Anyone know what LABRADFORD is up to?

x-posts.

Yeah, I can see that. I wouldn't be able to make a coherent argument that MMN is "the best" though it's the one I most frequently return to. "Fixed: Context" is sounding good, right now.

I think each album grows out of the last, and that they really hit upon their path with the s/t album, perfected it with Mi Media Naranja, took an interesting left turn on E Luxo So, and then made what is essentially the quintessential "Labradford" album with Fixed::Context. Which is to say I can pretty much appreciate why anyone would name any of their albums their favorite, especially from s/t forward.

― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Saturday, July 26, 2014 Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

I was going to rank all the Labradford albums but then I wondered if I did that already in this thread and I came across what I said 4 years ago which is essentially still true.

In any case:

1. Labradford: Mi Media Naranja
2. Labradford: Fixed::Context
3. Pan American: Quiet City
4. Labradford: s/t
5. Pan American: s/t
6. Labradford: E Luxo So
7. Pan American: 360 Business / 360 Bypass
8. Aix Em Klemm: s/t
9. Pan American: Cloud Room, Glass Room
10. Anjou: s/t
11. Anjou: Epithymia
12. Pan American: White Bird Release
13. Labradford: A Stable Reference
14. Pan American: The River Made No Sound
15. Pan American: White Bird Release
16. Pan American: For Waiting, For Chasing
17. Labradford: Prazision

I like all of these records.

I rate A Stable Reference a lot higher, but that may just be because it was the first one I heard. S/t is usually my go-to. Haven't listened to Pan American in forever, should remedy that.

I was just listening to Fixed: : Context last night and swooning all over again. Then I see today that Pan American has a new album coming out in November! I hope Mark Nelson makes records forever.

Well I’m lukewarm on the new Pan American. Lots of guitar, lots of vocals—maybe if you really miss the earliest Labradford albums you will find something to enjoy here. Pan American was feeling almost like a band for a while—I guess that’s sorta what morphed into Anjou. This new album is a return to a solo/side project feel, to my ears.

The last Anjou album was beautiful

I love Labradford but have never connected with any of Mark's solo work. Dunno why

I was listening to "A Stable Reference" on headphones the other day, and noticed for the first time (as far as I remember) the stereo bouncing of quiet cricket chirps from channel to channel.

Paul, I said it up thread more than once but give Quiet City a try, if you haven’t before.

I will! I've lost track of him these past few years but I'm usually open to hearing anything from any of these guys. I think what I never really dug in Pan Am's music was the aspirations to 'dub,'which I never found very convincing

He left the dub vibe behind after the second album.

The last one I heard was either The River Made No Sound or that split CD with Frank Bretschneider

This is really nice! The whole album with the accompanying film is up on Youtube. "Het Volk" is almost ECM-y (but maybe it's the horns). Enjoying this much more than any of the stuff I'd heard previously (which, tbf, was many years ago). Thanks!

Yeah Het Volk and Lights of Little Towns are both so lovely. Glad you like it!

Seeing Pan*American this Saturday at the International Museum of Surgical Science!

Show was super cool, Mark Nelson is great at looping stuff. It did get a bit distracting that by the end most people were sitting on the floor. That, and the two dudes front and center absolutely tripping balls. One guy looked kind of like a chill hiker or tacky-sacker or something. He kept staring at his hands or pawing at or petting his pal, who was this giant bearded hulk of a man who largely remained absolutely still. Basically looked like a wiggly Han Solo and Chewbacca. Anyway, I was impressed that despite it all they still largely respected personal space, to the best of their abilities. The smaller guy even made a couple of trips to the bar for wine, which ... is maybe not the choice I would have made. But he didn't spill it, said excuse me, smiled at people, and yeah, the person next to him had to scoot a bit when he finally, awkwardly sat down, but it's not like he was rolling around.

Anyway, the show was a beaut. Nelson switched between guitar, lap steel and dulcimer, each dripping with echo and other effects. The austere setting only added to the effect.

Sorry to raise hopes of a new release/freak people out because of an early death but...

Things I was old when I realised: this lot (I assume) are named after a basketball player.

Now this is some greatness

Who’s the coolest band/artist you’ve seen at a wedding? I ask because I know I’m gonna win: Labradford.

— Marc Masters (@Marcissist) February 26, 2021

It was in Virginia in the early 90s in a church, they set up in a balcony and played ambient drone as people settled into seats, before the traditional procession music. It got REALLY loud near the end. The groom had grown up with and played in bands with them.

— Marc Masters (@Marcissist) February 26, 2021

YSI?

WOw.

New Pan*American inbound:

https://panamerican.bandcamp.com/album/the-patience-fader

New Pan*American album is out today. Liking this more than the last one so far.

As PA albums go this one is more on the guitar-based side of the fence, not so much electronic elements.