the dogs choke on their barking
November 4, 2009
“the dogs choke on their barking / when they see alligator-persons in the morning fog”
Yes, I guess that would do it.
I listen to music constantly — at least half if not more of my waking hours. But I don’t listen to playlists, or shuffle my songs, or any such thing. No, I listen to the same album, or the same few albums, obsessively, for days or even weeks at a time. Hell, I’ve listened to the same song over and over again for an hour on occasion.
Right now I’m jumping back and forth between two albums. The above quote is from one, a collection of songs by Roky Erickson called I Have Always Been Here Before (the track is “Cold Night for Alligators”). This is a compilation of cuts that was put together by the foundation responsible for seeing that the mentally damaged Erickson actually receives money from record sales and other licensing fees. It’s not the best compilation, but it’s pretty good. There are a bunch of live tracks and alternative versions on the disc, which is good and bad alternatively. I don’t like the version of “Two-Headed Dog” as much as the album cut, but it’s a solid cut and Roky’s wail is much more emotive.
If you don’t know who Roky Erickson is, check out these links to “Two-Headed Dog” and “I Think of Demons” for a teaser, then buy some Roky Erickson. “Demons” is one of his better-known tracks — almost a love song. “I think of demons / for you.”
The other album I am obsessed with is Man on the Moon: The End of Day by Kid Cudi. You may have heard the hit “Day ‘n’ Nite.” I’ve heard Cudi’s style (and Kanye West’s 808s & Heartbreak album) described as “bleak-beat” and that sounds apt. It’s not often you hear a depressing rap album with production that can accurately be described as minimalist, with confessional lyrics about how the singer was uncomfortable around girls growing up. Even if you hate Cudi, you should be able to appreciate the counterpoint he provides to the rest of the mainstream scene. Although his vocal style is off-putting to begin with, it becomes hypnotic as time goes by, and although his lyrics are generally bland the inventive production more than makes up for them. Check out “Heart of a Lion” or “Sky Might Fall.” Below you’ll find my current favourite track, with some fan video.
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