2010 Overrated, Underrated and Disappointing

[simon reynell]

the game of 'most overrated' always seems more about denigrating the (conformist, insufficiently individual) taste of others - and by implication asserting one's own supposedly greater critical discernment - than anything else.

I agree with this, so won't get drawn into the general discussion, but I was interested in the varying views on Lost Daylight. Fwiw I like the fact that the disc contains two very different sets, but for me the Cage realisation is what makes it an exceptional cd. I love the very early Jennings pieces (Piano Piece 1958 and Piano Piece 1960), but the late 2 (Winter Sun and - especially - Winter Trees) are bordering being too sweet for my taste. I did ask John at one point whether we might drop Winter Trees from the cd, but - reasonably enough - he wanted the disc to include all of Jennings' solo piano works.

[sevenarts]

For what it's worth, I think "Winter Sun" and "Winter Trees" are gorgeous, and I'm very glad they're on the disc. There's a hint of slowed-down jazziness in "Winter Trees" that's interesting in the context of the general delicacy of these pieces, and Tilbury's playing of them. For me, the contrast between the two sets of material - each quite good and interesting individually - is what makes Lost Daylight really indispensable.

[Joda]

and I sold my copy of that Coleclough disc a while back (you always liked him much more than me, I only ever really dug 'Cake'), but now I'm curious to check it out again. my guess before doing so is that your comparison is as offbase as your take on The Breadwinner was, though, too stuck on superficial resemblances and missing the fundamental, crucial differences. I'll report back if I do a comparison, though.

...If you (happen) to need another copy of Period, I'd be more than happy to let go of mine. I find that record dreadfully boring (which surprised me, because I have quite a predisposition towards enjoying ambient-piano-type stuff, that borders on 'cheese' for some).

I am really curious to hear July Mountain though...

[jon abbey]

no, I'm good, thanks. I DLd it in the interim and heard as much as I could stand, not a good comparison at all. it got me to listen to July Mountain again (and then A Wave and Waves), so I was happy about that at least.

[frozen reeds]

One severely underrated disc I wanted to mention:

Tours - The Album Of The Year That Never Was (Cherry Red)

Fantastic Buzzcocks-esque punk-fuelled pop finally unearthed. Their big single at the time, Language School (which John Peel once named his favourite 45 of all time after Teenage Kicks), drove me half insane from repeat play when Cherry Red featured it on their outstanding Perfect Unpop: Peel Show Hits And Long Lost Lo-Fi Favourites compilation in 2008. This follow up was everything I'd hoped it would be and more.

[Dan Warburton]

Didn't that come out in 2009?

[frozen reeds]

It was supposed to, but I pre-ordered and it hit the doormat in March.

[julian]

one record that I don't think was talked about enough, possibly because of the almost simultaneous release of 'motubachii' (Krebs) and 'A Wave and Waves' (Cathnor), is the superb Ernst Karel/Annette Krebs-Falter 1-5 on Cathnor. I still need to spend more time with this one myself, but whenever I do, I find it very rewarding, probably in my top 10-15 for the year.

dunno about 'best' or 'worst' of the year but this is one of my ' most played'
most disappointing has to be the latest 'looper' cd. Love each of the players but this has totally failed to engage me despite looking forward to it a lot

[frozen reeds]

And one more:

Luc Ferrari - Éphémère I & II (Alga Marghen)

For once, a reissue that, instead of just raising a dust cloud of hyperbole and glamour, actually turns a supreme artist's discography on its head. An undiscovered gem turns out to be a career high point (not to mention one for the label), and no one is listening? The main feature, Éphémère II "Lyon 75", realigns Ferrari with the best of American minimalism, and also includes a burst of acoustic guitar psych which might just be one of the most surprising avant garde/rock meeting points ever.

[LBx]

over: most everything.


under: spending a disproportionate amount of time digging for something 'new' when you have a shelf full of greatness behind you going unloved.


disappointment: the re sequencing of the tracks for the Hototogisu ~ Floating Japanese Oof! Gardens Of The 21st Century reissue.

buuut, grateful that it was re released all the same...

[notoriousd]

Probably the most overrated for me was motubachii. I enjoyed listening to it but it wasn't as interesting as all the hype suggested. Also, everyone seems to be talking about Michael Pisaro this year. I tried listening to two of his records, but the music was simply too boring to carry my attention.

Two underrated albums that havn't been talked about much here are:

UpSet - Agostino di Scipio / Mario Gabola
The cigar that talks - Doneda / Russell / Turner

[Dan Warburton]

Probably the most overrated for me was motubachii. I enjoyed listening to it but it wasn't as interesting as all the hype suggested. Also, everyone seems to be talking about Michael Pisaro this year. I tried listening to two of his records, but the music was simply too boring to carry my attention.

That's like a red rag to a bull round these parts! I'll leave you to wave it..

Two underrated albums that havn't been talked about much here are:
UpSet - Agostino di Scipio / Mario Gabola
The cigar that talks - Doneda / Russell / Turner

I quite agree - but the Gabola disc only reached me a couple of weeks ago. How long has it been out?

[barry]

Probably the most overrated for me was motubachii. I enjoyed listening to it but it wasn't as interesting as all the hype suggested. Also, everyone seems to be talking about Michael Pisaro this year. I tried listening to two of his records, but the music was simply too boring to carry my attention

obviously different strokes, etc... just curious as to the two Pisaro's you had a go with?

[notoriousd]

obviously different strokes, etc... just curious as to the two Pisaro's you had a go with?

I tried "2 seconds / b minor / wave" and "fields have ears", I think both of these are from this year. The music in the first album really did not carry my attention, I preferred the music in the second one but i'd heard it all before too many times. I'd rather listen to some RIsset.

Probably the most overrated for me was motubachii. I enjoyed listening to it but it wasn't as interesting as all the hype suggested. Also, everyone seems to be talking about Michael Pisaro this year. I tried listening to two of his records, but the music was simply too boring to carry my attention.

That's like a red rag to a bull round these parts! I'll leave you to wave it..

What I liked most about motubachii was the use of lots of different intervals of silence, but I found dynamically the piece occupied too many extremes, to the extent that I had to keep changing the volume to hear everything that was going on, while also preventing my ears from being damaged. In addition, I found the spectral / timbral quality of many of the sounds was not particularly rich or varied, and the thematic interchange of the sounds sometimes lacked an interesting logic. Still I think the music on this album is good, but just doesn't stand up to the quality of a lot of other electroacoustic music and EAI... an example from this year being AMP 2 - Hopeful Monster, from the Musica Improvvisa box set on Die Schachtel.

[D.D.]

Probably the most overrated for me was motubachii. I enjoyed listening to it but it wasn't as interesting as all the hype suggested. Also, everyone seems to be talking about Michael Pisaro this year. I tried listening to two of his records, but the music was simply too boring to carry my attention.

I agree on motubachii. First track (yeah, last one too, I know) was mildly intriguing, but then it got very boring for me. And this dull slamming sound that is used there repeatedly - just makes me cringe... One of the most "non-musical" Ersts, IMHO. Pisaro I have only one disc, Hearing Metal, and I didn't get much out of it either.

[notoriousd]

the Gabola disc only reached me a couple of weeks ago. How long has it been out?

I think i've had it for about a month...But I ordered it from Gabola so I'm not sure if I got it early. The date of the last recording is late! (Sep 2010) so it might not have been out till mid-late december.

[jon abbey]

tried "2 seconds / b minor / wave" and "fields have ears", I think both of these are from this year. The music in the first album really did not carry my attention, I preferred the music in the second one but i'd heard it all before too many times. I'd rather listen to some RIsset.

Risset? if I was a betting man, I'd bet you heard both of these as MP3s on headphones.

[notoriousd]

tried "2 seconds / b minor / wave" and "fields have ears", I think both of these are from this year. The music in the first album really did not carry my attention, I preferred the music in the second one but i'd heard it all before too many times. I'd rather listen to some RIsset.

Risset? if I was a betting man, I'd bet you heard both of these as MP3s on headphones.

Headphones yes...Lossy media? You have insulted my honour sir!

You might have a point though I havn't listened to music on speakers in months and it seems different on headphones somehow...

[jon abbey]

You might have a point though I havn't listened to music on speakers in months and it seems different on headphones somehow...

I say it here every few months, but it's like the difference between two dimensions and three dimensions, this music needs to live and breathe in the air. you might hate those records anyway, judging by your top 10 list, but listening via speakers if at all possible is essential IMO.

[Dan Warburton]

Word. I didn't get much out of the Pisaro Taku on the first couple of (phones) listens - it began to open up when I played it over the speakers (at normal volume - nothing Niblockian). Still a tough nut to crack, but it's cracking. The Another Timbre Pisaro I find very pleasant, but not as powerful or moving as the Cathnor. But I wouldn't described any Pisaro from 2010 as either overrated or disappointing.