I thought I knew what swank was before this day.
I did not.
Month: August 2013
Record #215: Gang of Four – Entertainment! (1979)
Speaking of punk/funk hybrids, consider Gang of Four–contemporaries of the Clash and spiritual antecedents to Fugazi’s brand of political bass-heavy punk fury. Continue reading
Record #214: The Clash – Combat Rock (1985)
Watch carefully, because in the next sentence, I’m going to make all of my punk credibility disappear. This is the only Clash record I know. I know, right? I tried listening to Sandanista, but what do you even DO with Sandanista? I tried listening to London Calling, but (whispers) I found it really boring.
But, when I stole my dad’s Combat Rock cassette and popped it into my car stereo, my world was turned upside down.
Record #213: Iron & Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog (2007)
For many people, the words “Iron & Wine” and “full band” do not compute. After all, doesn’t Iron & Wine work because of the stripped minimalism of Sam Beam’s hushed acoustic folk? Less is more, right?
Record #212: Iron & Wine – Woman King EP (2005)
After two full lengths and an EP comprised largely of solo acoustic guitar and voice with the occasional harmony overdub, Sam Beam must have finally realized that he can get a little louder in the studio than he can in his attic.