friday five - 12-12-08 - piano highlights: soft and lovely

First off, it may be absolutely no surprise to you to learn that your weekly Friday Five audio consultant is no more than a dorky twenty-something college student with a full-time day job, an unhealthy love for Spencer Krug, an unhealthy disdain for prime numbers, and glasses. You may have also already assumed that most of my updates are conducted in a uniform I like to call "nighttime casual" - or, more commonly, my pyjamas.

There are two problems with the last statement. The first is the fact that I've publicly admitted my complete lack of decency. The second is that, given my state of dress is nighttime casual, I'm likely not at work (unless I feel the distinct desire to thoroughly irritate my boss). This means that if you are in the United States and work a typical eight-to-five like Yours Truly, you are probably not at work either. Being as I originally intended the Friday Five to be downloaded during the work day to ease the anticipation of leaving for the start of the grind-free weekend, posting songs after work seems to be a little counterproductive to the effort.

So, in an epic move to save face (and keep my job - see, everybody wins), the purpose of this blog is going to take a different direction. I'm still going to post five songs per week on Friday, but it's almost guaranteed that I'm going to post these songs in the evening for you to download when you get home. I'll say that it's intended to help you unwind after your workday, granted you're like me and don't actually have a social life to attend on Friday night.

ON THAT NOTE (and watch as I make this deft and smooth transition to something that's actually relevant to your interests), a musical element that's always helped me to unwind is the soft strains of a good piano. I adore the sound of the piano, especially when it's used to create quiet, flowing melodies. Mostly, though, I just love the instrument to pieces.

That's why this week's theme is one of a series: Piano Highlights. I've decided that I'm going to pepper the blog a bit with instrument highlights, and it seems natural that I should choose one of my favourites to go first. So, without further delay, I present:



Jens Lekman - Sky Phenomenon (MP3|5.58MB): This has to be one of the most wistful songs written by Swedish musical genius and beautifully insane Jens Lekman. (This is, of course, excluding such songs as "F-Word," which can be very wistful, especially if you're forbidden to swear.) The piano in this is simple and cyclic, like twinkling tones of a set of bells. Instant love. And, of course, there's this beautiful simile: it's like someone spilled a beer all over the atmosphere. Come on. If that imagery doesn't get you where it counts, then you're a robot.

Markéta Irglová - The Hill (MP3|4.25MB): I loved this movie so much. I cried so hard because I'm such a girl. Once was actually introduced to me by my co-DJ, Chris, and I will never forgive him for it for the following reasons: a) it made me cry, dammit, that needed to be said again; b) it made me insanely jealous of Markéta Irglová for having such mad piano skillz and the romantic attention of an Irishman, and c) I will probably watch it every month or so until the day I die. Anyway, this song is beautiful and sad - beautifully sad, sadly beautiful, whichever - and is the perfect song to hear while it's raining a little, but not quite pouring.

Phoenix and the Turtle - Pianos (MP3|5.31MB): Another cNet treasure. It starts off more insistent than a lot of soft piano pieces, and a little more awkward, but it resolves into a cacophony of octaves and scales that transform into what I would classify as trance if any of it sounded like electronica. (Which it doesn't.) I understand that Phoenix and the Turtle have a completely different sound now, but it's this song which completely stole my heart. (Never mind that the piano cuts out about halfway and the melody's taken up by other instruments. It's the start that counts.)

Regina Spektor - The Flowers (MP3|3.59MB): First of all, if there's any chick alive and active that can totally and utterly rock the piano, it's Regina Spektor. I was introduced to her music by one of the many messageboards I frequent, and just the way her voice melds with the way she plays - it's perfect. This song is hard to classify; it's urgent and soft at the same time - still, I'd be able to relax to it, so that's why it's here.

White Hinterland - Calliope (MP3|4.42MB): Piano-driven from start to finish, this beautiful track from their 2008 release Phylactery Factory (the subject of which what has a variety of interpretations and uses) is the main reason I love White Hinterland at all. Not that their association with the Dirty Projectors or the fact that my best friend recommended them to me held ANY weight whatsoever. Anyway. Calliope listens to everything. Right?

And t-t-t-that's all, folks! I'll catch you all next week for another Friday Five. Be good, and don't do anything I wouldn't do. (Notice how I'm narrowing your options down OH so much.)


As always, send lovemail/hatemail/anymail related to the Friday Five to fridayfiveradio@gmail.com. Requests are always considered and welcomed. See you next week!

friday five - 05.12.08 - she blinded me with science

This is going to be the shortest and most skeletal FFR post yet, excepting those dark and ominous Fridays wherein no posts were made. Not that I have a deep and crippling guilt about last week or anything. (In my defence, I was actually playing in a rock band - so it was sort of like I was giving music to people, only it was location-specific. Non-Marylanders, I promise never to betray you again.)

Now, however, it seems I've picked up the stomach flu from one of my coworkers. One thing after another, huh? Yeah, well, this blog doesn't write itself, although in the past few weeks it kinda has from my perspective (a very warm and appreciative thank-you goes out to my co-DJ, Chris, who was kind enough to pass up the opportunity to use his temporary blog-dictatorship to mock me relentlessly as I was nearly devoured by a papier-mache tentacled space monster every weekend, and who was also patient and resourceful enough to take on the Friday Five as well as his Sunday Superlative during my respite, and who also remains friends with me despite my tendency to create horrific and entirely preventable run-on sentences).

But I digress, and amazingly so!

Anyway, summaries are going to be short and sweet. Mainly, it's a download-and-enjoy sort of thing. I'm trying to remain horizontal as long and often as humanly possible, and sitting at the computer desk isn't exactly conducive to this effort. But! As always, I shall strive for a better entry next time.



DJ/rupture - Second-Hand Science: We(tm) (MP3|4.21MB): This is another classic example of me absolutely caving to the man, baa-ing on command, and having no regrets whatsoever afterward (unlike the morning after that last shot of tequila). Ganked shamelessly from Uproot - in my opinion, one of 2008's best electronic albums - "Second-Hand Science: We(tm)" is a blissful cacophony of dark, echoing synth and cave droning. Seriously, DJ/rupture and Perfume Tree should get married. No, I don't care if that isn't technically possible.

Les Rsidus Plasmiques - Donne Tes Corpse Les Science (MP3|4.38MB): Some of the most addictive songs I find are free. No, I don't mean free in the "well, it's on the internet, so no one will find out that I didn't pay for it" sort of way. I mean absolutely free, no strings attached, on cNet. This is another awesome song I discovered through one of my random clicking exploits; even though they sing in French, which I can't understand at all, they've had me rockin' for a good couple of years. (Artist information and site not found. If you are this artist, please feel free to submit your information.)

So Many Dynamos - This Can Be Useful in Rocketry (MP3|3.69MB): Not to steal the concept or thunder of this movement's leader, Amber, but I consider myself something of a Dynamovangelist (a self-appointed Bishop, I suppose). I could say so many things about this band, but none of them would adequately deliver a description of their collective Awesome. If you like the Dismemberment Plan, you'll like Dynamos. If you like Chris Walla's production work, you'll like Dynamos. If you have a beating heart, you will at least appreciate the nature of the Dynamos. This is one of their highlight tracks, if I may be so bold.

Modest Mouse - We've Got Everything (MP3|5.44MB): Okay, I admit that I just chose this one because it has "science" in the lyrics. Not necessarily describing a particular science, but comparing everything to a science, insomuch as everything can be quantified and utilised in a form not unlike actual science. If you read the previous statement, I am so sorry. Delirium loves company. Especially when Modest Mouse is involved. And yes, I saw that guitar for sale. Thanks for freakin' asking.

Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science (live) (MP3|6.24MB): Of course, I had to throw this Thomas Dolby classic in here. The post would be empty without it. God, I love the 80s. (NOTE: I didn't go the Oingo Boingo route! You thought I would, but I didn't! Ha! I sure showed you!)

Anyway, back to bed for me. Why is Pepto-Bismol pink? Universe, you are so weird.


As always, send lovemail/hatemail/anymail related to the Friday Five to fridayfiveradio@gmail.com. Requests are always considered and welcomed. See you next week!

the sunday superlative - 11/30/08

This Week: Old School Prog-Rock



We all need to start somewhere. For me, it all began with prog-rock. 7th grade. 2002. That was the moment when I finally stepped back and started exploring stuff that interested me. Yes. I was the kid who, at that tender young age, was rockin' to GENESIS and ELP and VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR and all those hip dudes. I was a tremendous dork.

But prog-rock is an incredibly dorky genre. In fact, if we're talking superlatives (and clearly we are), it is likely the dorkiest genre. That's because the people who were in prog bands were dorks. They were the kids who always got an A+ for being different, going above and beyond, and doing something creative; the music they all ultimately went on to make carries the exact same qualities. Why settle for a four-minute pop song when you can write an eight-minute one with several movements and highly literary lyrics? Or why not just fill up an entire vinyl side with one song! Or, in Jethro Tull's case, actually fill up both sides of a vinyl with one song! HELLZ. YEAH.

So it's a dorky genre. But don't be so quick to judge, all you cool indie hipster kids. Hold your horses. With each passing month, it becomes more and more clear just how influential these old-school proggers were on the bands we know and love today. In fact, it seems like prog has made somewhat of a full-fledged comeback as of late. Predictably, nothing makes me happier.

So let's check out a few choice old-school prog-rock cuts. This is the stuff entire musical foundations are built on. And I would know.

Genesis - "Dancing With the Moonlit Knight" (mp3|5.55MB)
I know. A shocker, right? Guess what: before Genesis was a big 80s pop band led by Phil Collins, they were a smaller 70s prog-rock band led by one of my musical heroes, Mr. Peter Gabriel. Fewer people know this than should (and the distinction always calls to mind that unforgettable quote from Bret Easton Ellis' American Psycho), but it's true. And while 80s Genesis is somewhat of a guilty pleasure, there's no guilt in this earlier stuff. It's damn good, and it's really not much of a stretch to say that -- from roughly 1971 to 1974 -- Genesis was the best prog-rock band on the planet. "Dancing With the Moonlit Knight" may be the single best song the band ever put to tape. At the very least, it's always been one of my huge favorites. It's deliriously complex, every member gets a little chance to shine, and somehow it all fits together beautifully. I love that ethereal "aaaah!" that comes in around 3:45. Love it.
(from the 1973 album Selling England by the Pound)

King Crimson - "Epitaph" (mp3|8.10MB)
More or less, this is where it all started. Of course there were disparate catalysts leading up to this (The Who Sell Out, Days of Future Passed, Sgt. Pepper even), but the true birth of prog-rock is generally pinpointed with the release of King Crimson's In the Court of the Crimson King. Iconic cover art notwithstanding, I can see why it left an impression. Forty years later, it's still as thrilling and as challenging as anything on record store shelves. There's always been debate over which of the five songs is the best, but I've always been partial to the yearning, minor-key "Epitaph," which may well have been the song that got me into this kind of music. The chronology is a bit fuzzy at this point, but I remember in 7th grade I heard my dad listening to this album; this song just blew me away. I promptly stole the album from him and fell in love with the whole thing on my own terms. The rest is history.
(from the 1969 album In the Court of the Crimson King)

Yes - "Siberian Khatru" (mp3|12.38MB)
I was never the biggest Yes fan. When a band is viewed as indulgent and pretentious even within the context of the most indulgent and pretentious rock genre of all-time, you know there's issues. But nonetheless, their influence is undeniable, and -- like it or not -- their '72 album Close to the Edge is something of a masterpiece. "Siberian Khatru" is both the highlight of that particular record (its shortest song, lol), and for my money the best-ever Yes track. I didn't know such a thing as "psychedelic funk" existed in 1972 (maybe they created it, who knows), but for lack of a better term, that's what this is. But it's thrilling stuff. Indulgent or no, these guys always had a keen ear for melody, and they latch onto several here that they manage to seamlessly weave in and out of each other for nine minutes without ever having it get the least bit boring. And it's fun. Prog-rock can be fun, kids. Yes! Yes!
(from the 1972 album Close to the Edge)

And if that's just not enough prog for you, I highly recommend trying the full albums for each. They're all incredibly rewarding listens.

See you all next week for more Sunday Superlativeness! Adios.