The Kung Fu of Ten Hands: A Chat with Paul Slavens

A discussion about the relatively obscure classic Ten Hands' 1988 release Kung Fu...That's What I Like, with very special guest Paul Slavens.

Relevant Links: An older text post on Alphabet Girls Vol. 1

The extended edition:

2022 Album Showdowns: Tier 2 Week 8

The results of last few Tier 2 eliminations include:

M83 – Oblivion VS. Hollywood Burns – The Age of Saucers

M83 – Oblivion OST

Kalandra – The Line VS. Once and Future Band – Once and Future Band

Kalandra – The Line

Tom McGuire & the Brassholes – Tom McGuire& the Brassholes VS. Cynic – Ascension Codes

Cynic – Ascension Codes

 

Its usually the case that the “genre clash” showdowns give me the most trouble, but even though that Tom McGuire album is the first funk-rock album I have connected with in a very long time, Cynic is really hard to beat right now.  The synth bass on Ascension Codes just rocks my legs. 

No, this time around the most contentious showdown was definitely Kalandra VS. Once and Future Band.  Keep in mind that Once and Future Band was a big, big player last year with Deleted Scenes, and that any real contender would have to deal with this preconception.  It is partially due to the fact that I loved that album SO much in 2021 that the nearly imperceptible lean towards a more traditional prog approach worked against them ever so slightly.  Kalandra, on the other hand, has impressed me from the first listen.  I have found it very difficult to let go of the idea of continuing my engagement with the album, so it goes on.

2022 Album Showdown Series: Tier 4 Part 1

This final tier is comprised of music that showed up in November and December of 2021.  The albums listen to this time of year always gets the short end of the stick, because unless they are particularly compelling, they don’t get the opportunity to stand the test of time that others enjoy.  To address this, last year I instigated the “punt,” allowing these albums to size up in a round against the Spring finalists.  The results from the first six of these Tier 4 showdowns are as follows:

Tears for Fears – The Tipping Point VS. Hans Zimmer – Dune OST

Tears for Fears – The Tipping Point

!

The Buggles – The Age of Plastic VS. Vodun – Ascend

The Buggles – The Age of Plastic

Squarepusher – Feed Me Weird Things VS. Beauty Pill – Sorry You’re Here

Beauty Pill – Sorry You’re Here

!

Deafheaven – Infinite Granite VS. Soccer Mommy – Color Theory

Soccer Mommy – Color Theory

!

Injury Reserve – By the Time I Get to Phoenix VS. Amythyst Kiah – Wary + Strange

Amythyst Kiah – Wary + Strange

HERE!!

Chassol – Indiamore VS. A.C.T. – Imaginary Friends

Chassol – Indiamore

By and large, there was only one upset.  Chassol’s Indiamore was really, really compelling back in December, and coming back to revisit it only reinforced its genius.  Dune gave The Tipping Point a run for its money, but despite its masterful creativity, it is most effective in its role as a soundtrack to the movie and not as much as a standalone musical experience.

2022 Album Roundup Series: June Came Much Too Soon

Last roundup before the mid-year top 10, including:

Neutral Milk Hotel – In the Airplane Over the Sea (1998)
Kalandra – The Line (2020)
Once and Future Band – Once and Future Band (2017)
Deep Energy Orchestra – The Return (2020)
Hollywood Burns – The Age of the Saucers (2021)
Konono No.1 – Congotronics (2004)



Relevant Links:

Previous Post on Once and Future Band’s Deleted Scenes