December 2003

Hope you all had a good non-denominational holiday. I’ve been so busy with other things that I can’t really focus here (or on the holidays, for that matter — I worked through Christmas Day, even). Granted I wasted several hours today teaching myself to play Scritti’s ‘The Sweetest Girl’ on keys and guitar but…ha. Thanks so much for reading The Original Soundtrack this year, shout-outs to alla cru, especially those who’ve written to me or mentioned this site, and have a great 2004. I’m halfway done with my epic 2003 wrap-up. I can’t say much about it just now, except: expect a greater emphasis on those of the female persuasion.

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I’m postponing my mammoth end-of-year roundup for another week, cuz I’m still hearing great new 2003 albums and singles every day. (Latest contenders for inclusion in my top 10: Vybz Kartel and Diamanda Galas. Now if only they’d collaborate…)

If you’re interested, my first review for The Wire is out in the new issue. The Original Soundtrack: singlehandedly raising the number of female writers in The Wire by 25%!

While at the newsstand this afternoon I noticed that the new Jockey Slut (a mag I must admit I never read) has Dizzee on the cover. He looks positively Yoda-like with his head peeking out of his giant hoodie. Wisdom beyond his years. Look at those lines under his sad-puppy eyes! He looks like he he could use a good night’s sleep, a bowl of soup, and a mother.

Noticed at Kim’s on St Marks Place today: the #1 top seller is the new Amon Düül II DVD! This is all due to me calling them ‘cüül’ in the Voice, clearly. (coughs) Let the hipster mind control begin!

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I went up for the weekend to see some some old friends in their old, crumbling house in Massachusetts. The house was so drafty that I could feel the wind coming through the closed windows at night, and so unevenly heated that I slept with a jacket and scarf still on, teeth chattering. We stayed up late and sat around the poker table drinking cheap beer (30 cans for $12.99), listening to classic rock, and watching ‘Sifl and Olly’ reruns on a little television set. I put the upcoming Neubauten album (which I have to review) in for a spin on Sunday afternoon, and was struck by how well it suited the character of the house — the faded, threadbare oriental carpet, peeling paint and non-working doorknobs, creaking staircase, chilly indoor air, dark wooden fixtures, picture windows overlooking grey skies and bare trees. The album sounds instantly familiar somehow; it’s the sound of a band growing old, hair greying, voices cracking. The thinner, harsher sounds of yore mellowing into a new richness, machines revealing their vulnerability. ‘die nicht mehr ganz entlegenen Sterne / des Nachts ist die Mitte der Ort in dem ich schlafe’ (the stars are no longer out of the way, at night the center is the place I sleep.’) I like it.

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Big year-end round-up in the works. It’ll be up Monday or Tuesday. I’ll be working pretty steadily over the next few weeks: PhD applications, postpunk project pandemonium, and — cool! — more paid writing work. I’ll most likely be updating this throughout the holidays. Christmas was never really a big deal in my family; I guess the closest Indian equivalent in terms of massiveness is Diwali (the holiday not the riddim!)

In the meantime, go check out da boss Simon’s faves…not shocked by the Dizzee #1 but there are a few curve balls thrown in there. I’m surprised, in particular, by the strong finish for Animal Collective! Also check out Matt’s as-always-awesome lists here. Stelfox posted his year-end list a few days ago and it’s one of the most intriguing/spot-on ones I’ve seen yet. Looking forward to Jess’ year-end too. Mark has been joining in on the year-end madness with some great essays. Marcello has posted a lengthy, interesting year-end as well. Sasha with his ever-evolving 2003 list. The Wire posted their top 50 but what no list for Critical Beats?! My favorite section of the mag these days (big ups to Sherburne.)

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This is where I start trying to catch up on my Freaky Trigger duties, with posts for NYLPM and Proven by Science. More soon!

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I was really psyched to realize today that this blog is one of the top Google hits for ‘playa hatin’ degree’!

Ow my head.

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from this excellent collection of vintage Danceteria posters.

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I’ve become really fascinated, what with it being the holiday season and all, with the Christmas-themed album released on Crepuscule in December 1981 called ‘Ghosts of Christmas Past (Chantons Noel)’. The LP came with a sheet of 6 Christmas cards and this was the original tracklisting:

Aztec Camera – Hot Club Of Christ
The Names – Tokyo Twilight
Paul Haig – Christiania
Swinging Buildings – Praying For A Cheaper Christmas
Soft Verdict – For Christmas Only
White Birds – Possessed By The Stars
The Durutti Column – One Christmas For Your Thoughts
Cabaret Voltaire – Invocation
Tuxedomoon – Weihnachts Rap
Simon Topping – Peep Show International
Thick Pigeon – Silhouettes
Michael Nyman – Cream Or Christians
Magazzini Criminali – Honolulu 25 Dicembre 1990

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Just how great is “Yeah” (Stupid Version) by LCD Soundsystem? It starts out pure disco, even quoting (ripping!) the bassline to the Trammps’ ‘Disco Inferno’, but then it subtly and insidiously morphs and mutates, step by dizzying step, into this total stomping futuristic monster…until you have no idea where the hell you are but you’re so so so glad you’re there. By the end, it’s a completely different track, you’ve been flung into some silver-space-suited interplanetary paradise, the sun is out, the snow-torn sky over Manhattan is blue (BLUE!!), and life’s just better all around. All this and more, in just 9 minutes and 21 seconds. I’ve listened to it four times already today.

(with thanks to fluxblog)

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