Oh my fuck. This album. I sense a lot of time being invested by myself on this release by Panopticon. It's the whole package; Rich atmospherics, successful instrument experimentation, a cohesive and unique theme on the mining/coaling in Kentucky, interesting segues and shift between long songs and a whole lot of audio sampling pertaining to said theme (Which I must admit, sometimes kills off some of the momentum). Everything just sounds… human. Which is a breath of fresh air nowadays. Also, the more I type in this paragraph the douchier everything starts to sound. Fuck.
• • •
Saw this on the Bands Facebook page;
"As promised, I have donated $1000 of the money I will make from the new
album to Kentuckians for the common wealth, helping the people of
Kentucky and helping to stop mountain top removal. It is important to me
to protect this land I love so dearly. In just a few short weeks I will
have new merch and lps up on the big cartel page so that you can
contribute if you wish."
I myself will definitely be buying that 2XLP.
Don't worry, I'll buy it on CD when it comes out. Album was pretty good, although the flutes on "Bodies Under the Falls" were pretty lol.
ReplyDeleteI can understand that sentiment. I don't want to defend the release of any shortcomings, but I kind of don't mind the fact that the winds aren't perfectly executed, I suppose it goes with the more human sounding aspect. If I wanted perfect or "plastically" sounding flutes I'd listen to Svartsot's Mulmets Viser.
ReplyDeleteThough, you're right Tom.
I'm definitely buying the CD. I love the fact Mr. Lunn is donating money to a cause he feels is worthy. I think it is a good cause myself, having a deep love of the mountains and forests here. I know people have to make a living, and trust me, it is supremely hard to do that in this area, but we have to stop the destruction of the environment. If you have ever seen the results of strip mining, it doesn't affect an ecosystem, it completely and utterly destroys it. Pretty common around here, and I sigh every time I see it. Call me a tree-hugger if you want. Super excited to hear this album, thanks Chris!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it Orcus, I enjoy your insight on the matter, I'm not well acquainted with this struggle. Where are you from again?
ReplyDeleteI grew up a few miles from and now currently live in Harlan. Also known as "Bloody Harlan". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlan_County_War
ReplyDeleteEven though I despise the coal industry, much of my family are or were miners. My dad, both grandfathers, my brother, and many cousins and uncles have worked or are currently working in the coal mines. Hell, I remember my dad being involved with strikes and picket lines (he spent 40 odd years in the mines). I clearly remember a couple of occasions when he left the house with a high-powered rifle, shotgun, and a bag full of jackrocks. Non-union miners are still looked upon with extreme disdain to this day. I grew up in Partridge, KY. It is only a few miles from the Scotia mines, scene of a deadly explosion in the mid-70's. http://www.usmra.com/saxsewell/scotia.htm The mines reopened a few years ago, before it did we used to play paintball in the abandoned buildings quite a bit, or ride ATVs on the old mining roads. Was a good place to plink out windows and such with a .22 too.
You sir, are a wealth of information on the subject. Thanks for this. I hope people actually take the time out of their probably shitty, comfortable interweb browsing experience to read this.
ReplyDeleteKudos.