Things were done a little differently tonight in the land of Swole Ear. Remember that badass camping trip that I told you about back in November? Well, that trip was a part of my equally badass Adventure Ed II class. While this past semester filled with hardcore adventuring has been the hardest I’ve ever had to work for a Physical Education credit, it’s also been a ton of fun. Except for the knots. I can’t deal with knot tying.
Naturally, our final project is a Knot Board—a display filled with no less than 32 different, complicated knots. For some reason, I’ve never been good with rope. I just don’t have a mind made for visualizing these things, but, I’ve got to get this project done. So tonight, I decided that I’d get to work on the Continuous Ring Hitch (this monstrosity), while listening to Kaputt by Destroyer.
I knew nothing about this album going in, and with a name like “Destroyer,” I naturally expected some fast-paced and angry rock music that would hopefully power me through what was sure to become known as the 2012 Ring Hitch Disaster.
Overall, things went better than expected. Due to the extremely calm and relaxing nature of this record, my hitch is really taking shape.
What immediately comes to mind while listening to “Kaputt” is smooth jazz. Bear with me though; it’s much better than that stuff. I just had that thought because of all the brass that finds its way into the album. Saxophones and trombones run rampant over really laid-back beats, and dreamy vocals. It’s a unique sound, and definitely not for everybody. While plenty would probably write off this stuff as really cheesy, I found myself getting into it. Check it out, at least, and you may find yourself pleasantly surprised. Regardless of what y’all think, it really is the perfect knot-tying music.
Swole Ear 
Mr. Ear: This album, to me, seems to owe a lot to Steely Dan. Steely Dan were interesting for doing very polished, smooth, jazzy music under lyrics that could be pretty arcane and twisted: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzDnhqGdKMk. If you enjoyed this, I think you will like them as well. Why not try their first album, Can”t Buy A Thrill? Very enjoyable and, if memory serves, short, too.
In my experience, Dr Chops, nothing has aged quite as poorly as Steely Dan. That said, I love ’em, too, and I’ve got Can’t Buy a Thrill (and most of the others) on vinyl…
I guess they aged better for me. I appreciate them more now than I did then. Probably because I relate better to the protagonist in Hey 19. That said, Prefab Sprout! WTF!!! Steely Dan are evil at their core (as is appropriate for a band named after a steam-powered dildo in a William Burrows novel). The contrast between the perverse lyrics and the radio-friendly sound is the beauty of the band. Sprout were just bland (as is appropriate for a band named after a tasteless healthfood item).
Having listened to Kaputt a little more, I am also hearing some early New Order. No surprise then that Destroyer contributed a (good) cover to a compilation of covers of New Order’s first album. Check it out: http://www.covermesongs.com/2012/01/destroyer-adds-depth-to-new-orders-leave-me-alone-on-new-tribute-album.html .
Sounds more like Prefab Sprout to me (got that on CD).
Just sayin’: to people born after 1985, Steely Dan sounds kind of like Bill Haley and his Comets sound to you and me – damn old. Of course, I welcome the Ear’s opinion if he is so inclined.
Just sayin’ one more reason to listen to Can’t Buy a Thrill: Elliott Randall’s guitar solo on Reelin’ In The Years: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri8LX8OTXmc&feature=related. Allegedly Jimmy Page’s favorite solo and definitely one of mine.
I don’t like Steely Dan, but I like Steely Dan better than this stuff. I have to categorize the link song as unlistenable. Is that Kenny G I hear? I would tie two knots and stuff them in my ears. As for Jimmy Page’s favorite solo — he was always on drugs. Everyone knows Freebird is the greatest solo of all solos (except the parts that aren’t solos because one or two other guitars join in).
By the way, Ear Boy, nice job on that knot.