Rain Machine (Official Thread)

[IWasaCamera]

Since I've talked about this project with quite a few of the SOTS guys, figured I'd make the thread here. Also saw him last night and he put on a decent show so check him out when he stops by a city near you. For those unfamiliar, it's the side project of Kyp Malone (beardo from TV On The Radio). Much more organic and soulful in my opinion. He released Rain Machine in September and while it's not quite as cohesive as I'd like, Smiling Black Faces, Driftwood Heart, and Different Bitch are among the best tunes released this year. Discuss, discover, etc.

http://www.rokbun.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/2.jpg


Sample two tracks here (http://www.myspace.com/rainmachinemusic).

Smiling Black Faces:

uFYHCBtSfgM

[CellarGhosts]

I like what I'm hearing. I'll have to check out the album.

[IWasaCamera]

Pity post is appreciated, Chris.

What else have you been enjoying lately?

[CellarGhosts]

Pity post is appreciated, Chris.

What else have you been enjoying lately?
Haha. Well, I actually got into Return To Cookie Mountain in the past few days after finding it on an old disc of MP3s my cousin sent me. So I've been enjoying that.

But lately it's been mostly heavier bands like Darkest Hour and Pulling Teeth, stuff I doubt you're into haha. But I've also been spinning alot of William Elliott Whitmore and a band called Glossary, who I think you might enjoy. (altcountry/americana kind of thing).

[Dr. Acula]

Hahah, "beardo from TV on the Radio". I will def have to check this out as I love Kyp/TV on the Radio.

[MADSTA]

I find this pretty meh.

[IWasaCamera]

Haha. Well, I actually got into Return To Cookie Mountain in the past few days after finding it on an old disc of MP3s my cousin sent me. So I've been enjoying that.

But lately it's been mostly heavier bands like Darkest Hour and Pulling Teeth, stuff I doubt you're into haha. But I've also been spinning alot of William Elliott Whitmore and a band called Glossary, who I think you might enjoy. (altcountry/americana kind of thing).
Hmm, I'll look into Glossary. Thanks. Animals In The Dark hasn't had as much staying power as WEW's previous work for me. Still good though.

Albums I think you might like from this year:

Pink Mountaintops - Outside Love (breezy, leisurely rock 'n' roll)
Simon Joyner - Out Into The Snow (singer-songwriter fare)
Guy Clark - Somedays The Song Writes You (country legend releases another solid effort)
Castanets - Texas Rose, The Thaw & The Beasts (murky swamp freak-folk)

Your avatar is perfection by the way.
I find this pretty meh.
That's unfortunate.

[CellarGhosts]

Hmm, I'll look into Glossary. Thanks. Animals In The Dark hasn't had as much staying power as WEW's previous work for me. Still good though.

Albums I think you might like from this year:

Pink Mountaintops - Outside Love (breezy, leisurely rock 'n' roll)
Simon Joyner - Out Into The Snow (singer-songwriter fare)
Guy Clark - Somedays The Song Writes You (country legend releases another solid effort)
Castanets - Texas Rose, The Thaw & The Beasts (murky swamp freak-folk)

Your avatar is perfection by the way.
Yeah, their album How We Handle Our Midnights is good so I'd recommend checking that one out. As for WEW, I like Song of the Blackbird a lot more than Animals In the Dark but they are both good albums. I'll be sure to check out those albums. Especially Guy Clark, I need to get more from him as it is.

Haha thank you sir.

[Dr. Acula]

"Smiling Black Faces" is awesome. Damn. Going to go find an album NOW. Any recc on where to start Vinh?

[IWasaCamera]

Yeah, their album How We Handle Our Midnights is good so I'd recommend checking that one out.

Haha thank you sir.
I'll pick it up for sure.

Is she back on Lost? I haven't watched a new episode in ages.
"Smiling Black Faces" is awesome. Damn. Going to go find an album NOW. Any recc on where to start Vinh?
He's only released one album thus far (Rain Machine), so I'd say start with that ha.

[Dr. Acula]

He's only released one album thus far (Rain Machine), so I'd say start with that ha.

Haha...I just went back and read your first post. For some reason, the first time I read it I thought you had mentioned he had a couple but you were mentioning song titles.

[IWasaCamera]

No worries, hope you enjoy the album.

[MyWorldEntire]

Never really felt the urge to give this album another listen, Kyp's vocals just don't do it for me.

[IWasaCamera]

Ah, that's too bad. Least you gave it a chance.

[xJesusFreakx]

I've never been much of a TV on the Radio fan, but "Smiling Black Faces" sounds pretty cool. I guess I'll have to check this album out now.

[CellarGhosts]

I'll pick it up for sure.

Is she back on Lost? I haven't watched a new episode in ages.

He's only released one album thus far (Rain Machine), so I'd say start with that ha.
Good deal.

She was absent all last season but thankfully she'll be back in the new one. I loved last season but no Claire the entire time was a bummer. Haha.

[IWasaCamera]

I seriously can't stop looking at your avatar. Took me like ten minutes to read your post.

Glad to hear that though. When does it pick back up?

[CellarGhosts]

I seriously can't stop looking at your avatar. Took me like ten minutes to read your post.

Glad to hear that though. When does it pick back up?
Hahaha. I can't say I blame you. ;-)

New season starts sometime around late January/early February. I'm not sure on an exact date, I don't think one has been set yet. But somewhere around there.

[IWasaCamera]

She's too adorable.

As the thread creator, I've decided that the only acceptable digressions involve Emilie De Ravin.

[oddwithoutend]

She has a hot name.

Anyway, I guess it's about time I listen to this album.

[IWasaCamera]

All names with "de" as a standalone component are brimming with hotness.

Play the video on the first page, Rick. If you're not too keen on it, I'd say don't bother as it's one of the better tracks.

[CellarGhosts]

She's too adorable.

As the thread creator, I've decided that the only acceptable digressions involve Emilie De Ravin.
Seriously. :sigh:

Good call haha.

[IWasaCamera]

Has she been in any movies lately? I've only seen the horror flick and the one where the 3rd Rock From The Sun kid becomes edgy as hell after she gets killed.

[CellarGhosts]

Has she been in any movies lately? I've only seen the horror flick and the one where the 3rd Rock From The Sun kid becomes edgy as hell after she gets killed.
She had a cameo in Public Enemies. There's another movie coming up that she's in but I forget the specifics, and then a movie called The Perfect Game. That's all that I know of, apart from "Brick" and "The Hills Have Eyes". I think there was another horror movie she was in but I forget the name.

[IWasaCamera]

I now regret passing on Public Enemies when it was in theaters. Will definitely see her upcoming films, regardless of how poor they look on previews. My girlfriend and I watched the Greatest Hits episode of Lost last week out of the blue. "The night I met you", awwww.

From bearded musicians to cute Australians, this thread epitomizes all that is right about the world.

[kearn1tm]

I don't really care for TV on the Radio, but I enjoyed Rain Machine. They're distinct monsters.

[CellarGhosts]

I now regret passing on Public Enemies when it was in theaters. Will definitely see her upcoming films, regardless of how poor they look on previews. My girlfriend and I watched the Greatest Hits episode of Lost last week out of the blue. "The night I met you", awwww.

From bearded musicians to cute Australians, this thread epitomizes all that is right about the world.
I passed on it too actually, but I know she was in it briefly. Good call though, one of my favorite episodes. Haha, definitely. I mean, bearded musicians and adorable Australian girls. What more could you want?

[IWasaCamera]

I passed on it too actually, but I know she was in it briefly. Good call though, one of my favorite episodes. Haha, definitely. I mean, bearded musicians and adorable Australian girls. What more could you want?
Wasn't my call but I certainly enjoyed it ha. Did she ever read that list? I've never really known.
I don't really care for TV on the Radio, but I enjoyed Rain Machine. They're distinct monsters.
Same here. Driftwood Heart is stunning.

[CellarGhosts]

Wasn't my call but I certainly enjoyed it ha. Did she ever read that list? I've never really known.

Same here. Driftwood Heart is stunning.
Unfortunately no. That was one thing that always sort of bummed me out. But oh well.

[IWasaCamera]

Unfortunately no. That was one thing that always sort of bummed me out. But oh well.
Ah, that's too bad. Would have opened the door for more awwws.

[oddwithoutend]

Really enjoyed the two songs I've heard now. I'll check out the album.

[IWasaCamera]

Doing our country proud, Rick.

[Dr. Acula]

Spun the record a couple times now and I'm digging it. Favorite track so far would probably be "Driftwood Heart" but I need to spend some more time with it. Got a feeling it's going to be a grower.

[jbaseball44]

Solid album, never really liked TV On the Radio but was pleasantly surprised by this, was glad to hear that you at least somewhat enjoyed the show you went to Vinh.

[CellarGhosts]

Ah, that's too bad. Would have opened the door for more awwws.
Haha definitely. Although, given what might happen with this new season (long story, won't even try to condense season 5 here), it might happen. Who knows. I'd definitely recommend catching up though, if you plan on checking out the final season. So much has happened.

And uh, Rain Machine. Yeah. Good album, I dig it. Haha.

[IWasaCamera]

Might happen? Whatttt. I've got a pretty full plate these days but maybe I could watch the last season during the holidays or something.

Good album for sure. It'd be a fair deal better without flow-breaker Hold You Holly.

[CellarGhosts]

Might happen? Whatttt. I've got a pretty full plate these days but maybe I could watch the last season during the holidays or something.

Good album for sure. It'd be a fair deal better without flow-breaker Hold You Holly.
Yeah, I'd recommend it. I can't imagine someone going into the final season and having any idea what's going on without catching up on the last one. But if you don't get around to it, that's fine. I'm sure you could still pick up on it from the re-caps they're bound to broadcast prior to the new season.

Mhmm. "Hold You Holly" is alright, I think. But it does kind of mess up the flow.

[IWasaCamera]

I caught a few glimpses early on last season and had no clue what was happening. I'd rather watch them all than get up to speed through quick recaps though. Lost is one of those shows with which there's almost a pride attached to being informed on all happenings ha.

It's always frustrating when the songs that disrupt flow are actually not that poor in and of themselves.

Also, Nick Drake's Free Ride > Rain Machine's. Sorry Kyp.

[HometownHero]

This is great. I love this album

[barkingincision]

if you haven't heard captain beefheart you'll probably think this is original.
and good.

[CellarGhosts]

I caught a few glimpses early on last season and had no clue what was happening. I'd rather watch them all than get up to speed through quick recaps though. Lost is one of those shows with which there's almost a pride attached to being informed on all happenings ha.

It's always frustrating when the songs that disrupt flow are actually not that poor in and of themselves.

Also, Nick Drake's Free Ride > Rain Machine's. Sorry Kyp.
Haha, true. I feel like the recaps never really cover enough ground anyway. I figure they're mostly designed to refresh your memory rather than provide a solid summary of the season itself. In other words, I doubt anyone's ever watched one and then settled into whatever new season it preceded comfortably. You don't really get the full gist unless you watch the whole thing.

Anyway, yeah I agree. Even more frustrating than having a song that is kind of poor disrupt the flow of an album.

[IWasaCamera]

if you haven't heard captain beefheart you'll probably think this is original.
and good.
Did you decide Trout Mask Replica was your favorite record last week or something? What a gratuitous comment.

[barkingincision]

Did you decide Trout Mask Replica was your favorite record last week or something? What a gratuitous comment.
i decided "give blood" was a captain beefheart ripoff. i also decided this guy isn't very good.

[IWasaCamera]

i decided "give blood" was a captain beefheart ripoff. i also decided this guy isn't very good.
You do realize the bulk of this album sounds nothing like Give Blood or Beefheart right?

[barkingincision]

You do realize the bulk of this album sounds nothing like Give Blood or Beefheart right?
weird. i didn't realize that, no. but i don't really care.

[IWasaCamera]

Not every song sounds the same, weird.

[barkingincision]

Not every song sounds the same, weird.
holy lol.
more often than not, an artist puts their best songs on their myspace, purevolume, etc... to promote their record.
the ones i heard on his sites do not interest me. why should i be interested in his record?
i dont find his work here or in tvotr remotely interesting.

[IWasaCamera]

holy lol.
Same to you for your contributions to this thread.
more often than not, an artist puts their best songs on their myspace, purevolume, etc... to promote their record. I find this to be untrue most of the time.
the ones i heard on his sites do not interest me. why should i be interested in his record? When did anyone claim you should be? To march in here with the intent of denouncing the music and those who enjoy it while being woefully ill-informed on the other hand, is downright silly. There are two songs on his myspace, and Smiling Black Faces is drastically different from Give Blood.

[barkingincision]

Same to you for your contributions to this thread.
I find this to be untrue most of the time.
When did anyone claim you should be? To march in here with the intent of denouncing the music and those who enjoy it while being woefully ill-informed on the other hand, is downright silly. There are two songs on his myspace, and Smiling Black Faces is drastically different from Give Blood.
firstly, there's no need to be so defensive. i get it. you dig his music.
i'm simply stating that i don't.
there's no need to get so butthurt on the net when someone disagrees with you.
i don't care how much you like this guy. i think he's beyond overrated, and that's just my own opinion.
big deal buddy. lol.

[IWasaCamera]

firstly, there's no need to be so defensive. i get it. you dig his music.
i'm simply stating that i don't
there's no need to get so butthurt on the net when someone disagrees with you.
I've never understood why merely replying is construed as defensive behavior or being "butthurt".
i don't care how much you like this guy. i think he's beyond overrated, and that's just my own opinion.
big deal buddy. lol.
This was never the issue. You're more than entitled to dislike his music. Your initial post comparing Rain Machine to Beefheart remains asinine. This isn't too hard to comprehend.

[barkingincision]

I've never understood why merely replying is construed as defensive behavior or being "butthurt".

This was never the issue. You're more than entitled to dislike his music. Your initial post comparing Rain Machine to Beefheart remains asinine. This isn't too hard to comprehend.
give blood sounds like beefheart, especially in the vocals, in the form of the song, in the instrumentation.

[IWasaCamera]

give blood sounds like beefheart, especially in the vocals, in the form of the song, in the instrumentation.
And the remaining 10 songs (i.e. the vast majority), which you admittedly had not even heard, sound nothing like Beefheart. Have you caught on to the flaw in your reasoning yet?

[barkingincision]

And the remaining 10 songs (i.e. the vast majority), which you admittedly had not even heard, sound nothing like Beefheart. Have you caught on to the flaw in your reasoning yet?
the fact that he rips off beefheart on one track has nothing to do with the remaining songs. the fact that i don't want to hear the rest of them lies in the fact that the songs i have heard weren't any good. it's simple really.

[IWasaCamera]

the fact that he rips off beefheart on one track has nothing to do with the remaining songs. the fact that i don't want to hear the rest of them lies in the fact that the songs i have heard weren't any good. it's simple really.
You're right, it has ABSOLUTELY NO TIES TO THE REMAINING 10. My gripes concern your original statement which brims with the type of idiocy I'd expect from a 5-year-old. It's hard to believe one can be this dense and haughty all at once. I'll make matters excessively clear and in all caps just so it can register with you: YOUR CLAIM REGARDING RAIN MACHINE'S ENTIRE OEUVRE ("if you haven't heard captain beefheart you'll probably think this is original. and good.") WAS PREDICATED ON ONE SONG. You even conceded the point that you had not heard Malone's other solo work, including the second song on that same Myspace page. In other words, you drew a conclusion from remarkably insufficient evidence and are now attempting to shift the focus from "Captain Beefheart pastiche" to "omg lol relax bro, i just don't like the tunes". In even simpler terms, you're making a fool of yourself.

YOUR DISLIKE FOR THE SONGS IS NOT THE POINT OF CONTENTION OF WHATSOEVER.

Is Nebraska a Suicide ripoff because of State Trooper? Ridiculous.

[jbaseball44]

This is a pretty funny exchange

[xJesusFreakx]

Agreed.

[MyWorldEntire]

Haha Vinh brings the domination.

[jbaseball44]

Still like this album a lot.

[IWasaCamera]

Without Hold You Holly, Smiling Black Faces leads to Driftwood Heart to Different Bitch. So much potential squandered.

[briewer]

Bupm. Been rocking Rain Machine a fair amount, think it kicks the shit out of Dear Science,.

[oddwithoutend]

Finally picked it up today. Love it.

[briewer]

Finally picked it up today. Love it.
Thought you would, big dog.

[oddwithoutend]

if you haven't heard captain beefheart you'll probably think this is original.
and good.
And now I can also laugh at this post.

[briewer]

And now I can also laugh at this post.
Even without hearing it, the argument that ensued between him and Vinh was priceless.

[oddwithoutend]

Thought you would, big dog.
Riewer knows best. Seriously though, I think "Give Blood' is my current favourite track.

[oddwithoutend]

Even without hearing it, the argument that ensued between him and Vinh was priceless.
haha Definitely.

[briewer]

Riewer knows best. Seriously though, I think "Give Blood' is my current favourite track.
I'm currently digging the two 8 minute tracks in the middle of the album, "Desperate Bitch" and "Love Won't Save You". Every review I've read harps on how bad these two are, but I think they're gorgeous and where Kyp really differentiates himself from his two main projects.

[jbaseball44]

One of my 09 favs

[briewer]

One of my 09 favs
Same here baby doll.

[oddwithoutend]

One of my 09 favs
Me too. Wish I would have listened earlier so it could go on my list.

[briewer]

Me too. Wish I would have listened earlier so it could go on my list.
I don't think I've seen your list. Hit me with it.

[oddwithoutend]

I'm currently digging the two 8 minute tracks in the middle of the album, "Desperate Bitch" and "Love Won't Save You". Every review I've read harps on how bad these two are, but I think they're gorgeous and where Kyp really differentiates himself from his two main projects.
Haven't listened through more than three times yet, but nothing has stood out as weak yet.
I don't think I've seen your list. Hit me with it.
I've sent it to you. It's a decent list, but at the same time I know I've missed a lot of releases this year (like Rain Machine).

[jbaseball44]

Same here baby doll.
Glad to hear it honey
Me too. Wish I would have listened earlier so it could go on my list.
I have Vinh to thank for checking it out.

[briewer]

Glad to hear it honey
Hey suga, are you SOTS bros gonna put out an EOTY list?

[jbaseball44]

Hey suga, are you SOTS bros gonna put out an EOTY list?
Haha, yeah we are working on it. Should be out relatively soon. It has taken longer than expected because people are busy around the holidays and we have new staff members. I'll give you a little hint though, this is on the list.

Edit: Haha, check that, this may very well be on it but I thought we were in the jj thread.

[briewer]

Haha, yeah we are working on it. Should be out relatively soon. It has taken longer than expected because people are busy around the holidays and we have new staff members. I'll give you a little hint though, this is on the list.
Oh goodie.

[jbaseball44]

See my edited post. It's fucking late and I don't even know which thread I'm in.

[DejaNew]

Thanks Rick.

[poppa Q]

good album, not great

[T-bag]

That guy has a great beard.

[xJesusFreakx]

Bumping a thread to compliment a beard? I approve.