That Music Meme, Part 1

[tinhuvielartanis]

I've decided to do another monthly meme, this one coming from theafaye. So here goes.

Day 1: Your favourite song

This isn't the best version, but it's the only version of the song available online. If I could learn to record songs onto You Tube, I'd change that immediately. I think I'll just transcribe what Barry Andrews said about this song first, then write a little bit about it myself.

"This - if I may make so bold - little gem was only previously released on the Y Records Xmas album, which may not have found the Total Market Penetration it doubtless deserved, so here it comes again. Inspired partly by the novel Riddley Walker (Shriekback required reading) and also by an Acid experience in a forest in which Vivienne Kent and myself experienced being predators of a blood-thirsty, lupine/vampirish kind, and, from the top of a tree contemplated a cosy little family out for a stroll with a view to slaughter and dismemberment (their only possible use). Ah, great days - and they still haven't found the bones (joke)." ~~ Barry Andrews

The moment I heard this song, I was hooked. The beat is the most unusual percussion I'd ever heard. I found out it was Carl Marsh's idea to take garden sticks and beat them on the rims of congo drums. How brilliant is that? When I found out what the song was about, I was fairly alarmed, but I can't help but adore this song. It was written by Barry Andrews obviously, and has garnered a lot of attention since it's humble beginnings on a Christmas album of all things. Of all my writing, I'd have to say that this is the song that drives my work. If I can learn to put the original track up, I will. In the meantime, watch what the musicians are doing as they're being subtly guided by Barry Andrews. They're building a Cone of Power on stage and most probably in the audience as well. To create such magickal power with such an already powerful song is both bold and careless in a way, but Barry Andrews was careless and calculating in those days, so we can't blame him too much. We can only be drawn into the tribal madness of "Despite Dense Weed.' As requested by theafaye, here are the lyrics to "Despite Dense Weed."

We had no breakfast, we made no attempt at Chivalry
We hadn’t-yet-explored all of the avenues of ecstasy
We strode into the brambles with a predatory calm
Those days seem awkward- when we think about them now
The fork, the gristle and the pulse, the parts of me I like the most
My shivers when the fire goes out
The principles of hungry mouths
The balance here is delicate and is easily disturbed
All that keeps the dark back is a following of words

Glue on the hand-holds now flakes off the old iron now
Brew up a thick one now-shining a light in now
Shape like a heart’s shape now, shapes like the branches now
We dream the next dream now, take up the slack wire
now.

At the moment of the taking our excitement is the same
We understand the danger of the fanning of the flame
Desire the heart before it cools, affect the shame to look away:
Our confusion is a cousin of the panic of the prey

Shape like a heart's shape now, shapes like the branches now
We dream the next dream now, take up the slack wire now
Breath clouds the cold glass now-chalk on the shinbone now
Stuck to the driver now Arms through the arm-holes now

We hold the Life in one hand as the one who bakes the bread
(The erection at the hanging and the tearing off of heads)
Stand elated at the burning – all our murders look the same
We are the thought and the display, the explanation and the side-effect

Breath clouds the cold glass now-chalk on the shinbone now
Stuck to the driver now Arms through the arm-holes now
Glue on the hand-holds now flakes off the old iron now
Brew up a thick one now-shining a light in now.


Day 2: A song that makes you cry.
Day 3: A song that makes you dance.
Day 4: Your favorite male singer.
Day 5: Your favorite female singer.
Day 6: Your favorite band.
Day 7: One band/singer you're ashamed to admit you like.
Day 8: One band/singer whose popularity you will never understand.
Day 9: A song that reminds you of an ex.
Day 10: A song that reminds you of your father.
Day 11: A song that reminds you of your mother.
Day 12:A song that makes you want to have sex.
Day 13: A song you sing in the shower.
Day 14: A song from the year you were born.
Day 15: A song you liked in high school.
Day 16: The first song in your mp3 folder.
Day 17: The last song in your mp3 folder.
Day 18: An instrumental song you like.
Day 19: Your favorite love song.
Day 20: Your favorite breakup song.
Day 21: A song that makes you want to break stuff.
Day 22: Your favorite song from a movie.
Day 23: Your favorite duet.
Day 24: Your favorite cover song.
Day 25: Your favourite song from 2010 (so far).

Day 26: Your favorite music video.
Day 27: One song in your mp3 folder you're pretty sure no one else has.
Day 28: One song that needs to never be played again.
Day 29: One song that gives you the creeps.
Day 30: A song you'd like played at your funeral

Comments

[theafaye.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you're doing this meme. I think you can learn so much about people from their taste in music and I can very, very clearly hear the world of the Vampire Relics in this. I love their performance as well - they must be totally awesome live.

ETA - oh yes, and lyrics please!

[tinhuviel.livejournal.com]

Consider the lyrics duly added.

[theafaye.livejournal.com]

:oD

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Are you familiar with Einstürzende Neubauten? EN is percussion heavy, which made me think of them upon seeing this video, but they don't often have a tribal feel like this. They're more avant-garde.

[tinhuviel.livejournal.com]

I've heard them mentioned in the past, but never heard any of their music. Anything on You Tube you'd strongly suggest I hear?

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ4Q9_bDwLY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBP57yI-jmY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8_Pf8zP-lo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH0tbfKKbYc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-3U8ptemEk&feature=related

Or just surf the YouTube. They have quite a variety of stuff. There later work has become more melodic.

[tinhuviel.livejournal.com]

Thanks!