entirely safe and fun

Inspired by a thing going around the blogonet, I have assembled a selection of seven (good) songs that I’d like to share. Inspired a bit further by Bach, I set an additional requirement for my own list: everything must be available for listening via a free download. Enjoy!

Pierre Aimard, peforming J. S. Bach - “Contrapuntus VII a 4 per augmentationem et diminutionem” (from The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080)

I am convinced that Bach was not human, but rather a representative of an alien race composed entirely of musical harmony. Here, Aimard reveals him at his most Martian. There was an insightful critical review of this recording on Slate shortly after its release, which comments on how abstract a piece of music the Art is; I like to listen to it with sheet music in hand. In fact, the sheet music is readable in the complete absence of performance — I can’t think of another piece whose sere formality is so compelling. The Wikipedia article on the Art is a fine guide to its formal structure.

Sunn O))) & Boris - “Etna”

Formalism in music attracts me, and I find the minimalist movement in extreme metal, epitomized by Sunn O))), to be the most exciting front in the evolution of popular music. Here, they are paired with the Japanese extreme-metal icons Boris for a track of anxious, foreboding drone from their collaborative album Altar.

Wolves in the Throne Room - “I Will Lay Down My Bones Among the Rocks and Roots”

Extreme metal is a very, very big tent. When the dying earth speaks to you, for instance, calling for you to return to the soil and heal its wounds, what might you do next? Might you consider starting up a “transformative black metal” band? This is apparently not so unlikely as it sounds.

Nine Inch Nails, “1,000,000″

At this point, with all the news reports already in on the innovative, free release of Nine Inch Nails’ latest album The Slip, I don’t suppose I have anything new to add. I will toss my recommendation atop the growing pile, and add my critical observation that The Slip feels to me like a mature take on the themes and even techniques of Broken. NIN continues to produce the loudest rests in the business, in a direct line from “Wish” to this track. The whole album is available for free directly from the artist.

Irina Kluyev, performing Franz Liszt - “Mephisto Waltz no 1″ (S.514)

Rather than comment on this particular recording, I’d like to point out the existence of its source, pianosociety.com. This is a site which hosts free recordings and sheet music, including some of excellent quality, and it will reward your perusal.

Simone Dinnerstein, performing J. S. Bach - “Variation 26″ (from the Goldberg Variations, BWV 988)

Again, there’s an excellent Slate critical essay by Evan Eisenberg to go with this one. Bach’s ability to revel in setting and meeting the tightest of formal restrictions, and his impossible harmonic genius, is enthralling. Dinnerstein more than keeps up her side of the conversation, in a virtuoso turn that is easily the equal of Gould’s.

Bad Religion - “Heroes and Martyrs”

Whatever Bad Religion have been before, now they’re a capable metal band with a unique vocal texture. Here, they nock an arrow from the Ramones’ quiver: “We can perform an awesome rock song in a minute and a half. Why can’t you?”