Sunday, May 12, 2013

Peter Gabriel (1980 album)



Released: May 30 1980
Recorded: 1979–1980 in Bath and at the Townhouse, London
Length: 45:32
Label: Charisma (United Kingdom),Mercury (Original US LP pressing),Geffen (United States, Canada) Producer: Steve Lillywhite
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Having always heard something in the back of my life about the band "Genesis" I've had a passing understanding that Peter Gabriel was a deeper musician, but like everything I understood as a child, nothing hit me till adulthood. And always hearing "Games Without Frontiers" I always appreciated the song, never did I really enjoy it.

When I finally broke down and bought the album, only then did I appreciate the treasure that was before me. The beginning tracks are great, but what really caught me with a fury was the track "I Don't Remember". "Where did this fury come from to me?" there was an aggression in this song about breaking off to me, like a clean break, that tries to fray at the ends for a stupid cut.

After having drove so many stupid circles in southern California, doing so many mindless jobs I heard "And Through The Wire"  did I hear what my life should say. There is some kinda love through all the hate and stupidity, there is some kind of love that I can't understand.

At the of this madness that I speak I have to give all the respect to the cornerstone track "Games Without Frontiers" the track that got my attention. There are so many notes and references in this track that scare me about the future.

There is something that is still trying to break out in this album after all the anger and striped down emotions of the 90'a there is something more in this album what is poisoning this new generation.

So with that I will say Pass it on because there are so many fucking albums and songs that should be heard.... btw Thanks to my friend Julian for pushing me into Peter Gabriel
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Sunday, March 10, 2013

Cat Power... Sun


Released August 29, 2012
Recorded 2007–12 in Malibu; The Boat Studio, Silverlake; South Beach Studios, Miami and Motorbass Studio, Paris
Length  48:50
Label Matador Producer Cat Power


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As Chan did with this album there is not a set timeline no matter how hard you try. With that being said that's what makes this album jump out at me. I had heard of Cat Power years before, so I had an appreciation of her work. So when I heard the track Ruin on KCRW I had to Sound hound this song, because it blew me away as most most the songs I've heard of Cat Power were acoustic and these song felt deeper. Not that she wasn't deep before(in my opinion most songs that are intimate and acoustic are deeper than electric). But hearing her in electric is almost like the third dimension going 4D... straight fucking trip.

every time that i turn on my stereo in the work truck or my mp3 player Cat Power's Manhattan is always playing and it always seem's fitting for every moment, which is rare for anything and especially that seems like  an accusation of not having enough to be a proper lie. She's so subtle but so obvious of common themes.

During plenty of time when I've been floating between tracks I get caught on a track that makes me stop. And in of those moments recently I was caught by Cat Power's Nothing But Time... not because Iggy Pop is on this track. But because of Chan's soul she gives in this song. She's screaming about fighting to keep above water long enough to breath and to enjoy what matters aside from every expectation. She is a poet that can inspire beyond me, I wish I could be as great with my words.

So with that being said I wish you would give this album a chance and I would wish that you would
PASS IT ON and don't forget to listen to my friends on http://www.skidrowstudios.com/ LIke LEE on the PInata Hour or my Friend Mindee from the hotbox
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1."Cherokee" 4:45
2."Sun" 3:19
3."Ruin" 4:33
4."3,6,9" 4:00
5."Always on My Own" 2:23
6."Real Life" 2:37
7."Human Being" 3:28
8."Manhattan" 5:16
9."Silent Machine" 4:00
10."Nothin' But Time" 10:55
11."Peace and Love"

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Exquisite Corpse... Warpaint

 photo warpaint-exquisite-corpse.jpg


Released: 2008 (self-release)
October 6, 2009 (U.S.)
December 7, 2009 (UK)
Recorded: 2007
Length: 33:32
Label: Manimal Vinyl ________________________________________________________________________
Sometimes in life we need to sit back and let the world move without us... to unplug if you will. When I feel myself in the need of disconnecting, I turn off the lights pour myself some kind of hard drink and blend into a song like Stars by Warpaint. The tempo keeps me low and the lyrics aren't accusing as many other bands. For me that's when my mind starts to relax enough for me to start writing again... this maybe a trade secret to get into my own writing ritual, but I think this band needs to be given credit for inspiring me.

Sometimes when I get disturbed when I'm writing, either by someone asking me a question, technical issues, or I run out of something to drink. That jarring emotion can be good to get you out of a loop or whatever, I take it as an intermission. Usually shit bugs me around 20 minutes into anything I do...I try to use that as a change in mindset or mood, that's what I get from the song Beetles. It starts kind of angry, but it moves into a sensual statement that is a change in mindset or mood. When I hears songs like that it makes me think of the last moments of everything and just being there with someone, there's a subtle epic tone to this one in my mind.

And when the night is over and the closing starts, things are slow without stopping a good song that doesn't overpower the moment can carry things to the next day without notice. If you missed that I was speaking of something like romance, not everything can vicious, there's timing to everything you experience. Having said all this kind of madness Burgundy seems like a great way to surmise everything in the throws of passion.

Ok another album I think you should all respect has been spoken... so remember to listen to my friend Mindee from The Hot Box and also most importantly PASS IT ON

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All songs written by Warpaint. "Billie Holiday" contains a portion of the song "My Guy", written by Smokey Robinson.
"Stars" – 6:25
 "Elephants" – 4:44
 "Billie Holiday" – 6:44
 "Beetles" – 6:57
 "Burgundy" – 4:40
 "Krimson" – 4:02 (not included on original release)

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Black Love... Afghan Whigs


 
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Released: March 12, 1996
Recorded: August/September 1995
Length: 51:56
label: Elektra (CD)Sub Pop (vinyl) Mute
Producer:Greg Dulli

I guess this one comes from a darker place. I don't know why it's like that, but I feel like I need to actually write about something isn't always life affirming. Somethings are easy to write about, that way. I guess that's why, I choose the Afghan Whigs Black Love... I guess at this point in my life I can really look back at relationship and lifestyle as an adult. There's nothing wrong with how things have been to this point, but listening to songs like Double Day I can see where I came up short. Obviously there's anger in some of the outcomes in life, but you learn to with things as they happen... and sometimes that outcome is better.

Aggression comes in many forms, frustration is one of the ways it comes out. The realization of wasting time is one that's always been my trigger. That's when I make I usually move, like when I feel a relationship is going nowhere and I'm wasting my time. I've been there in the past and I know when things are gonna end up that way, from this point in my life. And that's were the song Honky's Ladder comes in, its because its about taking charge of the short comings and making it your own.

And when all is over and the dust settled in your lungs, you understand something about where you failed and where you need to grow. So when I hear the song Faded it sounds like an understanding of how things went but that there is a hope you don't understand now, but sometime in the future you'll appreciate that pain.

I know this is another 90's album but I think this is an album that should not be forgotten, not just because its part of me growing up, but because it speaks to more people than myself so that's why I say PASS IT ON... so at this point I'd to shout out my Homie Mindee @ The Hot Box
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All tracks composed by Greg Dulli.
 "Crime Scene Part One" – 5:59
 "My Enemy" – 3:10
 "Double Day" – 4:40
 "Blame, Etc." – 4:11
 "Step into the Light" – 3:40
 "Going to Town" – 3:16
 "Honky's Ladder" – 4:15
 "Night by Candlelight" – 3:40
 "Bulletproof" – 6:37
 "Summer's Kiss" – 3:55
 "Faded" – 8:25