Diablos said:
Besides Boards of Canada, can you explain why you picked those? They look really interesting.
probably because they're great albums. Really though, I'm horrible at describing music so I'll just post the cdnow descriptions...
thievery corporation - the cosmic game
There's always been a psychedelic edge to Rob Garza and Eric Hilton's Thievery Corporation project. 2000's Mirror Conspiracy is a downtempo classic precisely because of its druggy expansiveness; sober listeners and saucer-eyed trippers alike could find common ground. Similarly esoteric and nocturnal, The Cosmic Game floats around the room on a wave of mystic beats and guest vocals from Perry Farrell, The Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne, and David Byrne. Garza and Hilton are less devoted to non-electronic sources here than they were on The Richest Man in Babylon or The Outernational Sound, though their fascination with dub rhythms and world music remains intact. A fair amount of armchair travel is involved as you go from the late, late-night, beach-club-in-Jamaica sound of "Amerimacka," to the Brazilian percussion of "Ambicion Eterna" and "Pela Janela." But more than anything, the record feels like a return to the duo's own ethereal sonic roots. It's a nice blend of their music over the last half-decade for longtime fans, and a hazy glide down the rabbit hole for newcomers. --Matthew Cooke
album leaf - seal beach ep
Originally released in Spain in 2003, this very special version of The Album Leafs Seal Beach EP is finally released in the United States! The Seal Beach EP on Better Looking features four songs from the original EP, plus "For Jonathan," which replaces an original. In addition, Jimmy LaValle has handpicked five live performances from his tour with Sigur Ros, included as bonus tracks and its all wrapped up in a beautiful digipack. The Album Leaf is Jimmy LaValle, a classically trained, prolific pianist and musician whose ambitious projects have involved San Diegos seminal ambient post-rock outfit Tristeza, noise punks The Locust and the gloomy, brooding epic-core Black Heart Procession. This special domestic release of the Seal Beach EP follows the recent success of The Album Leafs critically acclaimed full-length In a Safe Place on Sub Pop Records.
tosca - j.a.c
Tosca are in full hypnosis mode for J.A.C., as the Viennese duo of Richard Dorfmeister and Rupert Huber again show off their mastery of jazzy ambience. Dorfmeister and Huber have been busy since 2003s Dehli9, having had three kids between them (the album title is an acronym of their offsprings names) in the interim. Perhaps seeking a respite from the hectic onset of fatherhood, theyve infused J.A.C. with a romp of bass lines and Bossa, staying away from the druggier, avant-garde material found on Dehli9. At first, it plays a bit too breezy, but later the record reveals more depth. Blunt-friendly beats make their way into the mix; "The Big Sleep" goes pretty deep into its own navel before the funk of "Damentag" brightens the mood. A few more listens, and youll notice more musical diversity and the easy way Dorfmeister and Huber segue from chilly ("Naschkatze") to friendly ("Zuri"). Distinctive vocals from usual suspects Earl Zinger and Farda P along with newcomers Samiah Farah and Chris Eckman (of the Seattle-based Walkabouts) add spice. Once J.A.C. is in your player, it may be awhile before you take it out. Matthew Cooke
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