Ipod shuffle #4

1. Une Correspondance - Naked City

John Zorn doesn't like to repeat himself, so he constantly changed the basis of his Naked City group much to the dismay of some of his critics and followers. In his album Abstinthe he 100% abandons any sort of tonality or melody; it is, essentially, noise. But it is ambient noise in that it is quite approachable and can be heard in the background to some extent. It shares similarities to Naked City's previous output in its sporadic changes, but now the music consists of industrial and mechanical sounds. Despite this, it is listenable and doesn't become overwhelming to the ears.

2. Get a Life - Frank Zappa

By far Zappa's most substantial work, Civiliazation Phaze III is the treasure tove in Zappa's vast discography. You could call this 'serious composition', but that does not prevent Zappa from integrating all sorts of snorks and comic sounds into the mix. By now Zappa had truly mastered the synclavier, and this smidgen of music is him at his zenith.

3. Hobo Chang Ba - Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band

This has to be one of my favourite tracks from Trout Mask. It totally rails against the rules of music; Beefheart sings at a completely key to the rest of the group and the little guitar prelude bears no resemble to the rest of the music following it. This is the result you get when you carefully construct music from piano lines from someone who can't play piano, but what marvelous results! I think that people who see Trout Mask has something to painstakingly 'sit through' on the rare occasion completely miss the point; it is something to return to again to pick certain tracks from and marvel at the intricacies of the work. The seemingly disjointed guitars actually complement each other at the beginning, but the moment when the whole group unite and play at a steadier beat never ceases to exhilarate me.

4. Unwind - Sonic Youth

This is a good bit of upbeat pop, but with distorted guitars playing against each other much in the same way as Beefheart. The album Washing Machine is their best. Two minutes into the song, it is all instrumental and the music keeps builduing up, resulting in a flurry of emotion. Sonic Youth are by far one of the most interesting bands to have emerged from mainstream rock in the mid 90s.

5. I Surrender, Dear - Thelonious Monk

Monk was one of the most radical and innovating jazz pianists, but his music still remains within the bounds of harmony and tonality. This trackconsits of astounding piano playing of him unaccompanied and it serves as great proof of his talent and versatility. It follows a basic premise and theme but is otherwise improvised. The track is highly playful and doesn't back away from going the full way. If Cecil Taylor frustrates and flusters you, turn to Monk!