SOUNDTRACK: SONIC YOUTH: A Thousand Leaves (1998).
This CD actually ties to the book because the crossed out title on the CD is “mille feuille” and the first song is called “Contre le Sexism.”
This opening song is weird and lets you know that this disc is not going to be a friendly listen. Over some feedback and scratchy noise, Kim whispers and hollers, most notably that “it’s just a kitten.” But just when you think that the disc is going to be a crazy noise experiment, the next track “Sunday” proves to be another one of Thurston’s supremely catchy singles.
The back and forth continues with Kim’s abrasive “Female Mechanic Now on Duty” and Thurston’s delicate “Wildflower Soul.” But the pattern is broken with Lee’s spoken-word over simple guitar lines piece, “Hoarfrost.” It lacks Lee’s usual catchiness, although his later song “Karen Koltrane” more than makes up for it. Then Kim surprises us by giving us the catchy “French Tickler.”
To me, “Hits of Sunshine” is the centerpiece (literally and metaphorically) of the disc. It’s 11 minutes long and ranges through the main stylistic feelings of the disc.
The whole disc is over 70 minutes long and it feels meandering. This is not to say that it has no focus, it’s just not full of pop gems. And yet for all of its wandering, it hasn’t lost the tunes. Mixed reviews abound for this disc with everything from 1 to 4 stars coming from the pros. And, I think depending on my mood, my overall rating could be just as diverse.
I admit that at the time I was starting to lose my adoration for the band. These longer, more abstract pieces were less enticing than the noise of yore. But now that I’m a bit older, I can appreciate what they were doing.
[READ: Week of August 17] Infinite Jest (to page 651)
I was planning on starting this week’s write up with a bit about J.O.I’s filmography, which I delved back into and found some fascinating information. But this week’s write up is pretty long already, so I’m going to do a mid-week (but still spoiler line approved) retrurn to the filmography shortly.
So until then, let’s get back to the book:
This week’s reading gets off to some detailed viewing of the Incandenza men’s psyches before launching into an adrenaline fueled rush.
Mario is still freaked out about Madame Psychosis not being on the air. He’s not sleeping well at all, and when the insomnia hits him, he goes for walks (even though he knows, and is worried about, how much it freaks out the Moms).
Mario is slowly turning into the absolute heart of the book. He absolutely and without question loves Hal, and he is concerned for him because he’s been acting differently lately (Mario himself never changes). He also prays nightly, and in a serious way, talks to God (although he doesn’t expect any one to answer…he’s not crazy). And, in a very touching scene, which seems to resonate so well with late 1990s America, he is troubled that no one can talk about things sincerely without it being ironic. (Pemulis wants to set up a prayer hotline for atheists that would just ring and ring). (more…)
SOUNDTRACK: MORRISSEY-Years of Refusal (2009).
I’ve been a fan of The Smiths for years. And I think that Morrissey’s debut, Viva Hate, is on par with much of the Smiths’ catalogue. Over the years his output has been mixed, but with Years of Refusal he comes fighting back with a really solid disc. The disc is so good that if one had no idea of who he was, one could easily get into it with no preconceived notions of Morrissey, The Smiths or any of that glorious past.
I Just Read About That... 