Thursday, October 30, 2008

TVD's Daily Wax | Aztec Camera "High Land, Hard Rain"

I imagine that however long this blog exists, this record will make an appearance in the heart of the Fall each year. This LP, from another jaunt with my dad to the Record World in Seaview Square Mall (a store I'd ultimately work in, actually) typifies what I was referencing earlier in the week--that subconscious seasonal soundtrack.

In my mind, the trees shed their leaves to "Oblivious" just as it was when this, "airy yet somehow lush (LP) filled with lovely melodies and thoughtful, impressionistic lyrics" (as Trouser Press noted) made its imprint for the first time. From "We Could Send Letters" to now "We Could Send Emails," its timelessness is near impenetrable.

...AND will outlive anything currently on the front pages of both Pitchfork and Stereogum this morning. (Sorry - couldn't resist..!)


Aztec Camera - Oblivious (Mp3)
Aztec Camera - We Could Send Letters (Mp3)
Aztec Camera - Lost Outside The Tunnel (Mp3)
Aztec Camera - Back On Board (Mp3)
Aztec Camera - Orchid Girl (Mp3)

7 comments:

Jeremy G. said...

Agreed... wonderful autumn record. "Oblivious" has been a constant presence on my playlists ever since I discovered this album a couple of years ago.

And a dig at the big digital music tastemasters? +1 to you, sir.

Jon said...

Just warming up, Jeremy. Tune in next week...!

Uncle E said...

I would love to see what mathematical method Pitchfork uses to arrive at the 3.786543 ratings they give myself. Greying ponytail ageing hipster wankers!
Love Aztec Camera, wish they would reissue this and Knife...

Anonymous said...

oh yea, beautiful album. Just damn good songs. Simple. Thanks TVD. Shamus

Anonymous said...

Pillar To Post should have been included too. Otherwise, great selection. Thanks a lot.

Anonymous said...

Anon beat me to the "Pillar to Post" thought, but all is good. This is one amazing album. I remember when it first came out. It rolled into the radio station where I was at the time. We tracked the whole thing on the air. We could hardly even interrupt it for an id at the end of side one (yes...vinyl baby!). Damn fine guitarist and the lyrics! Whoa! Thanks for the Orchid Girl, Back on Board, Lost Outside the Tunnel, and We Could Send Letters. Oblivious is and always will be a ruler of the world. (Pillar to Post, too). Go Roddy Frame, Go!

Anonymous said...

Perfect Perfect album - you could have posted any five tracks and had complaints about what you missed. And... I will be a tiny bit controversial, and I can say this becuase, like, it's in the family, but Knife hasn't lasted anything like so well for me - I love the title track, I love 'The Birth of the True' and I like 'All I Need Is Everything' a lot too but beyond that I find it difficult to be excited about it. Although it's better than Love...