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Shuffle of the week #42

1. The Books – All Our Base Are Belong to Them (Thought for Food, 2002) [singlepic id=130 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Second time this one comes around, from Nick Zammuto and Paul de Jong’s (New York) debut album. Thought for Food is full of unorthodox sounds, combined with acoustic guitars and finished with a variety of samples to wake you up now and then. Any attempt to stick a label on it would be embarrassing, in general: weighed and found wanting.

2. Pink Floyd – Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast (Atom Heart Mother, 1970)  [singlepic id=348 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Thirteen minutes long clincher of the album, featuring the trendsetting ‘no band no title’ artwork by Hipgnosis. Just like on Ummagumma, the individual members of the band compiled the second side with their compositions and this one (if it could be labeled as such) was ‘written’ by Nick Mason. You actually hear roadie Alan Styles having his breakfast while digging up sweet memories of breakfasts he had during the rest of his life. The instrumentals can be split up in three parts: ‘Rise and Shine’, ‘Sunny Side Up’ (a laid back part featuring Gilmour’s guitar) and ‘Morning Glory’ (spotlights on Wright’s piano).

3. Led Zeppelin – Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin IV, 1971) [singlepic id=249 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Another stadium mastodont from the seventies, another ‘no band no title’ album cover. The unrivalled drum intro from Bonham originated from the introduction of Little Richard’s ‘Keep a Knockin’ while Page put in a classic rock and roll riff, as the track was the result of a jam session. Featuring founding Rolling Stones member Ian Stewart on piano.

4. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Moonland (Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!, 2008) [singlepic id=176 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Third track from their 14th album, obviously influenced by Cave’s side project Grinderman (considering the rather raw sound, probably the result of the short recording period). That’s about it, as Cave never really captivated me on disc, contrary to live.

5. José Gonzalez – Deadweight on Velveteen (Veneer, 2003) [singlepic id=158 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Shuffled ‘Hints’ before, which together with today’s track and The Knife-cover ‘Heartbeats’ (a culturally as well es commercially fully exploited song) is a sure highlight on this reasonable debut. Never lured me into getting his second album however.

6. Brian Wilson – They Can’t Take That Away from Me (Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin, 2010) [singlepic id=347 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Incredible happy sound from the master himself on this album full of Gershwin interpretations. Although Gershwin is obviously explicitly present on this record, this composition stands out because of Wilson’s flagrant injection with Beach Boys sound.

7. Sunset Rubdown – Stadiums and Shrines II (Shut Up I Am Dreaming, 2006) [singlepic id=114 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Another prominent representative of the early 2000’s Canadian indie rock scene, just like Apostle of Hustle last time. Not much to add to what was said last time, except that (despite recent releases from Krug’s otherproject Moonface), one can only hope for a fifth Rubdown album ever to be released.

8. The Great Society – Born to Be Burned (How It Was, 1968) [singlepic id=350 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Live recording from Grace Slick’s family band (featuring her former husband Jerry Slick and his brother Darby), released in the aftermath of Airplane’s success. That fame rose after Darby passed Grace his song ‘Somebody to Love’, that became a massive hit on Airplane’s Surrealistic Pillow. The setting of this album’s artwork was The Matrix club in San Francisco, where The Great Society played in 1966, as can be heard here.

9. Moody Blues – Evening (Days of Future Passed, 1967) [singlepic id=351 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Just like the breakfast we had, the evening can also be split in three parts: ‘Intro’, ‘The Sunset’ and ‘Twilight Time’. Outrageously symphonic at its transition point, thanks to The London Festival Orchestra’s contributon, after which it goes up-tempo towards its peak. Great track.

10. The Go! Team – Huddle Formation (Thunder, Lightning, Strike, 2004) [singlepic id=349 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Industrious end of this lovely music hour from this six from Brighton. Maybe another time.

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Shuffle of the week #9

This is an ode to the shuffle. How better to get a good insight in your digitized album collection than by a classic shuffle? Finally discover the albums you never got into, finally throw the ones away you will never get into and worship those classics that never grow old again. The Shuffle of this week:

[singlepic id=111 w=80 h=50 float=left]1. Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention – Let’s make the water turn black (We’re Only in It for the Money, 1968)

Surprising start this time, this one being an album that I urgently had to discover for real. Zappa’s experimental charge against everyone wearing flowers and breathing the psychedelic air of San Fransisco, including a parody on the Sgt. Peppers’ album cover. This cover featured among others Zappa’s friend Jimi Hendrix, whose song ‘Hey Joe’ was used as inspiration for ‘Flower Punk’, another song to be found on the album.

2. Swan Lake – The Pollenated Girls (Beast Moans, 2006) [singlepic id=115 w=80 h=50 float=left]

This album to the contrary does not have many secrets to me anymore, having spent many months on my mp-3 player last year. It’s the debut album from this all Canadian supergroup, consisting of Frog Eyes singer Carey Mercer, Daniel Bejar (Destroyer, New Pornographers) and of course Spencer Krug, one of my favorite musicians of today (Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown, Frog Eyes).

3. Moby Grape – Fall On You (Moby Grape, 1967) [singlepic id=112 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Over to some typical sounds of 1967, with this band originally founded by some former Jefferson Airplane members. A must have for the lovers of the genre, so without any doubt a true favorite for Frank Zappa.

4. Fleet Foxes – Innocent Son (Sun Giant, 2008) [singlepic id=110 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Some beautiful vocals then from the first EP of Fleet Foxes, although you might also think it’s one of My Morning Jacket’s songs when you don’t know that.

5. Sunset Rubdown – Stadiums and Shrines II (Shut up I’m Dreaming, 2006) [singlepic id=114 w=80 h=50 float=left]

And there’s Spencer Krug again! This really is a fantastic album that I’m gonna put on that mp3 player once more. I guess this album will never bore me, definitely being one of my favorite albums from the past 10 years. Points me to the fact that I finally have to get Dragonslayer (2009) also.

6. Velvet Underground – Pale Blue Eyes (Velvet Underground, 1969) [singlepic id=116 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Talking about true rock jewels? This must be one of the best Lou Reed compositions, whose  genius was discovered way too late by me. But I have to admit, I’m seriously catching up with that.

7. Tindersticks – Talk to me (Tindersticks (II), 1995) [singlepic id=70 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Another track from Tinderstick’s magnificent second album.With decliciously driving string part in the end.

 

8. dEUS – Secret Hell (Worst Case Scenario, 1994) [singlepic id=58 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Song that I heard more often lately, as I listened to it again during a couple of weeks following an earlier shuffle of the week .

9. The Electric Prunes –Wind-up Toys (Underground, 1967) [singlepic id=109 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Surprisingly, exactly the same goes for this one. Good album.

 

10. Motörhead – Stay Clean (No Sleep ‘Till Hammersmith, 1981) [singlepic id=135 w=80 h=50 float=left]

Starting and closing with a little surprise this week, as this is the only abum in my collection from this band. Factually, it’s not even a real one, as it’s a live album. I acquired it after reading some lyrical reviews about it; good album, nothing more (update: this rocks).