Blog: Bricolage Fantasy

... Then the whole system becomes weightless, it is no longer anything but a gigantic simulacrum-not unreal, but a simulacrum, never again exchanging for what is real, but exchanging in itself, in an uninterrupted circuit without reference or circumference. So it is with simulation, insofar as it is opposed to representation. The latter starts from the principle that the sign and the real are equivalent (even if this equivalence is utopian, it is a fundamental axiom). Conversely, simulation starts from the utopia of this principle of equivalence, from the radical negation of the sign as value, from [...]

Pet Politics is a one man band from Gothenburg, Sweden by Magnus Larsson. "And his songs are damn fine" declares his little record company, catbirdsrecord . How much money are you making from this? Well, if these sell out, I should have just enough to buy that Zagnut I've been eyeballing for so long. Despite the sardonic tone, it is a heartwarming story. A guy tries very hard. Doing it alone, playing, performing, recording, pushing it, etc. A story we've all heard and probably doing it. And deep down we want the [...]

Sorry late. The alien kidnapped me and I had to fight vergonian bugs on Jupitar to escape. On to business, the blog has had the most roller coaster like ride last week, spiking then diving, followed by up climb again. What happens? It relates with type of music I post I suppose, but I can't decide if the stat is that sensitive. But as the opening post says, this is all an experiment. Music front: This week, lists might get more adventerous. (retro 90's feel, recent jazz, and a full list that never materializes last week.) I [...]

One album that might have been overlooked in 2005 is second High Dials album, War of the Wakening Phantoms. Which is unfortunate because this album has gained atmospheric quality compared to their first. That is, if you like neo-psychedelic indie pop. It is a nice addition to already flourishing psych/folks return. THD itself was formed in 2003 and cites many influences such as Pink Floyd, Love, CSNY, John Barry, Air, Blur, the Kinks and Curtis Mayfield. “We wanted to keep the RnB grooves and rich harmonies…there's a wider range on this record, some quieter moments too.� The [...]

A product of art school, Jakarta Skyscrapper feels like a moody coffe house music, somewhere between jamming session and free riffing. Jangly, poetic, stripped rythm, and downright artsy. The right amount, of course, topped off by good singing. Formed in March 2003, Jakarta Skyscraper LA based duo consisting of Denise Bonis and Eric Forst. Denise is a Virginia native who has studied at the Berklee College of Music. She supported Lisa Germano on her Lullaby for Liquid Pig tour in 2003 and lives in New Orleans. Eric Forst is also a Los Angeles-based Virginia native holding an MFA in poetry [...]

A shortened list I xposted at Motel de Moka . The full list was build out of a short online conversation about drum and session at 20 jazz funk greats and grew into a full size list. This version however is altered and sounds much more exotic as a result. It is muc heavier with post punk pieces. Try Cereberus Shoal and Alamaailman Vasarat. They are worth listening, very oddly well crafted and sweet. "Drum's Alive & kicking" Asian Dub Foundation : 1000 mirrors ft. Sonia Mehta [...]

Anti-Social Music is a NYC experimental chamber music group. Initially they started as a one time event "An Afternoon of Anti-Social Chamber Music", but due to public respond they are now doing two yearly premiers. They claim to be a "Basic New York scene eclectics. All the fun without the pretension". Guessing from the guests list which includes Balkan Beat Box, the Hissyfits, Songs:Ohia, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the bands of Jenny Toomey, Elliot Sharp... , they probably are fun in concert. ASM primarily performs NY-based composers' work. In 2005 Peacock recordings released one album, "Sings the Great American Songbook". [...]

It occurs to me that I need a device to hold this blog thematic coherency together. While moving at roughly half dozens posts a week, on top of diversifying category, I start loosing direction and thematic unity starts to dissolve. Songs start to blur together into counters, inbox folder and hit stat. I don't like that. So, I am creating a meta list, a list that will lead overall thematic theme for a period of time. These special series of lists, 'Bricolage Fantasies', will be the backbone for this blog. It will either summarize a period, point to next phase, [...]

A list echoing Songs to the Sirens accoustic post, a track from 'Boy' new release. Something with rolling beat in a fall stroll-in-the-park like pace. They are lyrical, with stories people tell while walking together. Check out Gaby La La and Odran Trummel, they are fun in lovely way. "Accoustic Wednesday No.5 (c. List in Yellow)" Boy : houses and roads , norfolk motel (My Little Cab Records, 2006) Eleni Mandell : Just a Dream [...]

"... and it's sad and it's sweet, it knows how to be without crying" opens Maggie's Song for Alice. The piece flows softly like a dirge attempting to exorcise memory of carefully studied great tunes. Faded shadows of Joni Mitchell appears along side of Leonard Cohen and a piece of metal band. The song feels like Joni mitchell's translucent voice expression, but the vague forcefullness of cat power lyricism. Familiar yet oddly distant. All in her first self released EP. Jane's own description of her work is also stitched together in a way, like a warm answer [...]

On March 20, 2003 at approximately 02:30 UTC or about 90 minutes after the lapse of the 48-hour deadline, at 05:30 local time, explosions were heard in city; coinciding with Special Air Service Regiment personnel crossing the border into southern part of the country. At 03:15 UTC, or 10:15 pm EST, ordered was given to the invasion force to launch an "attack of opportunity" against targets. Hitherto, the event has not resulted in a just conclusion. "A list in Black" Scott Amendola Band : Master of War [...]

"Established 2004. Boston Finest Orchestral Indie-Folk Rock." That more or less sums up this adorable highschool band. It's you, me and bright sky. No limit or irony. Everything can be captured in single meter, less cords than the fingers in one hand, and lyrical melody. Nobody dies, no children starves, no banality of human misery or mortgage payment. Everything is in the right place where it suppose to be. TYR is about a group of students doing work based on what they've learned, the satisfaction of putting things together just like it has been done before. No boundry being broken, [...]

One month mark. There are at least two of you now who keep returning. This, plus the gold fish and my neighboor cat, makes 5 persons army. We are off to global domination, baby. On serious note, thanks to everybody who clicks this page and don't forget to drop a message if I can do something, about eleven hundred of you. (Behind the scene, I am already fretting about near future direction. Trust me, Songs to the Sirens editor is about to kick my ass for being such a nervous nelly.) "Weekend list. (One month edition)" [...]

I am afraid this is a difficult list primarily directed for Another-Record internal instead of what I do regularly. Bricolage Fantasy is one month old and the traffic pattern indicates it is about to break out in sustained manner. This list in a way is a check that might direct the blog general direction. Something to be shared, but it's essentially a passive list to everybody else beyond Another-Record members. Music wise, this is a deep night list. It embodies psych-folks, general theme of what Another-Record is doing, except expressed in different manner, not accoustic. Primarily in [...]

A weekend night list with repetitive pattern that I like. Minimalist with strings (Clogs), IDM (Amon Tobin, TEF, Jaga Jazzist), and ambient electronica (Rollmottle). The basic idea is to have the list slowly unfold and turns more and more electronic while maintaining the overall feel and texture. I hope it works. "IDM Nightlist" Clogs : Pencil Stick , Stick Music (Brassland, 2004) Amon Tobin : Lighthouse , Chaos Theory: Splinter Cell 3 Soundtrack (Ninja Tune, 2005) [...]

Sounding like soft blend of Blonde Redhead and Fugazi, Rahim, a new york treo, is about to release their first CD in April after a success with their 'Jungles' EP. Declaring, "We got the power of 10,000 horses. There are enough of us to fill up the sky. Noises we generate will fill the meadows.", they march to pleasant beat with almost heartbreaking voice. No screaming, all calm and composed. "such modest accommodation". I would say they are off to a good start in this messy time. Hailing from NYC, Rahim is Philip Sutton (drums), Ryan McCoy [...]

"Babylon is the Greek variant of Akkadian Babilu, an ancient city in Mesopotamia (Location: 32°32′11″N, 44°25′15″E, modern Al Hillah, Iraq). It was the "holy city" of Babylonia from around 2300 BC, and the seat of the Neo-Babylonian empire from 612 BC. In the Hebrew Bible, the name appears as ×'×'ל (Babel), interpreted by popular etymology to mean "confusion". Akkadian bÄ?b-ilû means "Gate of God", translating Sumerian Kadingirra." "Sunrise in Babylon" Chumbawamba : Jacob's Ladder (Not In My Name) , Jacob's Ladder (Muttr, 2002) [...]

A brief rehash of '04/'05 favorites, mostly psych folks crew pieces. Looking back, most of their works are bright and hopefull. A day in life, healing, friendship, the street, and people. Let's hope 2006 will give us another lyrical and hopefull songs. "Accoustic Wednesday No.43 Vashti Bunyan : Diamond Day , Just Another Diamond Day (Dicristina Stair, 2004) Mike Doughty : Thank You, Lord, For Sending Me The F Train , Skittish/Rockity Roll (Ato Records, 2004) [...]

A somewhat obscure and enigmatic group from NYC, Elysian fields has been moving about largely under the radar outside the noir rock scene in the US. The story goes that Jennifer Charles met Oren Bloedow in downtown NYC, April 1990, in a club in East Houston street. She was singing some song from the 20's while sweeping the floor. Friendship bloomed and for the next three years they recorded with Radioactive , 'Elysian Fields', 'Bleed Your Cedar', and A CD by Steve Albini, which is not available to public. After few material with John Zorn's label, they made [...]