BTown

This is great, I wish i had come across this earlier. I went through a Squirrel Bait phase (right when I was really into Slint) a while back and did't really dig all that deep into bands linked to them although I have been meaning too.

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Engine

Thanks, BTown. Eventually I will get to reviewing Slint who are, of course, especially important to many (for good reason). Based on what I know about your taste, I suggest checking out Bastro especially.

I'll have my review of Pullman up soon. I've been listening to a lot of acoustic guitar stuff lately (Dylan, Jose Gonzales, Drake) and I've also listened to the Pullman album a bunch of times in anticipation of reviewing it. Strangely, I haven't been struck with much to say about it besides that it's Post Rock + Americana. I know there's a lot more to say but it hasn't hit me yet. I expect to get it all down soon, though.

After that, I plan to get back on track with bands that are more closely related to Squirrel Bait and Slint. I'm thinking The For Carnation or King Kong should be next.

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Like an arrow,
I was only passing through.

Engine

Tracks:
1. To Hold Down a Shadow
2. Barefott
3. In a Box, Under the Bed
4. Sagamore Bridge
5. Gravenhurst
6. Lyasnya
7. Two Parts Water
8. Beacon & Kent
9. Deer Hill
10. So Breaks Yesterday
11. Fullerton
12. Sunday Morning Traffic
13. Tall Grass
14. With Hands

Band:
Chris Brokaw
Bundy K. Brown
Curtis Harvey
Doug McCombs
*David Pajo

This kind of album doesn't get made today. Not by a band of hipsters anyway. This is acoustic post rock and while it's not totally original it's more of an invention than the standard throwback. Instead of many bands from back then and today who won't stop ripping off golden classics like Rolling Stones, The Byrds, Joy Division, U2, etc, etc, these guys were into John Fahey and Leo Kottke.

The entire album was recorded live and intimately and the only sounds come from acoustic stringed instruments. No vocals or other silly things that tend to ruin albums that conjure up 'old times' - this is just beautifully intricate strumming and picking. Lots of different instruments played by musicians from many of the contemporary top notch Chicago indie bands.

Oddly I'm at a loss of things to say about this album even though it is one that I have loved for many years and listened to extensively. Like the album, I'll just let the music speak for itself:

To Hold Down a Shadow


Lyasnya

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Like an arrow,
I was only passing through.

James

Every band i've checked out from this thread has been great, thanks for introducing me to such great stuff.

Stephen

Will have to check this one out. Haven't heard any new Oldham in a while and I somehow missed this album.

Engine

You definitely have to. I assume you mean new-to-you Oldham as this album is so old. I think it's the most bluegrassy of his albums and one of the unique ones.

Also, thanks for bumping this and reminding me of a time when I used to make substantial posts. Hopefully I'll get back to this thread soon.

__________________

Like an arrow,
I was only passing through.

Sneer

This thread is fantastic, how did I miss it the first time round?

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Stephen

Another Oldham I seem to have overlooked. Adding it to my list.

Engine

My possibly favorite-ever album no less.



Anyway, I've decided to follow through with a suggestion that I made on this thread nearly two years ago and review Me Hungry by King Kong.



I'm a little apprehensive about this because King Kong is definitely the silliest of any band I'll talk about on this thread. Not only that, but I haven't listened to the album for many long years and I only ever did when I was habitually stoned.

They're an important band though because Slint's original bassist, Ethan Buckler, decided that he wanted to be a frontman and this is what he came up with. Silly as they were, I recall quite liking King Kong and I listened to this album many many times. I'm going to give the album a few smoke-free listens and see what happens.

__________________

Like an arrow,
I was only passing through.

Stephen

Hint at a possible Slint reformation next year: Slint to Reform in 2013?