Various Artists "Hexadic III (Drag City)"
For the third collection of Hexadic music Ben Chasny, aka Six Organs Of Admittance, tried something new–not appearing on the album. Hexadix III (Drag City) is a compilation of various artists dabbling in Ben’s self-created manner of songwriting. He’s devised a system where by you deal yourself cards and let those cards determine the chords played. After 2 albums of that, he’s decided to let his friends in on the deal (pun intended). The big difference here is that when Ben does it, he generally sticks to acoustic guitars, giving the whole thing a strange folk flavor. But the bands on this album (Jenks Miller, Moon Duo, and Meg Baird to name a few) did things their own way. So wether it’s Jenks’ spindly guitars, organs, and echo-ladened vocals on “The Hanging Man”, or Moon Duo’s subsonic pulses and reverb-soaked guitars on “Square Of The Sun” the results are strikingly original, leaving the whole thing a varied yet cohesive affair. Check out the aforementioned “The Hanging Man” by Jenks Miller.
YoshimiO / Susie Ibarra / Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe "Flowers Of Sulfer (Thrill Jockey)"
There’s free jazz, and then there’s Flowers Of Sulfer (Thrill Jockey). A rare combining of three avant-garde musicians that could only be out-weirded were John Zorn involved. SAICOBAB and OOIOO multi-instrumentalist YoshimiO teamed up with percussionist Susie Ibarra and multidisciplinary artist Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe for a performance in (take a guess) Brooklyn for what is one of the weirdest recordings I have ever heard (and I’ve heard some weird recordings!) Imagine, if you will, the drum-only soundtrack from Birdman with the addition of vocals from Yoko Ono and keyboards by… I don’t know… a cat walking on a casio set to “funky clav”? I’m not kidding. There is funky clav in here. Seriously, this thing is nuts. It’s haunting, disturbing, at times peaceful. There are also passages of beauty to be found in these four 15 minute long songs. If you’re not a fan of off-kilter (and off putting) music, then this is not the one for you. But if you like your music like you like your superhero doctors… you know, strange? Then this is the release for you. Check out “Aaa.”
Ought "Room Inside The World (Merge)"
Ought is back with their third LP, but their first for Merge Records. Which means that Room Inside The World is our (meaning BRM’s) first real introduction to the band. Had we heard the buzz? Yes. Had we heard tunes we liked by them? Yes. Had we listened to an entire album before? No. Did we now? Yes. Do we love it? We sure do! What’s it sound like? Hmm… imagine if Antony and the Johnsons, Radiohead, Grizzly Bear, and Panda Bear (sorry, that’s all the bear bands allowed in this blurb) all formed a supergroup in an attempt to cover only tunes by The Jam. Yeah, it’s a heady mix of influences. The result is a beguilingly current look at indie rock of the ‘90s. It’s deadly serious and silly at the same time, which is a rare, but welcome, combo. Check out the bouncy distress of “Disgraced In America.”
Superchunk "What A Time To Be Alive (Merge)"
Q: Who is mad? A: Everyone. Q: Fair point, but who is specifically mad? A: Superchunk are mad. And like all the best artists they are channeling their anger in the best possible way via the jams. First a limited edition single of “Break The Glass” that raised money for SPLC. Now a full length of music that is unfortunately the soundtrack of 2018. Don’t believe me?? FAKE NEWS? Listen to the title track “What A Time To Alive” and if you aren’t either slam dancing around your house, calling a senator, running for office, or at LEAST singing along you are not ready to fight. And you should be.