My hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, much like Portland, is often the subject of snide remarks by people who live elsewhere out of ignorance. But we who live here know better.
I sort of rolled my eyes at chillwave when it was at its peak but this EP was different. Washed Out, along with Toro y Moi, were definitely the cream of the crop, and his following three albums just got bolder, grander, funkier, and more psychedelic. Highly recommend seeing Washed Out live.
Agreed. there was a lot of chillwave that felt like it was all being stamped out of the same press, but something about this just hit different (am I too old to say that?).
It’s a great EP…as an aside, I always associate Washed Out with the coming of Spotify. Both Within and Without and Spotify were released in the US in 2011. For some reason listening to Amor Fati on repeat was one of the first things I did when I first downloaded the app. In fact, the song made it into what I think was the first playlist I ever made on that platform, the creatively-named “Spotify Dinner Party”, ahead of some friends coming over for dinner. Other than the fact that I would never include an artist more than once on a playlist, I think it still holds up!
I hadn’t heard of chill wave until this record and was big fan of both the show and theme when they came out. But Greene was not a flash in the pan and I still listen to his subsequent records today. “Don’t Give Up” from Paracosm is on one of my workout playlists.
I think I mentioned it at some point, but I was record shopping a few years ago, grabbed a copy of "Within and Without," and a guy leaned over across the rack, pointed to it and (nicely) said, "that's the best f**kin' record you're gonna buy today."
I wondered how you would get an interesting post about an EP. I’m Gen Album, and avoid EPs because there are Just. So. Many. But the dialog with yerself makes it interesting: Boldface assumptions meet plain text realities. Nice job, K-Al.
Love Washed Out. Within And Without and Purple Noon are two of my most played albums of the last few years. I visited Portland on a three-month trip to the States a few years ago and can understand why it’s so loved as it was one of my Top 5 places to visit in the US. Really enjoyed this post, Kevin. Think it now feels like a Washed Out kind of morning!
I first visited Portland in 1989 or 1990. We eventually moved here from London in the summer of 2007. Sure, it was a different city then than it was in 1989, but Portland started to change noticeably with the onset of 'Portlandia' and the constant NY Times articles about its food scene as well as the wonderful geography only 30 minutes from your door. Before long, many descended on the city; its city population in 2007 was about 550k. By 2020, it had grown to 652k. That population increase brought with it many problems people were leaving their other states for. Housing prices and rents, in particular, went through the roof (thanks to Californians who sold big in the Bay Area and were willing to pay 700k for a house that a few years before would have sold for maybe 350k). But what were fun, exciting, and somewhat unhinged events such as Alberta Last Thursday are now sterile versions of what they once were. All good cities change and are magnets for people to move to. However, I do miss aspects of the funky Stumptown we first moved to in 2007.
Portland's struggles since the pandemic are well documented, and it has lost approximately 3.5% of its population, but I haven't given up on it. I am also proud to live in a city that Trump once termed an "Anarchist Jurisdiction." Fuck that guy!
This is so cool. I always love your record write-ups. I didn't know the band or the record so all new to me. I love the synth pop vibes. I had no idea there was an 8-season-series "mocking" Portland! 8 seasons?!
Thanks for the kind words! It's one of those series where you hate it both because it makes fun of a place you love, but also because there's a thread of accuracy running through it.
I hear you! I always laugh at the English stereotypes as portrayed by Americans. Some are exaggerated, but most are spot on!
I was on an AA flight recently on our way back from Mexico (via Miami) and I swear it took several attempts for the flight attendant (who was as American as she could get) to understand what I meant by “bottle of water” (pronounced the English way). I had to Americanise it a bit at the third attempt (baaadhle? wahrer?!) and we both found it very amusing 😅
Ok, I have to admit that I never looked any deeper into where the Portlandia opening theme music came from and I'm so glad this post was written. I just finished listening to this album while working and its incredibly interesting. Added to the lists of likes!
My hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, much like Portland, is often the subject of snide remarks by people who live elsewhere out of ignorance. But we who live here know better.
I sort of rolled my eyes at chillwave when it was at its peak but this EP was different. Washed Out, along with Toro y Moi, were definitely the cream of the crop, and his following three albums just got bolder, grander, funkier, and more psychedelic. Highly recommend seeing Washed Out live.
I love Washed Out but never quite got into Toro Y Moi. Might give his stuff another go today.
His discography is a little uneven, but "Anything in Return," "Underneath the Pine," and "Mahal" are all solid.
Also recommend his side project, Chaz Bundick and the Mattison 2 if you like synthy psychedelic jazz. "Star Stuff" is a cool record.
Thanks for the tips
Agreed. there was a lot of chillwave that felt like it was all being stamped out of the same press, but something about this just hit different (am I too old to say that?).
It’s a great EP…as an aside, I always associate Washed Out with the coming of Spotify. Both Within and Without and Spotify were released in the US in 2011. For some reason listening to Amor Fati on repeat was one of the first things I did when I first downloaded the app. In fact, the song made it into what I think was the first playlist I ever made on that platform, the creatively-named “Spotify Dinner Party”, ahead of some friends coming over for dinner. Other than the fact that I would never include an artist more than once on a playlist, I think it still holds up!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5KemkMm8vmruOToU2eAyJZ?si=bq9wASSWRQmS03SF5fkZnQ&pi=u-vcpyDZFoREGD
That playlist looks good. Thanks.
Thanks for the list! In my case, it's The Go! Team who I associate with Spotify.
I hadn’t heard of chill wave until this record and was big fan of both the show and theme when they came out. But Greene was not a flash in the pan and I still listen to his subsequent records today. “Don’t Give Up” from Paracosm is on one of my workout playlists.
I think I mentioned it at some point, but I was record shopping a few years ago, grabbed a copy of "Within and Without," and a guy leaned over across the rack, pointed to it and (nicely) said, "that's the best f**kin' record you're gonna buy today."
I wondered how you would get an interesting post about an EP. I’m Gen Album, and avoid EPs because there are Just. So. Many. But the dialog with yerself makes it interesting: Boldface assumptions meet plain text realities. Nice job, K-Al.
Thank you, Professor!
When I think of Portland I think of the show Grimm, Portland has a lot of Wesen living there..lol
lol
Love Washed Out. Within And Without and Purple Noon are two of my most played albums of the last few years. I visited Portland on a three-month trip to the States a few years ago and can understand why it’s so loved as it was one of my Top 5 places to visit in the US. Really enjoyed this post, Kevin. Think it now feels like a Washed Out kind of morning!
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it (and Portland, as well)!
I first visited Portland in 1989 or 1990. We eventually moved here from London in the summer of 2007. Sure, it was a different city then than it was in 1989, but Portland started to change noticeably with the onset of 'Portlandia' and the constant NY Times articles about its food scene as well as the wonderful geography only 30 minutes from your door. Before long, many descended on the city; its city population in 2007 was about 550k. By 2020, it had grown to 652k. That population increase brought with it many problems people were leaving their other states for. Housing prices and rents, in particular, went through the roof (thanks to Californians who sold big in the Bay Area and were willing to pay 700k for a house that a few years before would have sold for maybe 350k). But what were fun, exciting, and somewhat unhinged events such as Alberta Last Thursday are now sterile versions of what they once were. All good cities change and are magnets for people to move to. However, I do miss aspects of the funky Stumptown we first moved to in 2007.
Portland's struggles since the pandemic are well documented, and it has lost approximately 3.5% of its population, but I haven't given up on it. I am also proud to live in a city that Trump once termed an "Anarchist Jurisdiction." Fuck that guy!
And before that, the Bush family referred to it as "Little Beirut," a label we proudly wore. Fuck that guy indeed!
This is so cool. I always love your record write-ups. I didn't know the band or the record so all new to me. I love the synth pop vibes. I had no idea there was an 8-season-series "mocking" Portland! 8 seasons?!
Thanks for the kind words! It's one of those series where you hate it both because it makes fun of a place you love, but also because there's a thread of accuracy running through it.
I hear you! I always laugh at the English stereotypes as portrayed by Americans. Some are exaggerated, but most are spot on!
I was on an AA flight recently on our way back from Mexico (via Miami) and I swear it took several attempts for the flight attendant (who was as American as she could get) to understand what I meant by “bottle of water” (pronounced the English way). I had to Americanise it a bit at the third attempt (baaadhle? wahrer?!) and we both found it very amusing 😅
Ok, I have to admit that I never looked any deeper into where the Portlandia opening theme music came from and I'm so glad this post was written. I just finished listening to this album while working and its incredibly interesting. Added to the lists of likes!
Right on! I’m happy to hear it!
Just saw him perform last week and he was incredible. When “feel it all around” played, it was perfect
I love it!