Equestrian Statue |
sound
William Basinksi: Disintegration Loops I-IV
Most musicians who discovered that their old reel-to-reel tapes were falling to bits would stick them in the bin. Brooklyn-based sound artist William Basinski had the vision to record their gradual dissolution - and the result is this five-hour-long epic, by turns expansive, harrowing, magical and achingly melancholy. Read a review of it on the link above; buy it direct from the artist via his website MMLXII.com. This is way too left-field to find on Amazon, but if you want to get a flavour of Basinski's work there you might be able to find audio samples on Boomkat.com (a great place to find up-to-the-moment music) or the Raster-Noton website, see below.
Raster-Noton
Eclectic German electronica record label whose stylish, minimal packaging is as much a part of the experience as the icily cool music itself. Insofar as the label has ever had a 'hit' it is the critically acclaimed Vrioon by Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto, a gently drifting skein of piano phrases and electronic detritus. You can search for a sample in the label's mail order shop. While you're there, check out Ryoji Ikeda's extraordinary Dataplex too.
The Fall
"They say: what about the meek?
I say they've got a bloody cheek!"
(Touch Sensitive)
For 30 years acid-tongued Mancunian Mark E Smith has been squinting balefully at the world and airing his disgust in no uncertain terms. His scathing attacks on 'vanity and presumption' were at their most inspired on albums like The Wonderful and Frightening World of The Fall (1984), Code:Selfish (1992) and The Infortainment Scan (1993), but he is still capable of moments of sheer genius. 2003's The Real New Fall LP marked an unexpected return to musical form, and 2007'sTromatic Reflexxions, Smith's collaboration with German electronica duo Mouse on Mars, is one of the best records of his career.
With its endless changes of personnel, The Fall isn't so much a band as a surreal soap opera - and what they perform isn't so much music as noisy avant-garde cabaret. But hey, it works for me. The Unoffical Fall Website is a good place to start making sense of it all, and has helpful transcriptions of Smith's slurred and frequently mystifying rants.
David Thomas & Two Pale Boys: 18 Monkeys on a Dead Man's Chest
Naively cryptic observations about the America of cheap diners and missed opportunities, delivered in a treacly squeal, and with a musical backdrop ranging from savage industrial punk through folksy lyricism to ambient. It's not an easy ride, but everything Pere Ubu front-man Thomas has been involved in is touched with genius, and this is one of his best.
Magic Amulet |
vision
Paul Klee
Forget Picasso, Paul Klee was the greatest visual artist of the 20th century. This link takes you to the Paris Webmuseum. Tick the two boxes and click the 'confirm' button (it's a copyright issue) to see the pictures.
Vision 68: The Art of Steven Lawler
Steven is a very talented artist whose work - visually, at least - has little in common with mine. What we do have in common, though, is a particular kind of brooding, philosophical melancholy. And we listen to the same kind of music. Coincidence?
Tekkonkinkreet
If you appreciate great animation you should consider taking a punt on this magical film. It is just so well made, with a unique visual style that studios round the world will be falling over themselves to copy. Click the link to find the trailer, though it makes the film look kind of dumb. Sure, the plot's a bit wild - but when something looks this luscious, who cares?
Philosophical Rabbit
My blog, a grab-bag of bits and pieces that don't fit in here.
words
Philip K Dick: The Man In The High Castle
Philip K Dick was his own worst enemy. He wrote too many books, far too quickly and sloppily. This one he took more care over. Nominally it's science fiction, but if you're expecting aliens and spaceships you'll be disappointed. In a 1960s America where the Allies lost World War II, a dozen or so masterfully rendered characters are put under the microscope as they struggle to make sense of their world. One of the best books you never heard of.
Russell Hoban: The Mouse and His Child
The best children's book ever, bar none. A terrific read for adults too. Don't waste time reading this, go buy a copy.
Buy Hoban's Riddley Walker too, while you're at it. It's an apocalyptic novel - Hoban's best - that will forever change the way you think about the English language. Several moments of comic genius too.
things
Het Hooibergsmuseum
Everything you could conceivably need or want to know about haystacks. Mainly in Dutch, it has to be said. Once you're in, follow the 'Arts and Hay' link and you can see my painting The Lost Hayrick.
Hurrah! A Sweet! |