Lights Dim / Gallery Six – “Sea of Tranquility”
Moon EP
This short ambient album was put out to commemorate the 43rd anniversary of the moon landing. It’s very reminiscent of the Fennesz/Sakamoto collaboration, Cendre, but a bit noisier. Only 21 hard copies were made (and sold), but you can pay what you like to get it at their Bandcamp page or download it for free at Archive.org.
Gregorio Allegri – “Miserere mei, Deus”
No day like today to reflect on the enormities of mankind, the number and scope of which have, incredibly, survived centuries of prayer. The piece itself (I have learned) was forbidden to be performed outside the Vatican or transcribed, on pain of excommunication. It was only after a 14-year-old Mozart memorized it during attendance and copied it out from memory that it escaped the confines of the Sistine Chapel; the Pope himself praised Mozart and the music was released for general performance.
Jack Rose – “Dusty Grass”
The Black Dirt Sessions
A bit like a minor-key “Rappahanock River Rag” at the beginning, but morphing into something more complex and urgent once it departs from its initial jangly theme. This EP is host to a number of excellent tracks, including an extended “Cross the North Fork” and a melancholy pair of tracks closing out the B side. Certainly worth a listen for fans of Jack Rose (RIP) and acoustic guitar in general. (insound)
The Willowz – “Cons and Tricks”
Talk in Circles
Just some straight-up noisy garage rock. Love the “busy” tone about 2/3rds through. Apparently this was on Jersey Shore? Doesn’t matter, great song.
Lead Belly – “Black Betty”
Negro Sinful Songs
After hearing the 1977 Ram Jam version of this song, I was curious about its origins. Turns out it dates back to at least 1933 (almost certainly decades before), but was first commercially recorded by Lead Belly in 1939. Betty herself seems to be everything but a trouble-ridden woman; “Black Betty” is said to refer to a whip used in prisons, or the black wagon used to transport prisoners, or (as early as 1736, noted by Benjamin Franklin) a bottle of whiskey.
Tanakh – “5 AM”
Ardent Fevers
While this album never approaches the mystical prominence of Villa Claustrophobia, it does have some moments of beauty and lucidity. Here is one of them. (insound)
World’s End Girlfriend – “We are the massacre”
The Lie Lay Land
A beautiful but sometimes grating and even terrifying album, The Lie Lay Land is inarguably also very creative. The way this Japanese electronic-classical composer combines soothing strains with noise and samples is atmospheric and powerful, though certainly not for everyone. This track is probably the most accessible, though their collaboration with Mono is more likely to attract the average listener’s ears.
Various – “The World Is Gone”
The World Is Gone
An unaccountable and varied album, touching on dub and noise as frequently as it does on folk melodies. It’s not always successful, but there’s a kind of grooving, dirty honesty pervading it that makes it impossible to truly dislike. This is the only instrumental track, but the vocals elsewhere range from Espers-esque harmony to jarring spoken word. It can be a bit hammy, but certainly worth a listen. (insound)
The Microphones – “I’ll Be in the Air”
Don’t Wake Me Up
Early Phil Elvrum is occasionally hard to tell apart form late-era Phil Elvrum. In this case the pensive vocals and roiling guitars could have come from practically any of his projects and albums. It is in fact from 1999’s Don’t Wake Me Up, part of a very fertile period in his songwriting career. I can’t tell if that’s Mirah singing backup, but it’s possible.
Lowcloudcover – “Skeleton Key”
Separation Anxiety
Confident, competent, and well-produced, this Lowcloudcover album sounds great but not particularly original. But reliably good, slightly-extended (all but two of the songs clock in between five and six minutes) psych-rock is surprisingly difficult to find and this is a fertile source. They must also be given extra credit for actually using the bass rather than letting it slog along deep in the low end.
