DJ Screw - Tell Me Something Good
The lasting influence of DJ Screw was the focus of some healthy cerebration over the weekend in articles by Jace Clayton, Jon Caramanica and Philip Sherburne. Clayton is on-point and illuminating as usual. Caramanica makes some lofty claims that Sherburne rightly deflates by opening up the discourse to the work of Philip Jeck, Demdike Stare and Raime1, refuting any lingering notions that the Salem/20JFG/Altered Zones set is a kind of singular-unheralded-immediate movement, something I’ve also had some apprehensions about. Altered Zones always felt like Pitchforks last-ditch attempt to get on board the trend. Struck me as transparent and false from the start, right down to the drummed-up mystical-geometry iconography.
Sherburne leaves this take-away:
I don’t think it’s any surprise that an unironic post-punk/goth aesthetic has taken root so widely; western culture is suffused with anxiety and self-doubt right now. We’re no longer worried about the Big One blowing us all to bits; now it’s economic landmines, suicide bombers, hurricanes, cyberwar, downsizing, you name it.
As proof of my OG pedigree and downright prophetic foresight, I should note that I originally posted this track almost two years ago to the date. It also reminds me that my blog turned two years old yesterday! Fitting as this might be the most harrowing interpretation of ‘Moments In Love’ ever. And I love tumblr2 (sorry I’m never around as much as I want to be, boo-boo).
1All three have put out some incredible releases over the last few months. Jeck’s An Ark For The Listener is a total banger as far as that avant-drone thing goes. Sup, solarflares.
2 shout out to Ian, Doug, Cam, J. Roston, J. Charles, Saelan, Standardgrey, Britticisms, Natty VC, Axel Wav NYC, YR MOMZ & the YR MOMZ Krew, The Sustainable Rennovations Crew, Swag & Despair aka Deeptats, Truth Is Light, Jeff Wall, Hana, Rico, Ivzhao, Mel P., Pizzapuke aka Lars Falk, Jenilee M, uhh Momus, Terry Gross & The NPR Fresh Air Crew, James PR, Noele in SF, Knicks Fans United, Renee & Kasha, Upnorthtrips, ‘87 Kids, Dahjay what up, Vaughn Shirley what up, Babylonfalling, my mans QD in Greece, Erik Carter if dude is still on the internet, DTYBYWL OVER EVERYTHING, Jay Electronica and of course, East Van and the 41st side of Vernon Posse. Sorry if I forgot anyone.
Ill Will rest in peace, kid.
Peace to all the gods and the earths.
