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Protomartyr — 285

ALBUMS: Relatives in Descent (2017)

MVC Rating: 4.0/$$$$

Post-punk they call it. Pere Ubu-like. I hear Lou Reed-like vocal word play. There’s a darkness about it that almost dips its toe into Goth, like the Cure did or maybe even as far as Sisters of Mercy.

This is a record I received a year ago for my birthday and since I’ve been listening to my 678 albums in alphabetical order, I haven’t had a chance to listen this more than a few times.

Despite all the references I give above, my first reaction was a relatively obscure Midwestern group called Eleventh Dream Day. Not so much lyrically but the driving jangly guitar which sits very close to the front, along with killer bass, constantly driving the angsty words which sometimes feature the same line over and over and sometimes veer into the Captain Beefheart experimental realm.

The persistent chord-a-matic guitar strums remind me a little of my high school buddy, Paul Hammond RIP, and his work in Time Toy and Little Tigers in the heydey of the Athens, Ga., music scene.

Good stuff. Go for it if you are interested in a punky Lou Reed — hey wait a minute that would be Velvet Underground. No? Yes.

The band reminds at times of Athens, Ga. band Time Toy

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Staying Alive

Requip. Memantine. Sinemet. Vinyl.

Now which of these will help me live longer?

The first three are drugs I’ve taken or am taking to battle my disease. While  they will help with the symptoms, they aren’t proven to stop this disease.

I have Lewy Body dementia and my life is expected to be 5 to 7 years (but varies widely) after diagnosis. I was diagnosed 13 months ago at age 56.

For more of my story click on the About Me button and  read some of the links.

The fourth item, Vinyl, as in vinyl records is what I am banking on. I am reviewing on this  website my collection of vinyl records, mostly from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s’. I have 678 records. I’ve made a vow to  complete my collection before I go to that big used record store in the sky.

So my birthday — which was on Nov. 9 this year* — my sister Julie sends me albums. New vinyl record albums not some rummage sale used discs. And she said there will be more at other events in time. She said they are going to keep me alive longer.

And you know I think she’s right, this project which I am loving will keep me going. And I’ve got a long way to go..

And it’s getting longer. Four more records I haven’t even heard  of. (Well I know Fleet Foxes a little.)

Here’s what Julie and Rob and family sent me. I’ve listened to some but am not ready to review. I will slip them in alphabetically as I am doing. I’m in the B’s right now.

  • “Crack-up” by Fleet Foxes.
  • “Milano” by Danielle Luppis & Parouet Courts.
  • “Relatives in Descent” by Protomartyr
  • “Pure Comedy” by Father John Misty

And one that I picked up at a mini concert on the back porch of a basketball buddy of mine. It’s a husband wife team and the band and album is called:  When Particles Collide “This Town.”

So here’s some exciting new music I’ll be reviewing after I get to know them a bit.

Thanks and much love to  Julie, Rob, Sophie, Rachel, Graeme,  Jake and my lovely daughter Emily.

*Interesting note, but that’s what my b-day was last year.