The Golden Mean
Please note: MP3s are only kept online for a short time, and if this entry is from more than a couple of weeks ago, the music probably won't be available to download any more.


 

My Brightest Diamond - "We Were Sparkling"

Goth - but not like PVC and black lipstick, nor like the barbarian sackers of Rome. Goth like Aristotle's and Goldielocks's favourites: the temporal middle-dwellers - E. A. Poe, Goya, and the bad dudes who built the gargoyles and stained glass of Notre Dame.

Soft - but not like an old teddy bear, nor like an enormous cotton ball. Soft like an overripe apple, or brown, slushy snow underfoot.

Slow-unfolding like a The For Carnation song.

Again, like a The For Carnation song: An already eerie atmosphere, defined by the round tone of a plucked guitar, becomes frightening through the subtle use of well-placed chimes and metallophones.

Like, pretty sweet. [Buy]

***

Timber - "Criminals"

What "Criminals" lacks in melodic movement, it makes up for in slight and fine increases in harmonic density. Timber knows how to build pretty sounds one on top of the other to make something just a little bit more than pretty. Neither hot nor cold, "Criminals" is the temperature of bodies - a middle ground pleasing to the Greek philosopher and fairy tale character alike. [Info]

Posted by Jordan at January 19, 2007 5:20 PM
Comments

Here's a playlist that might interest you:

http://www.seeqpod.com/music/?plid=45078d505333d6b7997bb4910e73ba12626a6d6d

Posted by Emma at January 19, 2007 7:43 PM

I saw My Brightest Diamond open for Sufjan Stevens. Although I am not the biggest fan of her music, the respect I have for her singing talent is very high. This woman can sing. The kind of singing that all you can do is focus on her and try and fight away the shivers. I think its important to mention that she has a large role with Sufjan, singing backup on many songs.

Posted by Dustin Senos at January 20, 2007 7:23 PM

my favorite song from my brightest diamond, she's very talented... ah! the for carnation i almost forgot about them. I remember a friend used to play them very often back when I was young(er) brings back many good dusty memories.

Posted by Moka at January 21, 2007 5:28 PM

Not the same Timber as was around in the mid-90s then? That one had Rick Brown, Jenny Wade, Mark Howells and occasional guests such as Ira Kaplan. Angular Downtown NYC art-pop? I'm not very good at descriptions. :(

Parts & Labor is the only album of theirs I have, but I heard they released another one not so long ago.

Posted by Robert P at January 25, 2007 11:27 AM

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