Musical. Orchestral. Melodious. Cinematic.
Street Sects are none of these descriptors.
For that I am thankful.
Industrial grind with a little bit of hype. Abrasive. Poignant.
With any luck these dudes will fade back into relative obscurity, maybe only 20K views on YT.
Then they can continue making the soundtrack to my adult life.
Craig Finn has cut a swath through beer-soaked halls–playing on six-inch risers often never higher than six feet–for the last twenty odd years of his career with the band, The Hold Steady.
Course he’s had his solo work too. Equally impressive to be sure. And no, his music isn’t quite as dour as his photo. At least, not all of it. Shit, there’s a lot to unpack in his lyrics…
I’m not the only lazy music fan who’s been likening his rambling story-telling song lyrics to a modern Raymond Carver weened on Springsteen and Black Flag with a guitar. He’s consistent and reliable and undoubtedly an incredible amount of thought and care in each turn of phrase as evidenced by the narrative film with collaborator, Kris Merc on his latest contribution, “God In Chicago.”
Okay, well, see, it’s a story about a guy and a girl and drug deal/road trip.
But with Finn, it’s always more.
He’s a master of subtext, and his subtext is all in the gut.
Check out the video on The Nowness:
https://www.nowness.com/story/craig-finn-god-in-chicago-kris-merc
Finn is playing with Japandroids this Sat. March 11 at the Music Box in San Diego.
Bleak-hop, dancing on the edge of Cioran inspired nihilism.
Latest yummy from Aye Nako’s latest, Silver Haze off Giovanni Records.
Fucking hyperliterate, politically-minded music done exceedingly well.
Really inspiring.
I’ll take Massive Attack with a fox in a box in the rain on a train and a goat on a boat…Add Kate Blanchette and Director John Hillcoat and I’m swooning.
Spinning mad on a spinning mad world.
Beauty resides in simple things.
Another of many contenders for #AOTY is Jenny Hval’s LP Blood Bitch. Here’s a taste of romance.
Some kind of violence,
Muted and opaque
Gutted on waxed wood floor
The new album Fixion by Trentemøller dropped recently and while there are quite a few surprising little gems on the record, Savages Jehnny Beth lends her voice to the track, “River in Me.”
It’s an inspiring song and a good first hit of Trentemøller. Load it up, toke it and enjoy the ride.
Trentemøller: River In Me
Totally seductive.
The Brooklyn four piece Neaux is set to release their debut Fell Off the Deep End via Iron Pier on Sept. 16.
Catchy, noisey, fuzzed out and addictive, can’t wait to hear the rest.
So jammy this jah?
Time is a Mountain’s II LP popped up on my radar and I’ve been nodding along every since. Just had to share.
Sweden does good heady stoner krautrockish vibes.
You can find copies of the LP on Discogs. Grab one while they’re luke warm.
A Coat of Red Paint In Hell 