WWW.RIDESIDE.NET

Posted by MF DU on 2007-08-16 08:31:55 +0000

d'oh! blocked at work again!

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-08-19 17:46:07 +0000

Top. Seriously.

Posted by tgl on 2007-08-19 18:01:49 +0000

Unlistenable. Really, I couldn't.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-08-19 18:52:57 +0000

Just got it into the ipod. Alternate universe type stuff. I have to hear it more before commenting further. How could you not remember that 'T.V. Party' is on Damaged?

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-08-21 06:38:03 +0000

Now that my iPod has returned to the realm of the living... can you resend this?

Posted by pamsterdam on 2007-08-21 07:12:08 +0000

Ditto, please.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-08-21 07:36:49 +0000

I might have to side with TGL after 2 or 3 listens. The idea is awesome, but IMHO it would have been better if they went to re-record this without referring to the original, but they went to record it in the way that they remembered the 'damaged' record to exist instead f taking license with it. The attack on the DP record seems to be that they made their weird ambience and warbled some B Flag lyrics over the top. If you tried to recreate the riffs by memory as well as the lyrics it would be the best of both worlds - it would please the camp that would want to hear something B Flag esque, yet it would also enthrall those listeners who have an affinity for 'outsider music' in revelling in all the wonderful pieces that would be lost or drastically altered in translation. I mean with the DP stuff - you might as well just give Jandek a Black Flag lyrics sheet and have him deliver the words over his clamor...

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-08-22 20:56:01 +0000

Once again.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2007-08-23 06:38:00 +0000

Thanks for re-posting it, Epoisses. Sounds kind of like Dexy's Midnight Runners with ELO's back-up singers. I don't know if that's a good thing or not. Hm...

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-08-29 19:31:23 +0000

NPR's song of the day.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-08-30 03:37:53 +0000

My only question is just exactly "how" they are re-working or re-making it. When someone like Esquivel rearranges 'Beautiful Dreamer' or Leonard Bernstein rearranges Beethoven, the listener still hears some element of the original work, albeit with differnt forms of instrumentation, perhaps differing structures of where the melody is placed, the speed it is played, the key it is in etc. The Dirty Projectors thing seems to me to be Dirty Projectors music with a loose recitation of G Ginn lyrics over the top.

Posted by tgl on 2007-08-30 05:59:06 +0000

Maybe experimental music just isn't for you.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-08-30 06:38:57 +0000

I fucking HATE experimental music. Bring me Welk, or Bring Me DEATH!

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-10-09 18:36:10 +0000

This record is for the most part, awesome. They rely a little too much on some post-Sufjan Stevens indie-isms at times; but on the whole, some genuinely moving moments. MF DU: I'm suprised you got bent out of shape regarding the dis-similarities between the Black Flag and Dirty Projector versions of these songs? I mean, I love John Coltrane, but some of his versions of "My Favorite Things" don't sound anything like "The Sound of Music." Doesn't mean that Trane's version doesn't work.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-10-09 18:51:29 +0000

On first impression - I didn't like how it was billed. the music itself is actually really interesting. the more I think about it now, however, I think I didn't get the introductory story that was presented with the music. What I didn't understand is that before D Projectors recorded the album proper, there was a demo made first of what could be remembered of the Damage album without actually referring to it. That demo was then shared with the rest of the D Projectors and then the album that we were listening was made. I thought upon first listen that that demo tape was what I was going to hear. It has nothing to do with being bent out of shape of likeness vs. differences.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-10-09 19:07:13 +0000

But Coltrane rearranged Rodgers and Hammerstein's melody and played around with chords, structures, texture. Of course Coltrane's creation was very distant from the 'Sound of Music' but Coltrane worked with the materials that were in the original and reconstructed it into something new. My personal experience was that I didn't hear D Projectors take any elements (melodies, textures , rhythms) of the original stuff and work it into any new concept at all. I heard the D projectors music (which was interesting IMHO) with recycled lyrics pasted on top. maybe I need to go back and listen again.

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-10-19 02:29:48 +0000

Okay... now after a couple (okay a whole helluvalotta) listens, this might be the album of the year. Sure, let's see how "8 Diagrams" comes out, but it looks like this is the one. "Police Story" "Spray Paint (the Walls)" and the WTFFGDFF??!!?! title track... I mean, I'm rendered speechless. What a totally evocative, creative record. Their readings of Greg Ginn's lyrics not only remind us how visceral and essential the original "Damanged" is, these versions/performances are moving in their own right. I can't get enough of this. I don't think there's a disingenuous note in the whole batch. I mean, have you listened to "Rise Above" and I mean really listened? Astonishingly real stuff, Christ, it could almost be a prayer. And to think I saw these guys after Stu Walker opened up for them and thought, "feh, typical trying-too-hard-to-be-indie-rock indie rock;" to think they could make this, wow. A triumph. I know it's not a song for song response per se, but has Henry, Greg or anybody else from Black Flag said anything about this?

Posted by Epoisses on 2007-10-19 03:06:41 +0000

Haven't heard any response yet from the Flag camp. The Dirty Projectors record came out at the same time as Carducci's book, which contains all sortsa insight as to Ginn's lyrics, esp. on some of the lesser songs (including the ones that the Projectors cover). The book and the new record made me go back and reconsider 'Damaged' -- for years I listened to that one the least because I thought Henry ruined it. 'Rise Above' would be worthy of praise for that reason alone, but the fact of the matter is that it's fucking bananas. In my top five of the year.

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-10-19 05:26:40 +0000

Just played a couple of these songs to a very drunk Kim Seidl whose mind was blown to Vince Lombardi High School and back. This album works on almost every level: Does it respect the original material? (yes, even though it's a funny concept there's not a single goddamn tongue implanted in not one cheek) Does it say something new with new arrangements? (yes: "Police Story") Is it entertaining? (yes) Does it remind you of the original and why you like the original? (I'm saying a hesitant but resounding "yes") Do they make it their own? (yes)

Posted by MF DU on 2007-10-19 21:29:34 +0000

Release of the Year belongs elsewhere methinks.

Posted by tgl on 2007-11-13 03:33:32 +0000

Everyone digs it.

Posted by dyedon8 on 2007-11-26 04:59:21 +0000

Wednesday 12/5 @ Middle East. I am SO in.

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-11-26 13:26:50 +0000

Remind me!

Posted by MF DU on 2009-03-30 10:55:19 +0000

DP opening for TV On The Radio this summer @ Boston's House of Blues...

Posted by G lib on 2009-03-30 10:56:47 +0000

When? I'd probably go if you do, DU.

Posted by MF DU on 2009-03-30 11:44:35 +0000

Cool! Sorry I forgot to post the date. It is Thursday, June 4th. This could be fun.

Posted by tgl on 2009-03-30 11:47:39 +0000

Posted by MF DU on 2009-03-31 11:34:44 +0000

Still Lovin' It.