Pseudo Cyborg
of Rapscallion The Ne'er-Do-Well, Erased Files
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Sorry for the non-musical post and for the self-peddling; this will not be a regular occurrence here. My next post, however, will be music related—my review of Golden Holy's self-titled, debut album. Great stuff.
But I digress. I'm writing again. Please patronize me. It's called "Words To Live By" and it's updated daily. Feel free to forward this to anyone and everyone.
✎ http://wordstoliveby.tumblr.com/ ✎ http://twitter.com/WordsToLiveBy
I thank you.
KROQ, a Los Angeles radio station, has evolved throughout the years. In the 80s it was the hub for what is now considered New Wave and other Alt Pop tunes of the decade. Bret Easton Ellis even makes mention of the station in his novel Less Than Zero.
I guess they really did earn the slogan "World Famous".
Every so often they'll have what they call "Flashback Weekends" (an extension of their now retired "Flashback Lunch") where their playlist goes back to that wonderful decade. The only downside of these weekends, though, is that the song selections aren't so varied; radio stations need to play a certain number of "Gold Tracks" per hour.
Well, gag me with a spoon, KROQ has launched Roq Of The 80s! They broadcast locally on HD radio, 106.7-HD2, as well as stream online at http://www.roqofthe80s.com/. The playlist is well varied and definitely a wonderful throwback. They've even gone so far as to include their old bumps/IDs/drops including some with their 80s jocks like Freddie Snakeskin and Scott Mason!
The lack of commercials just makes it all that much sweeter.
I first stumbled on Sputnik Monroe on MySpace somewhere near the beginning of 2004. I got about half-way through "Shamu Suicide" when I scrambled to fill out my pertinent information on a web form that would get me their self-titled 4-song EP. Time passed and the CD finally arrived at the office. It remained on high rotation for a few months and was loaned to coworkers who enjoyed it as well.
More time has passed since then. They released a full-length album, Wake The Sleeping Giant, in 2005. They've performed countless times both locally and across these United States. They're currently on the road supporting their new EP, The Great Depression Celebration Part I: "We're Doomed", which was released last Thursday at their show at Good Hurt in West Los Angeles.
The performance was excellent, to say the least.
Sputnik Monroe have pulled comparisons ranging from Pink Floyd to Mars Volta to Radiohead—and rightly so. They blend a unique sound of epic landscapes reminiscent of cinematic score with a particular sort of funk/jazz rhythms armed with an arsenal of synthesizers and effects. Shit's insane, son.
"We're Doomed" is a story, a conceptual masterwork. This EP evokes a sort of desperation, a defeating and enduring struggle set in a fantasy world. It's simultaneously a call to arms and apathetic malaise. It is, indeed, a Great Depression Celebration.
While each of the tracks hold their own, it's the story they weave together that really pulls it all in. This isn't a collection of singles; this is a composition that shines when listened to from start to finish. They're songs,yes, but—more appropriately—they're movements, scenes from a film that has yet to be shot. I see elves and gnomes and wizardry, broadswords and journeys on horseback that last a fortnight, I see dragons and goblins. Not all is lost, but the shit's gonna hit the fan if'n something isn't done about it!
It's like the Lord of the Rings trilogy compressed to thirty minutes... except I'm left wondering if Frodo and Sam were able to toss the ring into the fires of Mount Doom.
Sputnik Monroe have really outdone themselves. They've refined their sound over the last few years from an excellent dart out the gates and have polished it even further. It's this evolution that's so refreshing. What's even more amazing is their execution of the EP in a live show. The entire spectrum is present—flawless yet organic.
The damn thing is glorious. I can't wait for Part II.
http://sputnikmonroe.com http://myspace.com/sputnikmonroe Photos from their CD release - http://www.flickr.com/gp/35237099571@N01/695jJK
Comments
Fully nutz! (In the best possible way...) I've been in L.A. (on the West side) for the past week and a half. How did I miss their show at Good Hurt? I blame my clueless friends, as well as the L.A. Weakly, and anyone who knew how cool they were and didn't tell me. (P.C.?)
LOL My bad, I take full responsibility for not teasing the show here. They'll be playing in Long Beach on May 17th. I'm not sure if that helps any. This might: http://sputnikmonroe.com/shows.html
They're definitely worth keeping an eye on.
Epic is the word indeed. To me, they're reminiscent of some improbable orchestral rewriting of the Sparks. Glorious.
Thanks for the introduction.
Comments
No worries about peddling your writings... I for one am glad to see a post by you.
Welcome back!
I know I may be patronizing, but I found "Words To Live By" very funny.
So shoot me. The noive.