Heavy Rotation – Feb 2013

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I am going to try something new for this month’s collection of recommended music. A theme. I really enjoyed putting this set together so if you connect with this new approach I will continue it going forward.

Through a series of serendipitous discoveries, much of the music I listened to in Feb could be classified as “side projects” of well-known musicians/groups. I hope you enjoy!

Retribution Gospel Choir – S/T

This project started out as a “live only” pairing between two of my favorite minimalist songwriters: Alan Sparhawk of Low and Mark Kozelek of Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon. Unlike their respective main groups, this release is rife with thick, sludgy guitar riffs and higher energy throughout.

Desertshore – Drawing of Threes

Speaking of Red House Painters and slower-paced music. Originally formed by guitarist, and frequent Mark Kozelek collaborator Phil Carney, Drawing of Threes is an incredibly evocative collection of patient, finely-crafted songs.

The Wooden Birds – Magnolia

This project was created by Andrew Kenny, better known as the frontman for drone-pop sensation, The American Analog Set. Full of hypnotic and deceptively simple lines, Magnolia leverages a similar hushed and lo-fi approach to full effect.

Jason Molina – Let Me Go, Let Me Go, Let Me Go

Shedding his full band for just a guitar and sparse field recordings/found sounds, Magnolia Electric Co. lead, Jason Molina, crafts haunting and somber songs. Not for the light-hearted.

That’s it for this round of Heavy Rotation. Thanks for reading and listening along. Until next month, happy listening!

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