I’ve been seeing a lot of Atmosphere appreciation on IG lately so I figured it was due time I chime in. This is MOST of my Atmosphere record collection. I say most ‘cos Logan (my brother) has my Overcast EP, and my doubles of Lucy Ford 1 & 2. I’m also missing stuff. This is by no means a complete collection, but I’m working on it. Starting from top left they are : Lucy Ford 1, Lucy Ford 2, God Loves Ugly single, Modern Man’s Hustle single (2), God Loves Ugly (repress), God Loves Ugly (original 3xLP), God Loves Ugly instrumentals, Cats Van Bags single, Trying To Find A Balance single, Seven’s Travels, Seven’s Travels instrumentals, Watch Out single, Say Hey There single, You single, Shoulda Known single, When Life Gives You Lemons You Paint That Shit Gold, Demosexual 7”… @atmosphere music means a lot to me. The words have twisted me up, straightened me out, helped me test the dark parts of life, appreciate the brighter parts, and inspired me to write words to help me figure out me (even when I was pretty neurotic about it). Ant and Slug have given fans a lot over the years and I’m grateful. Artists like Atmosphere, Aesop Rock, P.O.S and more have helped me through tough times and helped me develop an appreciation for more honest music. Thanks..
I got part of my record collection from my dad’s house and spent the last hour cleaning sleeves and discs. Re-discovered two of my favorite 12” singles given to me by a dear friend. The top record is Aesop Rock’s single for the song “Daylight” and the bottom record is Atmosphere’s single for “Modern Man’s Hustle”. These were given to me by CJ Walk aka Citizen Aim. The records are labeled “KWAS” ‘cos CJ used to DJ under the moniker Kwasimoto (for those who didn’t know). Music is a powerful device for connecting people from different backgrounds and lifestyles and giving them something to share. CJ shared music and wisdom with me that will stick with me the rest of my life. “And if she has the nerve to let me dump a couple last words I’ma turn to the Earth and scream : love your life!”
These aren’t the greatest pictures in the world, but I don’t live near my mother so I don’t have anything recent. Anyways, this is my mom. She’s been there for me my whole life (like most good moms). She raised my brother, sister, and I (at times by herself) while working and going to school. My parents divorce made things tough on all of us. But she worked hard to make things easier for my siblings and I. Now she works hard to make things better for other people working in the medical field. She’s a registered nurse and participates in weight lifting and fitness competitions. Yes, she’s stronger than me (I think). Most guys grow up wanting to be like their dad, and I was definitely one of those kids. But the traits I got from my mother probably make a bigger part of who I am inside. I love my father to death, but I’m definitely a momma’s boy. Thanks for everything Mom. I’m proud of you, I’m grateful for you and everything you’ve done for me, and I love you. Happy Mother’s Day to you and all the other moms out there.
New Music This Fall
So I’m sure you guys have seen by now that Touché Amoré and Balance and Composure have announced that they have new albums coming out this Fall. I’m incredibly excited ‘cos these are two of my favorite bands and although they’ve both done good jobs of putting new music out in the meantime, all it’s done is whet the appetite of fans for the two years since. Now I have two reasons to be broke (but still happy) at the end of the year.
I wasn’t into TA when Parting The Sea… dropped, but after hearing the album I fell head over heels for the fast pace, emotional depth, and musical aggression. The lyrics were almost quoting exact feelings I’d had prior to, and while listening and discovering my love for the album. Like many other people, I felt as if certain songs were written about or for me. The lyrics hit that close to home. Two years later and TA is one of my favorite bands, putting out more great 7”s than I can keep up with. Now that they’re one of my favorite bands I’ll be anxiously waiting for this new full length.
I got into B&C when I heard their half of their split with Tigers Jaw, and shortly after they dropped Separation which I randomly overheard at work (I used to work at Hot Topic). I liked their 4 songs from the split, and was getting into the random songs I heard from Separation so I ordered it. Once I went through it from start to finish B&C had basically become my favorite band. The soft, mellow, soothing side that would transform into this angry, grungy, screaming beast all the while maintaining beauty throughout had invaded my mind and stolen my heart. It reflected how I felt at that time in my life - calm, collected, hopeful on the outside, but confused, exasperated, and torn apart on the inside. I hadn’t been this excited for music since getting into Underground/Indy Hip Hop acts like P.O.S, Atmosphere, and Aesop Rock. Separation was all I listened to for a LONG time. It became my favorite album of 2011.
So now that I’m a huge fan of both bands, and now that they’ve built some history in the musical places of my heart I’m impatiently waiting to see where these new albums take them, and what direction they’ll take their careers.
I’m also trying to prepare my bank account.
ZN
XXX
“Separation” came out 2 years ago today. LP2 is finished. We’ll see you in the fall.
We entered the studio this week with producer Brad Wood (Sunny Day Real Estate, mewithoutYou, Smashing Pumpkins) to record our third album. Coming out this fall on Deathwish.
I feel like I’ve been waiting on this all year. I’m really excited now. This teaser is beautiful.
Fifth Element: http://bit.ly/hokeyfrightFE
iTunes: http://bit.ly/hokeyfrightitunes
Amazon: http://bit.ly/hokeyfrightamzn
Google Play: http://bit.ly/hokeyfrightgp
@rhymesayers & @fifthelementrse slayed hard with #TheUncluded release! Artwork (courtesy of @theotherfudge), packaging, and extras are all top notch as usual. Besides the fact that AR and Kimya made an awesome record. All this and it’s a day early.. Awesome.
RIP Adam “MCA” Yauch
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Gimnasio #nofiltercoolgymlighting
