My Bloody Valentine - Only Shallow

I became acquainted with MBV in the early 90s as they were becoming popular. I listened to the demo disk at the record store where I worked and couldn't believe what I was hearing. I had heard other music by them, but this record as a whole was unlike anything I had heard before from any band.

That's the other thing - they're a band. The folklore is that making this record killed the label that supported it. The sound is so worked over that it's not hard to imagine the strain it would have caused. To seem them play the songs live seemed like some kind of slight of hand trick - it still seems impossible that they could reproduce those sounds (and more) with a standard, four-piece outfit.

But they did. And it was one of the most intense live shows I've ever seen. Here's the official video that probably helped to ruin Creation, but you'll see what I mean:

Know It All (Nothing)

I’m not so much a renaissance man as an adult with attention deficit disorder. I have always maintained that I just have varied interests, and it’s part of my character to learn about as much stuff as possible. It especially applies for things I enjoy, like bikes (built my own), music (learned to play drums), computers (built my own), and now beer (toying with brewing some).

Sometimes, seeing how things work is enlightening and opens up whole worlds I never knew existed. Sometimes, it’s a lot of investment into nothing.

Alice Donut - The Son of a Disgruntled X-Postal Worker Reflects on His Life While Getting Stoned in the Parking Lot Of A Winn Dixie Listening to Metallica

One of the most fun live shows I can remember and some of the most underrated music from the 90s, in my opinion. The vocals might be the difference for lots of people, but if you can acquire the taste, it’s worth it.

U.S. Maple - Stuck

Some old friends at what I think of as their best. Frequently termed “experimental” - a label I disagree with - they were more about sarcasm and de/reconstruction. Really, that might be an overstatement. They were well-rehearsed, skilled musicians that simply did not use 4/4 or Gm7 or trimeter as guideposts. It’s not “nonsense” but I’d acquiesce on “un-sense”. Even that is selling them short; there was nothing left to chance in the songs except the reaction they would garner. Decide for yourself:


If that interests you at all, you should check out the documentary done by the skilled and affable Tony Ciarrocchi:

Beak> - Mono

Beak> is an offshoot of Portishead, one of my favorite bands. This video was procured by a fan and applied to this particular song because “the track worked in almost perfect unison”. I would concur. Here’s the video:
Beak> - Mono from Rich Davison on Vimeo.
And more info on Portishead and Beak> here: http://www.portishead.co.uk/home/