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Posted by:
ben gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie/ The Postal Service
25
hello all,
since my friend Zach first played me the music of Popol Vuh i've been kinda obsessed with it. as a cast of musicians that revolved around one Florian Fricke (pictured above) throughout the 1970's and early 1980's they made some of the most hauntingly beautiful music i've ever heard.
if you've seen any of Werner Herzog's films you've probably already heard Popol Vuh. he composed the soundtracks for 'Aguirre, Wrath of God,' 'Fitzcarraldo,' and this track from 'Cobra Verde' amoungst many others. if you like this you should pick my two favorite Popol Vuh albums: Die Nacht Der Seele: Tantric Songs' and 'Letzte Tage - Letzte Nächte.'
hopefully i'll see some of you out on the road in may...
xo
ben
uh, that was supposed to be tag your posts not yag...
Not familiar with the music of "Popul Vuh", off to check them out now. Rember to yag your posts, it makes it easier for readers to find the music!
Popol Vuh
Popol Vuh is a German experimental rock band founded by Florian Fricke in 1970. It began with an electronic approach as heard on first album Affenstunde. Other important members during the next two decades included Daniel Fichelscher and Bob Eliscu. The group evolved to include all kinds of instruments: wind, percussion and strings, electric and acoustic alike, combined to convey a mystical aura that made thir music spiritual and introspective. more...
[via FoxyTunes / Popol Vuh]
Mog
More!
Very haunting. See you in Chicago.
see you in Austin!
I wonder if these guys influenced the members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor....
More than likely.
Sounds great. I love the sound and feel of it.
I like! See you in North Carolina! (I will...doubt you'll see me)
SEE YOU ON THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
See you in Nashvegas!
I recently got into Popol Vuh (before, the only Florian Fricke I was familiar with was his excellent work on the Tangerine Dream album Zeit), and have four albums now. A band that I just can't get enough of. Hauntingly beautiful, and the music just fills my mind with images constantly. My favorite is Seilispreisung (or however it's spelled, don't have it in front of me right now and don't feel like looking it up). I hope more people check them out from this post!
haunting yes, but this was also a quite peaceful piece. i love how there's just like, a hint of instruments in the background, but they're not overpowering.
Is Popol Vuh anything like Popozao?
See ya in the funny papers...
That actually feels relaxing to me just listening to it!
Great Post! Have always had an interest in German electronic music from that period, but didn't know of these guys. (Although I have seen just about all of Herzog's films).
lol @ pimp
Yeah, this sounds familiar, I'll definitely be sure to look into this
very good. I'll have to check out more....
Ben, see you in Boston (well Somerville)
Never heard of them, just find it kinda weird that a german band would take the name of the great mayan book (which by the way is required reading in junior high school down here in Mexico). Seen Cobra Verde a bunch of times and do like the music, just never knew who composed it. See you in Mexico? (One can only dream, right?)
It's been 5 minutes since I've played the song, and the melody still haunts my head. I can almost hear the crackling of the record and the soft sounds of the acoustic guitar.
I've always enjoyed the obscure and eclectic musicians you've been recommending.
Thanks for keeping us satiated with musical goodness.
I dont recall it being required reading in mexico but I read it last fall and I'm wondering if it was an influence for the music? It may even work as a soundtrack for the book? A Floyd Wizard of Oz type of relationship.
Thanks for the great music recommendations, look forward to listening to it.
And thanks for adding a second show at the Metro, see you there!
Florian puts in a cameo as a piano playing idiot savant in Herzog's "Every Man for Himself and God Against All," his movie about Kaspar Hauser. One of my favorites by Herzog.
It does sound like it's made for a soundtrack of a very dramatic documentary. Now I know why Werner Herzog looks so familiar... I watched Lessons of Darkness in film class and also had to write an essay about it on the final exam.
The opening of Aguirre is just about a perfect marriage of image and music, as - in one shot - an endless line of conquistadores and indians climb down one mountain side and up another, with a heavenly swell of sound courtesy of Popul Vuh. Nice post.
See you May 18! Ahh can't wait!!
Going to see you at the Fillmore May 18th with my friend Rackle who also posted comment. We think your music is amazing!
I can't wait!
You're awesome and I hope things go well for you during your tour.
See ya!
Hello all, as I'm new to this mog malarkey, what is the best way to chase down these reccomends, short of going to record shops. Is everything web based now? Love this by the way, can I suggest 'Johann Johannsson - ibm 1401, a user's manual' as a similar if a little updated foray in to the ethereal?
You were incredible in chicago tonight. wonderful wonderful !
thanks for coming back on stage after you left! i was expecting one more song, but of course you outdid my expectations again
and thanks to you, popol vuh is creeping into my music player more and more !
Popol vuh is also the name of the ancient Maya creation myth.. just thought I would share a little non-Western art history knowledge.
Aloha Ben!I found it and wasn't looking for it...but the best things come announced as a surprise! Iam going to add you as a trusted mog solely on taste...not technical mathematics. Check out my new music ...been collaborating with Jim Morrison on some new stuff:"Space","Movin ON" and "Helena". Best Alohas,DenRA
Wonderful sound! Yeah and hey, I will see you in like less than 2 days in Carroboro, NC! YAY ! Can't wait. Until then... peace from the east.. coast.
post script: Did you know DCFC had some vinyls out? Yeah, got one the other day ... i'll show it to u at the concert. Much support and hope.
Hey Ben!
Just saw you at Cat's Cradle in NC. Thanks for coming, highlight of my month! The north specific version of "Carolina" was awesome. Hope the rest of the tour is a blast!
on an unrelated note... amazing show last night (in NC). can't wait to see you again!
Those jeans looked so nice on you last night, Ben Gibbard. >:D
Oh yeah, and as a side note, I just studied Werner Hertzog this semester in as a part of the German New Wave in a film class I'm in. I guess I was probably hearing Popol Vuh without realizing it. I mostly remember Hertzog as the guy who ate his shoe when he lost that bet with Errol Morris.
Ben, I saw you play in Portland tonight. As always, you were absolutely stunning. I got all the way to the front this time! That was one hell of an encore. :)
Thank you for sharing your art, the world is a much more enjoyable place because of it. :)
Saw you at the Fillmore the other night. Sorry for the Bay Area panhandlers haha.
interestinggg ;)
I like this song...it's very solemn and yet emotionally upbeat. I've heard nothing like it before...thanks for introducing me to it, Ben.