The Music Tapes: Porim's Shadows

The thing about Pop music is (and I'm using the word Pop in the broadest and most generalized way possible) that it is all largely the same. The names and faces may change but the instrumentation, time/key signatures, song form, lyrical themes, and content delivery are all pretty much the same. Sometimes this bothers me – a lot. But the fact remains that when a Pop artist works well within this structure, it is a moving experience regardless of the surrounding mediocrity.  

The Music Tapes are Pop musicians, but I believe that they are pushing the boundries of performance and compositional expectation. I had the pleasure of seeing them perform at the 2640 Space in Baltimore MD this week with Jeff Mangum and I was transfixed by their story telling, unusual song forms, instrumentation, interactive stage sculptures/quasi-band mates and general child-like imagination with adult means in achievment. I felt like I had slipped into a Michel Gondry film about singing saws, bowed orchestral banjos, and a seven foot tall metronome. I knew immediately that this was about to get awesome.

The Music Tapes: So The Day Long

The Music Tapes: A Lightning's Cheeks (Everything Gets Born Here)

Read More...

Episodes in Virtuosity: Martha Argerich

When I began this article I intended to wax philosophic about the value of expanding your aural pallet and aesthetic appreciation. I intended to write a broad and sweeping argument about the worth of the classical masterworks and the idea that this music was composed before my own lifetime and will inevitably be enjoyed long after I am gone. However, I am not that good. 

The only real point that needs to be made here is that Martha Margerich has the capacity to achieve any musical idea she desires, and the artistic sensitivity to use her technique to create some of the most beautiful music I have ever had the pleasure to hear.  

The piece was composed in 1901 by Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) and is entitled Jeux d'eau – which translates to fountains. The original broadcast of this performance was on July 31, 1977. 

Read More...

This Book Is Broken

This feature of Label Year has mostly been devoted to the 2011 musical releases of Arts & Crafts, but it was always my hope to delve into at least a little of what came out in previous years. I'm finally getting around to that now, and I'm starting with a book. It's called This Book is Broken: A Broken Social Scene Story, and I consider it a must-read.

Read More...

Shabazz Palaces – The Kings New Clothes Were Made By His Own Hands (Yours Truly Session)

Nobody can touch Shabazz Palaces these days. Black Up is an album of the year contender and a seminal moment for current hip hop. If you couldn't quite appreciate the cold, steely production of the album, this video from the guys at Yours Truly should open your eyes to Ish and Co.'s creativity and talent. It's fascinating to see the beat develop live with real instrumentation and watch Ish become absorbed in the lyrics.

Read More...

From the Archives – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah has a new album, Hysterical, out today. I thought it would be fun to share an interview I did with the band back in September 2005. They played a show at my college, and I got to talk with singer Alec Ounsworth, guitarist Lee Sargent, and drummer Sean Greenhalgh afterwards. What you are about to read originally appeared in a publication called Mindset, which is part of the radio station WVFI at the University of Notre Dame (with a few minor edits for grammar and formatting).

Read More...

Little Stevie Wonder – Hallelujah (I Love Her So)

Little Stevie Wonder – Hallelujah (I Love Her So)

Wow. It has certainly been awhile, hasn't it? I've had a nice little 3 week vacation from Those Who Dig, and in the meantime I've moved to a little town (Kennebunk) in a big state (Maine). I've started at a new trade school, started biking everywhere, rehurt my shins running, ate a lot of tofu, and learned to make Old Fashioneds. It's been an eventful month. I have definitely missed the ol' Dig so hopefully this gets me back in the groove.

What do I have for you today, you ask? How about a little Stevie Wonder. Actually how about Little Stevie Wonder. I picked up 12 year old Stevie's Tribute To Uncle Ray at a record shop and hot damn it's a fun time. People get down on this record for the whole "making a blind, black kid cover a blind, black guy" schtick and because Stevie's voice wasn't yet what it would become, but come on dudes. Get that big pole out of your backside. Kid was picked up by Berry Gordy and sings his heart out to tunes written by (or inspired by) Ray Charles. Did I mention he was 12?

Read More...