Music For Sleep - Music From A Sinking World (2021)

If I had to choose a theme for the current state of things it would certainly be "uncertainty". Covid-19 continues to mutate and spread, posing difficult realities for everyone from vaccinated adults to unvaccinated children. (PSA - please get vaccinated or we won't be able to get off this shit-rollercoaster.) On top of that, a massive report just released by the UN paints a dire and quickly drying picture of our current trajectory with regard to climate change. 

Threats of another insurrection loom while justice continues to be so blind it can't ever quite spot the people/person in need of punitive action.

Sheesh! The mind is pulled from one terrible loop of thought to the other several times per day. It's fucking exhausting.

Thankfully, there's Music For Sleep: the ambient-meets-analog instrumental music of Italy's Andrea Porcu. Now, I will be the first to admit that I've avoided anything tagged "ambient" with much success throughout my life. But after hearing Andrea's Music From A Sinking World -- I FINALLY get the appeal. Ambient music is a different beast from rock, but it offers something very similar to it's listeners: escape. But whereas rock music gives you lyrics to relate and identify with, defined rhythms, and anticipatable verse-chorus patterns.... ambient music (at least that of Music For Sleep) is more amorphous in shape and completely void of human voice. Without these tangible elements, the listening mind turns inward for things to grab onto.

The music here is distant, almost as if heard through a neighbors open window halfway down the block. The reverb on opening track "A Quiet Storm" conjures feelings of dreaming while walking through an empty mall. Nostalgia is easily evoked in these songs... I found myself thinking of things and people I hadn't in many years. 

Not to overstate things, but this release by Music For Sleep was transformative for me. That said, I've spent months exploring other ambient music and have really yet to find another artist that "does" it for me. So, maybe it's a fluke... a right place at the right moment thing that I stumbled upon  Music From A Sinking World. Then again, even flukes can impart lasting change.

7 songs.

Music For Sleep - Music From A Sinking World 

Elvis Dracula Dance Party 3 - Benny Goodman's Ghost

Had another party last, and the guests were to be subjected to a number of Satanic ritual that are unspeakable in front of mortals like yourself. However, we did drink fine spirits and listened to a slew of new releases, and you are all invited to play them along with us.

Brownout Presents Brown Sabbath (2014)

I drop the needle onto this slab of brown vinyl and realize I am in for a massive treat. Black Sabbath tracks, lovingly and professionally covered by a psychedelic band with a full horn section and Afro-Cuban rhythms? Yes please! I can almost feel the power of the Dark One emanating from the record, and said Dark One loves trumpets. Once the band's awesome rendition of "Into the Void" kicks in, I know this will be the funkiest ritual yet!

Black Train - ST (2014)

The Bad Vibrations has been sending tormented sounds into the atmosphere for some time now, and their newest release from the dark-psychedelic punk rockers known as Black Train is another feather in their already full cap. When "Losing Time" reaches the ear drums of my friend Surfin' Mummy, he can't help but head bang his soaking bandages right off his rotting head. Look's like we have our first casualty of the night.

XTR Human - Atavism (2014)

Most ghouls fear synthesizers. It is a little known fact, but since many of us have been around for hundreds of years, we are slow to adopt new sounds. When this German band's EP comes on, the dark synth lines raise some eyebrows, but the tortured vocals and ringing guitar lines put the group at ease. This is clearly a tortured soul like us! "Dysfunction" is a beautiful song that could be enjoyed by anyone with at least one working ear.

Sunfighter - Golden Eagle of Illumination (2014)

This is the very definition of meditative music. You know, before that label was conquered by bad Nu-Age music. This Parisian band's opus was instrumental in opening the gate to another world; one we hoped would bring about Satan or some like minded demon. Unfortunately, all that came through was a slightly disposed Benny Goodman. He did enjoy this record, especially after a handful of acid.