Music Tapes - 1st Imaginary Symphony For Nomad

by Darrell Angus

published: 17 / 12 / 2001

Music Tapes - 1st Imaginary Symphony For Nomad

Label: Merge Records
Format: CD

Julian Koster is one prolific fellow. When not playing banjo, bowed saw, and accordion in 'Neutral Milk Hotel', he's performing and recording under the moniker 'The Music Tapes'. Koster started The M

Review

Julian Koster is one prolific fellow. When not playing banjo, bowed saw, and accordion in 'Neutral Milk Hotel', he's performing and recording under the moniker 'The Music Tapes'. Koster started The Music Tapes at age 16 while fronting the excellent Chocolate USA collective which eventually evolved into the 'Elephant 6'('Apples in Stereo', Neutral Milk Hotel, et al.) "1st Imaginary Symphony For Nomad" is a record full of voices, guitar, banjo,theremin and horns which tells the adventures of a boy named Nomad. The story is an expression of childhood and takes the listener on a spaced-out journey where we learn the tragic tale of a boy and his father. Koster recorded the tracks in his bedroom using ancient equipment (including an 1895 Edison wax cylinder) before sending the tapes over the sea to be compressed and EQ'd at Abbey Road Studios in London.Although not a typical E6 release full of 'Beach Boys' and 'Zombies' pop sensibities, "1st Imaginary..." is a conceptual experience in which Koster bares his soul for all to see, hear, and learn about what a pop record can sound like when the performer lets their imagination run wild.

Track Listing:-

1 Song For Soon To Be Sailor
2 1st Imaginary Symphony By Vaccume Cleaner
3 Song Of The Nomad Lost
4 Pulled Out To Sea
5 March Of The Farther Fists
6 Nomad Tells Us
7 Aliens
8 Song Of 100 Castles
9 What The Single Made The Needle Sing
10 Second Half To Follow
11 The Clapping Hands
12 Seas Song For Sailor
13 The Television Tells Us
14 An Orchistrations Overture
15 Song For The Death Of Parents
16 A Warning
17 Fanfare For Speading Bullet
18 Wishing Well At Capers End