It is still early in the year, so please forgive my randomness, the fruit of this year's music have yet to ripen. Vindicated and betrayed by music awards for nearly 2 decades now, I care very little but still pay attention. So I eagerly await my disappointment with the Grammys. Award shows aside, These are the albums my ears have been into recently:
CARM - Carm (2021)
The solo debut project from multi-instrumentalist C.J. Camerieri. C.J. Is perhaps best know for his trumpet work as a hired gun for Paul Simon, Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, My Brightest Diamond, & The National. Carm is very textural, ranging from spaghetti western flavors to electronic and lounge jazz. The album is somewhat instrumental except the songs featuring some of his previous collaborators. Try the track “Nowhere” on your system, you won’t be disappointed.
Mogwai - As The Love Continues (2021)
The older I get, the less I feel the need to blast metal or hard rock into my ears, but with every rule there is an exception. Mogwai’s newest album is currently that very exception, as it is exceptional. This album rocks, it tickles the belly of metal but keeps itself in the heady psychedelic, space-prog, post rock. Probably the hardest stuff I’ve enjoyed since Tool - Fear Inoculum. The Scottish band delivered yet again on this 62 minute album.
Bo Hansson - The Lord of the Rings (1970)
Thanks, Sarah Glass for planting this particular seed in my brain. As I found this story so interesting, I feel as I must give you an abridged background: Bo Hansson, a glorious Swedish musician/ Multi-Instrumentalist, started his career in 1960 with a blues group called the Merrymen, who supported The Rolling Stones on an early Scandinavian tour. By 1966 Hanson had moved on from the Merrymen, and formed a duo “Hansson & Karlsson” Hansson on the Organ, and Karlsson on the drums, they mainly played jazz fusion with some early flavors of progressive rock. Hansson & Karlsson released three albums between 1967-1969 and even gained the attention of Jimi Hendrix, who took time off of his tour to jam with the duo. By the end of 1969 Bo would become a solo artist.
Inspired by JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings Hansson began writing demo’s in a friend’s apartment, the writing process would ultimately get his friend an eviction notice. Hansson finished the writing process in a small cottage on an island off the coast of Stockholm. By December 1970 the project would be complete, and released in Sweden, but wouldn’t get an international release until 1972.
The 38-minute instrumental album pushes the boundaries of Psychedelic and Progressive rock. It tastes like Gabor Szasbo, King Crimson, and Mort Garson. If there’s any appreciation for the weird albums I blather about this definitely falls within those lines. Bo Hansson would go on to create all kinds of cool music, but this one is quite interesting and definitely worth a listen. Your music system and pattern seeking brain will thank you.
I am very saddened by the passing of the 34-year-old artist and producer SOPHIE. I am very much a fan, and was eager to enjoy her art for years to come. May she Rest In Peace. SOPHIE has several production credits but only has one album. Her music could be described as Independent Electronic, and plays with dissonance to contrast the strange consonants. If you find yourself in altered states on the right night, and you need something off the wall to listen to, spool this one up.
I wanted to close this random stream of thoughts with a huge thank you to all the people who read this. I’m genuinely surprised and elated by the amount of people that mention this to me at work. Furthermore, I’m so grateful for the positive feedback and the continuing support. If anyone has any suggestions for me to put my ear on, please email me Isaac@crescendoaudio.net.