Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, Worn Copy (2003) [2020 reissue]

Where bought? Norman Records, online.

If The Doldrums is a relatively homogenous lo-fi goth record then Worn Copy is more obviously a work of psychedelic bricolage. Some of this is apparent in just one track: the opener 'Trepanated Earth' cycles through spoken interludes, odd lurching synthwave, noise pop, pop, Amon Duul-ish pastoral psychouts, and then something not a million miles from American '70s rock.

I'm consistently surprised by Worn Copy and its breadth - and the quality on offer whilst surveying different styles and modes. There's weird 50s ice cream chord-style doo-wop, something approximating glam rock played in the distance, straight-up synth pop, and a regal take on mystic psychedelia.

This later descriptor is applied to 'Artifact', which might be my favourite single track by Ariel Pink. Certainly my favourite in his early days. A lot of songs can be good and well-written, but only few touch that inner button where we're just at a loss to say what the song is doing to us.

 

There was once an official video on youtube that has gone AWOL, so enjoy this set to a montage from Harmony Korine's Beach Bum.

Notably this is a record that lasts 75 minutes that there isn't too much fat on. The length is partly owing to a reissue on Rhystop adding three tracks ('The Drummer', 'Jules Lost His Jewels', and 'Oblivious Peninsula') and grafting 'Rite of the Exhumed' onto the start of 'Artifact'. But that still suggests a 60 minute listen: a perfect mixtape taking in several styles, only all done by one person.

I read an article written by someone who said that they couldn't listen to this one anymore in light of the recent allegations against Rosenberg because 'Creepshow' has these weird sex noise samples on there. I suppose it does make the sound of that track a little icky. But it doesn't filter in anywhere else, and I think it is reasonably legit to explore that porno side to LA.

A total keeper. Out of my dead hands, etc.