Peter Adams

hi mongers, it's been a long time. i shouldn't have left you without a dope beat to step to. actually haven't been listening to much lately or anything new but wanted to join in on the posting fun.

peter adams hails from cincin, ohio - i don't think there's a wiki entry for him either. he just released his 2nd album, which you can download at your own price or purchase the cd for 10.98 all inclusive. i think it comes with a poster.

he cites radiohead/beatles/flaming lips/neutral milk hotel (?) as influences. upon first listen, i'd say there's also a bit of buckley and a lot of gypsy. it's instrumental/noise heavy, your typical not-all-there indie lyrics, creative, and not another love song. i don't think he smiles even once throughout this youtube interview though.

Priscilla Ahn

She's not famous enough to have a Wikipedia entry yet, nor do I know anything about her beyond that she's a girl, she sings, plays guitar, harmonica, and sometimes the kazoo but this video has caught my attention:



Ok, so I admit that initially it was because of the editing, or lack of editing necessary, as this was all done in one take both by her and by the camera person. However, the more I watched it (which eventually transitioned to just listened) the more I became captivated by the song and less so by the camera work. The song is simple, maybe even too soothing, yet commands my attention from start to finish. Also, anyone who can competently work a loop machine has my utmost respect.

The studio recording of the song is apparently on the Disturbia soundtrack, and from listening to the 30-second iTunes preview clip it doesn't quite have the same dramatic impact as it does in the video. I've also watched a few other videos of her other songs but I generally lose interest rather quickly when it comes to watching videos of live performances so I probably never gave them a fair chance. Maybe later.

blonde redhead - 23

this post is long overdue for me. 23 is one of my favorite releases of 2007 and has been frequenting my playlists for about a year now.

blonde redhead essentially is a trio based out of NY consisting of kazu makino and twin brothers simone and amedeo pace. kazu and amedeo are married which is a bit weird to me. especially since they're in the same band. is it because he plays guitar and sings? so hes cooler than simone the drummer?

in the past, blonde redhead has worked with producers from NY indie-punk-rock legend sonic youth and also DC post-hardcore sensations fugazi. their latest album 23, emerged from their underground roots and was produced by premier british producer alan moulder who has worked with familiar names such as u2, NIN, smashing pumpkins, just to name a few.

blonde redhead has steered away from their no wave beginnings to create a more accessible, glossy, and sonically pleasing sound largely due to moulders involvement. i really dont mind this because i cant get into the noisy, experimental no wave sound. their previous two albums "melody of certain damaged lemons" and "misery is a butterfly" are kind of their transition albums where they begin to recreate their sound (and are worth checking out). i feel like with 23 they finally got it.

check it out

NIN: The Slip

For anyone interested in Nine Inch Nails material, their latest album can be [legally] downloaded for free. I listened thru some of the songs, which I'm guessing will either take a really long time to grow on me or never will. But hey, just because I don't end up liking it doesn't mean no one else will. Plus, did I mention it's free? The album is free.

So far I've taken a mild liking of Head Down.

Ampersand EP

Here's a recommendation that comes to us via friend of musicmongers, Jimmy Jih.

Husband and wife Derek Webb (of Caedmon's Call) and Sandra McCracken have collaborated on a few songs to create Amersand EP. Derek brings a Christian Alternative/Indie sound and Sandra brings a little bit of country with a voice that reminds me a lot of Dolly Parton. I think that's a good thing, hopefully I didn't just ruin the album for Jimmy.

Interesting to me is what they say about their writing process and how they have very different big-picture vs details-oriented approaches. Although they've both have produced many projects over a number of years, it wasn't until now that they've finally made something together. Sandra writes on their webpage, "The truth is that even though our musical tastes are totally compatible, we approach songwriting from completely opposite directions. I'm very conceptual and abstract. And Derek is very meticulous and intentional. Down to each and every conjunction."

The liner notes encourage us to enjoy, copy, and share the music, so we are. I've uploaded my two favorite songs to our muxtape: When The Lights Go Out, and a Dylan cover, If Not For You. And for download, here's a third song Valentine.