Photo CAROLINE MORT
If self-titled‘s steady Barn Owl coverage didn’t make our love of their sensory overload songs clear enough in the past year, the following post will. Aside from asking Evan Caminiti and Jon Porras to submit individual sides of a mixtape that features Swans, Popol Vuh and Pelt, we ran a special magazine feature that explores “Five Rad Minimalist Records That Have Nothing To Do With Steve Reich or Philip Glass”…
Side A: Evan Caminiti
1. Roy Montgomery, “Departing the Body”
The title says it all here. This is what music is about.
2. Flying Saucer Attack, “Oceans”
This track will always remind me of foggy days at San Francisco beaches; getting lost in the rolling of the waves.
3. Pelt, “Up the North Fork”
Pelt doesn’t need electricity to suck you into another world of trance-inducing mystery.
4. Les Rallizes Denudes, “Enter the Mirror”
Can I make a mix without Denudes? Probably not. A classic cut here–searing beauty.
5. Fushitsusha, “Just Before”
Not your typical Fushitsusha. The calm before the storm; a meditative, prayer-like moment of reflection.
Side B: Jon Porras
6. Parson Sound, “Blåslåten”
Glistening track of layered woodwinds performed by the Swedish psych outfit Parson Sound. “Blåslåten” is a more subdued piece that moves swiftly into the Terry Riley zone. A breath of respite in the midst of their usual guitar sludge psychedelia.
7. Popol Vuh, “Vergegenwärtigung”
A sea of strings and melodies weave in and out of an acoustic strum, with each layer lulling you deeper into a world of devotional bliss.
8. Swans, “Our Love Lies”
A favorite track that was on repeat in our rental car last tour. This song features the slow burning plod characteristic of Swans but includes soaring slide-guitar leads and gospel vocals for a sound more akin to Spacemen 3.
9. Spectrum, “Undo the Taboo”
Especially like how this song naturally builds; each element slowly introduced as the piece grows like a tidal wave.
10. Neil Young, “Danger Bird”
Another ‘on the road’ standard, “Zuma” is always good for a long drive. It’s not hard to see a connection between the guitar tone and pace of the song with what would become grunge. Also, the feedback that opens the song is a perfect touch.
