Post #292052 by I, Zombie on Thu, Mar 15, 2007 9:12 AM

Hi DJ,

I hadn't heard that Magne's LP was meant as a joke -- though I'm not sure if the intent of an artist means that much, especially as the years roll on, and the context in which things are heard has changed so radically. But I'm probably in the minority on that opinion. (Ex: when I found out Martin Denny "ghosted" many of his LPs, it didn't really effect how I felt about his music -- even the albums he actually didn't do.)

I'll give you that Magne belongs in the "incredibly strange" category. Here's the description from spaceagepop.com that backs you up completely:

"What makes Tropical Fantasy fun is the way Magne manages to cram together into one album virtually all there is to love about space age pop music. Sound effects? Got 'em. Musique concrete? Got yer car horns and machine noises here. Tape manipulation? Backwards, forwards, speeded up, and slowed down. Bird calls and jungle shrieks? Well, it's not Augie Colon, but it's a close second. Percussion up the ying-yang? Yup--bongos, maracas, cowbells, marimbas, ratchets, bells, chimes, etc. Oddball instrumentation? Lessee--ocarina, pennywhistles, carillon, tin cans--check. All jammed into one LP recorded on two-track tape. Magnifique, Michel!"

But I still also find it to be exotica. Though I'll concede that after reading your response, I feel like I'm on shakier ground than I was before!!! (But then again, if it ain't exotica, how can it be the most irritating exotica LP?!? -- I think I'm confusing myself...)

I tend to like the creepier, foreboding tracks in the Exotica canon. Sometimes by creepy I probably should just say that I like the more "mysterious" tracks. But I also love exotica that has screeching and/or spooky voices and crazed instrumentation. So that's why I like Magne, regardless that it may have been written as a "joke." DJ what is your take on Stanley Black's Exotic Percussion or Johnny Richards The Rites of Diablo? I'd be curious of what you think of those albums.

I'm still struggling with your original question. Funny you mention Auletta. I almost was going to offer up his LP Exotica as worst in my original post, but I'm on the fence. It's very dull in spots but does it reach a level of irritation? I guess until I think of something else, I'm going to go with Auletta because of the dullness factor in many of the tracks.

Again thanks for this post. It's fun to talk about and debate this stuff.

~glen

p.s. NOW 3 years later I realize I was a fool. I really like Auletta... A LOT! His Pool of Love is sensational.

[ Edited by: I, Zombie 2007-03-15 10:04 ]

[ Edited by: I, Zombie 2010-05-25 14:22 ]