In the progress of society we have dropped the physical part of the business; and instead of punching, scratching, kicking, biting, and knocking down one another, still true to the original principles of our nature, we are all endeavoring to circumvent one another; everybody is trying to take everybody in; the moment that one of us has got together a thing or two, he is pounced on by his neighbor, who in his turn falls a prey to another, and so on in endless succession. We cannot effectually help ourselves, though we are splitting our heads trying to discover devices, by way of laws, to restrain this propensity of our nature: it will not do; we are all overreaching, cheating, swindling, robbing one another, and if necessary, are ready to maim and murder one another in the prosecution of our designs. So it is with nations as with individuals. Truly, truly, we are a precious set.

Ten Thousand A-Year

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Rachel’s – On Demeter
Selenography

Give this track a little time and the lengthy intro gives way to beautiful and atmospheric chamber music. I heard Selenography in Barnes & Noble when it came out in 1999 and immediately bought it. The track that I’d heard was “The Mysterious Disappearance of Louis Leprince,” a standout on the album, and at the time I didn’t think the rest of Selenography stood up. I know better now that I’ve heard a bit more contemporary chamber music, though I’ve never listened to much else from Rachel’s. Selenography is about to be reissued as a 2xLP, so now is as good a time as ever to start listening.

Thus were thy arms suddenly held back from behind, just as they were encircling a pretty, plump a pigeon as ever nestled in them with pert and playful confidence, to be plucked! Alas, alas! And didst thou behold the danger to which it was exposed, as it fluttered upward unconsciously into the region where thine affectionate eye detected the keen hawk in deadly poise?

Ten Thousand A-Year

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Circulatory System – “Symbols and Maps”
Circulatory System

This band’s first album is one of the deepest and most puzzling albums of all time. While it resembles in some ways the Elephant 6 psych-pop of Olivia Tremor Control, its intense layering and mind-blowing instrumentation (multi-multi-tracking) put it beyond even OTC’s complexity, while better maintaining its musicality. It required a lot of close listening to “get” for me, and I’m still discovering details in it years later. Luckily, there are also moments of easy clarity and beauty, like the dreamy beginning to this track. (cloud recordings)

Mr. Gammon conceived a fearful, a shuddering loathing and disgust for the miscreant leader into these enormities; and, but for certain consequences, would have dispatched him with as much indifference as he would have laid arsenic in the way of a bold voracious rat, or killed a snake.

Ten Thousand A-Year

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Calexico – “Inch by Inch”
Aerocalexico

This is a short but sweet track off of Calexico’s self-recorded tour LP — whenever I hear it, it always captures my attention, but it’s so short that I always think I missed some of it.


If the earth gradually stopped spinning and was eventually still, the water would be drawn to the polar regions due to the flattened ellipsoid shape of the planet. We’d be left with two polar oceans, an immense “waistband” megacontinent, and a few scattered lakes.

“Pray, sir, be silent!” exclaimed Mr. Aubrey, in a tone that electrified Gammon, who started from his chair. Mr. Aubrey’s face was whitened; his eye glanced lightning at his companion. Dagon-like, Gammon had put forth his hand and touched the ark of Aubrey’s honor. Gammon lost his color, and for, perhaps, the first time in his life, quailed before the majesty of man; ‘twas also the majesty of suffering; for he had been torturing a noble nature.

Ten Thousand A-Year

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Earthless – Cherry Red
Rhythms From A Cosmic Sky

This absolutely stunning album is equal parts Don Caballero, Van Halen, and Dead Meadow. The virtuosity on display in the two 21-minute epics making up the rest of the album is ear-breaking. It’s indulgent, insane, and technically impressive — and I’m betting their live shows are bananas. This shorter track encapsulates the sound, but you should really get the whole record to feel the expansiveness of this psych-rock masterpiece.

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Seven That Spells – Quetzalcoatl
Future Retro Spasm

My friend Jeremy (who also sent me the excellent Peach Pit) is now in this band, though he didn’t play on this album of wildly kinetic prog. This is the shortest and most succinct of the tracks on the record, which barely gives you time to breathe except during the spacey epic “The Abandoned World of Automata.” Personally, I think it could use a little less horn-wankery, but it’s chock full of ideas and some great sounds — the guitars at 1:25 through 2:06 remind me of the very best of Earthless’ superb Rhythms From A Cosmic Sky. (band site)

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Green Palm Radiation – “Rachel Brook”
Green Palm Radiation

This psych-rock album calls back to Jesus & Mary Chain style heavy guitars and atmospherics, though inexact vocals tend to hamstring some of the songs. This, the closing track, brings it to a beautiful and hazy conclusion, with shades of Charalambides’ INCREASE and the more ambient cuts from Sunset.

Placed in a situation which may, I think, be described as entirely without parallel, what is the first proceeding to which I resort? Do I seclude myself from all human society? Do I set my mind to analyze the abominable impossibility which, nevertheless, confronts me as an undeniable fact? Do I hurry back to London by the first train to consult the highest authorities, and to set a searching inquiry on foot immediately? No. I accept the shelter of a house which I had resolved never to degrade myself by entering again; and I sit, tippling spirits and water in the company of an old servant, at ten o’clock in the morning.

The Moonstone