Peligro: I second this: “Einstuerzende Neubauten - The Jewels”
The physical release was a great package (even though some EN supporters complained that it should have been exclusive [I didn’t track with that, I mean, we got the downloads for free, way before the stuff was released, who cares?]).
I highly recommend this.
Is that the one I see listed as “Science For the Satanic Spawn”? I was a huge Leather Strip fan for awhile in the mid-90s and lost interest, but this sounds intriguing.
That’s the official title for the scond disc. There’s also The Pleasure Of Reproduction, the second disc of the first Retention volume with rerecorded versions from The Pleasure Of Penetration. They’re definitely a little different style than the old, but are a nice progression from the old sound that did get a little old.
Is there going to be a domestic release of this? I fileshared the track with Ronan Harris and it’s better than anything on the last VNV Nation album.
You’d think Metropolis would take care of that, but I haven’t heard anything about it. I’d say that song is representative of the quality of the whole album. If you liked it, you’ll definitely like the rest.
There is some good Prurient and some bad Prurient.
I will let you discover which is which - rather than attempt to play God.
Fair enough, but perhaps you can give me a compass.
Arrowhead could be described as mostly a squeal of microphone feedback that stays stagnant for 15 minutes with a handful of drum beats that almost sound accidental and Fernow occasionally mumbling something in the background.
Is Cocaine Death really repetitive, or does he vary the attack on it? When I listen to folks like Merzbow or Government Alpha or Alan Hearse, I like listening for the subtle changes and the transitions between patterns.
Or a simpler question: Both of the Prurient albums I have were recorded around the same time (2002-2003, I think?); do you know when Cocaine Death was recorded?
[reply]There is some good Prurient and some bad Prurient.
I will let you discover which is which - rather than attempt to play God.
Fair enough, but perhaps you can give me a compass.
Arrowhead could be described as mostly a squeal of microphone feedback that stays stagnant for 15 minutes with a handful of drum beats that almost sound accidental and Fernow occasionally mumbling something in the background.
Is Cocaine Death really repetitive, or does he vary the attack on it? When I listen to folks like Merzbow or Government Alpha or Alan Hearse, I like listening for the subtle changes and the transitions between patterns.
Or a simpler question: Both of the Prurient albums I have were recorded around the same time (2002-2003, I think?); do you know when Cocaine Death was recorded?[/reply]
I’ll give you my own limited insight into Prurient. His records vary a lot between more rhythmic shit inspired by early Industrial that has repetition and song structure (‘Black Vase’, ‘Pleasureground’) to pure Noise without structure (‘Shipwrecker’s Diary’) and everything in between.
If you’re looking for the former, which it seems you are, I’d suggest ‘Pleasure Ground’, ‘Black Vase’ or ‘Cocaine Death’ which (though I don’t yet own it) is his newest release in the rhythmic, song-oriented category from what I’ve gathered.
I’m just going to talk about the records I own here because I’m hardly an expert, but ‘Black Vase’ is my favorite so far. It’s a good collection with a lot of variation. Some of the songs have ancient, altered sounding drums and a primitive tribal feel with screaming. Others are more drawn out with building tension and Noise ambience. The opening track is pure painful feedback. As a whole it probably best displays the different sounds he’s cultivated from what I know of him.
‘The Warriors’ split with Wolf Eyes is more of the Noise side of Prurient. Wolf Eyes have 2 long drawn out mechanical ambient lurch kind of jams while he has about 8 tracks that are brief and structureless like the ‘Shipwrecker’s Diary’ stuff, but more primitive sounding with minimal use of vocals if at all.
‘Shipwrecker’s Diary’ is a more layered, complex sounding pure Noise album with a lot of texture and very little vocals or things that sound overtly like vocals (you never really know sometimes with Noise artists).
‘Pleasure Ground’ is driven by synths that are masterfully distorted and layered in slow tonal melodies that are haunting and sad. There are heavily reverberated screams laced over the top and occasional other sounds.
From what I gather, ‘Cocaine Death’ is a continuation in this vein. More song-oriented and melodic.
Thanks for the detailed description. Perhaps I’ll give Prurient one more shot.
Thanks for the detailed description. Perhaps I’ll give Prurient one more shot.
You definitely should. I really like some of his stuff. The over-the-top treble and piercing crap is just annoying though. I mean, really. I understand the aesthetics of Power Electronics to punish the audience but I just don’t want to lose my ability to hear high frequencies altogether from listening to him.
A lot of his stuff is just too piercing for me to listen to responsibly. My guess is that he has had some hearing loss himself and maybe doesn’t realize just how painful the mixes are on some stuff (like Al Jourgensen syndrome multiplied exponentially).
Prurient is one of the few artists where I will turn the treble nob way down. I normally keep it all the way up because I love the crisp beats…
TV on the Radio - Dear Science
The Bug - London Zoo
Nine Inch Nails - The Slip
The Killers - Day & Age
A Place to Bury Strangers - APTBS
Girl Talk - Feed the Animals
Cold War Kids - Loyalty to Loyalty
Ohgr - Devils In My Details
RevCo - Sex-O-Olympico (08/09)
Metallica - Death Magnetic
Guns N’ Roses - Chinese Democracy
Not a bad year.
Hrmmm… Well, it’s a bit hard for me to remember what all came out this year but from what I recall the only things I really nodded at (even for a moment) were :
OTEP - The Ascension
A decent offering. I don’t care what others think, I like her music. Evil J is a mad bassist. Not as strong as the first two albums but was definately worth picking up and going to the show to hear.
Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone
About the same as I said on OTEP but this is SO much better than Sublminal Verses.
NIN - Ghosts I-IV
I loved every last bit of this. I hated the Slip. Slip had a few moments but Ghosts was just chock full of them! Still spinning this a lot.
Norma Jean - The Anti-Mother
While not quite as “Botch-esque” as their first few albums, it’s a hell of a lot better than that crap “Redeemer” they put out a year or two ago.
Meshuggah - ObZen
I can’t describe this album. It sounds like Meshuggah, but better. It’s better than Catch 33 but I still really wish they would go back to what they were doing around the Chaosphere and Nothing albums.
Testament - Formation of Damnation
Unbelievable. And we all thought thrash was dead! Looks like the crew (which is as close to the original lineup as it will ever get again) is back on par. If you missed this then something is REALLY wrong with you.
Death Cab For Cutie - whatever the new cd was named
It sounds like Ben is starting to write better songs again. Thank god for that.
And that’s really about it. I didn’t find a lot of music this year that I liked. If I did it was actually mostly singles (i.e. Interpol - “PDA”). Not really a great year in usic period for me. I saw a few really great acts break up (some it was time for, others it was not). I saw a few mediocre bands and a few great ones reunite (Carcass and the quick stint of Anthrax getting back with Bella). But as far as music goes I could have cared less this year. I hope that 2009 will do SOMETHING worthwhile. There are a few albums in the works for '09 that I am very eagerly waiting on though.
Peace!
Krowe
Fair enough, but perhaps you can give me a compass.
Arrowhead could be described as mostly a squeal of microphone feedback that stays stagnant for 15 minutes with a handful of drum beats that almost sound accidental and Fernow occasionally mumbling something in the background.
To be honest I’m not really an expert on Prurient. Hated the Wolf Eyes collaboration. Arrowhead is …[snores]. Cocaine Death and …And Still Wanting is more where my interest lies. Black Post Society is good too. Actually, that might be the best one for you to kick off on, old chap.
I’m a bit like you in that I like my ‘noise’ to be subtle and rythmic. Blasts iof sonic feedback for 30+ minutes just do not interest me.
Yellow Swans and Burning Star Core are bands to check out if you like that sort of ‘thing’ - although they are both more more guitar based. Much more organic sounding than Prurient.
do you know when Cocaine Death was recorded?
No. Though I do know that it’s a collection of older material released on cd for the first time.
OTEP - The Ascension
A decent offering. I don’t care what others think, I like her music. Evil J is a mad bassist. Not as strong as the first two albums but was definately worth picking up and going to the show to hear.
Who?
Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone
About the same as I said on OTEP but this is SO much better than Sublminal Verses.
Um…I’ll take yr word for it!
NIN - Ghosts I-IV
I loved every last bit of this. I hated the Slip. Slip had a few moments but Ghosts was just chock full of them! Still spinning this a lot.
Like Final. Only not.
Testament - Formation of Damnation
Unbelievable. And we all thought thrash was dead! Looks like the crew (which is as close to the original lineup as it will ever get again) is back on par. If you missed this then something is REALLY wrong with you.
Wait a minute! Testament! But NO Metallica?!? Even I liked Death Magnetic. Which is really saying something.
Where is yr head at?
But as far as music goes I could have cared less this year. I hope that 2009 will do SOMETHING worthwhile. There are a few albums in the works for '09 that I am very eagerly waiting on though.
Like?
I’m anxious for new albums by:
Fantomas
Sunn O)))
Secret Chiefs
Animal Collective
in '09.
Ghosts/The Slip - NIN
DIMD - ohgr
Dream 4:13 - The Cure
Who Killed Amanda Palmer - Amanda Palmer
Forgiveness and Exile - Chris Connelly
Alles Wieder Offen/The Jewels - Neubauten
Flowering Blight
Secrets of the Lost Satellite (think it came out this year) - Ken Andrews
D is for Dubby - Puscifer
Fear of a Blank Planet - Porcupine Tree
Hourglass - Dave Gahan
[reply]
OTEP - The Ascension
A decent offering. I don’t care what others think, I like her music. Evil J is a mad bassist. Not as strong as the first two albums but was definately worth picking up and going to the show to hear.
Who?
Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone
About the same as I said on OTEP but this is SO much better than Sublminal Verses.
Um…I’ll take yr word for it!
NIN - Ghosts I-IV
I loved every last bit of this. I hated the Slip. Slip had a few moments but Ghosts was just chock full of them! Still spinning this a lot.
Like Final. Only not.
Testament - Formation of Damnation
Unbelievable. And we all thought thrash was dead! Looks like the crew (which is as close to the original lineup as it will ever get again) is back on par. If you missed this then something is REALLY wrong with you.
Wait a minute! Testament! But NO Metallica?!? Even I liked Death Magnetic. Which is really saying something.
Where is yr head at?
But as far as music goes I could have cared less this year. I hope that 2009 will do SOMETHING worthwhile. There are a few albums in the works for '09 that I am very eagerly waiting on though.
Like?
I’m anxious for new albums by:
Fantomas
Sunn O)))
Secret Chiefs
Animal Collective
in '09.[/reply]
I gave up on Metallica a long time ago and wasn’t impressed with the new album. It’s the same crap as St Anger in a different manner. I don’t know. It’s just not my cup o tea. As far as upcoming stuff in '09 I can’t wait for :
Fantomas
Godflesh releasing SOLAH/LAHID 2cd/1dvd
Sepultura - A-lex
Lamb Of God - Wrath
Deftones - Eros (if Chi ever gets out of his coma)
Static X - Cult Of Static
Narrows - New Distances (ex botch and several other great bands)
Chimaira
Poison The Well
Converge - Thousands Of Miles Between Us
Zao
And anything that Jesu happens to drop. There’s more that I’ve heard is happening (like Pelican and Isis are both dropping new albums next year) that I really hope comes out but haven’t heard enough to know if it is true or not.
Peace!
Krowe
I don’t know how it slipped my mind but the new Napalm Death that dropped this year (not too long ago actually) is really great too. I strongly suggest everyone pick it up if you like this kind of stuff. Reminds me a lot of their album The Code Is Red… Long Live The Code.
Peace!
Krowe
I’m also anxious for new Napalm Death - loved Smear Campaign.
But I didn’t think it was out til April. As far as I know it doesn’t even have artwork yet.
I’m surprised NO ONE here has mentioned Boris. Smile (japanese version) was awesome.
Metallica ‘Death Magnetic’ was definitely a welcome return. And it was absolutely nothing like St Angry Pants.
[crazy]
2009 promises new Boards of Canada and maybe some more Jesu… that will do me.
Also to those who listed Einsturzende Neubauten’s ‘The Jewels’ as a highlight for 2008, how do you compare it to their other stuff? Is it similar to ‘Alles Wieder Offen’?
Stuff I liked in '08 (in reverse alphabetical order):
Vampire Weekend “s/t”
Uh Huh Her “Common Reaction”
Ting Tings “We Started Nothing”
Throbbing Gristle “32nd Annual Report”
Santogold “s/t”
Robyn “s/t”
Repo: The Genetic Opera soundtrack
Phil Western “1221”
Ohgr “Devil in My Details”
OceanLab “Sirens of the Sea”
Nine Inch Nails “The Slip”
Neon Neon “Stainless Style”
Moby “Last Night”
M83 “Saturdays=Youth”
Goldfrapp “Seventh Tree”
Flowering Blight “Perfect Pair”
Fireman “Electric Arguments”
David Byrne & Brian Eno “Everything That Happens Happens Today”
Cut Copy “In Ghost Colours”
The Black Ghosts “s/t”
Of those, my top 6 are:
6. Santogold “s/t” - There are some weak cuts, but the album on a whole is really good.
5. The Black Ghosts “s/t” - Great electronic pop. Not much happening under the surface but that’s OK, cuz it all feels great.
4. David Byrne & Brian Eno “Everything…” - A few tracks I’m not so into, but the good tracks blend wonderfully everything I like about David Byrne (who I run hot and cold on) with Eno.
3. M83 “Saturdays=Youth” Every track is a winner. The album has stuck with me through the year and I feel this is M83’s best outing yet. It’s like vintage Tangerine Dream via 4AD records with a dash of MBV.
2. Goldfrapp “Seventh Tree” - Not much liked by the music press but well adored by me. The album is a definite grower and the more time I’ve spent with it the better I find it. It may now be my favorite Goldfrapp album.
I’m also anxious for new Napalm Death - loved Smear Campaign.
But I didn’t think it was out til April. As far as I know it doesn’t even have artwork yet.
I never said I acquired it legally. Go check Demonoid. mwahaha. Love it. Sounds great. It’s like going back in time to the late 90’s/early 00’s sound they had.
Peace!
Krowe
Best In 08…
Yellow Swans - Deterioration Yellow Swans
Prurient - Arrowhead
Gang Gang Dance - Saint Dymphna
Earth - The Bees Made Honey In The Lion’s Skull
Vinterriket - Firntann
Havoc Unit - h.IV +
Fennesz - Black Sea
Prurient - Cocaine Death
Darkthrone - Dark Thrones And Black Flags
Grails - Take Refuge In Clean Living
Satyricon - The Age Of Nero
Ive said it before and Ill say it again:
Esoteric - The Maniacal Vale
Best music released in years.