Talking Heads "Once in a lifetime"

Once in a lifetime is sort of a 3disc "best of" plus rarities, that includes an expanded version of Storytelling Giant on DVD. Though packaged beautifully, the book is cumbersome at best. The music found here is anxious, driving and insistent and demands your attention. Giving a grand overview of one of Americas most artistic bands ever, and one of the few to have achieved mainstream success, this box is a blessing for any Heads fan, putting a majority in your hands at once. Sadly their renown has faded in recent years. I wonder how many teens who Love Trick Daddy’s "Sugar" would recall the Talking heads “Sugar-on-my-tongue” Not many I suppose. Regardless, this is an excellent collection from an influential band and shouldn't be missed.

Thomas Chapin Trio "Sky Piece"

Sadly, continuing the trend of gifted musicians who die to young, Thomas Chapin died of leukemia on February 13, 1998, three weeks before his 41st birthday. Recorded in 1996 and released February 17, 1998 Sky piece is his Final studio recording, containing an openness of shifting ryhtyms. Filled with improvision and transition, this record cooks. I feel it is a study of timing and atmosphere. From the haunting bass flute in the eastern styled "Sky Piece", the geometric rhythyms of "Alphaville", the slow burn of "Night Bird Song", the opening Bell and breathy flutes of "Essaouira" to "And" which completes the record while feeling cut short. This record swings and rocks, a fitting final statement from one of jazz modern masters

Frou Frou: Details

Details by Frou Frou is probably most well known for the inclusion of "Lets Go" in the soundtrack to the film Garden State. This record is lush and bouncy, big production with at times just a touch too much techno-pop. Its electronic from a pop and rock perspective. I love this record, when I want a happy bounce. I heard "hear me out" on community radio 3 years ago and have been looking for it ever since. After giving up hope of ever finding it, stumbling on it here was a blindside that brought tears to my eyes. I would really love to hear more Immi in a stripped down, dark and dreamier version touched with more sadness. Favorites include "hear me out", "Lets Go", "Psychobabble" and "The dumbing down of love"

Arcade Fire: Neon Bible deluxe edition

Arcade Fires Neon Bible is a fitting follow up to the brilliant and densly layered "funeral". Sadly, I lacked faith and had prepared myself to be disapointed, since so many second albums fall painfully short. At times slower, more spaceous and open, bouncing dreamily back and forth between a blend of the Bowie, Pixies, Cake and Bruce Springsteen. With mid-song tempo changes that remind me of the beatles "middle eight", this recording firmly builds the house for an artistic dynasty whose foundation was laid on "Funeral". From the opening strains of"Black Mirror to the immense organ of "My body is a cage" this record delights.

The deluxe edition features fold over case, plastic slipcase, cd booklet and two 32 page flip books. It seems to me that Arcade Fire feel the listening experience shouldn't be limited just to the listening and I agree. I enjoy special packaging. It makes simple listening an event, something more than just the music. Don't get me wrong, the music is more than capable of standing on its own, but I appreciate a chance at deeper immersion into the idea they are presenting. The inclusion of an updated "no cars go" from the 2003 ep was a pleasant suprise.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kennedy_Toole

OLLANO: OLLANO

Damn this record is sexy. Before there was Nouvelle Vague there was Ollano. Dark and Smoky, Smooth and Jazzy. like 60's smooth. Like an evening, shared. Her voice is an amazing thing.

Covers of 2006 top ten

Yo La Tengo "Prisoners of love: A Smattering of Scintillating Senescent Songs 1984-2003"

For those who know, this may sound like preaching to the choir; but for those who don't, this is a brilliant introduction to one of the greatest rock bands in the world. For newbies, the only drawback is the liner notes may feel a little weak covering a band at 20+ years and going strong. The beauty of this recording (3cd set) is the fact that 20 year old songs can sit next to recent music and not sound dated or out of place and the 3rd disc of rarities + outtakes puts a new spin on some familiar matierial. This record rocks. Suggestions for listening? disc 1 at home, disc 2, in the car and disc 3 at work so you never have to go without a little Yo La Tengo.

deerhoof "Friend Opportunity"

Deerhoof Friend Opportunity. Wow, difficult, noisy, fast, fun, totatly out of control, melodic and alternating at times between beautiful and incomprehensible. Precariously balanced somewhere between noise and pop with riffy guitar, spastic drums, and wonderful plunky electronics. Satomi Matsuzaki and crew have once again put out a delightful record. While still making their unique and influential brand of indi rock it seems the mainstream is swerving closer and closer to where they are. It is hard to pick a favorite since about 3 seconds of "+81" reminds me of the legendary pink dots but I would have to say it falls between "THE PERFECT ME" and "BELIEVE E.S.P." with "MATCHBOOK SEEKS MANIAC" following a close third

Luc Ferrari "cellule 75"

Cellule 75 is performed by Chris Brown: piano, and William Winant: percussion; is a wonderfully percussive and aggressive soundscape for piano, percussion and magnetic tape. Filled with pockets of sound found both naturaly (magnetic tape) and produced "musically". Densly layered rhythms shift back and forth between aggressive, stacatto piano; percussive pounding (at times melodic) and more passive natural sounds, I find it difficult to decifer which element is providing the melody and which is providing the rhythm, perhaps all and none simultaniously. I think there is a simple beauty to be found here, hidden somewhere within the deceptive layers of dense sound at once both organic and mechanized at the same time.
Place De Abbesses is "for magnetic tape". Balancing the aggression of cellule 75 "Place De Abbesses" is the more passive of the two. heavy manipulation of the original magnetic tape rusults in a wonderfuly playful music. I find sections of it to be reminiscent of the DOORS and then there are those mysterious haunted voices floating around in my head.
beautiful.

Larval 2

Bill Brovold Writes contemporary compositions that wander around somewhere between noise, classic rock, prog rock, free jazz and classical. The instrumentation runs from the standard rock guitar, bass and drums to violin, cello, sax and even the occasional didgeridoo. This truly is music that refuses to be pinned down. Evocative of soundtracks at times, these must be written for the films in Bills demented brain. These songs may shove the boundaries around a bit for some of you but I find them to be quit listenable. Most suitable for fans of King Crimson and Naked City era John Zorn.
Favorites include "THICK ATMOSPHERE" AND "ENDLESS PLAIN OF FAILURE."

Susana Baca: Susana Baca

The beautiful music of afro-peruvian songstress Susana Baca would be a stunning addition to any music collection. Reissued in 2003 this original recording from 1997 is haunting and beautiful, full of smoke and percussion. Most suitable for fans of the Buena Vista Social Club and similar music. This may very well be some of the most beautiful music you have never heard. Filled with panpipes, udus , congas, bass, and Susanas beautiful moving voice, the core of this music speaks to the heart of me.