I Woke Up To Molten Light

A superb video created by the musician himself!

Turbo and Ozone

What better way to celebrate the U.S. men's basketball gold victory than these two, totally sweet videos!

Pacific Ocean Blue

Dennis Wilson
Pacific Ocean Blue (Legacy Edition)
(June 17, 2008 - Sony Legacy)

Damn! This album is crazy good and has had me mesmerized from the start. I wanted to get something up for my five readers before I head to Chicago for Lollapalooza, and here it is. The talk of the town--Dennis Wilson's reissue of Pacific Ocean Blue.

Dennis Wilson led one hell of an interesting life--from being a founding member of the Beach Boys, living with Charles Manson, dating Christine McVie (of Fleetwood Mac), to starring in movies. Unfortunately, his "fast life" sent him spiralling out of control and would be his demise. In some circles he was simply regarded as the "troubled alcoholic drummer."

The album was originally released in August of 1977 but was never widely received. It was the first solo project from any member of the Beach Boys, and the only officially-released album made by Dennis. As is often the case, only years later is it widely regarded as the finest solo album from any of the Beach Boys. Aquarius put it best:

...the overall feel of Pacific Ocean Blue marks the end of that vibrant sun-dappled seventies west-coast sound; a coke and whiskey sunset to the sunrise wake-and-bake of David Crosby's If I Can Only Remember My Name.

With that being said, this will appeal to anyone with even a passing interest in The Beach Boys.

Quotes from Dennis Wilson:

"They say I live a fast life. Maybe I just like a fast life. I wouldn’t give it up for anything in the world. It won’t last forever, either. But the memories will."

"I give everything I have away. What I am wearing and what’s in that suitcase is it. I don’t even have a car. I have a 1934 Dodge pick-up truck which someone gave me. I could have anything I want. I just have to go out and get it. If it’s worth having, it’s worth giving. The smile you send out will return to you!"


Tracklisting:

Disc: 1
1. River Song
2. What’s Wrong
3. Moonshine
4. Friday Night
5. Dreamer
6. Thoughts Of You
7. Time
8. You And I
9. Pacific Ocean Blues
10. Farewell My Friend
11. Rainbows
12. End Of The Show
13. Tug Of Love (Previously Unreleased bonus track)
14. Only With You (Previously Unreleased bonus track)
15. Holy Man (Instrumental) (Previously Unreleased bonus track)
16. Mexico (Previously Unreleased bonus track)

Disc: 2
1. Under The Moonlight (Previously Unreleased)
2. It’s Not Too Late (Previously Unreleased)
3. School Girl (Previously Unreleased)
4. Love Remember Me (Previously Unreleased)
5. Love Surrounds Me (Previously Unreleased)
6. Wild Situation (Previously Unreleased)
7. Common (Previously Unreleased)
8. Are You Real (Previously Unreleased)
9. He’s A Bum (Previously Unreleased)
10. Cocktails (Previously Unreleased)
11. I Love You (Previously Unreleased)
12. Constant Companion (Previously Unreleased)
13. Time For Bed (Previously Unreleased)
14. Album Tag Song (Previously Unreleased)
15. All Alone
16. Piano Variations On Thoughts Of You (Previously Unreleased)
17. Holy Man (Taylor Hawkins Version Previously Unreleased bonus track)

Download Pacific Ocean Blue
Recommended Tracks: Definitely Everything on Disc 1

MP3: Dennis Wilson - “What's Wrong”

Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill

Grouper
Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill
(June 10, 2008 - Type Records)

Tonight, I've been working on capturing some of the footage I shot in Guatemala. It has taken me a lot longer than I had anticipated--maybe because I have gotten a little too meticulous about the process. In any case, I've been listening to the new Grouper album while doing so and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite albums of 2008.

Portland's Liz Harris is the talented musician behind Grouper, and Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill marks her 4th proper release, and in my humble opinion her best to date. Once you get past the disturbing cover art and title, you'll find the psych-folk aesthetic to be as good as it gets. Haunting, yet soothing, vocals under the stripped down guitar and looped recordings will quickly move you into a deep and relaxed state. Great for late night, rainy, dreamy, just before bed, isolated and quiet, reading, or contemplating sort of music. Long bus rides would also be good. Heck, it's damn good listening anytime.

Tracklisting:

1. Disengaged
2. Heavy Water/I'd Rather Be Sleeping
3. Stuck
4. When We Fall
5. Traveling Through A Sea
6. Fishing Bird (Empty Gutted In The Evening Breeze)
7. Invisible
8. I’m Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill
9. A Cover Over
10. Wind And Snow
11. Tidal Wave
12. We’ve All Gone To Sleep

Download Dragging a Dead Deer Up A Hill

MP3: Grouper - “Heavy Water/I'd Rather Be Sleeping”


This is a beautiful video from an EP that Grouper did with Xiu Xiu in 2006. The name of the song is called "In Dreams." Absorb!

Sunset Show On The Edge Of San Francisco Way Down By The Water Bay

Sorry if the map isn't large enough to clearly follow.

The show looks like it's going to be really fun. BYOB; the last B is for blanket, obviously.

The spot looks like it's right off 3rd St., near a cement factory, and some dirt pyramids. Go figure. According to the map, it's walking distance from the T.

Here is a better look using Google Earth.

View Larger Map

Prism Of Eternal Now

White Rainbow
Prism of Eternal Now
(August 7, 2007 - Kranky)

Shit! I can't believe it's been about 5 months since I last touched this blog; not that anybody has noticed. I've been jones'n to write lately. I just returned from a month-long excursion all over Guatemala and have a little free time on my hands. I first bought this album in January (I think) and it has quietly become the sleeper hit in my collection. I constantly come back for more.

Adam Forkner, otherwise known as White Rainbow, is contributing to an already prominent music scene in Portland, Oregon. He runs the Yarnlazer cd-r label with his girlfriend, Honey Owens [Valet], a damn-good musician in her own right. He defintely dabbles in a minimalistic mindset, and is clearly influenced by the pioneer of the minimalistic school of thought, Terry Riley (even recorded a track in his honor). Don't be scared off by the length of the tracks, or the long, single-note drones. It's blissful.

White Rainbow will be playing in San Francisco July 16th. The venue has yet to be announced, but according to Mr. Forkner's website (or blog?) it will be, "somewhere within the city, but remote and strange and awesome." It's not to be missed!

Tracklisting:

1. Pulses
2. Middle
3. For Terry
   
4. Mystic Prism
   
5. April 25th 11:14PM
   
6. Warm Clicked Fruit
   
7. Guitars
8. Waves
9. Awakening
   

Download Prism of Eternal Now
Recommended Tracks: "Pulses" "For Terry"

MP3: White Rainbow - “Pulses”

Distortion

The Magnetic Fields
Distortion
(January 15, 2008 - Nonesuch)

I have to be honest, I don't think I like The Magnetic Fields all that much. Well, that might not be a fair statement to make considering I had only heard one album prior to this one; that album being i. It didn't do much for me. I mean, it had modest sentimental value because it was given to me as a gift from a girl I was seeing at the time, but frankly, I thought it was pretty boring.

I was discussing this with a friend of mine a few nights ago at my place while we were listening to this album and she said I MUST listen to 69 Love Songs. Apparently it's widely regarded as their best album...thus far. I like to think their newest album, Distortion, will threaten that sentiment.

The Magnetic Fields are headed by singer-songwriter (I know we're all tired of that term) Stephin Merritt. I've got to hand it to him, he is a very good songwriter. His wit and humor, usually about romantic despair, are distributed all over the album. A couple songs that come to mind are California Girls and Too Drunk To Dream. The former, about the superficial beauty of Hollywood, reminds me of some silly parody; sort of like this one. Meanwhile, the latter reeks of self-loathing nicely disguised by clever lyrics and lots of feedback.

You can stream a few songs from Distortion on their Myspace page. Stephin and Co. are currently amidst their first tour since 2004. They will be in San Francisco for a two-night stint at Herbst Theatre on February 28th and 29th. Unfortunately, both shows have already sold out. There's always eBay or Craigslist!

Most, if not all, of their albums are concept albums--this one is no exception. The album is very good and even though it is very early in 2008, I think that Distortion is going to hold up well throughout the year.

Tracklisting:

1. Three-Way
2. California Girls
3. Old Fools
4. Xavier Says
5. Mr. Mistletoe
6. Please Stop Dancing
7. Drive On, Driver
8. Too Drunk to Dream
9. Till the Bitter End
10. I’ll Dream Alone
11. The Nun’s Litany
12. Zombie Boy
13. Courtesans

Download Distortion
Recommended Tracks: "California Girls," "Old Fools," "Drive On, Driver," "Zombie Boy."

BTW
I'm using a new file-sharing site so if there are any problems let me know. It's slightly more indirect, but allows for larger file sizes.