Ben Chasny: Six Organs of Admittance, Comets on Fire, & Rangda

Ben Chasny is an amazing musician.  Although I will not post links to downloads (to respect Chasny’s attitude towards the matter...), I wanted to provide some samples of his amazing work. If you like it, spend some money and support it.  

Ben Chasny is most known for his psychedelic folk project, Six Organs of Admittance, which recently released a new album, Asleep on the Floodplain (Drag City 2011).  I just picked up a copy.  Don’t have much to say about it yet; I need to listen more.... It explores the softer experimental sounds that one would expect from Chasny’s project. Here’s the track “Hold But Let Go”:

Six Organs of Admittance have recorded prolifically since the late 90s (with more than 10 albums in a decade). Some highlights are the records Dark Noontide (their 4th album, released 2002 on Holy Mountain), For Octavio Paz (6th album released 2003 on Holy Mountain), School of the Flower (8th album released in 2005 on Drag City), and Shelter from the Ash (10th album released 2007 on Drag City).  Here’s the title track of one of my favorite albums, The School of the Flower: 

And the video of the the title track of 2007’s Shelter from the Ash:

Chasny’s Six Organs of Admittance would satisfy the tastes of folk enthusiasts, psychedelic rock fans, and any interested in experimental music.  I cannot recommend these albums enough. 

Now those that wish for a little more noise, fuzz, and rock’n’roll need not be discouraged.  Meet Chasny’s alter-ego: Comets on Fire.  The band puts down the acoustic six string and plugs in the high-powered full-stack for a full-on Stoner Rock fuzz-fest.  The group has released 4 full length albums, most recently Blue Cathedral (2004 Sub Pop) and Avatar (2006 Sub Pop).  Here’s a live video of their song , “The Bee & the Crackin’ Egg” from the LP Blue Cathedral:

Comets on Fire rock loud and hard, and Chasny’s guitar skills are nearly impeccable.  I highly recommend all the albums.

More recently, Ben Chasny has recorded and performed with super-group, Rangda, featuring Richard Bishop (of Sun City Girls) and drummer Chris Corsano (Six Organs of Admittance).  Most likely, I’ll post exclusively about Richard Bishop & his music at some later date.  He too is a phenomenal guitarist with a very particular style, so the chance to hear both artists in musical dialogue is a treat to say the least.  Here they are performing together (but not as Rangda; I believe this a Six Organs concert...):

Now here’s Ben Chasny & Richard Bishop performing as Rangda:

Like Comets, Rangda rocks a little louder than Six Organs.  The above song is “Bull Lore,” a track off their sole album False Flag (2010 Drag City).  If you like what you hear, I highly recommend the entire release. The musicianship is beyond impressive, and I include Chris Corsano in that statement. The drumming on this record is ridiculous.

I dig Chasny's entire spectrum of musical performance.  It ranges from folk to noise, and it never disappoints. Definitely support this artist.