I love instrumental music because it can paint an image of environment that lyrically based songs are often too confined to do. Saxon Shore’s releases have been song oriented, less free form and sprawling or free-jazz inspired than some other instrumental acts. Because of this emphasis, the songs use more traditional melodic tools in a verse chorus verse structure, repeating and returning to themes within a single song. The band has been moving in more electronically influenced sound through some of their performances and tours. This sound is most completely realized in the Luck Will Not Save Us from a Jackpot of Nothing. Here, the traditional bass, guitar, drums band formula gives way to the inclusion of layers of synthesizers and keyboards and electronically derived rhythms. The result isn’t immediately recognizable as Saxon Shore, but the song structure and melodic arrangements begin to reveal that identity. The sound is darker and bleaker, relying on more ambient and soaring sounds, but still accomplishing the song oriented instrumentalism goals. The layers and layers of sounds heighten the listening experience as my mind translates buy ed pills aural to visual images. Luck will Not Save Us from a Jackpot of Nothing shows this different side of Saxon Shore, a beautiful and stark contrast to their energetic and intense live rock alter-ego which is promised to re-emerge on their full-length, The Exquisite Death of Saxon Shore.
Matthew and I went to NYC last night in the rain, arriving a little too late to drop off cds at Fanatic, so we stacked them high in Matt Doty’s apartment. Matt, Matt, Mary, and I all went to see Me Without You at the Knitting Factory after. I haven’t seen them play in a really long time and it was good to see some old friends. Also good to hang out another evening with Johnathon. He’s getting excited about the Magic Hedge remixes, I think there’s going to be a lot of interesting things coming out of Bloomington from he and Dan.
Tonight is the second meeting of the record listening club. More talk about Brian Eno, more about his rock albums and music theory. Sometimes it’s fun to be a music nerd.
:::scott:::