Im Schlachthaus Blümen die Blumen

So about a week ago, I was wandering around in the district of Leipzig I live in, to the bank, then shopping for food. It must have been Saturday afternoon, the party folk haven't yet arrived and the working folk have already called it a day so there was barely anyone out in the streets, and I was listening to Aalfang Mit Pferdekopf. The name would at first suggest some neo-kraut band but is apparently a reference to Günther Grass' novel The Tin Drum and the band is an experimental ambient/avantgarde sound collage group. I first heard of them via Drone Records and recently got some other records of them - beautiful. I give you the first track off Im Schlachthaus Blühen die Blumen.



Download Aalfang mit Pferdekopf - Yahonami (VBR, 27,1 mb)
Buy Aalfang Mit Pferdekopf - Im Schlachthaus Blühen Die Blumen from Ex Ovo (RIAA-free!)

Blyaha-muha!

Folks, I know what you have been asking yourselves in the last days. I know you couldn't sleep, and, while lying awake in your bed, you were occupied by just one thought. One unsolved mystery that, you knew it, wouldn't let you be, wouldn't let you lead your life normally if it wouldn't be resolved eventually. And today, I am ready to present you the answer - yes, Antificial Weblog 2.0 is, in fact, back on track and new posts hopefully will come in at least once a day.

Today I give you something I found on a sampler called "Soviet Punk Rock Anthology". I couldn't manage to find out anything about the sampler, however, I knew the song from a Russian math/indie-rock band Tequilajazzz who played it at a concert later released as the Moloko live album. The band's leader, Yevgeniy Fyodorov, played in a band called Obyekt Nasmeshek in the 80's and the early 90's; in fact, all three members of the original Tequilajazzz line-up did at one point or another.

Apparently, they were influenced by the New Romantic phenomenon at the beginning, then turned to punk rock. Both things show on the track; it's a neat punk-pop song, and people who like The Clash, The Soft Boys or the Buzzcocks sure will enjoy it. It's also sweet how the singer obviously imitates Johnny Rotten. Have fun.

Download Obyekt Nasmeshek - Blyaha-Muha (VBR, 4,90 mb)
Buy a compilation called "Legendy Russkogo Roka" by Obyekt Nasmeshek from RussianDVD.com (RIAA-free!)

Download Tequilajazzz - Blyaha-Muha (VBR, 4,04 mb)
Buy Tequilajazz - Moloko from RussianDVD.com (RIAA-free!)

Shut up! Don't cry.

Although the Monks only released one album in 1966, over the years they have become one of the most influential 60's groups to emerge. The Fall have learned a lot from them (also, they have overed their songs numerous times), and the Silver Monk Time tribute album features groups such as Mouse From Mars, The Raincoats, Jason Forrest, Faust and others. Among the many garage bands of their time, they also belonged to the most original ones. Just listen to those raw, repetative riffs. Three tracks off Black Monk Time.


Download The Monks - Monk Time (192 kbps, 3,81 mb)
Download The Monks - Shut Up! (192 kbps, 4,44 mb)
Download The Monks - I Hate You (192 kbps, 4,92 mb)
Buy The Monks - Black Monk Time from somewhere (RIAA-free!)

"I saw and heared; for such a numerous host Fled not in silence through the frighted deep."

My have I got stuff for you, being back from a three day hiatus or so. The whole first CD of The Hafler Trio's Normally, now isn't that something. I do not assume I have to explain who The Hafler Trio are, if I do I don't feel like it so go explore their site on Brainwashed.com or read Wikipedia or whatever. This thing is based on the voice of Blixa Bargeld, apparently just reading the same phrase three times, which apparently is "Hören Sie denn nicht diese entsetzliche Stimme, die um den ganze Horizont schreit und die man gewöhnlich die Stille heißt?", which, translated into English, would read something like "Do you not hear that horrifying voice screaming all around the horizon which is normally being called silence?" Well, read the description by The Hafler Trio itself:

""Normally" reunites The Hafler Trio and Soleilmoon for the first time since 1996, when "An Utterance of the Supreme Ventriloquist", a limited edition clear vinyl LP wrapped in hand-made Japanese paper was released. The first CD in this two disc set is based on the voice of Einsturzende Neubauten's Blixa Bargeld. A particular phrase was read three times, in Blixa's three trademark vocal styles: whispering, hysterical and ordinary. "Normally," the title of this CD, is a reference to part of what Blixa didn't say when he spoke his phrase, and also to the way the German word for "Normally" is used. Although there are seven titles associated with the album, the music flows as one continuous track. They refer to different sections in the piece, but some of the changes are subtle, and the listener is left to discover them on her own. Or not. The second disc, "Sphotavado", is also based on vocal recordings by the Einsturzende Neubauten frontman. Three "meaningful" vowels were taken and arranged according to certain rules of Sanskrit. By repetition of these sounds, vibratory rhythms are created in the body to awaken the psychic fields. Everything, from our thoughts and ideas all the way up to things like people, trees and mountains, is a result of these vibrations. Along with its energy, every object has its accompanying range of sounds. Vibration is therefore a result of sound, not its cause. The name "Sphotavado" is the name given to this concept of sound, and is referred to in many tantras. It forms the foundation of tantric mantras, which are a fundamental aspect of Vedic rituals. Like the music inside, the packaging for this release is at once subtle and complex, presenting a simple and clean exterior that opens and unfolds to reveal (or hide) its complex inner workings. Designed by The Hafler Trio mastermind Andrew McKenzie himself, the sleeve and accompanying artwork are an intrinsic part of the whole package. It is essential that the music be played back through speakers, rather than through headphones, where its effects would be negated. Likewise, conversion to MP3 will render the music ineffective, as the compression removes the most important information. Andrew McKenzie's favorite fruit is the pomegranate."

I am not sure exactly how different the uncompressed version sounds in this case, but the 256 kbps version sounds great to me. Here are the ~ 64 minutes of the first CD for you, enjoy.


Download The Hafler Trio - Hören Sie Denn Nicht Das Schreien Ringsum, Das Man Gewönlich Stille Heißt? (As When No One Is Speaking/Outside the Mazes With Unravelled Head/In No Wise Being Double/At the Other End Of the Great Chain Of Being/I, Thou, He, She, We, You/Nothing Continues To Happen) (256 kbps, 117 mb)
Buy The Hafler Trio - Normally from somewhere (RIAA-free!)

We Move Through Weather

I don't usually like these phrases, in fact, I hate them, but if you like Trans Am, you could enjoy Tarentel. The We Move Through Weather album is pretty stripped-down work with some ambient floating and even droning going on. Here are two tracks from it and you can also download a live version of A Cloud No Bigger That a Man's Hand (along with a bunch of other live versions) from their site.

Download Tarentel - Bump Fast, Cut Up Through Windows (192 kbps, 6,15 mb)
Download Tarentel - A Cloud No Bigger Than a Man's Hand (192 kbps, 20,70 mb)
Buy Tarentel - We Move Through Weather from Temporary Residence (RIAA-free!)

Mashup ideas II

And another one involving Pere Ubu, or even Rocket From the Tombs, for that matter. This isn't exactly a mashup idea since the songs are just based on very similar basslines. Still, it's entertaining and they're good songs, too, so here you go with Joy Division's Heart And Soul and Life Stinks in three different versions - the one from the Pere Ubu classic The Modern Dance, the original early RFtT version plus the one from 2003's Rocket Redux, a reunion album which actually lacks the raw kick of the early records, but which is enjoyable because of David Thomas' vocals. Enjoy.

Download Joy Division - Heart and Soul (192 kbps, 8,05 mb)
Buy Joy Division - Closer from CDUniverse (Warning!! Qwest Records is a member of the RIAA. If you don't know what the RIAA is, read on them before you consider buying: Wikipedia; Boycott-RIAA.com).

Download Pere Ubu - Life Stinks (192 kbps, 2,59 mb)
Buy Pere Ubu - The Modern Dance from CDUniverse (Warning!! Geffen Records is a member of the RIAA. If you don't know what the RIAA is, read on them before you consider buying: Wikipedia; Boycott-RIAA.com).
Buy the 5.1 surround sound version released by Silverline from Amazon.com (RIAA-free!)

Download Rocket From the Tombs - Life Stinks (original version) (192 kbps, 4,68 mb)
Buy The Day the Earth Met the Rocket From the Tombs from Smog Veil (RIAA-free!)

Download Rocket From the Tombs - Life Stinks (Rocket Redux version) (160 kbps, 3,05 mb)
Buy Rocket From the Tombs - Rocket Redux from Smog Veil (RIAA-free!)

Magazine & Pere Ubu?

Ever noticed how you could mash Ubu Dance Party and Magazine's I Wanted Your Heart? It hits me every time I Wanted Your Heart starts. If anyone did this I'd be freaking happy. And of course I am not going to miss this oppurtunity to post another Magazine track and, for the first time on this blog, Pere Ubu. Enjoy.

Download Magazine - I Wanted Your Heart (VBR, 7,12 mb)
Buy Magazine - Secondhand Daylight from CDUniverse (Warning!! Although neither Blue Plate nor Caroline Records are listed as RIAA members, RIAARadar.com says they are. Better be careful. If you don't know what the RIAA is, read on them before you consider buying: Wikipedia; Boycott-RIAA.com).

Download Pere Ubu - Ubu Dance Party (192 kbps, 6,63 mb)
Buy Pere Ubu - Dub Housing from CDUniverse (Warning!! Thirsty Ear Recordings is a member of the RIAA. If you don't know what that the RIAA is, read on them before you consider buying: Wikipedia; Boycott-RIAA.com).