Tremors Forever

Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Mortensen) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:52:00 +0000

Your song still needs a chorus
I know you'll figure it out
The rising of the verses
A change of key will let you out

David Byrne and Brian Eno do it again...30 years later. I'm really digging this. Download "Strange Overtones" (my favorite track so far) here. Hopefully going to see him again October 24th in Ann Arbor. Skye and I caught him a few years ago performing in the Walker Art Center Sculpture Garden. I think I will forever associate that show with a) The dude dancing in front of us...an older, larger man. I remember thinking that I hope one day I would be able to just let go and dance like that. It was a sight...and b) Incurring a rather large parking ticket on skyes car by parking in a non-parking area. The sign was covered in moss, I didnt see it! We were on our first real date so it wasnt quite the impression I was hoping to leave. She married me anyways and David Byrne is still releasing amazing music so all is still right in the world.

PS Do yourself a favorite and get hip to Mr Bryne's Blog.

Mid-Summer Music 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Mortensen) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:04:00 +0000

I just have to tell someone about these jams...

Grouper
Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill

Whispery ambiance that harkens back to the glory days of early nineties 4AD releases like Cocteau Twins and This Mortal Coil. When I heard "Heavy Water/I'd Rather Be Sleeping" for the first time I felt like I was spying on my wife, Skye, growing up in South Dakota. 4AD releases shaped her aural landscape as a highschooler and I'm starting to understand the relationship of the music to the horizon and lonely expanse of the open plains. Anyways, isn't that the best album title you've ever heard?

Listen to "Heavy Water/I'd Rather Be Sleeping"

Fight Bite
Emerald Eyes

So this year I fell hard for Beach House's "Devotion," an album that I've proceeded to pimp out to every soul that would bear to listen. My carpool buddy, Marc has got to be sick to death of it by now. Anyways, lucky for him I've found a fresh, new successor to my obsessiveness. Fight Bite is like the crunchy to the smooth Beach House peanut butter. But you know, it still tastes like peanut butter, which is awesome. And who doesn't love peanut butter? If you don't love peanut butter you can get the hell off my blog, that's for sure. But seriously, lush, dreamy haze pop...I can't get enough of it.

Listen to "The Accident"

Au
Verbs

Au's Verbs is like a brilliant gem forged far beneath the mountains of Appalachia, plucked from the soil by a celestial being and presented to the inhabitants of earth. "Here you go earth buds..." it might say, "No matter what you do, whatever you decide to do is ok. You're ok. Now here's some jams to loose your mind to."

Listen to "RR vs. D"

The War on Drugs
Wagonwheel Blues

Doesn't this guy sound like Dylan? Dylan and the Boss? Plus Petty? But wait, they sound like something completely different than that too. Huh. This is my declared Summer Jam 2008.

Listen to "Taking The Farm"

Some other stuff worth checking out: The new Mogwai jam, "The Sun Smells Too Loud," and stuff from Human Highway, M83, and Ratatat. Listen to all of it here: http://tigerfile.muxtape.com

One dies, 2 stranded on Mt. Rainier

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Mortensen) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:10:00 +0000

Trapped on the Muir Snowfield with zero visibility and 70 mph sustained winds. Its crazy to say that I know exactly what that feels like. We were in the same location with the same conditions only a month ago today when we decided to turn around.

Feeling real lucky to be alive and sad for this loss. I heard it was the husband of one of the surviving hikers that died. The helicopter picked them up yesterday morning.

"The three individuals are experienced mountaineers who had visited Camp Muir in the past and have enjoyed hiking and climbing on Mount Rainier for many years. Two had previously reached the summit. On Monday afternoon, they became trapped on the Muir Snowfield by a sudden blizzard while descending from a day hike to Camp Muir. Early Tuesday morning a 911 emergency call came through to park rangers advising them of overdue hikers on the Muir snowfield. Due to heavy, drifting snow, seventy miles per hour winds, and near zero visibility, a rescue team was unable to safely initiate a search at that time. At about 7:15am, one member of the party found his way to Camp Muir and was able to direct a search team, made up of climbing guides and park rangers stationed at Camp Muir, to the party’s location near Anvil Rock. All three of the stranded hikers were under shelter by 8:30am. Three doctors, who were at Camp Muir as clients of one of the park’s guide services, provided immediate medical care. Mr. Burceag was unconscious and unresponsive upon arrival. Rescuers were unable to revive him."
-Mike Gauthier, National Park Service Ranger

"Hiker dies on Mount Rainier, 2 wait for rescue"

Amy Stein

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Mortensen) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:23:00 +0000

"We at once seek connection with the mystery and freedom of the natural world, yet we continually strive to tame the wild around us and compulsively control the wild within our own nature."

Amy's work stopped me in my tracks this morning. I think she's really mastered the delicate proportion, not too much and not too little. She gives you the cast of characters but she doesn't flesh out the narrative entirely. She leaves the fun part for you! Don't they feel like dioramas set in the real world? God knows I love me a diorama.

I mean look that this one. Look at this little flash of brilliance...the way the fence obscures the expression of the girl...it just slays me. She can stay in this moment of terror forever now because of that little move.

Anyways, if her "Domesticated" series isn't enough to convince you of her awesomeness, might I direct you to a few other series that you can all collectively lose your shit to...

Stranded

Halloween in Harlem

Add her to the "she just does it for me" list.

"Alors ca te fait kiffer de filmer ca fils de pute?

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Mortensen) — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:37:00 +0000

Justice touches a nerve with the overtly violent "Stress."

I'll be the first to admit, it's a bit disturbing, but disenfrachisment can drive people to commit diplorable acts. "Violence becoming banality" as a theme should come as no surprise, the French media has struggled with this for decades. This is the kind of footage that was shown for months on end on the evening news during the Clichy-sous-Bois riots.

For a decidedly less violent look at Parisian street culture in music video form might I direct you to another Ed Banger artist, DJ Medhi's "Signatune," also directed by Romain Gavras.

DVNO

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Mortensen) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 18:44:00 +0000

Yes. So very much yes.

Falling back to earth...alone.

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Mortensen) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 04:26:00 +0000

Joe Kittinger, first man in space.

April

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Mortensen) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 22:56:00 +0000

So let me get this straight, Mr. Kozelek...Sun Kil Moon is going to release the new album "April" on April 1st (Skye and mine's anniversary,) it's going to feature Will Oldham on 2 tracks, AND you are touring to support the album this spring? Wait...what's that? Touring with Dave Bazan?...oh Mr. Kozelek, you couldn't possibly make me any happier...I just...wait....WHAT? Get outta here...your side project, Retribution Gospel Choir (with Low's Alan Sparhawk) is releasing an album on March 18th.

Listen to Moorestown from "April" here.

Youtube Antidepressants

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Mortensen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:08:00 +0000

9 Attempts to Define the Basic Characteristics of the Book

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Mortensen) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:48:00 +0000

by book designer Daniele Barbiero.

1 - a book has a purpose

2 - it focuses and provides active criticism

3 - it has NOTHING to do with decoration

4 - it proposes new perspectives

5 - a book moves in a context

6 - it adds something to the current debate

7 - it’s NOT a device for coffee-tables

8 - it offers insight on the subject matter

9 - a book is linked to reality

Hot Chosky!

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Mortensen) — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 15:12:00 +0000

1 parts whiskey (knob creek for best results)
2 parts hot chocolate

It's like being a kid and an adult at the same time!

Best Albums of 2008, maybe?

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Mortensen) — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 03:11:00 +0000

Magnetic Fields – Distortion*
This record is noisy! Obligatory "Lives up to its title...blah blah blah..." California Girls is infectious.

Black Mountain - In The Future*
Bonnie Prince Billy meets Pink Floyd...or, you know, maybe not.

Cat Power - Jukebox*
A covers album...our beloved Chan singing the likes of Billie Holiday, Hank Williams, and a nice little Dylan number. Looser, more soulful than "The Greatest." I hear that's Jim White of Dirty Three fame on the skins.

MGMT - Oracular Spectacular*
The new psychedelic era is upon us. Time to Pretend is up on their myspace, go listen to it and get high snorting sea cucumbers. It's awesome.

Ida - Lovers Prayers*
First new album in three years. It was worth the wait. Dan and Liz moved to a farm in the mountains outside of New York and recorded this album in the barn...alot of atmospheric elements come through in the recording...you can hear the crackling of the fireplace in the background and whatnot. My favorite of 2008 so far.

British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?*
The eccentricity of "The Decline of British Sea Power" + the lush/full sounds of "Open Season"= Do You Like Rock Music? I think this will be a breakout year for BSP.

Mountain Goats - Heretic Pride
A few mp3's have found their way onto the internet and from what I hear...it's another great effort. I heard this one is more fantasy based, rather than Darnielle's typical autobiographical outpouring.

Beach House - Devotion
Excited for this record...have you heard this?

Sun Kil Moon - April
I loved "Tiny Cities Made of Ashes," but I think we are all waiting for an original follow-up to "Ghosts of the Great Highway."

Billy Bragg - Mr. Love & Justice
Billy could put out an album of Rick Astley covers and I would love it. He gets a free pass with me.

The Breeders - Mountain Battles
First Breeders album in oh...six years. Can you believe it's been 15 years since "Last Splash?"...I swear to god that album is more relevant than half the shit coming out now. Anyways, Mountain Battles is a great title.

of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping
Does anyone doubt that this will be anything less than amazing? My only hope is that it's more "Satan Panic" than "Hissing Fauna."

Other as-of-yet untitled offerings of interest:
Dave Bazan, Mates of State, Dan Deacon, Islands, and Built to Spill

*-Leaked

Oh God, I can feel it sliding into my coronary! It's delicious!

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Mortensen) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:27:00 +0000

Ladies and gentleman, behold the McDonald's Pizza. Inspired by another blog of greatness, the McDonald's Pizza truly is the culmination of all your dreams as a seven year old, coming true in the most amazingly conceivable form. Just in case the crappy cellphone picture doesn't accurately portray how savory this pizza is...let me give you a run down of its core elements:

Ingredients

1 pre-made pizza crust
1 can of tomato sauce
2 McDonald's cheeseburgers
1 6 piece Chicken McNuggets
1 Large Fries
Mozzarella cheese

My personal favorite McDonald's pizza quadrant would have to be where the McNugget sector crosses the french fry domain.

Best Albums of 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Mortensen) — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 21:08:00 +0000

"Drums and Guns" by Low

Same amazing Low, this time with more
dissonance, more violence, and an antiquated
drum machine. Best band ever.
Listen

Standout Tracks:

Murderer, Breaker

"Spiderman of the Rings" by Dan Deacon

Dan Deacon might be the best thing that has happened to me this year. Watch this...you will understand.
Listen

Standout Tracks:

The Crystal Cat, Big Milk

"†" by Justice

Another amazing French electronic duo, this shit
is dance enlightenment. I god-damn'd defy you
to sit still while listening to this album.
Listen

Standout Tracks:

Phantom, Phantom pt. II, Dvno

"Person Pitch" by Panda Bear

2007. The year indie music revisited organic, 60's pop music. Person Pitch is like "Pet Sounds" odd-ball cousin from the future. I actually think this album is about as perfect as anything has come this year.
Listen

Standout Tracks:

Comfy in Nautica, Ponytail

"Kala" by M.I.A.

Sri Lankan, genre-bending, glitch-hopping, Pixie Referencing, Clash sampling, fire-eye'd radical. M.I.A. just does it for me.
Listen

Standout Tracks:

Boyz, World Town

"Wierdo Rippers" by No Age

Lo-fi and simple. but with substance.
Listen

Standout Tracks:

My Life's Alright Without You, Everybody's Down

"23" by Blonde Redhead

I was sold the second I heard Kazu's voice hovering over the clockwork drumbeat of "23", the video for Top Ranking with Miranda July was just icing on the cake.
Listen

Standout Tracks:

Top Ranking, Silently, Spring and By Summer Fall

"Friend Opportunity" by Deerhoof

Choo Choo Choo Choo Beep Beep! Best lyric of the year? Lovable quirk-pop album with art by David Shrigley for the ultimate win!
Listen

Standout Tracks:

+81, Believe E.S.P.

"Parades" by Efterklang

Epic, sweeping choral arrangements over strings...immense in scale, beautifully depicted in the album art. Denmark's finest.
Listen

Standout Tracks:

Mirador, Caravan

"Yours To Keep" by Albert Hammond Jr

This album is a sucker-maker. Infectiously poppy first solo effort from the Strokes lead guitar player (and the real talent as far as I'm concerned.)
Listen

Standout Tracks:

In Transit, Bright Young Thing, Scared

Honorable Mentions
I Believe in You, Your Magic is Real by Y.A.C.H.T.
Kurr by Amiina
Saltbreakers by Laura Veirs
Wild Mountain Nations by Blitzen Trapper

Obligatory "Same as Everyone Else" Best of 2007
Neon Bible by Arcade Fire
Volta by Bjork
In Rainbows by Radiohead
Icky Thump by The White Stripes