Various Artists--Songs in the Key of Z
Outsider Music refers to a genre of sonic exotica so wrong -- it's right! Outsiders could be the product of supernatural possession, damaged DNA, drug fry, psychosis -- while some are just plain weird. These often self-taught artists may lack conventional tunefulness and self-awareness, but they display an abundance of earnestness and passion. And they're worth listening to, often surpassing all contenders for originality. Irwin Chusid, renowned music historian and WFMU DJ, has lovingly curated this compendium -- SONGS IN THE KEY OF Z: THE CURIOUS UNIVERSE OF OUTSIDER MUSIC -- as an audio counterpart to his book of the same title (A Cappella Books/Chicago Review Press). The compilation features songs by artists profiled in the text. From the uninhibited coyote howls of the Legendary Stardust Cowboy to the arrested-adolescent passion of Daniel Johnston; the martian blues alchemy of Captain Beefheart to the LSD-cabaret crooning of Arcesia; the Shaggs aboriginal backwoods rock, to the first-ever release of a song by Shooby Taylor, the Human Horn. SONGS IN THE KEY OF Z promises an unforgettable romp through music too strange for radio but too fascinating to ignore. For more information, check-out http://www.keyofz.com.
Previous CD of the Month selections.
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August 99::Double Agent 2000 compilation--Double Agent Records has been dubbed one of the best record labels you've never heard of. This stellar Double Agent Compilation features some of Radio 1190's favorite bands including Radio 1190's #1 band from 1998, The Push Kings, as well as Class, (Smooth) Operator, and Rose Melberg. |
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September 99: Stereolab Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage in the Milky Night--After a hiatus of two years, a virtual ice age in Stereolab’s chronology, the band is set to release a new CD. The new disc was recorded in Winter 98/99 in Brixton, London, and is splendidly titled "Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage In the Milky Night."All 15 songs were written by founding members Tim Gane and Laetitia Sadier, while recording and mixing is shared between the group and John McEntire (who also co-produced Stereolab’s two previous efforts) and, for the first time, Jim O’Rourke. O’Rourke has worked with a dizzying array of people including Faust, Sonic Youth, Oval and Plush and this year released his own mesmerizing solo outing "Eureka." His string arrangements on this record are quite breathtaking. |
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October 99: Barcelona Simon Basic--Having been
raised in Washington DC during the Regan Regime of the 80's it was hard
for anyone not to be under the influence of new wave pop and Commodore 64's
let alone the members of Barcelona. Comprised of Jennifer Carr (bass), Jason
Korzen (guitar/ singer), Christian Scanniello (drums) and Ivan Ramiscal
(moog/keyboards/ guitar), the band somehow found time away from their love
of soccer and computers to add their own dose of synth-pop and indie to
play their only show in 1999 and release their first full-length "Simon
BASIC" that same year. -- Mike DaRonco , All-Music Guide |
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November 99: Handsome Boy Modeling School So...How's Your Girl?--Handsome Boy Modeling School is a project started by Prince Paul and Dan"The Automator" Nakamura. For this undertaking, they've taken on thepersonas of Chest Rockwell (Paul) and Nathaniel Merriweather. The concept is a school to make men handsome through training and technique. The name comes from the old Fox TV show "Get A Life", which starred Bob & Chris Elliot. Two of the tracks are "skits" using samples from the show. The album doesn't exactly train you to be handsome, but you shouldn't carebecause this is one of the most innovative hip-hop albums to arrive in quitea long time. Tracks examine such issues as rock, the projects and deathwhile ranging in style from hip-hop to digital hardcore. Many Handsome Boy graduates make guest appearances, including: Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Miho Hatori of Cibo Matto, Mike D, Grand Puba & Sadat X, Encore, Dave of De La Soul, DJ Shadow, DJ Quest, Kid Koala, Money Mark, Josh Hayden, Paula Frazer, & Father Guido Sarducci. |
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December 99: Low Christmas & I Made it Out of Clay compilation--As a special holiday treat for our current and December members of the CD of the Month Club, Radio 1190 is throwing in an extra CD! Low, a sanguine threepiece from the drowsy shores of Duluth, Minnesota, have put out a special, hard to find CD of Christmas and Christmas related songs. The majority of the new CD is signature Low -- languid, mournful, and sparse. They do, however, make a noticable departure from their trademark style on the album's first track "Just Like Christmas." This catchy, beautiful track has been exceedingly popular with both staff and listeners. Christmas is a combination of original songs and covers such as "Blue Christmas," "Silent Night," and "Little Drummer Boy." As a bonus, we're also including the new Hanukkah compilation I Made it Out of Clay put together by Little Shirley Beans. One of the greatest things about this new (and to my best knowledge, first) indie pop Chanukah compilation is it's mastermind, Brooklyn's Little Shirley Beans. Shirley Braha as she is known to her family, is but a mere 16 years old which lends a special air of awe-thenticity to this record. Shirley made her first mark earlier this year by organizing the "Indiepop List" song from the latest Momus album "Stars Forever" and now gives everyone at the intersection of Jew and Indiepop fan reason to rejoice with upbeat songs about our best known holiday. by Joshua Bloom |
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January 2000: Songs:Ohia The Lioness--Some underground musicians never make it to their fourth album, and very few do it in style like our man from Lorain, Ohio, Jason Molina. To record The Lioness, Molina (along with regular Songs: Ohia members Jonathan Cargill and Geof Comings) traveled far from home - all the way to Glasgow, Scotland. Once there, local musicians Aidan Moffat and David Gow of Arab Strap and Ali Roberts of Appendix Out were more than happy to join the lineup, adding a new dimension to Molina's expert song craft. While it may initially be perceived as even darker than last year's Axxess & Ace, The Lioness is in fact more of a celebration of love, in direct contrast to Axxess' songs that generally focused on failing relationships. Songs: Ohia has always been a perfect vehicle for Molina to express wide-ranging, truthful emotions, but with The Lioness, the passionate reverence he pays to the value of love becomes his most sincere gesture yet. Review by Josh Bloom at Fanatic. |
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February 2000: Destroyer Thief--Hailing from Canada, Destroyer quietly infested the airwaves of the USA with their single, "The Temple." Immediately a hit here at Radio 1190, the music staff sought out any information about this catchy band to aid in the countless calls asking "Who is this band?" Low and behold a few weeks later the full length by Destroyer, entitled Thief, landed on our desks and the rest is history. The brain behind Destroyer is Daniel Bejar, who in 1995 after dropping out of college, began to record on a borrowed four-track weird instrumentals and kooky cover songs. Five years later and after adding a few members, Thief was recorded. It is a great album full of catchy tunes, reminiscent of the Bowie-era years. If you listen closely, he actually has some pretty interesting things to say about the world as it stands. A must have for any music collection.----Your "dedicated to cool music" Music Staff at Radio 1190 |
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March 2000: Yo La Tengo And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out--For 13 years, Yo La Tengo have been a remarkably consistent, almost comforting presence on the American pop scene, yet we love their genius because they are not afraid to surprise us. They constantly redefine their own boundaries, stretch their songs into new shapes, and often restructure their old songs into new forms. For their album, And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out, the now-telepathic interplay of Georgia Hubley, Ira Kaplan, and James McNew approaches their music as one entity; yet they are solid and powerful, and comfortable enough to allow room for improvisation. Georgia's drumming is a gentle web, but tensile enough to support sheets of organ throb and guitar noise. James anchors integral melodies in ways bassists rarely do. Ira's wild throttling of his guitar is by now legendary, but his restraint in playing the perfect few quiet notes keeps the band walking their delicate tightrope while pushing the music forward. Such are the gifts of Yo La Tengo. |
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April 2000: Blackalicious Nia--Tim Parker & Xavier Mosley, better known as Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel respectively, comprise the duo Blackalicious. Nia is the Swahili word for purpose, "It's all about seeing your struggles as experiences that make you a better person so that your spirit can evolve to the next level," says Parker. One such struggle was Parker's bout with alcoholism. Now fully recovered, he and Xcel have spent the last 3 years creating what will be seen as an essential album in the late 90's resurgence of underground hip-hop. They will return the funk that made the original artform great in the 1970's Bronx. They first met in a Sacramento high school, and Xcel's college roommate Josh Davis, aka DJ Shadow, contributes production on the spacey fantasy trip, "Cliff Hanger." In addition to Shadow, the rest of the Quannum crew, Latryx's Lateef & Lyrics Born contribute to the album in various capacities. An instant classic. |
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May 2000: Sleater-Kinney All Hands on the Bad One--The latest from this Olympia, Washington-based female trio featuring members of Excuse 17 and Heavens to Betsy. This release on Kill Rock Stars has a little someting for everyone: political commentary, rock'n'roll, and as always, Corin Tucker's distinctive vocals. One of today's most critically acclaimed bands, this release is a must have for every collection. Apparently you can also hire their drummer Janet Weiss for you very own band by calling 1-800-GO-JANET. Also check-out Sleater-Kinney related projects: Cadallaca, The Spells & Quasi! |
