Earth: s/d, c/d?

"Extra-Capsular Extraction" is the first Earth LP. Ostensibly and EP, but there's no reason to propagate bullshit. It's a fucking album. Some will know it as "the one with Kurdt Cobain on it." Others won't. It fuggin' RULES, bro. Up there with "Earth 2" as the best shit they ever put out. Like having drug-sex with really hot snails. At 3.333 RPM.

"Earth 2" comes next. And it's even better (if only 'cuz it's longer). Totally fucking gorgeous, smeary, ecstatic drug drone. Absolutely natural and essential. Like if you gave a pineal gland a guitar, this is the record that gland would make. If, you know, it had hands or something... Yeah, sure, you could accurately describe it as the grunge version of some miserable new-age "cosmic tones" bullshit, but it transcends any labels you stick on it. The sound of the universe breathing. My favorite record of '93, and a top-ten contender ever since.

Ummm, and then you get "Phase 3: Thrones and Dominions". A HUGE step down in quality. The layered, primordial, multitracked sonic tarpit gets traded in for comparatively clean, straightforward guitar tones. Simple harmonies. "Songs". Nothing is ever really given room to build and resonate, and you just don't get the same feeling of "TOTAL PHYSICAL/PSYCHIC CONNECTION TO THE FUCKING UNIVERSAL SOUND, DUDE." Some good pieces, and not a terrible record by any means, but a disappointment nonetheless.

The "significant" portion of Earth's career winds up with "Pentastar: In the Style of Demons". Now, at the time of this album's release, it felt like the death-knell for Earth (which, in fact, it turned out to be). They simply weren't the band they hand been, and didn't seem to know what they wanted to do next. The comparatively clean tones of the previous album return, with an ever greater emphasis on "songwriting" and "rocking out." Some GREAT stuff here, and it's undeniably a better record than "Phase 3," but it's also awkward and half-formed. Do not start here.

THEE APOCRYPHA:

45 of early Cobain-era stuff: okay, and a fine addition to the sub-canon. Not really essential, tho.

"Sunn Amps and Smashed Guitars": another slice of prime-period (early 90s) material that doesn't meet the standards set by the first couple albums. Recommended to fans.

That German art museum live 12": skip it.

"Living in the Gleam of an Unsheathed Sword": great title -- boring record.

K.K. Null split: worth it only for the K.K. Null stuff.

Sunn0))) split: haven't heard it.

"Hex: or Printing in the Infernal Method": Surprisingly decent. Not comparable to the Earth of old, but fully-formed and interesting. Better, certainly, than "Phase 3". Not as rocking as "Pentatstar", but of comparable quality.

Note in closing: Sunn0))) never hit the heights set by Earth. In the early days, their sound very much resembled Earth's, and they even (jokingly?) pegged themselves as an "Earth tribute band". But for all the sturm und drone, their early records remain curiously detached and cerebral. Heavy as hell, but landlocked and tedious in a way that Earth's best material never was.

Over the last few albums (the "White" records and "Black One"), Sunn0))) have finally come into their own. They no longer sound in the least like Earth, and they're all the better for it. While it's a very different kettle of fish, "Black One" is a FANTASTIC record. Up there with "Extra-Capsular" and "Earth 2".

Why am I typing? Shit, why do I fucking EXIST?.

*sob*

(I just listened to it, and liked it.)

If (like me) you think "Pentastar" is substantially weaker than the first couple albums, then it becomes a dicier proposition. "Phase 3" is definitely the worst of the four canonical Earth albums, though it does contain a few stellar tracks.

For what it's worth, I'm glad I own a copy...

[...] Downer use at atrocious, possibly toxic levels in remaining member of band. Fall of '93 recording begins on Phase3. D.Carlson , for a variety of sordid reasons, misses the first 2 ½ days of recording. For these sessions Tommy Hansen (formerly of the Fartz and Crisis Party) plays second guitar. Sub-Pop pull the plug on the sessions. Anger and recriminations follow. Earth's standing with the Company are at a low-ebb. D.C.'s imminent demise predicted. Ian Dickson leaps into the breach and stakes job on completion of record. A year later (fall '94) sessions are booked at the Soundhouse with Scott Benson on the board. Rick Cambern does drums
on one track. Sessions in trouble Ian locks D.C. in isolation booth for 6 hours. Due to a medical emergency the sessions crash to a halt. D.C.: "_____ went out in the bathroom, Scott won't keep recording." Ian: " How much do we have recorded, is it enough for a record ?" D.C.: " It's 58 minutes, long enhough." The album is a critical masterpiece (well, at least 2 critics). Phase 3 released April '95.

Southern Lord recording artists Earth have finished the recording and mastering of their latest album tentatively entitled Hibernaculam. The audio material consists of (3) old Earth classics redone in a different, stark and clean tone (ala the "Hex" material) plus the track "A Plague of Angels" which was previously available on a rare tour-only 12".

The album will be a special dual CD/DVD "hybrid". With the audio mentioned above on one side, an Earth documentary filmed by Seldon Hunt lies on the other. The documentary features many interviews with Dylan Carlson and live footage from the groups 2006 European tour.

Track-listing:
CD SIDE:
1. Ouroboros Is Broken
2. Coda Maestoso In F (Flat) Minor
3. Miami Morning Coming Down
4. A Plague of Angels (2006 mix)
DVD Side:
-Earth Documentary with interviews and live footage (filmed by Seldon Hunt)

Personel:
Dylan Carlson: Fender Telecaster
Adrienne Davies: Drums
Jonas Haskins: BassVI & Rickenbacker
Steve Moore: Trombone & Wurlitzer
Don McGreevy: Fender Bass

Hibernaculam will be released on Southern Lord in the first half of 2007; more info coming soon!

"high command" = \m/(>_<)\m/

The new one is on them internets ! sounds good so far.

"a harder, more rock and American Gospel-oriented, and improvisational direction"

Pentastar has always been my favorite. Can't think of an album that's better to work to. Drone rock at its finest and most minimal.

Earth 2 is classic, I know of no other album that can be played in my apartment that will have my neighbors friends start knocking.

earth's definitely classic. i'm kicking myself now because i saw pentastar for super cheap but passed it up. earth 2 is great but i like the sparse country drone stuff too. hex is excellent.

not really 'country' obv. but you get the idea.

Yeah, like the new one, you mean?

the brand new one is the one with Frisell on it, yes?

yesh

I was introe'd to these guys on the weekend via Pentastar, which was really good!

"i'm kicking myself now because i saw pentastar for super cheap but passed it up."

the new reissues are cheap. vinyl is like ten bucks.

cool!

haven't heard the new one, xposts.

I had a flat promo cd of Pentastar that I bought when it was new for a few bucks. Kicked myself for years on missing the original vinyl. Once I saw the reissues advertised, I bought myself a nice 12" version and Dj the finale on a pretty regular basis. One of my favorite guitar solos ever--right up there with Paul Leary and Elliot Easton as far as its succintness, melodic quality, and epic feel.

You guys know that Cobain played on the first album, right?

Earth will still occasionally end a set with something from Pentastar. (They did at the in-store last spring during EMP)

x-post - Nate, yup

i still have my promo cd of pentastar. i love that album too. i guess i like it cuz it's the most "rock" earth album. i dunno. it's just cool.

I wish there was a whole genre of albums like Pentastar.

I once had a dream that I started a tribute band to that album called HighH Command. Yess, with 3 "H"s.

ps - where do you live Scott? I owe you a bong hit someday.

I like Pentastar, but then I put on something by Fu Manchu or Torche, and I feel like changing to an Earth album where Dylan is undoubtedly trumping everyone. Does that make sense?

I love Torche too though.

not really into the hendrix cover. is pentastar the only earth album with vocals?

extra-capsular has some vocals.

"I like Pentastar, but then I put on something by Fu Manchu or Torche, and I feel like changing to an Earth album where Dylan is undoubtedly trumping everyone. Does that make sense?

It makes sense except that I just don't hear it that way. It seems so incredibly stoned and laid back. They're not even trying to rock really... and yet in places it does anyway. It's got a total savant quality that probably shouldn't work, but does (for me anyway).

Pentastar was always my favourite, was great when they played coda maestoso in f(flat) minorin Glasgow when they toured with Sunn o)))

Dud = searching this band on ILM.

Hibernaculum is one of my favorite (non)albums of 2007, like this probably more than the older stuff by them I've heard. The DVD was crap though. Is the new one out yet?

I liked the DVD. But yes, I agree Hibernaculum was excellent.

There were some interesting interviews, but visually it didn't really match the music, all grey and grainy.

Does the new one have a release date?

There's nothing on the Southern Lord site about it. It sounds great on first listen, though.