The Bands of Steve Albini (Big Black, Rapeman, Shellac)

Somewhere between late nights spent gigging around LA behind the drum kit of the two-piece minimal post-punk outfit Cinder Cone, and early mornings spent turning the wheels of industry as a financial analyst, Foley found the time to put together this playlist chronicling the bands of the mighty Steve Albini.

Steve Albini is well known for a lot of reasons. He is a prolific sound engineer and runs his own studio in Chicago. He is outspoken and has a history of being provocative, particularly when talking about musicians, bands, and major labels. Most importantly for our purposes, he is/has been the guitarist/vocalist for three bands: the drum machine powered Big Black (1982 – 1987), the unfortunately named Rapeman (1987 – 1988), and the thankfully still touring Shellac (1992 – present). June 20th and 21st in Los Angeles. Yes.

This post will attempt to introduce Albini’s work as a musician. I tinkered with the idea of creating a playlist to cover his work as a producer but realized that a) the playlist would end up being several hours long and b) I’d end up having to include a very wide range of artists including Nirvana (he recorded In Utero), the Jesus Lizard, Joanna Newsome, Oasis, and Bush (yes, of the Gavin Rossdale, 16 Stone variety…although he didn’t record that album)

This playlist tracks each of Albini’s bands in chronological order. Big Black is arguably the most famous of the three, backed by a drum machine (aptly named “Roland”). Most of the songs were fast, raw, and abrasive. The lyrics were dark, disturbing, and sometimes offensive. For a comprehensive history, read the Big Black chapter in Michael Azerrad’s Our Band Could Be Your Life. As for the 4 songs here, I included them because, well, I like them the best.

Rapeman took the abrasive sound of Big Black, added a human drummer (Rey Washam of Scratch Acid), and decided on a horribly offensive name (apparently taken from a Japanese comic book). Although the name seems to be what got most people’s attention in the late 1980s, the band’s only album is actually very good. 3 songs from Two Nuns and a Pack Mule appear in the playlist.

Albini’s long-running, current project is Shellac. Shellac is abrasive but decidedly minimalist. There is a distinct space between each instrument (Albini on guitar, fellow sound engineer Bob Weston on bass, and professional drummer/hair stylist Todd Trainer on drums) that defines their sound. They’ve released 4 full length albums since 1994. I’ve taken a couple songs from each record. I’ve also added a live version of “End of Radio” because I think it’s better than the one that ended up on Excellent Italian Greyhound. I’ve also included a track off of one of their early EPs, “Wingwalker”, which continues to be a favorite at live shows.

In addition to the playlist below I have attached two links:

The first is a link to the website for Albini’s Electrical Audio studio in Chicago. If you’re a musician, or a geek, or both, it’s worth exploring.

The second is a random thread sent to me a couple years ago, in which Albini answers any and all questions about music, bands, and playing poker. Yes, it’s really him. Please enjoy.

1) The Power of Independent Trucking / Big Black- Songs About Fucking / 1987
2) Passing Complexion / Big Black- Atomizer / 1986
3) I, Dopa / Big Black- Song About Fucking / 1987
4) Stinking Drunk / Big Black- Atomizer/ 1986
5) Steak & Black Onions / Rapeman- Two Nuns and a Pack Mule / 1988
6) Monobrow / Rapeman- Two Nuns and a Pack Mule / 1988
7) Budd / Rapeman- Two Nuns and a Pack Mule / 1988
8) My Black Ass / Shellac- at Action Park / 1994
9) Crow / Shellac- at Action Park / 1994
10) This is a Picture / Shellac- Terraform / 1998
11) Copper / Shellac- Terraform / 1998
12) Wingwalker / Shellac- Uranus EP / 1993
13) Ghosts / Shellac- 1000 Hurts / 2000
14) Watch Song / Shellac- 1000 Hurts / 2000
15) End of Radio / Shellac- Live Version / 2006
16) Paco / Shellac- Excellent Italian Greyhound / 2007

Total Time: 64:14

Devendra Banhart

All you have to do is look at a photo to know that Devendra Banhart is a weird dude. Long hair, bushy beard- it's no surprise that his music recalls the hippie/naturalistic elements of the 60's. But we're all in a new century now, and whether he's projecting naked pictures of himself during his shows, or wearing a skirt made of penises, Devendra is constantly blazing new trails. We'll ignore all the debauchery and stick to the music though. Yahplay is a religioufamily blog, after all.

Since 2002, Devendra has released five albums. What I hope to convey with this playlist is how he is constantly evolving his sound- from his early acoustic, four-track recordings to his more polished, eclectic songs of recent albums. Therefore, this playlist is generally set up chronologically, although I do mix up the songs a little bit.

The early bedroom recordings (notice this hissing and background sounds of cars passing and birds chirping) of Oh Me Oh My... The Way The Day Goes By The Sun Is Setting Dogs Are Dreaming Lovesongs Of The Christmas Spirit are followed by the companion albums Rejoicing in the Hands and Niño Rojo. His best work(s), in my opinion, the songs from these two albums were all recorded at the same time, but released separately. In the final two albums, Cripple Crow and Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Mountain, Devendra really expands, by adding a full band and branching out to explore new genres, including funk, classic-rock, gospel, and Latin American music.

Yes, Devendra is eccentric, and yes, for the most part, his lyrics are nonsensical. I think these pose as barriers that not many people are willing to overcome when it comes to listening to his music. Yet, for those willing to make the leap, you'll find his songs are consistently meaningful and full of emotion.

1) Michigan State / Oh Me Oh My... / 2002
2) The Charles C. Leary / Oh Me Oh My... / 2002
3) This Beard is for Siobhán / Rejoicing in the Hands / 2004
4) At the Hop / Niño Rojo / 2004
5) Hey Miss Cain / Oh Me Oh My... / 2002
6) Rejoicing in the Hands / Rejoicing in the Hands / 2004
7) It's a Sight to Behold / Rejoicing in the Hands / 2004
8) We All Know / Niño Rojo / 2004
9) Little Yellow Spider / Niño Rojo / 2004
10) Insect Eyes / Rejoicing in the Hands / 2004
11) Cripple Crow / Cripple Crow / 2005
12) Sister / Niño Rojo / 2004
13) Santa Maria de Feira / Cripple Crow / 2005
14) Tonada Yanomaminista / Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon / 2007
15) Lover / Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon / 2007
16) Little Boys / Cripple Crow / 2005
17) Seahorse / Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon / 2007
18) Autumn's Child / Rejoicing in the Hands / 2004

Total time: 66:19

Galaxie 500

Things I've learned about Galaxie 500 from Wikipedia

1) The band's members were rich and/or smart kids. They all met at the Dalton School (the model for the school in Gossip Girl) and then formed the band while they were all attending Harvard.

2) Conan O'Brien lent his drum kit to the Galaxie 500 drummer for their earliest recordings. Is there anything that gigantic redhead CAN'T do?

3) Thurston Moor called Today, the band's debut album, the "guitar record of 1988." Didn't Daydream Nation come out in 1988? Don't be so modest, Thurston.

4) Galaxie 500 covered a lot of songs. Seven of the 14 songs on this playlist are cover songs!

For those unfamiliar with Galaxie 500, this playlist should serve as a terrific introduction to the band's three albums. But for heaven's sake, go out and illegally download On Fire if you've never listened to it. Those more familiar with the band might be surprised by this playlist, as it highlights the excellent guitar chops of guitarist Dean Wareham and the band's propensity to engage in extended, blissful guitar solos and jamming. Galaxie 500, much to my surprise, is a band that rocks, and this playlist focuses on those songs that reflect the heavy side of the band. It just so happens that those songs tend to be the band's best songs as well.

Enjoy!

1. Ceremony / Blue Thunder EP / 1990
2. Fourth of July / This Is Our Music / 1990
3. Parking Lot / Today / 1988
4. Crazy / Uncollected / 2004
5. Strange / On Fire / 1989
6. Listen, The Snow Is Falling / This Is Our Music / 1990
7. Final Day / Uncollected / 2004
8. Isn't It A Pity / On Fire / 1989
9. Instrumental / Today / 1988
10. Submission / Peel Sessions / 2005
11. Decomposing Trees / On Fire / 1989
12. Here She Comes Now / This Is Our Music / 1990
13. When Will You Come Home / On Fire / 1989
14. Don't Let Our Youth Go To Waste / Peel Sessions / 2005

Total Time: 64:56

Guided By Voices

Doyle took some time off from his busy law school schedule to give us this Guided By Voices playlist. Give a listen and post your comments below:

In 1983, fourth grade teacher Robert Pollard began having jam sessions with a bunch of refugees from the Dayton, Ohio bar band scene. Between 1986 and 1993, they recorded six self-released albums, most of which sat around in boxes due to Pollard's lack of confidence. But what was supposed to be their final album, Propeller, began making rounds among rock circles and soon Matador took notice. With Matador, Guided by Voices recorded Bee Thousand and instantly became the darlings of fans and industry tycoons half their age.

Guided by Voices have a discography that accounts for about 1,300 songs which basically break down like this: a 1/3 are about drinking and rock 'n roll, a 1/3 are about adolescence, and the final 1/3 are nonsensical. But despite this topical simplicity, Pollard's has a knack of borrowing from the historical Pop-Rock greats to create a distinct type of harmonious, guitar-driven ear candy.

The play list isn't anything special, and for people that are already familiar with Guided by Voices it might be a tad predictable. But still, I think this list does a decent job of encompassing everything that is wonderful about this band. First is A Salty Salute, which somehow conveys everything that I enjoy about music in a minute and a half. Next is My Kind of Soldier, an ode to that over aged guy that you see at every concert. The next twenty three songs continue to celebrate everything that is serendipitous about Rock music. I hope all of you enjoy it.

1. A Salty Salute / Alien Lanes / 1995
2. My Kind of Soldier / Earthquake Glue / 2003
3. Rhine Jive Click / Under the Bushes, Under the Stars / 1996
4. Sopor Joe / King Shit and the Golden Boys / 1995
5. Hey Hey Spaceman / Devil Between My Toes / 1987
6. Let's Go Vike / Suitcase: Failed Experiments and Trashed Aircraft / 2000
7. Trampoline / Self-Inflicted Ariel Nostalgia / 1989
8. Pendulum / Same Place the Fly Got Smashed / 1990
9. Game of Pricks / Alien Lanes / 1995
10. Hanks Little Fingers / Devil Between My Toes / 1987
11. Smothered in Hugs / Bee Thousand / 1994
12. The Hard Way / Same Place the Fly Got Smashed / 1990
13. Short on Posters / Self-Inflicted Ariel Nostalgia / 1989
14. Taco, Buffalo, Birddog and Jesus / To Trigger a Synapse / 1996
15. The Official Ironman Rally Song / Under the Bushes, Under the Stars / 1996
16. Hardcore UFOs / Bee Thousand / 1994
17. Pink Drink / Suitcase: Failed Experiments and Trashed Aircraft / 2000
18. My Valuable Hunting Knife / Alien Lanes / 1995
19. A Big Fan of the Pigpen / Bee Thousand / 1994
20. I am a Tree / Mag Earwhig! / 1997
21. Key Losers / Tonics and Twisted Chasers / 1996
22. Echos Myron / Bee Thousand / 1994
23. Beekeeper Seeks Ruth / Sunfish Holy Breakfast / 1996
24. Man Called Aerodynamics / Under the Bushes, Under the Stars / 1996
25. Alright / Alien Lanes / 1995

Total Time : 62:17