jammin' in Joe's garage

Pojama people. Brain police. Suzy Creamcheese. Weasels ripped my flesh. The central scrutinizer. Words & terms you'll come to embrace once you dive head first into the fiery works of genius produced from that mustached conductor of organized insanity. While mainstream artists hug the safe music coastline of mediocrity and conformity-- Frank Zappa headed out alone to sail strange unchartered waters.

The catalog is massive. You can throw a dart at it and end up with a variety of eclectic selections, just as he loves to throw darts at a wide ranging vocabulary of music: blues, classical, doowop, funk and prog rock lathered up with jazz & filtered through some of the best musicians around. The man with the mustache knew how to pick 'em. Be it percussive (Bozzio, Colauita, Wackerman), guitar (Steve Vai, Adrian Belew), keys (Tommy Mars), saxophone (Napoleon Murphy Brock), xylophone, etc.. The list goes on. As does the several lineup changes. But for Zappa one thing was undeniable: one size fits all. Whether they sang backup vocals to Cosmik Debris or donning a mask for one of his unpredictable improvs, all were integral to the whole-- with Frank as the mad genius conductor. Whose own guitar licks can make most players today weep.

His musical vocabulary doesn't just end there.

Try spinning Apostrophe or Zappa In New York & try not to cackle with howling laughter. His song titles alone are worth the price of admission on this carousel of carefully orchestrated anarchy.

Picking just one was hard enough. You go to ten Zappa fans and ask them what Zappa album to start with, you'll get ten different answers.

Roxy & Elsewhere is my favorite live album. The lineup is superb.
-Napoleon Murphy Brock – flute, tenor saxophone, vocals
-George Duke – synthesizer, keyboards, vocals
-Bruce Fowler – trombone, dancer
-Tom Fowler – bass guitar
-Walt Fowler – trumpet, bass trumpet
-Ralph Humphrey – drums
-Don Preston – synthesizer
-Jeff Simmons – rhythm guitar, vocals
-Chester Thompson – drums
-Ruth Underwood – percussion (ladies & gentlemen, watch Ruth!)

It's a good live album to start with. A perfect mix between his insane avant-garde classical/jazz-fusion stuff and his demented pop stylings.

Regarding studio output, the majority would point to Over-nite Sensation & Apostrophe because it's a compression of everything Frank represented in 2 discs. A starter kit if you will.

Then you have some of his heavier offerings. Heavy in terms of content and presentation. Joe's Garage to me is a giant 2- disc smorgasboard where the Central Scrutinizer himself takes aim at the government, sex toys, groupies & Catholic girls. It certainly amounts to the musician's view on the creative freedom of music.

I haven't even touched upon his 60's work with the Mothers of Invention. Nor his 80's & 90's output, but you get the point.

I'm always finding myself returning to Joe's garage to discover old tools useful for expanding a musical vocabulary. As Frank himself would say: without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid.

Soundscapes

The Music of 2010

2010 was solid music-wise. Not quite as memorable as last year. To be honest, music was for the most part on the back burner for me. Film ended up consuming most of my spare time this year. The number of bands discovered is pretty low. Though I rediscovered a good number of bands such as Cocteau Twins & Secret Chiefs 3. It doesn't look loke I'll be getting back into my music obssession anytime soon. But it still is something I like to check up on.


THE ALBUMS



Agalloch- The Marrow of the Spirit
The first metal album of the decade that can be considered a masterpiece. Agalloch have done no wrong up to this point. With this release they combine the folk of The Mantle with the post rock vibes from Ashes Against the Grain to create their best effort.







Shining- Blackjazz
Black metal + progressive rock + jazz...Blackjazz! No other album released this year that sounds remotely like this one.









Beach House- Teen Dream
Cynics will say it's too warm and sentimental for it's own good. They're wrong of course. Beach House hits just the right note here.








Secret Colours- Secret Colours
A stellar debut from a band whose name should grow in recognition.












The National- High Violet
At times both subtle and bombastic.





Holy Fuck- Latin
The one that moves your hips & makes you shout out the band's name in ecstasy.








Arcade Fire- The Suburbs
While not quite as consistent as Funeral & Neon Bible, their 3rd release shows them incorporating some new styles into their sound. Particularly on Sprawl II.






Black Angels- Phosphene Dream
Good music to listen to while rollin' fast down I-45.







Triptykon- Eparistera Daimones
Menacing rhythm sections. Tribal drums. Yep. This is doom alright.








Dungen- Skit I Allt
Consistency has been a strong point with the last 2 albums of this band.








Soundtrack of the Year: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross- The Social Network


THE DISCOVERIES
Haven't found enough good music in 2010? These should keep ya busy.

Spacemen 3
The Black Angels
Black Mountain
Beach House
Mazzy Star
Secret Colours (check out my blog post Any Colour You Like for more info)
The National
Holy Fuck

Any Colour You Like

This is what happens when you mix in 1 part shoegaze and 1 part 60's psychadelia culled from the inner sanctum of Revolver-era Beatles & Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd. Lace it all together with an ambient vigor that weaves in and out of the songs. It's a wickedly fun experiment called Secret Colours.

Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, the band consists of Tommy Evans, Justin Frederick, Margaret Albright, Dylan Olson, and Dave Stach. Together they create a sound that is as feverish as it is intoxicating to listen to. Their eponymous debut hit earlier this year and are currently hiding under the radar. If you need music to sit back and chill out to, the Secret Colours are the perfect prescription.

Their latest song, In the Absence mixes a heavy dose of Eastern tinged influences with their current sound which is pleasing to these ears.




















Official Site

Scott Walker- The Drift

2006 saw the arrival of two wholly original pieces of art both in film and music. In film, we had David Lynch's Inland Empire. So what could possibly be the equivalent in music? Scott Walker's The Drift. That's what. It's incredibly dark, brooding and intense. The best comparison I could make music-wise is Johnny Greenwood's score for There Will Be Blood. Not so much directly but more in the atmosphere and dread it creates.

Scott Walker was originally the founder of The Walker Brothers. Known for their poppy 60's era songs. His critical success however, would be found when he came into his own with 5 solo LPs. After reuniting briefly with the Walker Brothers, his work ended up becoming more sporadic. He has released 3 albums since 1980: Climate of the Hunter (1984), Tilt (1995) & The Drift (2006). Each increasingly experimental in texture and tone. With a habit for reclusiveness, it is unknown when he will release his next slab of musical anarchy.

For the music of The Drift, there are many intense changes in dynamics. Cossacks Are sets the tone immediately with its intense rhythms. There's quite alot Walker goes on abouit lyric wise within the songs. Buzzers explores the link between the Balkan Wars and the evolution of horses. Jolson and Jones is based off Walker's idol Jack Jones. With Jolson being silent film actor Al Jolson.

There's the lulling organ and drum tracks of Clara that slip into haunting, uncomfortable tones. While a track like Cue has Walker's voice lead to a haunting place of seclusion only to pull out the rug from under the listener and go into intense strings.

There's some truly "What the hell is that?" moments on here. Meat punching in the percussion. Donkeys screeching. Even Walker imitating Donald Duck. There will be listeners out there who will wonder why people listen to music that is drenched in such bleakness, but rest assured, The Drift has a human core. An album that is incredibly dense, yet pared down to its primal elements. It may cause the listener to occasionally laugh with its almost nihilstic musical approach. But rest assured, The Drift is an album that delivers Walker's voice with nightmarish urgency and grim foreboding.

For those interested in Walker's music, be sure to check out the documentary 30 Century Man. It's a good primer on his work up to The Drift.

Black Angels/Black Mountain 10/28 Concert Review

This blog has been seriously lacking in regards to music. So I offer a review of a recent concert I was at.

I have to say that I did have a troubling experience at the venue I was at. The club guard ended up carding me, as he should have cause it's his job. But as it turns out, my driver's license stating I was 24 years old just wasn't good enough. Asking me a barrage of questions (What's your Zodiac sign? When was this issued to you? When did you graduate high school? Have you had drugs or alcohol at all today?) I of course started getting flustered and unsettled. How could one not when they have a hulky figure staring them down. I ended up not getting a bracelet that allowed for alcohol consumption. I really wasn't gonna drink beer there anyway. I came for the band. Not to get drunk and wasted.

So let's dive into the actual concert experience.



















Black Angels are apart of a recent revival of 60's psychadelia. Hailing from Austin, Texas, the band creates their own slab of psychadelic chaos. They've taken up the mantle of what 90's stoner/shoegazing bands like Spritualized & Spacemen 3 were doing. But with the Angels, there is a grungier, darker influence. From what I have heard, the haven't really played much of the material from their debut Passover on the last tour. Thankfully, they did a good amount in this concert as Passover is easily their strongest effort so far. Their sound is hypnotic. This band is definately drone rock influenced as it shows.


Now I haven't listened to Phosphene Dream (their latest) prior to the concert, but after what I heard them play, it prompted me to buy the vinyl. There will be a review on it's way.

In between bands my friend happen to spot the band Secret Colours in the crowd & we ended up watching the next band with them. Secret Colours are a Chicago based psychadelic rock band. Having first heard of them that night and after listening to their debut, it made a good enough impression on me to order the album off amazon. More on them soon.















Headlining was Black Mountain. This band has a distinct Black Sabbath influence. Stormy High off their 2008 album Into the Future alone proves this. One noteable thing about Angel & Mountain is how they basically release their albums in sync with each other. Directions to See A Ghost & Into the Future in 2008 and their latest albums, Phosphene Dream & Wilderness Heart which came out this year. Wilderness Heart may not be as consistent as Into the Future, but it does have its fair share of shining moments. They are definately one of those bands whose material is even stronger in a live setting. The rhythm section in particular is incredibly tight and allows the keyboardist to create musical passages ranging from menacing to mellow. Shades of Budgie and other 70's hard rock mixed in with some 60's psychadelia for good measure.


Overall it was an excellent experience minus the getting into the venue. It definately broadened my horizons even more in regards to those bands and that type of music.

Mike Portnoy leaves Dream Theater

While 90% of the content on this blog is film related, there's the occasional music related content that will pop up. Since important news about a crucial member parting one of the bands I love, I thought I'd post it here.

___________________________________________________________________________________
***The following is taken from the Mike Portnoy Forum***

Wednesday September 8th 2010

I am about to write something I never imagined I'd ever write:

After 25 years, I have decided to leave Dream Theater....the band I founded, led and truly loved for a quarter of a century.

To many people this will come as a complete shock, and will also likely be misunderstood by some, but please believe me that it is not a hasty decision...it is something I have struggled with for the last year or so....

After having had such amazing experiences playing with Hail, Transatlantic and Avenged Sevenfold this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in Dream Theater...

Please don't misinterpret me, I love the DT guys dearly and have a long history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them...it's just that I think we are in serious need of a little break...

Dream Theater was always my baby...and I nurtured that baby every single day and waking moment of my life since 1985...24/7, 365...never taking time off from DT's never-ending responsibilites (even when the band was "off" between cycles)...working overtime and way beyond the call of duty that most sane people ever would do for a band...

But I've come to the conclusion that the DT machine was starting to burn me out...and I really needed a break from the band in order to save my relationship with the other members and keep my DT spirit hungry and inspired.

We have been on an endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years now (of which I have overseen EVERY aspect without a break) and while a few months apart from each other here & there over the years has been much needed and helpful, I honestly hoped the band could simply agree with me to taking a bit of a "hiatus" to recharge our batteries and "save me from ourselves"...

Sadly, in discussing this with the guys, they determined they do not share my feelings and have decided to continue without me rather than take a breather...I even offered to do some occasional work throughout 2011 against my initial wishes, but it was not to be...

While it truly hurts for me to even think of a Dream Theater without Mike Portnoy (hell, my father named the band!!), I do not want to stand in their way...so I have decided to sacrifice myself and simply leave the band so as to not hold them back against their wishes....

Strangely enough, I just read an interview that I recently did that asked me about the future of DT and I talked about "always following your heart and being true to yourself"...sadly I must say that at this particular moment, my heart is not with Dream Theater...and I would simply be "going through the motions", and would honestly NOT be true to myself if I stayed for the sake of obligation without taking the break I felt I needed.

I wish the guys the best and hope the music and legacy we created together is enjoyed by fans for decades to come...I am proud of every album we made, every song we wrote and every show we played....

I'm sorry to all the disappointed DT fans around the world...I really tried to salvage the situation and make it work...I honestly just wanted a break (not a split)...but happiness cannot be forced, it needs to come from within....

You DT fans are the greatest fans in the world and as you all know, I have always busted my ass for you guys and I hope that you will stay with me on my future musical journey, wherever it may lead me....(and as you all know my work ethic, there will surely be no shortage of future MP projects!)

Sadly...
Your fearless ex-leader and drummer,
MP


"Move on be brave, don't weep at my grave, because I am no longer here...
But please never let your memory of me disappear...."
--- The Spirit Carries On

________________________________________________________________________________

While I can't say I listened to Dream Theater in the past 6 months, they still have had a major impact on my musical tastes. Discovering DT in 2004 was something I'll always remember. Especially meeting the drummer Mike Portnoy himself at a meet and greet. Whatever his future endeavors may be, I hope that DT will continue to make music and MP continue to follow whatever path he chooses to take.

Dream Theater Tenth Studio Album Updates

Just found out about the title of the tenth studio album from prog metal giants Dream Theater as well as track titles and a cover:

March 13, 2009

New York, NY:

Progressive metal veterans DREAM THEATER have announced BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS as the title of their tenth studio album. The band commenced work on the album – their second for Roadrunner Records, following up 2007's Systematic Chaos — in October of last year. Roadrunner will release the record on June 23. In addition to the standard version CD, the album will also be available on vinyl LP, as well as a 3-disc Special Edition CD that will include the full album, a CD of instrumental mixes of the album and a CD of six cover songs, the titles of which will be revealed at a later date. Six weeks prior to the June 23 street date, Roadrunner will release one cover song per week through digital retailers. Drummer Mike Portnoy and guitarist John Petrucci are once again at the helm as producers, while Paul Northfield mixed the record. The band will embark on a world tour in support of the album beginning in Europe throughout June which will be followed by the second edition of the band’s PROGRESSIVE NATION tour featuring Zappa Plays Zappa, Pain Of Salvation and Beardfish throughout North America in July/August. A video for the first single, "A Rite of Passage" will be shot in late March.

The track listing for BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS is as follows:

1. A Nightmare to Remember

2. A Rite of Passage

3. Wither

4. The Shattered Fortress

5. The Best of Times

6. The Count of Tuscany

Album Review: Umphrey's McGee- Mantis

UMPHREY'S McGEE- MANTIS (2009)

Mantis is Umphrey's McGee fourth studio album and what a great one it is. This is a band that has been attracting more and more people to its music. They have taken over where Phish left off. Fans of the bands try to trade as many shows to each other as possible. Umphrey's live performances include improvisation like Phish and King Crimson. This gives each show a new and unique set each night. I have heard about this band on the forum I go to many times but I never really was anxious to dive into their catalog. I knews they were a jam band from Chicago but that's about it. When Mantis was released on January 20, I decided to check it out and I LOVED what I heard. And now onto the review of the album.

The album at times feels like it owes itself more to modern prog giants Beardfish than it does Phish. Made to Measure employs a string arrangement and while it does feel like it is tacked on to the beginning it still has much to offer. The 12 minute title track is one of my favorites on the album and moves through multiple sections that are completely addicting. Cemetary Walk is another one of my favorites. The ending is a moment I keep returning to on the album. The electro-beat infused reprise is very cool as well. We then come to Turn & Run. A solid track but it didn't hit me upon first listen. It is growing on me though. Spires is the track I first heard from this album via the band's myspace. Another song that's a clear standout on the album. The whole vibe given off during the instrumental section at the end is great. Prophecy Now is pretty good but to me it acts more as a link between Spires and Red Tape. Red Tape has some really good vocal harmonies/ Again, the instrumental sections are just on fire. 1348 is the album closer and what a great closer it is.

The drumming by Kris Myers is VERY impressive. Great vocals and superb instrumental sections. I would love to see these guys perform this material live and see how they add improv to some of the songs. This a band that would be perfect for Progressive Nation. Maybe next year perhaps? Overall, this is clearly the best album of the year so far and I expect it to be in my top 10 by the end of 2009.

Concert Review: Anathollo w/ Willowfair

Had a blast at the Anathollo show on Friday. The venue was in a church which was the first time I have seen a concert in that type of setting. The opening band was Willowfair which opened up with the theme to The Wire. That was sure to put a grin on my face. Very solid band.

Anathollo are a band I've heard of before but am not as familiar with their work as I apparently should be. They employ several different instruments during their live sets which create a unique atmosphere. The lead singer shared stories of a 'Magical Appalachian Hobo' and a marriage proposal even took place. It was an evening filled with spontaneity. Their latest album Canopy Glow has some very strong songs on it and is getting many spins as of late.

Concert Review: Meshuggah/Cynic/The Faceless

Had an absolute blast on Sunday at the House of Blues. It was my first time seeing a concert at that venue. It was a pretty good setting. When I heard that Meshuggah would be touring with Cynic I NEEDED to get my hands on a ticket. It's one of those lineups that are just too good to pass up.

The Faceless
The opening band was a good mix of Cynic and the heavier sides of Opeth. I've onlyt heard of them through their myspace previously but what I heard at the concert I liked.

Cynic
The mighty Cynic return after a 15 year hiatus. Their album Traced In Air was my favorite album of 2008 and seeing it performed live was great. The band sounded amazing. They had a very nice balance of material from Traced In Air as well as their debut album Focus. Seein that those were the only two albums they were able to cull material from, the setlist was great as the best was chosen from both albums.

Setlist:
Nunc Fluens
Space For This
Evolutionary Sleeper
Veil of Maya
But I'm A Wave To
Adam's Murmur
Uroboric Forms
How Could I?
King of Those Who Know
Integral Birth

Meshuggah
I've heard several stories about the brutality of Meshuggah concerts. Alas, the House of Blues did not allow crowd surfing or anything of that nature. But it still sounded brutal. Some of the songs they performed were Rational Gaze, The Mouth Licking What You've Bled, Combustion, Bleed, Pineal Gland Optics, Sane and Electric Red. The crowd abosolutely went apeshit when they pulled out Future Breed Machine for the encore. It was a great cap off to a great concert.


Overall concert: 9/10