Max Richter

Steve Reich? David Lang? Phillip Glass? Brian Eno? Arvo Pärt? If these names mean anything to you, you'll probably already know of the outstanding Max Richter. Born in Germany, Richter studied piano and classical composition in Edinburgh, and fuck me, is he good. With three records already slowly burrowing into the minds of 'post classical' geeks, he's definitely on the way to becoming the most important composer in the last 10 years. His work is undoubtedly cinematically influenced, with copious amounts of layered rising strings, and at times, almost dormant violins, violas and cellos. Completely overwhelming at time, his music provides an almost nostalgic feel. You find yourself harking back to the most emotional of memories, albeit making them more dramatic. He weaves images of espionage, dark streets and shadows, but at the same time, something ethereal and affecting. Without sounds cliché, Richter’s work changed my life.

Sarajevo

Song

Marnie Stern

Guitar Hero was quite probably made with this woman in mind. Her new album 'In Advance Of The Broken Arm' contains a dizzying array of riffs, time changes and irrepressibly chirpy song-writing. Recorded in her bedroom with the near-legendary Zach Hill of Hella playing drums and producing, the album shows a depth of songwriting and technical ability which you wouldn't expect from someone who's only just released their first album. Matching Hill's frankly outrageous drumming with some inspired finger-tapping is a masterstroke and results in some frankly jaw dropping sounds. I'd compare the sound to what Deerhoof might sound like if they had Van Halen on guitar and a drummer who's drank way too much coffee.

Below are a few tracks from the aforementioned album for your delectation. I hope you enjoy listening to them as much as I enjoyed labouriously uploading them:

Marnie Stern - Every Single Line Means Something
Marnie Stern - Grapefruit
Marnie Stern - Put All Your Eggs In One Basket and Then Watch That Basket!!!

Acoustic Slang - James Mercer

After this months release of The Shins new album "Wincing the Night Away" and the fact that i will be seeing them live for the first time in a couple of months time, i thought i'd dig out this american radio session that was recorded in 2004, just after the last Shins record "Chutes Too Narrow" came out. Wierdly enough, I often choose to listen to these 6 tracks over any of my Shins albums, mainly because without all the other instruments filling out the sound, it is a lot easier to make out Mercer's beautiful lyrics. With just a small crowd of friends for moral support, an acoustic guitar and a harmonica, he manages to make the Shins sing-along pop songs sound as catchy as ever, as well as giving his own twist on a T-Rex classic.

01 James Mercer - Caring Is Creepy

02 James Mercer - Baby Boomerang [T-Rex Cover]

03 James Mercer - So Say I

04 James Mercer - New Slang

05 James Mercer - Young Pilgrims

06 James Mercer - Gone For Good

Shellac (Peel Session)

With the supposed 2007 release of new album "Excellant Italian Greyhound" (named after Todd Trainer's dog Uffizi), the first Shellac release since 2000's "1000 Hurts", i thought i'd pull out a few tracks from what is probably my favourite ever Peel Session. Recorded at Maida Vale in 2004, these tracks really give out the raw, punchy edge that makes Shellac who they are. The first time i heard The End of Radio, it took quite a while for me to realise they had actually began playing, and weren't just jamming and messing around. Enjoy the tracks.

p.s welcome to the blog!


Shellac - The End of Radio [Peel Session]
Shellac - Paco [Peel Session]
Shellac - Steady As She Goes [Peel Session]