Another day, another Swan Fungus reader finds their way into my presence. I promise one of these times if you approach me I won’t act like I’m having a panic attack. It’s just…in my mind you’re all so mentally disturbed. And you all carry weapons around. Sharp weapons. Seriously, what type of person reads this website? It’s essentially a meandering, perverted LiveJournal.
Oh my God, you guys, this weekend was horrible in an awesome but frightening way. I did so much damage to my body and mind in such a short period of time it’s a wonder I’m even upright to talk about it now. I need to take it easy for a few days and regain mental and physical strength. Sure, the depravity and vice and filth and all that is fun and exciting when you’re in the middle of it, but it can’t just continue at this pace forever. If you were a horse trainer you wouldn’t want to run your most-prized thoroughbred into the ground because it’s so fucking fast, right? In a round about way, that’s what I’ve been doing recently. Except I’m both the trainer and the horse. Only instead of being fast on a racetrack I’m a likable person and I enjoy exposing myself to people. Wait a minute, that doesn’t sound right! Listen, the point is, I’ve had my share of fun lately, and now I need to start to take care of myself a little more. I forgot about that old familiar maxim: “everything in moderation”. So I’m staying in tonight. Maybe even tomorrow night, too. I don’t know, it depends on what’s happening. Why, have you heard about something? Shit, where’s that? Okay, fine I’ll meet you there.
Sunday Mix Tape – Number 219
We Speak In Numbers
01. Whitehouse – Foreplay – Nothing like a good blast of harsh noise to start off this week’s mix tape, am I right?
02. The Timeout Drawer – There Is So Much To Love – And then into some great guitar-driven, slightly space-y post-rock.
03. (Smog) – Song – This contains my favorite Bill Callahan verse, and lyrically it’s probably one of the best-written songs in the past ten years. “I’m a bit like the peephole / That falls in love with all the eyes / That look through / Watching major things unfold / From minor flaws / For some other cause.” The Doctor Came At Dawn is a better album, but these words are just amazing.
04. E. Rancarati – Central Park – This Vroommm: Funk Cinematique album is so good, but the vinyl is impossible to find. I’ve only ever seen one copy. I’m pretty sure it was made in a limited quantity somewhere in Europe, but if anyone has any leads let me know.
05. The Books – It Never Changes To Stop
06. Arp – Summer Girl – Because nothing says summer lovin’ quite like Arp.
07. Bark Psychosis – Miss Abuse – I still kick myself every time I remember how I put this album back because I didn’t want to spend $8 on it a few years ago. Haven’t seen another copy since then, and I’m pretty sure The Bark (that’s what I call ’em when I want to sound cool) records sell for pretty good money. Because…I mean…how many people listen to them now? There’s probably me and four or five other nerds who dig the whole post-Talk Talk thing and that’s about it.
08. Vibracathedral Orchestra – The Sea Of Sleep
09. Aidan Baker – Pretending To Be Fearless
10. The Cryin’ Shames – Please Stay – I’m pretty sure I have posted this song before but I’m too lazy to check right now. I first heard it on the now-infamous Sonic Boom DJ session (which has since come to be known as “Spacelines”). A haunting number by an essential pop/beat group from the ’60s.
11. Ben Frost – And I Watched You Breathe
12. Library Tapes – Pieces Of Us Were Left On The Tracks – There’s something about this piece that is so gut-wrenching. Without even looking at the title of this song the first image that came to mind was two lovers standing on a train platform preparing to go their separate ways. Way to capture exactly what I was imagining, Library Tapes! I don’t know why I dig stuff that sounds so heartbreaking, but I do.
13. Eric Whitacre – Her Sacred Spirit Soars – I’m such a nerd. I purchased tickets to see Eric Whitacre conduct the concert version of a theatrical production he wrote the music for called “Paradise Lost”. The musical is supposed to be really good too, but I’d rather just see him conduct. Hey, don’t judge me because I’m into it. I’m excited. By the way, how’s this for shock therapy: If you want my second ticket, e-mail me. I know, I just wrote about how I panic every time someone approaches me and asks if I’m the guy who writes the blog, but this could be good shock therapy for you (who probably isn’t very cultured) and me (who hates interacting with his followers). I can easily find someone to take the ticket if no one wants it, but I figure I’d give one of you first dibs. It makes for good blog fodder.
14. Windy & Carl – When We Were – I feel like maybe I’ve posted this track before, as well. That’s the problem with having compiled over 200 mix tapes. I’m starting to suck at it.
15. Zombi – Taurus – I’m not a big astrology person, but I met someone last night — wait, was that last night or the night before? I don’t even remember anymore — and we bonded over how we are both Tauruses. Whatever she had to say about it kept my interest for about five minutes before I got tired and informed her she wasn’t going to change my mind about astrology. Bunk! It’s all bunk!
