noisefreq
Super Member
Last week, I made my biannual pilgrimage to Love Garden Sounds Record Shop in Lawrence, KS. about an hours drive for me.
This shop is great! Lots of used vinyl and they always have several things I'm looking for and lots of stuff I didn't realise I needed.
In the late Eighties I discovered a musicial indentity known as Caroliner Rainbow from S.F.,CA.
I happened across their first four records back then and equated them to demented outsider avant country punk. Not something I can listen to regularly but fun once in a while. Their fifth album eluded until now.
This one is their best to my ears.
CAROLINER RAINBOW "STRIKE THEM HARD, DRAG THEM TO CHURCH" 1992
Handmade paste on cover with lyric sheets.
It propels through the songs with an interesting use of viola, banjo, organ, drums, guitar, bass and clarinet.
The vocals are the sticking point. Could be compared to the Residents at the wrong speed. Both fast AND slow depending on which song you're in.
Overall for most, a noisy nightmare but with the right frame of mind a fun and intense trip.
And now for something completely different.
JON HASSELL
"THE SURGEON OF THE NIGHTSKY RESTORES DEAD THINGS BY THE POWER OF SOUND" 1987
Absolutely mesmerizing.
His trumpet sound is very breathy and synth-like and is ran through delays.
When combined with tape loops, actual synthesizers, e-bowed guitar and hand precussion it sounds very exotic and powerful.
His work with Brian Eno is s good reference point but this album is taken to the next level. Possibly his finest moment.
WHITE HILLS "STOLEN STARS LEFT FOR NO ONE" 2010
Bought this not knowing what to expect.
Heavy space rock mind melt from a NYC band that flows just perfect.
When it's loud it's right on, when it's quite it's right on!
The trail offs in the mist of guitar distortion is what impresses me the most.
So many intricate levels to the guitar and synth sounds ran through effects...
I'll be seeking out more from these travelers.
BILL ORCUTT "COLONIAL DONUTS" 2015
Bill Orcutt guitar, Jacob Felix Heule drums, recorded in Bill's living room S.F.,CA.
I've got his first three records so I popped on this.
It's GOOD, just not great. The inclusion of drums gives a nice counter point to his explorations but some of the emotional power is missing.
Side one has some powerful moments but they seem to loose steam on side two.
The drums are actually well played in a textural kind of way and more musicial than some of what I've heard with Chris Corsano's pound and destory method.
I wonder what the neighbors think? They're probably used to it by now.
This is my favorite cover art of his so far.
FRED FRITH "GRAVITY" 1980
I've been wanting this record for a long time.
I'm a big Frith fan from his days with Henry Cow, this is his first solo after their demise.
This is on the Ralph Records label so there is a decidedly San Francisco theme running through this post.
The music is highly entertaining and always inventive.
If there was ever a "post-prog" genre this would be it.
It has a wonderful eastern european flavor running through the music that only adds to the proceddings.
Just expertly played music from an extraordinary musician.
This shop is great! Lots of used vinyl and they always have several things I'm looking for and lots of stuff I didn't realise I needed.
In the late Eighties I discovered a musicial indentity known as Caroliner Rainbow from S.F.,CA.
I happened across their first four records back then and equated them to demented outsider avant country punk. Not something I can listen to regularly but fun once in a while. Their fifth album eluded until now.
This one is their best to my ears.
CAROLINER RAINBOW "STRIKE THEM HARD, DRAG THEM TO CHURCH" 1992
Handmade paste on cover with lyric sheets.
It propels through the songs with an interesting use of viola, banjo, organ, drums, guitar, bass and clarinet.
The vocals are the sticking point. Could be compared to the Residents at the wrong speed. Both fast AND slow depending on which song you're in.
Overall for most, a noisy nightmare but with the right frame of mind a fun and intense trip.
And now for something completely different.
JON HASSELL
"THE SURGEON OF THE NIGHTSKY RESTORES DEAD THINGS BY THE POWER OF SOUND" 1987
Absolutely mesmerizing.
His trumpet sound is very breathy and synth-like and is ran through delays.
When combined with tape loops, actual synthesizers, e-bowed guitar and hand precussion it sounds very exotic and powerful.
His work with Brian Eno is s good reference point but this album is taken to the next level. Possibly his finest moment.
WHITE HILLS "STOLEN STARS LEFT FOR NO ONE" 2010
Bought this not knowing what to expect.
Heavy space rock mind melt from a NYC band that flows just perfect.
When it's loud it's right on, when it's quite it's right on!
The trail offs in the mist of guitar distortion is what impresses me the most.
So many intricate levels to the guitar and synth sounds ran through effects...
I'll be seeking out more from these travelers.
BILL ORCUTT "COLONIAL DONUTS" 2015
Bill Orcutt guitar, Jacob Felix Heule drums, recorded in Bill's living room S.F.,CA.
I've got his first three records so I popped on this.
It's GOOD, just not great. The inclusion of drums gives a nice counter point to his explorations but some of the emotional power is missing.
Side one has some powerful moments but they seem to loose steam on side two.
The drums are actually well played in a textural kind of way and more musicial than some of what I've heard with Chris Corsano's pound and destory method.
I wonder what the neighbors think? They're probably used to it by now.
This is my favorite cover art of his so far.
FRED FRITH "GRAVITY" 1980
I've been wanting this record for a long time.
I'm a big Frith fan from his days with Henry Cow, this is his first solo after their demise.
This is on the Ralph Records label so there is a decidedly San Francisco theme running through this post.
The music is highly entertaining and always inventive.
If there was ever a "post-prog" genre this would be it.
It has a wonderful eastern european flavor running through the music that only adds to the proceddings.
Just expertly played music from an extraordinary musician.
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