimmingly by the way) so I'm coming back with a album I really don't actually care for that much, but nevertheless hits the feels every tome I listen through it, and that would be GOBLIN. I'm pretty sure a lot of you hate this guy and his music which is totally understandable as he is really easy to hate. For me he was my introduction to Rap in general so obviously I have some bias towards him. This album is not his best, but I think it does the best in stroytelling just listen to songs like Golden, Nightmare, Tron Cat, Yonkers, or Window they all fulfill the story that starts in WOLF and ends on Golden. The album does have many pitfalls unfortunately and because of it I think a lot of people don't mess with anything else he has done since. The album holds too many non-sequiturs to give it enough cohesion like AU49, Boppin Bitch, and Transylvania actually suck and makes any kind of consistencythat was made on the album and are downright skippable. Also I'll note your mood depends on how much your going to enjoy the album as well, if you in a great mood expect to be dissapointed as much of this album is moody, dark, and downright sad. I heard it today and wrote about it saying how bad it sounds (which is true), what I didn't say was I was in a really bad mood, and the tracks I noted made such an impact on me that was dependent on me being fairly moody myself. So you know what love him or hate him, it dosent matter to me, all I know is that it's not a great album, but put in the right context can really really affect you. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...oblincover.jpg |
Day 40
Swans - The Seer So The Seer is an absolutely massive work of an album, and one that isn't meant to be gone into without the correct state of mind. The state of mind first needs you to have nothing going on for the next two hours, secondly you have to know what kind of music your getting yourself into. THIS IS NOT A POP ALBUM. If you go into The Seer expecting something catchy you're going to be dissapointed, you need to have the mindset of this album being a journey that only you can undertake, and once you do can help others along their expedition into the unknown. An album that is a beautiful yet masturbatory ride might astound you, it might sicken you, and unfortunately will leave most people bored. But using some of the tools I mentioned can make your expirience not only enjoyable, but downright amazing and wonderous. |
OMGGG, in love with this track.
I never knew Clipping, but now i think i need to checkout some of their stuff. Good song + the beat gives me goosebumps! |
Day 41
Primus - Pork Soda By far this is my favorute release from Primus, and most would probably agree. Claypool and co. are absolutely on top of their game here weather it be Claypool's zany and dark lyrics, and bass playing. LaLonde's dissonant guitar playing, or the masterful drumming of Tim Alexander it all forms together in such a beautiful cocophony of strangeness that surpasses almost every moment on both Frizzle Fry and Sailing The Seas Of Cheese in my opinion. Moments like My Name Is Mud, Welcome To Thus World , Bob, and Nature Boy certainly retain the earlier albums feel, but the production comes across much grimeier and more sinister. And excursions like Hamburger Train, DMV, Mr. Krinkle come across as masturbatory, but the band pulls them off in such a way that keep you engaged and enthralled throughout the album. Sure they might sound more proficiant on Tales From The Punchbowl, and the songs are certainly catchier on the first two and The Brown Album (which unlike most people I actually enjoy), Pork Soda pulls off something that no other Primus album did or has since. They made an album that was the strangest most twisted sounds they were to creat and they did it at the height of their popularity a move that obviously paid off. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ksodacover.jpg |
Day 42
Sleep - Dopesmoker So I saw this in Dead Channel's journal and I can't believe I haven't added it in mine yet. If you haven't heard Dopesmoker and you're interested in doom metal or stoner metal, this is it, with pounding riffs that just don't stop pounding, tempo that a snail could beat out, and some of the campiest lyrics I've ever heard on an album, it all weirdly ends up meshing together in such a way that keeps you enthraled all the way through. It dosent even feel an hour long it kind of breezes by as it starts to blend into what you do. P.S - Sorry Dead for stealing the album you just reviewed, but I had to include it. |
Day 43
Mac DeMarco - Salad Days Mac DeMarco if you haven't heard of him is probably one of the most genuine and down to earth musicians I've ever seen, but also has a weirder side something that his music shows off. The music is nothing all that weird simple guitar rock, but the tuning and chords being used are sometimes completely made up, and the lyrics are always nice. It's an album I've really been digging on I've the last month or so, and while he is a new artist to me I do feel that he's become one of my favorites. So all I can really say about the album is check it out if you haven't yet, it's a beautiful record that deserves a listen or ten. P.S - I'll he completely honest I found out about the guy from a skit in Loiter Squad, which is probably my favorite thing I saw this year, and was pleasently suprised by the guy's own output. Aaaaaannnnddd... the loiter squad skit as well, a must watch. |
Hey, totally cool man. It's a great song/album. Glad you enjoyed.
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Day 44
Tantifaxath - Sacred White Noise So very recently I've been trying to get into a bit more metal and extreme music in general, and this was my first real endeavor into the genre, and really propelled me into looking into the genre father. So, yeah I like the album, a lot. The songs really paint a portrait and to listen to any of the tracks on the album songs is not really taking in the full expirience. I see each as a piece in more of a classical sense, using build up's and subtle dynamic play on instrumentation and vocals to paint this desperate painting. Not to mention it's a great metal record in general the tones on the instruments are great, and it dosent sound compressed down. The guitars are grating yet very live sounding, the drums pound along, the bass pods in the backround, and the vocals roar in a world all its own, y eet completely attached to the other players. Really this one is a must have in my opinion, and one that you need to put down what your doing and give it a listen. |
This is an honest question and I really don't mean it in a mean way: is there anything Frownland likes that you've heard and you just don't?
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Well I've gotten quite a few recs from the guy, and I generally enjoy harsh music, but yeach I don't really enjoy a lot of free jazz, and some noise music I can't really get into. I am happy to say for the most part almost everything he's shown me I can dig. I hope that was a good enough answer.
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Day 45
The Microphones - The Glow Pt.2 So I e done a song from this album on here quite a while ago, so I don't know if this is cheating, but I feel like I have to add it to do justice. The Glow Pt.2 is an album that always bored me until recently when I really started listening to it, and started to see all the complexities and perfectionist attitude the album takes. Songs like I Want Wind To Blow, The Moon, Map, The Gleam Pt.2, I Felt My Size, and I Felt Your Shape are all such great examples of this and should definately be given a chance if you're interested in the album. This leads me to another thing, this album is absolutely gigantic maybe not in length, but in how it's presented. To be fair the album is over an hour which is quite long, but at 20 songs ranging from a few that are short 2 minute ditties and some being 5-9 minute epics that reach a scope that one might not normally expect from a lo-fi production technique and mainly acoustic instrumentation. The Glow Pt.2 shows itself as a beast or raging fire (wink,wink) that can only be truly grasped by many listens and letting go of stereotypes associated with it. A must listen. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...s_glow_pt2.jpg |
Day 46
Earl Sweatshirt - Doris So I know what your probably thinking, oh god its another ****ing Odd Future review I hate those guys. Now I can see why you might say that, but you have to give this album a chance, and I'm about to give you the reasons why. So a bit of backround because without knowing that you can't really get the full idea of what this album presents. Earl Sweatshirt is a California rapper and prominent member of LA based hip-hop collective that is OFWGKTA or Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All. His debut mixtape EARL came out when he was 16 years old, and throughout told stories of brutal murders, rape, cannabalism, and general mayhem and damn was it good. The lo-fi production from Tyler, The Creator completely fit the punk or DIY asthetic being displayed in those Early OF releases, and Earl's rapping felt juvenile on the surface, but digging a bit deeper you really can tell what an accomplished writer by the time of the albums release. And then he dissapered, completely out of the limelight while other OF members like Tyler, The Creator, Mellowhype, Domo Genesis, and Frank Ocean went onto great success. Meanwhile Earl (a.k.a Thebe) was sent to a boarding school in Samoa by his mother for various reasons. Two years later he comes back, and is pushed to release something and Doris is the product of that. Doris is great on two major levels, the first being how far Earl progessed as a rapper in his time in Samoa. And secondly it's a deeply personal album even self-deprecating at times some thing that is not shown very much in modern mainstream rap. Songs like Chum and Burgundy really show this off, with the latter having an intro done by Vince Staples where he talks about how no one really cares how Thebe feels and they just want raps, they don't care what he has going on even calling him a little bitch, and they just want an album from the guy. The first lines "Grandma's passing, but I'm to busy trying to get this ****ing album cracking" really show this on display even sounding like he's tearing up at the very beggining of the song. Another thing worth mentioning is Earl's style of rapping, it's almost completely monotone throughout the entire album, and I love it. It sounds like Earl almost disinterested in how people think of him, and doing this for himself. Other songs like Prez, Hive, and Centurion (which btw features an awesome Can sample) show a darker side, but not the cartoonish dark on EARL more of a personal type of dark. And while yes most songs on Doris end up being very personal and sometimes very depressing, the album is not without its fun moments like Sunday, 20 Wave Caps, and WOAH!. Sunday is more lighthearted track about past relationships, and a great guest feature from Frank Ocean, whole 20 Wave Caps features Domo and is one of the few more bragadocious tracks, but it dosent break up any kind of consistancy the album already has going, and WOAH! features and is produced by Tyler and it really brings out the most lighthearted Earl is on the enitre album, it truly sounds like they had a lot of fun working on this track. It is reminiscent of AssMilk, but without all the murder and rape on that. All and all Doris has been the OF release I've enjoyed most of there discography beating o it WOLF only because of the condesed feel of the album, with all songs being fairly short and the album only lasting about 40 minutes as opposed to the 70 we get from WOLF. I feel it's a must listen even if you're not a fan of Odd Future, and encourages multiple listens. |
Alright I'll be back on top of this thread strating tomorrow, and for Monthly Madness I'll be returning sometime next week with a review of Viet-Cong's self-titled as well as the next in my review of The Flaming Lips discography.
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Day 47
Viet-Cong - S/T I'm not going to say much about this in this journal as I'm featuring it in my second jounal this week, but I will say this that it was one of the most enjoyable listening expiriences I've had in a while. Very post-punk and noise rock influenced while maintaining their own sound and defining place in today's musical scene. Anyway more thoughts to come, but for now I leave you with a song from the album. |
Day 48
BADBADNOTGOOD - Flashing Lights (Kanye West cover) Ah BBNG you never cease to amazing me when it comes to your material. If you haven't familiarized yourself in these gentlemen might I suggest doing so now. BBNG are a Canada based instrumental hip-hop/ jazz trio that used to specialize in hip-hop covers from Odd Future, Kanye West, MF DOOM, and Zelda (yes the game) among many others. Flashing Lights comes off of their second album BBNG2, and is what really got me into the group. It starts off as a cool bass and drum riff that at its apex cuts our and absolutely breathtaking strings come in. Anyways later in the sing we get what might be the juiciest keyboard solo on the album besides the one on Bastard/Lemonade. The whole thing propels forward for another 4 or so minutes to an absolutely amazing finale really doing the original justice even rising above its former self. Sick live version... |
Day 49
Ought - Today, More Than Any Other Day Well this is new band for me I had never heard if the guys before last week, but I'm now a fan especially of last year's More Than Any Other Day which I find to be an amazing post-punk/noise-rock album. And the highlight for me is the second track Today More Than Any Other Day. It summates the album's listening expirience in five minutes at points a high flying joy ride as well as more somber subdued moments. The guitars sound nasty and mettalic, drums pound throughout, and the vocals have a sort of pretension-free playfulness to them that really draws me in to their sound. Definately a track worth checking out if you haven't heard of the band before. |
Day 50
Death Grips - Beware Well if I had a song that was the absolute soundtrack and mood of my day it's gonna have to go to this one. The bludgeoning opener of the groups debut mixtape Exmilitary. To me it sums up the mission statement of what Death Grips is (I mean who else starts and album with a Charles Manson sample with a weird kind of creepy bass line?) with the chorus of "I close my eyes and see it/I clench my fists and beat it/I light my torch and burn it/I am the beast I worship!" the song introduced the world to the fractured skitzo persona that Rode plays in the songs. This lunatic who has absolutely no moral center and extremely violent tendencies. The production is thick and heavy mashing distorted guitars, trumpets, electronic sounding drums, and one of my absolute favorite vocal samples. And on the point of vocals come MC Ride's performance which is my favorite of any Death Grips song. As per usual his vocals rip into your throat and tear out your insides, but he has a special type of vicerality that not many of their songs reack, like he literally jumps out of the songs puches you in the face, puts you in his car, takes you to his basement, toes you up, and as torture screams at you for eons. One of my absolute favorite DG tunes around, and totally completely ****s you in the mouth. Have a wonderful day, Machine |
Day 51
Björk - Vulnicura So I got the new Björk album today, and I already love it. It's my first encounter with the legendary performer and I'm definately going to have to go back into some of her other works. The album goes into a detailed account of a relationship starting at the end and culminates on the feelings and inner and outer turmoil of the result of that. And for as long as I could go on about the way she sings and what an emotional experience that is, I can't not talk about the breathtaking production. Utilizing a large quarry of cellos and other assorted string arrangements, the production is at times full and beautiful and at other times much more sparse and expiremental in tone. In fact I would say as the relationship breaks apart and emotions pour over the production gets weirder and weirder. Something I was looking forward to this year, and I was completely entralled. |
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