Best New (for me) Music in 2015 (while writing of course)

Like the 21st century itself, 2015 is a bit of a disaster and some success as in hand-in-hand, as they walk down the yellow brick road.  As I write or try to compose words on a page, I listen to music while I work.  There is music that is used as background, so I can just focus on the page on hand.  There is a dreamy aspect of composing a narrative, where I need to look out the window or against the wall, and project my thoughts on to it, like it was a blank movie screen.  Music is very much a tool as well, and I need it to take me from one place to another.    What I’m going to do here is list albums or music I heard in 2015.  Do keep in mind not all of this is new music, but at the very least, new to me.  Even, more important, its music I have used to compose words on a computer screen.  Therefore this is not vinyl, but MP3s or streaming through Apple Music.   In no special order:

Earth :  “Earth 2”

The drone has become my favorite sort of music to work within the background.  Sheets of sound allow me to think clearly and quite freely.  The music does set a mood, and I tend to like to hear the noise that is dark, and if it was an object, something that floats in the air.  The band Earth’s “Earth 2” is such an album for me.  With only three songs, that lasts over an hour. I’m put into a small cocoon or perhaps in a water tank, and I’m just floating on the sounds off this album.  

“Earth 2” was recorded in Seattle for the Sub Pop record label in 1972, and released on February 3, 1993.  The instrumentation is Dylan Carlson on guitar and Dave Harrell on bass.  Joe Burns plays percussion on one cut.  The sound one hears is basically the guitar and a very low bass sound.   I think to get its full effect, one needs to play the record/music extremely loud, but for my purposes, mid-level volume is perfectly OK.  The thing I like about drones or even so-called minimal music, is that I start hearing things that I don’t think is actually on the disk or in the music.   I can also shut it off for whatever I’m focusing on, but if I do focus on just the music, I can really hear things over the layers of sound.  Although, by my nature, I’m not a spiritual person, yet, listening to the last track on this album, I’m sent off to another world.  It is not that far from the Fripp & Eno world.  Almost the younger brother of those recordings. 

The beauty of the album, even though it has three songs/tracks, it never breaks between songs.  It is one large piece that keeps going on and on.  At a certain point, I lose all track of time, which is great while writing. 

The Velvet Underground “The Complete Matrix Tapes"

Four CD disc-set from a series of shows at the Matrix club in San Francisco in 1969.    Is there even doubt, that The Velvet Underground was from the beginning to the end, the greatest live band ever?  The Matrix tapes convey a band that is driven, willing to take chances, and brilliant inter-playing among the musicians.   The 36-minute version of “Sister Ray” is simply awesome.  These series of shows expose the tightness of the band, but also their natural groove.   Not only song orientated (which of course, these are an amazing set of songwriting genius godlike perfection in motion) but groove moving as well.  Maureen Tucker is truly a great drummer and the interaction between Reed and Sterling Morrison is like the Kray twins in action.   Doug Yale, the guy who replaced John Cale is a musician who is left out of the godlike genius category, but he’s so superb in this band.  Hypnotic trance like in one moment and then the heart breaking aspect of the lyrics.   It is just a great cocktail of noise, sound, and melody.   Lou Reed’s singing is also noted, as brilliant. 

David Bowie : “Blackstar”  (single)

The video to this song is a distraction.   It’s good.  But not as brilliant as the song.   Ten-minutes long, like the band Earth, time is totally destroyed while listening to this record.   “Blackstar” starts off as a North African riff, and it becomes a hypnotic rhythm with Bowie’s voice singing a hymn to what appears to be darkness.  The sax comes and goes throughout the song/mix, and the listener is crawling in the desert, somewhere out of Marrakech.  Then the song drifts into a beautiful R & B melody, and gets into a gritty groove, then gets back in the trance of North African sound.   Along with Sparks, Bowie is the only artist who can make the old sound totally new.  This is a gorgeous record. 

Lee Ranaldo : “Ambient Loop for Vancouver” 

Along with Alan Licht on guitar, Christian Marclay on turntables, and William Hooker on drums, Lee Ranaldo adds his touch on guitar and I presume the concept behind this beautiful and even quasi-spiritual work is a meditative hardcore listen.  I find this recording perfect for zoning out and using it as a writing tool of sorts.   My only comparison (like “Earth 2” above) is Fripp & Eno’s “Evening Star” album.  It’s a wash of electronics and clearly guitar sounds, with the brilliant Marclay adding sonic textures or samples.  

Oddly enough, this is my first Lee Ranaldo recording.  As of this time, I’m not that familiar with his solo work, only his Sonic Youth recordings.  I think I prefer this album than to the whole Sonic Youth catalog.  Probably more to my mood and needs at the moment, but I wish I had an expensive sonic set-up with speakers in every room of this house, so I can play this album at full-volume.   The mixture of organic sounds (a siren here and there, but muted as well as vinyl sounding recordings) with the dreamy electronic hums of the guitars is truly beautiful.  It also reminds me, in parts, The Beatles “Revolution No. 9.”  

Keiji Haino, Mitsuru Nasuno and Yoshimitsu Ichiraku - “After Seijaku” 

As I was wandering around the Japanese rock section of Tokyo’s Tower Records, I came upon this album.   The packaging was minimalistically fantastic, and I really wanted to hear new Japan based music.  Another zone-out piece of genius work for me.  This, I think works best as headphone music, because I played it over my speaker, and didn’t like it as much.  The music is best when self-contained in a small area.  That area that is between the two ears.  

This double-cd set was recorded by Keiji Haino (electronics, voice, guitar), Mitsuru Nasuno (bass, electronics) and Yoshimitsu Ichiraku (electronics).   A live recording, but you could fool me.  It sounds like it was made in a very cold freezer, with air being pumped in.   Recorded almost exactly a year ago, this is a beautifully layered sound of electronics coming in and out like a wave in the ocean.   One can call it ambient, but the sounds are more forceful, and really grabs one’s attention.  Each CD is about 60 minutes long, so a perfect zone-out time to listen, and reflect.    Seijaku is truly a great music listening experience.  

Sparks - “The Final Derriere” (From “The Forbidden Room”) 

The genius of Sparks (and they are truly in that bracket) is how they can convey something like the obsession of women’s asses, and yet, makes it into a moving almost “I’m in tears” type of pop song.  Written for Guy Maddin’s new cinematic masterpiece, this is a stunning piece of work   The over-layered vocals by Russell Mael conveys the sadness of one man’s obsession, and is hoping that he’s reaching the final destination : the last derriere.  Or butt.  But one sense that this will not happen, even with the brain surgery to cure the ‘disease.   Sparks is very much like a silent film, where the hero, in a comical manner, is acting funny, but actually dealing with a serious issue.  The balance between pathos and humor is very much in the works of Sparks.  “The Final Derriere” is a song that bites, but leaves a sense of sadness as well. 

FFS - “FFS”

For fuck’s sake, it’s Franz Ferdinand and Sparks making an album together!   Every song on this album is so catchy and pop-tific that it seems like a hit & run crime.    It is a throw-back to an era when pop music used to be profound, catchy, and very commercial.  But it seems that wit has left the building and we’re left with the dreck of the 21st century.  FFS is the window of opportunity coming in brash sunlight.   16 brilliant pop(alar) tunes to make the listener float, tap their feet, and sing along.   When Russell is not singing magnificent  lead, he backs up Alex’s voice as if he is like Ali throwing punches at Sonny Listen.   He taunts him, leads him, and due to that, Alex as a singer really shines on the album.   To my ears, this is basically a Sparks’ album with assistance from Franz.   The one stand-out track from Alex is “Little Guy from the Suburbs” which is based on Jacques Mesrine’s narrative.  

Twink - “Think Pink”

For at the very least, I have heard of Twink, the drummer.  The impression I got was that he may be a cult version of Keith Moon.   Due to the Apple Music app, I finally heard his first solo album he made in 1968, called “Think Pink.” My impression is that this album will be sort of the drummer’s solo album, where friends would jam on very long tracks.  The truth is a bit different.  It’s very 1960s, and British underground(ish), but also tuneful and very pop as well.  This is not a messy solo album by a band member, but a strong statement of musical independence.   I’m shocked at myself for not picking up on this album years ago.   With a name like “Twink, ” how can it be possibly bad - especially when the album is called “Think Pink.” 

Perfume Genius - “Too Bright”

Listening to this album, I feel like I’m listening to David Bowie’s “Hunky Dory” when it originally came out in 1972, and I know Perfume Genius’ next album will be his Ziggy.  Till then, I have been listening to this album almost non-stop for the whole year of 2015.  The melodies are so beautiful, and this ‘twink’ of a young man (I think he’s in his 30s?) is a brilliant updated glam pop star.   He clearly understands the language and history behind it all, and the surprise thing that this is not nostalgia, but a forceful look at today’s concerns and life.  “Too Bright” should have been no. 1 in every part of the world - with “Queen” being the national anthem of my state of the country as well as yours.   This album is exciting to me, because I feel we’re going to hear a lot of great music from Perfume Genius from years to come. 

Keith Richards - “Crosseyed Heart”

Since it’s 2015, it would make perfect sense for me to stay away from anyone in the Rolling Stones who is doing a solo album.  Especially Keith, because he kind of pissed me off with his very selective memory of a certain Brian Jones that was in the Stones - and the fact that the band is basically hardcore Corporate Rock, but alas, his new solo album is wonderful.  “Heartstopper” is a great song with a fantastic melody.   And there are more superb songs on this disk.    In an odd way, it reminds me of later Serge Gainsbourg.  He will never out master the master that’s Serge, but he also shares a timeless quality.  There are dandy touches here and there, and the production by Steve Jordan is over-all superb.    A surprise hardcore like for me. 

Tosh Berman

The Sunday Series: Sunday No. 2 (January 18, 2015)

Photo from https://www.etsy.com/shop/VintageMadeByDucky/about?ref=l2-more-about

Sunday No. 2

It took me awhile, but I think I arranged a chance to fuck “her.” It seemed like it took forever to get her to my point of view, that I was desperately trying to convey to her.   Her beauty has been a consistent heartache as well as a pleasure of sorts.  To want something, and being so close to “it, ” is like walking across two skyscrapers on a thin rubber-band in the wind.  She is standing perfectly still in front of me, but the wind is pulling me back, sideways, and this time, I hope forward.   She would often drop hints of sensual adventure, but once I try to act upon them, it is like it never happened.   Either by design, desire, or just a cruel version of torture, she would wear this piece of jewelry on her body that is like waving a red cape in front of a horny bull.  It was a thin chain that is connected to her waist and goes up to the back, and then around her beautiful neck.  If she was wearing a blouse it would appear to be a thin necklace around her throat.  But when she is wearing her backless black dress, you can see the full design, except the part that is connected to her, what I imagined, is her perfect waist.  When I was with her, especially in public, I could barely stand it.  

I’m consistently on the telephone with her, and she slipped in the information that she was planning to wear the “necklace,” in case I was planning to come over her house - which it seems she will be alone.  My reaction is like the wolf in a Looney Tunes 1940s cartoon, where my eyes are jumping out of my sockets, and my tongue is rolling over my thick lips.  I told her for sure I will be there, and since it’s Sunday, I’ll bring some things over.  Neither one of us works in the sense of “work,”… like Monday you have to go to work type of thing.  Personally I was daydreaming that I would be spending a week in her bed, while I trace my fingers against her jewelry.   In fact, I wanted to remove her jewelry piece, and with a felt pen, draw another version on her skin.   For the whole week beforehand, whenever I saw a felt pen on a table, or in a stationary shop, I would get an erection.  While we were talking and arranging a meeting just now, that is exactly what I was thinking.   Before I left the house I took at least three pens with me and put it in my bag.  

I knew she had a turntable in her apartment, so I stopped at Amoeba to locate Brian Eno and Robert Fripp’s “Evening Star” on vinyl.   Some years back, I remember having sex with this music in the background.  Side two is “An Index of Metals, ” which lasts for the whole side.  I think 28 minutes.   Perfect time length for intercourse, as well as climaxing at the end of the track.  Knowing this piece so well, I can use it as a guide of sorts, while actually fucking her.   I did find the album, although used, and looking at its surface, I did see scratches on the vinyl.  In theory, I thought this will be OK, and may even add creative tension in the sex act, with this in the background.  

As I was heading out towards the line to purchase the Eno/Fripp album, I saw a 45 single by Timi Yuro called “Interlude.” I stopped.  I turned around and picked the single up. This was a song, that I wanted like forever.  Timi was a favorite singer of mine, and often I felt, mine alone.  She was an American, died young, and had a big voice for a little girl.  This song, for me, is the ultimate doomed love song.  I often cried when listening to it, and that was embarrassing because a friend of mine had the single.  I tried to buy it off him, but he refused. He told me that once I find it, the song will bring new meaning to you.   I looked at the grooves of the vinyl, and it looked like it never has been played.  The store wanted $12.99 for it, and who am I to argue if the price is too high.  What I’m buying is not only art, but something that is essential to one’s life, or even identity.  With that in my hand, I started to walk towards the cashier, when all of sudden something caught my eye.

It was the front cover of an album by an artist or band called Perfume Genius.   I was struck by the beauty of the young man on the cover, and I immediately went to the record like an abandoned cat in a rain storm approaching a neighbor’s cat food plate.  The song titles were intriguing to me, especially the one called “Queen.” With my I-Phone, I found the track on YouTube, and watched and listened to it at that spot.  It was the glam rock song of my desires.  I gave up hope of ever hearing a new glam song, and this one with its pansy sexuality, was superb.  I played found another video of his, called “Body, ” and that too was magnificent.  When one discovers a new record or a new sound, it is like falling in love.  One wants to go around and shake people from their shoulders and tell them to listen to this.   Common sense told me that this was not a good idea.  So I took that album and put it under my arm with the Fripp/Eno album as well as the Timi single.  While standing in line to purchase the goods, she called me and told me if it is ok to come later over her house.  I said sure, and she said that she is really looking forward to seeing my face.  I felt good hearing that.  Also it gave me a chance to get back home and listen to the records.

Every time I play a record on my turntable, it takes me five minutes or so to clean the needle.  I’m obsessed with getting the best sound possible on my set-up, and I actually enjoy the procedure in preparing a record listening session.   I quickly checked the Eno/Fripp record to see if it’s in a good condition, and for a used album, it looked like it wasn’t played a lot.  There was a crackle here and there, but overall it sounded good, and therefore perfect for tonight’s planned love-making.    I then put on Perfume Genius “Too Bright” album.  

“I Decline” is the first song on side one.  At this moment, I ‘m taken to another place in my world.  I don’t even recognize where it is, but I know I like it.   Then comes the song “Queen.” It is like someone put a knife on my chest and cut it open, and released all the tension within me.  “No family is safe when I sashay.” I keep lifting the needle after the song is finished and replaying it.  I remember in Jean Cocteau’s “Orpheus” when the main character, a poet, would sit in his car parked in his garage listening to messages on the car radio from the underworld.  I feel the same way when I hear this song.  “Queen” is communicating with me directly.  Slowly, as I meditate on the song, it becomes clear to me that life is so multi-dimensional.  

Once the whole album was over, I immediately went into my work-space and got my head-phones and played the whole record again.  One of the things I admire about the record is its sonic textures.  The melodies are all strong, but there was something ‘ugly’ about the sound as well, which brings out the beauty of the lyrics and melody.  Due to the cord attached to the mixer, I couldn’t sit on the couch, so I got a big pillow, and lay on the wooden floor.  As the sound overcame me, I fell asleep and I had this odd dream of me being in bed and someone entering the bedroom.  It was a ‘she’ and I presumed it was my desirable obsession with the jewelry.  As soon as she got in bed in total darkness, I reached out and said her name.  She then told me that it wasn’t her, but someone named Sue. I didn’t recognize the voice, and I didn’t do anything. I just pretended that I fell asleep.  When I woke up, I hear the needle going back and forth at the end of the record. 

I then put on the 45 rpm single of Timi Yuro’s “Interlude,” and time truly became a dream.   I slowly realize that my desires are a dream.   There is my life as a living being, but beyond that, and through music, I realize that I am something more.   Not necessary a  better person, but I’m not the same guy that morning, then I am now this evening.   Time is like a dream, and my lust for her, has changed into a beautiful melody.