Can we talk about how Bill Callahan is one of the best song writers alive?

[sashwap]

I make fun of my lady for listening to dull bands like Beach House and Real Estate all the time, such that 'borecore' is an actual IRL term for us these days in our bickering.

Partly due to this thread, I've been stuck on Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle lately, which I hadn't played in probably a year. The lady came over, heard it, and was like, "what in the fuck distinguishes this from my borecore?" Beyond an outraged "well, it's . . . better!" I couldn't really mount a powerful refutation. Can someone give me a good quippy response to steal?

a little late to this, but basically, when bill is boring at least it's still dirty and arty and ugly. it's probably intentionally boring, too. when beach house is boring (i.e. always) it's just pretty background music.

[dieblucasdie]

Relevant to LPTJ's interests:

http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/13132-so-long-marianne-leonard-cohen-cover/

[Chet]

so good.

[Chet]

In a Dongs of Sevotion mood lately, and oh my god, it is so good. I listened to it a lot during dark times last year, in the dark on headphones, and I was afraid it would be difficult to go back to, but no.

I love how repetitive it all is. There's this certain laid back groove that becomes mesmerizing as it unravels, and this allows the words to take center stage; which is a good thing, because it is one of his strongest records lyrically, I think.

And Permanent Smile, man, Permanent Smile.

fishjim, you need to go back and re-evaluate.

[fishjim]

I will. I've been thinking the same thing.

What's weird about the album for me is that it was burned for me by a girl I met as a psych inpatient. In the course of groups and stuff I'd mentioned the Gandalfs a few times, and she was so convinced I needed to hear Smog she gave me the CD and said, you gotta hear Smog, trust me. Her assurance stuck with me long after I'd decided I didn't like Dongs. Well, turns out she was right about Callahan. Maybe she was right about Dongs, too.

[Chet]

that seems like the most appropriate way to be introduced to smog like ever.

i think dongs was the first smog album i ever heard, or maybe it was wild love. one of those to anyway. i don't think i got it right away, and didn't really come around to smog a few years later.

[ellaguru]

I love Dongs of Sevotion. I just picked Rain on Lens, which is maybe not top tier for him but is still very good.

[Chet]

I love Dongs of Sevotion. I just picked Rain on Lens, which is maybe not top tier for him but is still very good.

Along with his early noise records, and Whaleheart, Rain On Lens is what I would consider non-essential in the Callahan canon. I wouldn't even call it very good, though it is still Bill and there is some worthwhile stuff there.

[Antero]

Just got my dad into him about ten minutes ago.  Dad's asks, "Why haven't I heard this guy before?"  Because you don't read enough blogs, dad.

[ellaguru]

I love Dongs of Sevotion. I just picked Rain on Lens, which is maybe not top tier for him but is still very good.

Along with his early noise records, and Whaleheart, Rain On Lens is what I would consider non-essential in the Callahan canon. I wouldn't even call it very good, though it is still Bill and there is some worthwhile stuff there.

Oh, that leads me to a question. Other than Accumulation: None, I have all his albums since The Doctor Came At Dawn. Where does the "early noise records" phase end?

[Antero]

Wild Love has "Bathysphere" on it, so I guess right after there.

[Chet]

Julius Caesar although still decidedly and defiantly lo-fi is where he started concentrating on actual songs. Both that record and Wild Love are worth owning. Especially the latter, which was his first album where he worked with Jim O'Rourke and started fleshing things out. Both records have some essential Callahan moments on them including 'Your Wedding' (i'm gonna get drunk......so drunk, AT YOUR WEDDING) and 'Chosen One' (though the version on Accumulation None is actually better) on Julius Caesar. Wild Love has quite a bit more to recommend but 'Bathysphere' and 'It's Rough' are particularly notable.

[Chet]

hey, I made a mix of stuff from Julius Caesar thru to before The Doctor Came at Dawn. It's mostly Julius Caesar and Wild Love with selections from the Burning Kingdom and Kicking a Couple Around EPs.

Butt Squeaking On The Bathtub - Early-ish Smog

enjoy!

[ellaguru]

Great, thanks!

[fishjim]

Red Apple Falls is my favorite of his, with Knock Knock close behind. I seem to be one of the few people who love late Smog but hate the Bill Callahan stuff. His most recent stuff bores me to death.

how can this song POSSIBLY be labeled as 'boring'? it's one of the finest songs I've ever heard, and I've heard a lot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXHmWxuRxJk

THIS FUCKING VIDEO HAS BEEN REMOVED DUE TO A COPYRIGHT CLAIM BY DRAG CITY

HOW CAN THIS BE POSSIBLE

GREATEST VIDEO SONG ETCETERA ETCETERA FUCK FUCK FUCK

[fishjim]

HEY DRAG CITY YOUR COPYRIGHT POLICIES ARE A DRAG - HA - BET YOU NEVER HEARD THAT ONE BEFORE - HA HA HA - BUT IF YOU DID ITS CUZ I STOLE IT

GO TO HELL

- Satan

[fishjim]

HEY DRAG CITY YOUR COPYRIGHT POLICIES ARE A DRAG - HA - BET YOU NEVER HEARD THAT ONE BEFORE - HA HA HA - BUT IF YOU DID ITS CUZ I STOLE IT

GO TO HELL

- Satan

HEY DRAG CITY YOUR AMERICA VIDEO IS WAY COOL YOUR FORGIVEN

- Jesus

AMERICA!