songs to assume positions to
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Artist:
By no means measurable, comfort in strangeness lies somewhere between true love and what one knows in one's heart about impressive characters played by impressive actors in movies. I appreciate, for example, that we like to trade secrets and bullshit around here in MOG with nearly as little affectation as would delight monks in a working monastery.
I bring this up because posturing is an analogy I would use for Chemical Chords (2008). I imagine that, by the tenth yogic stance, one is simply taken less by executing contortions than perfecting one unassuming pose, even as the former is apt to entertain more applause. This album is not crazy about experimentation in a similar manner as its precursors in the '00s; it is no Emperor Tomato Ketchup or Transient Random-Noise Bursts with Announcements. "From the composed to the simple," recites Laetitia Sadier like a mantra in one track. I took time to warm to it but, once I did, I saw the sense in mapping an astutely calculated trip into Sixties French pop with some consequent Japanese pop inclination. I mean, was the Buddha testing his limits like fitness buffs do or aiming for comprehension like the rest of us metaphorical bums? That's what I thought.
I have to sympathize with a temple being known as a setting of The Amazing Race when it is the birthplace of Thai massage, houses black Buddhas in various bodily positions, and was built of, like, marble shipped from Italy at a time when freighting must have been tough as oceans. It is over the same sentiment, I think, that Stereolab incites confidential fandom. The Japanese edition has awesome bonus tracks, to boot.
Post dedication: ivylander, for writing "vagabondhood"
Photos: Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram (Marble Temple), Dusit district of Bangkok, Thailand
^ Favorite: the Buddha seated cross-legged in the attitude of subduing himself by fasting
Locating MOG account...
Comments (20)
I will mention that I am hardly qualified to discuss yoga or the Buddha so I could be wrong entirely.
^ Next best thing: a standing Buddha in the attitude of calming the ocean
It is with great consternation I can rarely find within myself the strength to subdue myself. Stereolab helps.
"was the Buddha testing his limits like fitness buffs do or aiming for comprehension like the rest of us metaphorical bums?" Or Both? Who is to say? Certainly not us Wheel-Bound slobs.
Beautiful photos, Poe. I am drawn to the Ocean Calming Buddha, as well. And Stereolab makes some of my favorite "moving meditation" music. Happy, peaceful travels, sistah.
Both tunes were perfect this morning.
They just were.
Well Well Well
I sit here half the world away & marvel. Its all I can do. (full disclosure: I can also wonder, but I cannot marvel & wonder at the same time.)
And I think to myself...what a wonderful world.
I can only go to those places in my mind, since I will probably never have the means to be a world traveler. The Amazing Race is the closest I get to taking a world tour. I think I remember this temple from that show. Must be amazing to see it in person. Where are you taking us next?
LOL@deadmandeadman
That ep of The Amazing Race brought you to mind so strongly, and now here you are in the same place!! Sound-Dust is the onlr Stereolab I am more than vaguely familiar with, but it sounds like they were rehearsing for what came later...
Love the skinny monk and all the green reverence...keep up the vagabondhood!!
I need to give this album another listen. I think I was rather distracted the first go 'round. These sound really great, especially the 2nd one.
Just what I needed this morning. The rain has just started drifting in with wisps of mist - perfect.
Can't help but think of Crash Pryor whenever I hear the magnifique Stereolab - a fave of his. Poignant. But you bring so much to the party, poe, that it multiplies the value of the tuneage. The only position I can assume right now is one of gratitude.
by the way:
Magne-Music
Navigating
between leniency and repression,
offering each his own.
Noted for allowing.
Be seduced, no reasons.
Navigating.
(Luck / Love,) rush in, infect all.
Seduction oft equals predicament,
witnessed it (on TV / intervene) in my country.
Callisto, i find myself in a pickle of the same nature. hence, my highest admiration for those who don't.
LMI, how sublime is that Ocean-Calming Buddha, right? another thing was, when i first read the epithet/caption thingie, i was pleased by the use of "attitude" as in "stance". something to borrow in the future.
Annie, a belated good morning and welcome back from Coachella. went well with your coffee, toast, and new ride, i take it?
Jeff, well, i (sit here and) wonder, so we've got it covered. i'd done a fair bit of temple-hopping lately so clear your weekend mornings.
MusicRx, i did also catch that Amazing Race episode. the temple is a visual feast up close and, for better or worse, i will march on with more touristy posts.
genderblender, yeah, that deadman is 6 parts loony. ;d
Scott, and thus life imitates art yet again. i am clinging to the vagabondhood for as long as reasonable.
"it sounds like they were rehearsing for what came later" - hah. i surely miss pre-'97 Stereolab but there are gems in these little-praised releases.
Aug, truth be known, i ignored the album for a long time and it was Magne-Music (playcount: 50+) that reeled me back in. now there are at least three other tracks i'm loving so i am happy to have given it another go.
Jonh, incidentally, rain fell shortly after i woke up today, while i was having coffee in bed. gotta be thankful for these moments of miniscule purity.
Mike, neither can i. Crash crossed my mind, Stereolab was ever my first or second conversation with him. i have brought Stereolab to a few temples and a lot of walking so the collective memory is a good one.
from the "you're a better vagabond than I" front, I was actually thinking of Amazing Race 14, set in the Angkor Watt temple in Seim Reap, Cambodia. You are moving on I see...I warn again - don't get stuck in Kuala Krai...
If you have some measure of pity (or collusion) for my indolence, you could up "Spool of Collusion", which has a most intriuging ring to it. peace
mmm nice music! I yoga on wii :)
indieshows, i will wonder for a long time about the full extent of yoga-ing on wii. (;
Scott,
thank ya dear, the completist in me is sated. ;)
Stereolab is a new frontier for me. I, so far, only have one album (the very excellent Mars Audiac Quintet) and it so amazes me that every time I hear them, the track sounds like nothing I am expecting it to sound like. That, right there, more than anything else, is the mark of true musicianship to me.
And I for some reason like the fasting buddha. I think it's because that might be the first time I've seen an image of him without the pounds of flesh hanging on his torso. Interesting.
Scott, welkommen. (:
Chuck, Mars Audiac Quintet is an excellent choice for a first album. i think you're also going to dig Transient Random-Noise... and Peng!
i could be very wrong but i think the stout Buddha is a Chinese depiction while the healthy kid Buddha is Hindu. we had this Chinese-owned company client who liked me to do the presentations because a diamond-shaped face is supposed to mean good luck, or something like that. ;D