Dealing with the End of the World

                We got lucky: the end of the world falls on a weekend. Imagine if the end of the world occurred on a work day. Forget it, we wouldn’t be prepared. You’d be judged in the worst possible environment. All those things you wanted to do, to get all the depravity out of your system before being raptured, are inaccessible. The most rotten thing you might do at work before the end of the world is check your email on company time. 

                Every few years the end of the world is proclaimed. Various now-dead people and civilizations predicted the end of the world. They picked some obscure, far away date to make people felt better about how things were going. “Don’t mind that famine” they’d say “the world isn’t going to end for long time”. I wonder why we look to these groups for guidance when they did such a poor job at pinpointing their own demise. Shoot, some of the groups whose advice we take seriously never even knew what a wheel was.

                The apocalypse occurs on a fairly regular basis. In case the one on Saturday doesn’t get us, maybe the 2012 one will. Or, if we get lucky in 2012, perhaps there’s another long-dead civilization that predicted our demise in 2020. If all else fails turn to Nostradamus who probably didn’t predict anything, besides knowing what a buzzkill he was at parties. 

                Dealing with the end of the world can be tough. Should I max out all my credit cards? Should I move to rural Montana and stock up on 4 tons worth of Spam. To prevent you from making a life-changing and potentially embarrassing commitment I have some things you could do without looking foolish. 

1.       Go to a Party

When in doubt about what to do (and this is true in any situation) go to a party. By having the apocalypse on Saturday, you can crash on Sunday in case civilization ends. It is remarkably easy to sleep off a hangover when there is no noise. No traffic, no trains, no toilet flushing and no sounds of a vacuum cleaner to bother you. Of course, it being a party, you may also want to

2.       Have sex

Since you’re so worried about the end of the world, it is important to relax. Perhaps at that party you might meet Mr. or Mrs. Right (or Right Now). Remembering the important life lesson you learned from the movies, you not-so-subtly make your move. Don’t worry about the passion; it’s the end of the world baby. In case the world doesn’t end you at the very least had some fun, got some sex. Losing your virginity at what might be the end of the world isn’t a terrible thing either. “Independence Day” was one of the most philosophical films to touch upon sex during the apocalypse. A minor character cooing says “You don’t want to die a virgin do you?” Using all your charm is required in order to effectively pull off that line. 

3.       Drink

If you know or think it is going to be the end of the world, go all out. Don’t worry about having a hangover as you’ll be dead. When the world doesn’t end, you’ll probably be wishing it did. Carry this out. Even Mormons could hit the bottle with little repercussion as they were under the impression it would all be over. Drinking often (but not always) brings merriness and good cheer. Once you realize it is the end of the world, don’t you want to end it on a good note?

4.       Start a Cult

What better time to start a cult than an alleged ‘end of times’? Cults pay big money. Generally speaking, try to have your cult members from the middle to upper middle class cult. Many cults mooch off of their members’ money. If you do it right you’ll get to ‘communal’ status, where everybody shares everything. Avoid a really creepy or violent cult. Have a near-believable status. Wear matching clothes; preferably choose something which rides the line between ironic and stupid. Keep in mind outsiders won’t get it. Once you explain your cult was created to prepare for the end of the world, it makes much more sense.

5.       Take a Nap

Nothing says “Bring it on” like sleeping through the end of the world. The world usually doesn’t end, or at least hasn’t yet. You can take a nap while the world allegedly ends. In the rare case that the world does end at least you have a fairly pleasant journey towards death, unlike all those people screaming as they plunge to their deaths. At least you got a good night’s rest. 

6.       Surf the Internet

Call this a ‘lame’ idea. Go ahead. I dare you. But if you are reading this, you probably spend a vast quantity of time surfing the internet. Twitter would be trending “#endoftheworld”. You can use that tag to mock everyone else who thought it was ending. But if the world does end, you’ll lose internet connectivity at some point. 

7.       Create a really weird play-list

This is tough. How do you capture the destruction of the entire world, everything you’ve ever known in a single play-list? Even for someone who has listened to a great deal of music like me, it is a tough problem. You could decide to make it ironic, with lots of corny giant riffs. Perhaps “November Rain” could make it in there. Movie soundtracks may fit the bill. Get some really loud classical pieces and put them together. To do it more tastefully, try to include quiet, mildly depressing pieces. For a party, have a bunch of dance tracks from bands like L.F.O, Daft Punk, Justice, Lords of Acid, DJ Sprinkles, etc. In case people think you’re being too weird, explain you’re confused by how to approach the end of the world. 

                As the end of the world will be on May 21^st I’ll be personally taking some of this advice myself. I hope you decide to use some of these suggestions (for they are only suggestions) and mix them with your own ideas. Together we’ll get through this non-end of the world. Everything is going to be okay.

Perverted Pop Playlist (The Triple P) (Part I)

Funny on so many levels

Looking through my posts, I noticed a lack of playlists. This seems particularly egregious an error, since I have actually been listening to specific genres of music lately. Hording them for myself, I forgot to share them with everybody else.  I apologize.

What I have in store for you today is hopefully not the last of its kind. Over the past few weeks I’ve noticed myself going back to these songs again and again, seeking my nostalgia kick. Most of these songs are fairly recent, and fall mostly under the chillwave or hypnagogic pop subgenres. 

Unlike most of my previous playlists, this stuff should strike the casual listener as being vaguely familiar. That’s the way the genres work, by subtly referencing previous works and re-framing it into something brand new. The low fidelity of some of these recordings is deliberate and intentional. Hopefully you’ll be able to fully enjoy these selections, and perhaps I’ll make more playlists in this similar vein, hence the Part I. Or I might have just named it that to mess with your head. Also included is some of what inspired this exploration into the sound in the first place. 

1.       Outer Limits Recordings – I need my T.V.

I’ve been really digging their sound lately. Conjuring up my past via the best 80s worship I’ve heard for a while. Anybody interested in Ariel Pink would be a fool not to check this awesomeness out. The song will get stuck in your head. 

2.       The Samps – Yellowjacket

The Samps are a sample-worshipping group. What I like about this particular song is the hypnotic quality the music takes about halfway into the song. Suddenly the sound begins to glide effortlessly and really become something much greater than the sum of its parts. Let the groove overtake you. 

3.       Rangers – Bear Creek

Going through various Google searches, I see Bear Creek is a small village outside Austin, Texas. Maybe this is where the musician is from, because I do know he’s a Texan. It would explain the certain amount of heart this particular song of his has. 

4.       Casino Versus Japan – Trad Velecido

American-made ambient done right. I thought about Boards of Canada, but everybody talks about them. Besides, I figured with all the madness going on, there needed to be a break.

5.       VHS Head – The Stuff

Perhaps this sort of breaks the lo-fi theme I had. I don’t care. The pop sensibilities are still here, and the samples from VHS tapes make it nostalgic enough. Each segment of the song works perfectly and has a great pulse to it. 

6.       Games – Shadows in Bloom

Games have impressed me of late. This one’s cut up techniques mesh well with what preceded it, and the keyboards are fantastic. Stupid vocals only make it that much better. 

7.       Washed Out- Phone Call

Ernest Greene gets a royalty check every time someone mentions chillwave. In his super-secret parent’s house in a well-to-do Georgia town, he created this out of boredom. The reverb saturates the whole thing into a delightful pop morsel. 

8.       Broadcast and the Focus Group – Royal Chant

Actually, I enjoy both of these groups. For whatever reason, this one spoke to me the most off of the entire album. Once I had finished listening to it, I immediately re-listened to the entire album. This is another palate cleanser sort of track, a bit meditative. 

9.       R. Stevie Moore – Part of the Problem

Writing about music, I feel I can never talk directly about R. Stevie Moore, only his contribution. This happens to be one of his stronger power pop contributions. I like to think of him as the long-lost ancestor to a lot of the chillwave artists today, like from the Cro-Magnon period or something. 

10.   Big Troubles – Georgia

Big Troubles lives in the same state as Mr. Moore, the great state of New Jersey. They trade in a similar stock. True to their name, they engage in a very large sound. I’d say this is a good song to drive to. 

11.   Blank Dogs – Tin Birds

Probably one of the most optimistic songs Blank Dogs ever wrote. I like how the song practically oozes confidence in you. You could run to this song or accomplish something great, since it clearly works as montage music. 

12.   Greatest Hits – Ambulance

Yeah, I know there’s a bunch of Olde English Spelling Bee stuff on here, but that has probably been one of the savior labels for me this year. Anyway, this brings up the best images of early ADULT. 

13.   Optiganally Yours – Stop Touching Me

After the intensity of Ambulance, you might need a break. Using only the oldest technology available (some toy from the 60s) they create the purest homemade pop. It sounds like it breaks from the sheer cuteness.

14.   Ducktails – Hamilton Road

 I now like Ducktails. For whatever reason, I didn’t immediately enjoy this project, but now I get it. Hearing that sound, it reminds me of summer and how far away it is now. 

15.   Nerve City – Sleepwalker

This is as lo-fi as I’m willing to get. Even with that “recorded from faraway” sound, it retains a certain romantic charm. 

16.   Nite Jewel – What Did He Say

Seeing Nite Jewel perform this live helped me check one thing off on my things to do before I die list. No one in the audience bothered to dance or react to it. I was upset with this, but I like the slinky approach to song craft she employs with this little ditty. 

17.   Panda Bear – Alsatian Dam

Hearing this only makes me want his album more. The buildup, a long lost art form, is confidently restored to its rightful place. 

18.   Todd Rundgren – A Dream Goes On Forever

I never get a chance to play this song for people. This is one of the best pop songs you’ll ever encounter. Shame that Todd didn’t have his entire career filled with these gems.

19.   Saint Etienne – Avenue

 A habit of all of my mixes is to put some long meaningful song at the end. I’m not sure why long songs should go at the end, but I want people to kind of drift away with that last track. Right at the very end you hear how someone could “Lose Himself in London”. That was part of the ongoing theme of the whole album, which I strongly suggest hearing.

I hope you enjoy this mix. Perhaps there will be a part II to this, since I deleted a lot of my original suggestions for this, either because they lacked heart or soul. Chillwave and hypnagogic pop will never be torn asunder.

Travelling Without Moving: Thanks Jamiroquai for the suggestion: Day Two

Today you’re probably all spaced out from yesterday’s trip up to the higher levels of weird. Don’t worry; I haven’t lessened the cataclysmic storms of the bizarre today. Bring food, snacks, whatever you need. Get a book, do some reading, expand your mind. Avoid the television, or, if you must watch, put it on cartoons and turn the sound off. Then make up the dialogue according to the sound. I’ve done this before; it is a very funny experience, especially the more hyperactive the cartoon is. I’d say Anime would be your best bet, but that’s just merely a suggestion.

Without further ado, I present day two of your journey.

Day Two


1. Gastr Del Sol – Our Exquisite Replica of “Eternity”
Jim O’Rourke gets a lot of shit, mostly by me. This song explains my reasoning behind it. It shows that before he went down a lazy, predictable path, he had the ability and inclination to follow his muse wherever it led him. Here you get a real feel for the build up, which leads into the progressive rock epic following.
2. Van Der Graaf Generator – A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers
Rusty Venture definitely let his kids listen to this, in order to find their creative muse via 70s progressive rock. He couldn’t do much worse than this; this is sort of the crowning achievement of so much nerdy dorks with far too much musical training.
3. Fuck Buttons – Olympians
FUCK BUTTONS! This takes its size and inflates it dramatically with noise, melody, and tribal drums. Does it work? Oh, it works so very well.
4. Television – Marquee Moon
After the past few intense songs, I figured we might need to slow it down a bit. Notice for this particular playlist there’s a few visitors from the 70s. This is just one of many common threads.
5. Tortoise – DJED
Single-handedly remixing any and almost all worthwhile genres of rock and rock-related genres into a massive mix, this does justice to their vision of a “jazz band playing rock music”. If you’re not so keen on the more “difficult” tendencies of this list, I’d suggest going with this one first. Like the New York Times stated, this is “the easy listening end of the avant-garde”. Maybe I’ll make an easy listening, or abridged version of these three lists. We’ll see.
6. Philip Glass – The Grid
Continuing the non-offensive music comes Philip Glass. Basically, the complaint many have is that he steals from his previous works, like “Music in Twelve Parts” among other things. But this definitely gives a great example of what sort of music he’s capable of when he’s hot.
7. Janek Schaefer – The Ruined City
Veering a bit towards the more the experimental, we have what is essentially a remix of depressing classical pieces. Rather than allow his technical performances overwhelm the samples, he works more around the territory than stupidly smashing through it. That sort of stuff happens later in the mix, with far more useless music.
8. British Sea Power – Lately
An epic jam bringing to mind the best and happiest of Grateful Dead, had they existed until the late 90s intact. Towards the end, watch the volume, it gets very loud.
9. Oneida – Sheets of Easter
You’ve to look into the LIGHT LIGHT LIGHT LIGHT. Uh, I found the perfect repeating loud stupid music. And it is this. There’s no evolution, it is the same thing throughout the entire length. You’re welcome.
10. The Residents – Part Two: the Making of a soul
Birthed from Elvis’s vagina in the 1840s, following the annexation of the Northwest Territories, they roamed the countryside planting apple trees while fighting the Confederacy.

This is all irrelevant however. Really they are theatrical people who created such another-worldly Dadaist play that it must be heard to be believed. I’d recommend the whole album of “Not Available” but this is probably the best bit.
11. Of Montreal – No Conclusion
If you missed what Of Montreal was before Skeletal Lamping, try this, the EP right before that said album came out. Without any idea that they are, I’ll let you know they conjure the images of the glam of David Bowie during his glammiest phase.
12. Terre Thaemlitz – Elevatorium
Neurosis of living in an urban area is reflected oh so well. There are some beautiful things at work, and it is a bit of a shame that in later releases Terre focused more on theory than actual musical content. Here he lets the music speak for itself, without any little theory ruining your blissful dreams.
13. Amp – Perception Returns
Amp nicely compliments Terre’s music. Now we move into the countryside for a form of “rural psychedelic a” that Flying Saucer specialized in. Only in this case, we don’t have to put up with their crumby vocals.
14. Joanna Newsom – Only Skin
Homes infected with Hipsters usually put this on to get rid of them. She’s pretty damn important, and if you were wondering what renaissance fair music would sound like taken to the highest level possible, this would be it. Perhaps if this played at renaissance fairs, I might actually go to them.
15. Nobukazu Takemura – Icefall
Every time I’ve put this on for people, they called it “emotionless computer music”. I disagree; this song puts a smile on my face for the rest of the day every time I hear it. Each little glitch sounds like a computer in the wild passionate throbs of love. Adore it.
16. Sigur Ros – Vidrar vel til loftarasa
This comes closest to anything normal you’ve heard for about the past hour. Odd that the bizarre Icelandic group has to “mainstream” things on here, but that’s what we’re looking at. Indeed, it is truly lovely stuff, rightly influenced by slowcore (one of my favorite genres) and post-rock.
17. Tim Hecker – Incurably Optimistic
Ambient noises come together to from a happy melodic drone.
18. Do Make Say Think – Fredericia
I’ve been fortunate enough to see these guys live, they are excellent. Many people would compare them to a watered down Godspeed, but I don’t think so. They have the same citizenship as Godspeed, but they focus more on the tender side of things than the epic scale Godspeed employs.
19. Jandek – Not Even Water
A depressed Texan comes up on side and starts singing ultra-depressing stuff. Nobody in the audience knows who he is, and then he really rips into the material. By the second song, most have guessed that he is Jandek. But this first song no one knew a thing.
20. Rodan – The Everyday World of Bodies
Beginning the intense paranoia, Rodan kicks off their longest, most enraged song. Forming from the ashes of Slint, they had the pedigree, and, had they stayed together, probably could have gotten a serious following. But like so many bands in Louisville, they cut it short for reasons we’ll never know.
21. Butthole Surfers – Jimi
I am death. – Gibby Haynes. Uh, none of this song makes any sense and the guitar solo sounds like Jimi Hendrix is getting severely tortured while playing his heart out in a sewer system somewhere.
22. Royal Trux – (Edge of the) Ape Oven
The strongest track off “Twin Infinitives” they make sure the hits are directly scored. Both of them sing utter nonsense about things that may exist in their minds/reality. It is hard to tell, as their ravings and intelligent remarks sort of melt into one screed.
23. Autechre – Second Peng
Yeah, you can’t avoid Autechre for long, uncomfortably paranoid pieces. This is from their “pre-digital” era, so the sound will appeal to those who found 90s electronic better than that 00s glitch stuff. Plus, there’s a ton of empty space to get lost in.
24. Kid606 – Never Underestimate the Value of a Holla
KID606 goes insane, starts destroying all pop from 2002. Perhaps besides adoring loud, aggressive punk, he’s a secret closet fan of trashy pop hits.
25. New Order – Perfect Kiss
You should know this.
26. The Juan MacLean – Happy House
Following so close after New Order, this shows that the goofy spirit did not die, but lived on. Though it sounds so simple, the amount of detail put into it is pretty impressive, as is the multiple parts.
27. Boards of Canada – Happy Cycling
Boards of Canada are pretty much dormant right now. But when they’re hot, they’re hot. This one is from their first “official” album, and it is a real wonder. It ended the album, like it ends my mix for today.