From the Pharmacy of Dr. Spin: 2023 Album Showdown Results: Spring Mix 3

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

2023 Album Showdown Results: Spring Mix 3

Copeland, King, Cosma, and Belew - Gizmodrome Live! VS. Karate - The Bed is in the Ocean

Karate - The Bed is in the Ocean

This is one of a couple of big Tier 4 upsets, and one that doesn't diminish the greatness of the Gizmodrome project overall. There have been a couple of nagging points about this recording that only come to the spotlight when compared with The Bed is in the Ocean. Copeland's somewhat goofy vocal approach is one. His tendency to randomly roll his "r's" and lackadaisical attention to pitch is sometimes hard to overlook. I could argue that hearing these musicians' instrumental interactions could outweigh this issue, but it would require Copeland to showcase his drumming more than he does. His employment of a second drummer to back him up while he plays guitar and sings shatters the illusion. Karate, on the other hand, is one of the livest sounding studio albums I have heard in a while, and their unapologetic comingling of jazz and post-punk is both cerebral and emotive.

Consider the Source - You Are Literally a Metaphor VS. Steve Reich - Runner/Music for Ensemble and Orchestra

Consider the Source - You Are Literally a Metaphor

Steve Reich proves his mettle as my favorite minimalist composer yet again. As much as I love his music, however, in comparison to Consider the Source, his characteristically monochromatic compositional approach shows its limitations. It's like comparing M.C Escher to Salvador Dali - and I've always had a soft spot for Dali.

Lunatic Soul - Through Shaded Woods VS. Riverside - I.D.Entity

Lunatic Soul - Through Shaded Woods

This is actually a really big Tier 4 upset, but hear me out. Ever since I put I.D.Entity in rotation, I've been chatting it up as a possible Album of the Year candidate, but even before then, I placed Through Shaded Woods in it's path. As both projects represent Mauritz Duda's creative energy through different lenses, and only one album per artist can qualify for inclusion in the year-end list, I knew they would eventually collide. I actually think they are equally brilliant, but Through Shaded Woods is distinct as an expression of Duda's interest in traditional Norse folk music. Norse and Viking inspired music has been present in other listening this year, most notably in Skald's Huldufolk. Through Shaded Woods allows me to acknowledge this thread while simultaneously catching my respect for Duda's work.

Absolutely Free - Aftertouch VS Adventures of Jet - Part 3: Coping with Insignificance

Adventures of Jet - Part 3: Coping with Insignificance

I want to encourage everyone to check out Aftertouch. It's cinematic and often impeccably crafted, but dang, Adventures of Jet just keeps getting better.

<a href="https://aojrock.bandcamp.com/album/part3-coping-with-insignificance-remastered">PART3: COPING WITH INSIGNIFICANCE (REMASTERED) by AOJ</a>

Loris S. Sarid - Seabed-Sunbath VS. Johann Johansson - Englaborn & Variations

Johann Johansson - Englaborn & Variations

Johann Johansson's high points on this recording make it a tough one to beat, although I feel like the Variations bog down the second half.

Pom Poko - Cheater VS. Alvvays - Blue Rev

Alvvays - Blue Rev

For a moment, it actually seemed like Pom Poko's angular Deerhoof-meets-the-Cardigans power pop might pose an actual threat to Blue Rev, but the craft gives way to quirk in the second half.