Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Listening Log Present - Vol. 10



What's a Listening Log? Well, the idea is quite simple. It's a weekly segment that consolidates all the mini-reviews Dozens Of Donuts has given on RateYourMusic over the past week, split between the Past and Present. A straightforward grading scale has been put in place, ranging from A+ to F-, with C acting as the baseline average. There is no set amount of reviews per week, just however many I get around to reviewing. And don't expect week-of reviews. I wait one month - with at least three listens under my belt - before I rate and review an album. Enjoy!
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Blood Orange | Angel's Pulse
2019 | Alternative R&B | Listen

SUBVERTING RACIAL STEREOTYPES THROUGH DULCET PACIFISM

It's a 32-minute mixtape of largely cast-aside ideas, yes, but Angel's Pulse still finds Blood Orange in a creative outlet that continues to expand the parameters of Alternative R&B. And with it, my interest in Dev Hynes grows, ever since my first unpleasant experience with him on the terribly-mundane Freetown Sound. Here, the darting track list that rarely sits on an idea for over three minutes ('Gold Teeth' and 'Take It Back' the only to eclipse that mark) allows Blood Orange to plaster moods, styles and features together in a way that doesn't necessarily create a lasting impact, but rouses a evanescent atmosphere. There's a distinct vibe running through Angel's Pulse, whether it's the sultry Neo-Soul of 'Birmingham' or the Experimental Hip-Hop captured through BennY RevivaL's phone on 'Seven Hours Part 1.'

The features do an excellent job throughout the LP, as female vocalists Justine Skye or Tinashe dominate their respective tracks by broadcasting their vocals in irresistible ways, while hard-nosed emcees both old (Project Pat on the Memphis Rap 'Gold Teeth') and new (Joba on 'Take It Back') elicit some of Angel's Pulse's most exciting moments. Nothing beats the woefully short chorus of 'Benzo' though, with the harmonious singing latching onto well-timed, minimal percussion. Those are some heavenly seconds.

C
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Boards Of Canada | Societas X Tape
2019 | Psychedelia | Listen

AN ARCHIVE OF FORGOTTEN TREASURES IN A 1980'S TIME CAPSULE

It's not Boards Of Canada's long-awaited fifth LP, but Societas X Tape does something no project in their discography ever could; Reveal the exhaustive measures the duo undertakes in order to achieve their inimitable aura. At a whopping two hours, this journey through outcast sound and culture - with representation from Electronic, Psychedelia, Folk, Rock, Ambient, Pop, and much more - acts in similar circumstances to an art gallery of various works, composed by one expert curator. Boards Of Canada's knowledge of the unseen is impeccable, with a bevy of moments here - including some of the best (the near-flawless Post-Punk of track #47; "Some time ago") - that are still shrouded in uncategorized mystery.

Excluding the scattershot array of bridging sound collages that do nothing more than spike the atmosphere with potency, much of Societas X Tape dabbles in psychedelic textures of fleeting Drone or peculiar Field Recordings. Many of these fail to make a name for themselves, with exceptions in Dreamers Cloth's 'The Coconut Pearl' and Jupiter Prophet's '35,000 Feet (Challenger's Theme)' respectively. This leaves the fully-composed songs, largely unknown compositions collecting dust from the 80's, as the standouts. The first of which is track #12; Flayer's brilliant 'Wanna Get Back Your Love.' It predates the sounds of Chromatics and Desire by decades, with striking Italo-Disco that works in the crevices of sultry, city air. It was also the duo's only song, proving the lengths Boards Of Canada went to unearthing gems.

In regards to other singles predating renowned modern bands, These Trails' fanciful Folk ('Garden Botanum') and Egberto Gismonti's exotic vehemence ('Jardim de Prazeres') recall Indie giants Big Thief and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard respectively. In other words, Boards Of Canada left no stone unturned when curating Societas X Tape's mix. Unfortunately, for every moment of unexpected grandeur (Colourbox's 'Tarantula' can't go unmentioned), there's two selections that fill the box without providing much memorability. A necessary evil for Boards Of Canada's unparalleled world-building, but one perhaps a tad too inundated.

B-
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