Sleeping States - "Don't Make Me Over". I'm in Paris at this moment, stumbling past brasseries and gold foiled horsemen. I have my agenda: my chocolate to-dos and pastry obligations, friends to meet and greet, kindnesses to find, secrets to uncover. I have a map of the arrondissements, euros in my pocket. My shoes are tied. I listen to the snarl of cars and the snicker of vespas. I walk and walk and to be honest I am trying to be made over. The opposite of Markland Starkie's strange, sweet, wheezing love-song. "Don't make me over / now that I can't make it without you," he sings, but me I want to be touched, changed. I want a shadow to pass over my face and leave a mark. I want evidence of love to be writ in the rings under my eyes. Like I'm a bandit, they'll say: "That's a marked man." Nothing like Sleeping States, who asks his lover to accept him for "who I am". In all his gentleness an organ appears, a harmonium or something older, sounding beautiful & tired, mysterious and punch-drunk, the sound that I hear in my ears but no one can see on my skin.
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Do Make Say Thing - "In Mind". Do Make Say Think's new album is an utter joy. I've been complaining about how tired instrumental post-rock is, everything a rehash of Godspeed or Mono or Tortoise or Mogwai, but to my pleasure it's like Do Make Say Think have utterly ignored this, not even considered it, built on their first two four (very good) albums and unselfconsciously released something that dazzles. There are some vocals on "In Mind", fuzzed beyond recognition, and so in some ways it recalls Broken Social Scene (with whom DMST share some members) and Akron/Family (who also appear on this record). But there's something more direct in Do Make's strategy, the forward press of guitars, whirrs, drums, bells, mandolin (?), tambourines, horns - like a barn coming into sunlight. You, You're a History in Rust is a wonderful, wonderful work.
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Having finally met Chryde earlier this week, I do simply want to say (and say again) that you should go and explore he & his friends' exemplary work at La Blogotheque and the video Take-Away Shows (now in English!).
Posted by Sean at January 26, 2007 8:10 AMWelcome to Paris.
Maybe Chryde had a drink with you at the Ave Maria (or maybe he change his favorite bar).
This is a wonderful song. Thanks for posting it and for the nice write-up.
I'm inclined to mention that prior to this DMST record they actually had four others. I mention this not to "set the record straight" so much as just to make clear that all four are pretty fantastic in case any slipped by.
Also, regarding instrumental post-rock's general predictability, I caught wind of a band that's been playing a lot in Boston, MA lately that seems to have a pretty fresh take:
http://www.myspace.com/caspiantheband
Posted by the quick at January 26, 2007 4:56 PMGlad you are having a great time !!Keep it up !!
Posted by zaidie at January 27, 2007 9:14 AMSean in Paris, readers in their houses. You know we're jealous.
I like the DMST track a lot.
Posted by Tuwa at January 27, 2007 5:17 PMSean, this is actually DMST's 4th album and I agree with you it's quite good. I was shocked when I heard 'A With Living' since there are prominent vocals on that track...very cool. I don't know if it's quite as good as Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn, which I consider a post rock masterpiece, but I really like it.
Posted by Ryan at January 28, 2007 4:17 PMOh how I love DMST... being an aftershow bumbler too, I met Charles Spearow at the empty bottle in Chicago after probably the best gig of my life. Obviously I spouted a load of embarrassing nothings at him and beat a hasty retreat. rubbish.
Posted by samoyed at January 29, 2007 3:04 PM"Don't Make Me Over," in case you're curious, is a cover of a Bacharach/David song. Dionne Warwick sang it originally. Much more defensively-singing-her-heart-out where this is quietly-worried-request. But they're both pretty.e
Posted by Sunny at January 29, 2007 11:58 PMThanks all for the corrections to the DMST chronology. I honestly had no idea: I've only got their last three.
KMS - We actually met at an african resto. He should take you!
Sunny - Again, I had no idea! Face: red. I'll need to track down the Bacharach version!
Posted by Sean at January 30, 2007 12:07 PM
and it will begin playing. All songs are also available to download: just right-click the link and choose 'Save as...'
