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Ear Whacks. Vol. 1 Issue 2


I was introduced to Opeth a few months ago. Maybe I came across them in the past. I don’t know. At first glance, I wasn’t too impressed or interested. The whole idea of prog-rock just doesn’t sit well with me in general. I’m in counseling now and one day I’ll be over it. With Opeth though I think I’m fully on board now. What happened? I don’t know exactly. Part of it is shifting tastes and moods but honestly, I just sat down and really listened. If you’re a first-time listener, I suggest you start with Blackwater Park. One could argue it is one of their best but they produce a lot of great music while starting passionate arguments by simply existing.

A few years ago, I rode in my buddy’s car (this was maybe the first time I met him) and noticed he had a box of Mastodon CDs. A music conversation started and I said something to the fact that, “Yeah, it’s just not my thing.” This, mind you, was 100% my error and my mistake. But as I told Matt – the buddy in question – “this is your fault for not pushing back.” With that said, I’ve been digesting all of Mastodon’s catalog lately and really loving it all. If you start with 2009’s “Crack the Skye” you won’t be disappointed. There are so many places where they could mess up being “Metal” but they really never do. Each and every release is new and interesting (to say the least in some cases) in its own way. Their latest is 2014's "Once More 'Round the Sun." While not as critically acclaimed - yes, critics like Mastodon too! - I enjoyed it a lot.

A few months ago I came across Mitski. I was introduced to her new release, “Bury Me at Makeout creek.” (bonus points if you get the reference without searching on it). She has three full lengths out right now and if you’re looking for something chill and intricate you should go check them all out.

I took a journey back in time and listened to 2009's “Hospice” from The Antlers. Peter Silberman’s project really hit this one out of the park. I’m not a huge fan of things before and after but this one really works. (To be fair, this is simply a taste issue for me. I see what they’re doing but it just isn’t my thing). The closing track on Hospice, titled, “Epilogue,” is absolutely first-rate and a great piece of writing.

While talking about the Way Back machine, I stumbled back on Soundgarden’s Superunknown recently. I didn’t truly appreciate this work back when it was released in 1994. I think part of the problem then was me being an insufferable snob. I’m better now. If you haven’t gone back to visit Superunknown then I’d say plan on it the next time you’ll be stationary or uninterrupted for 60 minutes or so.

I listened to Mew’s “And the Glass-Handed Kites” recently. Released in 2005, I forgot just how amazing it was/is. Here was my post on Twitter that gave me a lul (yes, I laugh at my own jokes).

So yeah, I wrote about just one new release. Meh.


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