This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
CD Review: Tuxedomoon's 'Vapour Trails'
Artist: Tuxedomoon
Album: Vapour Trails
Label: Crammed Discs
Release Date: 02/05/2008
Listen to "Kubrick":
It's hard to believe it's been thirty years since Tuxedomoon made their debut. They were part of San Francisco's weird music scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s. At a time when West Coast punk was in it's nascent stages, and there were plenty of hippie-era hangers-on, Tuxedomoon's mix of electronica, jazz, and rock found its place in both snobby couture salons as well as onstage as an opener for Devo. The band moved to Europe because obviously the US wasn't ready for them and they were right. They relocated to Belgium and after a few albums and lineup changes they semi-retired for a while until this release, recorded in Greece in 2006 but put out today by Belgian label Crammed Discs.
After 15 years of electronica pushing its way into the mainstream (and staying there), I think the US is more than ready for Tuxedomoon. Steven Brown's voice is very Bryan Ferry-like which, for me, invoked a pleasant nostaligia of the band's (first) heyday of the '80s. The overall feel of the album is very downtempo with some definite jazz references with guitar and hornwork but there's drum machines in there and plenty of interesting samples and ambient sounds. The sample track I chose "Kubrick" (above) I thought was particularly brilliant as it does dwell upon the musical themes of multiple Stanley Kubrick films, 2001 in particular. Tuxedomoon's music is esoteric and still exotic sounding and while there are plenty of ecclectic electronica artists out there in recent years, but these tend to me solo or duo projects. Tuxedomoon is weirdness and ambience created by a focused team that has been pushing an idea for more than 30 years and is well worth a listen.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
