THE HIGH FIDELITY DISCUSSION HOUR
The Preshow, Part I - 09 September 2001 (23:00-0:15)
My second time on the air actually had a 1000% percent increase of my audience since my hall (Yates 1st South joined by Yates 1st Center) decided to listen in to support me, bug me and even harass me (don't worry, those last two were directed at specific people, the first one goes out to everyone who cheered during and after the show). Although there were a little bit more messups on the technical side, I had a pretty good selection and more of a sense on how to do a good show. Here are the songs:
AUTECHRE - Dael - Tri Repetae++
Charlie Wilmoth called this choice "ambitious" (or words to that effect) since it is long, repetitive and minimalist. However, it was a good choice (especially since it will introduce my hallmates to IDM or intelligent dance music). As far as IDM, Autechre is the reigning king. Sean Booth and Rob Brown are the two culprits who work together to create some of the weirdest and coolest sounds ever produced. This album was the launching pad to a higher realm. (BTW, anybody who can dance to this, I will like to see). Also, the American release contains two discs: the album Tri Repetae and the other contains the EPs Anvil Vapre and Garbage
Listen to sample - Buy CD here
14 ICED BEARS - Sure to See - In the Beginning
It was an A-list selection to provide a dose of reality after playing Autechre. The band (now defunct) combined pop with a kind of homage to punk and psychedelia. This album is a compliation of their singles and never-before-released BBC takes and demos from the band. It's an enjoyable track.
SLUMBER PARTY - Soldier - Psychedelicate
This is an A-list song from a lo-fi, all-female band from Detroit that seems to have a dark edge mixed with closing hour restrained melodramatics. It does sound like a closing time bar song and yes, they are compared to Sonic Youth, Spiritualized, Spacemen 3 and so on and so on (I'm saying this because it seems that everything I chose seems to relate to some other groups I either know or love or both). Good late night song.
Buy CD here
JAMIE LIDELL - Daddy's Car - Warp:Routine
Jamie Lidell (formerly from Super_Collider) released his first solo album entitled Muddlin' Gear. Thanks to the United States and its ability to suck sometimes culturally, I don't have it. However I do have the excellent compliation Warp:Routine, which is still the best "$9 for a CD" I've spent. This one was probably a mistake to broadcast. It was mainly done to test out the "censoring" capabilities of the board. Unfortunately, I didn't press down hard enough and the offending word slipped. For that I'm truly sorry (and don't fire me guys or don't take away the license FCC please! :) ).
Buy CD here (Warp: Routine)
BLUR - Beetlebum (Moby's Mix) - Bustin' + Dronin'
This is the first (and currently only) Japanese album I own [it's a double album with the first disc containing remixes and the second disc contains live tracks from Peel Acres]. This song is one of the earliest remixes that I enjoyed and that's how I've come to know Moby was through his very spacey and airy renditions of songs. This one was probably another mistake to play because of the repetition of the phrase "Make you come [edited slightly for the sake of anyone reading it]" in the middle of the song. However no threats were sent out (and they weren't threats but more nuisances) so I'm sure it was OK.
Buy CD here
BIM BAP BOP - One Last Chance - Bim Bap Bop
This A-list song was pretty good but I'm lacking in information at the moment. More info will be coming as soon as I acquire it. Buy CD here
ENIGMA - Gravity of Love - The Screen Behind the Mirror
This was one was played with Tim Carney in mind, a really good friend from Maryland who is really into Enigma. Enigma is the sole project of Michael Cretu, famed European pop producer who created it so that the old can be broken and the new can be established. Enigma is most famous worldwide for "Sadeness" and "Return to Innocence" (used in the 1996 Olympic Games). This song - the first single of the aforementioned album - and indeed the whole album makes use of Carl Orff's "O Fortuna" from his most famous work Carmina Burana (in fact the only time when that track is used legally).
Listen to sample- Buy CD here
DEPECHE MODE - Personal Jesus - The Singles 86>98
Originally from their hugely successful album Violator, this song represented the popular peak of British New Wave group Depeche Mode (named after a French fashion magazine). Then consisting of Martin Gore, David Gahan, David Fletcher and Alan Wilder, this group had an interesting mixture of pop sensibility and a willingness to artistic and expressive. Their music seem to make perfect timing as the world turned a little black-blue. I chose this song as a nice alternative to another request that was made.
Listen to sample - Buy CD here
CURSIVE - Mothership, Mothership, Do You Read Me? - Burst + Bloom
This EP from the Omaha, NE indie-rock emo [emotionally charged punk] group is doing very well on the CMJ charts. And this song really rocks with pounding drums and effective guitars and it even changes near the end. This EP is meant for the fan-base to get geared up for an upcoming album release.
Buy CD here
HYDROPLANE - Farmer's Boys Flexi Disc - The Sound of Changing Places
This is another A-list song and I remember liking it. More info will be coming as soon as I acquire it.
UNDARK - Golden Hair - Pearl + Umbra
This song was used for two reasons: 1) I love it and 2) It's the closest thing to a birthday song I could find for someone in my hall. She requested Destiny Child's "Independent Women" however I couldn't find it (and plus this is a college radio station, you're not suppose to play hits :)). However I put this song was performed by the Russell Mills project. Russell Mills is actually a visual artist and has been commissioned to work on album covers for Roger Eno (Brian's brother), Peter Gabriel and even NIN (for The Downward Spiral and related singles/EPs). This was actually a cover of a version done by Syd Barrett formerly of Pink Floyd and the poem is James Joyce (one of the few coherent works of his). I love its airiness and intrigue (and I shortened it significantly).
Buy CD here
SAD LIKE CRAZY - Small Things - Love Songs to Death
Another A-list. More info will be coming as soon as I acquire it.
THE ORB - A Mile Long Lump of Lard - Cydonia
At the last minute (literally), I switched to this song because of time and for a while the microphone was still on and I was probably broadcasting my frustrations (I know I didn't say anything regettable). This song is of the latest Orb album and while the album demonstrates a different side of Alex Patterson (more pop songs), this is a reflection that he still has the ability to make a long instrumental track. Buy CD here
TWILIGHT CIRCUS DUB SOUND SYSTEM - Lightning Strike - Volcanic Dub
More info will be coming as soon as I acquire it.
Listen to sample - Buy CD here
SIZZLA - Brand New - Taking Over
Don't ask me why I played this. This was purely random, purely A-list and so on. Personally reggae is the only musical genre where I can say that I absolutely hate. However it was interesting to have a change of pace from all the psychedelic, underground and out-there groups. Sizzla is purely Rastafarian with a cynical bite and he's not afraid to show it or say it. Enough said before I start getting nasty.
Listen to sample - Buy CD here
APHEX TWIN - #21 ['lichen'] - Selected Ambient Works Vol. II
This is not only the last track I played but this was the track I intended to play when I then replaced it with "A Mile Long Lump of Lard." I love this track because of its sheer beauty and proves that minimalism can say everything that is necessary in a few voices or lines. The reason for the bracketed title is because this release has no official title tracks on it. There exists only pictures and pie wedges (much like Trivial Pursuit game pieces) that correspond to the songs. The picture that corresponds with the artwork is a picture of a lichen (actually it's more of a stone but I don't know why a grotesque name is given to a lovely track).
Buy CD here
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