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Underground > Radio & Music >

A 'What are you listening to?' thread

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Haus of Mystery

13:16 / 08.06.05

New Mountain Goats album 'The Sunset Tree' - Really liking the increasing delicacy and boldness of the production on their(his) stuff.

Shins 'Chutes too Narrow' from 2003. Bought this a while back and have been obsessed. Hasn't left my player for weeks. 10 beautiful songs that increase in my estimation every time I listen. Exquisitely constructed and perfectly realised, from sun-scorched power-pop to melodic melancolia in perfect three minute slices.

De La Soul 'Buloone Mindsate'. After the skit heavy chaos and sporadic genius of 'de La soul is Dead' came this excellent pared down record. Prince Paul returns to a more boom-bap sound and the boys are lyrically on point throughgout. Essesntial track 'Area'. Fucking killer. The whole album is an overlooked gem.

Vaselines 'way of the Vaselines' a great compilation of all their stuff from their short lived blaze of glory in the very early nineties. Amazing skuzzy boy/girl bubblegum pop as made famous by old kirk Kobain's covers. Check out the originals for the definitive take. Still sound fresh now. Opener 'Son of a Gun' is one of the best teenage anthems ever. So so so fucking good.

14:11 / 08.06.05

Someone else listening to the Vaselines?? Must be something in the air..

08:25 / 12.06.05

i've been convinced lately that "Lunch Hour Pops" by Broadcst is pretty much perfect in every way. i listen to it a lot.

17:44 / 12.06.05

Right now I've been listening to a lot of Hot Hot Heat and The Bravery, not because I'm looking for something substance filled, but because their songs remind me of the summer-time. Jack Johnson's also good to this effect.

04:51 / 14.06.05

ooh, i've just been given the 'verve remix 3' disc and i am smitten again (on the first it was nina's 'i feel good' [in line for the other thread in this section on the best music ever ever])

but now it is sarah vaughan's 'peter gunn' (didn't even know it had lyrics!) remixed by max sedgley... wow!! funky hot shit!

and her vaersion of 'fever' on this disc is inspiring too - wrote a song taking off from one of her phrasings of a lyric just yesterday. she gave me fever...

The resistable rise of Reidcourchie

12:32 / 21.06.05

I am having a great deal od problems listening to anything but the Heatache EP by Jesu. Two 20 minute long songs that I finde (parts of at least) incredibley beautiful. If you like bands like Godflesh and Isis check this out, even if you don't and just like ambient music give this a go. It's a great, great EP.

Withiel: DALI'S ROTTWEILER

15:01 / 21.06.05

Weirdly enough, LOTR-obsessed German power-metallers Blind Guardian. I've developed a bizarre addiction to powerful 6/8 beats, and there's something oddly joyful about a burly German man screaming through a choral overdub about the Lord of All Noldor. Also, one of the lines in the song I'm currently listening to (Mirror Mirror, if anyone knows it) has a line that I consistently mishear as "Row, row, the walrus folk", which never fails to make me smile.

21:56 / 22.06.05

Very much liking The Books recording "Lost and Safe" these days. A very nice combination of acoustic and electronic instrumentation that doesn't sound exactly like Fourtet.

Marvin Ayres' "Cellosphere" is quite good...a Fennesz for the cello, perhaps.

And finally, I really like the new Hey Colossus recording ("II"). The first track ("Red Giant") in particular, with it's crushing repetitive barre chord is very nice.

22:44 / 22.06.05

Right now I'm listening to Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska. Fucking brilliant record.

P. Horus Rhacoid

02:31 / 23.06.05

Mission of Burma. Especially live versions of 'Peking Spring' and 'That's How I Escaped My Certain Fate,' and, actually, pretty much anything they've ever released. Burma's use of tape loops is amazing- I keep going back and listening to songs I've heard dozens of times and noticing new layers to them. Anyway, how can you go wrong with a punk band that sings about dadaism, trompe l'oeil, and visigoths?

I also played 'Academy Fight Song' something like 68 times in a row during some recent unremarkable distressing period in my life.

Others: Magazine, The The, Television, The Weirdos

Haus of Mystery

07:38 / 01.07.05

Seth: I agree on Nebraska - it's beautiful. The Boss gets a hard rap sometimes...

On the playlist right now:
Common 'Be'.
Tight, soulful hip-hop produced in a restrained manner by Kanye (ie: not too much Alvin and the Chipmunks..). Nothing outstanding, but a solid outing from a top lyricist. The opening track is a thing of beauty, beginning with a double-bass, moving onto a piano break, and lovely Motown-era strings, before the boom-bap of the drums kicks in. It's simple, but sums up why I love hip-hop in two minutes.

Why? The Sandollars EP. Nice eight-track output from Cloudead founding memeber. He's been carving his own niche of off-kilter pop-harmonizing and disposable lo-fi noise tinkering for awhile, and whilst he can be patchy or indulgent, this hits the amrk like an ice cold ginger beer on a hot day. Opening track 'Miss Ohio's Nameless', and the song 'Sandollars' are brilliantly sweet pop songs packed with more harmonies than we deserve, that grow in stature with repeated listeninings. A nice move away from some of the more pretentious (and somewhat tedious) Anticon prog-rap of recent times, and a tantalizing glimpse of his forthcoming sophomore LP.

Also: Plastic Little's 'Thug Paradise 2:1' ep. But I'm too excited about that, so it'll have to wait.

Regrettable Juvenilia

08:20 / 01.07.05

How's Common's flow on the new album, MacGyver? There were parts of Electric Circus I really liked a lot ('Soul Power', 'I Got A Right To', 'The Hustle'), but also a fair amount of tedious meandering hippie shite. I'm also very concerned by his recent habit (on guest appearances) of forgetting entirely how to ride a beat - anyone who's heard Malik Yusef's 'Wouldn't You Like To Ride?' will know what I'm talking about, and it's not pretty...

Haus of Mystery

08:50 / 01.07.05

He's definitely reined in the wankery of Electric Circus, but he occasionally strays into sub-Saul Williams territory. It's pretty tight all in all, but some tracks are definitely stronger (his ode to Chi-town is great, as is 'The corner'). I dunno if it's an essential purchase, but I'm really digging the Motown/One-derful soul vibe to the record. Old school without making you want to pull your face off in rage.

uncle retrospective

11:33 / 22.07.05

Well I'm still listening to the new Super Furrys album like the aural crack it is. God damn! Those first two songs are amazing.

The new dEUS album has been leaked too and it's fantastic! It's been six years since their last album and I was worried. Oh me of little faith. The bass heavy, well, groove of the whole thing is amazing. It's a great cd to put a swagger in your step.

The new Raveonettes album is pure class. 60's easy listening meets the Velvets with a pinch of surf rock. It's so good.

It's been a great year for music so far and there's a new Goldfrapp album on the way!

Haus of Mystery

11:43 / 22.07.05

Count Bass D's 'Begborrowsteal' EP/mini-album. Sometime Doom collaborator, the Count is mining his own vein of lo-fi hip-hop. A producer/rapper, he specialises in short but sweet tracks (much like Madlib, but a little less psychadelic) that stick around just long enough. It's real nice. He's a confidant but laid back rapper, and his ear for interesting hooks is quality. I expect good things hwen he releases a full length.

Fiery Furnaces 'Gallowsbird's Bark' - another MacGyver johnny-come-lately classic. This album's been discussed at length on the 'Lith, but I'd just like to add my tuppence worth, and say it's a fantastic rough-hewn album packed with surprising melodies and a weird show-tune atmosphere. The brother and sister who comprise the band are eerily in synch, their voices often sounding disconcertingly similar. Great stuff - genuinely fresh.

Prince 'Controversy' - I simply can't stop playing this track. As shit as prince can be, he's still one of the greatest pop stars ever. After me, everybody...
"Some people call me rude, I wish we all were nude.."

13:51 / 22.07.05

I'm Listening to:

Sufjan stevens "Come On Feel The Illinois" as i said in the thread about it - its a very very wonderful album with big strings, choirs trumpets and epic songs. It seems to tie in exactly with my need for a mellow summer album.

IMHO if you liked the Arcade Fire/ Flaming Lips / Polyphonic Spree this is a record for you!

Also complimenting it very nicely is The Royal Tenenbaums soundtrack which has been on heavy rotation after watching it last saturday on BBC2. Everytrack is a corker- particular favourites are Nico 'These Days', Bob Dylan 'wigwam', The Ramones 'Judy Is A Punk'. I guess what i like about it is the same thing i like about getting a mix tape from a friend- even if you know some of the tracks, having them in a new order and context suddenly breathes life back into them. Bloody Ace.

I've also been rediscovering the joys of The Beatnik Filmstars a 90's Bristol based band who made a Pavement/ Sonic Youth/ Fall kinda racket. Loud guitars and discordant noise. There seems to be a thing in the air at the moment for rediscovering obscur 90's bands - as one friend told me the'd just dug out they're old Moonshake LP's and another has been listening to Smashing Orange (Do you remember them Nu Gazers?) Anyway the beatnik Filmstars album Laid Back and English has some wonderful head crunching, ear ringing guitars on it Particularly the track 'Clean' which makes me happy for all of its 1 minute 56 seconds... (I thought about starting a thread on them but wasn't sure how known they are/ were?)

VonKobra,Scuttling&Slithering

15:42 / 22.07.05

It's been a week of:

Backyard Babies - Total 13
Hardcore Superstar - All 3 LPs good FUCKIN god
Gluecifer - Tender Is The Savage just cus I only just heard they broke up on my Birthday, and this was the PINNACLE
Buckcherry - Time Bomb

but now I've run out of goddam hairspray

17:07 / 22.07.05

Tegan & Sara 'So Jealous' - jangly Canadian power-pop from twin sisters. Dancey and huggable, if i did such things. Is joycore dead? I hope not.

Eisley 'Room Noises' - more guitar girly-pop, with three sisters, a brother, and a friend. Unsure as to their Canadianicity.

And am 2/3s of the way to completing my list of indie lable CD's that went out of print after I sold them to keep my lights on. Mostly on the Estrus label and just recently scored The Coyote Men and The Galaxy Trio (garage and surf, respectively)

D Terminator XXXIII

14:15 / 23.07.05

Listen to my new favourite band, Figurines.

They're Danish, young and a whole lotta better than Raveonettes.

Scrambled Password Bogus Email

14:20 / 23.07.05

Imogen Heap track 'Hide & Seek', series end of The OC...beautiful.

16:51 / 23.07.05

All Acting Regiment

22:38 / 23.07.05

Tegan & Sara are named after Doctor Who characters, right?

07:42 / 24.07.05

I'm going to be extremely un-cool and say that I'm listening to Rough Music by Eliza Carthy right now and loving it.

14:41 / 24.07.05

Pfft, who listens to music for coolness, might as well be deaf. Eliza Carthy has a nice voice, I like the "Train Song".

21:50 / 25.07.05

Listening to The Cure: Pornography for the first time in a long time right now. I'd forgotten what a great album this was.

Haus of Mystery

22:34 / 25.07.05

Whyzitgreat?

05:10 / 26.07.05

Nathan Fake - Dinamo & The Sky was Pink: Clicks and fuzz and glitches and housey techiness with sploshes of acid. I love this stuff so much right now...

Mathew Jonson - Marionette: Now, I don't like everything this 'ubercool' producer does, but this track is spot on. Big and spacey, building driving drums...

Crackhaus - Spells Disaster: clicks, bleeps, fuzz and wonky wackiness!!! fun and silly and great to dance to!!!

Horror Inc - I plead guilty ep: akufen goes dark and sparce. Really beautiful.

VonKobra,Scuttling&Slithering

05:34 / 26.07.05

Pornography is their best album. It's so unrelentingly dark and painful. Quite forboding at times too...have you seen the Paris concert where they perform 3 albums in their entirety? And Pornography is one of them? Mad Bob can still chill the soul when he wants to.

Listening to Powderfinger - These Days... fucking beautiful and just ANGST-Y enough...

10:32 / 26.07.05

Whyzitgreat?
exactly what i was thinking Mr McGyver- please people if you want to write lists go visit the Nick Hornby homepage- i'm sure there are plenty of top tens waiting to be filled in- however on Barbelith we like a little explination as to WHY we like something...

oh yeah and today I'm listening to the Clor album which i just got- lots of scratchy new wavey electro music to jerk your body to. I have to say I'm slightly disappointed that 6 of the 11 tracks have been released before- all 4 tracks from the debut ep 'welcome music lovers' are on here along with the other two singles 'Love and Pain' & 'Outlines' grrr.

This could mean i get bored of it quickly- having had half the album since August last year... but on the plus side those songs are very, very good; so if you've not been playing the singles to death like me and fancy a band that sound like a new wave Beck with a penchant for Gary Numan style 80's electro give it a whirl...

18:18 / 26.07.05

Transplants - Haunted Cities. A lot of hip-hop and a lot of punk. (I'm not the world's biggest fan of rap, but I own the Fugees and some Handsome Boy Modeling School....)

Paul Simon - Still Crazy After All These Years. I've bought most of his reissued and expanded solo catalogue and this one stands out the best. Especially from Graceland's overexposure.

Pantera - The Great Southern Trendkill. I love Phil Anselmo's voice. I miss Dimebag.

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

23:12 / 26.07.05

Inspired by Von Kobra's glam punk thread, I'm currently rediscovering the joys of This Is For Real by Pink Grease (which was my recommendation to VK). It's still ace.

01:41 / 27.07.05

The new R Kelly, TP3 Reloaded, ‘cause it’s just about the filthiest shit i’ve ever heard, with practically every single track sex infused to the point of perversion. Each song segues into one extended, sweat drenched sexual metaphor, taking us pre, present, and post-coital… aural pornography awash with lyrical close ups of every explicit detail. I feel sleazy just talking about it.. but good sleazy.. this shit is insanely lascivious… it could be a pisstake, but i suspect the fella just ain’t right in the head. But he’s plenty right in the libido. And we get the classic line “Oh my goodness, I’m about to climax”.

paranoidwriter waves hello

18:36 / 30.08.05

I've just heard King Britts presents Sister Gertrude Morgan and thought I'd "pass it on".

There's nothing really original about the songs as a whole, and the lyrics have obvious religious overtones (which may or may not be a good/bad thing), but the backing tracks are rich, the production is beautiful, and Sister Gertrude Morgan's voice is trully soul-jerking. e.g. 'Precious Lord Lead Me On". Indeed, although I've yet to hear the whole album, I'm going to stick my neck out now and risk saying that (IMHO) this a musical gem.

Keith, like a scientist

15:08 / 09.09.05

Been listening to two albums I recently acquired illegally. I knew I was going to buy them no matter what, but they were two things I was really anticipating with fanboy glee, so I torrented them. I swear I'm buying them! I'm looking forward to hearing them at full sound quality, as both releases are my favorite producers.

Blackalicious - The Craft: It's about 75% hot. The rest is either throwaway or, in the case of "Powers," quite annoying. They seem to have fallen in love with a weird amalgram of disco and Bootsy Collins style black rock. In some places it works really well, though, such as "Lotus Flower," guest-starting George Clinton himself. A really nice psychedelic funky track. "Supreme People" has insanely burlyl beats and an interesting flow. I'm very partial to "Side To Side," which features Lateef and an incredible verse by Pigeon John, someone whom I need to know more about, it seems.

Boards of Canada - The Campfire Headphase: After months of fakes popping up online, the legit thing is finally out there, and it's quite lovely. A bit less "IDM" with more straight-forward sounding drums, and lots of guitars in it. this follows on from their recent remix work pretty well.

Also, Nostalgic Progression put their "Phonograph Timepod" up for free download for a limited time. WOW! It's really impressive. A very Quannum kind of sound, but with a 90s Prince Paul kind of production aesthetic.

Sixtoo - Duration: I'm a huge fan of Sixtoo, so it was fantastic that Bully reissued his older album Duration. Dirty melodic instrumental hip-hop extraordinaire!

Elektro4 - Keystroke One: also highly recommend this Bully release. Fans of Shadow would appreciate this, as much as I hate to use that as a waypoint. It's very sample heavy instrumental stuff, though. Exceedingly good.

17:03 / 09.09.05

I have been listening to Gabber and Drum and Bass and Breakcore, which I have stolen from the net. DJ Skinhead, Dead Kids , and Stunt Rock.

I have also been listening to Industrial stuff like Die Warzau, Front Line Assembley, Typhoons Vortex, Slave Unit, Chemlab, Rammstein, etc.

Also for a treat I have been listening to stuff like Testcard (illbient sound textures with Electronic Voice Phenomena Samples)and Impact Test Dummy (nasty noise shit).

I had a Speedcore mix.mp3 from Germany but the Sound Quality was terrible, I binned it to the nether regions of the PC dump.

I like to listen to something that bites and is challenging, but then I am an old metaller and punk thrasher at heart!

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