Summer Summary

So, It's been a while since I posted a mix tape, mostly because I've pretty much just been listening to Emeralds, Oneohtrix Point Never, Steven R. Smith's entire catalogue and a series of tapes by The Monroe Institute. In all honesty, though, I guess I have let a few other things filter in here and there, so here's what's struck me over the past few months:

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1. "Stars Heaped Up Like Grain" by Steven R. Smith from The Anchorite (2006).
I love all of SRS's work (yes, I've even grown to appreciate his occasional vocals), but this album in particular by Mr. Smith is just phenomenal. His Zen-like use of empty space and the atmosphere of desolation is thick and palpable, evolving throughout the album. The constant building on the same theme never repeats or becomes boring, as Smith mines the idea of "The Anchorite" for all it's worth.



2. "Hicaz Taksim" by Eyyubi Mustafa Sunar Bey from To Scratch Your Heart: Early Recordings from Istanbul (2010).
I included this piece mainly to give an idea of Smith's inspiration, but also because it's a beautiful track from an amazing album of music recorded from the 1910s to the 1930s in Turkey.



2. "Guitar El Chark (Guitar of the Orient)" by Omar Khorshid from Guitar El Chark (2010).
Here is some stunning film music from the 70's by Omar Khorshid. Here's where the mix picks up some steam.



4. "I'm In Your Church At Night " by Active Child from an untitled 2009 EP. A beautiful mix of church-style choir singing, harps and electronic music. For folks who like Julianna Barwick, Antony, Final Fantasy, etc.



5. "The Story Of Hip-Hop" by The Books from The Way Out (2010).
I just saw The Books at the Prizker Pavilion here in Chicago. They played a lot of songs from their new album and it was fun. I think it may have been a better experience live and with videos than it is simply on CD, they seem to really embrace the visual aspect of their art. The Way Out is still a fun listen, though.



6. "Strawberry Girl" by The Cool Kids from the Tacklebox w/ YOUR Los Angeles Leakers mixtape (2010).
I like this mix tape much more than the Kids' Gone Fishin' effort from last year because the LA Leakers aren't as intrusive with their shout-outs as Don Cannon. I don't think they're actually on this track, which is more of a traditional song in the vein of a Kanye track. Whatever. Fun, summer jam.



7. "Memories" by Hard Mix from the Memories single (2010).
This kid is from Greenville, SC. He's making the rounds with all the big music blogs with this track right now.



8. "En Vill Hest" by Casiokids from Topp stemning på lokal bar (2010).
These Norwegians just put out an album collecting work from the last decade. Infectious electro-twee to rock you late into the night.



9. "Richoux" by Dat Politics from Nanoloop 1.0 (2002).
Recently, I became obsessed with the Wii game bit.trip runner which is kind of a cross between Super Mario Bros and Guitar Hero. The music, chiptune by Anamanaguchi, is as infectious asthe game itself. Not having a Wii of my own, I had to find some way to cope with life without this game, so I've been nerding out over this older collection of electronic experimental musicians taking on the 8bit processor. It's songs range from more traditional, video game tracks like this one, to ambient, to chopped up noise, a la Merzbow.



10. "Genetic" by Emeralds from Does It Look Like I'm Here? (2010).
Emeralds' most recent album has been somewhat blowing up, and with good reason. They just get tighter and more out there with each release.



11. "She's A Rainbow" by The Rolling Stones from Their Satanic Majesties Request (2006).
I dug this, my favorite Stones album, up after a friend said they were basically a worthless band. I think they've gotten a lot of undeserved attention over the years, but TSMR is a pretty solid slab of inspired psyche jams.



12. "It's Choade My Dear" by Connan Mockasin from Please Turn Me Into The Snat (2010). Yeah, it took me a few listens to get into his voice, too, but it's totally worth it. This London via NZ rocker is clearly going off his. These are some fucked up, psychedelic gems, I say. I don't know what a "Snat" is, but it sounds pretty mind bending.



13. "Headless Sky" by Autolux from Transit Transit (2010).
Band of former Failure member finally releases second album of noisy shoegaze! Transit Transit is a little more mellow than Future Perfect, but still as inspired and as captivating a listen.



14. "Hear" by Broken Water from Whet (2010).
Broken Water share members of Sisters, which is what initially attracted me to them. There's a similar Sonic Youth influence, though it's not as heavy. Druggy jams that don't get too far out there.



15. "Gone" by Nerve City from the self-titled 2010 LP.
If you like Times New Viking, Ty Segall, Sic Alps and that sort of garagey business, you'll probably enjoy this mess.



16. "Kim Derdi Ki" by Muserref Hanim from To Scratch Your Heart: Early Recordings from Istanbul (2010). Here's another track from To Scratch Your Heart, just because I like it.



17. "Sorrow" by The National from High Violet (2010).
I just don't understand the hype behind this band. I mean, the dude has a good voice, but his lyrics are so cheesy and pretentious, it makes me want to puke all over his designer shoes. Dude, stop whining about your tragic, dad-rock life in Park fucking Slope. You're getting old, you have a wife and kid and grown up responsibilities now, just accept it. That shit is boring, please don't write about it. Plus, though the drummer is great and the atmosphere is nice, all the songs sound exactly the fucking same! Except this one. It's good. I like it.



18. "Flight Simulator" by Skyramps from Days of Thunder (2009).
Ho Lee Shit. Emeralds and Oneohtrix Point Never. Together.



19. "Fun Dink Death" by Eric Copeland from the Doo Doo Run 7" (2010).
It's about time Black Dice member Copeland dropped another one, but, um . . .I'm hoping he's making fun of The Crystals' classic here.

What a card.



20. "Haru" by Fennesz + Sakamoto from Cendre (2007).
I was pretty excited to find this, as it's in a very similar realm as my current favorite, Fjordne.