marathonpacks' Year-(Fri)end Bonanza, Volume IX:
Michael Kaufman
Okay, one more. It's worth it.
Michael Kaufmann is writing a science fiction novel that draws heavily on Aztec Cosmology, Sun Ra, Jainism and Mount Meru, hip-hop culture, and the vernacular of spam. He helps put out and promote records. He doesn't understand corn-hole, The Colts, or smoking in bars but he is proud to live in Indianapolis.
My list of musical moments, audible and otherwise. Numbered, but not hierarchical. Conflicts of interest intentionally left out, but man I love the records we put out this year.
1. Deerhoof Offend Maggie
At first it offended me. With each new album it seems as if Deerhoof has lost their touch. But that is first listen, that is nostalgia corrupting and jailing an artist to the cell of "they don't make records like they used to." Many bands have these cults, the T.D.M.R.L.T.U.T. folks. I like to think I am savvy enough to avoid joining one of them, but there I was, gnashing teeth and shaking my fist at the stereo. I think I have done this with their last three albums. In the past, I have pushed on through, given it another listen. Wait a week, try again. And then eventually I accept it, begin to appreciate it, maybe even get hooked. This time I didn't feel as hopeful.
What?! I had heard that opening track (ed: "The Tears of Music and Love"). It was in the Dazed and Confused soundtrack, or was it That 70's Show? What is this big riff classic rock mojo? Forget it. All would of been lost if it weren't for my 5 and 2 year old. I was upstairs in my office when I heard some ruckus coming up through the heating vents from their playroom. I am hearing these power guitars and them laughing! What is going on? I head downstairs, there is my 5 year old playing with Legos humming along, and my 2 year old bouncing up and down in rhythm to Greg's drums. "What are you listening to?" I ask. "Racing music," is the response from my 5-year old. I sat down and listened for a bit. Built with some Legos. Wow, this is a great record.
2. David Byrne Live at Clowes Hall
Synchronized office chair dancing on stage during a rock show should be mandatory. Middle-aged suburbanites dancing like lunatics at a recital hall concert, strangely invigorating. Frat-boy barfing over the back of one of the chairs as the concert let out? Good timing at least. Byrne was in great form, like a well-oiled lawn-bowling assassin.
3. Tristan Perich, Live at First Pres Church (SXSW)
I am three years behind the curve. Tristan's 1-Bit Music came out in 2005, but I learned about him and his music in early 2008. I decided to have him perform at the Asthmatic Kitty showcase at SXSW in the First Presbyterian Church. Unintentional stroke of curatorial genius. Tristan created these beds of 1-bit loops and then alternated between frenetic drumming and piano. The music filled the church and created a sense of post-post-millennial hymns. His 2005(?) release of 1-bit music is a CD jewel case with a headphone jack on its side, and instead of the plastic tray and shiny compact disc inside, there is a 1-bit tone generator with volume knobs and track advance button. Of course the cynical would just dismiss it as clever noise gimmickry, but not I. It is the logical punctuation to the 8-bit craze (What? You didn't know about the craze?! Do you live under a rock? Craze, I tell you). It is equally witty and minimal and composed.
5. The Favorite Albums
Simon Bookish Everything/Everything
Gang Gang Dance Saint Dymphna
Son Lux At War with Walls and Mazes
Chad VanGaalen Soft Airplane
Dosh Wolves and Wishes
These Are Powers Taro Tarot
The Weird Weeds I Miss This
Fennesz Black Sea
Wildbirds & Peacedrums Heartcore
Michael Kaufmann is writing a science fiction novel that draws heavily on Aztec Cosmology, Sun Ra, Jainism and Mount Meru, hip-hop culture, and the vernacular of spam. He helps put out and promote records. He doesn't understand corn-hole, The Colts, or smoking in bars but he is proud to live in Indianapolis.
My list of musical moments, audible and otherwise. Numbered, but not hierarchical. Conflicts of interest intentionally left out, but man I love the records we put out this year.
1. Deerhoof Offend Maggie
At first it offended me. With each new album it seems as if Deerhoof has lost their touch. But that is first listen, that is nostalgia corrupting and jailing an artist to the cell of "they don't make records like they used to." Many bands have these cults, the T.D.M.R.L.T.U.T. folks. I like to think I am savvy enough to avoid joining one of them, but there I was, gnashing teeth and shaking my fist at the stereo. I think I have done this with their last three albums. In the past, I have pushed on through, given it another listen. Wait a week, try again. And then eventually I accept it, begin to appreciate it, maybe even get hooked. This time I didn't feel as hopeful.
What?! I had heard that opening track (ed: "The Tears of Music and Love"). It was in the Dazed and Confused soundtrack, or was it That 70's Show? What is this big riff classic rock mojo? Forget it. All would of been lost if it weren't for my 5 and 2 year old. I was upstairs in my office when I heard some ruckus coming up through the heating vents from their playroom. I am hearing these power guitars and them laughing! What is going on? I head downstairs, there is my 5 year old playing with Legos humming along, and my 2 year old bouncing up and down in rhythm to Greg's drums. "What are you listening to?" I ask. "Racing music," is the response from my 5-year old. I sat down and listened for a bit. Built with some Legos. Wow, this is a great record.
2. David Byrne Live at Clowes Hall
Synchronized office chair dancing on stage during a rock show should be mandatory. Middle-aged suburbanites dancing like lunatics at a recital hall concert, strangely invigorating. Frat-boy barfing over the back of one of the chairs as the concert let out? Good timing at least. Byrne was in great form, like a well-oiled lawn-bowling assassin.
3. Tristan Perich, Live at First Pres Church (SXSW)
I am three years behind the curve. Tristan's 1-Bit Music came out in 2005, but I learned about him and his music in early 2008. I decided to have him perform at the Asthmatic Kitty showcase at SXSW in the First Presbyterian Church. Unintentional stroke of curatorial genius. Tristan created these beds of 1-bit loops and then alternated between frenetic drumming and piano. The music filled the church and created a sense of post-post-millennial hymns. His 2005(?) release of 1-bit music is a CD jewel case with a headphone jack on its side, and instead of the plastic tray and shiny compact disc inside, there is a 1-bit tone generator with volume knobs and track advance button. Of course the cynical would just dismiss it as clever noise gimmickry, but not I. It is the logical punctuation to the 8-bit craze (What? You didn't know about the craze?! Do you live under a rock? Craze, I tell you). It is equally witty and minimal and composed.
4. No Country for Old Men (Ending Credits)
Silence is golden.
Silence is golden.
5. The Favorite Albums
Simon Bookish Everything/Everything
Gang Gang Dance Saint Dymphna
Son Lux At War with Walls and Mazes
Chad VanGaalen Soft Airplane
Dosh Wolves and Wishes
These Are Powers Taro Tarot
The Weird Weeds I Miss This
Fennesz Black Sea
Wildbirds & Peacedrums Heartcore
posted by marathonpacks at 12:08 AM
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