The Wooden Shjips Thread

Haven't heard the full length yet but looking forward to it. The latest 7" rocks though...

I can kinda dig the Doors vibe sometimes, but I like the more manic early records than the album. I would like to see this band live.

Also, I think someone said this before but there was kind of a new zealand xpressway vibe on the 10" that I really liked.

wait I thought they just had the s/t "debut" - what are these "early records" you refer to

they put out a 10" and a 7" that got some people excited. they included a second cd with these recordings with a limited number of the full length cds, I believe.

there's a second 7" too

the food not bombs one? I haven't heard it.

blood in the streets it's up to my ankles

The Dance California 7" is worth checking out. "Clouds Over Earthquake" is the one song I've heard by them that I'll still be listening to in ten years.

saw them on sat. nite for the 1st time...

didn't hear any doors thing (other than the obv. lineup) def. got more of a krauty stooges "sister ray/european son" type vibe going on...

they were pretty solid and tight. drummer was pretty intense on the bass drum, probably ex-metal head.

Great band. Loved the early releases but could never get my hands on them so the 2cd I ordered from AQ will do nicely.

The 10" hit the spot. It's kinda how I imagined Endless Boogie to sound.

I imagined Endless Boogie sounding like Status Quo.

Endless Boogie sound like Trad Gras & Canned Heat supersession.

Endless Boogie are WAAAAY better, and I think Wooden Shjips rule mightily

I'm pissed that I missed these guys at the Fuck Yeah fest.

I don't think I've ever heard such a straight-faced Spacemen 3 ripoff band in my life.

This is not necessarily a bad thing.

^^^That was my reaction when I first heard Wooden Shjips. That's not all they've got going on, though.

granted I'm going on the half dozen songs I've listened to so far

they don't have many more!

^^^That was my reaction when I first heard Wooden Shjips. That's not all they've got going on, though.

Yeah, they also rip-off Loop. But again, that ain't a bad thing at all.

I'm unfamiliar with Loop... I think what really put the Spacemen 3 connection over the top was the fact that this guy sounds JUST LIKE Pete Kember with his lazy vocal timbre, and uses basically the same vocal-reverb effects setup.

I listened to the album all the way trough for the first time this morning. It's boring.

I like it alright but the bonus disc is MUCH better

It's like a more irie Spacemen 3. I like both of these discs.
I'm a big pothead, too.

Bonus disc is better, agreed.

I think they need a new bass player actually. The Can-style 2 note grooves are good but dude has all kinds of rhythm problems and could stand to be a tad more adventerous...

But overall, I dig the album. The length is good too.

I don't think I've ever heard such a straight-faced Spacemen 3 ripoff band in my life.

Ever heard the Colorsound album You're Only As Good As Your Sound? released on Sub Pop subsidiary Summershine, it is a total S3 ripoff and is great to boot.

I want to like this band more than I do. There is just something lacking. I think it might be the bass player as mentioned above. I like the last few tracks on their full length better than the first few.

yeah, so, is there any way to tell the difference between the single and double cd versions of the holy mountain release? i'm more in it for the bonus cd than the album itself.

I'm not sure in stores. I ordered mine from Amazon before I knew about the bonus CD. I checked it only said "1 disc", but it came with the second disc anyway. The second disc comes in a separate cardboard sleeve, if that helps at all.

they are playing in brooklyn on 10/19, I think I will check them out.

The second disc comes in a separate cardboard sleeve, if that helps at all.

that does help, cheers.

didn't hear any doors thing (other than the obv. lineup) def. got more of a krauty stooges "sister ray/european son" type vibe going on...
this is true, but i thought the drummer was the weak link. the songs are very driving and a bit more propulsion from the kit would put them over the edge. pretty fun show.

WTB a new rhythm section for Wooden Shjips!

Yeah I saw them in Oakland a couple weeks ago and their live show is so much better than this new record. I also prefer the second disc of older material to the overly produced stuff.

there's no fucking doors in the album at all. you know what there's a shitload of? rallizes. seriously, listen to the vocals, especially the effects and the kind of clipped and tuneless muttering, and listen to the way the songs kind of plod along until suddenly a big fuzzy guitar bit comes in. the production's obviously cleaner, but it's total apeage/homage. could almost be a different band to the bonus disc stuff (which i found, yay).

do i need this album? or can i live without it. record store still has the 2 disc cd version.

need, probably not. but i got a used copy w/bonus disc and i like it enough. in fact, i liked the bonus disc much more (shakey mo and trip maker are pretty right-on about the songs on that) than the album, but the album's definitely growing on me. i don't know, do you need american rallizes?

i was gonna revive this thread by saying Wooden Shjips vs High Tide

the first track, "We Ask You to Ride" is the only one where i really hear the Doors. dude totally sounds like jim and that organ. rest of it, not so much.

We Ask You To Ride

haha! i was just listening to that video and wifee asked me if it was the Doors. unprompted!

and just for fun, a live version of Wooden Ships by CSN&Y
http://youtube.com/watch?v=a0P_cviczko

there's no fucking doors in the album at all

That's patently untrue. I'm still debating it: I kinda like it anyway, despite hating the Doors. Jaxon's right, though, it is pretty much concentrated in the first track.

"patently untrue" my ass. NO DOORS! organ /= equal doors!

Wooden Shjips vs High Tide

high tide by a country mile.

it's not just the organ, dude. that voice on the first song is totally jim. and the reason i compared high tide is because that dude sounds like morrison too.

Psych bands inspired by The Doors >>>> The Doors

This has always been true.

uuu_uuu

the alb totally reminded me of the doors too, fwiw

hey, you know what? the s/t is really good for late night driving. especially track 3. suddenly the weirdly skeletal production makes sense (i can't think of a 'psych' band with 4 members who sound more minimal than these dudes) and the organ really comes to the fore. it's almost neu!-like, but not really sounding like them at all.

7" on sub pop also real good. i think the b is my favorite shjips jam.

I don't really think the LP held up to repeated listenings.. I got a promo copy of the CD, listened to it a few times driving to and from Rhode Island, realized I didn't need to buy the LP.

You're OTM re the Rallizes sound though

the s/t grew on me except for the first track (i think)

this is still my favorite of all their songs. just put this on repeat
http://www.woodenshjips.com/mp3/Shrinking%20Moon%20for%20You%20(edit).MP3

also ws >>>>>>>>>>>>>> endless boogie

much love for w.s.

SHRINKING MOON FOR YOU

^^ this

When bandleader Ripley Johnson put the band together in 2003 he wasn't interested in playing gigs or becoming famous. His original intention was to find a group of non-musicians and create music with them. The idea was that untrained players would have a brand new outlook on what music is and bring something fresh to the table, perhaps a blend of the often noisy trance rock of the Velvet Underground and the frenetic mania of the one-hit wonder garage punks of the early '60s. Bassman Dusty Jermier, for example, was originally recruited to play sax, an instrument he'd never picked up before. Other members from that first incarnation often had such a lack of interest in playing live for people the band didn't even bother looking for gigs.

u dudes like that magic lantern album on not not fun? lands somewhere between the shjips and endless boogie, actually. it's unexpectedly worth checking out

New album titled Dos to be released April 14th. Looking forward to this very much.

well, it's around..

Nice..will search for it

As regards style, I can understand the Rallizes comparison from what I've heard. But the one album I have of Wooden Shjips is utterly bland (the s/t LP on Holy Mountain). The only good track on it is the last one (no pun intended, Rallizes fans).

Is this album commonly seen as their weak one? In other words should I give them another chance?

i think the compilation 'volume 1' is superior, but it doesn't sound drastically different to the album, so i think if you're not keen on that, it's not going to change your mind really

ps can anyone sort me out with a link to the new one, can't find it anywhere!

i think most ppl agreed the singles before the album were superior (compiled on Volume 1)

So Wooden Shjips are to psych-rock what The Strokes are to NY post-punk?

That was rather facetious. But I feel they are simply a bland retread of something I hold dear.

early stuff (volume 1): loop/spacemen 3 fuzz dronin

album: rallizes (basic channel reshape)

can't wait to hear the new one.

its good. lies somewhere in between those ^^

I'm not liking the new one that much. I only liketwo of the five..."Motorbike" and "Down by the Sea" are pretty good, and the rest are forgettable. I might have to comeback to this later, but for now -- meh

the new one is more like the singles ("loop/spacemen 3 fuzz dronin") with the suicide american-anglo motorik amped up. "motorbike" could be "ghost rider 2009"

yeah i think its better than the 1st album.

i don't. it's good, but the kind of dryness of it is a little too much. it'll probably grow on me, but i was really hoping for a whole album like the b-side of the 7". god i love that track.

Sounds good to me so far. Looking forward to hearing this!

it's good, but the kind of dryness of it is a little too much.

yeah the production on this seems to be restraining their signature sound

the "e-z" version of "i hear the vibrations" on the b-side of the contact 12"... WOW. the build of the droning organ and guitar is beautiful. i need to find a good rip of the original.

Wow. Dos sucks. I mean, that could be a little harsh...

yeah? i like it well enough ... I think these guys are good -- maybe not as great as Aquarius Records would have you believe, but I do love the guitar playing.

I guess because there doesn't seem to be any evolution? Could just as well be demo from before their first record? It doesn't "suck" but man oh man it doesn't "rule." I wanted it to.

I like it.

Well dos endorsements! I'll spin the motherfucker again I guess.

Let me ask you two...are you guys...ya know...doing anything "special" before ya listen to it?

no

Oh. Because that I could see.

well, im eating an ice-lolly.

but nothing special about it.

Wouldn't say it sucks at all, slightly disappointing but the second listen sucked me in more than the first. The final track is by far my favorite though.

its good. its exactly the same as their other stuff.

I think after being initially disappointed by the 1st album after the previous releases, I just realised they wouldnt make anything earth shattering but would make some enjoyable music.

the "evolution" comment is funny though - like, its okay for some bands not to evolve (AC/DC, ZZ Top, the Ramones, Motorhead, etc.) but on the other hand bands are routinely faulted for "evolving" too much (perennial "I like their old stuff better" complaints etc.) As if there's an ideal narrative arc bands should stick to in their careers, and if they deviate too far from it then they suck.

Well, yeah dude. They're Shjips. They're going somewhere...

*boom-tish*

I still haven't revisited this album yet.

they could prove me wrong, but they don't seem to be the kinda band that would "evolve" -- the whole point is single-mindedness right? only big shakeup i could see is maybe upgrading to a more pro studio sound. but that might ruin it, make it sound like Black Rebel Motorwhatever or something. As for the other question, I've drunk some beer while listening.

Yeah I mean I wasn't expecting a major shift in sound or anything...
I don't really know what I was expecting.

the wire had a pretty brutal review of dos that essentially called them out for being low-effort and unoriginal. that would not really bother me normally but for this band it did give me pause.

oh I think a lot of effort goes into this. "single-mindedness" absolutely. I don't really have any use for "originality" esp considering the stuff they're ripping off is pretty great

yeah, lack of effort is a weird criticism ... even though a lot of their tunes are one chord, they actually seem kinda hard to play. I don't think i could do it.

people always seem to underestimate how hard it is to play really simple, repetitive music. that shit is tiring!

speaking of which (sorta) are they looping the drums in some of these songs? or is the drummer just doing it? if it's the latter, dude is a machine.

i'd love to find a drummer who was happy doing that dumbass rock solid beat all the live long day

^^^me too

yeah i appreciate those points but i guess the fact that they arrived pretty much fully formed sort of makes me wonder, i'm not even sure about what but the particular criticism for the particular band just kind of struck a chord w/me.

look like they're pretty rad live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3pMS6dZi70

wish the record i had sounded that good.

shit, would someone really pay $100 for this single
http://www.discogs.com/sell/list?release_id=1278552&ev=rb

i hope not
whole primavera set is up at the free music archive: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Wooden_Shjips/Live_at_Primavera_Sound_Festival_2009_on_WFMU/

look like they're pretty rad live
― tylerw, Wednesday, 8 July 2009 20:46 (1 month ago)

Wooden Shjips are playing here tonight, and that vid has persuaded me to give them a go. I'm not entirely convinced by their recorded output, but I can imagine they'll rock live.

they have a song on the Yeti 7 comp, haven't listened to it yet. Outtake from "Dos," apparently.

ah, thx for reminding me i need to order that Yeti ... would love it if they played my neck of the woods -- that Primavera set I linked to above is pretty sweet, and a bit different from the studio records. Any other live recordings of them floating around? I have the one from ATP last year ...

Worth seeing live. Loved them at Terrastock last year, but they're the perfect band for that sort of thing - unfurl the freak flag a bit and wander around.

they have a song on the Yeti 7 comp, haven't listened to it yet. Outtake from "Dos," apparently.

― Trip Maker, Monday, August 10, 2009 12:15 PM (15 minutes ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

also on Yeti 7 is a track by Moon Duo, shjips dude's solo project. there's a moon duo 12" out on sick thirst.

what is moon duo like?

I've got the Moon Duo 12" actually. Didn't notice they had a track on the comp! Moon Duo is just like Wooden Shjips, essentially. Minimal riff jams, one per side. It's pretty cool but not essential.

sounds more like the earlier stuff than the albums to me, but not as good. the little blurb at the store where i bought mine mentioned drum machines or electronics, which made me excited, but it doesn't really deliver on that.
i like listening to it at 33 for extra lenghty jamminess.

I found that Wire review for "dos" unduly harsh, also. That somebody could find the Shjips guilty of all that's wrong with American underground rock is baffling. If I recall, the reviewer seemed to find a cynical careerist vibe about them, a strange accusation for a band that puts out a 7" once or twice a year and gave away the entire first pressing of their debut 10" free to anyone who asked for it.

haha, yeah, if Shjips are careerist, they sure are bad at it.

I don't know, I'm getting pretty sick of seeing articles all over Rolling Stone about them. I mean, Christ, can we go two days without a news item on Pitchfork?

it's true -- just yesterday my mom asked me about them: "Who are these Wooden Shjips and should I buy their limited edition 7-inch on Holy Mountain?"

I thought about seeing them play Wrigley Field next month, but not for 250 bucks a pop.

u read the wire

Well, I'm back from the gig. I happened to stand outside next to the band beforehand, and heard that they were not exactly delighted with the club: it is a *very* hot, sweaty, small club in Berlin, with a tiny stage. They played an hour, roughly - no encore.

Wooden Shjips live are, IMHO, quite like WS on record: they're nice, and they push enough of the psych-garage-rock buttons to be interesting for a while. But they simply don't go far enough to be genuinely thrilling. After an hour they became rather dull.

The best parts of each song were when the guitarist/singer (name?) launched into some Stacy Sutherland-meets-Neil Young soloing. Really quite effective -- more of that would have been welcome.

new moon duo 12" on sacred bones. basically more of the same, but very listenable. I especially like the serene last track, Ripples.
http://www.sacredbonesrecords.com/images/releases/sbr024-front.jpg

psyched for this

http://sacredbonesrecords.com/images/promo/halloween-20091031.gif

171 Lombardy @ Varick in Greenpoint

I would pay money to see that show.

that is tonight btw (for NYers who can't read the small type)

I think it's 12 bucks

i will be there (after work.)

is it gonna be crazy crowded cause of the vivian girls? i can't really work out how popular they are.

New Wooden Shjips single - a cover of Spacemen 3's "I Believe It" http://www.cargorecords.co.uk/release/9538

hm, would've never thought these guyz like Spacemen 3

is it gonna be crazy crowded cause of the vivian girls? i can't really work out how popular they are.

I dunno, I doubt it will be THAT bad

I was afraid No Age was gonna be crazy crowded a couple weeks ago at "Above the Auto Parts Store" but that space was huge, hoping this place will be similar

saw Vivian Girls and Crystal Stilts at Silent Barn last year and it was packed but doable (that place was pretty small)

I will be there in my last minute assembled MF Doom costume so if you see a guy in a hoodie and a mask ~~

http://www.apexresourcegroup.com/images/Halemet_2.jpg

thought the Shjips killed it last night.

whole show was pretty great. Viv Girls much better than last time I saw em. guess I need to check out their new one. Crystal Stilts were good too.

fave costumes spotted: Moondog (of course), Otto from Simpsons, Dia de Los Muertos girl

Anyone heard the new Moon Duo LP? It gets a really good write up on the Norman Records site

it's ok. pretty much the same as the last one. only listened to it once, though.

i see that wooden shjips are putting out a second volume of singles. it will probably be cheaper than the mexican summer ep.

The Moon Duo thing is very good listening if you like Wooden Shjips. It's silly expensive though (in the UK). Less than half an hour long and we have to sell it for £13.99. Hmmm.

I like the Moon Duo album, but, uh, the trick is probably going to get old pretty quick if they don't stop doing Shjips-via-Suicide for every song.

^ yup

I like the Moon Duo album, but, uh, the trick is probably going to get old pretty quick if they don't stop doing Shjips-via-Suicide for every song.

― international slackness (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Tuesday, 16 February 2010 02:41 (6 hours ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

Yeah that's why I'm always hesitant about buying new wooden shjips/moon duo stuff, I already have the debut album & volume 1, really like em, but maybe their new stuff seems TOO similar to justifying spending £13-16 on it when I could be getting something more varied.

Having said that, I will definitely be picking up volume 2 because I missed out on 'Contact' first time round

I'm definitely buying Vol. 2. Even though I already burned pretty much that exact same tracklisting (plus the holiday songs).

I dig the Moon Duo release. Yeah, it's totally yet more of the same...but I really like yet more of the same, from this posse. The songs are strong, if familiar.

alright, i've been listening to "escape" a lot and "in the trees" is beautiful. i should never register an opinion on these guys' releases until i've driven around for a while with them cranked, that's when it works best for me and the details i miss at home spill out.

I heard a test pressing for a record store day seven inch that's got Bitchin Bajas (solo Cave dude) and Moon Duo. I think it could make some folks happy.

So, wait, is that Record Store Day 7" UK-only? Do I need to start begging English peeps for a copy now?

I don't think it's UK only. The Chicago store/label Permanent Records is doing it.
http://www.permanentrecordschicago.com/news.php

Weird... I looked at some page of RSD releases and it only turned up on the UK one. Well, I'll keep an eye out.

i should never register an opinion on these guys' releases until i've driven around for a while with them cranked, that's when it works best for me and the details i miss at home spill out.

I keep forgetting this myself. Important words.

Permanent is putting that out? Are we sure about that?

tbh I'm not sure of a goddamn thing anymore

We here at Permanent Records couldn't be more delighted to be sharing with you our very first Record Store Day Exclusive release, a split 7" between (the brand new CAVE side-project) Bitchin Bajas and Moon Duo (featuring Wooden Shjips' guitarist Erik "Ripley" Johnson). CAVE and Wooden Shjips share a lot in common, but their respective side-projects make an even better split pairing. Each band specializes in minimalist, repetitive, psych that's obviously influenced by Krautrock. however, they differ in that Bitchin Bajas focus on the melodic repetition while Moon Duo is heavier on the rhythm and quite a bit darker. This is Bitchin Bajas debut release. Moon Duo has released 3 critically acclaimed records to date. Both tracks on this split are exclusive to this release, which is limited to 750 copies, never to be pressed again. Happy Record Store Day!

We've distributed all of our wholesale stock, they will be available through: Revolver, Forced Exposure, Carrot Top, Thrill Jockey, Norman, & Forte.

Yo, where is that from?

Terminal Boredom board.

can a mod plz fix the misspelling in the title of this thread? thanking u

not a misspelling iirc.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7ZeuvTeyato/SezWT3YLXnI/AAAAAAAAApc/sgsB8cve6as/s400/wooden_shjips_dos.jpg

apologies for the bad joek

Nice!!

WELP, I didn't actually find a copy of it, but the Moon Duo side of the Record Store Day 7" is beautiful.

this "vol.2" comp of singles, etc. is ace.

This band kicks much butt. I recommend Vol. II and the split 7".

I am so going to see them open up for Spectrum in two weeks.

lcd soundsystem cover
http://covertcuriosity.blogspot.com/2010/05/shjips-vs-soundsystem.html

I really like Wooden Shjips, but not feeling that one at all. It's not even slightly amusing. Maybe because I HATE the original. :/

Shjips are cool 'n all, but I have a tough time imagining needing more than one record by them (for me it's the first... tho' the singles comps are good too).
Same thing for Moon Duo.

I am digging this, but I've never heard the LCD Soundsystem track.

in the end I'd rather just listen to "White Light/White Heat"

Gotta see these guys one of these days. Vol 2 is grate.

Saw them in Antwerp, Belgium last April. Dude loaned his cymbals to Yob :)

The Shjips are fun live. I think I have the first album and first singles comp., can't say I play them a whole lot, though.

there was a dancey moshpit of sorts during their set at ATP. well fun.

I cast my lot with Wooden Shjips fans. The krautrockish beat & the fine-ass guitar skree make for an irresistable combo for me. The 1st LP is the best, but its all good.

I listen to the first lp the least out of everything they've released.
I dunno, seem like a strong singles band to me (based on the comps).
Would really love to see a Wooden Shjips/White Hills bill.

I totally went through a "phase" last summer with my "Loose Lips" 7". I just picked up the Moon Duo CD but haven't listened yet, and I almost bought another WS 7" a few days ago but it was like NINE DOLLARS

http://passionweiss.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/escape.jpg

weeping fire eye considers touching of the feather hair button

Isn't it great? I think I like WS more though.

Somebody described the sound of this band as a cross between Neu and Quicksilver Messenger Service...is this right? What album(s) sound most like this?

All of their output sounds the same. Vol. 1 is their best collection. Neu! and Quicksilver is more how I would describe the side project, Moon Duo.

im kinda obsessed with this new moon duo track http://soundcloud.com/souterraintransmissions/moon-duo-mazes

"goners" is pretty great too

this is great

soooo yeah, this new moon duo record is great? i mean, i expected to like it, but i think i *love* it. I saw them two weeks ago and liked the show, but it felt pretty one-note overall -- not a huge surprise, really. but the record, while not hugely eclectic, is nicely textured/layered.

It's my favorite record out of the MD/WS camp so far, I think. The remixes are pretty nice, too.
Played Sonic Booms remix of Scars on the air last night.

where does one get the remixes?

Mine came with Mazes as a bonus disc when I bought it at a local indie shop.

oh bummerz. and i bought it from the band at the show!

(the album itself, i mean. no remix disc included)

I got it at google.

It was included in a limited number of copies of Mazes, I guess.

hmm google, is that like a new record store or something?

soooo yeah, this new moon duo record is great? i mean, i expected to like it, but i think i *love* it.

OTM. Perfect vibe throughout the whole thing.

guitar sound throughout is just like "yessssssss"

OK I am excited about this now! Hadn't even been on my radar.

This is awesome!

I really like the Wooden Shjips cover of the NZ Flying Nun band Snapper - Buddy

http://cdn.pitchfork.com/media/WoodenShjips.jpg

new one out in september! mp3 http://pitchfork.com/forkcast/16019-lazy-bones/

**excited**

like the cover...what is that font from? looks really familiar.

Is that similar to the font on some of the Sun Araw stuff?

yeah, guess it's a little like this?
http://www.urgenteplaten.nl/wp-content/uploads/sun-araw-on-patrol-203x203.jpg
but i feel like the shjips thing is referencing something old...come on this is IMPORTANT.

full album stream
http://alteredzones.com/posts/1884/zoned-wooden-shjips-west/

sounds pretty good but on first pass not as fierce as "Dos"

gonna be tough to beat this year's moon duo record tbh.

I actually haven't heard that yet. Got it queued up right after this Sun Araw/Eternal Tapestry (Night Gallery). It's psych-rock Tuesday.

pretty heavy takedown of the new one on dusted: http://dustedmagazine.com/reviews/6679
dunno, listening now it sounds great to me. obviously not a reinvention, but the hi-fi sound makes it different enough for me. reviewer just seems to be tired of them, which maybe is understandable, but i'm not tired of them yet!

"These fellas do nothing to prove their worth" is a bit much but he does have a point. I'm enjoying the album though.

I'm liking Moon Duo's "Mazes" a lot but I don't feel like I need to go back to "West," at some point it does get kinda like they're spinning their wheels

loving the backwards sounds on "rising". I dunno, this sounds really strong to me!

at some point it does get kinda like they're spinning their wheels

an ironic criticism of this band imho

can't wait to get this myself

Man, I got that email from Thrill Jockey about the limited Moon Duo Halloween 12", but it was already sold out by the time I got home a couple hours later to try and order it.

Any of you score one?

yeah wtf vinyl of WEST is already sold out

:(

Is it really? Damn.

thrill jockey must do really small runs of vinyl, so many of their albums sell out within a month or two of release. can probably find them at retailers, though

I was able to grab the Moon Duo Halloween 12-inch. The planets aligned and I was actually able to get there and place my order about ten minutes after the e-mail hit my inbox. I've been on the outside looking in for most of this Moon Duo/Shjips vinyl.

Thanks to Tyler and his absolutely righteous Doom and Gloom From the Tomb, I got into Moon Duo first and then the Wooden Shjips.

I caught them Saturday at the Empty Bottle here in Chicago, and their set was pretty impressive. Unrelenting jams. There is a formula, no doubt: Mumbled verse/chorus and then the fireworks begin. I didn't have a problem with this, per se, but some other folks were decrying the repetitiveness. It really wasn't a problem for me. I "get" it.

some other folks were decrying the repetitiveness.

if they had any idea what the band sounded like beforehand then I really don't get this complaint. They love repetition! Duh!

cool cover
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ltsbzaiDYp1qihnsp.jpg

ha, yeah, if you don't like repetitive, hypnotic jams, this band isn't for you.

i can understand liking repetive songs but having a problem with a set of songs all sounding the same.

xp Shakey - called around to a couple local shops about West and they are sold out. Will let you know if the one that's closed Monday still has it.

yeah I haven't seen it anywhere

Brooklyn on Thursday. Can't wait. Bring on the repetition!

If they had any idea what the band sounded like beforehand then I really don't get this complaint

They did not. Plenty of people there Saturday did not know what they were in for.

i can understand liking repetive songs but having a problem with a set of songs all sounding the same.

I get that Wooden Shjips probably gets this complaint quite a bit, and to the untrained ear or the serial concert blabber, maybe they do all sound the same. But to the heads who pick up on nuance and some of the subtle variations involved, it ain't really the same.

people who complain about repetition in music bore me

Yeah, the Wooden Shjips are one of those bands that just sorta by definition weed out the gadflies and pretenders in a crowd pretty quick.

It's loud and heavy and unrelenting. If you're able to hop aboard, it's a wild ride. But if not, you best get out of the way because the train just seems to keep picking up momentum.

FYI, you can get the Horror Tour EP on iTunes for $6.

west lp is still available on insound

actually it's back on the thrill jockey site too

Oh man, the Horror Tour EP is worth tracking down if only to hear "Sickener", such a fucking jam.

got a vinyl copy yesterday. great stuff

Me too! Found it for only £7 on Berwick Street. It's really great - there's a hell of a lot packed into four songs...

grrr I will probably never see this EP.

Moon Duo needs a Vol 1 and Vol 2 like the Shjips had, ASAP.

also I guess there was a bonus 7" with some copies of West? And another Moon Duo 7" from this year?

I should just order from the band, they only live like 10 hours from me..

(calls Ripley, orders "one of everything")

I got the "West" vinyl. no 7" tho

The 7" came free if you ordered the LP from Thrill Jockey (along with a tote bag). All of the tracks from it are on the iTunes version of West, FWIW. They are:

- Phonograph
- Lights Out (Peaking Lights Mix)
- Wiking Stew (Sonic Boom Remix)

Totally agree on the Moon Duo Vol. 1 need. Hell, the Shjips are due for Vol. 3!

is there a place to (legally) download the horror tour ep?

As I mentioned a few posts up, on iTunes for $6.

oops, missed that post! thx

Copies of the West bonus 7" are showing up separately these days. Got one on pre-order.

saw these guys last week - played sikkk cover of 'buddy' by snapper

^underrated

that sounds so awesome, I love that tune and that EP kills

^cosign bigtime

damn, maybe I should have grabbed that EP earlier after all...

Wait my bad I tht Sleeve was talking about the Snapper EP

Finally managed to get a reasonably priced copy of the Shjips 7" with the Snapper cover off eBay last week. Took long enough.

http://youtu.be/fwxCbE3T7q4

I tht Sleeve was talking about the Snapper EP

I was!

saw these guys last week - played sikkk cover of 'buddy' by snapper

yeah, but they've been doing this for five years by my count

*rimshot*

I have to admit, I listened to that and thought "sounds like every other WS song."

idk tenderizer, i have not seen them before - thought it may have been something novel for aus/NZ audiences. kiwi friend at the show was beside himself about it!

no worries, just joking abt the similarities between their sound and "buddy". it's a great song, and they're a phenomenal live band.

new album trailer
http://vimeo.com/71853120

nice LZII vibe on the sleeve

this is apparently a big crossover album? people sure are up and down on the wooden shjips.

lol crossover ... to where?

it's gonna be HUGE.
i like this new one a lot, their progress into being a straightforward rock band has been surprisingly successful, imo.
there are a few big Neil Young moments on this one.

"a rock audience" (rather than?) i dunno. i saw they have won over dero http://www.wbez.org/blogs/jim-derogatis/2013-09/rim-shots-willis-earl-beal-bongos-and-wooden-shjips-108713

Consider this an early head’s up: The album won’t be released by Chicago’s beloved Thrill Jockey until November 12, but I haven’t been able to stop listening since I downloaded the advance a few weeks ago, and you need to know about these timeless, hypnotic, swirling, psychedelic melodies now. The San Francisco quartet has been recording since the mid-2000s—giant slabs of dark mystery built on the familiar elements of droning organ, fuzzed-out guitar, whispered vocals, and insistent, metronomic drums—in the grand tradition of the Velvet Underground to the Dream Syndicate and Spacemen 3 to the Black Angels. But after going back and devouring the back catalog, I can say they’ve never been as consistent, entrancing, necessary, and just plain perfect as they are on these eight new jams.

i bought a ticket to the record release show as soon as i saw crazy horse. i liked them enough in their previous state, but i'll pay $14 to see a cut rate crazy horse.

I just can't picture these guys as a mainstream rock act. granted I haven't heard the new one but...

i didn't even know there was a rock mainstream anymore tbh
it seems ridic to think that the shjips are gonna blow up the charts but who knows
i just want to hear some lumbering jams

xp "mainstream" is stretching it -- what's a mainstream rock act these days, anyway? kings of leon or something?

anyhoo, w/ the neil young stuff, the last song on the new shjips sounds like an homage to this deep cut
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc65mHWrS1k

well, yeah - Kings of Leon. uh the Black Keys I guess?

these guys just seem off in their own little world, completely insulated from larger market trends. which is fine, that's how I like it for the most part.

Arcade Fire, are they a rock band?

ha! crossover.

i'm excited for this. Shjips + CAVE for that release show has me looking at bus tickets & times and trying to make that trip.

huh didn't know Interstate was a Ragged Glory outtake

that version i posted is actually the int'l harvesters version from 85ish, but yeah, he recorded it for ragged glory (and then for whatever reason, put it out on the vinyl broken arrow). definitely one of his best "unknown" songs.

Streaming in full here: http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2013/nov/04/wooden-shjips-back-to-land-album-stream

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEsuD_K4sUU

ripley seems like a super nice dude from that video, wkiw, but the show friday did not electrify me
i think they suffered from overly good opening bands tbh

Wanted to come up for that show really bad, but had to work. Assuming that they followed CAVE, which would be tough. Really liking the new record though.

Bobby Matador from Oneida with some measured half-praise: http://thetalkhouse.com/reviews/view/bobby-matador-wooden-shjips

They not only followed CAVE, but they followed Rabble Rabble, whose drummer is so fun to watch and so good. I feel like they almost didn't stand a chance even though they weren't at all bad or anything like that. They were quite buoyant, really. I just wasn't feeling it too strongly. I'll admit that I left after 4 songs. Maybe it got super incredible after that, dunno.

cave would probably be the worst band to have to follow

this was the first band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyXQIgjhh_8

haha wow yeah she is good

fingertapping on the end there a little regrettable but otherwise sweet!

someone tweeted an in-the-flesh picture of the new album today - not a massive fan but this thing looks great:

https://twitter.com/dannykellywords/status/399906456939405314

Was annoyed to see it in Rough Trade East last night (the version with the bonus 7"). Got mine sent from Thrill Jockey to my Sister-In-Law's in the US, thinking only TJ would have the bonus 7" & their shipping to the UK being more hideous than it should be. Oh well, I did get a bonus iTunes download of one of the 7" tracks...which is only valid in the US store.

Feel like this band is everything I hate about psych rock, just like long boring songs with no energy and standard psych guitar solos.

so what do you like about psych rock

very possible i just like long boring songs with no energy and standard psych guitar solos.
i dunno, i get what you mean, but for whatever reason i always enjoy wooden shjips

is this west coast tour any good?

thinking about seeing them saturday night but was not impressed with "west" and have not heard "back to land"

bump

i meant to respond to this before but i forgot
the show i saw was merely ok. as i mentioned, the opening bands were hard to follow, and the shjips formula sounded overly evident by the time they went on, but that might not be their fault. i did start to get the suspicion that their new album was overhyped by people who don't listen to a lot of music like this (so it sounded more interesting to them than it did to me).

not a bad time, but not mind blowing by any stretch.

i did start to get the suspicion that their new album was overhyped by people who don't listen to a lot of music like this (so it sounded more interesting to them than it did to me).

It's enjoyable, but I think this suspicion is spot on. 'Back to Land' seems to be the one that has broken through to some critics who believe they've stumbled upon something great and obscure, and thus are pumping it up as better than their earlier stuff, i.e. "Wooden Shjips have finally put it all together," so they don't appear late to the game.

they've jumped the shark after vol. 2 huh

Nah west and dos are great. But at this point I think I prefer moon duo.

^ otm

I thought vol 2 came out after dos

tbh not crazy about west

Everything I've heard by these guys was perfectly enjoyable but sounded pretty much the same. I saw them open on the Pavement reunion tour and everyone in the crowd hated them, so I made a point of cheering as loud as I could - probably the moment I felt most positively disposed to WS.

they've jumped the shark after vol. 2 huh

― the late great, Saturday, 25 January 2014

this is my assessment, with the caveat that I think a lot of the creative energy has gone into Moon Duo

Back to Land sounded really formulaic to me; there was only one,song that stood out to me and I don't remember the name of it rn

West was not that much better but at least the two best songs were first and thereby easy to find

I prolley need to hear early WS tho fer sure. Loved their Snapper cover

Moon Duo is cool but uneven too; Circles was p great but I thought Mazes was drastically overrated. Probably my favorite thing Ripley has done was MD's Escape EP

this new one is stellar- dreamy and floaty, a mode i haven't picked up on in them prior. will sound good on a hot afternoon in the backyard

this is still my favorite work of theirs- i don't have a ton of use for their middle period, it seems

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1YoLJajtAE

I find them a bit hit & miss, but the new one sounds good. Hopefully they'll come out on tour

new great ‘rural psych’ record, S/T ‘Rose City Band’. not much info about them otherwise. is this the shjips pretending to be a different band?

hmmmm

Produced and recorded by Ripley Johnson

this actually calls it a side project fwiw

https://www.reddit.com/r/psychedelicrock/comments/bsnmat/rose_city_band_wandering_feeling_new_side_project/

definitely ripley singing / playing guitar, not sure who else is in the band ...

Nice! Reminds me of Natural Child and their "Okey Dokey" LP

is the pronunciation shyps or ships?

I love this Rose City Band album. It really is a perfect summer record, so warm. I haven't paid much attention to the Wooden Shjips universe, but this made me go back to some of their stuff and also to Moon Duo. I like his whole vibe.

Another Rose City Band album coming in May, Earth Trip. You can pre-order it from Trill Jockey and get some rolling papers with it, on brand.

https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a1390957203_10.jpg

another one! he's really churning these out ... which is good! i always put on this guy's records and think "eh, this is kinda boring" and then about two minutes in I think "hey this is great!"

haha yes

this new one is great, maybe the spaciest/ mellowest yet

ooh that sounds good, stuff like 'I Hear The Vibrations (E-Z Version)' is my fave - is that a good reference point?

no not really. it’s much more acoustic sounding with beautiful pedal steel. none of the motorik groove/ driving bass lines like on Vibrations.

SHRINKING MOON FOR YOU

^^ this

― Calling All Creeps! (contenderizer), Tuesday, January 6, 2009 5:03 PM (thirteen years ago) bookmarkflaglink

hilarious to me that this doors worship band is named after a song by a guy who famously hated jim morrison and his music

The Doors comparisons didn't make sense to me in 2007 and they still don't in 2023, tbh.

haha yeah — he occasionally has sort of subtly morrison-esque croon but I wouldn't call 'em a Doors worship band.
New one is pretty killer, all the players are really good, Barry Walker especially.

Assume you are talking about his new Rose City Band album, otherwise I missed some news!

oh haha, yes the new Rose City! no new Wooden Shjips record as far as I know.

Huge fan of all things Ripley Johnson and have loved everyhting RCB since the self-titled! tylerw, care to share how this new one compares to the 1st three? more of the same country 'choogle'? cosmic americana? more psych-y perhaps? Barry Walker on the lap steel is always a great thing! Any sneak peek/intel would be greatly appreciated!

i was such a huge Shjips and Moon Duo fan, but i can't get into RCB at all ... and i live close to the RC and i've tried ... just won't take.

I've liked all the Rose City Band stuff but I think the new one is my favorite — I've seen some reviews that don't love its increased space noodle factor, but I love that! The last three tracks in particular are just kind of a long gorgeous reverie. No particular place to go and no hurry to get there.

This is exactly what I needed this morning without knowing I needed it. Very JJ Cale.

Yeah I already held RCB in high regard, but the new one takes it to a whole new level. I've gotten so much mileage out of it.

I really love the first three records, but had kinda decided to sit the latest one out, just because I felt I had enough of them, there's other music to buy etc.
But then last night, two beers in, I read tipsy's post, listened to about half of Mariposa, and immediately ordered the record.

this is really scratching my "what else sounds like Relatively Clean Rivers" itch, thanks thread

New one is my favorite too.

A lot of it reminds me of Beachwood Sparks’ The Tarnished Gold—a really terrific and overlooked album. RCB is a lot noodlier but there is still a shared vibe

i can't really hang with this RCB record. it just sounds like easy listening music? i'm not saying that's bad, it's just not for me i guess.

Was pleasantly surprised to hear These Shadows in Episode 8 of The Diplomat on Netflix. Pink Floyd's The Great Gig in the Sky as well.

it just sounds like easy listening music?

no man, it's cosmic :)

It's easy to listen to, but in a good way imo. Definitely a vibe, so if you don't vibe with it, c'est ca.

hilarious to me that this doors worship band is named after a song by a guy who famously hated jim morrison and his music

― budo jeru, Thursday, March 30, 2023 6:47 PM (two months ago)

The Doors comparisons didn't make sense to me in 2007 and they still don't in 2023, tbh.

― Maxmillion D. Boosted (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Friday, March 31, 2023 8:49 AM (two months ago)

the last time i saw them (2006 or 2007) they opened for 水晶の舟 whose name translates to "The Crystal Ship".

Saw Rose City Band last night, they were really fantastic and have really clicked into something live. Helped to have Barry Walker Jr. on pedal steel, but the rhythm section was really on point.