Enjoy this beautiful day

It’s been a few months since we last shared what’s been spinning around the studio.

Here’s what we’ve got in the queue right now:

TOM SPINS:

Jim O’Rourke – Mizu No Nai Umi
Story goes that O’Rourke found a box full of old tapes of drone experiments. Two long drone pieces that rank right up there with Disengage.

Yes – Relayer
I was given a copy that a friend of a friend found in the trash umpteen years ago. Just recently picked up the vinyl reissue.I had no idea what I was missing out on. Gates of Delirium is a prog masterpiece.

Pavement – Quarantine the Past
A “best of” from one of my top five favorite bands. They could easily release 4 more “best of” sets as far as I’m concerned. Still waiting for the Terror Twilight Deluxe.

CHRIS SPINS:

The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You
My buddy Erik introduced me to this band, and as some call it the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon, I began to hear them everywhere, even on my favorite TV show (which is Brothers & Sisters if you were curious.) Anyway, I am smitten with their basic approach to music making. It’s a bit Appalachia mixed with rock I guess. I dunno. I just like it. And their lyrics are awesome.

Rufus Wainwright – All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu
I can’t say I love their new Rufus album right off the bat, but if he’s taught me anything it’s that you have to stick with it. His last two records took a long time to sink in, but once they did they repaid the investment handsomely. This album finds him with just a piano accompaniment. It’s heavy. My favorite tracks open and close the set, but I’m warming up to all the songs in between.

Atom™ featuring Tea Time – XXX
My friend Chris turned me on to Uwe Schmidt (aka Atom™) and this particular album cover was the least offensive to post here. But it wasn’t a concession, I genuinely enjoy the music. This particular album has an odd mix of really deep bass beats, clicks and latin hip-hop. It’s weird in a good way.

JOEL SPINS:

Jim O’Rourke – The Visitor
I recently got hooked on Jim O’Rourke’s acoustic albums, this being the album I cut my tooth on. The instruments on this album appear and disappear, in and out like a great idea: quick, colorful, and inspiring. I could listen to this album on repeat all day.

Talking Heads – Remain in Light
I’ve always been a huge T.H. fan. Dad introduced me early on. They are a group that I always forget how much I like them until I hear any of their albums. Tom and I didn’t know that both of us were big fans until I played this album for the first time in the shop when we looked at each other and asked, “YOU like the Talking Heads?” Sometimes you have more in common with the guy next to you than you think… you just have to make the connection. Life lessons from David Byrne? Hm, who would’ve thought.;)

Sufjan Stevens – Greetings from Michigan
When he first hit the scene a couple years ago, I was anything but a Sufjan fan. But, over the years of listening to his music, it’s definitely grown on me exponentially. He has the power of juxtaposition, mixing lullaby like songs with disturbing and depressing lyrics. For some reason, I’m really diggin’ that right now. He’s surely confirmed his talent to me lately.

WENDY SPINS:

Jakob Dylan – Seeing Things
Up until the last few days, the weather has been gloriously warm and summer-like. This always makes me want to roll up my sleeves and dig into a project. Unlike the boys in the office, I work best with a more subdued soundtrack, and this is perfect selection to play out on the patio as I’m repotting plants or sweeping up the winter debris. Who knows, maybe I’ll even get it together enough to go check out Dylan’s new album.