It's a radio; it's a hotline. What does it broadcast?
This blog is also available here, with sometimes more in-depth posts from December 10th onwards, making this one a more digestible read.
Discontinued for now. The blog is still updated, but I'll stop copying entries into this page and use it for something else.
Albums of the Week: The Power and the Glory by Gentle Giant and Quiet World by Native Construct.
Welcome, listener! Or rather, "reader". It is November 21st of 2022, and the radio shall begin regular broadcasting. Although it was started on a Monday, this page will be updated every Saturday.
Today's topic: what is the last greatest song or album that you listened to?
I listened to a large number of albums over the past week, and Quiet World by Native Construct blew me away. Beautiful album.
Hopes for next week: I'm deeply thinking about whether I should change my major. It's difficult, but I will sort it out when the time comes.
Until next time.
Feel free to drop answers or suggest a topic for next time at my email, troyonproton at proton dot me.
Albums of the Week: Five Leaves Left by Nick Drake and The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd.
I listened to 32 albums over the past two weeks, or more if you count full re-listens during that period. There is also music from outside the full-album-listening, so in total, that is probably too much music for the average person with responsibilities. To be fair, most of the listening was done while doing other, more important things.
I loved every one of those albums, but ones that stand out to me made it to the "Album of the Week" notes of both broadcasts. I have written about them in detail here.
Today's topic: what is something that you could do right now—right where you are—to make your life better?
I would drop everything and begin recording music.
Hopes for next week: I will work as hard as I can to pass this semester.
Until next time.
As usual, answers and suggestions are welcome and encouraged.
Albums of the week: Titanic Rising by Weyes Blood and Close to the Edge by Yes
As promised, here's the list of albums that I listened to over the last three weeks of November.
Today's topic: at what point in your life was there a turning point?
Until next time.
Feel free to drop answers or topic suggestions at troyonproton[at]proton.me
Albums of the Week: The Girl from Ipanema - The Bossa Nova Years by Stan Getz, Playing Piano for Dad by h hunt, and Strings Go Pop/Brass and String Bag by Don Harper
Playing Piano for Dad by h hunt is what it says on the lid. The intimate clicks of the jazzy chords invite you to listen to a warm piano session.
It was lovely, to say the least. The rawness of the clicks, human commentary, breathing, and ambience is what makes this album special.
As for Strings Go Pop/Brass and String Bag, not much needs to be said besides the fact that it's a smooth and beautiful work, and that Danger Mouse fans will love it. It's a flawless album.
Today's topic: loved ones.
I wish to play piano and guitar to my family. At a younger age, I was too shy to. At this age, I feel excited at the thought of performing, hypothetically, yet I don't get a chance to do it. However, when I play alone and simply think about or imagine an audience, I become nervous and start stumbling all over the performance. Way to go.
Until next time.
Albums of the Week: Crimson Jazz Trio by Crimson Jazz Trio, Calculating Infinity by The Dillinger Escape Plan, and Almonaiü by Murumart
Alright. Crimson Jazz Trio comes in two volumes. I listened to the first and loved it. It's a smooth rendition with impressive drumming, and the drummer happens to be King Crimson's former one. Calculating Infinity is a mathcore/metalcore album with a strong start. It's pretty solid throughout, but I got jumpscared twice by the sudden stops and blasting beginnings of next songs, but that's a compliment. I loved it. It's one of my favourite genres. Lastly, we have an album by a friend of mine. You can find it here. It's an interesting ambient electronic work with quite the variety while still maintaining the artist's signature sound, a sort of flavour in the drums, for example. I loved the melodic work; it was lovely. A nice album all around!
Today's topic: do you?
No topic today, but I would like to announce that I started releasing some sketch songs here for the fun of it while working on cleaner tracks. Despite the fun I have with ambient electronic when I use a DAW, it is not the genre that you should expect from me in serious work, so let's hope I succeed in those ambitions. Oh yeah. I also revived my channel and started uploading some rare music. I was lucky to get them. An unlisted video is a Windows MIDI file to which I plugged fresh instruments, which isn't much, but I liked it and shared it with my friends.
Right now, I am waiting to get a CD rip of an album from somebody. They were kind enough to help. I am also considering digitizing the cassettes that I own, for myself mostly, but I might upload something. For that to happen, I will have to get a tape deck (our old cassette player was nerfed years ago and the only other one is the car one).
Until next time.
Albums of the Week: Luv(sic) Hexalogy by Nujabes (feat. Shing02), Oshare TV by Oshare TV, and In Utero by Nirvana.
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate.
I actually didn't prepare something for the 24th's blog entry. This is the second entry done a day later. I could technically lie about the date but nope. Besides, it's only 12 am, so the 25th has just started. It's the 24th until I wake up "tomorrow". I've been relistening to music this week (the other day, I relistened to Pink Moon and The Power and the Glory).
Today's topic: are you in terms with your inevitable death?
Albums and songs were picked hastily. The first I was introduced to today; the second is newly discovered, although I already knew the band; the last is from one of my all-time favourite composers. As for albums: one, like I said, I was introduced to by a friend, one recently discovered, and one being an all-time favourite. The pattern was unintentional. In fact, I just noticed it.
Until next time.
Albums of the Week: Nattfiolen by Jordsjø, Untitled by Tera Melos, and Like Shadows by Ampere.
Happy New Year, fellas.
Every single song on Nattfiolen was beautiful. I was amazed. As you can probably tell, I adore 70s prog, and this 2019 album has that same classic sound to it. One time I said, "I'll die if they stop making 70s' prog" before realizing how dumb that sentence was, but it turns out I wasn't wrong. I listened to Pastoralia too. Good stuff.
Today's topic: what are your New Year's resolutions, if any?
I never adhere to them. It's the usual for the next year.
I'm thinking of keeping it simple: indulge in hobbies with the intention to improve, learn a new skill, and read books.
Until next time.
Albums of the Week: For You by Tatsuro Yamashita, Faust IV by Faust, and Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield
Tatsuro Yamashita is one of my favourite artists. His song, LOVE SPACE is one of my all-time favourite songs, and has been my go-to feel-good song for years. I listened to SPACY, Cozy, and For You this week, but I picked For You because it's the one that inspired me to write about Yamashita here. I usually dislike very happy music, but Yamashita's music makes me feel hopeful. There's a special beauty to it.
達郎山下 (Tatsuro Yamashita) - LOVE SPACE
Женя Теджетова и группа Салют - Юпитер*
Today's topic: would you use email for non-professional communications?
I like the idea of emailing friends and acquaintances for whatever reason. There's something nice about seeing an email in your inbox, to which you can respond any time. Given the nature of it, you have time to think about your reponse. Also, this allows one to say all that they want to say and get a response accordingly, rather than talking bit by bit as they'd do when texting.
As usual, answers and topic suggestions are welcome in the guestbook (which I replaced) or by email. Also, longer blog posts are on my other site. If you prefer that the blogs be identical instead of this being a condensed version, let me know.
Until next time.
Albums of the Week: Rock Bottom by Robert Wyatt, Hidden World by Fucked Up, and Thursday Afternoon by Brian Eno
Rock Bottom is a special work. I'd rather you listen to it yourself than get "spoiled" by my own impressions. Hidden World is a hardcore punk album sent to me by a friend. Thursday Afternoon is an ambient album consisting of two songs, which I enjoyed.
Even though I've taken a break from composing, I brushed up some works this week. I mostly focused on learning songs, though, and it went well.
Today's topic: how do you deal with burnout?
Until next time.
Albums of the Week: Kadriko by Collage, The Collection by Lena Chamamyan, and Lateralus by TOOL.
This broadcast is much longer on Guitarmadness, so visit that if you'd like to see the more in-depth post.
I have been listening to a lot of old Estonian music lately, so it's been popping up in weekly music highlights and such, but I also found a pretty good psychedelic folk slash modal jazz album, Kadriko by Collage, from 1974. The band's "thing" seems to be experimental folk and jazz, and their sound is certainly interesting. The album opens with singing that is clearly traditional in style, then it flows into the song of its namesake, later followed by a flute that will be prevalent throughout the album (which I like). The main lyrical portion of the song is a vocal harmony that repeats throughout the track. As the percussion set in, a jazz sound takes up the space, and is then joined by a fiddle. The mesh of jazz and folk is done in a way I've never heard before.
The next track, Une Sulased, is much calmer than the happy and energetic Kadrilaul, being jazzier than it is folky. I love it. The fourth track, Halb Sirp, starts off in a style similar to Kadrilaul, but with a different mood. The entrance of piano and sax was damn gorgeous, and just as you thought it was wonderful, it's further elevated by the harmony of scat. The track end with another vocal harmony, one without an instrumental backing. The 7th track, Venna sõjalugu, sounds like a shanty. It holds a simplistic folk structure with some dark-sounding percussion. It's a long one. Very good album.
The Lena Chamamyan Collection is also folk and jazz. The singer's Syrian and the album's in Arabic, except for Sareri Hovin Mernem which is in Armenian. Anyway, I found the singer when I was getting into traditional Arabic music and folk (I found Lamma Bada Yatathanna in somebody's folk playlist, and I still like that song a lot), and I enjoyed her music a lot. While the jazz-folk blend is present from the first track, the jazz was most prominent in the 8th track, Seher (Magic), and I was impressed. Now I didn't get into the album for the jazz, but for the traditional Arabic music, and that is done very beautifully in every song. The piano is a nice touch.
Today's topic: bababooie.
The bababooies of life, when you've fucked up and know that you have.
It's The Dark Side of the Moon's 50th anniversary this year, so I had it on while writing this.
Until next time.
Albums of the Week: world tour by 3nd, Days Of Future Passed by The Moody Blues, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer by Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
3nd is a Japanese band that impressed me very quickly with their instrumental math rock album, world tour. The songs in this album are solidly consistent, following a general style as so: The bass guitar stays below, running with the song, but the bass lines are very melodic in nature. On top, the song is pumped by the drums, which are pushing it forward and forward. The sides are embellished by the minimal rhythm guitar and the faster lead guitar. The reason why I put the guitars on the sides is because that's what they seem to be defining, structurally: the outline. I feel that they have more to do with shaping the song than singing a melody, given the regularity. That is also why I called the songs consistent. Once the guitars kick in, that's what the song is. If there are any changes in sections, the guitars direct those changes. Anyway, the intricacies of the bass were, in my humblr opinion, the strongest point about the album.
I really liked midroll, waltz for lilly, and end of summer. LOTUS was also beautiful, while filter in dust was surprisingly intense, so I loved it. I listened to waltz for lilly a couple of times before, because I loved it a lot, but it wasn't until I heard the rest of the album that I was immediately siezed and captivated by end of summer. That song's unbelievably good. I listened to it a normal amount of times in a short span (lying). I was obsessed and felt energized listening to it.
Next up is the classic by The Moody Blues. On the 24th, while listening to a shuffled queue, Dawn: Dawn Is A Feeling came up, and I fell in love. I mean, I went insane for a bit, so I listened to it again and again. I thought, "This is good stuff, I'm so gonna review this album," so I listened to the whole thing, but also a few others of their songs, because they were in the Deluxe Edition. Anyway, the first track was out of this world, you may not know this, but I fall head over heels for flute and string tracks, specifically in old music, so I thought, "They put drugs in this album, man." Maybe they did. I really loved the cameos of the rest of the album in the introductory track. Unfortunately, my interest declined for a few seconds sometimes in the middle tracks, but I enjoyed the album a lot anyway, because those moments were saved by the flutes and strings because they are a delight. The Afternoon felt a bit too long. I loved it at first but it just kept on going. The Evening got me back into the mood, and so the listen was worth it. Of course, the album ends with The Night. After that I listened to it and Dawn a lot in the same sitting. Don't get me wrong, I didn't dislike the middle tracks, because the melodic work is very gorgeous. Alright, now that I've put the album on again and lost my mind over the first track's intro again, let's continue writing. By the way, when I said that I fell in love with the music, I mean it was very strong; it was like loving an actual person.
Today's topic: what was the most thought-provoking question you've been asked?
Until next time.
Albums of the Week: good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar, To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar, and Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers by Kendrick Lamar.
Yes. They're all Lamar today. I listened to those three albums and loved them all. I wanted to change my mind on modern rap being trash, and Kendrick Lamar surpassed my expectations.
In all three albums, Kendrick told through honest lyrics stories that aren't enough-talked-about. The albums were powerful and touching, at times intense and at others melancholy. There was a lot of artistry put into those works, and I was impressed by the instrumentals, as he used styles not typically incorporated into rap, such as the jazz and soul in some snippets of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. In all three albums, I listened attentively, because I was being told important stories.
I loved To Pimp a Butterfly the most. It's nearly a masterpiece, and I really enjoyed the sound of it. Kendrick Lamar is worth checking out if you would like to expand your repertoire and musical horizons.
Today's topic: do you have an interest in any languages or linguistics?
I've been learning more about linguistics lately as a result of dipping into Estonian and the IPA. I've specifically learned about terms used to described primary and secondary articulation.
Until next time.
Albums of the Week: Hukkunud Alpinisti Hotell by Sven Grünberg and Trilogie De La Mort by Éliane Radigue.
"Hukkunud Alpinisti" hotell is a 1979 Estonian film based on the Russian novel of the same name by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky (the Strugatsky brothers). The film is directed by Grigori Kromanov, with music by Sven Grünberg. Sven Grünberg is an influential Estonian composer with cult status, specialising in ambient electronic music. His 3-disc compilation album, "Hukkunud Alpinisti" hotell, released in 2001, contains more than just the soundtrack of the film, but other OSTs as well, which he composed between 1977 and 2001.
Until next time.
Albums of the Week: The Madness Of Many by Animals as Leaders and Collage by Collage.
Fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic! Great damn album (djent and prog-metal). The Brain Dance is near-unreal!
Collage made it to the weekly highlights again. This album is jazzier than the one I reviewed. It's very high-quality work.
Today's topic: atmosphere in art.
A topic that isn't for everyone, especially not on a music blog, but I was thinking about the game Ico. I got some worldbuilding inspiration and the images that my head was immersed in were those of paintings and 3D game environments: those palettes and spaces - are certain ideas better expressed in one medium over the other? Yes! Taking advantage of your medium is refreshing. If you're illustrating a comic, it's up to you whether to keep the material traditional and adaptable or to push the bounds of the medium. If I illustrate a comic, maybe I'd try and integrate or take advantage of it being a comic, such as paneling or paging tricks, or, of course, pouring love into visuals. I'm given a space of a fixed size. How will I use it?
Until next time.
Albums of the Week: La Grasa de las Capitales by Serú Girán, Birds In The Ground by Eiafuawn, Departure Songs by We Lost The Sea, and Sevil by Sevil.
Quick-firing this one. La Grasa de las Capitales? Simply spectacular. I was in awe at its beauty. It's a work of art. The band is what they call a "supergroup", meaning each of the individual members were already successful artists before joining forces into forming the band, and the result is incredible. Birds In The Ground, by "The Duster Guy", which I didn't know when I listened to it, but it was cool to know. I enjoyed it a lot. Departure Songs. Goodness, that was a strong one. Just listen to it. It was unexpected. Sevil, added days after I listed the others. Beautiful, beautiful Azerbaijani jazz-funk. In the words of a friend, "Blessed be Funked Up East."
Today's topic: this blog.
TL;DR: this blog is about music I find and listen to that I enjoy or find noteworthy, not one only about masterpieces that are a must-listen "for everyone" (even if I consider it to be fantastic, out of my love for music). Stick around if you're into that and want to discover music. Thanks for supporting this blog by reading it.
Until next time.
Albums of the Week: Unreleased Tapes 1981-1984 by Mammane Sanni Abdoulaye, Silence and Wisdom by Deux Filles, and High Visceral Pt.1 (plus B-Sides) by Psychedelic Porn Crumpets.
Awesome albums.
Much of African history is overlooked and erased, being only of second thought to many, even among those into history. I don't know much outside of what I learned in world history books, but I am beginning to learn more now, through music and language. The unreleased tapes by Mammane Sanni Abdoulaye is a gorgeous synthesizer album with cheery, peaceful melodies.
Silence and Wisdom is a lovely experimental album whose artists have an interesting tale.
Artist of the Week: Yoshiko Sai
Her work is incredible avant-garde folk and some psychedlic work. The blend is a very beautiful fine work. The appealing sound is accompanied by her unique voice, which you'd like if you're into Hako Yamasaki's powerful voice. I loved Taiji no Yume most. I was hooked. The production on Mangekyou and Taiji no Yume was done by Yuji Ohno (大野 雄二), while the production and arrangement on Mikkou and Taklamakan were done by Kuni Kawachi (河内邦夫) and Makoto Yoshimori (吉森 信) respectively. The artwork on the covers was by Yoshiko Sai herself, and so was the songwriting.
Until next time.
Albums of the Week: WASTEISOLATION by Black Dresses, WLFGRL by Machine Girl, You Will Never Know Why by Sweet Trip, and velocity : design : comfort. by Sweet Trip.
This week's album was a suggestion from a friend. It's very different from what I usually listen to, but I enjoyed it a lot. WASTEISOLATION is a 2018 noise pop album by Black Dresses, and it has an intensely and positively abrasive sound. The album deals with heavy topics and I found it very cathartic, and I find this type of music comforting rather than disquieting, and that was the very motive behind the album, according to what Black Dresses have themselves said.
Artist of the Week: Sweet Trip
Man, how I love Sweet Trip. I absolutely adore their music and how it makes me feel. There is incredible creativity behind their works, and each of their albums has a very unique sound and distinguished style. Sweet Trip was an indie duo that dabbled in IDM (intelligent dance music), electronic ambient, experimental, shoegaze, and indie pop.
Until next time.
Albums of the Week: Doppelgänger by The Fall of Troy, I'll Try Living Like This by death's dynamic shroud.wmv, and blanket ep by the eyebags.
Doppelgänger is one of my all-time favourite records and I love it to death. Doppelgänger is a collection of incredible guitar riffs and crazy beautiful melodies tying together time signature changes and screamo. I deem The Fall of Troy to be a post-hardcore essential for anyone into the genre, and their progressive touches make it even better, and are why I'm drawn to the band. Them and Chon fall under a term I've seen: swancore. The genre's highlight is "noodle riffs." While it isn't Album of the Week for now, their record Manipulator is a major recommendation from me; it's a goddamn masterpiece.
I'll Try Living Like This is an album I found randomly. It's Album of the Week because it has a different take on vaporwave. It felt otherwordly (yes I know the schtick of vaporwave is that floaty feeling of being transported, but this one felt different, more melancholy) and touching. It's an awesome album, unconventional even for its genre.
Obscure artist of the day: the eyebags. It was comforting to listen to.
Today's topic: if you had a year (or more) of free time, what would you use it for?
Do I have the necessary focus? Are my eyes on a particular goal?
Until next time.