Happy Halloween! Here's some classic Ministry

Halloween really is my favorite holiday.  Today, we managed to dress my 5 month old son as Chewbacca and Freddy Krueger.  Anyway, here's a pretty cool fan video that some dude made for Ministry's "Everyday Is Halloween" using a bunch of clips from different horror movies.  Enjoy, and until next year.

Room 237

Soundtracks just keep pumping through the pipeline, and Death Waltz has the score to "The Shining" documentary "Room 237" by Jonathan Snipes and William Hutson.  This documentary was really damn good, and the score pulses and haunts, a mix of electro-synth, classical, and prog with numerous nods to Wendy Carlos's original score for Kubrick's film.  Listen to "Dies Irae" below.

The New York Ripper

While we're on the subject of wonderful horror score vinyl releases, the almost unreasonably awesome Death Waltz Records have the Francesco de Masi score for Lucio Fulci's dirty and ugly 1982 giallo film "The New York Ripper."  Listen to the smooth and groovy "New York...one Night" below.

Evil Dead

The Roque Banos scored soundtrack to this year's "Evil Dead" remake is being released this week from Unseen Forces Records on vinyl.  Happy Halloween to me!  Pre-order here and listen to "Abominations Rising" from the soundtrack below.

Escape from Tomorrow

While not necessarily a horror film, Randy Moore's "Escape from Tomorrow" is a weird and sometimes unsettling little movie.  The crew filmed much of the movie at Disneyland and Disneyworld guerrilla-style without any permission from the parks or their owners, about a man's grasp on reality slowly unraveling over the course of a day spent at the magic kingdom.  After that, it's kind of hard to describe: a familial breakdown, surreal images, paranoia, and a prevailing sense of dread.  The film is currently playing the festival circuit, but it's also up on Video on Demand.  Watch the trailer below.

Found Vinyl: Philly Joe Jones Sextet - Blues for Dracula

So, i'm attempting to keep everything from now through Thursday Halloween related.  If we work hard together, i'm sure we can do it.  "Blues for Dracula" by the Philly Joe Jones Sextet is something a came across at a garage sale a little while back...and simply put, i could not resist.  No sample listening session necessary.  The record is pretty good little jazz record, and the debut for drummer Jones.  The title track kicks it off with Jones doing a goofy Bela Lugosi impersonation before the rest of the players come in.  Take a listen below.


That's the only song form the record that i'm able to find, but seeing as it's the only one that has any kind "spookiness" going on, i guess we'll leave it at that.

RIP Lou Reed

Super bummed out today that Lou Reed passed away at the age of 71.  I haven't read anything regarding a cause yet, but he was suffering from liver problems.  So, RIP to rock and roll legend.  Listen to "Sad Song" from Lou's (arguably) best record "Berlin" below.

(On a side note, it's super apparent that my brother and i are related, as we both went immediately to this song.)



Might as well follow that up with The Velvet Underground's "I Found a Reason" from "Loaded."


RIP Lou Reed

RIP Marcia Wallace

RIP Marcia Wallace.  I know you were a real person, but you'll always be Edna Krabappel to me.

Henry Plotnick

Henry Plotnick creates gorgeous pieces of minimalist music for piano and keyboard that would impress Steve Reich or Philip Glass or William Basinski.  The pieces are sprawling, but intimate, complex, yet rhythmic.  Oh, and Plotnick is 11 years old.  Get his album "Fields" on Holy Mountain Records, and watch a live performance below.

This kid blows my mind.

Symmetry - The Hunt

Italians Do It Better is reissuing Johnny Jewel's first tracks he made under the Symmetry moniker on a new vinyl release, and as per usual it's the perfect synthy soundtrack for any nefarious doings you may have on your plate.  Listen to "The Hunt" below, download, and then watch the video too.  Hooray!


And here's the video...

Mondo Tees and Tales from the Crypt

Mondo Tees held an excellent gallery opening last night featuring prints and original artwork inspired by "Tales from the Crypt," both the legendary EC Comics series and the classic HBO TV show (both of which i adore).  To celebrate, Mondo's record line released three versions of the theme on 7" vinyl.  And, as we all know, limited edition horror vinyl makes me a happy panda.  I'm not sure if the records will be available on Mondo's site or not, but check for updates anyway, and watch and reminisce about the TV series' opening below.

Until the Ribbon Breaks & Holy Other

R&B music maker Until the Ribbon Breaks gets the rework treatment from dark and gloomy night time producer Holy Other...and the results are as dark, gloomy, and wonderful as suspected.  Listen to and download the remix of "2025" below.

Lazerhawk

Just in time for Halloween comes the horror soundtrack fetishism of Austin's Lazerhawk.  "Skull and Shark" plays like an homage to all things John Carpenter with a dash of "Nightmare on Elm Street" thrown in for good measure.  Evil synthesizers are the best kind of synthesizers.  Go here to stream the whole album (or buy it) and listen to "Massacre" below.

Air and Francoise Hardy- Jeanne

Today sucked.  I'm exhausted.  I'm moody.  And there's still more to do.  So, here's one of my favorite songs of all time.  Way back in 1997, French duo Air teamed with living legend Francoise Hardy for a track called "Jeanne."  The song appeared on the single to the band's "Sexy Boy" on Astralwerks.  It's smooth, and sexy, and trippy, and mournful, and beautiful, and it led me to discover the work of the lovely Mlle. Hardy.  Listen below and enjoy your evening.

HAERTS - Hemiplegia EP

HAERTS' debut EP "Hemiplegia" is finally available for purchase.  Get it here and soak in the synthy, nostalgic bliss.  In the meanwhile, listen to the soaring title track below.

Museum of Love

Museum of Love is the project of former LCD Soundsystem drummer Dennis McNany.  My love for the Soundsystem is deep and pure, and all offshoots, side projects, and one-offs will be treated with the same reverence and adoration.  "Monotronic" pulses with a Krautrock beat, but hums and purrs with layers of synth effects until McNany comes in with a warm and subtle vocal vibe, sometimes taking on an almost Stephen Merritt like cadence.  Then the oohs and ahhs play us out.  A pretty jam for a Tuesday night.  Listen below and grab the digital single via DFA.

Jezzebeam

Gloomy, experimental music is alive and well in Austin, Texas (just in case you were wondering), and Michael Cockrell, heretofore to be known as Jezzebeam crafts swooning and humming pieces of electro-noise-drone-doom.  You know, for the kids.  Last year's self-titled cassette is still available from Marmara Records and you can check out more cuts here.  Take a listen to "Now You're Buried Miles Below Us" below.

DJ Dog Dick

DJ Dog Dick.  I'm  listening to something called DJ Dog Dick.  I don't know if that's the sign of the impending end times, or if it's just further evidence that i never really matured past the age of 15.  At any rate, "Grease that I Got" is an infectious pop song, filled to the absolute brim with fist-pumping antics, spazzed-out noises, and an overarching love of all things...   Take a listen below and look for "The Life Stains" on HOSS Records.

Last House on the Left

It's pretty damn awesome that reissuing horror movie soundtracks on vinyl has become a thing lately.  And just in time for Halloween, the UK's One Way Static Records releases the soundtrack to Wes Craven's "Last House on the Left," and the 70's country-fried psych folk of actor/musician David Hess (RIP).  Stateside, grab it from Light in the Attic, and listen to "Wait for the Rain" below.

The Visitor

Drafthouse Films, the movie distribution arm of the Alamo Drafthouse, has release a slew of interesting and insane films.  Everything from dirty Australian movies with Donald Pleasance that make you want to shower afterwards ("Wake in Fright") to kung-fu movies made by aliens ("Miami Connection"), each subsequent release is an absolute delight.  Coming up next in the very near future is the largely misunderstood sci-fi epic "The Visitor," directed by Giulio Paradisi.  Here's Wikipedia's plot description:

"A young girl with telekinetic powers is the focus of a battle between good and evil. Katy Collins (Paige Conner) is no ordinary 8 year-old girl. Indeed, she is unique, carrying within her the power of Sateen, an inter-spacial force of immense magnitude. Katy's primary mission on earth is to carry these genes forward, a task accomplished by convincing her mother, Barbara (Joanne Nail) to bear a similarly endowed male child with whom Katy would eventually mate. Raymond Armstead, who is secretly part of a global conspiracy trying to gain control of the world using these powers attempts to seduce Barbara into marriage so he can father a child who can harness them. Opposing him is the mysterious Jerzy Colsowicz, also known as the Visitor, and his legion of child followers. He possesses the same powers and knows that they are meant to be used for the good of mankind."

If that's not enough for you, the film features performances from Mel Ferrer, Glenn Ford, Lance Henrikson, Shelly Winters, John Huston, Sam Peckinpah, and Franco Nero as Jesus Christ.

I've never even seen this movie, and i'm pumped to see it because it sounds absolutely bonkers.  Drafthouse Films will be doing a short theatrical re-release of the movie this Fall, with a Blu-Ray release to follow in early 2014.  To wet your whistle, they've offered up a 3 song soundtrack sampler by composer Franco Micalizzi.

Listen to the "Stridulum Theme" below and bask in the goofy, late 70's mix of prog, disco, and classical music, then follow the link after to grab the downloads.



You know you want this.

Jorge Elbrecht & Caroline Polachek

Jorge Elbrecht (currently of Violens) is having a pretty stellar year thanks to the folks at Mexican Summer.  His old band Lansing-Dreiden got the loving reissue treatment from the label, he recorded a 7" with Ariel Pink, and now he's go a new single with Chairlift's Caroline Palochek.  "I.V. Aided Dreams" is percussion and noise, loops and echoes, and is currently available as a digital single, but you can watch the performance-art-like video below.  Hooray!

New Madlib

New music from hip-hop producer Madlib is always a good thing.  Don't ever let anyone ever tell you any different.  "Black Widow" comes from the producer's upcoming "Rock Konducta Vol. 1" LP on Rappcats.  Take a listen and groove below.

Majeure - Romance Language

Zombi member Anthony Paterra is back with new music from his Majeure project with the new "Romance Language" EP due out next month on Temporary Residence.  Sprawling, epic, cinematic synthscapes for the masses.  Take a listen to the title track below.

Found Vinyl: Morticia - Mortal Fear

You know what ruined music in the last 20 years?  Irony.  Self-awareness and irony have attempted to kill all of the fun out of music for two decades.  And i miss bands who used to earnestly embrace the stupidest bullshit for their art.  Those people need to come back to us.  People like the members of the Minnesota based 80's goth/metal act Morticia.  Naming your goth band after a member of the Addams Family is only the beginning of this opus of darkness and cheese.  These guys took the goth look, the lame lyrics, the Bauhaus styling meets Iron Maiden licks, and just ran with it.  We need more bands like Morticia.  They take the joke seriously, and you should too.  Take a listen to "Deadlier than the Male" below.  I love, love, love the organ intro.



Here's a more punk jam called "Darksider."



And lastly, here's the excellent and sinister "Christian Vices."



Just in time for Halloween.  Hooray!

Matt Kivel

It has been raining (sometimes crazy heavily) in Austin for the last 48 hours or so, and as such, many of us have been confined indoors for stretches at a time, so here's some pretty and wistful lo-fi bedroom folk from Matt Kivel's latest album "Double Exposure" on Olde English Spelling Bee.  Listen to "Rainbow Trout" below and get the record here.

Night Film

It's been a while since i've been able to write about a book i'm reading...probably because i don't get to read a much as i'd like to...probably because having an infant in your house makes reading so much harder than it used to be.  (Seriously, i've gone from 2-3 books a month to 1 and a half in the last four months.)  That being said, i'm about 250 pages into Marisha Pessl's newest opus, "Night Film," and i'm loving every paragraph.  It's part detective novel, part thriller, part horror story, part mystery, and delightfully engaging.  The plot revolved around a disgraced journalist investigating the apparent suicide of the daughter of a reclusive film director.  The director, one Stanislas Cordova, is made to be a kind of cross between Dario Argento and Stanley Kubrick, and Pessl writes about his fictional films so vividly, i could totally see myself getting lost int he madman's filmography.  As a bonus to the narrative, there is an app to download and take screen shots of noted pages in the book that give further and additional information, or just take you in the wrong direction entirely.  Cool stuff.

A couple of months ago, i read an article about this novel that likened it to Mark Danielewski's "House of Leaves," using modern technology and phone and tablet apps in the same way that book used footnotes and appendixes.  (If you haven't read "House of Leaves," get on that shit right now.)

Now, while i haven't finished "Night Film" yet, i'm loving it, and so baring some tragic and horrible stupid bullshit, it gets my wholehearted recommendation.  Here is some appropriately themed music to soundtrack the read from Goblin and Ennio Morricone.







Go read this book now!

Gems

Despite the government shutdown, it's good to know that there's still something worth a damn coming out of Washington D.C., even if it is just a lovely ethereal and groovy dreampop jam.  Gems, unleash their slightly R&B and Balearic tinged "Medusa" for your eardrums, and it's pure aural candy.  Take a listen below, and be on the lookout for the "Medusa" EP next month.

Mutual Benefit

Jordan Lee's solo work as Mutual Benefit is a luscious and gorgeous collection of melancholy bedroom pop, a lovely mix of violin, swirling guitar textures and strumming, and loops.  There are nods to Sufjan Stevens and like-minded ilk, perfectly crafted lo-fi bliss.  Go here to get new album "Love's Crushing Diamond," and listen to "C. L. Rosarian" below.

David Bowie remixed by James Murphy

Bowie gets remixed by former LCD Soundsystem main man James Murphy.  That's all i should have to say, but the "Love Is Lost (Hello Steve Reich Mix) will be out soon on the upcoming deluxe release of Bowie's "The Next Day" LP.  Listen below and swoon.

Amanda Blank & Spank Rock

It has been way too long since we last heard from Amanda Blank and Spank Rock making sweet and dirty hip-hop together.  The two just released a single, "We Can Go All Nite Long," that you can listen to and download below.  Aw yeah.

I Am the Center

Light in the Attic is one of a number of record labels to release a wide array of unearthed and forgotten gems of all kinds of musical genres in beautiful reissued packaging.  In a few weeks, they take the journey into new age, with their upcoming compilation album, "I Am the Center: Private Issue New Age Music in America 1950-1990."  Don't let the idea of new age music thwart your enjoyment of this collection though, the good folks at the label have gone crate digging to find us some of the trippiest and universe-spanning tracks imaginable.  Before there was ambient or drone, there was new age.  Pre-order here and take a listen to and excerpt of "Unicorns in Paradise" (i know, i know) by Laraaji...and just remember that Laraaji used to make music with Brian Eno.

SSLEEPERHOLD

Here's a sleek, dancey little synthesizer number from Austin's own SSLEEPERHOLD (Jose Cota).  Debut album "Ruleth" is out next week on the wonderful Holodeck Records.  Pre-order it here and listen to "Timeghosts 1" below.

Kurt Vile & Sore Eros

Years ago, Robert Robinson of Sore Eros was a member of Kurt Vile's Violators.  A lo-fi and mellow recording of the two performing a song called "Serum" has surfaced and will appear on the upcoming "Jamaica Plain" EP on Care in the Community Recordings.  Listen below.

Found Vinyl: Bill Nelson's Red Noise - Sound on Sound

Oh, how the late 70's were a veritable smorgasbord of new and different styles...punk, glam, hip-hop, disco, ambient, heavy metal, new wave...it must have been a glorious time to be into music.  UK new wave group Bill Nelson's Red Noise rose from the ashes of Be-Bop Deluxe, foregoing their glam and progressive rock sound for something a little more electronic and punchy.  The band only released one album, 1979's "Sound on Sound," but they fall right in line with so many of their contemporaries of the time.  This record isn't a game changer by any means, but it's fun, and it's a perfect snapshot of where new wave music was at the time.  Take a listen to "Revolt into Style" below.



And here's the more punkish "Don't Touch Me I'm Electric." Dig on that sax.



We'll finish up with "Furniture Music."

Deap Vally

There is something to be said for rockin' ladies slamming away to blasting hard rock beats and bluesy, screaming guitar riffs.  LA's Deap Vally take a page from the book of Jack White and bring the blues and spitting garage mayhem back to rock music.  The duo's "Sistrionix" LP is out now.  Get it here and listen to "Gonna Make My Own Money" below.

It Hurts

New Zealand noise act It Hurts sounds like an illegitimate love child of Thurston Moore's more No Wave material and The Melvins' forays into experimental cacophonies of sound.  That being said, it's awesome.  The group just released a 7" on Soft Abuse.  Listen to B-side "Earth Sun Moon Us" below.

Torn Hawk

Loops, torn and degraded, played over and over again against a backdrop of static, broken beats, and hum.  Old, out of sync synthesizers and effects layer against the hypnotic noise, transporting us all into some kind of found footage universe where the tracking is slightly askew.  And so we have Torn Hawk (Luke Wyatt) and his latest cassette offering "Fist" on Beer on the Rug.  Listen to "96 Galant" below and get lost in the fuzziness.

Russian Circles - 1777

Here's another jam from the upcoming album "Memorial" by Chicago's Russian Circles.  Every song on this album so far has been a monster.  I can't wait til it comes out.  Look for it in a few weeks on Sargent House and listen to "1777" below.

In Solitude

Metal acts are just killing it this year, demanding the heaviest of rotation on my stereo.  Sweden's In Solitude takes a pretty straight forward approach, grooving an almost old school heavy metal vibe, though elements of stoner rock, doom, and some post-rock atmospherics make their way into the jams.  Think of them as distant cousins to Ghost B.C. (minus all the "Hail Satan!" stuff).  The band's third album "Sister" is out now on Metal Blade Records, but listen to the epic album closer "Inmost Nigredo" below now.

Barnett + Coloccia

Experimental record label Blackest Ever Black just keeps knocking it out of the park this year with each subsequent release.  The label's latest offering is the first collaborative effort from Barnett + Coloccia (Alex Barnett from Oakeater and Coloccia from Mamiffer).  "Retrieval" is a glowing, sometimes haunting mix of tones and drone, an atmospheric ambient work to soundtrack the creation of the universe...or its ultimate destruction.  Take a listen to "Hallway" below and look for the album in the very near future.

Odd Rumblings

Brooklyn's Odd Rumblings craft cold and beautiful electronic music, drawing from the cold wave movement of the early 80's, darkwave and goth, and some of the more recent music of groups like Fever Ray.  No word on an album release, but you can check out a lot of jams from the band here.  In the meantime listen to "Princes Spoke" below.  And kudos to 20 Jazz Funk Greats for turning me on to these guys.

Gesaffelstein

I don't know who Gesaffelstein is.  All i know is he's French and he makes electronic music, like the industrial-tinged "Hate or Glory" below.  The techno in ghetto vibe of the video is kind of intense.  Look for the "Aleph" album later this month and watch the video below.

CCR Headcleaner

You know what?  You look beat.  You've been working hard.  So, why not sit back, crack open a beer, and let the bay area's CCR Headcleaner melt your face off with their own brand of blistering, stoned garage-psych-rock?  You'll feel better if you do.  Listen to "Steal the Light" below and grab the band's debut full-length "Lace the Earth with Arms Wide Open: 2013" LP from Pizza Burglar Records.

Jesu

I hate to be late to the party, especially when it comes to any project Justin K. Broadrick is involved in.  His loud and melodic shoegaze metal act Jesu is releasing a new album next week via Avalanche called "Everyday I get Closer to the Light from Which I Came."  Great title.  Great band.  Great music.  Take a listen to "Homesick" below and get the album here.

The Men - Campfire Songs

Stripped down, atmospheric, psychedelic, fireside acoustic jams from a normally raucous and spitting garage rock band?  Yes please.  The Men's "Campfire Songs" EP is out later this month on Sacred Bones.  Listen to the blistering "Turn Your Color" below.

Found Vinyl: Bernard Szajner - Some Deaths Take Forever

Electronic music has had an interesting history of sound, all at once resembling the music of the future, the music of the future that was supposed to be, and the past.  Every now and then that at once retro and future sound actually would be way ahead of its time.  A prime example of this is the music for Parisian visual and audio artist Bernard Szajner.  The composer's 1980 album "Some Deaths Take Forever" combines old synthesizers, computers, and classic instruments like the baby grand piano to create a unique auditory experience that would go on to be aped by numerous artists over the next couple of decades.  You can hear the influence on musicians like Aphex Twin, Air, Boards of Canada, Oneohtrix Point Never, Nine Inch Nails, and on and on.  Listen to album opener "Welcome to Death Row."



Here's a live version of the track "Ritual," recorded in 1983.



Unfortunately, these are the only songs from the album i was able to find on youtube, but if you're even moderately interested in old school electronic music, cold wave, and such, then Szajner is worth your time.

Off to Book of Mormon

I'm about to head out and see "The Book of Mormon," finally, so here's the "Jackin' it in San Diego" song from "South Park."