Lost Classics: S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D.
Posted March 31, 2009 by Matt at 12:18 pm · Filed under Lost Classics
So in lieu of having new Grinding Tapes albums to listen to and review (lookin’ forward to the summer), I thought I would take the chance to throw a couple of “Lost Classics” at you all. This will be a semi-regular posting about albums which I think are under-sung. Sure, they may have been critically lauded or popular in their time, but it seems that they have lost the limelight for one reason or another and I think they deserve another look.
Anyway, with no further ado, I give you S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D.
This 2002 album from !!! side project, Out Hud is definitely an obscure classic. Being the dork I am and having a lot of time on my hands a few weeks ago, I decided to see what the first album ever granted Pitchfork Media’s Best New Music rating. Yes, I know, it’s sad. But anyway, I’m glad I did it, ‘cuz this album was it, and not two days later I found the same album on the shelf at Mystery Train Records in Gloucester, MA for a paltry $4.50.
The album explores a mild yet driving electro pulse with experimentation in jangly and sometimes almost disco (see !!!) guitar and glitchy noise, feedback, and industrial-esque textures. There are some straight ahead Kraftwerk-esque keyboards as well, and lots of interesting hand and programmed drumming as well. But, when it’s all combined, this album is what I would consider excellent any day background music. For a walk on a beach, a long car ride, or I could make the best argument for a day of work around the house.
While it doesn’t include anything you have never heard done before, this album does set a unique mood and puts together some very pleasing sounds, which are very rarely combined. And best of all, it does this very well.
Perfect for: any fan of mellow electronica, someone looking for a new sound to fill their background, or anyone who likes listening to !!! but would really like them to take a minute and chill out.
(If pressed I would definately recomend track two, “Dad, There’s a Little Phrase Called Too Much Information”, over track one, but since it won’t let me post it here (size issues)…. One is a good example of what’s going on as well.)
