The Live Show Presents...THE VAN ALLEN BELT

Come listen to the 1960s pop, trip-hop, kraut-rock fusion of THE VAN ALLEN BELT this Friday at The Live Show!

1/18/13 at Tommy's place + on the air @ 1pm - 2pm

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Spring Welcome Back Concert

KXSC is back and better than ever. Join KXSC DJs Phil and DJ Lyvoke of Monstrous Wickedness and Heavyweight Soul fame, along with newcomers Phil and Harrison for a night of fine djing. 

Where: Tommy's Place (Basement of the Campus Center)
When: Thursday January 17 from 8:00pm-10:00pm

We're getting into the current campus spirit. So a safe and responsible night will no doubt be had by all. 

Ask a DJ: "What are your top picks from this fall?"

On Ask a DJ, you ask a DJ... and a DJ answers. This time, Madame Psychosis of 60+/- breaks down her top picks from the past semester, spanning jazz, rock, and everywhere in between & beyond. 

Do you have a question to ask a DJ? Comment below and we'll pose it to our DJs for next time!

     

Hear more from Madame Psychosis each week -- Tune in Sun. 9-10pm! 

1. Dinosaur Jr. – I Bet On Sky

One of my favorite bands of all time. They came back after an almost

20 year hiatus to release a few new albums, and this one is so far the

best yet. They have definitely grown since they were kids, and I Bet

on Sky shows it.

    

2. Black Moth Super Rainbow – Cobra Juicy

Black Moth Super Rainbow achieves a sound that I have not had any

luck finding anywhere else. Their newest effort shows them at the

peak of their game, with catchy melodies over always-inventive and

innovative electronic instruments.

    

3. Grizzly Bear – Shields

More toned down and acoustic-y than some of their other stuff, but

I’m into that.

     

4. Kurt Rosenwinkel – Star of Jupiter

Very accomplished jazz guitarist, who keeps this somewhat mellow

double album sonically interesting even when listened to repeatedly.

    

5. Flying Lotus – Until the Quiet Comes

I think I might like this newest effort from Flying Lotus more than his

breakout success Cosmogramma, which might get me shunned from

some circles.

    

6. Bob Mazurek Pulsar Quartet – Stellar Pulsations

Another great jazz composer and arranger, this record is pretty far

out even for a concept album about the solar system.

    

7. Divine Fits – A Thing Called Divine Fits

A veritable indie super group, with the Spoon singer Britt Daniel and

Dan Boeckner Wolf Parade fame. Solid rock and roll for fans of either

of the aforementioned groups.

    

8. Everyone Everywhere – Everyone Everywhere II

Indie-post-emo-core all the way from the east coast. Highly

recommended for anyone who was into Cap’n Jazz or Brand New back

in their heyday.

    

9. Fred Lonberg-Holm’s Fast Citizens – Gather

Jazz this time on the freer side. If you like discordant, extended jams

this is right up your alley. I know I do.

    

10. Ensemble Off n On – Ensemble Off n On

More experimental jazzers, Ensemble Off n On is based San Diego.

Cool “covers” of Sun Ra and Jimi Hendrix.

Album Review: Lux

...And the award for Most Relaxing Album of the Year (as selected by Music Director Zach Nivens) goes to... Brian Eno's Lux.

     

    

"The new ambient composition from genre godfather Brian Eno embraces a sound palette that will be familiar to fans of his previous work. A single piano note pings mournfully and sinks into an ocean of reverb; an airy sine wave floats ever so gracefully from the left channel to the right; violins briefly emerge from the fog to emit a cry of…despair? Longing? Joy? This is perhaps the greatest strength of Lux; it makes no demands on the listener, reveling in its uncompromising placidity and ambiguity.

The mission of ambient music (according to Eno, at least) is to create sounds that can be studied or ignored depending on the context, giving it a remarkable versatility. Lux can soundtrack a late-night reading session, an afternoon nap, meditation at a New Age feel-goodery, or, yes, a layover at the airport. I find something quite magical about the way this immaculately crafted music drifts past without concern for my attention - perhaps I identify with its staunch commitment to a lack of direction.

No, Lux is not significantly different from Eno’s other efforts in this arena, but why would it be? Each album creates a unique space to hang out in for a little while, its geography defined by the choice of sounds and their organization. Lux features neither the melodic sensibilities of Music for Airports nor the hypnotic looping figures of Discreet Music; instead, the live instrumentation here recalls 1985’s piano-led Thursday Afternoon, featuring a series of tentative tones snuggling up with a blanket of autumnal haze.

I hesitate to deem this an album for everyone, but I’m sure there’s at least one activity in your everyday life that calls for an ambient soundscape like this. Listen while you write, while you drive, or while you sleep. You can decide whether it occupies the foreground or the background."

- Zach Nivens