This blog has been put on hold since April.
Life just got me somewhere else.
I'm writing about music on this website (unfortunately only in Greek):
http://www.mic.gr/
The blog will stay ON and I may return soon.
The Amnesiac
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
April 2011
Difficult month. I mean too many great albums competing. We started with the romantic noise pop of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Then Josh T.Pearson came along with his emotional masterpieces. Then Cass Mc Combs came along with a new album, just to finish us. Emotionally I'm a wreck. Musically I'm ecstatic. Let's not forget the Motel Mozaique festival in Rotterdam. One of the most fascinating art-festivals around. This year we had the chance to admire the impossible humour of Mr Josh T.Pearson mentioned before, who, in order to make up for the painful experience which is listening to his songs, offered us a fantastic trip through the land of a thousand (musician) jokes. Some of them brilliant... Then it was Lykke Li who stole the show, with her extravaganza and Jose Gonzalez who performed with an orchestra, his quite brilliant songs with an amazingly modern orchestration. No moments of easy emotion, just brilliance over and over again. And for the end, No Age, punk spirits alive and kicking against the pricks. Best show of the year? Well, till now.
Ok. Let'see what we got.
1. The Pains of Being Pure at heart
New energy, phone calls from famous producers, better rehearsed, amazing show in Amsterdam a month ago, new great songs, amazing sound. 2 songs that are in year list.
They even did Letterman! But something happens at the second half of the album: Darkness swallows up all the innocence.
2. Josh T.Pearson
This biblical figure came back to civilization just to offer his wonderfully painful stories. Not an easy listening, the songs are recorded in an inconvenient way.
The album offers 3 masterpieces. When the stories though are not accompanied by a brilliant melody, they can become quite boring. The song above is one of these songs that stay with you forever.
3. Cass McCombs
By the end of the month came the new album of Cass McCombs "Wit's End"
ALBUM OF THE MONTH
Why this album of the month? Well, it's the one that works better as an album. And most importantly: all songs work. Every melodic line is precious, every sound is the only necessary sound you need in able to enjoy each and every moment. Economic, minimal but melodies here are rich and are presented in an effortless, natural way. Definitely melancholic, at times even dangerously pessimistic.
You can have a listen HERE
Ok. Let'see what we got.
1. The Pains of Being Pure at heart
New energy, phone calls from famous producers, better rehearsed, amazing show in Amsterdam a month ago, new great songs, amazing sound. 2 songs that are in year list.
They even did Letterman! But something happens at the second half of the album: Darkness swallows up all the innocence.
2. Josh T.Pearson
This biblical figure came back to civilization just to offer his wonderfully painful stories. Not an easy listening, the songs are recorded in an inconvenient way.
The album offers 3 masterpieces. When the stories though are not accompanied by a brilliant melody, they can become quite boring. The song above is one of these songs that stay with you forever.
3. Cass McCombs
By the end of the month came the new album of Cass McCombs "Wit's End"
ALBUM OF THE MONTH
Why this album of the month? Well, it's the one that works better as an album. And most importantly: all songs work. Every melodic line is precious, every sound is the only necessary sound you need in able to enjoy each and every moment. Economic, minimal but melodies here are rich and are presented in an effortless, natural way. Definitely melancholic, at times even dangerously pessimistic.
You can have a listen HERE
Sunday, April 10, 2011
March 2011
Failed attempt by the Strokes to make a good album but successful attempt to make me go find the vinyl of their first album. Strokes playing on my hi-fi for a week in 2011? Yes, it's possible. Did it make me dance? yes it did. just like the old days...
REM made me shut up and listen too. New album. They are on this level now where you can just sit and enjoy some great melodies. But that's it. No more. They are not doing any promotion for this album. Hmmm... Easy to get rid of.
2 hours in a record store listening to what I thought was the best 80s post-punk Italian band of all time. Shocked to hear that it was a band called Davila 666 and they are Puerto-Ricans. The album that I was listening had just arrived...
What a trip
2 albums compete for the best of the month:
Yuck - Yuck
Think of 90s american indie-rock, Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth, Pavement.
After a few listens you realise though that these guys have it. The gift.
Oh oh oh, they also have the most catchy tune of 2011.
"Trying to make it through the wall...:
Another crippy winner for this month is:
Kurt Vile
Smoke Ring For My Halo
Look at this pale, strange people performing a trippy version of Neil Young/Dinosaur Jr/Bruce Springsteen sound under severe cold. HERE
Song of the month (and maybe even video of the year):
REM made me shut up and listen too. New album. They are on this level now where you can just sit and enjoy some great melodies. But that's it. No more. They are not doing any promotion for this album. Hmmm... Easy to get rid of.
2 hours in a record store listening to what I thought was the best 80s post-punk Italian band of all time. Shocked to hear that it was a band called Davila 666 and they are Puerto-Ricans. The album that I was listening had just arrived...
What a trip
2 albums compete for the best of the month:
Yuck - Yuck
Think of 90s american indie-rock, Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth, Pavement.
After a few listens you realise though that these guys have it. The gift.
Oh oh oh, they also have the most catchy tune of 2011.
"Trying to make it through the wall...:
Another crippy winner for this month is:
Kurt Vile
Smoke Ring For My Halo
Look at this pale, strange people performing a trippy version of Neil Young/Dinosaur Jr/Bruce Springsteen sound under severe cold. HERE
Song of the month (and maybe even video of the year):
Friday, March 18, 2011
February 2011
Yeah, yeah, February 2011 will be remembered as the month that new albums from Radiohead and PJ Harvey saw the light of day. But come on, it's easy to like these. The most interesting battle though has broken out in my iTunes. Who's gonna win the most plays?
PJ Harvey's album though is more rewarding. Keep that in mind.
Now, this month has been mostly an electronic month.
So, ladies and gentlemen, I present you:
Album of the Month
Space is Only Noise
Nicolas Jaar
You can have a listen here
Also this month,James Blake, the wonder-wizz-electronic-kid has put out a great album. A bit too positive for my taste, but I'm still discovering its beauties.
Gotta mention 2 ambient records that I've been listening a lot too:
The Magic Place by Julianna Barwick
Ravedeath, 1972 by Tim Hecker
Amazing atmospheres, unique sounds and experimentation that has an emotional impact.
The Song of the Month though is:
Sweet 17
Dirty Beaches
Enjoy!
The creepy ghost of Elvis is making music out there. Watch out!
PJ Harvey's album though is more rewarding. Keep that in mind.
Now, this month has been mostly an electronic month.
So, ladies and gentlemen, I present you:
Album of the Month
Space is Only Noise
Nicolas Jaar
You can have a listen here
Also this month,James Blake, the wonder-wizz-electronic-kid has put out a great album. A bit too positive for my taste, but I'm still discovering its beauties.
Gotta mention 2 ambient records that I've been listening a lot too:
The Magic Place by Julianna Barwick
Ravedeath, 1972 by Tim Hecker
Amazing atmospheres, unique sounds and experimentation that has an emotional impact.
The Song of the Month though is:
Sweet 17
Dirty Beaches
Enjoy!
The creepy ghost of Elvis is making music out there. Watch out!
January 2011
New Year, finally I found the will to start this blog in a bit different way.
So, January 2011 started like this:
Weird shoegaze sounds, unorthodox recording procedures, Weekend is an ironic band: their first album is called "Sports", just try to google it. Failure. It takes a long time to see through the dark tunnel of their sound, but the reward is given in pulses of light and distortions of color. Dark matter can indeed be a source of inspiration these days.
So, ALBUM of the MONTH January 2011:
Sports
Weekend
Another album I loved is from a Greek artist who made his most important record. True to his own unique pop sound, this is a collection of great songs worked to the very last detail. The sound is just magnificent.
Well, here he is, Pavlos Pavlidis, at his most beautiful:
The album:
Παύλος Παυλίδης & The B-Movies
Αυτό το Πλοίο που όλο φτάνει...
So, January 2011 started like this:
Weird shoegaze sounds, unorthodox recording procedures, Weekend is an ironic band: their first album is called "Sports", just try to google it. Failure. It takes a long time to see through the dark tunnel of their sound, but the reward is given in pulses of light and distortions of color. Dark matter can indeed be a source of inspiration these days.
So, ALBUM of the MONTH January 2011:
Sports
Weekend
Another album I loved is from a Greek artist who made his most important record. True to his own unique pop sound, this is a collection of great songs worked to the very last detail. The sound is just magnificent.
Well, here he is, Pavlos Pavlidis, at his most beautiful:
The album:
Παύλος Παυλίδης & The B-Movies
Αυτό το Πλοίο που όλο φτάνει...
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
My favorite tracks of 2010
To finish the countdown with the best of the year, here it is:
My favorite tracks of 2010
1. Scissor - Liars
2. Limit to your love - James Blake
3. Solitude is Bliss - Tame Impala
4. Born Free - M.I.A.
5. Ancestors - Gonjasufi
6. What he wrote - Laura Marling
7. Holiday - Vampire Weekend
8. '81 - Joanna Newsom
9. Odessa - Caribou
10. King of the Beach - Wavves
My favorite tracks of 2010
1. Scissor - Liars
2. Limit to your love - James Blake
3. Solitude is Bliss - Tame Impala
4. Born Free - M.I.A.
5. Ancestors - Gonjasufi
6. What he wrote - Laura Marling
7. Holiday - Vampire Weekend
8. '81 - Joanna Newsom
9. Odessa - Caribou
10. King of the Beach - Wavves
Monday, December 20, 2010
#1
No.1
Halcyon Digest
Deerhunter
Just like Animal Collective last year, Deerhunter are way ahead from any other band on this planet. It's not always a matter of personal taste. When a band reaches these heights in composition, sound, structure and melody, there are no arguments more valid. A psychedelic pop masterpiece from the beginning till the end. Simple but unusual melodies. Strange recording technics. Unexpected turns and twists. Deerhunter play with what's familiar to our ears. Then, they twisted in a certain way, creating incomparable beauty. History in the making, Deerhunter will never be Radiohead. For them now, it's only music that matters.
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