Category: Episodes

367. Meredith Monk

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(November 2021) Episode 367 is MEREDITH MONK. While a full appreciation of her multi-disciplinary art would include theater, film and dance, I focused only on the music, but even that is quite diverse. Most notable is her expansive exploration of vocal techniques, asserting the human voice as its own versatile instrument. But there is also plenty of solo piano and stringed chamber pieces with a minimalist vibe.

Favorite album: Songs of Ascension

Favorite opera: Atlas

Favorite instrumental work: Stringsongs

Favorite vocal work: Three Heavens and Hells

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: Yes for those who appreciate the avant-garde

366. Gore Gore Girls

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(November 2021) Episode 366 is GORE GORE GIRLS. Nothing quite refreshes the palate like good garage rock. I so present Gore Gore Girls out of the Detroit garage rock revival, so named after member Amy Gore and a 1970s slasher film of the same name, highlighting their retro kitsch vibe.

Favorite album: Get the Gore

Favorite song: Casino

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: if you listen to Little Steven’s Underground Garage on Sirius XM, you’ve heard Gore Gore Girls, and by definition, you like Gore Gore Girls

365. Steve Vai

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(October 2021) Episode 365 of the “opus project” is STEVE VAI.  I’m not into shredder rock, but I’ve always liked Steve Vai due to his early work with Frank Zappa, not to mention his “we’re not worthy” transcription of Eddie Van Halen’s “Eruption.” In fact, his first solo album sounds as much like a Zappa album as anything else.  Much of the rest is axe-man virtuosity stuff, which is not as interesting to me, although there is an occasional weird gem in there.

Favorite album: Flex-Able

Favorite song: The Attitude Song

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: for Zappa fans and guitar aficionados

364. Teenage Fanclub

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(October 2021) Episode 364 is TEENAGE FANCLUB. Their early 90s shoegazing albums put me in their fanclub. The rest is pleasant but unremarkable harmony-rich power pop and chill rock. When they get the guitars going, though (like the one-off second album), they sound like Crazy Horse, which is cool. 

Favorite album: Bandwagonesque

Favorite song: What You Do To Me

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: just Bandwagonesque will do

363. Pierre Boulez

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(October 2021) Episode 363 is PIERRE BOULEZ. I first learned of Boulez through Frank Zappa, who said he was his favorite composer.  You can hear his ideas imprinted on much of Zappa’s more ambitious work. Boulez was acclaimed as a serialist composer, but also as a writer, institute founder and conductor, including of Zappa compositions.

Favorite piece: Répons

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: Yes, if you like to expand with serialism and similar forms

362. Entombed

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(October 2021) Episode 362 is ENTOMBED, along with progenitor NIHILIST. Considered one of the ‘big four’ Swedish death metal bands, pioneering the buzzsaw guitar sound along with speed and growl.  By the mid-90s they turned down the tempo, yelled rather than growled the lyrics, becoming more regular heavy or thrash metal, which worked on some albums but not on others.

Favorite album: Wolverine Blues

Favorite song: Chief Rebel Angel

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: essential for any Swedish death metal listeners

361. Les Paul

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(October 2021) Episode 361 is LES PAUL. His primary legacy is as a pioneer of the solid-body electric guitar that still carries his name. But he earns an episode here for his innovative guitar playing, with his fast trills and fancy licks, and invention of multi-layer, variable-speed recording techniques. Any guitar aficionado must revere this. But his pop hits with Mary Ford are not my thing.

Favorite song: Lover

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: mostly for guitar aficionados

360. Mica Levi

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(September 2021) Episode 360 is MICA LEVI, who usually performs under the name Micachu.  A genre-defying artist who does things you wouldn’t think of.  Their work falls into three categories: quirky, rhythmic pop (with the Shapes), experimental collages (at times merged with hip hop), and unconventional film scores.

Favourite album: Jewellery

Favourite song: Golden Phone

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: if you’re in the mood for something completely different

359. Bob Marley

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(September 2021) Episode 359 is BOB MARLEY and the Wailers.  Is there any artist whose music is so universally enjoyed and adored?  You can’t not feel chill and happy. Even though we have been over-saturated by his hits, they still get you humming and toe-tapping.

Favorite album: Burnin’

Favorite song: Three Little Birds

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: a greatest hits compilation will satisfy

358. The Decemberists

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(September 2021) Episode 358 is THE DECEMBERISTS. I listen to little aughts indie rock, so I was unprepared for how pretentious it can get, as exemplified by The Decemberists with their precious song titles and knowingly literate lyrics delivered in an affected voice.  Somewhat counter-intuitively, it gets better when they move into concept albums, featuring guest singers and an occasionally heavier sound.

Favorite album: The Hazards of Love

Favorite song: Everything is Awful

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: nah