Pivot - O Soundtrack My Heart (2008)

Much of my discussions in music over the last couple of months have revolved around the best albums of 2008. Unfortunately I had concluded that 2008 wasn't a great year for music. Many reviewers have highlighted Fleet Foxes as stand out, which on repetitive listens I have defined as boring. The Wire, usually a reliable source for the more cultured listener put as their most favoured record the new offering from in demand producer The Bug. I was some what surprised on listening to this record that although there were some very impressive atmospheric and dubstep sounds infused through this record, the overall flavour was not to my taste with an over reliance on obtuse Garage MCs clogging the album up from start to finish.

I have really despaired in my attempt to pinpoint an 'excellent' record from 2008. My despair is mostly aimed at myself rather than the of world music as I have concluded I just can't have looked hard enough. So it is with this in mind that I am happy to mention last years work by John Zorn which is brilliant, the stunning fully Electronica immersed new album from the mighty Laibach, and a piece of wonderful post rock from a band I have newly discovered, Pivot.

O Soundtrack My Heart is the second album from the Australian post rock band Pivot. The album is their first release on Warp Records and was mixed by John McEntire best known for being in pioneering post rock band Tortoise. The band come with their own weighty credentials with Laurence Pike and Adrian Klumpes both having been members of the outstanding electronic jazz trio Triosk (now disbanded).

As for the album, they have produced an exciting piece of music that has a wealth of rock diversity which flows effortlessly through an upbeat carousel of musical wonder. They avoid the atmospheric melancholic sound of God Speed, whilst not committing totally to the more electronic plod of Tortoise. They have truly found the middle ground which will no doubt appeal to wider variety of listeners, whilst still being a bold and at points demanding listen.

YES, I am pleased to have another album of 2008 that I think is 'excellent' and I offer it humbly as a recommendation to you fine readers.

Enjoy

Faustian Album of the Week 3

Pere Ubu

Dub Housing

The radio is on and a majestic sound splurts from the rhythmic vibrations of my speakers and seeps through the pours of my skin. David Thomas rants almost incomprehensibly in a muffled plea for attention. Thump thump thump… to my left I look over to see Socrates looking resplendent as he lies back tranquilly on the turquoise leather, sofa gorged from the feast (Loin of Venison Wellington with Carrot and Cardamon Mousse, Honey Turnip and Juniper Berry Sauce). Socrates Interjects “But what is x in itself Protagoras?”
“Having an x or being an x”
I think, ‘boy that’s all swell, boy that’s all swell.’
“But these are all fine examples of x, I want to grasp the essence of Xness; I want to know what x is in itself”
“Perhaps knowing a moment; perhaps standing on the edge of existence, perceiving the minds I”
“Bogus Bunkum!!!!” I have desire, I have desire…

Thump thump thump… the day begins to break, a muffled drums begins to sound, a crowd begins to gather in the square. The presence of the hangman in his terrifying mask weighs heavy on the minds of all those there. The rope round his neck, the door drops and the boys neck snaps with a horrifying CRACK. He cums three times on impact, ecstatic joy written across his face. I’ve got these arms and legs, flip flap flip…. the hangman sees his victim and the blood drains from his face as he views his brother’s mother’s son. Flippy flippy flap…

Gruppeknaald!! Gruppeknaald!! Gruppeknaald!! Gruppeknaald!!... the crowd chant in unison; Gruppeknaald!! Gruppeknaald!! Gruppeknaald!! Oh please forgive me God, I thought, we hang him in thy name… thump thump thump.

The music stops to the resounding question: what do you do with a drunken sailor? Oh how industrial… Oh how all post punk should sound!

Faustian Album of the Week 3

Faustian Album of the Week 2

Current 93

Thunder Perfect Mind

’93 current’ is an idea developed by Alister Crowley about men of power internalizing spiritual change from which Current 93 derive their name. 25 years of work has seen David Tibet deliver a continuous stream of ground breaking records; a discography with more than his fair share of master pieces. Certainly one of the jewels in the crown is Thunder Perfect Mind, a definitive apocalyptic folk album. It contains two songs based on the Gnostic poem ‘Thunder perfect, Perfect Mind’ (or more accurately ‘The Thunder, Perfect Intellect). A paradoxical monologue from an immanent saviour (parts of its text are spoken and snarled by Tibet on the track "Thunder Perfect Mind I").

Driven by the acoustic guitar work of long time collaborator Michael Cashmore and Tibet’s distinctive, almost nusery rhyme like vocals it is certainly not flipent or journalistically lazy to describe this as spiritual. This is a personal record with songs dedicated to friends, colleagues and people Tibet has met. An intense, yet beautiful journey, drawing on aspects of atonal and uncomfortable lessons he learnt from his industrial heritage (as a member of 23 Skidoo, Pyschic TV and early Current 93 albums) repressed in a neo-folk context. Thunder Perfect Mind is an album that handsomely rewards repeated listenings and demands attention. This is most true of the longest and perhaps most complex piece "Hitler as Kalki (SDM)". Here Tibet plays with the idea forwarded by the Hindu social Darwinist, Holocaust denier and Hitler worshipper Savitri Devi Mukherji (SDM), that Hitler was in fact the final avatar of the Hindu God Vishnu, and the initiator of apocalypse. The Pysch guitar gradually develops throughout to a frantic strummed acid-jazz wah, climaxing in a trippy storm of feedback and deranged emotional vocals.

Thunder Perfect Mind is a superb starting point to explore Current 93’s extensive back catalogue, it is certainly one of the most important records of the 90s. For those who have not fully graspped the Current 93 vibe, this is the perfect place to invest some effort; effort which will be rewarded on an apocalyptic scale for the sucessful journeymen.

“Hitler comes as Kalki, Kalki comes as Hitler”

The Sopranos - The Best TV Show ever?

The Sopranos is a TV series spanning 6 seasons and containing 86 episodes. It was originally screened on HBO between 1999 and 2007. The show was created and produced by David Chase who used many of his own life and family experiences from New Jersey.

The show focuses around Mob Boss Tony Soprano leading a Mafia family in New Jersey. The first series shows his ascendancy to the position of Don accompanied with anxiety and mental health problems. These problems cause him black outs which lead him into therapy, an important aspect of the continuing stories.

Many of the cast had previously worked together with 27 cast members having appeared in Martin Scorcese’s film Goodfellas. The cast immediately gel together and are definitely a key element to the success of the show. The show is arguably the most successful TV drama ever made and certainly laid the foundations for the surge of American dramas seen over the last decade.

The episodes involve aspects that form a one off one hour story, whilst continuing other plots which develop throughout the programme as a whole. The show draws on successful aspects from many great gangster films and will appeal to fans of films like Goodfellas and The Godfather. The show is deservedly a commercial and critical success which keeps an excellent standard throughout all the episodes. In fact, it would be fair to say at no point does the show loose the ingredients that make it so successful, which is surprising as it results in 86 excellent episodes of near perfect Mafioso drama.

Unlike Twin Peaks this show didn't loose it's way, so, is it the best TV show ever?

Faustian Album of the Week 1

Thee Maldoror Kollective

Pilot (Man With the Meat Machine)

A seeming resurgence of praise worthy avant-garde metal during 2008, although being much appreciated, leaves a yearning for purveyors of Post Metal. Italian band TMK began by emulating their True Black Metal fore fathers only to experiment and finally go beyond their metal heritage (Metamorphosing in a manner akin to Ulver or Manes). Previously classifiable as a metal industrial band on New Viral Order, with A Clockwork Highway they quite quickly shifted into a band that has a penchant for movies rather than the mosh pit. Not to say this is not a rock album; admittedly it is far from continuous, but there are passages which remind the listener that these boys play rock. The rock kicks in with rolling drums and almost stadium guitar sensibilities. But this is far from straight up and is never lasting or over bearing.

More striking is the cinematic kaleidoscope which ensues, laden with avant-garde jazz tempo changes and unpredictable and stylistic deviations. Pilot is as much an Industrial electronic album as anything else; an album full of programmed effects changing direction and atmosphere throughout. In fact on tracks like Zombie Children Do Synthetic Dreams it sounds almost as though Bill Laswell had laid down the sumptuous electronic groove. Movie references abound throughout the 50mins, both as samples and as a feeling of flicking randomly from B-Movie to B-Movie. A slick production defuses some of the more extreme metal moments making them hugely palatable and more in keeping with the heady electronic broth throughout. It is this balance, which so many experimental artists fail to achieve, TMK have so comfortably nailed. The meandering journey never feels contrived, with each musical twist contributing skilfully to the eclectic whole.

“Initiating shut down sequence”

CocoRosie - Noah's Ark (2005)

CocoRosie are an experimental duo of American sisters based in France. Their sound, as with many experimental artists is hard to categorise, but the overall result is engaging and at many points beautiful.

1. Sierra Rose "Rosie" Casady moved to France to pursue a career as an opera singer. She studied in Paris where she was later reunited with her sister Bianca Leilani "Coco" forming the band in 2003.

Although throughout their work there are moments of obvious technical expertise, many parts sound raw and obtuse. The vocals are often harsh and stuttered, but with a control and a rich engaging quality. Sierra plays guitar piano and harp while Bianca a variety of strange sounds ranging from childrens toys through to standard percussion instruments. They often sound disjointed yet somehow very right.

The Album Noah's Ark (2005) is the duo's second and for me is a real success. Saying that, it starts rather weakly with a track entitled K-hole, which paints an appropriate musical picture for the title, but is quite disappointing when compared to the rest of the album. The second track sets the scene and injects an instant attention grabbing beauty when Anthony Hegarty starts the track off with his distinctive vocals. The track is a delicate balance of a classic piano melody over some spacious crackling beats with the regular band vocals almost competing with Anthony's for the strangest and most beautiful sound.

The album carrys on from here with no disappointments and demands multiple listening. This is an album best enjoyed on your own with the comfort of a sofa and no distraction.

For those torrent types here is an address to find a download.
http://btjunkie.org/torrent/Cocorosie-Noah-s-Ark-2005/3796a75d4718ff26f3cce83e2dd505d9dc88796b4073

Is the vengeance trilogy really any good?

A good question raised. Critically the three films were all very well received and were all successful. This led me to sumarise the director, without discussion, having triumphed. This was a little rash of me but seemed appropriate when writing about I'm a Cyborg.

I think I should retract my previous comment and instead only describe Old Boy as a triumph. It is an amazing film and perhaps the best example of Asian cinema I have seen. It would be fair to say that Sympathy for Mr Vengeance was a very good film, but no where near as rewarding as Old Boy. The last of the three films, Lady Vengeance, unfortunately was quite forgettable. Perhaps I should watch it again, but for now, my opinion is it's not so good.

Sorry to miss lead you all there. Old Boy and I'm a Cyborg however are both outstanding films. Watch them.

Holiday time

I was trying to think what does a single man do for a holiday? Apart from tagging on with one of you or going on a "singles holiday" i was a little confused. I fancy doing something different so was thinking of some volunteering abroad.

http://www.concordia-iye.org.uk/projects/?details=24302

Has anybody got any better ideas?

Is the vengeance trilogy really any good?

Without any hint of doubt, Oldboy is superb. However, isn't describing his Vengeance trilogy as a triumph a little excessive? I was under the impression that the other two were a bit light weight. Should I check them out again?

I'm a Cyborg

This weekend I had the pleasure of watching Park Chan-Wook's New film I'm a Cyborg, But that's OK. Coming from the extreme Korean director holding the triumphs of the Vengeance trilogy under his belt, I wasn't sure what to expect from a film sold as a romantic comedy. What I discovered was a charming, quirky film with a good plot and a host of excellent performances.

It was really good to see the director show he has more to offer than the graphic violence and shock twists offered up in his films like Old Boy. This film is memorable and in many ways quite unique. A good couple of hours here that will leave everyone with a broad smile following a some what strange movie experience.

At last a picture frame

Imagine this in my front room!

You Mitchel, have just eaten a sheep’s bollock

I am pleased on three accounts:

1. Sim world is a smashing idea and already an unprecedented success.
2. I’m thrilled Matt enjoyed The Cook… so much. Greenaway is an undisputed auteur of the highest calibre. Exquisite, lush, gripping, moving… just some words to describe the film.
3. How great it is to be reminded about the liberation of our European comrades from the tyrannical Ottoman reign. Hail ‘This day in History’ brothers.

Before we go, we must feed and water the animals!!

The Cook the Thief His Wife & Her Lover (1989)

Thanks to Dan for sharing this surprisingly interesting film with its outrageous characters and theatre like staging gave a very rewarding experience.

Just an experiment

kool aid acid test_0001.wmv

Electric Kool Aid baby!!!

Headhunting the funky beast Herb?

Welcome Tim Sim

Welcome Matt Sim

Welcome Dan Sim

We are time

we are time_0001.wmv

Chop Stick Blues Keyboard mix

Chop Stick Blues (Keyboard mix).wma

The Brazen Flying Freak-Flag Cardinal mix 2

The Brazen Flying Freak-Flag Cardinal mix 2.wma

T-Shirts Dec 2008