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CRANES
"Particles & Waves" (2005 limited edition with DVD)
initial impressions: maturing gracefully; the beats are getting softer but an underlying edginess is still there.
recommendations: 6. Avenue A 4. Here Comes The Snow 8. Far From The City
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NOUVELLE VAGUE
"Bande A' Part Ltd Edition" (2006)
initial impressions: obviously lacks the impact of their debut, but more variety, and more challenging tracks.
recommendations: 1. The Killing Moon 3. Dance With Me 17. Israel
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THE FLAMING LIPS
"At War With The Mystics" (2006)
initial impressions: more of that familiar warm galactic genius sound; hit-and-miss, but guaranteed original.
recommendations: 10. The W.A.N.D. 9. Haven't Got A Clue 11. Pompeii Am Götterdämmerung
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THE THE
"Infected" (2002 "24-bit digitally remastered edition"; first released in 1986)
initial impressions: nostalgia purchase, part 2: the last Matt Johnson album to catch his young creative fury.
recommendations: 2. Out Of The Blue (Into The Fire) 3. Heartland 7. Twilight Of A Champion
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THE THE
"Soul Mining" (2002 "24-bit digitally remastered edition"; first released in 1983)
initial impressions: nostalgia purchase, part 1: the second great Matt Johnson LP - gigantic, claustrophobic.
recommendations: 6. Soul Mining 7. Giant 1. I've Been Waiting For Tomorrow (All Of My Life)
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MUSIC INSTRUMENTS WORKSHOP, SHIR DOR MADRASSAH, SAMARKAND
"Dutor And Konun" (purchased 2006)
initial impressions: Uzbek National Classic Music (instrumentals) bought on location; the Konun stuff is best.
recommendations: 9. (untitled) 11. (untitled) 8. (untitled)
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ANGI
"Bardsley's" (2003)
initial impressions: a dreamland collection; country, covers and others spanning fourteen years of creativity.
recommendations: 2. Can't Help Falling In Love 4. Hick Town 6. I'm Coming To Your Room
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ISOBEL ANDERSON & BOB TAYLOR
"Isobel Anderson & Bob Taylor" (2001)
initial impressions: dexterous guitarmanship and a clear, strong voice; recorded on one February afternoon.
recommendations: 5. Home At Last 13. Wicked Wind 2. Love Song
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HANNA & MAGDALENA
"Invisible Threads" (2005)
initial impressions: sweet and soulful tunes from the multi-talented singer-songwriters - very easy on the ear.
recommendations: 11. Falling 2. Ring Of Fire 5. Facing Myself
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THE LIFE AND DEATH ORCHESTRA
"Songs For The Betrayed World" (2001)
initial impressions: Holocaust poems and prose set to music, absorbingly beautiful; painful, hopeful, loving.
recommendations: 12. Deathfugue 1. Never 9. Klara's Escape
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EMINEMMYLOU
"Muthabanjo" (2005)
initial impressions: Brighton 'country hip-hop' - fresh, funny, hard, intelligent, passionate, personal, original.
recommendations: 4. Fuck Tha Fuckin' Lot Of Yas 8. I Love You 7. L.I.M.P.
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SPECIALS
"Stereo-typical - A's, B's & Rarities" (2000)
initial impressions: completist three CD collection by the 80s' brief-reigning ska/musak social commentators.
recommendations: 1.4. Too Much Too Young 1.9. Stereotype 1.10. International Jet Set
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SIGUR RÓS
"Takk..." (2005 limited edition)
initial impressions: warbling ethereal vocals, tinkling vaporous sounds, occasional bursts of energy - unique.
recommendations: 2. Glósóli 6. Sæglópur 5. Sé Lest
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LADYTRON
"Witching Hour" (2005 limited edition with DVD)
initial impressions: more dark and raw than previous albums; electroclash genius worthy of global attention.
recommendations: 2. Destroy Everything You Touch 9. The Last One Standing 11. Beauty*2
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ARCADE FIRE
"Funeral" (2005)
initial impressions: gets better with every listen, a proper indie record in every sense, admirably unpolished.
recommendations: 6. Crown Of Love 1. Neighborhood (Tunnels) 9. Rebellion (Lies)
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CLOR
"Clor" (2005)
initial impressions: bits of Sparks, Cardiacs, Kraftwerk, Visage; never quite amounting to the sum of its parts.
recommendations: 7. Dangerzone 2. Outlines 4. Hearts On Fire
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