It's been a long nine years since Merge released First Imaginary Symphony for Nomad, the debut full-length by The Music Tapes. That's the bad news. The good news is that The Music Tapes, a.k.a. Julian Koster -- best known for his saw work and creative vision for Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea -- will keep it to nine, as he has announced the release of a brand, possibly spankin' new LP, Music Tapes for Clouds and Tornadoes, due August 19 on Merge.
Part tape collage, part indie pop, and singing saws all around, The Music Tapes' music definitely has a lot of heart -- yet it doesn't sound completely human. Why? Because Koster is as much an inventor as a musician. His band consists partially of E6 friends, but primarily of musicians that he created, including The 7 Foot Tall metronome, Static The Television, and The Clapping Hands Machine. And he's even created new members for Music Tapes for Clouds and Tornadoes, such as the Orbiting Human Circus Tapdancing Machine. According to Koster:
I just find the imaginary more real than the physical. Magic, the way we find things beautiful, the light behind eyes, kindness, and how we want to serve and protect the things we care about -- these things seem like the real foundation of the world to me. I hope that the songs on this record can be more than just postcards from a world, but an invitation to it, to anyone at all who may find such a place comforting and nice.
In addition to Clouds and Tornadoes, The Music Tapes are quietly working on a few other projects, including the official release of the much-anticipated 2nd Imaginary Symphony for Cloudmaking (which features some music from Clouds and Tornadoes), a film project, and an as-yet untitled album featuring Koster's father on flamenco guitar. Meanwhile, Julian, along with Static the Television, the 7 Foot Tall Metronome, and some sentient buddies, are scheduled to perform August 15 at Athens Popfest 2008. I hope the 7 Foot Tall Metronome malfunctions and kills someone in the crowd. Wouldn't that be hilarious?
In the meantime, you can check out this video for "Minister of Longitude" and listen to "Majesty."
