28 years ago today, Laibach foisted this cover of the cheesy Opus hit, “Live is Life,” and most certainly made it their own.
Alternative/Indie
[Video] Public Image Ltd. – Banging The Door
Going through some old post-punk albums last night, Public Image Ltd‘s name came to mind. Thanks to Enzo Notorio’s good taste, he pointed me to the direction of The Flowers of Romance, which contained this gem.
[Video] Controlled Bleeding – Red Stigmata
Perhaps too diverse for their own good, Controlled Bleeding were very comfortable working in everything from harsh noise to nearly danceable beat music which fit in well with the Wax Trax! Records crowd.
This track, however, is the one which left the longest impression for me. It reminds me more of a Gothic take on progressive rock, and it’s a vein I wish the band would have tapped more, because it really caught them at their best.
I’m absolutely thrilled to know that Paul Lemos has soldiered on, but it’s quite a bitter loss knowing that Joe Papa and Chris Moriarty have moved on to their great reward.
[Video/Sample] Árstíðir – Heyr Himna Smiður
The best way to describe Árstíðir, at least in this gorgeous tune, is something like what a Varangian choir might have sounded like in 13th-Century Byzantium, singing in the Hagia Sophia.
As it turns out, the tune is from the 13th Century, written by Kolbeinn Tumason. No, Wuppertal isn’t quite Byzantium, especially inside of the train station, but the lads made a mundane place seem almost holy that day.
For another, perhaps clearer version, check out this performance from Vilnius, Lithuania, in 2012. To hear this as an MP3 or FLAC file, just download the ‘name your price’ album via Bandcamp.
[Review] Roses Never Fade – Devil Dust
I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the Apocalyptic Folk/Neofolk genre (or Wyrd Music, or whatever it’s called today). Most of the bands sound the same, usually rip off the old masters of the genre like Death In June, Blood Axis or Allerseelen. The music is nice, but not terribly interesting or something I’d come back to for repeated listening.
Enter Roses Never Fade. The music in their latest release, Devil Dust, published on Neuropa Records, comes as a breath of fresh air.
The first five minutes of the release feel a bit like the scene in the Andrei Tarkovsky, when the pilot flies into Solaris. Hazy, crunchy, like driving right into a cloud. Reminiscent of early Industrial soundtracks and Pink Floyd at their most esoteric. Once things become musical, things become very interesting.
Though it may not have been a conscious act, the band sound like they are channeling The Swans/World of Skin/M. Gira, and mixing it with more progressive folk like the legendary Comus. That was what immediately came to mind. Sure, there are also a few vocal styling which remind me of Douglas Peace in his youth, but the material flows nicely, and by about the 7th minute, I feel like I’m hearing elements of The Byrds in their psychedelic country phase.
A unique release. Go here to find more information about the band and Neuropa Records.
[Video] Sol Invictus – Believe Me
A special thank-you to Tanja Heimpapen, who originally posted this video on Facebook of Sol Invictus in prime later-era form.
[Video] The Durutti Column – Domo Arigato
The first live album I was ever blown away by.
When I was attending college in my teen years, I had a good friend, Fish, who had impeccable musical taste. He introduced me to the work of The Durutti Column, and if memory serves me right, this was the record which first turned me on to their oeuvre.
Nearly 30 years later, it still sounds magnificent. Hunt down this album, and hope that Factory will reissue this as a Blu-Ray one day.
[Video] 잠비나이 (Jambinai) – Connection
Many thanks to dear Maryna Evilly from Ukraine for originally posting this.
The band is a new one to me. It seems that they’re from South Korea, and, at least on this track, they have a sound which reminds me of Tuxedomoon or bands from the legendary Italian record label Materiali Sonori.
[Podcast] A Miscellany of Tasteful Music – February 14, 2015 (Valentine’s Day Special [For Mari] )
A Miscellany of Tasteful Music – February 14, 2015 (Valentine’s Day Special [For Mari] ) by Rudy Carrera on Mixcloud
Finally, a new podcast! Here’s a progam for Valentine’s Day featuring:
Bruno Mars – Marry You
David Bowie – Be My Wife
Jorge Ben – My Lady
Chet Baker – Let’s Get Lost
The Ray Noble Orchestra feat. Al Bowlly – Blue Moon
U2 – The Sweetest Thing
Sinéad O’Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U
Coldplay – Fix You
Elvis Presley – Unchained Melody (Live)
[Sample] J. Mascis – Fade Into You
J. Mascis, guitarist and singer of Dinosaur Jr., has a venerable tradition of covering songs in an incredibly pleasant, heartfelt way. For Valentine’s Day Eve, we present you with a rather tender cover of Mazzy Star’s sumptuous single.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 