“In Search of the Miraculous” by Mark McGuire // Along the Way (2013 via Inpartment Inc.)

Mark McGuire is an artist that always seems to pop up with something new just when I’ve stopped obsessing over his previous release. His work with Emeralds is amazing work, but his solo work is the stuff that keeps me coming back. Which is probably good, because he’s no longer a member of Emeralds. At any rate, McGuire’s brand of ethereal ambient/drone has developed into something extraordinary these past few years, and this new track, “In Search of the Miraculous” from the forthcoming album, “Along the Way”, is itself, “miraculous”. The track is a shimmering, widescreen slice of psych pop layered with otherwordly vocals and guitars that shift and warp, flowing together in a way that feels like fantasy, but it’s real and you can hit “repeat” as much as you like. It’s really wonderful stuff. Highest recommendation for fans of Emeralds, Motion Sickness of Time Travel, and Skyramps. 

Source:

6mark mcguire, emeralds, psych, drone, ambient, ethereal, guitar, motion sickness of time travel, skyramps, medium, grouper, julianna barwick,

“Hallowe’en” by Sonic Youth // Bad Moon Rising (1986)

Another Halloween track, this one from Sonic Youth’s pitch black album, Bad Moon Rising. I fell asleep to this song on repeat when I was a teenager and woke up terrified in the middle of the night because surely, the foreboding and menacing tone of the song burrowed into my brain and caused me to go a little bit shithouse. Also, there is something especially eerie about Kim Gordon’s speak-sing delivery that creeped me out to no end. No matter. It only helps to further my love for the holiday at hand. 

Source:

6halloween, sonic youth, alternative, guitar, post punk, nowave, kim gordon,