Monday's Long Song

 

Normally, I wouldn’t repeat myself here, but whenever I think of a long song, Ellis Island Sound regularly springs to mind. EIS was founded 30 years ago by Pete Astor and David Sheppard as an instrumental band. On their early albums, they broke down their krautrock-inspired songs into their constituent parts, only to reassemble them on a polyrhythmic foundation.

In 2014, they released their third album, Regions – which I consider their best – combining African vibes with the motoric rhythms of Can and a dubby bassline, resulting at times in a gloomy sound that was, however, brightened up by bursts of guitar reminiscent of Fela Kuti.

Ellis Island Sound - The Letting Go

Monday's Long Songs

 

In the early 1980's, SST Records was the American label that had the best bands of the time under contract. I could name a lot (or will do it in another series) but I'll settle for just one today, namely Sonic Youth.

SY were formed in 1981 by founding members Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon and I got aware of them by their third album EVOL. For their groundbreaking album Daydream Nation they were signed by SST and it is still a masterpiece of guitar and noise rock featuring great melodies. On this record they moved away from their punk/garage roots and defined guitar playing new. Over all, Kim Gordon's crystal clear voice is the perfect contrast to Moore's guitar excursions. 

Sonic Youth - The Sprawl

Sonic Youth - 'Cross The Breeze