Diabolica en Tensione - 49'31"
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I had some words that were supposed to preface this, but I can't remember them.
Just let yr hair down.
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1. "Everything's Ruined" - Faith No More / Angel Dust (1992)
I was digging up my FNM albums, trying to remember what Mike Patton sounded like before he got obsessed with making annoying noises.
2. "Knots" - Gentle Giant / Octopus (1974)
One of those mid-70's Prog groups, somewhat unique in their emphasis on clever vocal arrangements and loosely Medieval song structures, like an old-fashioned Extra Life for the Beach Boy in all of us. Peep that stereo-field Xylophone solo.
3. "Another Way Out" - Far / Water & Solutions (1998)
Late-90's Emo carelessly pushed aside amidst a deluge of shitty rap-metal. Very clean (almost sterile) production makes it a bit less endearing compared to similar acts of that era, but Jonah Matranga (spelling?) has always been a solid heart-on-my-sleeves lyricist.
4. "Brotherhood of the Harvest" - Comets on Fire / Blue Cathedral (2004)
Stoned-out shredding. Love the reverse-reverb slathered all over that lead.
5. "Hunters of the Sky" - Mastodon / Blood Mountain (2006)
Son of Stoned-Out Shredding.
6. "Moments Escape" - Convocation of... / Convocation of... (200X)
I don't know why I haven't talked more about these guys, but after Acey and Ninko were frothing about the Refused, I was trying to give Ninko a brief education in DC Hardcore which lead to a discussion of one our mutual guitar heroes, Tonie Joy. Tonie's been around for years and years, presumably a little crazy. Here supported by future Entrance, Guy Blakeslee, and goddamn George France, who kinda plays like toe's Takashi Kashikura but with obviously stronger desire to rock the fuck out. Just gnarly stuff and Tonie regularly spits the best rock aphorisms like:
"Crossed the road to find / only the other side"
7. "Providence" - King Crimson / The Great Deceiver (????)
Some may know this piece of improv from its appearance on the Crimson's much lauded Red (1975), but this is the full take pulled from the recently remastered live anthology The Great Deceiver. Bill Bruford and John Wetton are one of rock's sickest rhythm sections. So tight.
8. "In the Absence of Strong Evidence..." - Don Caballero / What Burns Never Returns (1998)
Math-Rock superheroes. I remember the first time I heard this record, some time in high school, and feeling like it was pulling my brain apart. Took me a good year to adjust to that sensation of polymetric focus.
9. "Satori (pt. 5) - Flower Traveling Band / Satori (1979)
These dudes really liked Black Sabbath. But they're Japanese. So, you know, something got a little fucked in Translation.
10. "Integral" - Cynic / Re-Traced (2010)
For a while, I avoided picking this up because I had read such terrible reviews, a million fans despairing over its refusal to abide by their expectations. Then I came to my senses and remembered I don't like Cynic because of how "metal" they are, but because I think they make ridiculously great music. All of these re-imaginings are impeccable.
bitching!
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing comets on fire while they were touring for blue cathedral my hopes had triumphed as they were indeed touring with Ben Chasny (six organs of admittance) who played on that release. I have never seen or heard a more soul cleansing psych rock in my life, just incredible.
Don Cab and I, as everyone at the swords knows, have an understanding that they can do no wrong. What Burns Never returns is considered by many to be their greatest release. forthcoming post.
the importance on king crimson in about 80% of the music we listen to here is impossibly staggering. One of those instances where they are well known and popular but still vastly underrated.