STEVE ALBINI

Esben and the Witch - "The Jungle". My favorite piece of later-day Albini engineering. It is hard to imagine this post-rock build-up working without the drum sound, and the way each element has a turn in the foreground as it starts, yet it maintains the tone of a live performance. Also, the way the Sketches-of-Spain trumpet appears halfway through, and is mixed in the middle-ground, mournful but out of reach. Eventually all the elements dart around the synth gurgles, and come together for a metallic crescendo. So much to balance, while still maintaining the sound of a power trio + guests.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAWmOoVJvIU

Idk why this one popped into my head but I had a listen through this record for the first time in ages last night, fun French post-hardcore troika, kinda bare bones, you can see why they chose Steve to engineer the record.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWOlnglKDcI

Cranked SUNN O))) Life Metal this evening and although not my absolute favourite of theirs you can sense the love with which that huge sound was wrestled to tape. Amazing to hear tiny elements suspended in perfect clarity against the tectonic drones.

xp love that Sloy album, a friend gave it to me years ago and it still rocks!

Letter to Nirvana

https://x.com/Nirvana/status/1788363101068509223

Fucking legend.

Anyone knows if there is an Albini only version of Newsom’s Y’s? Not a fan of Van Dyke Parks arrangements for it.

That letter is amazing

Yeah I know he had a certain animosity about working with them but huge respect for doing it without compromising his morals.

goddammit. pic.twitter.com/zhjXgERq1q

— apr-y-l (@aprylhm) May 9, 2024

I need to watch that whole episode

with Anthony Bourdain

I thought I'd seen every No Reservations but I don't remember the Chicago episode at all

at first i thought it was editing, but he goes into that huge sandwich for a bite or two and then follows it with some ice cream. that's some true midwest shit.

I was worried for a moment that was from the bad Chicago episode but it's from the good one. In the bad one, he also eats dinner with Mancow

Bourdain, that is. I doubt Albini would have ever been anywhere near Mancow

Had no idea he lived in my neighborhood. Was reading his Grub Street Diet and he mentioned buying pork shoulder at the grocery store I go to every week.

Here 'tis -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lZoLBU1egw

Ahhh, it's Parts Unknown. Completely forgot that it wasn't always No Reservations.

Saw Orchid last night in Brooklyn and their intro was having everyone listen to "Prayer to God" in the dark. It was kind of amazing but also made me sad.