for those about to rock: take 5

i love rock. love, love, love rock. i'd hang myself from the beams in the basement if i didn't have it. but once in a while you need a break. so i listen to artists that, although you may find them under rock in the record store, aren't exactly that. brian eno, robert wyatt, you know, guys like that. but most importantly scott walker. i admire his integrity. if he wanted to sell some albums he easily could. do an oldies tour with the walker bros. record in the style of scott 3. you know, take the easy way out. instead he chooses to challenge himself and the listener. with provocative and fascinating results.

today i bought his new album, 'and who shall go to the ball? and what shall go to the ball?' it's a score written to accompany a dance piece in England. i'm not an expert on dance but i'm not really sure how one would dance to this piece. not as heavy as 'tilt' or 'the drift' it is still harsh, noisy, minimal, and patience testing. there are electronic throbs, shrill string swirls, slow steady bass drum beats, and long silences. there are also beautiful string flourishes, moments of pure grace. all in all, a moving (get it?) work of art.

now, i know, we can't all agree on scott walker. i suspect his music would make 98% of the population walk out of a room. that's one of the reason i like it. art should challenge you. it should make you think. anyone can make you hum a tune. not everyone can make you ruminate on life, death, and the in between. there is music and there is art and sometimes there is both.