piano-bass-drums. looooooooooong songs. 30-70 mins. rhythms owing much more to can or neu! than art blakey. (yet still hovering *just* this side of jazz.) jazz-minimalism? (if such a thing exists.) their "sex" is one of the greatest christmas-y records i know (like an idiot i left it off my "top 50 of the 90s" list), winter in a bottle, with an almost imperceptibly shifting rhythmic bed weaving for almost an hour with the most heartbreaking sprinkles of piano precipitation atop. winter in a bottle. "aquatic" and "hanging gardens" sound like autumnal answers to "future days" with it's trade winds and sea spray.
― jess, Wednesday, 12 December 2001 01:00 (11 years ago) Permalink
― Tom, Wednesday, 12 December 2001 01:00 (11 years ago) Permalink
go to hell.
"Num num" cannot be applied to krautjazz however good it is.
and why not?
― Gage-o, Wednesday, 12 December 2001 01:00 (11 years ago) Permalink
― philT, Wednesday, 12 December 2001 01:00 (11 years ago) Permalink
― Phil, Wednesday, 12 December 2001 01:00 (11 years ago) Permalink
Oh, and I don't see why one would have to be doing much else while listening. I can use this just like I use all my other music.
― Josh, Thursday, 13 December 2001 01:00 (11 years ago) Permalink
(i have now just ruined this cd for josh.)
― jess, Thursday, 13 December 2001 01:00 (11 years ago) Permalink
― Josh, Sunday, 19 May 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink
― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 19 May 2002 00:00 (11 years ago) Permalink
coming to Los Angeles (REDCAT) in February what what
― admrl, Thursday, 1 January 2009 01:26 (4 years ago) Permalink
Happy new year?
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 1 January 2009 01:30 (4 years ago) Permalink
i fucking hope so, ned
― admrl, Thursday, 1 January 2009 03:37 (4 years ago) Permalink
Playing on Brian Turner's show on WFMU in a couple of hours.
Tony Buck really kicked out the fucking jams during their piece in Knoxville Saturday night.
― WmC, Tuesday, 10 February 2009 17:52 (4 years ago) Permalink
wtf this just ended?
― sonderangerbot, Tuesday, 10 February 2009 20:01 (4 years ago) Permalink
No, BT's show just started 15 minutes ago. I don't know exactly where the Necks performance is going to place within the 3-hour show.
― WmC, Tuesday, 10 February 2009 20:16 (4 years ago) Permalink
starting now
― WmC, Tuesday, 10 February 2009 21:06 (4 years ago) Permalink
yes! thanks for the tip
― sonderangerbot, Tuesday, 10 February 2009 21:12 (4 years ago) Permalink
coooool, this is sounding great.
― tylerw, Tuesday, 10 February 2009 21:16 (4 years ago) Permalink
that was fucking awesome to put it mildly. I hope I can catch them live in May
― sonderangerbot, Tuesday, 10 February 2009 22:12 (4 years ago) Permalink
yeah that was very good
― tylerw, Tuesday, 10 February 2009 22:14 (4 years ago) Permalink
going to see them tonight at le poisson rouge.
― paper plans (tipsy mothra), Tuesday, 10 February 2009 22:28 (4 years ago) Permalink
(also interested to check out poisson rouge, haven't been there yet.)
jealous
― tylerw, Tuesday, 10 February 2009 22:31 (4 years ago) Permalink
I saw stars of the lid there. the venue is, uh, ugly... but the place has plenty of seats and its pretty cozy. nice atmosphere for a sotl show. would go back.
wanted to go to the necks show tonight but I'm sick. :-/
― Alan N, Tuesday, 10 February 2009 22:37 (4 years ago) Permalink
I just came back from their SF show-- a friend described the effect as a "time warp"-- I agreed, but still kind of felt a bit let down for reasons I can't put my finger on. It was as if they began playing a song that they never had any intention of finishing... an hour's tour of the intros to half a dozen tunes. I think it didn't help that I had most recently listened to "Drive By" and somehow thought that they would play that sort of material. I was impressed by their ability to sound like more than 3 people. The music did sort of wash over you, and as an experience was interesting overall.
― WARS OF ARMAGEDDON (Karaoke Version) (Sparkle Motion), Saturday, 21 February 2009 07:18 (4 years ago) Permalink
Heard the Boston show- it was one of the best things I've heard in years. Very much in the vein of "Aether." Everyone I went with was blown away. Good enough to inspire me to write on the internet.
― skordalia, Saturday, 21 February 2009 14:30 (4 years ago) Permalink
i liked the nyc show, but i wanted it to go on a little longer. i felt like they really only hit their peak about 10-15 minutes before the end. i didn't mind how long it took to get there -- there was a lot of good stuff in the opening 30-45 minutes -- but if they'd sustained it for another 10 minutes or so it could have been mind-blowing instead of just pretty cool.
― paper plans (tipsy mothra), Saturday, 21 February 2009 15:27 (4 years ago) Permalink
anybody record that WFMU performance?
― tylerw, Saturday, 21 February 2009 15:43 (4 years ago) Permalink
No need, it's archived.
― WmC, Saturday, 21 February 2009 16:00 (4 years ago) Permalink
so, i had forgotten about this band until they were brought up in the Terre Thaemlitz/DJ Sprinkles thread, oddly enough...and i've been listening to 'Drive-By' just about every day since then.
should i get Hanging Gardens next? what say you, necks fanatics.?
― gonna be a long hot summer for the MS Word paperclip (the table is the table), Sunday, 19 July 2009 19:15 (3 years ago) Permalink
Go for Chemist if you liked Drive By
― WARS OF ARMAGEDDON (Karaoke Version) (Sparkle Motion), Sunday, 19 July 2009 20:19 (3 years ago) Permalink
You can't go wrong with any of them, but I'd recommend Hanging Gardens if you liked Drive-By.
― henry s, Sunday, 19 July 2009 20:46 (3 years ago) Permalink
Drive By is pretty awesome iirc thank you to that thread
― ❊❁❄❆❇❃✴❈plaxico❈✴❃❇❆❄❁❊ (I know, right?), Sunday, 19 July 2009 20:55 (3 years ago) Permalink
Drive-by is head and shoulders above most of their other stuff, imo. Their masterpiece. And i really like most of the other stuff.
The next best is Aether but that's totally different
― ryan, Sunday, 19 July 2009 20:57 (3 years ago) Permalink
new alb out i understand. how is it?
― sonderangerbot, Monday, 4 January 2010 20:21 (3 years ago) Permalink
Guitarish by all accounts. Curious to hear it.
― We should have called Suzie and Bobby (NickB), Monday, 4 January 2010 21:06 (3 years ago) Permalink
love this band but this is one of the most uncomfortable thread titles of all time tbh
― what u think i steen for to push a crawfish? (BIG HOOS aka the steendriver), Monday, 4 January 2010 22:28 (3 years ago) Permalink
now i really want to hear it.
― nerve_pylon, Monday, 4 January 2010 22:40 (3 years ago) Permalink
http://mapsadaisical.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/the-necks-silverwater-rer/
― We should have called Suzie and Bobby (NickB), Monday, 4 January 2010 22:48 (3 years ago) Permalink
A little guitar drops in just before 30 minutes in. Very odd to hear. Otherwise it sounds like The Necks. Strange insect percussion rattles. Double bass groove. Amazing drum textures. Big drum patterns that swallow everything else. Awesome fucking band.
― exploding angel vagina (Scik Mouthy), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 19:50 (3 years ago) Permalink
Still curious, but man I was hoping it was acoustic guitar.
― ogmor, Tuesday, 12 January 2010 20:54 (3 years ago) Permalink
looking forward to hearing this
― an american hippie in israel (Jordan), Tuesday, 12 January 2010 20:56 (3 years ago) Permalink
Anyone seen their current tour? Is it worth driving 2h (possibly/probably) by myself?
― Sundar, Thursday, 21 January 2010 05:12 (3 years ago) Permalink
What other music in the world is anything like "Aether"?
― admrl, Sunday, 20 June 2010 00:44 (2 years ago) Permalink
http://www.britishmac.com/worldofwill/pizzaguide/Supermarket%20Fresh/Sainsburys-PizzaExpressAmer.gif
― Ward Fowler, Wednesday, 13 October 2010 21:51 (2 years ago) Permalink
oops
well huh. as american as "peperoni" and jalapeno peppers.
― the parking garage has more facebook followers than my band (Jordan), Wednesday, 13 October 2010 21:52 (2 years ago) Permalink
the google image search for "american hot" is kind of awesome all around
― the parking garage has more facebook followers than my band (Jordan), Wednesday, 13 October 2010 21:53 (2 years ago) Permalink
five date UK tour: http://www.soundandmusic.org/projects/time-being-harold-buddthe-necks-double-bill
paging, in particular, N Southall
― Amazing pic of the universe! - VERY NSFW (DJ Mencap), Tuesday, 23 August 2011 17:29 (1 year ago) Permalink
Just got an email from the Big Ears mailing list yesterday -- they're playing Knoxville mid-September. Haven't checked to see what other dates they have. Highly recommended!
― L.P. Hovercraft (WmC), Tuesday, 23 August 2011 17:30 (1 year ago) Permalink
Indeed, just arou d the corner from me. Shall be buying tickets as soon as I get paid.
― Sick Mouthy (Scik Mouthy), Tuesday, 23 August 2011 17:40 (1 year ago) Permalink
Playing Angel City Jazz Festival here in LA in two weeks. I will be there
― Pizzataco Five (admrl), Wednesday, 7 September 2011 21:16 (1 year ago) Permalink
I don't think Raab gets enough love - I could listen to the initial piano section all day.
― toby, Thursday, 8 September 2011 10:00 (1 year ago) Permalink
ALso playing London in november, cant wait
― straightola, Thursday, 8 September 2011 15:28 (1 year ago) Permalink
The Necks show is tonight and I am going. Two sets with a short intermission. Should be rad!!
― your girlfriend on facebook (admrl), Thursday, 22 September 2011 23:01 (1 year ago) Permalink
nummy num
― kid ᒓᴥᒔ (Whiney G. Weingarten), Thursday, 22 September 2011 23:04 (1 year ago) Permalink
koala!
― your girlfriend on facebook (admrl), Thursday, 22 September 2011 23:05 (1 year ago) Permalink
So far so good. Three sets to go this weekend.
― toby, Friday, 18 November 2011 21:11 (1 year ago) Permalink
has anyone heard the new album?
― ryan, Friday, 18 November 2011 21:45 (1 year ago) Permalink
are there other bands that sound like these guys?
― Know how Roo feel (LocalGarda), Wednesday, 26 September 2012 11:34 (8 months ago) Permalink
Not really, that I know of; bits of The Necks sound a bit like other artists (Aether sounds a bit like Stars of the Lid, as mentioned above), and bits of other artists sound like The Necks (In A Silent Way by Miles Davis, Future Days by CAN, bits of Beak maybe). A couple of bits of the Swans album almost (but other bits REALLY NOT). Some Tortoise. You might get a similar vibe off some Neu. There might be lots of minimal jazz acts out there that I don't know of, I suppose.
I'd suggest just getting as many Necks albums as you can; I've got about eight now, I think.
― comedy is unnatural and abhorrent (Scik Mouthy), Wednesday, 26 September 2012 11:55 (8 months ago) Permalink
Bits of Boredoms, maybe.
― comedy is unnatural and abhorrent (Scik Mouthy), Wednesday, 26 September 2012 11:56 (8 months ago) Permalink
strange place for snow - estchanging places - tord gustavsen trio6 - supersilent
― Ward Fowler, Wednesday, 26 September 2012 12:04 (8 months ago) Permalink
I thought baout mentioning est but I feel like they were more 'straight jazz' than Ronan's probably after. Ditto the likes of Polar Bear.
― comedy is unnatural and abhorrent (Scik Mouthy), Wednesday, 26 September 2012 12:21 (8 months ago) Permalink
yeah I've been looking for something that sounds like "Drive-by" forever.
― ryan, Wednesday, 26 September 2012 12:57 (8 months ago) Permalink
Chemist and Hanging Gardens might be your best bets.
― comedy is unnatural and abhorrent (Scik Mouthy), Wednesday, 26 September 2012 13:26 (8 months ago) Permalink
yeah i guess miles davis is the only other thing i listen to that is like the necks. i don't mind actual jazz suggestions, but am also curious about people inhabiting the weird space that the necks do.
will check out some of the above recs.
― Know how Roo feel (LocalGarda), Wednesday, 26 September 2012 13:29 (8 months ago) Permalink
Very pissed i missed the gig at VU the other day, was flattened from FN6. Supersilent are the band i listen to in this vein the most, theyre playing with john paul jones soon which should be awesome. In a more classical direction the arpeggios in the piano work always reminds me of hans otte
― straightola, Wednesday, 26 September 2012 15:40 (8 months ago) Permalink
yeah really annoyed also... i just couldn't afford it, i should have bought a ticket before being stuck into diploma down-payments.
they prob will be back tho.
― Know how Roo feel (LocalGarda), Wednesday, 26 September 2012 15:45 (8 months ago) Permalink
Loooooooove these guys, collecting everything, and since I am in the NW USA I will most likely never see them *sob*
― Brakhage, Wednesday, 26 September 2012 19:32 (8 months ago) Permalink
>are there other bands that sound like these guys?
Talk Talk's Laughing Stock sounds like a starting point for a lot of Necks stuff. If you took passages from LS and stretched them out for 20 minutes you might end up with "Chemist", or "Drive-by" if you kept stretching
― bham, Thursday, 27 September 2012 12:14 (8 months ago) Permalink
it's not often mentioned along with their best, but "Silverwater" is maybe my second favorite after "Drive-by"
― ryan, Thursday, 27 September 2012 15:56 (8 months ago) Permalink
I think Silverwater and Mindset are absolutely the best!! After that comes the 4 disc live box! And then probably Aether and Drive By. I especially love how Buck has been using more and more interesting percussion effects nowadays. Some recent live things I have downloaded/ripped show them continuing along these lines and I couldn't be more pleased.
I know of no one who sounds similar apart from the aforementioned Miles album In A Silent Way and perhaps the Circle album Tower.
― liam fennell, Thursday, 27 September 2012 18:11 (8 months ago) Permalink
man, can we get this thread title changed. love the necks, hate the title.
― tylerw, Thursday, 27 September 2012 18:18 (8 months ago) Permalink
maybe some matthew shipp stuff?
this live tortoise bootleg i have?
― farte blanche (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Thursday, 27 September 2012 18:29 (8 months ago) Permalink
i haven't listend to Mindset very much! gonna pull that one out again.
― ryan, Thursday, 27 September 2012 22:39 (8 months ago) Permalink
Portico Quartet are rather Necksy. (Necksesque?)
― bham, Friday, 28 September 2012 08:27 (8 months ago) Permalink
So glad this thread popped up, listened to townsville this morning on the way to work and it blew the hangover clean out of me. They are playing here a couple of times a year these days so I live in hope. There really should be more bands like these guys, I would be one of them if i had the chops
― straightola, Friday, 28 September 2012 09:29 (8 months ago) Permalink
Yeah, will cosign with Portico Quartet and strongly recommend the current album (eponymous, I think) to Ronan.
― comedy is unnatural and abhorrent (Scik Mouthy), Monday, 22 October 2012 12:22 (7 months ago) Permalink
strange place for snow - est
Thank you for this. Where has this record been all my life??
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Monday, 22 October 2012 14:12 (7 months ago) Permalink
Oh man if you like that run out for Tuesday Wonderland.
― comedy is unnatural and abhorrent (Scik Mouthy), Monday, 22 October 2012 14:14 (7 months ago) Permalink
On it. Thanks! I think I may have to become an EST completist...
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Monday, 22 October 2012 14:48 (7 months ago) Permalink
Easily done, sadly - the main guy died a few years ago, when he was still only in his 40s.
― comedy is unnatural and abhorrent (Scik Mouthy), Monday, 22 October 2012 15:21 (7 months ago) Permalink
That sucks. Such beautiful music.
How do you rate Somewhere Else Before? That one's super cheap on Amazon...
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Monday, 22 October 2012 15:50 (7 months ago) Permalink
Holy shit. Finally gave "Townsville" an attentive listen. Those last ten minutes are sublime.
― ryan, Wednesday, 24 October 2012 00:00 (7 months ago) Permalink
Wiki tells me somewhere else before is a compilation. Afraid I don't know it. Know falling, snow, and wonderland best - all very good.
― comedy is unnatural and abhorrent (Scik Mouthy), Wednesday, 24 October 2012 10:34 (7 months ago) Permalink
Sex is one of the greatest longform grooves in any genre ever
― A fat, shit, jittery fraud of a messageboard poster (Noodle Vague), Friday, 14 December 2012 15:30 (6 months ago) Permalink
Yes
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Friday, 14 December 2012 15:46 (6 months ago) Permalink
hell yes- the first album I heard by them and still the best imo
― WARS OF ARMAGEDDON (Karaoke Version) (Sparkle Motion), Saturday, 15 December 2012 01:02 (6 months ago) Permalink
I've never heard Sex.
― comedy is unnatural and abhorrent (Scik Mouthy), Saturday, 15 December 2012 08:35 (6 months ago) Permalink
Sex (not, uh, sex) has never done much for me. it's pleasant but it never gets into that really sublime "zone" that The Necks seem to achieve in their best stuff. it just kinda goes along.
― ryan, Saturday, 15 December 2012 17:30 (6 months ago) Permalink
Piano, Bass, Drums seems to go for something similar and seems better to me.
― ryan, Saturday, 15 December 2012 17:52 (6 months ago) Permalink
I've heard PBD, albeit years ago, and it was pretty awesome.
― comedy is unnatural and abhorrent (Scik Mouthy), Saturday, 15 December 2012 20:48 (6 months ago) Permalink
i sort of despair at most likely never getting to see these guys live.
― ryan, Saturday, 15 December 2012 21:12 (6 months ago) Permalink