Out Hud – S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D.

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

spacey instrumental electro dance punk

Moods

Psychedelic dance music

Thoughts

Two of the members went onto major things with !!! And LCD Soundsystem. This LP has the jam band sound without the jamming. It's music made by a traditional rock quartet but as if their trying to sound like a spaced-out electro project with dub sounds and house goodness weaved in. There's a 'raw' element here that provides a nice character, feels very human. It's key as instrumentals acts like this can someone's feel a little too clinical or impersonal without the vocal touch.

I'd be really interested in seeing Out Hud live as there are so many jumping off points for jam noodling. As a studio thing it works and it's interesting hearing it so many years later as their sound has gone on to influence lots of other bands from the disco biscuits to pretty much the entire DFA roster.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Out-Hud-STREET-DAD/release/229420

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XJ_qx0CkRs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cRe_GduF_g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wImsKpTBuH8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFHWjR_D-bI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0zLOcRzQT4

Spotify


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Out Hud – S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D.

Description: Album Review of Out Hud – S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D.


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Michael Mayer – Immer

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

Minimal house

Moods

One of the finest minimal house mixes ever is now on YouTube!

Thoughts

Michael Mayer's immer and fabric mixes were eye-opening to me in terms of what mix is capable of. Taken alone the tracks on Immer aren't anything special – bit of bounce here, bit of ambiance there – stitched together they become this incredible cohesive entity. The subtle shifts are perfectly timed and show a mastery of songwriting even when it's all borrowed sounds. I love the sparse emptiness of minimal, there's something so alienating yet comforting about it. Immer has a sound I can only describe as grey, like the weather in Berlin or the film tone in those Nordic crime dramas.

Mayer's skill here is largely reliant on his tasteful selection and vision for this mix which is executed perfectly. Kompakt is an impressive label but Immer is in a league of its own, forever indeed.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Michael-Mayer-Immer/release/34646

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PeTIa1yGao

Spotify


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Michael Mayer – Immer

Description: Album Review of Michael Mayer – Immer


Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Kettel – Smiling Little Cow

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

IDM

Moods

Like an unpretentious aphex twin record

Thoughts

quick but not aggressive. Intelligent but fun. flirts with drum and bass but never goes there.

A representative album of golden age IDM – electronic music with folk sensibilities. Taken as a whole it drags, too over blown without appropriate variety.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Kettel-Smiling-Little-Cow/release/46619

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43ayL6PpzCI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6G7vC_T860

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isUkpMY3AIw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpGxO9bj6_4

Spotify


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Kettel – Smiling Little Cow

Description: Album Review of Kettel – Smiling Little Cow


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

An American rock folk alternative band

Moods

A calmly anxious American masterpiece

Thoughts

It took awhile for me to recognize the genius here. I think I was too  young when I first heard it, I wasn't drawn to it's sound. Even now I wouldn't recommend this to anyone under 30, the essence is lost without that unnerving only adulthood can provide.

At surface level it's boring adult pop, listen a little closer and you'll hear solid American folk songs. Backed by light (mostly) and tight instrumentation, it's just the right amount of precise while not feeling overly polished; a quality which typically bothers me but here it fits. Tweedy's got a pleasant voice and is an exceptional lyricist, switching between abstract thoughts and relatable lyrics on love. Few writers can capture anxiety, in its many forms, so poetically. It's his ability that elevates this album, turning these dense subjects into carthic singalongs. Ultimately the listener is left with a feeling of hope through the reliability in his words. True art captures some element of the human condition and I think Wilco nailed it on Yankee hotel foxtrot

Anyone who's ever experienced that spinning out of control feeling will understand the value of something grounded. The perfect soundtrack for something as enjoyable as a pleasant autumn day or as heavy as your car ride after checking out of the insane asylum.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Wilco-Yankee-Hotel-Foxtrot/release/1073285

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gupjrl5ZSX0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBhj73WtiZU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlxH9-TYseY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efq95Pfqt5U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKj5xIp4Kkg

Spotify


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Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

Description: Album Review of Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot


Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Keith Fullerton Whitman – Playthroughs

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?
Ambient noise

Moods

Working

Thoughts
Excellent ambient, captures a mood and doesn’t let go. This is all done with guitar, think long ‘held’ notes.

‘Modena’ is an album standout and benefits from a traditional song structure.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Keith-Fullerton-Whitman-Playthroughs/release/73749

Listen!
Spotify

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Keith Fullerton Whitman – Playthroughs

Description: Album Review of Keith Fullerton Whitman – Playthroughs


Rating: 4 out of 5