Monday XCVIII

It's Monday again in America.

Zefs Chasing Cara - Ultra Gown (2013)

Ultra Gown is Zefs Chasing Cara's latest release. It's a little more on the electronic side of math rock but it's noodly nevertheless. I can't say I'm a big fan of Zefs' stuff with the vocals, so this is easily my favorite release by these guys.


Bandcamp
Last.fm

Idiot Genes - Lousy (2013)

If I haven't already said that Boston is on fire right now in the music department, I'M SAYING IT RIGHT NOW; BOSTON IS ON FIRE IN ALL CAPS. I love you Maine, but man am I jonesing to see some Boston music right now. Anyways, Idiot Genes play some of that good ol' garage punk rock that kids have and will always be craving. Gotta have it.




Thought the album artwork would be pretty appropriate for Presidents' Day.

Last.fm

Jerkagram - Let's Talk About Us (2014)

Jerkagram, a band I threw up here during Monday's very first weeks, have a new album of experimental instrumental and almost modern-day non-German krautrock music. There's also some singing in it, too. Check it out:



Last.fm

Bonus:

Handful of Romance - a funny film by Sean Martin

My friend, Sean Martin, known by many as "John Coffee", is a freelance film guy. He's been making films of all sorts since I've known him and I've known him for pretty long. His most recent project (that I know of at least) is called Handful of Romance, a humorous sock puppet induced short that took second place at the 'Local Love Muscle Film Festival' this weekend at the Space Gallery in Portland. If you like sock puppets, bros being bros, making out, or just some good old fashion awkward humor, I think you'll get a real kick out of this video. Apparently if there's enough views it will be on the front page of Funny or Die, the website you can currently view the video at, which is pretty cool stuff!

Link: http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/3848e600a0/handful-of-romance

On a music related note, Handful of Romance was scored by another buddy of mine, no stranger to this blog either, Jesse Gertz of Leveret.

Watch, listen, and enjoy!

NFT's Got You Covered! Philip Glass with an accordion

Happy Pi Day!

what capitalism was - plays philip glass on accordion (2009)

This here is a very interesting cover album of the one and only Philip Glass, the master of all things classical, minimal and composing. That being said, Glass and his music is not the easiest task to handle. Not every band can cover a musician like Glass as if his work can easily be re-rubbed countlessly like Daniel Johnston or The Beatles; it's a very different style, a style that if redone is usually called a tribute or just performing (and usually requires a symphony or orchestra). what capitalism was is not every band (or even a big band for that matter), yet takes the challenge into his own hands, and in those hands he bares a very interesting looking foldy piano thingy.

what capitalism was AKA John Catfish also of indie folk band, Super Daughter brews up 9 accordion driven covers in homage of Glass from his extensive catalog. A feet that blows me away and, even though the songs are not absolutely perfect, you try listening to Cloudscape and then go and play it on an accordion. Do you even know anyone who owns an accordion? Come on. John also even throughs on his own spoken word sampling that is featured in Glass's Einstein On The Beach doozy, "Knee 1".

Other Philip Glass accordion renditions include "Jacura River" from Aguas de Amazonia (performed by Uakti from 12 pieces of ballet (1993/1999)), "Facade" from Glassworks (1982), "Aria from Act III of Satyagraha" from Circles, "Floe" (*example below*) from Glassworks, "Etoile Polaire" originally on Night Star (1977), "Subterraneans" from Symphony No. 1, "Low" (based on David Bowie's Low (1992)), and "Resource" from  Koyaanisqatsi (score (1982)).

All in all, this is a mighty fine attempt. Definitely for anyone who likes Philip Glass or accordion or both.  It could also be a good way of introducing you to Glass's music in an even more minimal way. Oh yeah, and it could be a good way of introducing you to what capitalism was. Not so much what "capitalism" was but what John Catfish's solo project is all about. John Catfish may play guitar and banjo must of the time but the accordion fun doesn't stop with Philip Glass, no, John also has an album dedicated to the Italian journalist and short storier, Italo Calvino (Plays Italo Calvino on Accordion), which in itself features covers of music by Nico Muhly, Johann Johannsson and Michael Nyman, and another album entitled songs for east german accordion.

Last.fm (all tracks free)
Philip Glass