Intermission (2)
False Dichotomies is pause once more. I’m off to the East Coast (USA) for a couple of weeks; hopefully I’ll be back with more absurd didactics upon my return to Zion. In the meantime, enjoy the music that I’ve been rocking since I last left the land. One.
Beginning with the end; the spirit of Jose Gonzales creeping through these lovely pluckings. Back but yet it’s time to go…
Blindsided, Bon Iver (For Emma, Forever Ago)
I’m going to break a rule this time: two tunes from the same fella. But what a fella! Truth be told, every song from Bon Iver’s debut merits a place on this list; it’s been on repeat ad infinitum. Top five dead or alive and that’s just off one LP. For now I’ll make do with Blindsided…
The Rules, Saigon & Statik Selectah (All in a Days Work)
Saigon + Statik Selectah = Dope. This album was done in 24 hours. Even so, it sounds slightly too preened. No matter – even a slickened Saigon is doper than your average emcee. This is the difference between me and them…
Electronic Renaissance, Belle & Sebastian (TigerMilk)
It’s those keyboard twerks at the beginning, giving way to the gorgeous melodies and driving rhythm. Perfect for some movie about a past decade, the sound of people getting perky right away, irrepressible smiles.
Frankly Mr Shankly, The Smiths (The Queen is Dead)
I have to confess that somehow this was stuck on 3 stars on my iTunes until a few months ago when I realized that it’s perhaps the best song ever. As the SB says, it’s all about different registers…
It’s Alright (The Guvnor’s Mix), East 17 (Walthamstow)
This tore shit down at The World’s Greatest Ever 90s Party, reminding me of my days as a teenage rapper. East 17 were better than Take That, period.
Fox Song, Alice Music
My favourite correspondent with her unparalleled melodies; a hypnotic sound first heard late at night at the Gaon’s place.
What If? feat Nas, Jadakiss (The Last Kiss)
Jada’s back with yet another concept record, ably assisted by Nas. What if indeed?
Underground Ambassadors feat Afu-Ra, Krumbsnatcha (Hidden Scriptures)
The black rap messiah’s back, deeper and darker, but still scurrying through the darkness carrying his torch, Afu-Ra by his side. Eyes and ears the fuck open: this hits hard.
Shake This, Royce da 5’9
And they say Primo’s a one-trick pony?!? Epic hip-hop record, Royce letting it all come down on wax, orchestra by his side, preparing us for Street-Hop…
Reality Check feat Black Thought, Jay Dilla (Jay Stay Paid)
OK so there’s a dubious morality about posthumous records, but I can’t see Jay minding Black Thought ripping this ridiculous instrumental. This. Is. A. Jay. Dilla. Beat. RIP.
Death Final, Bonnie Prince Billy (Beware)
This is what death music should sound like: celebratory, loving, ambiguous about whats next, optimistic about humanity despite it all. Bonnie Prince Billy wins. Simple as that.
Another 90s classic: old-skool is the genre of the hour. Those sentimental pianos, the wheeeeeeeeeeeeew, and the drop of the beat. Hat-Tip to Schlags and Seth.
חלומות של אחרים, Idan Raichel (Within My Walls)
This is music for the preliminaries, burning through wintry sheets while the air-conditioner does battle with the window.
Re: Stacks, Bon Iver (For Emma, Forever Ago)
“This my excavation/and today is Qumran.” The sound of a man heading out on the road, catharsis completed, possibilities multiplying before him. Where would we be without Bon Iver?
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