AMR Podcast #8: Typhoon - Offerings and Chamber/Baroque Rock

Instead of making the entry 1st and then making a podcast, I decided to do the opposite previewing what may be in the Chamber/Baroque Rock/Pop/Folk entry.

Also initially sparked-by Offerings, just giving initial thoughts on this great new album from Typhoon.

I do think there is almost a yearning to do something soon about progtessive college rock in the 2000's and nostalgia. Maybe a Top 10 Albums or something, initially. Maybe make a podcast or video about that specifically.

I of course didn't mention every name, namely Sufjan Stevens who may be the most successful/popular/influential artist making Chamber Rock, but so be it. He'll be included in the actual entry.

I also failed to mentioned The River Empires as well..but there's many others of course.

Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Dessner, Nico Muhly and James McAlister - Planetarium (2016-2017)

Not sure what to think about this, as Sufjan's last record was hard to listen to and bored me at the same time. And The National of course I don't care for.

However, when Sufjan does things outside of folk, I can often get on board, The description and 1st clip sound like Space-Rock and quite electronic. I guess it depends on if it flows or if it meanders. I'm curious at least at this point.

Oh and I guess Nico Muhly has composed string arrangements for Grizzly Bear, who are another band I'm not a fan of. But, if his background is in Classical Music? I guess that may help my interest.

release date is June 9th

In 2013, after completing two states of his reputed 50-state album project, Sufjan Stevens moved on to bigger and better things. Specifically, he teamed up with The National’s Bryce Dessner, Nico Muhly, and drummer James McAlister for an original composition inspired by the solar system. Entitled Planetarium, the project received its live debut during a multi-night run at the Brooklyn Academy Of Music. Years later, they’re finally releasing a recording of the project. The 17-track LP is set for release on June 9th via 4AD, and have recently unveiled the first preview in the form of “Saturn.”




01 Neptune
02 Jupiter
03 Halley’s Comet
04 Venus
05 Uranus
06 Mars
07 Black Energy
08 Sun
09 Tides
10 Moon
11 Pluto
12 Kuiper Belt
13 Black Hole
14 Saturn
15 In the Beginning
16 Earth
17 Mercury



Saturn from CandyStations on Vimeo.

Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell (2014-2015)

2/16/15 5:24PM

"No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross"


1/12/15 5:18PM

Being released on March 30th/31st. some stuff I just read this is supposed to be the ole "return to his roots" kind of record, which if it is like the pre-Michigan stuff, stripped down, almost purely acoustic singer/songwriter, I am not expecting a ton.

On the other hand, if much or any of this record resembles the epic (and electronic?) nature of The Age of Adz, I may be pleasantly happy to get into another on of his records. Even just the use of the chamber instrumentation of Michigan and Illinois I'd be game for.

But the trailer has me thinking this may be more of the folky/stripped Sufjan, but we'll see.

http://music.sufjan.com/album/carrie-lowell



1. Death with Dignity
2. Should Have Known Better
3. All Of Me Wants All Of You
4. Drawn to the Blood
5. Eugene
6. Fourth of July
7. The Only Thing
8. Carrie & Lowell video
9. John My Beloved
10. No Shade In The Shadow Of The Cross
11. Blue Bucket of Gold

2014 Rock Hall: Peter Gabriel gets IN, but NOT Yes or Deep Purple

Can't find myself to write the rant/analysis/hyperbole I have meant to since the nominees came out in October. But, given the PTO this week, maybe I'll manage to elaborate more on this then.

But for now, here's the news...

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/nirvana-kiss-e-street-lead-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fames-2014-class-20131216

Cat Stevens
Hall and Oates
Kiss
Linda Ronstadt
Nirvana
Peter Gabriel 
Brian Epstein
The E Street Band

Gabriel is nice to see. My girlfriend loves Hall & Oates, although not to the level of Michael Nesmith or The Monkees. Kiss and Nirvana were gonna happen .Ronstadt = Goodbye My Friend and her Michael Nesmith connection I always think of. Cat Stevens, I enjoy the soundtrack from Harold and Maude mostly. I would go for Sufjan Stevens inducting him, but I doubt it'll happen. I also remember Marillion was once on a plane with him that was stopped by security given his muslim name. The E Street Band I enjoy, mostly the 70's stuff, but put much of that with Bruce himself.

2015, maybe The Moody Blues, Yes and Deep Purple, although the biggest issue likely will be each year, more and more artists get eligible. Why I think the Hall should expand the nominees to 20 and the inductees to 10. Far too many older acts who will never get in, or even nominated again if at all with the numbers. O well, maybe more later. Too bad Yes didn't make it.

Fair to Midland - Live at Andy's Bar [DVD/CD] (2012)

1. Amarillo Sleeps on my Pillow 

2. Well, Well, Well (Cover) 

3. A Loophole in Limbo 

4. John Wayne Gacy, Jr. (Cover) 

5. Dance of the Manatee 

6. The Wife, and the Kids, and the White Picket Fence 

7. Hope There's Someone (Cover) 

8. Musical Chairs 

9. Golden Parachutes

Live @ Andy's Bar. Acoustic album recorded March 31st, 2012. This DVD/Audio Recording will include the Violitionist sessions and many other behind the scenes features.

http://www.fairtomidland.com/merch/

Damn, I'm curious about some of these covers, namely "John Wayne Gacy Jr" which I suspect is a cover of the Sufjan Stevens tune.

Mother Falcon - Alhambra (2011)

1. Overture 02:10
2. Fireflies (free) 03:56
3. Sanctuary 04:49
4. Drown Me in the River 02:21
5. Kathryn 03:21
6. Just to See Her Smile 02:58
7. Alligator Teeth (free) 03:27
8. Rabbit Run 03:48
9. Waltz 03:01
10. For Papa 04:21
11. These Things 03:12
12. Serpent Tongues 06:02



Awesome discovery, this band/orchestra of sorts from Texas, thanks to noticing a copy come in to KFAI yesterday. They have really finely arranged strings, horns, and even accordion.

They're like an orchestra with a number of different singers. And while I can't say their ability to be incredibly different than many of the chamber/baroque (Classical influenced) pop/rock I've been into the last 5 or more years, they do seem to know how to compose good songs well, which ultimately can be most important anyway.

In other words, if you enjoy the handful of chamber rock/pop stuff I do like Cloud Cult, Anathallo, The Dear Hunter, Sufjan Stevens, Emanuel & the Fear, Brooke Waggoner, Margot & the Nuclear So & So's, Revere, Jared Micah & Hats etc, this is an easy one to suggest.

I know I'm going to be spending a lot more time with this album of theirs from last year, Alhambra to get more familiar with it. But already, it may be my favorite record from 2011, that I didn't get to hear until this year. It may have finished pretty high in the Index in fact, perhaps even top 10.



Mother Falcon on Facebook

Sufjan Stevens - Too Much live on Jimmy Fallon

So I totally missed this and Menomena recently on his show or Carson Daley, I forget. But as far as this performance, you know musically fine. But what's up with the Glammy get-up and all the extra costuming? Is Sufjan now trying to make his band Apes and Androids? And there, I mean it might be better in a big concert hall or theater, but on tv it kind of looked weird and I hate to say it, but a bit poser-ish.

Mind you, The Age of Adz is his best record, and "Impossible Soul" is his best song, but I was definitely a bit surprised by this, which I guess was his 1st National TV/Talk Show appearance like Menomena earlier this year on Fallon or Kimmel, I forget.