The Great Destroyer

One of the things I have been listening to is the most recent Low album, "The Great Destroyer." I listened to Low some when I was in college and have a few of their LPs, but never really got that into them. I don't have much of a tolerance for slow music, which of course can be a problem if you want to listen to Low. "TGD" came out last year and is differnt than their previous records. Obviously the tempos are brisker and the sound is full and loud (the album was produced by David Friedmann. The production is closer to the new Sleater-Kinny record than the Flaming Lips--very overdriven and harsh rather than warlby and wispy.) but there is something else that separatest he album from its predecessors. The songs are more upbeat and melodic but the album as a whole seems much darker. Whereas their prior LPs sounded dark and brooding, the minimal arrangements and the slow tempos gave the songs some room for the light to shine through, but here every nook is filled with a rumbling sound. The speakers seem to be blowing out constantly. On the first song they sing, "We'll never make the light/but that's alright" and somehow rather than sounding mundane and innocuous the line rings with tension--the spirit of teenage alienation and self-destruction; the sound of an unhappy couple driving themselves into the ground; the detached air of someone who doesn't care whether their life is in danger or not. I think Pitchfork panned the song "California" in their little singles reviewing column, but it is the best one on the album--beautiful, catchy and heartbreaking.

I like this record alot.

Notes on Music

Well, the boss has dissed us in the mainstream media--but I have a reason for the lack of posting in the last few weeks--one that does not include reference to finals or papers.

Back at the beginning of April I went to a show here in Chapel Hill and afterwards I decided that I don't think I like music anymore. I don't know why. It wasn't a bad show--one of the bands was really great--but for some reason I left with a feeling that I wouldn't ever care about music again. Unfortunate since music has been the centerpiece of my life since I was in middle school. I decided that I don't really care to stay up late, in dark places that are full of smoke to have mediocre bands wear down my hearing. I'm just kind of tired of it.

I think part of this feeling is attributable to stress from school. Another portion is that there haven't been any new things that have really caught my ear. I have been listening a lot to some LPs that I already had but didn't really listen to when I first got them--which I will write about later. But over all, I don't know what to say. Maybe I don't believe in Rock-n-Roll anymore.

Or maybe I need a nap.

RIP Gene Pitney

Return of Razzle

Razzle was one of the best Chapel Hill bands ever. Heavy, harmonized guitar; nimble drums and a bass that sounded as though it was strung with cement. They oft discribed themselves as Thin Lizzy+Big Black--and that's probably right. In any case, they were four of the most talented musicians I have ever seen. They broke up two years ago, but are having a reunion show at the Resivoir in Chapel Hill for a Katrina benefit. A couple members of the band have family in Louisiana. In addition to raising money, people are encouraged to bring old instruments they don't want for the musicians of LA who lost everything.

For us, we get a short return of mighty, real rock-n-roll--in all of it peacock like grandure.

Saturday, April 1, 2006. No lies. The show is free. Bring a donation or an instrument.

The Nein v. America

The Nein have just gotten back from a long tour (and visit to SXSW). It was outrageous. (That's Finn from the Nein in the green shirt, about a foot from MF Doom, watching him grab his dick.)

Pt. One
Pt. Two

SCHOONER

Schooner are a great Chapel Hill band. Here is a great song by them, called "Indian Sunburn." It is off of a new 4 band split cd put out by Pox World Empire called 3X4. The other bands--Erie Choir, The Sames and Summer Set--are also great and it is worth checking out. Here is another great song of thiers: "Stunts, Showmanship and Codes."

Trying to say what makes Schooner so good is difficult. At first they seem good, but fairly normal, but after a while you notice that there is something lurking below the surface: similar to, say, an early Sebadoh song--it is simple and beautiful and seems, at first, sweet, but after a while you sense the sour below the surface. Live, this really comes through. They could be the most crowd pleasing band in the world--and I use this phrase as a negative, meaning, pandering to the crowd, playing it easy, going soft--but there is a subtle oddness, a strain in them that resists. It is hard to describe: Like an attractive kid in school who grows his hair long to hide it; a beautiful girl who wears clothes to large to hide herself. They could just strum and strum and make us sing, but they stop half-way through the song, put their hand over the mic and wait until the good feeling has passed.

This is a very good thing.

I have no comment

Scott Walker

Mr. Scott Walker has a new LP coming out on 4AD. It is called The Drift. Here is a clip of him playing a song--"Rosary"--off of the incredible album TILT.