It's been out for a little bit but I'm just finally checking out Spoek Mathambo's album, Mshini Wam, and I really dig it. That said, it begs the question of how to describe it and in some ways, it's really hard to say. So many young people are now making music via this method of having every reference and no reference. It's a genre and cultural hodgepodge and I love this younger people's music that's essentially all-hybrid and no-genre. Who cares what it's called, I just know it's good.
So I've decided that I'm going to start a new ongoing addition to this blog, that I am calling "Imaginary Soundtracks".
There was a time in my life when I couldn't stand the Chemical Brothers.
It was in my early years at W+K, particularly when the band was "hot" and their songs (or Moby or Fatboy Slim) were included on every rip we did.
This made me instantly despise them.
Therefore, it's been with some surprise that over the years, I have actually found myself digging some of their music.
Recently, their new album, Further, came across my desk and it's been sneaking into my shuffle mode (when I go that route) and I'm liking what I'm hearing.
Either I'm getting softer in my old age, or losing my edge, or finally putting away some of my elitism, or they're actually writing good material, or a combo of all of this.
Have a listen:
P.S. I'm not losing my edge.
http://www.myspace.com/deloreandanz
http://pitchfork.com/news/37812-delorean-ready-new-album/
In my opinion, Four Tet seems one of the most underrated and snoozed-on musicians of recent history.
Personally, I think he's creating some of the most interesting music out there and as far as I can tell (though maybe I am mistaken and with the exception of people I know who love him), he might not be getting the recognition he deserves.
Here's to hoping that changes.
And here's a beautiful track of his most recent album that should help to do the trick:
I snoozed on this Cotton Jones album last year, for no other reason than that I simply lost track of the fact that it ever came out.
Now I'm revisiting it and finding it to be absolutely lovely.
Fans of Lee Hazelwood, M. Ward, Fleet Foxes, Tim Buckley, Merle Haggard, Bon Iver, etc. may want to give this a listen.
http://www.brokenbells.com/
http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm
Picked up a Leica C-Lux 3 yesterday and proceed to get all black & white with it.
Reminds me of, say circa 1993, being arty, with Andrew in Detroit and me in Milwaukee.
And this track from the new Julian Plenti (Paul Banks from Interpol) album has just the right accompanying vibe.
Dig it, yo.
http://julianplenti.com/
http://en.leica-camera.com/photography/compact_cameras/c-lux_3/
Plus, to help keep summery spirits up, I've been listening a ton to the new Passion Pit album, which is cheery as all get out.