Author Topic: Currently listening, part 1 (Read 662822 times)

Ferngerms · « **Reply #1960 on:** September 27, 2009, 03:12:36 PM »

Last Night And Today:

The Caretaker - Theoretically Pure Anterograde Amnesia - V/Vm Test Records - CDX6
(A huge set of 72 ballroom memories...more of a collectors piece but decently priced. Full on reverb with crackles here and there...not essential and perhaps not even a neccesary purchase but I am a fan and it makes for fantastic night time music)

Velvet Cacoon - Atropine - Full Moon Productions - CDX2
(A whole lot of mystery surrounds this clandestine group who supposedly are members of the ELF front (an eco-terrosirt organization). Anyhow they usually create Black metal (ghastly stuff in my opinion) but this is straight up black immersive drones of the highest quality. Really did not expect this type of music out of this outfit but words say that they made this music under the influence of heavy duty tranquilizers...which then brings into question much of the drone music...utterly bleak music but a gemm! Very nice dark ambient....by far the darkest album of the year and one of my favorites thus far in the year. I know some of you live in Portland...what's the mystery with this group...are they a complete hoax or do they have some underground cult dedicated to A-sexuality and elusive narcotics?)

Saul Stokes - Metacollage - Self Released - CD-R
(Quite nice and more ambient than his other last two releases....Vast, Villa Galaxia, and Radiate wore off quite quick. But this one has some magic and I think i'll be coming back to this one a few more times....)

Fern
On Now:
(

APK · « **Reply #1961 on:** September 27, 2009, 04:51:14 PM »

Thought I'd quickly mention that I very much enjoy your well-annotated listening, Fern.

APK

mgriffin · « **Reply #1962 on:** September 28, 2009, 10:06:04 AM »

I agree -- I've always enjoyed the "now listening" entries much more when they include some kind of descriptive text. Just a list of artists & titles is of no interest to me, but mini-reviews are very informative.

mgriffin · « **Reply #1963 on:** September 28, 2009, 10:32:21 AM »

Quote from: Ferngerms on September 27, 2009, 03:12:36 PM

Velvet Cacoon - Atropine - Full Moon Productions - CDX2
(A whole lot of mystery surrounds this clandestine group who supposedly are members of the ELF front (an eco-terrosirt organization). Anyhow they usually create Black metal (ghastly stuff in my opinion) but this is straight up black immersive drones of the highest quality. Really did not expect this type of music out of this outfit but words say that they made this music under the influence of heavy duty tranquilizers...which then brings into question much of the drone music...utterly bleak music but a gemm! Very nice dark ambient....by far the darkest album of the year and one of my favorites thus far in the year. I know some of you live in Portland...what's the mystery with this group...are they a complete hoax or do they have some underground cult dedicated to A-sexuality and elusive narcotics?)

Ferngerms, despite Velvet Cacoon being based in Portland, I'd say their presence and reputation here is fairly close to non-existent. I had never even heard the name before, though I admit I don't read the local music papers (Mercury and Willamette Week) as closely as I used to. Though Portland likes to consider itself artsy and weird, nobody here seems to know about any of the local artists or labels who enjoy niche success in the wider world. As far as live music goes, people seem to enjoy sticking with their indie rock, maybe a little hip-hop or folk.

I've enjoyed reading about these Velvet Cacoon weirdos, though. An interview... http://www.fmp666.com/index2.html

DeepR · « **Reply #1964 on:** September 28, 2009, 01:31:32 PM »

Quote from: mgriffin on September 24, 2009, 01:24:57 PM

Tetsu Inoue - Organic Cloud
Pretty nice ambient recording from the golden age of the FAX label. Perfectly enjoyable and yet not as smashingly wonderfully sublimely great as my recollection of this album.

Pretty nice?? Smashingly wonderfully sublimely great is what I'd say.

Track 3 and 4 take the crown. For me, these two tracks together form one of the absolute greatest moments in all ambient music. I will never forget the first time I heard it in bed with headhphones. I had this extremely rare feeling of pure bliss... it made me feel all warm and fuzzy for the entire duration... it was like taking a bath in sound. I know it sounds silly but I can't explain it better.

mgriffin · « **Reply #1965 on:** September 28, 2009, 01:46:43 PM »

I'd say that's how I expected to feel when I gave Organic Cloud a listen, so I know what you mean. Just didn't do it for me this time, and I haven't listened to it in several years.

APK · « **Reply #1966 on:** September 28, 2009, 03:50:14 PM »

Track 4 is a masterpiece.

9dragons · « **Reply #1967 on:** September 28, 2009, 06:36:36 PM »

Where can I get a reasonably priced copy of Organic Cloud? I have most of Inoue's work, but this one has eluded me. Time for a reissue...

jim02 · « **Reply #1968 on:** September 28, 2009, 11:47:06 PM »

got a batch of CDs and dowloads after my holidays;

kevin drumm - imperial horizon
(a B_E_A_U_T_I_F_U_L_L one-hour long featherlight radiant, blissfull drone, similar to Celer's recent Brittle CD.. listen to the whole thing here;
http://www.weirdorecords.com/cpCommerce/product.php?id_product=8562)

thomas koner - la barca
(indeed a fabulous disc, i love these obscure fieldrecordings melting together with his still-drones.. i think a favorite of the year)

p. jorgensen - to
(if you ask me bit short for an album but i completely love these tones, fantastic)

solo andata - solo andata
(definately -for me- one the best things on 12K in recent time)

evan caminiti - digging the void
(spaghetti guitar drones from one 1/2 of Barn Owl - waiting for the 2 full albums on Digitalis to arrive..)

jefre sei getsu ledesma - namu kie butsu
(he can't do wrong, raw untamed drones of the highest order without question)

aidan baker - dry
(still digging this, delicate improvational guitar picking.. straight away)

Ferngerms · « **Reply #1969 on:** September 29, 2009, 12:03:03 AM »

Quote from: mgriffin on September 28, 2009, 10:32:21 AM

Quote from: Ferngerms on September 27, 2009, 03:12:36 PM
Velvet Cacoon - Atropine - Full Moon Productions - CDX2
(A whole lot of mystery surrounds this clandestine group who supposedly are members of the ELF front (an eco-terrosirt organization). Anyhow they usually create Black metal (ghastly stuff in my opinion) but this is straight up black immersive drones of the highest quality. Really did not expect this type of music out of this outfit but words say that they made this music under the influence of heavy duty tranquilizers...which then brings into question much of the drone music...utterly bleak music but a gemm! Very nice dark ambient....by far the darkest album of the year and one of my favorites thus far in the year. I know some of you live in Portland...what's the mystery with this group...are they a complete hoax or do they have some underground cult dedicated to A-sexuality and elusive narcotics?)

Ferngerms, despite Velvet Cacoon being based in Portland, I'd say their presence and reputation here is fairly close to non-existent. I had never even heard the name before, though I admit I don't read the local music papers (Mercury and Willamette Week) as closely as I used to. Though Portland likes to consider itself artsy and weird, nobody here seems to know about any of the local artists or labels who enjoy niche success in the wider world. As far as live music goes, people seem to enjoy sticking with their indie rock, maybe a little hip-hop or folk.

I've enjoyed reading about these Velvet Cacoon weirdos, though. An interview... http://www.fmp666.com/index2.html

Cool thanks for the compliments.....I always try to add a little to my listening experiences. As for Velvet Cacoon...it appears they will always be shrouded in mystery. But then again part of me doesn't take one ounce of it seriously....

Fern

Ferngerms · « **Reply #1970 on:** September 29, 2009, 12:14:31 AM »

Quote from: jim02 on September 28, 2009, 11:47:06 PM

evan caminiti - digging the void
(spaghetti guitar drones from one 1/2 of Barn Owl - waiting for the 2 full albums on Digitalis to arrive..)

I got my order in for the Camaniti but was a little hesitant with the elm album.....seemed a little noisy for my taste when you do get it in would you mind describing the album. The last Elm album on Blackest Rainbow was fluffy and mystical sort of like the more ambient side of "Lamp of the Universe"....but was very excited when I received my Students of Decay order for the other Camaniti disc.....which to be honest along with the two Celer discs I have been so inundated with new material that I have yet to listen to any of them....buying all this music is a damm curse...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jim02 · « **Reply #1971 on:** September 29, 2009, 12:32:11 AM »

yes Fern, i had the similar impression about both Barn Owl solo CDs, they seem to be a bit noisy, however with the pre-order of both CDs for $22 only, i simply could not resist my greedy curiosity

Ferngerms · « **Reply #1972 on:** September 29, 2009, 12:41:16 AM »

Today:

Noveller - Red Rainbows - No Fun - CD
(Brilliant drone pieces from this female artist....yes we need more female artist in this rather "sausage fest" scene....if you liked the work of Darwins Bitch....no reason you shouldn't dig this one...kind of harsh at moments but overall a drone workout with some identity)

Lawrence English - Transit - Cajid Media - CD
(My favorite Lawrence E. album....reasons...the use of drone and enviromental sounds is absolutley perfect)

The Notwist - Sturm - Alien Transistor - 12"+Bonus CD
(Heard the samples was amazed picked it up and I am even more amazed once I had the chance to really sit down and listen. Expensive release but I got my order in early for the photo book and CD.....after a hundred you only get the 12"...so it's a bit pricy for just the 12"...but the music is rather marvelous and you can also download it via boomkat for a quick fix. It's a rather solemn release....)

Fern

Scott M2 · « **Reply #1973 on:** September 29, 2009, 08:42:16 AM »

I've been listening to Jeff Greinke's Cities in Fog here at work
and enjoying Volume 2 in particular and especially the second half
which feels more oceanic. Had to play it twice.

1000snakes · « **Reply #1974 on:** September 29, 2009, 09:08:30 AM »

I have really enjoyed Greinke's music over the years. He has a new CD called "Virga" that will be released October 13th but I have to admit that after "Winter Light", which I found to be somewhat dreadful, I would have to hear samples and read positive feedback before purchasing. That said, Jeff has many a classic in his discography and "Cities in Fog" is definitely one of them.
Peace, Kirk

jim02 · « **Reply #1975 on:** September 29, 2009, 11:12:58 AM »

you can listen to 3 tracks from VIRGA on his myspace site. here's a bit noisy where i stay at the moment so i cannot make up my mind at this moment.. i hope it's all not too smooth this time..

still, i like his hypnos re-release LOST TERRAIN most of all.

APK · « **Reply #1976 on:** September 29, 2009, 04:29:16 PM »

Quote from: Ferngerms on September 29, 2009, 12:41:16 AM

The Notwist - Sturm - Alien Transistor - 12"+Bonus CD
(Heard the samples was amazed picked it up and I am even more amazed once I had the chance to really sit down and listen. Expensive release but I got my order in early for the photo book and CD.....after a hundred you only get the 12"...so it's a bit pricy for just the 12"...but the music is rather marvelous and you can also download it via boomkat for a quick fix. It's a rather solemn release....)

Fern

Many thanks for pointing this out, Fern.
Just had a listen, it is indeed a remarkable new release.

mgriffin · « **Reply #1977 on:** September 30, 2009, 02:10:20 PM »

Quote from: Ferngerms on September 29, 2009, 12:03:03 AM

Cool thanks for the compliments.....I always try to add a little to my listening experiences. As for Velvet Cacoon...it appears they will always be shrouded in mystery. But then again part of me doesn't take one ounce of it seriously....

Fern

After your post I did a bit more reading about Velvet Cacoon online, and the more I read, the more I felt he was just having a bit of fun at everyone's expense. If you read a few interviews, and cross-reference them, it's impossible to believe anything he says because so much is contradictory.

drone on · « **Reply #1978 on:** September 30, 2009, 11:47:21 PM »

The Cult-Love (Omnibus edition) 4-disc box of one of the greatest rock albums of all time. A classic gets the full treatment--remastered album (sounds awesome), B-sides, demos, and live show from 1985. Sweet! Too bad they sucked eggs after "Love" and went all cheesy rock metal.

Spyra-January in June
Boddy/Reuter-Dervish
Robin Guthrie-Carousel

Brian Bieniowski · « **Reply #1979 on:** October 01, 2009, 02:01:40 PM »

Today:

Eluder—Rituals
Not as good as The Most Beautiful Blue by a significant margin, but it's very nice nonetheless. It took a few listens to really get into it, and I think it sounds much better on headphones. It's that kind of early-morning pre-dawn drone ...

Obfusc / David Tagg split 2x3"
This came in the mail today and it is a gem for sure. I think this is the best in the Install split series so far (and the others are great too). Never heard of Obfusc before this (his earlier albums are a tired kind of early-00s IDM, it would seem), but his piece is brilliant. And the Tagg is pretty much 15 minutes of bliss. WTF, though, these are way too limited for the quality of the music -- I'd think they could sell double the amount easily. Maybe it's because the custom boxes are so work intensive to create?

Forrest Fang—Phantoms
Forrest, you can never release enough music as far as I'm concerned. On the other hand, I wish more ambient folks would take 2-3 years between releases and drop bombs (the good kind of bomb) like this on unsuspecting audiences. I keep hitting repeat.

News:

Author Topic: Currently listening, part 1 (Read 662822 times)