Retrospective: Om and Earth

Retrospective: Om and Earth

I was recently looking through some of my records and decided I wanted something long, drawn out, and atmospheric. My first thought was Yawning Man, but I decided that that just didn't feel right and more importantly would have too much going on. The next thought went to Om, but again, even with its simplified style, it seemed to heavy, too loud, too crowded. The one I ended up deciding on was Radio Live by Earth. I was pleased with my choice (The second and fourth tracks in particular were perfect) but I was left wondering just what made Earth seem more minimalist. They have more instruments, more bandmemeber's, and much more improvisation. I think what really did it for me was the physical connotation of the word minimalist. While Om doesn't always do "Put it to 11" sound, they usually get there in a song, and although its just two people, its no "minimal" sound. It's a "maximum", flooring, and commanding sound. As hugely entertaining as I find songs like Junkyard Priest (Great name for a song), it really never seems to have the same dynamic rise in sound. It sits where it is, a simple riff that might float off for a couple of bars before returning back to its origin. Consider also a previous song i had reviewed by Earth, the rolling Tallahassee. I had made specific mention in the review of the "hugeness" of the song, of it's pure physical power, and although it could certainly be less complex, and more raw than Junkyard Priest, it is not in my opinion more minimal, or more droning. The label "drone" and to an extent "minimal" make me think more of passive sounds and landscapes, in both the complexity of the melody and the volume of the song. Although Om may stay close to one theme, there dynamic complexity and change in tone's during songs make it much more active while Earth's static volume and complexity make it "Droning" and almost easier to listen to.

Here are those two songs that I found particularly enjoyable in their own "Minimalist" and "Drone" way, even if I don't fully understand those terms myself. It's also important to note that Radio Live is a "live" album and that the band actually does less live, than it does in studio. I'll leave the two versions of Omens and Portents up for variety and comparisons sake.

Omens and Portents II: The Carrion Crow (Live)

Omens and Portents II: The Carrion Crow (Studio)

Junkyard Priest

Song of the Week: Catalina

Catalina - The Descendants - Milo Goes to College

The Descendants are punk. It's simple, quick, has plenty of attitude but never sacrifices having fun. That being said I really like it because although I respect how "punk" it is to me it sounds like hairy rock and roll to me, and absolutely I love it. It has angst, rhythm, speed, rebellion all things I associate with rock and roll, and love in this song. From a more technical standpoint I love their rhythm section and how they put their bass so far forward in the mix, it just gives the sound a fullness and hairiness that goes well with the scratchy guitars.

Song Here

New Release: Elzhi - The Elmatic

Elzhi - The Elmatic

This album has gotten a lot of press recently and it is absolutely deserved. If there's one thing i hate it's jumping on a bandwagon and just bumping up what other people have said without any original thought. That being said, believe what you hear, this is special.

The Elmatic, is not just a tribute, it's an update, a reworking, and a cover. It takes every track off of the Illmatic, a classic album for any genre, and rerecords them with a live band, and Elzhi rapping over them in a similar style, rhythm, or beat pattern to the original. No one is here to say that Elzhi is a better rapper than nas, or that this album is better than the original, but this album is great in its own way! Performing these songs with a live band gives it a much fresher feel, and Elzhi does a wonderful job emulating Nas while still telling his own story and leaving his own mark on the aalbum.

Halftime, one of my absolute favorites off the original, gets a spectacular rendition by Elzhi and his backing band, but also represents the two albums well. It sounds different in the best way possible. I just love both of them so much. Nas rapping, it's better, and more memorable ("You couldn't catch me in the streets without a ton of reefer//That's like Malcolm X, catchin the Jungle Fever"), but I LOVE Elzhi's smooth quick agile delivery. See and compare for yourself. The Original. The Update.

I don't think I even mentioned the best part. It's Free. All of it. It's not a pay as much as you want, its just free. I'm trying to find someway to buy it, because I want to support Elzhi now, but so far as i can tell this is free mp3 download only.

If you didn't click on any of the download links here it is.

Song of the Week: Take Notice - J Dilla feat Guilty Simpson

Take Notice - J Dilla Feat Guilty Simpson - Ruff Draft

The sound of this song is like it's album title, rough. It's slow and minimal, the keys and electronic aren't over the top or overwhelming. The whole sound is incredibly refreshing after listening to a lot of more modern pop which can be heavily overproduced and bogged down with too many odd loops and electronic samples. The song immediately establishes a nodding rhythm and sticks to it. J Dilla's attitude certainly comes through on the song and is even better illustrated by this blurb (from the youtube video)

"J Dilla introduced Guilty Simpson to Stones Throw by saying, "You should sign him." He was signed."

Enjoy.

Double Header: The Dawes Part Two

Peace in the Valley – The Dawes – North Hills

For the second part of the double header I thought about reviewing one of the Dawes more country songs (Western Skyline), but actually chose one that represents another side of the ban where they kick in a little grit in the guitar tone and get down to some bluesy music. Don't get the wrong impression; it’s not B.B. or Freddie king, but it does drop into some heavier toned, darker, stuff, especially when paired against it poppy review companion When My Time Comes.

Clearly, I’m a big fan of bands that can put some attitude and emotion into their music, and while that’s certainly something I love about the song I also think its placement in the album makes it even more appealing and powerful to me. Instead of going out with lyrics and the spoken word, where the album (and half of the song) is really centered, it ends the album with a spacious, thoughtful sound. Guitar tones are sustained and bent, reaching high and hitting low hard. It really is like the image of "peace in the valley", a quiet spacious expanse that is below normal ground, the lyrics and speaking and voices of that proliferate the album before it. It's interesting that the Dawes choose to fill this peaceful place with such an emotive, hard, guitar tone and I think it really speaks to the final lines "If I don't find peace in the valley, I've got no place else to look.". Much like the rest of the album it takes on a reflective tone (When My Time Comes is mostly written in past tense, and is a self narrative), the last line seems to say that if he can't find peace in the valley, where he's the only person there, where else will he find it. Sadly when the vocals drop away we don’t find peace, instead we hear the long tormented wails of a guitar, rising and falling, until the end. It signals a sad realization that sometimes the trouble you find in the world is trouble you bring to it. Enjoy.

Song Here

Double Header: The Dawes Part One

When My Time Comes - The Dawes - North Hills

Welcome to the new Double Header feature where you get two post's about two songs from one band in one day. The band for the inaugural posting is The Dawes, whose song "When My Time Comes" I was positive I had reviewed, but actually hadn't. The roots of this song is both musically and lyrically rooted in classic Americana. There is a distinct country-blues feel to the song, but with a rock feel and vocal harmonies that are reminiscent of Crosby Stills Nash and Young. Lyrically the song is just fantastic. Not only in its poetic content but also its smooth delivery. The whole song just sums up misguided youth. It talks about ignorant certainty that comes with inexperience in the world, and the consequences when you face these black and white truths you were taught.

So I pointed my fingers and shout a few quotes I knew
As if something that´s written should be taken as true
But every path I have taken and conclusion I drew
Would put truth back under the knife.

[...]

And now it seems like the unraveling has started too soon
Now I´m sleeping in hallways and I´m drinking perfume
And I´m speaking to mirrors and I´m howling at moons
While the worst and the worst that it gets.
Oh you can judge all the world on the sparkle that you think it lacks.
Yes you can stare into the abyss but it´s staring right back.

That final line of "Yes you can stare into the abyss but it's staring right back" is a classic. Overall I find the whole song just delightful. It has a lyrical structure that reminds me of Bob Dylan and a sincere playing style that makes me think of the most free spirited CSNY. Enjoy.

Song Here.

Live Performance Special: In the Valley

In the Valley - Chief - Modern Rituals

My last few posts have really been moving towards a more summer feel, and this song is certainly following this trend. More along the calm bittersweet side of the summer feel than upbeat and optimistic, more "The Good Times are Killing Me" than say "Use Me" as an example. It has a very calming California sound but also its message definitely focuses on loneliness. I guess its kind of finding sadness in a good place, and that the sadness isn't from the setting, but from yourself. Just "Sitting in the valley alone". Anyway you cut the meaning, the band really performs well live, the vocalist is fantastic in a mellow singsong way that is not overblown or over dramatic. It's as though he's just singing to himself, but with real shine and beauty in his voice. Enjoy.

Song: Here

Song of the Day: Use Me - Bill Withers

Use Me - Bill Withers - Still Bill

Its a beautiful spring day, and Use Me is such a great song for it! This song is happy, funky, written by a true master, and actually less well known than his other great Ain't no Sunshine. Enjoy!

Song of the Week: Wicker - Clutch

Wicker - Clutch - Pitchfork EP

Clutch is personally one of my favorite band, their self titled album is something I can listen to again and again, the whole way through. I love their sound tone, lyrics, and dynamics, all of which point to an insane sound especially in their earlier albums. Wicker has guitar tones that wash over you in distorted waves before switching to a choppy off beat riff for the verses of the song. The actual lyrics are contradictions and riddles, they're full of idioms and wordplay confusing meaning. I love it.