― Orange, Wednesday, 21 April 2004 18:51 (twenty years ago) link
― dddddddd, Wednesday, 21 April 2004 19:33 (twenty years ago) link
I'm listening to mp3's, but I'd have to think that the loss of fidelity, particularly for the more distorted parts, is significant for music like this (even though these mp3's were recorded at a VBR). Do I need to find the CD's to experience this properly?
― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 19:56 (nineteen years ago) link
― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 02:26 (nineteen years ago) link
― Jeff-PTTL (Jeff), Wednesday, 19 January 2005 03:32 (nineteen years ago) link
― rssgnld, Wednesday, 19 January 2005 04:16 (nineteen years ago) link
this statement perfectly describes my relationship with good ambient music.
― rssgfnl, Wednesday, 19 January 2005 04:17 (nineteen years ago) link
― sleep (sleep), Thursday, 20 January 2005 05:05 (nineteen years ago) link
i sleep to basinski and gas!
― cutty (mcutt), Thursday, 20 January 2005 05:15 (nineteen years ago) link
― zach farver, Thursday, 20 January 2005 05:35 (nineteen years ago) link
― D.J. Anderson, Thursday, 20 January 2005 06:26 (nineteen years ago) link
― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Thursday, 20 January 2005 07:41 (nineteen years ago) link
― cutty (mcutt), Thursday, 20 January 2005 14:11 (nineteen years ago) link
― rssgl, Thursday, 20 January 2005 17:43 (nineteen years ago) link
― jed_ (jed), Thursday, 20 April 2006 19:57 (eighteen years ago) link
That said, I don't think he's the best out there, but it depends on what you want out of your drones - I think Phill Niblock and Steve Reich (Four Organs in particular) have done more powerful/arresting work, but I do enjoy Basinski's stuff lots.
― Myke. (Myke Weiskopf), Thursday, 20 April 2006 23:07 (eighteen years ago) link
― rizzx, Friday, 21 April 2006 09:49 (eighteen years ago) link
From everything I've heard of WB, he's a one-trick pony. But I sure do luv that one trick. Listening to Shortwavemusic now, and it's great.
― libcrypt, Tuesday, 22 May 2007 04:02 (sixteen years ago) link
i still haven't heard/acquired disintegration loops
― river wolf, Tuesday, 22 May 2007 04:32 (sixteen years ago) link
Also very good. I wonder if there's any truth the rumor that Madonna is a fan.
― libcrypt, Tuesday, 22 May 2007 05:23 (sixteen years ago) link
I wouldn't be surprised, she's kind of a dilettante.
Is drone the opposite of Beethoven or what? I mean, it's the antithesis of structure, of arc. It's the anti-arc! Does that make sense? Sorry, I'm kind of a dilettante.
― Rich Smörgasbord, Tuesday, 22 May 2007 06:30 (sixteen years ago) link
Disintegration Loops = one of the greatest recordings of the century. Seriously. river wolf, make it the next thing you buy, man!
― Manalishi, Tuesday, 22 May 2007 07:17 (sixteen years ago) link
over-rated. Alva Novo's "Xerrox" does the sma ething better and in a more interesting way.
― baaderonixx, Tuesday, 22 May 2007 10:02 (sixteen years ago) link
Wait, this is Billy Basinski aka Z-man?
Whoa, small world. He adopted/produced my first band in NYC. I've got to hear this, I bet it's incredible.
― Masonic Boom, Tuesday, 22 May 2007 10:17 (sixteen years ago) link
Maybe Masonna is a fan, and someone thought there was a typo.
― libcrypt, Tuesday, 22 May 2007 15:35 (sixteen years ago) link
I also really love the "River" double CD, I think Raster-Noton put it out. But it's all good.
― sleeve, Tuesday, 22 May 2007 22:56 (sixteen years ago) link
which disintegration loops vol. is best? i'm about to give the first one a go
― am0n, Wednesday, 23 May 2007 03:23 (sixteen years ago) link
i wish he would record under "Z-Man"
― circa1916, Wednesday, 23 May 2007 07:15 (sixteen years ago) link
am0n, having only heard vols I & II I'd recommend the latter. Its "DLP3" is really haunting/captivating.
― willem, Wednesday, 23 May 2007 07:30 (sixteen years ago) link
i got all four. loving them. the second track on II is the shit, the comment upthread about SAW II #19 on repeat is apt
― am0n, Monday, 28 May 2007 22:37 (sixteen years ago) link
that would be loop 3. bliss.
― willem, Tuesday, 29 May 2007 08:56 (sixteen years ago) link
I suppose non-drone music is anthropomorphic, in that it has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
― Rich Smörgasbord, Tuesday, 29 May 2007 09:32 (sixteen years ago) link
who among us is enjoying El Camino Real?
Tape loop, recorded live, Los Angeles, July 2006. First 300 copies came numbered and signed.
Want (and want to have been there)
― jergïns, Sunday, 15 July 2007 00:37 (sixteen years ago) link
Yeah I could totally fall asleep listening to this.
― ledge, Sunday, 15 July 2007 16:21 (sixteen years ago) link
(I gave up on falling asleep to The Disintegration Loops 'cause they're a bit too melancholic.)
― ledge, Sunday, 15 July 2007 16:27 (sixteen years ago) link
word
― am0n, Thursday, 26 July 2007 00:56 (sixteen years ago) link
totally.
― Drooone, Thursday, 26 July 2007 01:39 (sixteen years ago) link
El Camino Real is some incredible stuff.
― Noodle Vague, Friday, 14 September 2007 22:19 (sixteen years ago) link
When did this come out? Info? Link?
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Friday, 14 September 2007 22:35 (sixteen years ago) link
http://www.mmlxii.com/home/home.html
May this year.
― Noodle Vague, Friday, 14 September 2007 22:37 (sixteen years ago) link
El Camino Real
― jergïns, Friday, 14 September 2007 22:37 (sixteen years ago) link
Gotta hear it. Was slightly disappointed with Shortwavemusic.
― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Friday, 14 September 2007 22:43 (sixteen years ago) link
To answer the thread title question: fuck yes! That's why I'm absolutely psyched for this, out on april 20th:
http://www.mmlxii.com/NEW-ISSUES-2K9.gif
― Gerard (Le Bateau Ivre), Thursday, 16 April 2009 18:26 (fifteen years ago) link
And yes it is, indeed, fucking gorgeous. Is the love for Basinski really that marginal on ilm?
― Gerard (Le Bateau Ivre), Thursday, 16 April 2009 23:35 (fifteen years ago) link
No. I love the Disintegration Loops. There's a poll-thread devoted to those discs. If I remember that thread correctly, Ned is a big Basinski fan, too (but he hardly needs me to speak for him).
― Daniel, Esq., Thursday, 16 April 2009 23:46 (fifteen years ago) link
yeah i think that poll might be longer than this thread even!
i've loved most everything i've heard by him disintegration loopsmelancholiasilent nightel camino real
all A+
― listen to it...put yourself in los angeles (winston), Thursday, 16 April 2009 23:52 (fifteen years ago) link
He opened up for Antony last month. Great stuff.
― Alex in SF, Thursday, 16 April 2009 23:52 (fifteen years ago) link
― sleeve, Tuesday, 22 May 2007 22:56 (1 year ago)
― sleeve, Friday, 17 April 2009 03:42 (fifteen years ago) link
Ah, this guy.
― I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Saturday, 25 April 2009 03:53 (fifteen years ago) link
Anyone got or heard the new one?
― krakow, Saturday, 25 April 2009 20:46 (fifteen years ago) link
Should work like a charm. Some weeks last year during a distressing period my girlfriend used 92982 with great success.
― the european nikon is here (grauschleier), Tuesday, 5 January 2016 15:03 (eight years ago) link
http://www.mmlxii.com/products/576589-92982-2xlp
― the european nikon is here (grauschleier), Thursday, 1 September 2016 08:35 (seven years ago) link
First great news of 2017: new album! http://p4k.in/1GqqFRZ
― Le Bateau Ivre, Wednesday, 7 December 2016 20:41 (seven years ago) link
Looking forward to listening to this Friday.
― Rod Steel (musicfanatic), Thursday, 19 January 2017 01:43 (seven years ago) link
Actually, check that. At work, at least during the inauguration, I'll have my Disintegration Loops playing in the background.
― Rod Steel (musicfanatic), Thursday, 19 January 2017 01:45 (seven years ago) link
If U.S.A is still a thing when I get up on Saturday, I'll check the new one out...
― Rod Steel (musicfanatic), Thursday, 19 January 2017 01:47 (seven years ago) link
Next month in Pasadena William Basinski is being honored at a benefit for Fulcrum Arts, and he and Lawrence English will perform their new Selva Oscura live for the first time.
Fulcrum (with which I’m involved) supports a lot of amazing artists including sound artists and experimental music. They’ll be presenting a new piece by Lawrence English later this year, for instance, also in LA.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fulcrum-arts-annual-benefit-honoring-william-basinski-and-ligo-caltech-tickets-51407507238
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Tuesday, 16 October 2018 15:43 (five years ago) link
tonight in manchester was wonderful - and efficient! took to stage at 9pm sharp with nothing more than a laptop. 40 meditative minutes - no encore. and so down to earth for a chat afterwards!
― meaulnes, Wednesday, 24 October 2018 23:08 (five years ago) link
The first version of the 'bored nightclub girl' meme I saw was a disintegration loops based one. That probably says more about me than anything else.
― Bimlo Horsewagon became Wheelbarrow Horseflesh (aldo), Thursday, 25 October 2018 08:24 (five years ago) link
An entertaining short interview here.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/apr/10/music-william-basinski-interview-9-11-the-disintegration-loops
― brain (krakow), Wednesday, 10 April 2019 13:45 (five years ago) link
Ha, thanks for that. The new record is vintage stuff btw.
― Uptown VONC (Le Bateau Ivre), Wednesday, 10 April 2019 14:02 (five years ago) link
I somehow didn't know or had forgotten about his 9/11 beliefs.
In terms of his music, I'm quite out of the loop.
― brain (krakow), Wednesday, 10 April 2019 15:31 (five years ago) link
And now for something completely different
https://williambasinski.bandcamp.com/album/hymns-of-oblivion
― brechtian social distancing (Simon H.), Saturday, 21 March 2020 21:40 (four years ago) link
… so he's been waiting for an apocalypse?
― kraudive, Saturday, 21 March 2020 21:43 (four years ago) link
I rather like this! It's not nearly as apocalyptic once you're halfway through, bordering on hopeful towards the end.
― Le Bateau Ivre, Sunday, 22 March 2020 15:25 (four years ago) link
kind of shocking to hear his voice! just getting started
― Karl Malone, Sunday, 22 March 2020 15:30 (four years ago) link
I know right?! There's a hint of Michael Hutchence in there, which fits with it being recorded 30 years ago. Would like to hear what you make of it once you've listened all the way through.
― Le Bateau Ivre, Sunday, 22 March 2020 15:52 (four years ago) link
tbh i don't see myself returning to it too often, but there are some really compelling tracks! probably unsurprisingly, i think i favor the songs with slower, sparser arrangements. in some ways it reminds me of dead can dance's Spleen and Ideal (referencing that particular one because it's the DCD album i'm most familiar with since it's the only LP of theirs i own so far)
― Karl Malone, Sunday, 22 March 2020 17:23 (four years ago) link
"because", "the great warriors", and "the chemistry of life" were the ones that stood out to me on first listen
― Karl Malone, Sunday, 22 March 2020 17:25 (four years ago) link
ok what the hell is going on
2020 is a very confusing year
https://sparkledivision.bandcamp.com/album/to-feel-embraced
― L. Prague de Scamp (a passing spacecadet), Saturday, 25 July 2020 20:50 (three years ago) link
Adds a bit of extra meaning to this twitter comment the other day in reply to The Quietus and Heather Leigh...
We are Sparkle Division! comin' through....thank you very much!) xoxox, you go girl! i love you!!!— william basinski (@WilliamBasinski) July 24, 2020
― brain (krakow), Saturday, 25 July 2020 22:21 (three years ago) link
Also, a few tracks in and this sounds great.
― brain (krakow), Saturday, 25 July 2020 22:24 (three years ago) link
Ha, yeah, this is pretty mental considering the Basinski seal over it. I do like it! It half reminds me of Matthew Herbert's 'Goodbye Swingtime', which was 'cleaner' in its approach but came from an equally unusual suspect. This gets more choppy, glitchy and OPN-y as it continues.
― Scampidocio (Le Bateau Ivre), Sunday, 26 July 2020 11:05 (three years ago) link
I don’t know WB’s stuff but I’ll just leave this album by UK ambient drone master Sangam here: http://newmotion.ca/album/escapism-path
― calstars, Sunday, 26 July 2020 11:43 (three years ago) link
this Sparkle Division alb is really nice and features the late great Henry Grimes on the poignant Oh Henry. can't ask for more than that really.
― calzino, Monday, 17 August 2020 14:42 (three years ago) link
I'm banned from using violent speak so I won't describe it as "kaleidoscopic"!
― calzino, Monday, 17 August 2020 14:48 (three years ago) link
the sparkle division record is good. the other day i was watching lethal weapon 2 and thought "why don't people make more music that sounds like the soundtrack to lethal weapon 2" and lo
― adam, Wednesday, 28 October 2020 16:18 (three years ago) link
thought this was going to be about the slight lamentations delay (LP pressing related, of course)
― just another 3-pinnochio post by (Karl Malone), Wednesday, 28 October 2020 16:24 (three years ago) link
idk how people listen to this stuff on LP, every time you really make progress toward achieving oneness with cosmic godhead you gotta get up and flip the fuckin record
― adam, Wednesday, 28 October 2020 16:26 (three years ago) link
I never realized he was so queer and fabulous
https://mif.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/FEATURE-e1497260395653-650x397.jpg
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Wednesday, 28 October 2020 16:29 (three years ago) link
he's in the new Wire and the first picture looks like one for the old men that look like lesbians thread. (and the others looks like iggy pop). not sure i'd seen a pic of him before.
― koogs, Wednesday, 28 October 2020 17:26 (three years ago) link
that's the pic I was looking for! the poolside shot
another music group I'm in was laughing about this:
I was comfortable picturing Basinski as a man who made no effort to look cool and the new wire cover has him out here tryna be Bowie. Can't listen to his ambient sounds with same trust now. He is not committed to serenity and anonymity he is trying to be a rock star.— Harmony Holiday (@Harmony_Holiday) October 19, 2020
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Wednesday, 28 October 2020 17:34 (three years ago) link
also, he played saxophone on the 1980 LP by LA punk supergroup Black Randy & The Metrosquad!
― howls of non-specificity (sleeve), Wednesday, 28 October 2020 17:35 (three years ago) link
Basinski has the best publicity photos
― brimstead, Wednesday, 28 October 2020 17:39 (three years ago) link
!!!
― adam, Wednesday, 28 October 2020 18:05 (three years ago) link
and the name of that album is...
https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a0348063897_16.jpg
― kites aren't fun (NickB), Wednesday, 28 October 2020 18:25 (three years ago) link
A few years ago at The Lab in SF, he presented an all night sleepover where he would perform Out of Time Out of Mind (a few months prior to release) and then play back all of the Disintegration Loops for about 6 hours (event went from like 10pm to like 5am). Everyone brought comfy pillows and mattress pads and stuff, it was great.
But... I never had seen the dude before and when he walked out he was wearing a skin tight disco outfit made of either sequins or that disco fabric you see a lot and dark sunglasses. He was FABULOUS and definitely a ROCK STAR. He also spoke with a gay southern drawl too. Had no idea he was a Texan, gay and utterly and completely fabulous. I was basically like "holy shit I know nothing about you dude, but the music you make evokes a very different mood and personality than your physical self expression and I am definitely here for it".
― octobeard, Wednesday, 28 October 2020 18:35 (three years ago) link