The major impression made first by Nootropics, this year’s album from Lower Dens, is one of dub/electronica, calling to mind the Gang Gang Dance song “Inner Pace.” After that, in “Alphabet Song,” Pink Floyd emerges as a primary influence, with the synth riff, psychedelic and dissonant. If Nootropics fails to reach John Talabot’s height of … Read more“Lower Dens: The Beast That Ate Music in 2012”
The first time I heard of Soul Coughing, I was watching a brilliant series that used to be on MTV in the late ’90’s, called Austin Stories. Set in Austin, the show featured three main characters, one of whom was a deadbeat who couch-surfed and took advantage of auspicious luck — both with women and … Read more“Kurt Cobain and Soul Coughing’s Mike Doughty: Drawing Comparisons”
Nirvana’s release catalog is interesting, because when you search for them on amazon, the first two selections that pop up are studio albums. This is refreshing and rare; with Pearl Jam, for instance, you immediately get a “greatest hits.” Nirvana was very into getting things done at once in the studio. They recorded Bleach on … Read more“‘That Demo’: Spotlighting a Low-Profile But Intriguing Nirvana Recording”
Mrs. Wainright sat down, guiding her skirt under. The stately Dr. Pell, after a survey of the room, checked Mrs. Wainright in. “How are things?” she asked. She was straightening her glasses. “Great!” responded Mrs. Wainright, who was ready to get things over with. All she could think about was, get a box of macaroni … Read more“Another Visit”