Shackleton – Fabric 55

There are exceptions to every rule, and here are two cases in point.

I usually don’t like mixes that jump hyperactively from track to track; I’d rather have the dj pick out his or her favorites and let them play through. And I’m usually suspicious of mixes that include more than one or two of the dj’s own tracks; if I’m interested in the compilation in the first place, it’s probably because I know the dj’s own work and want to learn what else he or she listens to, is influenced by, and loves.

But this mix by Shackleton provides the exceptions to both of those rules. Here, he weaves 22 of his own compositions — some of them previously-released, others to the best of my knowledge unheard before — over 75 minutes into something completely new and original. With rapidly-shifting beats, and vocals fading in and out, it drives like a demon, from Kether to Malkuth, from station to station, just like David Bowie used to do.

The Fabric series contains many great entries, and this is definitely one of them.

Shackleton, “Busted Spirit”

Shackleton, “Deadman”

Kelsey Jarboe – Among Your Kind (Stream)

Kelsey Jarboe’s “Among Your Kind” was one of my favorite local albums of 2010.

And you can find a streaming version now, at the artist’s bandcamp page.

Dinosaur Jr – Tarpit

Seefeel – Seefeel

Seefeel return after a 15-year hiatus with this very excellent, self-titled lp. With layers of electronically treated guitar flowing relentlessly over the strong foundation set by a newly-formed rhythm section that includes former Boredom’s drummer Iida Kazuhisa, and Sarah Peacock’s vocals occasionally breaking through like the voice of a ghost from the other side, the sound seems to combine solid, liquid, and gas — the material and the ethereal — to striking effect. See and hear for yourself, below.

Pastels/Tenniscoats – Vivid Youth

The Novel Ideas – Summer Demos

The Novel Ideas‘ brand new, 4-track ep offers an all-expenses-paid vacation back to summer.

Plus catchy melodies, and songwriting in the tradition of Jonathan Richman, with poetic lyrics that combine wit, charm, and sentimentality in just the right proportion.

Critics will declare it their best work yet. Certainly, I do.

XXXY – You Always Start It

Heard this one on 20khz tonight — very, very nice.

Young Galaxy – Shapeshifting

The Paper Bag Records page mentions New Order, the Knife, and the Eurythmics, but what this new lp by Young Galaxy does more than anything else is to reference the sound of the Alison Moyet/Vince Clarke collaboration Yaz.

A daring move, and one that breaks away somewhat from the band’s own past. But it turns out great, as evidenced below.

Robag Wruhme – Wuppdeckmischmampflow

If you’ve seen Amy Grill’s excellent documentary, “Speaking in Code,” which toggles back and forth between electronic dance music scenes in Boston and several European cities, then you already know of Robag Wruhme’s wit and wisdom.  Which resurface on the new and appropriately-titled DJ mix “Wuppdeckmischmampflow.” Layering two and sometimes three tracks on top of one another, this set rewards close and careful attention. But, what makes a great DJ mix great are those sublime moments, when the thinking stops and the listening and feeling take over. Those moments arrive repeatedly here, especially when Chateau Flight’s “Cosmic Race” and Four Tet’s “Angel Echos” break through, like the sun in a forest clearing.

Listen to “Wuppdeckmischmampflow” and read more about the project at the Kompakt website.

Lusine – Two Dots

Lovely meditation on the Cartesian plane, by Lusine, from the lp “A Certain Distance” (Ghostly International, 2009).