Help me to breathe

Some years ago, I stumbled onto an anime series called Serial Experiments: Lain. The series, which lasts for 13 episodes, revolves around a 13 year old girl called Lain. There was a scientist, Masami, who uploaded his consciousness to "the wired". Lain represented the barrier between the wired world and the real world. Masami tried to get Lain to upload herself as well so he could achieve his dream of breaking down the barrier between the virtual and real worlds.

It's kinda convoluted and sometimes difficult to follow, but I feel it's worth watching. There's lots of discourse on religion, memories, thoughts, and consciousness. Anyway, I enjoyed it even though I got lost at times, having to go back and rewatch scenes or entire episodes. The internet helped out a lot as well. This is a pretty comprehensive fansite, if you're interested.


So by now, you're wondering where the hell I'm going with this. Well, I absolutely loved the theme song. I just happened to think about it tonight so I put it on. It's done by a british band called BOA (no relation to the Korean singer, BoA). BOA's lead singer is Jasmine Rodgers. Her brother, Steve also plays guitar for the band. They happen to be the children of Paul Rodgers, who you may remember him as the singer for Free, Bad Company, The Firm, and now Queen. If you don't remember him, I'd say you're not missing much, and I also think the Queen thing is a huge joke. That, however, is a whole other story.

So their song, Duvet, from the Race of a Thousand Camels album (1998), was used as the opening theme for Serial Experiments: Lain. I think the song is utterly gorgeous. The chorus is such a cry for help, it makes me wonder what Jasmine Rodgers could have been going through at the time. Sadly, the rest of the album is not nearly as good as this track. BOA had a release last year, but I haven't heard it as of yet, but I might give it a try if I can track down some samples. In any case, here you are...

BOA > Duvet

Ecstasy of St. Theresa revisited

So I did a little research today and I was a little surprised to discover that Ecstasy of St. Theresa are still going, and they have an album coming out next month. It seems they've evolved into an electronica type band, which is not a bad thing in itself, but, to me, it's not nearly as attractive as the swirling noise of the Sussurate album. I just have a soft spot for the noise, I guess. Anyway, you can check out the obligatory myspace page as well as their own site.

Here's another track from Sussurate, just cuz...
Ecstasy of St. Theresa > Icecreamstar

Ecstasy of St. Theresa

This track is pretty much an MBV clone, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Waves of distortion and fuzzy guitars, complete with ethereal female vocals which get lost in the mix. It's lovely and completely mental. The album, Sussurate, was originally released in 1992, but I think it went quickly out of print. There was a limited reissue a couple years ago, and apparently there's a new pressing over at tonevendor.com. It's very much worth a listen if you're into the whole swirly guitar thing, I totally love it.

Ecstasy of St. Theresa > Sweetabyss

'No' said the stars to the moon in the sky

Tonight, I watched The Proposition and it has to be one of the best movies I've seen this year. If you don't know, the screenplay was written by Nick Cave, which was what really interested me in the movie. It's a western set in Australia and it really worked me over. I kinda sat there completely immersed, filled with dread and sadness as the film went on. Beautifully written, shot and acted, I felt overwhelmed by the time the end rolled around. It's just one of those films that really affects. And then comes this song as the credits roll, it's just so pretty and melancholy, it's a sweet little cherry on top of the cake. The soundtrack was written/performed by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. Ellis is the violinist for The Bad Seeds and also for the Dirty Three. Anyway, the track is called "The Rider Song." Both the film and the soundtrack are very much worth the time.

Nick Cave & Warren Ellis > The Rider Song

I just look at you and know you're pretty sweet

This is one of the best pop albums you've never heard. Crunchy guitars, three part harmonies, and cotton-candy melodies. Seriously, there's not a bad cut on this album. You might think differently, but you'd be wrong. Released in 97, this, sadly, was their final album.

Long Island
Minneapolis
Never Say Never (I totally love the moog on this one)

Someone stole my record player, how d'ya like that?

Roaming around the great big internet, I recently discovered a Neko Case track I hadn't heard. It's a Tom Waits cover, "Christmas Card From A Hooker in Minneapolis". The original is on Waits' "Blue Valentine" album from 1978. It's a sad narrative with typical Waits loveable losers, and Neko's version is a home run. The organ adds a churchlike confessional quality to her version which is quite nice, and her voice is as golden as ever. You can find it on the Tom Waits tribute album, "A New Coat of Paint" (2000).

Check em out:
Neko Case > Christmas Card From A Hooker in Minneapolis
Tom Waits > Christmas Card From A Hooker in Minneapolis

You are an apple in disguise

Proving yet again how much of a geek I am, I used the Motorola phone tools and made myself a ringtone using the opening ten seconds of Lush's Sweetness and Light. I remember the first time I heard that track; it was fucking magic. And when the rhythm section kicked in, it was pure heaven. I tend to OD on them when I listen to them, but Lush always manage to find their way back into my rotation every couple months or so. So yeah, I have a Sweetness and Light ringtone on my phone...somebody fucking call me, like now.

Check out the original track from the Gala album, which is a comp of their first three EPs. Also, check out the MBV (Orange Squash) remix, which is on the Splendor soundtrack. I haven't seen the movie, but the soundtrack is damn good. Judging by the soundtrack cover, I'm not so sure I'd like the movie anyways, and I don't know anyone who's seen it. The remix is pretty cool, it packs a punch whereas the original sort of floats along. You can't go wrong with either version or their respective albums.

Lush > Sweetness and Light
Lush > Sweetness and Light (Orange Squash Remix)

Goin' to the chapel

So, next month I'm going to Maine for a friend's wedding. In a fit of...I dunno what, I decided I was gonna make a wedding mix cd as an little extra gift to them. I spent an evening and this is what I came up with. I started out with an enormous amount of tunes, however I ended up cutting quite a few just to make the 80 minute CDR limit and also for flow. A mix definitely has to have flow. Hopefully this one does; I quite like it anyway. It's a 93mb zip file, so it'll take a little while to download.

Check it out:

Mirah > Words Cannot Describe
Doris Troy > Just One Look
The 6ths > You You You You You
My Bloody Valentine > Sometimes
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds > Breathless
Darrell Banks > Open The Door To Your Heart
New Order > Temptation
Cowboy Junkies > Anniversary Song
Jose Gonzales > Heartbeats
Wilson Pickett > I'm In Love
Nick Drake > Northern Sky
Malcolm Middleton > Best In Me
Ben Folds > The Luckiest
Spiritualized > Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space
PUFFY > Always Dreamin' About You
Lamb > Gorecki
Yo La Tengo > Nowhere Near
Connie Francis > Don't Ever Leave Me
Matthew Sweet > We're The Same
XTC > Stupidly Happy
Teenage Fanclub > Norman 3
Joe Jackson > Happy Loving Couples

I light the fires while the city sleeps

Okay, I'm back from holidays. Anyone miss me? Didn't think so. Right, so tonight I've been listening to the KCRW compilations. There are something like 7 or 8 titles, I've kinda lost count. I'm sure you could find out on their website if you are so inclined. Basically, they've been making comps which consist of live on-air performances from whomever they can get to come down to their studios and play. They've had a wide range of artists on the air, from Radiohead to Fiona Apple to Yo Yo Ma to Ryuichi Sakamoto. Seriously, there's something there for everyone. Look for the Morning Becomes Eclectic shows. They always have someone interesting being interviewed and playing live. Based in Santa Barbara, California, KCRW is one of the better internet radio stations I've come across.

I could probably write a whole shitload of posts about the tracks included on the KCRW comps, so I'll start with this one. One of my favorite KCRW performances is by MC 900 Ft. Jesus. Honestly, I really don't know much about the guy. This is the only track that I've ever heard and, while I really like it, I've never gone out to explore his catalog. This track, "The City Sleeps", has got a lazy hip-hop beat, I especially like the drums and the hi-hat action going on, it's just nice to hear an actual drumkit on a rap track. There's some scratching goin' on, too, but it's more in the background than anything. There's a pretty good keyboard solo in the middle. His delivery is low-key and smooth, the song is about some guy who goes around setting fires to buildings in the middle of the night. As an insomniac, the line, "Everyone has a little secret he keeps / I light the fires while the city sleeps", has a sort of double meaning for me, although I'm no longer a pyromaniac. As a child, I once set fire to a garbage can in our house and received the beating of my life...but that's another story.

Listen to this story:
MC 900 Ft. Jesus > The City Sleeps

Let's get out of this country

Alright, I'm heading outta town tomorrow, so I leave you with these CO tunes. See ya'll in a couple weeks.

Let's Get Out of This Country
I Love My Jean

Laugh and Peace

Okay, this one is really trippy, it's a song from a video game called Vib Ribbon. The band are a Japanese outfit called Laugh and Peace, and the song is "Polaroid". Somebody sent it to me a long time ago and I dig it out now and then. It's kinda, I dunno, strange and haunting. You can find some info on the video game here, and there are some songs available to download. Only problem is that I can't seem to be able to download them. Maybe someone else can grab them and share them. I can't even find any info on whether they released a proper album or not. The guy who owns that site is right, the lyrics are sorta sad.

Laugh and Peace > Polaroid

Walking by the ribbon
Up its spiny side
Raindrops falling me
I have no umbrella

Search in my car
Search in my house
I can't find just anything I want
Search in my heart
Search in my hopes
There's no rules so
Any time, any place

Walking by the ribbon
Up its spiny side
Raindrops falling me
I have no umbrella

Walk until I find it
Such a happy time
Please say "Good night" to me
I feel all alone

Ready for you
Ready for me
I don't know what I'm just looking for
Ready for life
Ready for death
There's no rules so
Any time, any place

Looking for my answer
Looking for my dreams
Starting over
Looking for my answer
Looking for my future
Hey, I gotta watch, I know

Step by step
Walk through mountains
Step by step
Walk through oceans
Step by step
Walk forever
I'll be running

Jumping down
Walk through mountains
Jumping down
Walk through oceans
Jumping down
Walk forever
I can guess everything

Chocolat

I have time for another quick one. I can't find much on this artist, the only thing I can figure out is that this single ("Twinkle Starberry") was released in 1997. I also found an album called "Hamster", which is pretty cool. If anyone knows anything, I'd appreciate the info. Check out these tracks, they're very catchy. Kinda half indie pop and half J-pop, I'm liking them quite a bit.

Kaze Ha Miracle (I'm not entirely sure this title is correct)
Like a Starberry

Do you have the time to listen to me whine?

Yes, it's another of my dreaded Puffy posts. Some Bowlie peeps were in town this weekend, so we took a trip up to Amoeba Records. In an act worthy of ultimate fanboy completist geek status, I bought the Japanese import version of the latest Puffy album, "Splurge", for $30. Yes, I splurged...big time. Now, I have no problem admitting that this album is not their best. I bought it for one reason: the cover of Green Day's "Basket Case", which is not on the American release. I've seen them play it live and I really enjoyed it, so there you go. Ultimate fanboy geek status: Achieved.

In listening to the album, I've made a pleasant discovery. A few of the songs from the American release which were sung in English are sung in Japanese on this disc. I really think they should try to do that more often, it sounds better to my ears. And maybe not have the next album as over-produced as this one.

Anyways, check it. Maybe you'll like it, maybe you won't.

Puffy > Basket Case

Oh daddy, when are you gonna be a big star?

Insomnia sucks. 4am and I'm looking for some info on one of my favorite musicians, Adrian Belew. If you don't know his solo stuff, you might know him from when he played with Frank Zappa, The Talking Heads, or King Crimson. I came across this old video of his, the song is called "Oh Daddy" and it's on the "Mr. Music Head" album from 1989. It's really cute, his daughter, Audie, is in the video, singing and dancing. It's a catchy pop song that would have been a big hit in a parallel universe, but we all know how that goes. Enjoy...

I think, last night, you were driving circles around me

I just ran across this mp3 (seriously, what did we do with our time before Al Gore invented the internet?). It's the 50 Foot Wave version of Kristin Hersh's "Your Ghost". Now, as you may or may not know, 50 Foot Wave is Kristin Hersh's latest band/project or whatever you want to call it. You can find all the info you handle over at throwingmusic.com.

Her first few solo albums were largely acoustic affairs, as compared to the Throwing Muses albums. "Your Ghost" is the opening track on her first solo album, "Hips and Makers". Spare and haunting, it's about someone dialing an old phone number in an effort to summon the ghost of a dead lover. Michael Stipe lends a hand on the background vocals.

In an effort to describe the differences between the two tracks, here's my crappy analogy. The original solo version would be something like the movie, "A Tale of Two Sisters". Something pretty on the surface but tortured and heartbreaking underneath.

Now, this 50 Foot Wave version would be somewhere along the lines of, hmm...something smoldering, sexy, and sinister. For some reason, the movie "Underworld" comes to mind. Yeah, I know it sucked, but I like vampires, I like Kate Beckinsale, and I like Kate Beckinsale in leather. Yup, Kate Beckinsale as a leather-clad vampire; where do I sign up to give blood?

Anyways, I think you get the picture.

Compare and contrast:
Kristin Hersh > Your Ghost
50 Foot Wave > Your Ghost

I'm only just a man of steel

I've begun watching the X-Files, yet again. I've just finished with Season One. I got into the show late, perhaps around the third or fourth season. I started going out with this girl who loved it and made it a point to be home to watch it, so I of course watched it with her. I hadn't heard of it before, I don't watch much telly, but I was quickly drawn into it. Anyway, I was inspired tonight to put on the "Songs In The Key of X" album. One of my favorite songs on the album is Frank Black's "Man of Steel". I love the reverby surf guitar sound goin on, and the song sorta evokes a lonely, wistful feeling.

Frank Black > Man of Steel

Fall into me, the sky's crimson tears

There was some talk of Slayer over on bowlie.com. I haven't listened to them in years, but apparently they have a new album ("Christ Illusion") out today. Inspired, I dug out "Reign in Blood", which is perhaps one of the finest metal albums you can find. We used to listen to this so much way back when, it's been too long since I've heard it. Check out "Raining Blood", and just for kicks, Tori Amos' cover version. How's that for an unlikely post?

Listen:
Slayer > Raining Blood
Tori Amos > Raining Blood

Misheard Lyrics #7890234893452346749

I swear she says, "I have no time for anal love", in the opening line . Listen for yourself.

PJ Harvey > No Child of Mine

Citrus-y Goodness

A couple years ago, I had purchased the first Asobi Seksu album on the strength of some of the descriptions; shoegazer, swirling guitars, ethereal female vocals, lyrics sung sometimes in Japanese. You get the idea, and I'm a sucker for that stuff. Well, the album had it's moments and it showed promise, but, to me, a lot of it sounded either unfinished or underdeveloped.

Last spring, I saw an ad for a new AS album ("Citrus") but I didn't think much of it. About a week before it's release (at the end of May), I happened to click on a myspace link where I could preview a couple of their new songs, "New Years" and "Thursday". Stunning. I eventually picked up a copy of the album and I feel that I can say it's consistently great from start to finish. The production is better, the songs are better, the whole thing is a huge step forward, and I can't stop listening to this album. Seriously, if you're into the whole swirly guitar dream pop thing, click the links and listen, then do yourself a favor and get it. Also, they have the coolest gig posters (scroll to the bottom).
Listen:
Goodbye
Red Sea

Frida Kahlo

I'm not schooled in art and I don't really know much about Frida Kahlo except the little excerpts and bios I've run across from time to time. She certainly sounds like an interesting character. Please add a comment if you studied her art or anything like that, I'd be interested in hearing about it. I also keep meaning to check out the movie that has Salma Hayek playing Frida, I've had a few people recommend it to me.

The reason I'm typing this out is because I've been on a Rachel's listening spree lately and the track, "Frida Kahlo" (from the "Handwriting" album) is one of my favorites. It's pretty and sweet, with a little dose of melancholy. I think Rachel's mostly get lumped into the post-rock category, but they're kinda like classical music with modern touches. I really hate all these labels, so let's just say their music is very good and worth seeking out.

Listen: Rachel's > Frida Kahlo