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Category Archives: Ball of Wax
Ball of Wax 52 Songs: Doug Hood & the Wholly Heathens – “Too Far in the South (Again & Again)”
The beginning of this song reminds me of the first time I rode a mechanical bull. It was in a smoky, loud, and dark bar, and I was bursting with excitement. And, like my ride, I thought it would be … Continue reading
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Ball of Wax 52 Songs: Amanda Winterhalter – “I Miss You (I Don’t Know Why)”
Amanda Winterhalter‘s “I Miss You (I Don’t Know Why)” is straight-forward, heartfelt, honest songwriting. Everything about this song, from lyrics to production, embraces these qualities – which is refreshing in Seattle’s climate of often nebulous, reverb-soaked, and automated offerings. This … Continue reading
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Ball of Wax 52 Songs: Gabriel Mintz – “Sharpen”
“Sharpen,” off of Gabriel Mintz’s DXT77F (now on vinyl from Union Zero), is a masterful example of production and songwriting. Marching along with a metallic beat on the two and four, “Sharpen” envelops the listener in a warm blanket or echo … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 52 Songs: James Whetzel – “Sun Clouds (Orchestral Version)”
The opening of “Sun Clouds (Orchestral Version)” immediately evokes for me some of the work Mark Mothersbaugh produced for the Rushmore soundtrack. That’s not to say that James Whetzel’s palm wine guitar style is in any way derivative of Mr. … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 52 Songs: Eggshells – “Bone Marrow”
The width and depth of submissions for Ball of Wax continues to astound. Eggshells’ submission “Bone Marrow” – ethereal and astoundingly rich in its attention to detail – is a signature song. Just coming off a spot at this year’s … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 52 Songs: Weird Hill – “Left in the Sun”
SCENE: Chicago in the mid-’90s, three indie rockers sit huddled around a Tascam Porta One 4 track (the one with batteries and strap pegs). Their band, Number One Cup, is recording a repetitive cowbell rhythm track, which they will then … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 52 Songs: Small Life Form – “Old Sounds for a Young Piano”
Small Life Form returns to Ball of Wax after an auspicious debut on Volume 51. “Old Sounds for a Young Piano” is definitely shorter, and arguably more musical, than “Penetrable Surface,” but it continues SLF’s creative exploration of repetition, drone, … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 52 Songs: Darryl Blood – “The Staircase”
Darryl Blood scores. Literally (and yes, I use the word correctly here). Clearly a fan of John Carpenter’s soundtracks (even tagging Carpenter and “vintage synthesizers” on his bandcamp page), he composed the score for this year’s The Campus, an indie … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 52 Songs: Syrinx Effect – “Super Soaker”
Syrinx Effect is the duo of soprano saxophonist Kate Olson and trombonist Naomi Siegel, along with a handful of pedals, a laptop, and some other sound toys. As on Kate’s solo contribution to Ball of Wax 50, the pair use … Continue reading
Ball of Wax 52 Songs: Shitty Person – “Dumbshit”
It just occurred to me that this volume of Ball of Wax starts off on a bit of a nihilistic bent. First we’re killing paradise with the Foghorns, then we have Xurs indulging in bad habits, and now we’re just … Continue reading