P.S. Mix 03.22.09

I've been itching to put together a mix for some time now. If you've heard anything I used to play on Postscript, then the mood of this won't be a surprise.
I've included a bunch of the more recent sounds from my headphones and flows fairly well (I think). Not too much more I can say other than, "Enjoy."

00:00 - The Fun Years - "Autoshow Day of the Dead" - Baby, It's Cold Outside
07:10 - Expo '70 - "Vampire Flower" - Audio Archive 003
10:10 - Pan*American - "So That No Matter" - White Bird Release
15:35 - Tim Hecker - "Sea of Pulses" - Imaginary Country
20:10 - Aero - "Aug 31" - Rises and Falls
24:32 - Lumerians - "Turquoise Towers" - Lumerians
32:12 - Tarentel - "Massa Carrara, Italy" - Live Edits: Italy/Switzerland
35:52 - Mint - "Hindemath " - Kompakt Pop Ambient 2009
40:31 - Loscil - "Resurgasm" - Submers
47:55 - Mountains - "Millions of Time" - Mountains, Mountains, Mountains

Shogun Kunitoki

I was thinking recently about how I could slam the entire 8-bit music scene (and especially the Baltimore scene) in a single post, then I got the new Wire magazine. The second track on the latest Wire Trapper is the song "Riddarholmen" by a band unknown to me, Shogun Kunitoki.

First off, they're not Japanese. This Finnish band is essentially an 8-bit act, with probably-cheap electronics and really enthusiastic stage presence. The song "Riddarholmen" starts off equally banal (which is a sad word when describing the vibe/image the genre shoots for) but takes a turn for the awesome about halfway through.

The sound Shogun Kunitoki throws is a mix between Silver Apples pulsating analogs and Caribou/Manitoba tinged psychedelic-sunshine-pop. It's fantastic. I'm not sure what they're all about but I definitely dig this song.

I'm not saying I'm into 8-bit stuff at all. I think what I'm realizing is that I'm a huge fan of Finnish-bands now... Just check out Kirsten Ketsjer or anything on the Apestaartje label.

Turn your headphones UP here.

-bp

p.s. - let me know if you're into this or if you think I'll forget about it next week. I have a strange feeling the song's maybe a bit disposable.

Souled American - "Frozen"

I've heard a few ways to describe this slow burner, and ambient country's definitely a sticker. Souled American released 4 albums on Rough Trade, pioneering the alt-country sound highly influential to those who heard it, including Jim O'Rourke and the Mountain Goats. A quote from there Wiki (link) page which stands out:

"It's possible that "Frozen", the first of the post-Rough Trade albums, is among the most sluggish and languid music ever made. This style affords the listener moments of crushing misery but also intense beauty, the music being unlike anything made before or since its release."

It took a few tries but this slow tremolo has been resonating quite deeply.



Download link Here

Bersarin Quartett

By God I knew this was created for those ears down south if they haven't heard this yet, this is some of the best atmospheric/post-something downer music I've heard in a long time. The band hails from Germany and absolutely kills on the restrained theatrics. Powerful stuff!!

Ex Models - "Chrome Hearts"

Here's another one on the noisy side for you, Lefty-followers. I've been semi-obsessed with the final track from Ex Models' third (and probably last) album, "Chrome Panthers." If "Chrome Hearts" doesn't make you go out and buy a set of drums, I don't know what will.

Anchored by Oneida's own percussive wonder, Kid Millions, the album "Chrome Panthers" finds Ex Models performing their longest tracks to date. The previous two ("Other Mathematics" and "Zoo Psychology") were stellar noise/angular rock outings, but lacked the impulse and punch achieved only after updated producers and strength in rhythm.

Ex Models are normally only two members strong. Bro's in real life, Shahin and Shahryar Motia,
are fantastic musicians and songwriters but the addition of Kid Millions pushes the combo over the edge. Ex Models are basically dead now though. Both Motia brothers started another band called Knyfe Hyts (funny name which comes from their technique of taking hits of hash from the tips of knife blades before playing sets of bad psych-rock) which has already broken up.

If you can get passed the vocals (which I don't mind, personally I hear Mark Mothersbaugh) and like loud rockin', check it out.

Rock out with your socks out here.

-bp

Also, as a bonus: If you dig the song, check out the live version (sans-Millions).