Today (which is a bit more than a week ago now, since I automated this message), I listened to Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band’s “Trout Mask Replica”, which captures what I imagine it would sound like if an entire band were to fall down stairs, but they continue playing. The album has been called the most challenging album of the 20th century, hailed for it’s advanced polyrhythms and experimental time signatures, and often appears on greatest of all time lists. Matt Groening, of Simpsons fame, stated that it ‘clicked’ for him on 7th listen – I guess I still have a couple to go… (listen at your own risk)
Anyway, why am I telling you this? Captain Beefheart was a provocateur. A visionary one, arguably, but a provocateur nonetheless. And sometimes I like to be a bit of one, too – minus the visionary bit. So since I am out for vacation this week, I wanted to put you all in the right mindset for my return come Monday, with this ghostly message popping up, like a Rattata in high grass.
“Dem Land Tirol die Treue” (2007) is a compilation album of 15 thoughtfully curated Austrian Volksmusik (folk music for the unimaginative) bangers, unified under the eponymous song that is considered Tyrol’s unofficial hymn.
As we took the 10-hour car ride from Hamburg down to Austria, it would be right around our crossing of the border that my dad would put on the album and play us through the last stretch. Year after year, listen after listen, it’s made its way into my heart – further ostracizing me from my peers that decidedly did and do not share my enthusiasm :joy:
If you dare to venture in, give the title track a listen, as well as “Marsch der Freiwilligen Feuerwehr” and “Tiroler Buam-Polka” – three absolute marvels!
See y’all next week!
Coryphe 