First Song From Album 100!: Soft Ropes

DAYS RUN AWAY C: FRACTURES

(¡OR DAYS RUN AWAY 100, MY 100th ALBUM!)

Here you have it. The first song off of album 100, Days Run Away C: Fractures. All field recordings of windchimes and wind, edited in post. Two songs into 100. Here's to a new year.
Here's 'Soft Ropes', the first song:

Some crap about the year 100:

Roman Empire
Bricks become the primary building material in the Roman Empire.
Pliny the Younger advances to consulship, giving his panegyric on Trajan in the process.
The Roman Army reaches 300,000 soldiers.
Tiberius Avidius Quietus' rule as governor of Roman Britain ends.
Timgad (Thamugas) is founded by Emperor Trajan.
Trajan creates a policy intended to restore the former economic supremacy of Italy.
Europe
Lions have become extinct in the Balkans by this date.
Asia
Pakores (last king of the Indo-Parthian Kingdom) takes the throne.
Paper is used by the general populace in China, starting around this year.
The Kingdom of Himyarite is conquered by the Hadramaut.
Americas
The Hopewell tradition begins in what is now Ohio circa this date.
Teotihuacan, at the center of Mexico, reaches a population of 50,000.
The Moche civilization emerges, and starts building an advanced society in present-day Peru.
By topic
Arts and sciences
In China, the wheelbarrow makes its first appearance.
100–112 – Main hall, Markets of Trajan, Rome, is made.
Religion
Appearance of the first Christian dogma and formulas regarding morality.
The Gospel of John is widely believed to have been written around this date.
The compilation of the Kama sutra begins in India.
The Temple of the God of Medicine is built in Anguo, China.
The Fourth Buddhist Council is convened circa this year.
Births
Justin Martyr, Christian apologist (approximate date)
Marcus Cornelius Fronto, Roman grammarian, rhetorician and advocate (approximate date)

Deaths

Josephus, Jewish historian

Agrippa II of Judea

Second Prism (Third song from 99 + Album Art)

Album art and the third song from 99: White Shadows. Posting it just incase I get busy today.
Enjoy.

Second Song From White Shadows (Album 99): Dark Rain

Here we go, dense reverb.
Also, and I'm not a TV guy, but three shows are definitely worth watching. Eastbound & Down, Dexter (Season four was very good) & Big Love. I'm not going to add to much to that.
Off to working on it. Working on all of it. Returning to Philadelphia wednesday night.

First song from 99

Prisms. Spelt wrong on the upload. Ignore that. Anyway. Reading a lot of Clive Barker. Getting things done. Almost up to 100. And joe, from england I think, who commented on my last blog. I'll get back to you soon. What you said though meant the world to me and I'd be happy to recommend a few things.
Here's the song. Album's called White Shadow.

And what the hell?

Mannn good morning america?
Anyway. Good night everyone. Hope christmas was wonderful.

Marrow Abbey First song (and album title) of 98

Yup yup yup, this is album 98: Marrow Abbey. I made it back home to CT safe and sound. here's the song recorded on the train.

Download Witch Routes/New Songs/My Influences As Of Late (Busby Berkeley, Kate Bush, Philip Glassect..)

First off
Download Days Run Away XCVIII: Witch Routes here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?mnkrqwrynw2

Alright, now that that's out of the way. Here's a new song




Okay so, before I make my big ol best of 2009 list, I figured I'd throw something of an update of my recent influences up. True I could just put up a link to my last.fm (which is already on the side), but this may be a bit more accessible (also to the music itself).

Before I go into my musical influence I'll just throw in a cinematic/dance director whose vision influences (or inspires) me greatly, Busby Berkeley. He was the coreographer and director for films like 42nd Street & the Gold Diggers series of the 30s. He broke the 'theater view' of dance and viewed human movements in complex geometric shapes. See:






First and foremost, I can't get over my love for Kate Bush. Her stellar record Hounds Of Love has been on repeat of a very long time here. It's totally irresistible and very influential (to me and beyond). Here's the lead-off song "Running Up That Hill (Deal With God)":


And here's "Hounds Of Love" (Title track from her most important record):



As for the band which will be winning my top artist (and album) of 2009, that would go to Britain's Wild Beasts. This song's from their first record. As of now they've released two and they're quite honestly two of the most compulsively listenable and impeccably made albums that I've heard in ages. They're both gorgeous, wide, exciting and flamboyant. Here's "The Devil's Crayon"



In a refreshingly strange way, These New Puritans further helped me reevaluated whatever in the hell is going on in the post-punk revivalist movement. There's something Wire (or the Fall) esq about these guys. Can't put my finger on it. I think that's the point.




And in previous posts I know I've spoken about the following artists (Philip Glass, Patti Smith, Neil Young) so here are some videos:

Witch Routes/For MJK (A New Song That I'm Really Proud Of)

I'm almost done with 97 and the album art is above.
Here's the second song off of the recently re-titled album 97: Witch Routes. The song is called 'Mary Sings At One A.M. And Rain Can Still Be Heard (For Mary J. Kelly)' and I'm really really proud of it. It's the closet I've come to making a song in anyway similar to the works of Philip Glass or Steve Reich. I play the acoustic guitar, tuned percussion, clarinet and violin on the track (though the guitar doesn't completely sound like a guitar. Here's the song:

and for a reference point this is Philip Glass:

GLASSCAR SNOWSTORM

That's the snowstorm that hit philly today and…

That's "Glass Car", a new song from album 97 (which is called Glass Cars).

New song and a rough listing of the top records of the 00s.

First a new song. Third track from Roses, this is Paper Chains.

And now, with that posted, here is my rough top albums of the decade. Very rough.

First a new song. Third track from Roses, this is Paper Chains.


And now, with that posted, here is my rough top albums of the decade. Very rough. I know I'll probably revisit this later but as for now, here's something like a top ten. This is much more of my favorites rather than what I believe is best. I'll try to work a 'best' out later and edit it in.

1.) The Walkmen-Bows+Arrows (2004):

This album always held an incredibly personal and totally unmovable place in my heart. It captures the sadness of snow and cities in ways no other album has. Their first two records following it were rather weak and they're only now returning to the top of their form (with the incredible You and Me).

2.) Boards Of Canada-Geogaddi (2002):

Each time I sat down to do this list I wanted to put Music Has The Right To Children right at the top. And every time I go to do that, I kick myself when I realize that it was a child of the late 90s. It will still never sound like that. In the same way, Geogaddi manages to sound outside of its time, defying frustrating genre tags (IDM) and surrounding trends, Geogaddi is a suffocating, scary, haunting and gorgeous album all at once.

3.) Blur-Think Tank (2003):

It's the album I never thought they'd make. Following the loss of forming guitarist Gram Coxon, Damon and the boys (Damon already tasted success with Gorillaz) made their most daring album to date. It's also the most emotionally rewarding. From sonically sparse to lush, from samples to shaking trebled guitars, Damon balances grounded emotions with real world social frustrations. It gets better every time and may be their only record which doesn't (and won't) sound dated.


4.) Interpol-Turn On The Bright Lights (2002):

I heard of them following their not so great ep. Their promo pictures made me want to listen to someone (almost anyone) else. I learnt a valuable lesson, to never judge a book by it's cover, no matter how seemingly pretentious.

5.) Beach House-Beach House (2006):

A thing of beauty. To me, flawless.

6.) Earth-Hex; Or Printing in the Infernal Method (2005):

A completely new direction and for once in the 00s, it seems to be the right one. Heavy, sparse and gorgeously painted, Hex is essential.

7.) The Streets-A Grand Don't Come For Free (2004):

This one just kicked me in the nuts. One of the best narrative concept albums that I've ever heard.

8.) Life Without Buildings-Any Other City (2001):

Not enough people know about this album. More people should. It's punchy and strange but worth every arched eyebrow.


Everything else (i'll organize it eventually)
Wilco-A Ghost Is Born
Wilco-Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Sleater Kinney-The Woods
Spoon-Kill The Moonlight
Johnny Cash-A Hundred HIghways
Aimee Mann-Bachelor No. 2
Stars Of The Lid-And Their Refinement of the Decline
The Weakerthans-Left & Leaving
The Strokes-Is This It
Mastadon-Leviathan
Sunn O)))-Black One
Sunn O)))-Monoliths & Dimensions
The Arcade Fire-Funeral
Radiohead-Kid A
Radiohead-HTTT
Uhg a lot more. Those are the best honorable mentions I can rummage up this second.

Here's another new track and yes, I have a tumblr now

First, here's some Agnes Martin for you (she's a god, completely untouchable).


In fact, if you mostly use that it could be easier to follow this (or lead you in circles) as these posts are automatically fed there. Here's the new song using wind-chimes (it's from album 95, home)

It's (tumblr) been a great tool for lifting spirits and little reminders of artistic inspiration. For those who are in anyway interested you can find me at:
http://daysrunaway.tumblr.com

Two New Songs/Full Album Download (both featuring Diana) & Album Art from Rebecca

Download Days Run Away XCVI: Roses Here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?mymod4yyy5y


New album called Roses, recorded in one day based on two improvised tracks. They feature me on Guitar, keyboard, vocals & clarinet and Diana on Vocals and Violin. I'm really happy with the end product.
Here's the song Roses No. 1


Here's the song Roses No. 2




The album art posted above is based on a photograph by close friend and album art collaborator Rebecca C. who's work/links have been posted on the side and in previous entries. The album download is listed above with the art.

Second song from Home: Hammonasset

Called Hammonasset, the track is based on a live improvisation between Diana and myself (diana on Violin, me on acoustic guitar and keyboard).
Hope you like it.

First Song Off Of Album 95: Home

Lots of pianos and features my dog in the background. There are vocals there and they're hard to hear. Album art's posted above.
Song's called (if you can't see it) 'Soft Death (Don't Come Home)'.
Enjoy.

New Song/Video & The Semester that will never end

Here's a new video for the song 'Cries From The Voice':

Download the whole album from which this song came at: http://www.mediafire.com/?nmtqzdajmhn


This is the first track off of the Days Run Away album Connecticut. The album is probably my most personal (and is dedicated to my friend Seth Gaffney who also came from my home state.

This video was shot as part of my senior thesis (with my partner whitney mench). It's a documentary on Wardensville West Virginia. It was filmed from a camper parked on the top of a mountain and used for hunting. It looks down a slope of the hill where the power-lines cut through the trees. I was in the driver's seat of the car as my partner and her step-father sat in the back aiming out a window.

Welp, here's a song from album 94, Apocalypse Songs, entitled Milk & Flowers.

Apocalypse Songs: A Project For Class

http://www.youtube.com/user/SwimmingpoolTheBand#grid/user/553395C56E2B77AC
http://tinyurl.com/apocalypseclass

http://tinyurl.com/apocalypsedownload


=SWIMMINGPOOL THE BAND-APOCALYPSE SONGS

Download at: http://www.mediafire.com/?ofymlm52dny

TRACKLISTING:

1.) Abraham and Yahoel, borne by a dove, ascend to the heavens… (6:03

2.) )Milk & Flowers (The Visions Of Heaven In The Apocalypse Of Peter) (7:18)

3.) New Jerusalem No. 1 (6:24)

4.) The New Earth, With No Sea And The View From The High High Mountain (New Jerusalem No. 2) (5:35)

5.) The Cross & Bow/The First Of Four Improvisation No. 2 (14:12)

Total Time: 39:31

I performed all of the instruments heard on the record. Each song was based around an initial improvisation. Though heavily processed, none of the songs contain samples.

Instruments used are: Piano, Clarinet, Guitar, Violin, Xylophone, Bowed-Guitar (or playing a guitar with a violin bow), Thumb-Harp, Auto-Harp & Acoustic Guitar.

Here's one of the tracks from the record "Abraham and Yahoel, borne by a dove, ascend to the heavens…":


This is a project presentation based on music of the apocalypse for my class Art Religion and the Apocalypse. For my presentation I recorded an albums worth of material based on themes within the Christian Apocalypse, specifically the Book of Revelation.