
Sunday, December 28, 2008

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Again opening the layman's guide to destroying our oceans,we come upon the chapter of "disturbing the echolocation capabilities of intelligent oceanic mammals. " "Though for maximum effect it is best to co-ordinate your efforts with the thick cloud of soot and chemicals stretching from the Persian Gulf to Asia."
The work here is India ink splattered onto Bristol board, then immediately hosed off to reveal the staining properties of the ink (as seen in 2 other works on this site.) Some white conte crayon was applied as well.
Current Rotation:
Songs Ohia /Magnolia Electric Co.: (2003) A terrific song cycle from Jason Molina, spans not only an eclectic musical, but emotional scale as well.
Col. Bruce Hampton & the Aquarium Rescue Unit: Live set from 1991, quite fit for any gathering of more than 5 people. That is if they are funkay.
Trey Anastasio/Bar 17: (2006) Mix of Trey's more popular styles, phish like exercises, and experimental prowess. At times quite funkay.
Gentle Giant/ Free Hand: (1975) Shulman brothers and accompianiment lay down a progressive master work
TV on the Radio/ Dear Science: An album of amazing textures. Unkempt expression in something that transcends art rock
Thursday, September 11, 2008

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Behind the scenes that is, documentary style, neuronic gold. Dancing to the news, or testing the depths of one's own spiritual river. The stillness that pervades the studio is the trojan horse of achievement.
The untitled painting (10"x10" goache on 140 lb. cold pressed paper) is part of a promotional poster for a collective art show opening this Thursday, June 26th. It's a Warholian embelishment of the host's company logo. No animals were killed and very little fossil fuel oil was used in its production.
Current Rotation:
1. The Sounds of the Sounds of Silence: Yo La Tengo An all instrumental performance for Jean Painleve's underwater documentaries and shorts. Masterful in its conception.
2. Trade Mark of Quality: Love As Laughter Available on their web site this album delivers on many levels, (not to mention they will deliver it to you for $10.00 out the door.) The opening track Coconut Flakes may go down as song of the year, and as the package may read home-spun, don't be fooled, these guys have been around for a decade and a half. This is must-have material for any listener of contemporary rock n'roll. Their new release "Holy" comes out today on Glacial Pace Recordings.
3. The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life: Frank Zappa 1988 tour with 12 peice band that self destructed after 4 months of being on the road. Unbelievably good...here, you can really get your ring of fire on.
4. Invisible Baby: Marco Benevento: Check out this post-fusionist hepcat's latest gig. A mind twisting album that will work that Sunday brunch crowd into a heaping frenzy of a meat pie.
5. In the Ever: Mason Jennings His first outing with Brushfire is nothing more than another Mason Jennings album. Another insanely listenable, groovy outing.
Monday, June 16, 2008

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Friday, March 21, 2008

A Forgotten Thank You to Kellie Lambert McQuire
It has been most of a year, and I have not given thanks to Kellie Lambert McQuire's most gracious mention of the Grant St. Press in her weekly column for the Republican American newspaper. She has been a true proponent of all things musical, and a breath of fresh air in an atmosphere where most critique has barely the constitution to make for proper bird cage lining. Though larger birds can be quite discriminatory. You can enlarge the image by placing your cursor over it and left clicking (this is the same for almost all images on this site, to your possible enlightenment or dismay.)
In a more somber note, "Harp" magazine has stopped the presses, and will discontinue production of what was probably the most relevant music magazine in the business. This is a toubling microcosm of an industry that is clearly losing it's way. R.I.P.
Current Rotation:1. Gong: Gong Live: Pre '73 Angel's Egg, Radio Gnome, Daevid Allen stuff, with some serious Steve Hillage and company.
2. Moxy Fruvous: Live Noise: Having only the studio album: "Bargainville", this live set is a full realization of this band's capabilities, as these curbside crooners can rock out.
3, Adrian Belew: Desire of the Rhino King: Though I am usually hesitant to put deliberate compilations on my list, this album culled from Adrian's first 3 releases is a mind blower. A must listen for anyone who considers music seriously.
4. Sigur Ros: Heif/ Heim: The soundtrack to a visually stunning band documentary film and some alternate album takes makes for a short, but fulfilling double album.
5. North Mississippi Allstars: Hernando: If you don't know you better ask somebody! This band, that is a direct conduit to the ghost of R.L. Burnside, stretches out and digs the feel.
Thursday, February 28, 2008

Thursday, December 06, 2007
Existentialism and the Expanding of the UniverseRecent Headline:
Chimps Beat College Students at Guitar Hero III:
Yes it's true. Not only did they nail the licks on more critical song selection, they seem to be outscoring humans on certain memory tests as well. A recent archeological find appears to depict ancient chimps gathered around a crude fondue, and next March for the first time a chimp will compete in the New York Time's crossword puzzle tournament.
The unfinished watercolor of Jimi Hendrix (12"x8") is from a few years ago, and was painted with thin washes of color. Much in the way an oil painting would be laid in with glazes of paint. In either medium the drawback is the amount of time necessary to follow a peice through. Though Jimi deserves better than his uncompleted status.
In light of the last, recent distraction from fresh Press postings we try to offer our 2007 Albums of the Year. Though it must first be admitted that we did not get around to the new Sigur Ros, Animal Collective, Neil Young... but we will.
2007 Albums of the Year:
Honorable Mention: King Crimson: The Collectable King Crimson Vol. 2: Belew's first live gig as Discipline in Bath, England (1981), drawn from a restored cassette recording. Also a Philadelphia gig from July 30th 1982. Excellent quality, great liner notes, we all should be drinking the Robert Fripp cool aid.
5. Explosions In The Sky: All Of a Sudden I Miss Everyone However you brand this type of avant-instrumental rock, this outfit has taken the helm. Everything I've ever heard from them is tight and original. It all comes down to if you got the palette.
4. Adrian Belew: Side 4 Lucky enough to see this tour at B.B. King's Time'S Square Aug. 8th, 2006, I can tell you that this is the 2nd best thing. Julie, and Eric Slick make up his Power Trio, and they rip through the first three sides, hit some classic Belew, and visit the Crimso years as well. I feel like ordering the grouper fingers, and an Amstel every time I listen to it.
3. Modest Mouse: We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank The addition of Johnny Marr to Modest Mouse was like adding triple sec to your favorite boozy concoction with a hint of fruit. It smoothes it out. No matter what Isaac Brock puts out, it's something to be considered, and here he has a few tunes that to me are amoung his best. Mixed within another smattering of what should be America's most popular band.
2. Iron and Wine: The Shepard's Dog Listening to this album is the equivilant of spending a late evening amoungst good friends. The dust blown off contemplative moments, raucous times, and the black bear claw that took grandma's dog. If the musical element wasn't intriguing enough, the enclosed lyric poster will bring it on home. An essential contemporary rock album.
1. Robert Wyatt: Comicopera: Whatever may come out between now and Jan. 1st could not top this album as the most important work of the year. Though I guess if I had a machine that could travel through time and still write this column, I would say that every time Robert Wyatt released an album. Though the present release puts Garcia Lorca to music, gets some Enotronic treatment, got some Paul Weller, Phil Manzanera, and even Dave Sinclair playing piano on a track. I dont want to give it all away, as you should make it a point to put this in your collection. No matter who you are.
Happy Holidays.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Wednesday, March 21, 2007
