Tag: art rock

503. Bongwater

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(6/14/23) Episode 503 is BONGWATER. Some bands are so off-the-wall that part of the appeal is listening and wondering “how could anyone think of such a thing?”  Such is Bongwater: part band, part performance art project of the duo of Mark Kramer and Ann Magnuson (who you will recognize as an actor from various TV shows and movies).  There are sound collages, bizarre stories spoken over trippy psychedelics, shock lyrics, and lots of far-out cover songs. They had a brief and unique run in the late 80s/early 90s.  I am drawn by the audacity.

Favorite album: The Power of Pussy

Favorite song: Folk Song

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: Try it if you like bizarre stuff

502. Faust

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(June 2023) Episode 502 is FAUST. Unlike most of the other German outfits listed as Krautrock, they never ventured beyond their experimental roots.  Their approach eschewed conventional structure and form, but in doing so they influenced the development of ambient and industrial music. Their discography lacks an iconic album (such as Can’s Tago Mago or Kraftwerk’s Autobahn) that identifies the band, but that also means it will require me to return to the recordings several times to appreciate it more. After a 70s heyday, they reunited in the 90s for a long string of eclectic albums.

Favorite album: Faust IV

Favorite song: Krautrock

Favorite late-period song: Fresh Air

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: Maybe too esoteric for most, but try Faust IV, Ravvivando or Fresh Air to see if it appeals.

220. John Cale

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(July 2019) Episode 220 of my “opus project” is JOHN CALE. For being the most avant-garde member of the Velvet Underground, his solo recordings are surprisingly conventional in the pop/rock vein. His early stuff sounds like a blend of Brian Eno, Lou Reed and Roxy Music, but his style and mood varies over five decades (not to mention his output as a producer and soundtrack composer). I find his collaborations (with Terry Riley, Eno, Reed, Bob Neuwirth) among his strongest recordings.

Favorite album: Paris 1919

Favorite song: Paris 1919

Favorite collaboration: Wrong Way Up (with Brian Eno)

Compared to expectations: ↓

JohnCaleParis1919

180. Sigur Rós

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(September 2018) I have completed episode 180 of my “opus project.” This edition: SIGUR RÓS. I was in Iceland last month. I already did Björk so I started Sigur Rós while there despite having zero familiarity. I was pleasantly surprised with their alt rock/dream pop/ambient music, which provided a perfect accompaniment for the stunning Icelandic landscape. At times, though, it sounds like they’re trying too hard to get licensed for TV and movie soundtracks.

Favorite album: Ágætis byrjun

Favorite song: Svefn-g-englar

Favorite ambient recording: Route One

Compared to expectations: same

ÁgætisByrjunCover.jpg

175. Fiona Apple

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(July 2018) I have completed episode 175 of my “opus project.” This edition: FIONA APPLE. Of the many female singer-songwriters to come out of the 1990s, she is perhaps the most enigmatic and interesting.

Favorite album: The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do

Favorite song: Criminal

Compared to expectations: ↑

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149. Kraftwerk

~ ernopepper ~ 1 Comment

(December 2017) I have completed episode 149 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: KRAFTWERK. It is shameful and unexplainable that they weren’t in my rotation back in the day, given my love of mid-70s electronic music. It’s so good. I prefer the earlier krautrock material to the later robot-pop.

Favorite album: Autobahn

Favorite song: Autobahn

Favorite period: 1973-77

Compared to expectations: same

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66. Björk

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(November 2015) I have completed episode 66 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography in chronological order. This episode; BJÖRK, with a bit of SUGARCUBES. She’s always doing something interesting.

Favorite album: Vespertine
Favorite song: Earth Intruders
Favorite period: 2001-2007

Compared to expectations: same

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7. The Velvet Underground

~ ernopepper ~ 2 Comments

(July 2013) Completed phase 7 of my “opus project,” wherein I listen to the entire discography of a band in sequence. This phase: the Velvet Underground

Favorite album: The Velvet Underground and Nico
Favorite Song: Sister Ray
Little gems: quiet songs like Pale Blue Eyes, Jesus, and I’m Sticking With You

Special moment: when Nico pronounces ‘clown’ as ‘clonn’

Special sauce: Lou Reed

Compared to expectations: same

Velvet_Underground_and_Nico