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May 16, 2005
police ghost
Jim Yoshii Pile-Up - Silver Sparkler
There are three elements that make this song as fantastic as it is: an irrepressible bassline, Paul Gonzenbach's vocals, and lyrics that tell an evocative story of either extreme depression or debilitating physical illness (it's hard to tell, but given what P-fork recently reported Gonzenbach saying about the content of the album, it's probably physical illness). Jim Yoshii Pile-Up make music in a way that reminds me, in a strange way, of Gary Lutz's writing. Now let me explain that- Lutz writes about some of the most discarded, miserable characters you'll ever come across, but expresses that content by means of some of the most distended, polished, and gorgeous sentences linguistically possible (no exaggeration, the man has talent). The Jim Yoshii Pile-Up's songs are 'sad', but are arranged in such a careful, precise way that it never becomes overbearing or monotonous.
The very ending of 'Silver Sparkler' is remarkable- Paul's vocals and the background vocals become softer and almost dendritic, like the distinct filaments of thread that split off from an old piece of yarn (or twine, I guess, but yarn's nicer). 'Silver Sparkler' is from the forthcoming album, "Picks Us Apart", which should be out some time in July and will be quite good, if this song is any indication.
P.S. Check out this song that the incomparable 20 Jazz Funk Greats put up last week, by White Rose Movement. I've been listening to it 3-10 times a day, and it's just disgustingly good.
Posted by Kevin at May 16, 2005 04:47 PM
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