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Category Archives: Ball of Wax
Ball of Wax 55 Songs: Peter Colclasure – “Synth 3”
[Disclaimer: this review contains homework.] Peter Colclasure’s “Synth 3” is the story of modern America encapsulated in a five-minute tonal work centered in A minor, its primary i-VII-III-v (V? I can’t tell because Colclasure maddeningly/wisely avoids establishing that third interval … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 55 Songs: Drekka – “Frozen Watercourse”
Drekka‘s “Frozen Watercourse” is a dreamy meditation for piano, bowed ukulele (played by our old pal Darryl Blood), voice, and other sounds. The vocals are buried deep in the mix, adding subtly to the wordless, layered, pulsing thrum of the … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 55 Songs: Danbert Nobacon and Kira Wood Cramer – “Building a Wall”
I could write a few words here about the impressive musical pedigree of Danbert Nobacon and let it speak for itself, but that would detract from the wry humor and restrained angst of the smartbomb singalong protest song that is … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 55 Songs: Isaac Castillo – “Humanity”
Isaac Castillo‘s “Humanity” is a sobering, heartfelt message delivered in a beautiful, catchy package – the perfect stealth-bomb of political truth. It’s easy enough to write a dumb, angry punk song about dumb issues that make you angry – take … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 55 Songs: Grumpy Bear – “‘Our Land'”
“‘Our Land’” (placed in double quotes because the title itself is properly written with quotation marks, for all you punctuation-heads out there), is a new slice of dark pop genius – extreme emphasis on the dark – from our dear … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 55 Songs: Guest Directors – “Parachute On”
“Parachute On” is the first song (and kind of the title track) on Guest Directors‘ new EP Dream the Currents – their third in as many years. I’m not sure how I’ve missed this group until now, but I’m glad … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 55 Songs: Annie Ford and Corespondents – “Pájaros”
The moonlight casts shadows through papel picado in this collaboration between Annie Ford and Correspondents. Channeling early 20th century Rancheras, or Mexican Folklore-based traditional music, Annie’s commanding alto extends dolorously into the end of each note, resolving in a graceful … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 55 Songs: Town Forest – “Crowns (Gold Teeth and Weapons)”
Volume 55 of Ball of Wax storms the gates with Town Forest’s energetic revision of the opener from their 2014 EP, One Day After the First Half Moon. Where the original live-recording was all raunch and skronk (and I’ll be … Continue reading
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Ball of Wax 55: Borders! March 15th at Woodland Theater
Ball of Wax 55 release show: Borders Woodland Theater Friday, March 15th, 8pm Town Forest, Nic Masangkay, Annie Ford & Corespondents, and Levi Fuller & the Library Ball of Wax 55 CD included with entry For the 55th volume of … Continue reading
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Submit to Ball of Wax 55: Borders
It’s time yet again to begin collecting a new volume of Ball of Wax Audio Quarterly. I decided the next volume – Winter 2019 – should be on the theme of Borders. Funds will go to RAICES, or a similar … Continue reading
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