PRESS
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Michael Gira + The Birdwatcher + Devendra Banhart | Live at Tonic | Review
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forcedrapture.comYou can’t keep your eyes off of Devendra Banhartat Tonic, NYC, May 26, 2002 After only a few seconds of beginning his set with an a cappella tune, the audience’s attention was solely his. What is immediately noticeable about Mr. Banhart’s is his unique voice. Playful and quietly passionate, it often instinctually launches into an instantly appealing, trembling, quirky falsetto. What could easily be used as a gimmick is instead employed by this idiosyncratic troubadour as a genuine means to create good songs. The lyrics that the voice rattles off are really odd stream-of-conscious rhyming sentences that always seem to revolve around lungs, seas, salt, birds, parents and more strange stuff that caused several audience members to smile, arch their eyebrows, and scratch their heads throughout his "performance". Banhart’s hectic guitar strumming gives him the impression of being a lean, elongated, hummingbird. His simple, enjoyable melodies provide an emotional environment and enhancement for his weird lyrics, everything eventually coming together as a surreal yet very direct form of storytelling that is extremely enjoyable and satisfying. I believe his entire "performance" was improvised. If so, then that makes it all the more impressive. He occasionally injects the word "Okay" when he......
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Michael Gira + The Birdwatcher + Devendra Banhart | Live at Tonic | Review
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forcedrapture.comYou can’t keep your eyes off of Devendra Banhartat Tonic, NYC, May 26, 2002 After only a few seconds of beginning his set with an a cappella tune, the audience’s attention was solely his. What is immediately noticeable about Mr. Banhart’s is his unique voice. Playful and quietly passionate, it often instinctually launches into an instantly appealing, trembling, quirky falsetto. What could easily be used as a gimmick is instead employed by this idiosyncratic troubadour as a genuine means to create good songs. The lyrics that the voice rattles off are really odd stream-of-conscious rhyming sentences that always seem to revolve around lungs, seas, salt, birds, parents and more strange stuff that caused several audience members to smile, arch their eyebrows, and scratch their heads throughout his "performance". Banhart’s hectic guitar strumming gives him the impression of being a lean, elongated, hummingbird. His simple, enjoyable melodies provide an emotional environment and enhancement for his weird lyrics, everything eventually coming together as a surreal yet very direct form of storytelling that is extremely enjoyable and satisfying. I believe his entire "performance" was improvised. If so, then that makes it all the more impressive. He occasionally injects the word "Okay" when he......
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Angels of Light | We Were Alive ! | Review
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Release Magazine | PETER MARKSDelicate interludes in the midst of absolute chaotic cruelty... The Angels of Light is the current project of Michael Gira (founder and force behind the powerful and legendary Swans). This disc is comprised of live recordings taken from their 2001 US tour and it does not disappoint one iota. It begins with one of the calmer tracks from their 2001 album "How I Loved You" and then proceeds to become a brutish thug of an album for the core of the set. I was one of the fortunate ones who saw them on their recent tour and this live disc may not be the same as being there but if you turn it up extremely loud, you will be able to get the gist of what a viscerally enthralling show The Angels of Light put on when they play out. Delicate interludes in the midst of absolute chaotic cruelty which would make Glenn Branca blush. Gira navigates through songs from both Angels albums as well as two tracks from his acoustic solo album of last year. But by far and away the finest moment on this disc is the stunning track "All Souls Rising", a rip-roaring......
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Angels of Light | We Were Alive ! | Review
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Release Magazine | PETER MARKSDelicate interludes in the midst of absolute chaotic cruelty... The Angels of Light is the current project of Michael Gira (founder and force behind the powerful and legendary Swans). This disc is comprised of live recordings taken from their 2001 US tour and it does not disappoint one iota. It begins with one of the calmer tracks from their 2001 album "How I Loved You" and then proceeds to become a brutish thug of an album for the core of the set. I was one of the fortunate ones who saw them on their recent tour and this live disc may not be the same as being there but if you turn it up extremely loud, you will be able to get the gist of what a viscerally enthralling show The Angels of Light put on when they play out. Delicate interludes in the midst of absolute chaotic cruelty which would make Glenn Branca blush. Gira navigates through songs from both Angels albums as well as two tracks from his acoustic solo album of last year. But by far and away the finest moment on this disc is the stunning track "All Souls Rising", a rip-roaring......
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Charlemagne Palestine | Interview
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Perfect Sound Forever | Daniel VarelaSensual, physical and visceral music trance Charlemagne Palestine courtesy by LEM Festival, Barcelona- Spain Sensual, physical and visceral music trance interview by Daniel Varela (June 2002) A long neglected musician, composer, performer and visual artist, Charlemagne Palestine is only recently recognized as a driving force in experimental music scene. Through many years of his recordings have been so difficult to obtain and his performances involving long sound masses could be heard only as an obscure story-telling. His early work with carillon and electronic sustained drones has given place to his better known piano work in the seventies, concerts in which many times Palestine bleed his own hands after an exhilarating playing technique. After years of retirement doing visual installations and traveling, the nineties has been more friendly with Palestine. Many young musicians value his work and some small independent record labels are particularly diligent with remarkable releases of his work. This interview was done in Barcelona, in November 2000 during LEM festival of experimental music. Many quotes will drive interested people to many other items Palestine- related. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q: I read about your concept of "resonant" music (1), rather than "minimal" music. Under the label......