Notes From The Record Room: As In Utero Spins…
On September 21st, Nirvana’s final studio album, In Utero, celebrated its 30th anniversary. Some personal feelings were typed out a day later.
No Ripcord — SPELLLING
A review of SPELLLING’s latest LP is posted at No Ripcord. The album is out now via Sacred Bones.
Just Another Ambient Monday — Streams Of Consciousness, RITUAL / HABIT / CEREMONY, Justin Walter
Some ambient selections to begin the new week.
Sorting Through Browser Tabs: Playlist for August 2023
So, August wasn’t as productive as I’d hoped it would be. The playlist is a little late, but hopefully you’ll enjoy some of these selections. Thanks for checking in.
KLAR!80 - Ein Kassettenlabel aus Düsseldorf 1980-1982
KLAR!80 - Ein Kassettenlabel aus Düsseldorf 1980-1982 is a compilation named for Rainer Rabowski’s KLAR!80 cassette label (and Düsseldorf-located store) whose two-year lifespan produced a fascinating trove of analog-soaked electronics, crudely structured loops, thudding grooves, and ambient noise.
Irreversible Entanglements: Recap of a Live Gig w/ Marshall Allen & New Singles
Irreversible Entanglements recently signed to Impulse! Records. I recently saw them play a show in South Philly with Marshall Allen.
Sorting Through Browser Tabs: Playlist for July 2023
July of 2023 is wrapped, so please enjoy some of the sounds I absorbed over the last 31 days. Playlists and videos are available.
Buys & Receipt: The Beggar by Swans
This morning, I decided to put the finishing touches on July by treating myself to a 20oz. cup of 7-Eleven’s finest blend and multiple spins of my recently purchased copy of Swans’ latest opus, The Beggar.
What’s (Re)New?: Island Waits No More…
Tom Waits’ Island years are finally being put back into circulation, just in time for Swordfishtrombones to blow out 40 candles. Honestly, it’s about time.
Sorting Through Browser Tabs: Vessels To Motherland, HILOTRONS, Deeper
A few words about tracks from Vessels To Motherland, HILOTRONS, and Deeper…
Buys & Receipt: Lieber Zuviel Als Zuwenig (ZickZack Sommerhits 81)
Last Friday evening, I dropped my stylus into the grooves of Lieber Zuviel Als Zuwenig (ZickZack Sommerhits 81), a compilation featuring German New Wave, Industrial, Synth and other experimental goodness.
Divide And Dissolve: “Want”
“Want” is the latest single/video to emerge from Divide And Dissolve’s upcoming LP, Systemic.
May On Pause…
Letters From A Tapehead will never be a tremendously significant resource for music fans, but I’m happy to still contribute to the conversation, steer potential listeners toward some good music both new and old, and continue to defend my bad taste in music.
Buys & Receipt: RSD 2023 — Part 1
A little late in the week to be recounting my couple hour Record Store Day spree, but I’ve been slow to engage with my purchases. So let’s talk buys: Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Sunn O))) / Boris, Beauty Pill
African Head Charge: “Microdosing”
“Microdosing” announces the first African Head Charge recording in 12 years, A Trip To Bolgatanga, which will be out July 3rd, 2023.
RSD 2023: ALTAR BY BORIS/SUNN O)))
Out of print for over 15 years, the Sunn O)))/Boris collaboration, Altar, is being reissued on vinyl for Record Store Day.
Oxbow: “1000 Hours”
Love’s Holiday ends a six-year bout of silence from Oxbow, their last album, Thin Black Duke, released on Hydra Head Records in 2017. The album will be released by Ipecac Recordings on 7/21/23.
What's (Re)New?: Beauty Pill's Blue Period — A Few Words From A Grateful Fan
When I listened to The Unsustainable Lifestyle and 2003's You Are Right To Be Afraid EP, both of which were mined for Beauty Pill’s Blue Period compilation/reissue, my appreciation for music styles and genres was bolstered, the art-pop sensibilities and thoughtful arrangements of both releases noticeably smart but neither alienating nor pretentious.