Brian Eno + David Byrne
Today we’re going back twenty-five years to 1981 (would someone check my math on that?). Brian Eno and David Byrne collaborated to produce the album My Life in a Bush of Ghosts. The album highlights the pair’s mutual love for African pop and rhythms. The track offered here, “Regiment,” is obviously influenced by such music. Its rhythms and percussion are also reminiscent of another album released in ’81, Japan’s Tin Drum. Eno + Byrne’s album set the template for later works of world and electronic music. My Life in a Bush of Ghosts was re-mastered and re-issued this year and the complete multi-tracks to two of the songs are available for download on Bush-Of-Ghosts.com. Producers are encouraged to use the tracks in their own work, or remix the songs and upload them back to the site. The site also features archival press coverage, essays, photos from the recording sessions, a video and polaroids by David Byrne himself. A worthwhile way to spend your day procrastinating.
Birdmonster’s WOXY Set
Birdmonster
Ah, music my great distraction. You wouldn’t believe all the things I should be doing right now. I’ll spare you the boring details. I put it all aside to prove to the world that 3hive is the pinnacle of uncool. The Mount Everest of square. There are an umpteen number of cooler music blogs than this place. “Umpteen?” I told you. We’re dorks (I speak for myself here, shouldn’t drag the rest of the guys into this). Birdmonster is living proof of our cool-lessness. The cool blogs were talking up Birdmonster a year ago. Some blogs tried to be as uncool as us, but they’re eight months cooler. So Birdmonster, a year later and they’re still great, still holding up under the pressure of being the next “thing.” “Resurrection Song” has been their introduction to the world. Its spare production and the band’s playing bring an immediate sense of urgency, like there’s no tomorrow for these boys. When Peter Arcuni’s singing hits three-fourths the way in you get Malkmus-smart lyrics, and a similar delivery. More agressive and less pretentious than Pavement. That’s the soundbite. If you haven’t heard Birdmonster yet, well, you’re in good hands with 3hive.
*Note: Tune in today at 4pm Eastern at WOXY.com for a live performance of Birdmonster. More upcoming shows available here.
Play It As It Lays #241
Cassettes Won’t Listen Busy Cutting Hair & More
Imaginational Anthem, Vol. 2
Recently a couple of interesting instrumental projects have crossed our path here at 3hive. Thought we’d share. First, a striking compilation from Tompkins Square Records. Decades before Devendra and company was John Fahey and his Takoma recording company. Imaginational Anthem bridges the generation gap, pulling together avant-folk artists from the 60’s and the younger folk artists of today. For full details on the album, and for tour dates (in L.A. tonight!) go here. Thanks to Tompkins Square Records for being so generous with the MP3s.
The Mag Seven
This group of instrumental tracks is a far cry from those gathered on the folk compilation Imaginational Anthem, Vol.2. I’d be interested to hear from those of you who actually like both. I hope there’s more than a few. Members of Black Flag, Descendents, All, GWAR, Only Crime, and Hagfish come together for a full album of surf/punk/rock instrumentals. They’re quick and raw. For fans of Clint Eastwood and Steve McQueen. Rock it!