FAoAT Write-ups

Hannahbasedgod
Venetian Snares - Doll Doll Doll [2001]

I listen to a lot of metal, industrial, noise, power electronics, you name it... but this remains one of the most deeply haunting and disturbing albums I've ever listened to, and it's a breakcore album of all things. The breaks are great, the textures are gnarly, the sampling is on point - this is an album whose atmosphere I wish every artist could capture in their music (I wish I could too). It's not gloomy, it's not depressing (well, maybe it is), but it is one of the only albums to send chills down my spine when I listen to it. It doesn't have to be pure noise or power electronics to just reek of evil. "Befriend a Childkiller" is one of my all-time favorite tracks and the synths and breaks in the latter half of the track inspired me to come out of hibernation and make my own noise music again. "All the Children Are Dead" is also a highlight for much the same reasons. I've listened to a lot of breakcore in my life (shoutout to Lapfox/Halley Labs!) and I always return to Doll Doll Doll because it's unique and I honestly believe it's VSnares' best album.

Mez
London Elektricity - Billion Dollar Gravy [2003]

An effortless meshing of jazz, fast soul music, and electronics. It's a fast ride through the sounds of life, slowing down and speeding up at unpredictable rates. It doesn't take itself too seriously, would rather have a coffee with it more than anything. It's rather upbeat than what you'd consider it to be due to my past aesthetics, encouraging you to just dance and let go of all the worries that want to catch you at every moment. Especially in these drastic times, this album is an incredible help in letting me realize that not everything is the end of the world. There's no reason why I can't just believe in a better future and dance to the beat of a different drum... "If you don't like the hand fate's dealt you with, fight for a new one!" - Naruto Uzumaki

DorianGayy
Andy Shauf - The Party [2016]

I listened to this album once in sophomore year of college and it was because Angel Olsen tweeted about how much she loved it. I was going to put one of her records down but the story throughout the whole album and how it all ties together across each new track which are all either groovy or blissful due to his fascination with the clarinet and really prominent bass and keys. I feel like I could listen to this album any time and year from now and I would still find joy in it every time just from listening to the story of Jimmy and Sherry’s relationship in “Quite Like You”, the narrator in his moment of perhaps homosexual romance in “To You,” And also just everything about “Eyes of Them All.” Great record.