The Art Of Noise - In Visible Silence (1986)

My father used to listen to this on vinyl when I was a wee one. I consider it the soundtrack to my childhood, oddly enough. I tried to find it on CD when I was in my teens and was never successful. Finally, with the advent of eBay, I managed to track it down. However when it had arrived I found myself hearing something that sounded more than just a little bit different. As "Paranoimia" spun from my compact disc player, I realized that this was an entirely different pressing. It was the American pressing. The one that featured the Max Headroom version of "Paranoimia". I'm one for 80's nostalgia, and I remember Max Headroom. But I never remembered him/it being THAT GODDAMN ANNOYING. It figures that the label(s) would opt for adding such a pop culture icon to something they thought would drift from the American public's shriveled attention span. They ruined an amazing musical landmark. Extremely dissapointed, I shelved the CD.

Much later on I managed to discover how many different pressings existed, and finally (again through the use of eBay) I was able to locate the exact version that my old pa listened to back in '86. Now here it is, from my collection to yours.

Tracklist:

1. Opus 4
2. Paranoimia
3. Eye Of A Needle
4. Legs
5. Slip Of The Tongue
6. Backbeat
7. Instruments Of Darkness
8. Peter Gunn (Featuring Duane Eddy)
9. Camilla—The Old, Old Story
10. The Chameleon's Dish
11. Beatback

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Buy It (good luck)

Captain Beefheart And The Magic Band - Bluejeans & Moonbeams (1974)

Okay. This is as far removed from Trout Mask Replica as you could possibly get. I am an avid Beefheart fan and by saying that I celebrate the man (and band)'s entire catalog, including the ones that got booed by his fans. Never one to take the words of critics with more than a speck of salt, I soak this one up with much delight. This is one really chill spaced out 70's rock/blues album. My favorite track on here has to be "Pompadour Swamp", with his rendition of J. J. Cale's "Same Old Blues" coming in a close second. "Further Than We've Gone" brings to mind the gravel tinged crooning styles of Joe Cocker, getting lost in a sentimental ballad. I found myself listening to this album a lot during solo night drives during the weeks before my aforementioned relocation. Though out of his element, I find this to be a pretty solid and underrated document of a man exploring sounds outside of his comfort zone, which is ironically the zone of conventional sound. Plus it reminds me of moustaches, 70's Camaros, lava lamps, dimly lit makeout rooms and all other things groovy.

Tracklist:

1. Party Of Special Things To Do

2. Same Old Blues

3. Observatory Crest

4. Pompadour Swamp

5. Captain's Holiday

6. Rock 'N Roll's Evil Doll

7. Further Than We've Gone

8. Twist Ah Luck

9. Bluejeans And Moonbeams

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Earth - The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull (2008)

I'd like to celebrate the birth of the Saen Naen Music Blog with one of my favorite albums of all time, Earth's "The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull". This album is special to me because it commemorates my migration from NY to the semi-deep South. This record embodies the whole vibe of southern living without ever being country music for one second. Its ultra slow pace, swampy telecaster twang, thick, radiant organ playing and laid back drum thump paints an amazing sonic portrait what I see when I look out from my back door every morning. Not as minimal as other Earth records, Dylan Carlson and company have evolved their sound into something more layered and deep. Jazz guitar great Bill Frisell guest appears on 3 of the tracks on the album, adding some of his signature hazy blues vibe. So without further adue, cop this record, burn one down and just chill.

Tracklisting:

1. Omens And Portents 1: The Driver
2. Rise To Glory
3. Miami Morning Coming Down II (Shine)
4. Engine Of Ruin
5. Omens And Portents II: Carrion Crow
6. Hung From The Moon
7. The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull

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Buy It