Spencer Brown’s “Stream of Consciousness”

Spencer Brown's 2020 mix album of original compositions "Stream of Consciousness."
As I've mentioned in previous posts, I'm fairly deep in renovating this blog into what hopefully will be viewed as an improvement. I bring this up, not because I enjoy repeating myself, but instead, because it's allowed me to rediscover acts I haven't followed in a good long time … or in some cases, since …

Stranger Things (Soundtrack from the Original Netflix Series)

First off, I'm not going to talk about the popular Netflix series "Stranger Things" - at least, not in any significant depth or detail. If you know the show, then you know why it's regarded with such adoration and acclaim, most notably for its tonally accurate and atmospheric throwback to '80s pop culture entertainment. If …

Orion vs. Alien Project and the arrival of “Cryptic Aliens”

The 2002 compilation "Siesta," featuring Orion vs. Alien Project's single "Cryptic Aliens."
It's a relaxed Sunday afternoon. The air is clean. The remnants of last night's downpour have evaporated. The skies are blue with little fluffy clouds. It's as good a setting as any for some classic psychedelic ambience from collaborators Orion and Alien Project. The track in question is an instrumental tour-de-force of downtempo electronica titled …

Cocteau Twins’ “Heaven or Las Vegas”

An old 4AD Records press photo of the Cocteau Twins. Photo by Paul Cox.
Lately, I've been listening to a lot of Cocteau Twins.  It's because Massive Attack is touring "Mezzanine," and they're bringing Cocteau vocalist Elizabeth Fraser to sing "Teardrop," and a few others she wrote with them.  That's super exciting!  As a sidenote, Liz and Massive Attack are going to be at the Hollywood Palladium at the …

DJ-Kicks: Daniel Avery

British DJ Daniel Avery's "DJ-Kick's" darkly techno mix is not going to be for everyone.  It's fairly relentless and uncompromising.  To some, it might feel too hard, fast, cold, or repetitive, a reaction that often comes with electronic music.  But there's a lot of subtlety going on here.  Avery is a master at what he …