what is the best xiu xiu thing

I can't begin to imagine what I'd select as best single track, maybe "Sad Redux-O-Grapher"?

― a serious and fascinating fartist (Simon H.)

any one of the tracks that comprise the middle (tracks 4-7) of a promise are top tier.. Sad Redux-O-Grapher and Blacks are absolutely stunning, and they work great in succession. 20,000 Deaths... is like, snow falling *gorgeous*. it's a perfect album, Ian Curtis Wishlist knocks it out of the park (it fucking kills). the mix of electro- and acoustic sounds is really pleasant, dry percussion bits give it a homemade/overgrown lot kind of vibe. it's loaded with immediate physicality and texture. lot of breathing room/relief in Walnut House, despite occasionally ridiculous (?) lyrics

Weird timing -- I was just thinking the other day that I should start a "Favorite moments from Xiu Xiu songs" thread; I wonder if there would be enough interest for a ballot poll?

As far as favorite song, I'd have to think it over... it's strange, I don't think of them as either a "songs" band or an "albums" band, so much as a "tension and release" band. The individual songs that stand out in my mind tend to be those that are more in the "release" column ("Clowne Town", "White Nerd", "Apistat Commander", "Bog People", "Ceremony"), but that really only captures one side of the band... then there are other songs that I appreciate while listening for their dynamism, but I have a harder time remembering which ones those are. Right now I'm leaning towards "Baby Captain" for its perfect balance of quiet/loud//pretty/ugly... but that very "balance" (also evident in e.g. "Sad Pony Guerrilla Girl") makes it totally unrepresentative of the band's oeuvre!

Angel Guts is terrifically harrowing. Favorite by a mile.

I really loved it when they felt more like a band and less like Jamie's solo vehicle—Knife Play, parts of Chapel of the Chimes and A Promise. Worthwhile stuff on every one of the proper albums, although I'd agree that La Forêt has the least to recommend itself. Need to give the more recent ones more time—last one I actually bought was Women as Lovers or Dear God, I Hate Myself, I think?

voted the twin peaks release even though i like plenty of his/their albums.

did Ches Smith stick around for the later albums? He plays on The Air Force, yeah? we saw him live w/7 year rabbit cycle - he did a lot of cool stuff w/percussion.

His last credit on a Xiu Xiu album was handling the arrangements on Nina.

Voted The Air Force though I love most of it besides the extremely long ambient stuff.

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Buzz Saw is their best song.

― flappy bird

coming around to the Air Force again.. they really nailed it down here, it's magical. it's the last album of theirs that left a strong, favorable impression on me. Xiu Xiu came through Salt Lake several times in the early 00s, the first time it was Jamie solo in a garage. watching him perform "Sad Pony Guerrilla Girl" and writhing/convulsing during the 'breakdown' was the most awkward/impressive moment and best memory I have of them. with each subsequent show in SLC, Jamie Stewart seemed more ornery/put off, and the songs just didn't seem to have the impact of the recorded versions.

I saw them at the Native Friendship Center in Halifax (the only all-ages venue in the city at the time) on the Fabulous Muscles tour when I was in high school. My friends and I loved them so much that we made a covers CD-R to give them but we were too shy :/

I still can't decide if I love or hate his voice. When I'm in the mood it's perfect but most of the time it annoys me.

he does feel overwrought at times, w/sometimes ridiculous lyrics. i don't love it or hate it, but sometimes he hits nicely. the keyed up emotion/energy serves the overall sonic fabric effectively. i'm sure there are people who can't get past the vocals, but it's part of the package. the music is so rich/detailed, and i can't really imagine anything (vocally) that might sound better with it. the "Eau Claire" track on the Air Force is the only one i usually skip.

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the lurkers show up every time

wtf @ the air force being so low

http://www.stereogum.com/1927768/xiu-xiu-albums-from-worst-to-best/franchises/counting-down/

Odd list for sure, not just because The Air Force is too low. The Twin Peaks thing was really good but doesn't feel completely Xiu Xiu to me, it's more like a good side-dish. Personally I wouldn't even be able to put Forget anywhere in the list because it's too fresh to my ears still.

On most days I do agree with the number one though.

nice posts by Owen itt. making me consider take another perennial attempt to get into this band

I think I'd flip-flop La Foret and The Air Force on that list, at the very least.