Tuesday 27 January 2015

S.o.t.D. - Hesperus – Hooch

Hesperus – Hooch

Love that tension – the beautiful, calm, more melodic, orchestral elements, juxtaposed with those crisp, rolling drums.

Modular Gear For The Rest Of Us: Switlik X-Back Air Crew Vest

Continuing my series chronicling examples of modular carry equipment geared to non-military endeavours.

In existence since 1920, Switlik Parachute Co. (although I don’t think they actually make parachutes any more), manufacture anti-g and anti-exposure suits, PFDs, inflatable rafts for military, law enforcement and the aviation industry in an 85,000 sq. ft facility in Trenton, New Jersey.

The material is a Nomex/Kevlar blend and is available in Cobalt Blue and Burnt Orange.
Also available are various pouches, including one for a HEED bottle.
Shown with various pouches attached.

It comes in at a weight of 1.08 kg (2 lbs 6 oz). Two 18g CO2 cylinders give it a buoyancy of over 35 lbs. It also has a built in locator light. Cost is $379.00.
http://switlik.com/aviation/xback/

I have a Mustang Survival manually inflatable PFD, (not certain of the exact model), that is superficially similar to this, and I’ve been very happy with it. Light and unobtrusive, yet one tug on the handle and I instantaneously have a horseshoe yoke keeping me afloat and my head up and out of the water.

But if I’m in a boat of some kind, I also want to have some other life saving gear on me, should I somehow become separated from the boat. Comms, and some other means of signalling, a way to start a fire and some other basic survival gear, some food maybe, a multi-tool, compass, etc. This thoughtful incorporation of PALS webbing allows for that very need.

If I was in the market for another PFD, even though this is geared towards air-crew, I could see it being applicable to watersports as well. The fact that it comes in orange is also appealing.

Sunday 25 January 2015

Bibliophilia: Bad Houses – Sara Ryan & Carla Speed McNeil

Bad Houses – Sara Ryan & Carla Speed McNeil

Another example of a graphic novel that tells a seemingly simple, every day story. No one does anything out of the ordinary, has special powers, wears outlandish costumes, etc. And yet it is a really enjoyable read.

Lewis works with his mother curating estate sales.

Anne lives with her mother, a nurse, who we learn is a hoarder.

They live in a logging town in Oregon, one whose glory days, if ever there were any, are fading into memory.


The two meet and a relationship develops.

Several subplots are woven into the main story and at various points you go back to see where elements of the story were subtly introduced. I loved Carla Speed McNeil’s bold but very expressive art. It reminded me a little of Glenn Grant’s work on Mind Theatre.

What seems somewhat prosaic at first, ends up being quite a charming story, about growing up and moving on.

Modular Gear For The Rest Of Us: Atlas 46

While the military may well have led the pack when it comes to modular gear, it delights me to no end when I see some of those concepts applied to other endeavours.

John Carver was the man behind Eagle Industries, who it might be said pioneered the tactical sewn goods industry. He has started another venture, Atlas 46, aimed at the construction trade. During my stint framing houses, I found what I was using underwhelming and had some ideas for making my own, incorporating some of the ideas I was seeing in military gear. I switched to other employment and the ideas never saw the light of day. Mr. Carver has taken what he learned making gold standard tactical gear and applied it to the job site. Lots of nicely thought out features. Reasonable prices too.

A selection:
AIMS Main Tool Attachment Pouch
AIMS Screw and Nail Attachment Pouch

A feature I thought was intriguing was this ability to close up or subdivide this pouch.
AIMS Drill Holster
Journeyman Apron XL
Ladder Pad

S.o.t.D. - Adrift – Grifta

Adrift – Grifta

So, so, so good! That deep vibe, that funky bassline, the sax licks, the precise drums, that melodic flute line that animates it all. Awesome. Shame it’s only 3 minutes long.

Saturday 24 January 2015

S.o.t.D. - Dive Into You (Tom Middleton Instrumental Mix) – Hefner Cosmos

Dive Into You (Tom Middleton Instrumental Mix) – Hefner Cosmos

It doesn’t say in as many words, but I’m 99% certain Tom Middleton had a large hand in shaping this sound.

Leatherman Tread

I don’t too often gush about products being released, but this new design from Leatherman - who I’m generally a big fan of - delighted me.
25 tools made from 17-4 stainless steel, including a bottle opener, a cutting hook, hex drives, square drives, screwdrivers, box wrenches, and a carbide glass breaker – worn as a bracelet.
Later in 2015 a watch version will be released.

It might prove to be more of a clever idea than anything you’d bust out for anything other than the most dire emergency. It might even prove to be a bit uncomfortable to wear. But I think it’s so clever, it’s making me consider forking over $150 to $200 (suggested MSRP) and wearing a bracelet or watch again after 25 years of not. 

Leatherman’s announcement.

Tuesday 20 January 2015

S.o.t.D. - Closed Doors – Synkro

Closed Doors – Synkro

Yes! He does it again! Love this tempo, and the really warm bass. Love discovering an artist and then discovering tracks of theirs I haven’t heard yet and it all helps build a really deep appreciation for the body of work they’ve created.

Saturday 17 January 2015

Thursday 15 January 2015

S.o.t.D. - Falling Short (Mynox Spacy Remix) – Låpsley

Falling Short (Mynox Spacy Remix) – Låpsley

If a piece of music was an orgasm in simultaneously gaseous, liquid and solid form, it would be this.

I cannot get over how insanely good this is.

Oh, and you can get it as a free download from Mynox’ SoundCloud page.

Wednesday 14 January 2015

S.o.t.D. - Falling Short – Låpsley

Falling Short – Låpsley

This lass is called Holly Fletcher. Goes by Låpsley. It’s her middle name. She’s 17 years old. From Liverpool. If this doesn’t blow you away, there is something wrong with you. If she doesn’t blow up huge in 2015, there is something wrong with the world.

Tuesday 13 January 2015

S.o.t.D. - Moaning Lisa Smile – Wolf Alice

Moaning Lisa Smile – Wolf Alice

Being a fan of that wall of droning guitar sound, accentuated with female vocals, exemplified by bands like Curve, Lush, My Bloody Valentine, etc., I really, really dig this song. Very catchy. Fun video. A band to watch for sure. That Ellie Rowsell is a cutie too.

Monday 12 January 2015

S.o.t.D. - Infiltrate – Code Of Practice

Infiltrate – Code Of Practice

Yet another guise for Rupert Parkes (aka Photek, aka Special Forces, aka Aquarius,  aka several other names.)

Heard this many years ago on a DJ Sugar Daddy Moth mixed tape, but never knew the name of the song or the artist.

Sunday 11 January 2015

S.o.t.D. - Yes We Can Can – The Pointer Sisters

Yes We Can Can – The Pointer Sisters

That groove at the start...so good. That could be the whole song. But the rest is one groovy, funky classic from 1973.

And do respect the women of the world

Remember, you all had mothers

Monday 5 January 2015

Sunday 4 January 2015

S.o.t.D. - Tokyo – Hatti Vatti & Synkro

Tokyo – Hatti Vatti & Synkro

I had the thought that perhaps I am posting too much Synkro. Then I came to my senses and realized what a stupid thought that was.

Saturday 3 January 2015

Thursday 1 January 2015

S.o.t.D. - Recognition (Arch Origin Bootleg) – Synkro

Recognition (Arch Origin Bootleg) – Synkro

Happy new year. Let’s start this thing off in stellar fashion with another creamy piece of tuneage. Synkro is a well known and loved entity in these parts. This Arch Origin outfit is new to me. But whoever did what in this piece of beaty goodness, the two artists have given us a fine slice of bassy deliciousness to start off 2015 in fine style.