In silence the heart raves. It utters words
Meaningless, that never had
A meaning. I was ten, skinny, red-headed,
- True Love, Robert Penn Warren.

… and in so doing gives stability to the ideas, and qualifies them at once for permanent and universal approval, for being followed by others, and for a continually progressive culture. And so, where the interests of both these qualities clash in a product, and there has to be a sacrifice of something, then it should rather be on the side of genius; and judgement, which in matters of fine art bases its decision on its own proper principles, will more readily endure an abatement of the freedom and wealth of the imagination than that the understanding should be compromised. The requisites for fine art are, therefore, imagination, understanding, soul, and taste.* – Critique of Judgement. SS 50

” Summer 2009. Neo-folk and post-punk. ”

01. Federico Aubele – Este Amor
Amatoria (Eighteenth Street, 2009)
02. Sonic Youth – Stones
Sonic Nurse (2004)
03. Dirty Projectors – Two Doves
Bitte Orca (Domino, 2009)
04. 90 day men – Saint Theresa In Ecstasy
To Everybody (Southern Records, 2002)
05. Grizzly Bear – Southern Point
Veckatimest (Warp, 2009)
06. Neutral Milk Hotel - Holland, 1945
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (Merge Records, 1998)
07. Mi Ami – New Guitar
Watersports (Quarter Stick, 2009)
08. Shellac – Squirrel song
1000 Hurts (Touch & Go Records, 2000)
09. Battles – HI LO
EP C/B EP (Warp, 2007)
10. Peaches – Billionaire
I Feel Cream (2009)
11. Coltrane Motion – The Year Without A Summer (web)
The Year Without A Summer b/w Maya Blue 7″ (Datawaslost, 2007)
12. Freeland – Under Control
Cope™ (Ingrooves, 2009)
13. It Hugs Back - Now + Again
Inside Your Guitar (2008)
14. M. Ward – get to the table on time
Transfiguration of Vincent (Merge Records, 2003)

note: This is about ‘fucking indie’ a post by Existence Machine via BLCKDGRD. Several blogs discussion about Sonic Youth cultural position and its innovation in relationship to recent rock. “Sonic Youth is the fundamental (rockist) fantasy which feeds their allure” and “SY’s precise function for Restoration culture is to be a hypervisible simulation of an alternative within the mainstream”). They are primarily “men (and women) of good taste”

I have a soft spot for Sonic Youth, but I can’t help opining. Almost all musicians exist within context of other music works. SY comes from somewhere and has influenced a generation of musicians. Maybe several of their later albums are created consciously to maintained Sonic Youth ‘sound’, with similar direction no doubt, but I am not terribly picky with works confined under a band name. I can always find out SY members side projects, various work with other bands, etc. (see discogs.com) Their Sonic Youth Records releases are certainly nearly unlistenable to average rock fan (merzbow?), while their “starbuck entertainment” album is downright sugary. (accessible softer songs with narrow dynamic range.) But how a band suppose to bring unusual sound to the larger audience if not by trying several venues? But those are hardly my problem as a listener. All I need to do is asking if I am interested in the music at all. Addictive as it is, I don’t think tying words and cultural labels onto a music piece is as satisfying as actually listen then decide. Or in MdM style, is it interesting as a point of exploration? Does it “blend” and makes one goes hmmm…? In this case, can I create certain moody warmth somewhere between folks and new wave. Yes, I know I am pedestrian, but I like this approach better. All texture, color and form, not much interpretations in words. Anyway here is a little mix between recent folks, post punk, and sonic youth. Lovely in complicated way. I hope you like Sonic Youth if you are thinking they were this or that before.

image: Fabiana Zonca

see also: Sonic Youth, Critique of Judgment