October 9, 2019 Playlist

"pom pom" by Ariel Pink (2014)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Ariel Pink "pom pom"  2014 (USA) 
Ariel Pink is a crucial figure in early 21st century underground music, so it's time to finally add one of his albums to the CAOTW roster. At the end of the analog era (1996-2003), Ariel Rosenberg recorded hours of original music on old-fashioned lo-fi cassettes in his parents basement and an ashram in L.A. where he lived for several years! These started to get released on indie label Paw Tracks in 2004 under the moniker "Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti" and his legend began to grow (living in the ashram is the tip of the iceberg as far as his notoriouly eccentric LA slacker lifestyle.) His ultra-indie analog aesthetic became a major influence on the "hypnagogic/chillwave" fad in underground music at the end of the twenty-aughties (whatever you call that decade ending in 2009). In 2010, he signed with "big indie" label 4AD and Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti (now an actual band) released Before Today, his first album of songs that were written with the intention of actually being heard by an audience! This was followed by the even better Mature Themes in 2012, then this week's classic album in 2014 which was technically his first solo album since those early analog days (his notorious eccentricities include fighting with his band and firing them all). pom pom is his best-produced album, and also features some of his nuttiest song writing. The Cure and Michael Jackson (80's pop in general) were two of his earliest influences and are present here, but with odd song structures achieved through clever editing and studio trickery and an attention to conceptual continuity (and juvenille/clinical fascination with the sociology of sex) that is very reminiscent of fellow LA weirdo studio freak Frank Zappa.
(N) = New Release
   
Artist Song Album Year Country
Iggy Pop DawnFree (N)2019 (Caroline)USA
Tropical Fuck Storm ParadiseBraindrops (N)2019 (Joyful Noise)Australia
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard HellInfest The Rats' Nest (N)2019 (ATO)Australia
BABYMETAL Shanti Shanti ShantiMetal Galaxy (N - forthcoming album)2019 (Toy's Factory)Japan
Oh Sees Psy-Ops DispatchFace Stabber (N)2019 (Castle Face)USA
The Replacements Valentine
   / Left Of The Dial (live)		Dead Man's Pop (N)rec. 1989 (2019 Rhino/Warner)USA
 
 
Sleater-Kinney RUINS
   / LOVE		The Center Won't Hold (N)2019 (Mom + Pop)USA
Prettiest Eyes Mr. PresidentVol. 3 (N)2019 (Castle Face)USA
Santana Candombe CumbeleAfrica Speaks (N)2019 (Concord)USA/Mexico
Moon Duo Eternal ShoreStars Are The Light (N)2019 (Sacred Bones)USA
   
 
Ariel PinkBlack Ballerinapom pom
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		2014USA
Ariel PinkNot Enough Violencepom pom
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		2014USA
Ariel PinkDinosaur Carebearspom pom
 CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		2014USA
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti GOLDWorn Copy (N - reissue)2003 (2019 Mexican Summer)USA
The Babe Rainbow BeastyToday (N)2019 (Flightless)Australia
   
 
75 Dollar Bill Tetuzi AkiyamaI Was Real (N)2019 (Thin Wrist)USA
Sheep Fiends Circus GirlKeep Your Kool (N)2019 (self release)USA
Beyond Captain Orca! Dopamine Reset (live)2019/05/31 - Royal Room #2 (N)2019 (self release)USA
Elephant9You Are The Sunshine Of My Life (Stevie Wonder)Silver Mountain2015Norway
   
 
Curtis MayfieldThe Makings Of YouCurtis
1970USA
Isaac HayesBy The Time I Get To Phoenix (Jim Webb / Glen Campbell)Hot Buttered Soul1969USA
The Isley BrothersIt's Too Late (Carole King)Brother, Brother, Brother
1972USA
   
 
James BrownStone To The BoneThe Payback1973USA
      
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