Gargantuan post that I look forward to finishing. Lots of agrees and disagrees so far (I am very high on PHOBOS and down on BLD) but my biggest +1 is the initial comment about KD remaining a fixture for half (most?) of my life and continuing to benefit from my near-reverent appraisal. I could talk about Driver-verse music all day long and not get tired, so it's always a pleasure to hear someone else geeking out to the same degree.
The big treble-y guitars over the synthscapes really tickle my brain and kind of make me think of the best of 80's era Rush, which is a super nostalgic sound for me. Love the buildup in Rings of Earth. Love the bombast of Magnetism. All the Pain gets rightfully dragged here (it's probably the only song in the entire KD library where I have no idea where tf Toby is going with the song structure) but the rest is among the most easy and listenable Kayo Dot for me. I'd probably notch it just above Coffins tbh if you want the hottest of takes.
Ooooh this will no doubt be a lovely read! Quick question while I dive into this monster of a post: which album (or song) should I definitely check? I have zero interest in listening to anything metal, but I absolutely adore Alora Crucible's last album and like some of his solo work quite a lot as well (They Are the Shield most notably). So I'm more into the chamber music/ambient side of his sound.
Now let me see if I can find the answer within the list
Stained Glass, Gamma Knife bookends and Blue Lambency Downward are the ones for you! Probably Dowsing too — the metal parts of that one are pretty secondary to the main deal. Misparsed AC as Animal Collective for a second and almost went apoplectic. A close shave.
In addition to Hugh's suggestions I'd also throw in Tartar Lamb and maudlin of the Well's Part the Second, which are both Kayo Dot-y enough to almost count. You could also give Wayfarer a shot and hear how wrong he is about it, but your call.
I think I checked Part the Second like seven years ago and it bounced right off me then (even though it didn't think it was bad at all). Time for a relisten!
Nice, Dowsing was one record that I got "stuck" on for a long time when I was committed to going through Kayo Dot in chronological order. This was probably in the empty gap between the releases of Coyote and Gamma Knife, and Dowsing had just enough confusing bullshit in it to throw me off and make me just want to listen to Choirs of the Eye or Bath again. I still remember when 'Gemini Becoming the Tripod' finally clicked for me and haven't looked back since.
All that to say, I feel like that's one of KD's more "CHALLENGING" records so if you can power through that I feel like there's something in most of their catalog to enjoy for you.
Quite superb stuff! Doubt Kayo Dot will ever be my favorite band, there definitely outside my wheelhouse, but this has been the kick I need to do some exploring (I've heard a few of their albums before).
this is such a phenomenal undertaking - looking forward to reading it in greater detail after work today
Gargantuan post that I look forward to finishing. Lots of agrees and disagrees so far (I am very high on PHOBOS and down on BLD) but my biggest +1 is the initial comment about KD remaining a fixture for half (most?) of my life and continuing to benefit from my near-reverent appraisal. I could talk about Driver-verse music all day long and not get tired, so it's always a pleasure to hear someone else geeking out to the same degree.
By gosh, what gets you going in PHOBOS? It's like the most stagnant parts of Coffins in macro form to my ears.
Not that I hate it or anything
The big treble-y guitars over the synthscapes really tickle my brain and kind of make me think of the best of 80's era Rush, which is a super nostalgic sound for me. Love the buildup in Rings of Earth. Love the bombast of Magnetism. All the Pain gets rightfully dragged here (it's probably the only song in the entire KD library where I have no idea where tf Toby is going with the song structure) but the rest is among the most easy and listenable Kayo Dot for me. I'd probably notch it just above Coffins tbh if you want the hottest of takes.
Ooooh this will no doubt be a lovely read! Quick question while I dive into this monster of a post: which album (or song) should I definitely check? I have zero interest in listening to anything metal, but I absolutely adore Alora Crucible's last album and like some of his solo work quite a lot as well (They Are the Shield most notably). So I'm more into the chamber music/ambient side of his sound.
Now let me see if I can find the answer within the list
Okay at 35 I've found the first song that actually sounds appealing to me
Tentative conclusion: Kayo Dot not really for me, pray for a new AC album instead
Stained Glass, Gamma Knife bookends and Blue Lambency Downward are the ones for you! Probably Dowsing too — the metal parts of that one are pretty secondary to the main deal. Misparsed AC as Animal Collective for a second and almost went apoplectic. A close shave.
Hahahahah no I wouldn't dare bring Animal Collective into this conversation
And thanks! I might also try Every Rock... because it sounds absolutely intriguing.
Haha that is quite the YOLO pick for a KD album. Truth be told, I have yet to really put enough effort into it to form a solid opinion of it.
In addition to Hugh's suggestions I'd also throw in Tartar Lamb and maudlin of the Well's Part the Second, which are both Kayo Dot-y enough to almost count. You could also give Wayfarer a shot and hear how wrong he is about it, but your call.
Yes haha I was just about to say, scratch all my post and check Part the Second! Best of all worlds on that record
I think I checked Part the Second like seven years ago and it bounced right off me then (even though it didn't think it was bad at all). Time for a relisten!
Update: in an unexpected turn of events I have become obsessed with 'The Necklace'.
I enjoyed Stained Glass and most parts of Dowsing as well, though I doubt they'll have the same impact.
Nice, Dowsing was one record that I got "stuck" on for a long time when I was committed to going through Kayo Dot in chronological order. This was probably in the empty gap between the releases of Coyote and Gamma Knife, and Dowsing had just enough confusing bullshit in it to throw me off and make me just want to listen to Choirs of the Eye or Bath again. I still remember when 'Gemini Becoming the Tripod' finally clicked for me and haven't looked back since.
All that to say, I feel like that's one of KD's more "CHALLENGING" records so if you can power through that I feel like there's something in most of their catalog to enjoy for you.
Quite superb stuff! Doubt Kayo Dot will ever be my favorite band, there definitely outside my wheelhouse, but this has been the kick I need to do some exploring (I've heard a few of their albums before).