Mischmasch April

In a better effort to integrate Spotify into ST&SP I present the new monthly series called Mischmasch. Mischmasch was the name of a periodical that Lewis Carroll once wrote where he introduced sketches and ideas that would later become Through The Looking Glass. It's also German for a disorderly mix of things. I thought it was an appropriate title because that is exactly what this playlist is going to be. A once a month post of everything I've been listening to that previous month. There won't be any rhyme or reason, but hopefully you'll discover something new that you enjoy. Please SUBSCRIBE to the playlist on Spotify that way every month you'll be alerted that the playlist has been updated.

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A Few Tracks of Note. 

Stars of the Lid - "Apreludes (in C Sharp Major)" - With much of April's playlist is centered around ambient music. It's a genre that is relatively small and hard to appreciate at times. It's also hard to tell good ambient music apart. I'll start with Stars of The Lid, the Austin TX group has been making ambient music for almost two decades now and could easily be seen as the most essential ambient group alive. Whereas most ambient artists tend to paint lush landscapes of sound Stars of the Lid play with silences and tones. Listening to their music I can't help but feel like I'm in an Arthur C. Clarke novel. It's futuristic and otherworldly.

Tim Hecker - "In The Fog II" - My discovery of Tim Hecker is what inspired me to seek out and research more ambient artists. You must let his music wash over you like a Monet scene scape. Here you will recognize familiar sounds, the ringing of a piano, the tones of synthesizers but Hecker presents them in such a unique way. It was because of him I was brought to Oneohtrix Point Never, Loscil, and Grouper.

Max Richter - "Infra 8" - I also have been wondering lately who is making the best neo-classical music right now? Up until now I had only heard of Kronos Quartet. I discovered the beautiful music of Max Richter and Johan Johannsson. Classical music isn't for the history books people, it's alive and people are still making it sound fresh and important.

Dirty Three - "Some Summers They Drop Like Flies" - I have been super into the gigantic larger than life post-rock of Godspeed! You Black Emperor as of late. I did some research and found the Dirty Three featuring violinist and longtime Nick Cave collaborator Warren Ellis. Their music is a mix of post-rock and the soft cry of a cowboy ballad. Ellis especially puts a ton of feeling into his music.

Minnie Riperton - "Les Fleurs" I didn't have the balls to make a playlist containing just ambient music so I scattered a few appropriate tracks that I have been digging as of late. "Les Fleus" by the late Minnie Riperton came to mind. This song is a fun summery swing of a song that reminds me of 60s French soul.

Mischmasch: January 2013

 Drawing by Lewis Carroll

In a better effort to integrate Spotify into ST&SP I present the new monthly series called Mischmasch. Mischmasch was the name of a periodical that Lewis Carroll once wrote where he introduced sketches and ideas that would later become Through The Looking Glass. It's also German for a disorderly mix of things. I thought it was an appropriate title because that is exactly what this playlist is going to be. A once a month post of everything I've been listening to that previous month. There won't be any rhyme or reason, but hopefully you'll discover something new that you enjoy. Please SUBSCRIBE to the playlist on Spotify that way every month you'll be alerted that the playlist has been updated.

A Few Tracks of Note. 

The Clash - Overpowered by Funk

I made a promise to myself this year that I would finally get around to listening to some classic bands and albums that I never have given a listen to. The Clash were on top of my list. I'm still getting used to them but I really was taken by this song off of Combat Rock. I love it when punk meets new-wave. This song has a very Talking Heads 80s feel to it, a very infectious groove. 

The Smiths - Shakespeare's Sister

For the longest time I hated Morrissey. I hadn't even listened to much of The Smiths but I just remembered growing up reading about his tantrums and always thinking he was an asshole. I have really been digging The Smiths discography, mainly for Johnny Marr. That guy can skate through a guitar riff like he's an Olympic skater. I still think Morrissey is a prick but at least I now know how well The Smiths could groove. 

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Up Jumped The Devil

Never really gave Nick Cave a listen though I have always respected the idea of him. He is one of the last sort of mythic figures in rock music. These days the only way to make it is to be constantly engaging your fanbase through social media or what not. Cave appears through the ether once and awhile and drops murder ballads and other sort of sinister acts. He's like Tom Waits meets the wild west. Some of his stuff can be schmaltzy but for the most part I think he's brilliant. Expect more Nick Cave posts as the year goes on. 

Yo La Tengo - Ohm

The first great new record of the new year has to be Yo La Tengo's Fade. It's one of their shortest records but it's very well put together and sounds like a culmination of everything they have done for the past decade. Yo La Tengo has been the most surefooted band in indie rock for a long time now and here's hoping that will stay for a long time to come. 

The Sex Pistols - Pretty Vacant

I always find that I listen to harsher sounding music during the winter season. This winter has been dominated by classic punk hence The Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks, Misfits and Iggy Pop. I have never listened to Nevermind The Bullocks before this and I can easily see why it's regarded as a classic. For the time I'm sure it seemed like such a punk anarchistic statement. 

Cheap Trick - Dream Police 

Why this was the first song I listened to in 2013 is beyond me. I feel bad for Cheap Trick I feel like they get lumped in with all the other bands who made their heyday in the 70s and are still trucking today. I always saw them as a punk-ELO. Most people know them for "I Want You To Want Me" or "Surrender" but I always felt like there was a lot more to Cheap Trick than what is generally perceived. I hope the general public rediscovers them one of these days. 

Donald Fagen - Out of the Ghetto

One of my many overlooked records of 2012 was the new solo record from Steely Dan's own Donald Fagen. "Out of the Ghetto" is the album highlight for me. It shows Fagen still is making the same jazzy-funk that has made Steely Dan a success. 

Justin Timberlake & Jay-Z - Suit & Tie

Yeah, I'm talking about the new Justin Timberlake. If you don't like it, eat a dick hipsters. There are a lot of pop stars out there but only a few pop titans. Timberlake is one of them. He takes his time with his music. He's only released two records and in 2013 he'll drop number three. I'm sure it'll be a great and it'll get a ton of radioplay and deservedly so. The man knows how to make catchy music. "Suit & Tie" has multiple sections and layers to it which I think shows his growth and maturity as an artist. Can't wait to hear the rest of the album. 

Enjoy the Mischmasch and please subscribe!

Yo La Tengo - Popular Songs

Oh Yo La Tengo, how I love thee! You have been one of the most solid indie groups for the past decade, why are you not headlining the biggest concert halls in the world? It's because you stay true to who you are and don't sell out. Popular Songs is not Yo La Tengo's best album, but it's a solid album. Which is saying a lot for a band who has been making solid albums since 1993. If you enjoyed their last effort I Am Not Afraid of You And I Will Beat Your Ass, then you will be equally as pleased with Popular Songs. It is chalk full of rock songs, pop songs, slow songs, and their trademark indie-prog closes the album out with a bang. If you are already familiar with the band then it is no surprise to you that Yo La Tengo put out another great record, however if you do happen to be new to them, might I suggest this release...as well as every other Yo La Tengo album.

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