Cole Furlow, the man behind Dead Gaze, has been around music all his life. His father was a musician and high school band director who taught him the joys of making pocket symphony pop. Furlow isn’t a three chord kind of guy, but his music is raw. His mix of complex arrangements with addictive fuzzy melodies makes him stand out from the crowd of lo-fi bands.
Pitchfork’s review of his record Brain Holiday puts it this way, “it’s a confident, catchy record that makes you wonder if all lo-fi acts would sound this good if given [some] studio time, or if Furlow’s a real voice of his generation. My bet’s on the latter.” This week, we were lucky enough to have Dead Gaze compile your weekend jams.
The Rolling Stones – 12 x 5
I guess my first song on this thing would have to be something that lately, I can’t seem to stop listening to. “Around and Around” is a really weird Stones song when you think about it. Keith’s lead part is extremely hypnotic and exact in the most delightful way. It’s “blues” but in the most who-gives-a-fuck way. It’s more baroque and sassy. I can’t get away from early Stones stuff. Pretty sure it follows me around and I seem to be always down.
Listen to: “Around and Around”
Siouxsie and the Banshees – Kaleidoscope
I’m one of those weirdos that still appreciates a really shredder acoustic guitar part. This song dominates that. The guitar sounds like a von Karajan conducted powerhouse. And Siouxsie is such a fucking badass in this song it hurts. She embodied so many classic rock stars in one persona. “Christine” slams you and you don’t even know it’s coming.
Listen to: “Christine”
Pure Prairie League – Pure Prarie League
It’s not always Gram Parsons this, and The Eagles that… you know? Put some of that shit down and get on some PPL. This song rips so hard your dad digs it.
Listen to: “Woman”
Pete Rock – Petestrumentals
Something about this jam makes me think that there might be music in the afterlife. I don’t fucking know why I think that or even think there is an afterlife, it’s just the reality of what hits my head when I hear this record. Pete Rock is a doctor with his hand on your wrist checking your pulse. He’s as programmed in your brain as the Stars and Bars. Light years ahead of us, yet still tapped into what everyone loves.
Listen to: “Something Funky”
Alex de Grassi – Windham Hill 25 Years of Guitar
I dig new age music, a lot. After years of coming to grips with how ridiculously over the top emotional this genre can be, I’ve found solace in the home of Windham Hill. This shit rips in a very specific way. I guess it’s a slow burn and features pretty much everything I dig about Windham Hill.
Listen to: “Western”
Bonus pick:
Robyn – Body Talk
I’m pretty sure there will never be a time in my life where I don’t fucking love this jam with all my heart. It’s beautiful and intense in all the best ways. The song’s subject matter is heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. Super hard combo to pull off if you ask me. Even though its been around for a while, I still can’t get enough. And the video’s a banger too.
Listen to: “Call Your Girlfriend”