On this mournful offering, Cave’s poetic reflections on loss, longing, and loneliness slowly float down a river of gloomy synth drones, somber strings, and sparse piano. While not exactly uplifting, the album has a sense of peace and beauty that continues up through the repeating final refrain, “and it’s alright now”.
Tag: Death
Comus – First Utterance
Style: Avant-Folk, Progressive Folk
Moods: Ominous, Forest, Surreal, Dark, Theatrical, Disturbing, Hallucinatory, Mysterious, Ritualistic, Aggressive, Complex, Shadowy
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Percussive, Chamber Arrangements, Technical
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar (6 & 12-Strings), Violin, Viola, Oboe, Flute, Percussion, Electric Bass
J Dilla – Donuts
Style: Instrumental Hip-Hop, Plunderphonics
Vibe: Bittersweet, Groovy, Heartfelt, Love, Warm, Lush
Musical Attributes: Sampling, Vignettes, Loops, Sound Collage, Rhythmic, Repetitive
Holy Sons – Raw & Disfigured
Style: Loner Folk, Psych Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Introspective, Loner, Dark, Nocturnal, Psychedelic
Lyrical Themes: Philosophical, Existential, Death, Personal
Shabaka & the Ancestors – We Are Sent Here by History
Style: South African Jazz, Spiritual Jazz, Progressive Jazz
Vibe: Conscious, Intense, Ritualistic, Cathartic
Lyrical Themes: History, Politics, Death, Spirituality
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Complex, Spoken Word, Technical
Neutral Milk Hotel – In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
David Bowie – Black Star
Style: Art Rock, Jazz-Rock
Vibe: Introspective, Moody, Passionate, Sentimental, Sombre, Conceptual
Musical Attributes: Lyrical, Complex, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Rhythmic, Progressive
Lyrical Themes: Death, Existential, Personal, Reflective
The Microphones – The Glow Pt. 2
Style: Lo-Fi, Experimental Singer/Songwriter, Loner Folk
Vibe: Heartfelt, Imaginative, Introspective, Nature, Intimate, Loner, Bittersweet, Depressive, Psychedelic, Raw, Lonely
Lyrical Themes: Existential, Alienation, Breakup, Philosophical, Poetic, Personal, Death
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Noisy, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Analogue Recording, lo-fi, Distorted
Brand New – The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me
Style: Emo, Indie Rock, Post-Hardcore
Vibe: Introspective, Angsty, Dark, Depressive, Introspective, Passionate, Poetic, Sombre
Themes: Personal, Self-Loathing, Regret, Death, Alienation
Human Behavior – Kedumim
Religious allegory, profane thoughts, and lustful confessions intertwine on Human Behavior’s third LP; Kedimum is a brooding suite of psychological chamber folk that introspects into a conflicted mind, struggling to reconcile matters of indoctrinated faith, natural human desires, and internalized guilt. Primary songwriter Andres Parada is joined by a sympathetic cast of vocalists to create a vivid sonic drama complete with choral vocals and spoken word passages to complement his haunting narrations. The intricate and shadowy arrangements blend distorted electronic beats with a wide array of acoustic instrumentation, including banjo, clarinet, accordian, acoustic guitar, violin, ehru, and cello.
Matana Roberts – Coin Coin Chapter 1: Gens de Couleur Libres
Released in 2011 on Constellation Records Format: 10″x2
Carla Bozulich – Boy
Released in 2014 on Constellation Records Format: LP
Moor Mother – Analog Fluids of Sonic Black Holes
Released in 2019 on Don Giovanni Records Format: LP, grey vinyl
The Body – I Shall Die Here
Released in 2014 on RVNG International Format: LP
Grateful Dead – Live/Dead
Originally released in 1969 on Warner Bros. Records 1973 Pressing Format: LPx2
The Flaming Lips – The Terror
Released in 2013 on Bella Union UK Pressing Format: LPx2, Bonus 7″, Holographic Cover Studio album takes up sides A, … More
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band – 13 Blues for Thirteen Moons
Released in 2008 on Constellation Records Format: LPx2
Sufjan Stevens – Carrie & Lowell
Released in 2015 on Asthmatic Kitty Records Format: LP, clear vinyl First Pressing, limited to 10,000 copies
The Microphones – Mount Eerie
Originally released on K records in 2003 Recorded between 2001-2002 2013 Reissue on PW Elverum & Sun Format: LP
Thundercat – The Beyond/Where the Giants Roam
Released in 2015 on Brainfeeder Records Format: 12″ EP, Red Vinyl
Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra and Tra-La-La Band – Horses in the Sky
Released in 2005 on Constellation Records Format: LPx2, etching on D-side
John Fahey – Volume 3: The Dance of Death & Other Plantation Favorites
1967 Originally Released in 1965 on Takoma Records 1967 Reissue Format: LP
Songs: Ohia – Ghost Tropic
Mount Eerie – Now Only
Released in 2018 on P.W. Elverum & Sun Records Format: LP
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Murder Ballads
Originally released in 1995 on Mute Records 2015 Pressing
Laetitia Sadier – The Trip
The singer makes an album dealing with the grief and eventual acceptance that followed her sister’s suicide. The style is reminiscent of the spacey lounge-pop of her previous band, Stereolab, although much lighter and dreamier.
The Antlers – Hospice
Released in 2009 on Frenchkiss Records Format: LP
A Silver Mt. Zion – He Has Left Us Alone But Shafts Of Light Sometimes Grace The Corner Of Our Rooms…
Album Information: Released in 2000 on Constellation Records Recorded November 1999 at the mighty Hôtel2Tango
Flying Lotus – You’re Dead
A psychedelic, transcendent fusion of hip-hop, jazz, prog, and IDM meant to simulate the cosmic experience of death. Featuring Kendrick Lamar, Thundercat, Herbie Hancock, Kamasi Washington, Snoop Dogg, and others..,
Bonnie “Prince” Billy – I See a Darkness
Album Information: Released on Palace Records in 1999