Earth: Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light 1

It's been a little bit since the last Earth opus was bestowed upon us. The Bees Made Honey Out Of the Lion's Skull continued the bands challenging of what it means to be drone. You could not deny that album's power. Dylan Carlson's latest effort, Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light 1 continues Earth's journey into their drone 2.0. This album is very much the next phase in the bands 'new sound'.
Where the previous three albums were drawn out day dreaming soundscapes, this new album is a bit up tempo, for an Earth album. In previous albums, Adrienne Davies' drumming has provided more accents than a constant pulse. It's the drums that provide the 'faster' feel to this album. It actual sounds like someone playing the drums than someone coming to conscious once in a while. It makes the music feel more alive than someone nodding off. Carlson's guitar work sounds less like someone noodling around and more cohesive. 'Father Midnight' goes the extra mile and adds a swing feel and even a sense of danger. The addition of Lori Goldston on the cello also provides gritty and dark textures that fills in the back end nicely throughout the album. The last song, and title track, suggests that this could be part one of two, or more albums or songs. Who knows? It would seem that that '1' in the title would suggest the intention to continue where this album left off. Haven't they been kind of doing that with this batch of albums? Who knows? Who cares. I'm enjoying each chapter thus far.
Overall, this album shouldn't surprise those familiar with the band. It isn't anything drastically new, which isn't to say it's bad, it's great. If you're a fan of Earth's past few albums, this would appear to be the next logical step: adding new layers. By the band's standards they've dug deeper, expanded on their sound. In some ways I feel like this album is their sound finally realized.

here's a link to the opening track, 'Old Black', being preformed live.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFryEj8wXLc&feature=related

Lost Goat: Trapped on Earth

Of all the albums I own, me and this album go way back, the most.

At some point in the 90s Emily, who used to work for my dad, gave me a cassette tap. On the spine it said: "Lost Goat/Blessing of the Hogs." She said it was two albums of some local bands she thought I'd like. This was the start of a long love affair with Lost Goat. No offense to Bless of the Hogs, you guys are good, but Lost Goat struck a chord with my ears. The Lost Goat album was called "Trapped on Earth." It blew me away.

The opening notes to 'Pillar of Salt' were loud, heavy and for my budding teenage ears, really dark. I thought this was the sound of buildings crumbling. The chords boisterous and dissonent chords played behind Erica's vocals were distraught, like someone trying to sing but is more focused on the energy. I must have been 13 at the time I got this tape and I'd been exposed to Black Sabbath and Metallica at this point, but this was a different kind of heavy. What also took me by surprise was that two-thirds of the band were girls. In hindsight that's not such a big deal, but I was young and dumb, so what are you gonna do? This was a sound wholly new to me, and it was made right in my back yard! The whole experience, even to this day, is still mind boggling. The band managed to combined heavy rock, 70s garage-punk swagger and some really haunted melodic parts. I still think that to this day their sound has yet to be recreated, as it should.

I remember having the chance to see them play at Gilman shorty after their last album came out, but I blew it. This band was a treasure. This album was a city treasure. If you ever want a glimpse or an introduction in the the San Francisco underground scene or sound, "Trapped on Earth" is a great place to start.

Since being handed this tap I've acquired a much sought after CD, cause getting into Vinyl is one more hobby I cannot afford. While the CD has come in handy, the tape given to me has been played over and over. I'm surprised it hasn't worn out yet.