Thee Silver Mt. Zion

[Brett]

I'm going to start a topic about my favorite band, Thee Silver Mt. Zion (and all assorted variations thereof), because I want to, even though probably nobody besides Heathen will even look at it.

I probably can't really articulate why their music means so much to me, but I think it has something to do with growing up in and around the "Rust Belt" and Great Lakes area. Their sound really resonates in the framework of that sort of post-industrial environment.

They've also got a new record out recently, and are apparently putting out a Record Store Day 12" and releasing a new "long EP" later this year. Keeping my fingers crossed that both come true.

Anyway, have some tunes: (Yeah, it's live stuff, 'cause that's where they shine, even though their studio output is great as well.)

Performing what might be their best song, "Microphones in the Trees"


"(North) American Motor Over Smoldered Field," from the Blood, Sweat & Vinyl DVD


The first half of "I Built Myself a Metal Bird, I Fed My Metal Bird the Wings of Other Metal Birds"

[Simple Torture]

I'm a fan, I've got a couple of their records on vinyl (gotta order the new one soon). Great mood music, I throw them on all the time when I'm reading or writing.

[nyquillyn]

The new record is ace.

[McParadigm]

Love em love em love em.

Sit in the Middle of Three Galloping Dogs came on my random play last night, and there was much rejoicing.

[zeb]

I like this band.

[Heathen]

The new record is ace.

AOTY

[Brett]

Ha, okay, I stand corrected .

I noticed that I inadvertently represented each of the band's major live eras in those three videos, and thus each of their three different drummers, too. I think each drummer played to, and seemingly influenced, each of those eras. Though, tellingly, they didn't alter their name after the departure of the first, so I may be giving too much credit to the percussion influence.

And of course, before they had any of those drummers, they were a rather different band. Sparser arrangements, more influenced by minimalism and chamber music, less singing.

[Brett]

So, if Setlist.fm is to be trusted (which it may not be; depends on the artist, it seems), TSMZ played a new song last night at their record release show in Montreal, in addition to the entirety of the new record and "'Piphany Rambler" from Kollaps Tradixionales. Can't find anything else about the tune yet, but it's apparently called "All the Kings Are Dead." If a video or recording surfaces, I'll be sure to post it.

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/a-silver- ... 52908.html

Edit: Here's a review, but it doesn't mention the new song: http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/Concerts/thee ... february_6

[Heathen]

live stream of their Route du Rock show RIGHT NOW
http://concert.arte.tv/fr/route-du-rock ... -orchestra

[Heathen]

man how can you listen to What We Loved Was Not Enough and not think this is the best band on the fucking planet right now?

here's the new song by the way (also played tonight, the link above should let you replay the whole show)

[McParadigm]

It's the "side project" perception (which is, admittedly, hard to shuck off) that does it. It's just a constant drag on getting people to value this as a true creative vehicle with its own powerful legacy.

[McParadigm]

Or I don't know

[Heathen]

It was more like a rhetorical question.

[Brett]

Thanks, Heathen, those links are great. Unfortunately the live stream one doesn't let you replay the whole show. It cuts out halfway through "'Piphany Rambler," but what's there is good. I wish that "All the Kings Are Dead" was part of that video, though; the youtube sound is muddier, but it's enough to get the main thrust of the song. Oddly the slowed down bit around six minutes reminds me a little of Pink Floyd, but I'm not sure why.

[Heathen]

Thanks, Heathen, those links are great. Unfortunately the live stream one doesn't let you replay the whole show. It cuts out halfway through "'Piphany Rambler," but what's there is good. I wish that "All the Kings Are Dead" was part of that video, though; the youtube sound is muddier, but it's enough to get the main thrust of the song. Oddly the slowed down bit around six minutes reminds me a little of Pink Floyd, but I'm not sure why.

I just noticed that. There's a message on that same page saying they apologize for only having the first 45 minutes for now but the whole show will be available "very soon".

[Brett]

Ah, very cool, then. My high school French was limited to begin with, and has only deteriorated in the decade-plus since. It doesn't help that my browser is refusing to translate websites half the time lately, either. Thanks again.

[Brett]

http://www.scdistribution.com/resources/cst105.pdf

Um...I'm not quite sure what to make of that. SMZ have recreated their song "Hang Onto Each Other" as a pair of handmade techno tunes and enlisted Ariel Engle to help out on vocals. This should be interesting.

[stderr]

Unfortunately the live stream one doesn't let you replay the whole show. It cuts out halfway through "'Piphany Rambler," but what's there is good. I wish that "All the Kings Are Dead" was part of that video, though

Full video (1.3 GB):
http://artestras.vo.llnwxd.net/o35/nogeo/ALW/052000/052100/052171-001-C_SQ_0_VO_01170577_MP4-2200_AMM-ALW.mp4

POUR LIGHT ON EVERYTHING :)

Any scraps of lyrics for All The Kings Are Dead (45 minutes in) would be so appreciated! I can barely make out:

• "The devil's got a golden cap"
• "The hills got kings / The black ship prowls / The trees tall / The black ship's borne by clouds"
• "The skull behind your smile's {always / no longer} grinning / Your day is dawning, like anyone you've got to fall."
• "We'll fucking tear it down"

Oh God this is killing me.

[Brett]

Unfortunately the live stream one doesn't let you replay the whole show. It cuts out halfway through "'Piphany Rambler," but what's there is good. I wish that "All the Kings Are Dead" was part of that video, though

Full video (1.3 GB):
http://artestras.vo.llnwxd.net/o35/nogeo/ALW/052000/052100/052171-001-C_SQ_0_VO_01170577_MP4-2200_AMM-ALW.mp4

POUR LIGHT ON EVERYTHING

Any scraps of lyrics for All The Kings Are Dead (45 minutes in) would be so appreciated! I can barely make out:

• "The devil's got a golden cap"
• "The hills got kings / The black ship prowls / The trees tall / The black ship's borne by clouds"
• "The skull behind your smile's {always / no longer} grinning / Your day is dawning, like anyone you've got to fall."
• "We'll fucking tear it down"

Oh God this is killing me.

The whole thing is streaming on the site, now, though. I'll see if I can pick out any other lyrics on my next listen through.

[stderr]

I'll see if I can pick out any other lyrics on my next listen through.

Hurray!

Hey have you listened to this concert from 2005? Unbelievably intense this one. It blew my mind, I swear. (BTW all the songs played are on their beautiful lyric depository.)