The Enjoyment of Music: Essential

" contains three classic musique concrète compositions from Michel Chion. All were produced at the GRM in Paris (the acousmatic headquarters of the world). The itself is an electronic take on the traditional form. is a ‘technical study’ which takes an original waltz theme and fragments it. is considered a ‘monodrama’ — that is, a drama centering around one ‘character.’ In this case what we hear are the detached reactions of this ‘character’ to a nightmare. It’s French, it’s acousmatic… what more could you ask for?"

Somehow, leading Norway's Tristania to the top of the goth metal heap wasn't enough for vocalist/guitarist Morten Veland, who unilaterally seceded from the union in the year 2000 to found a brand-spanking-new though similar-sounding band named Sirenia…

Steven Wilson - Insurgentes (2009) [CD+DVD] {Kscope}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 341 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 132 Mb
DVD9 -> 5.00 Gb | All Regions | NTSC 16:9 | English (LinearPCM, 2 ch / DTS, 6 ch) | ~ 79m | ISO Image
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 718 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2009 Kscope / SW | KSCOPE113
Rock / Neo Prog / Alternative / Prog Rock

The debut solo album by Steven Wilson is quite simply an essential release, a huge sonic adventure recorded all over the world and featuring many guest musicians. Disc one is the already acclaimed 10 track album on stereo CD, and disc two is a DVDA containing the album in higher resolution 24 bit stereo and 5.1 surround sound (in high res DVDA and DTS version compatible with any DVD player), an 18 minute extract from ‘Insurgentes’ film, and 2 album trailers.

This new release of Scarlatti sonatas played by the renowned pianist Vladimir Horowitz is a treasure of inestimable value. Listening to these timeless performances is among my greatest delights and it definitely belongs on a desert-island list of essential recordings.

Frank Zappa - Joe's Album Collection (2004-2008) [4CD] {Vaulternative Records}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 0.99 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 460 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 80 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2004, 2005, 2008 Vaulternative Records / ZFT | VR 20041 / VR 20042 / VR 20051 / VR 20081
Rock / Experimental Rock

Official Release # 72. While no specific designation has been given to Joe's Corsage (2004), the liner notes indicate that this is the debut of an "exciting new series." The title is undoubtedly a clever play on Frank Zappa's Joe's Garage (1979), but the "Joe" in this case is audio archivist Joe Travers, who has been involved with the Zappa Family Trust (ZFT) since the triple-CD release Läther (1996). Granted, exceptions exist, however for the most part the earliest incarnations of the Mothers of Invention are included here with Zappa (guitar/vocals), "Baby" Ray Collins (vocals/tambourine/harmonica), Roy Estrada (bass), and Jimmy Black (drums).

Eels - Royal Albert Hall (2015) [2CD with DVD5 NTSC] {E Works-[PIAS] EWORKS1149DVD}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 484 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 198 Mb
DVD5 -> 3.90 Gb | All Regions | NTSC 16:9 | Dolby AC3, 2 ch | ~ 90 min | ISO Image
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 35 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2015 E Works / [PIAS] | EWORKS1149DVD
Rock / Adult Alternative / Post-Grunge / Alternative / Indie

In 2014, Mark Oliver Everett received "the freedom of the City of London" (in essence, a key to the city) the same week as his band Eels performed and recorded this set at the Royal Albert Hall. There's a bit of irony here: four years earlier, he was arrested as a suspected terrorist while strolling through Hyde Park. The raucous Eels of Wonderful, Glorious is not the band that showed up for this concert (which is also captured so handsomely on video for inclusion in the package). This version of the band is in suits, not track wear. Everett is mostly at the piano. The Eels introduce the show with brief, lilting versions of "Where I'm At," Disney's "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinocchio, "The Morning," and "Parallels" before Everett greets the audience with a wry, humorous monologue.