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Still Life

by Algebra Suicide

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Αθανάσιος
Αθανάσιος thumbnail
Αθανάσιος This album introduced me to what is now one of my most favourite bands. Sad that Lydia passed away. Her voice and genius writing will remain eternal through their music. Favorite track: Amusing One’s Self.
Rod Stasick
Rod Stasick thumbnail
Rod Stasick Nice to see this and "Feminine Squared" as modern releases.
Hadn't seen Lydia since she was approaching her 28th birthday, but she sure was a highly creative mind as well as being a real sweetheart. We shared Ukrainian ancestry. Special release(s) for sure.
ouicho
ouicho thumbnail
ouicho Luckily, She was part of the Chicago scene and was old enough to hear her at open mike. Favorite track: Tractor Pull.
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  • Vinyl LP + Digital Download
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Vinyl edition includes a 16-page booklet with lyrics, press clippings and photos.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Still Life via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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After Rilke 02:12
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No War Bride 01:23
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Tractor Pull 02:21
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Horizon 02:42
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Seven Song 06:46
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Gist 02:23
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Sinister 03:24
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Heat Wave 03:04
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Mantic Sway 03:25
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Brewing 02:43

about

Algebra Suicide was a Chicago poetry-music duo consisting of poet and visual artist Lydia Tomkiw and musician Don Hedeker. They formed in 1982 and self-released a 4-song EP that year. It featured a 60's Vox Guitar Organ, a precursor to the synthesizer guitar, and a Multivox Rhythm Ace drum machine. In 1984 they released their 2nd EP ditching the guitar organ for a Casiotone MT-40. Their debut album ‘Big Skin’ was released in 1986 on cassette and featured 13 new compositions with more complex arrangements. A vinyl compilation album, "The Secret Like Crazy", was released in 1988. It collected 20 tracks picked from ‘Big Skin’ and the first two EPs plus unreleased songs. In 2012 we released an 18-track compilation of their first 3 singles with bonus tracks.
‘Still Life’ is a 16 track compilation that collects the 9 remaining songs from ‘Big Skin’, 3 songs from ‘The Secret Like Crazy’, and 4 songs from various compilations. Lydia and Don call their approach "Avant Garage" citing inspiration from Patti Smith, Frank O'Hara, Leonard Cohen and Lou Reed. Don plays guitar in a hauntingly stark style like Glenn Branca, Tom Verlaine, or Vini Reilly. He then adds
Casio keyboards and minimal electronic percussion, creating a moody, atmospheric backdrop for Lydia's poems. Lydia's words span a broad range of twisted real-life observations, and are delivered in a deadpan fashion with her distinct Midwestern accent. All songs have been remastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. Though Lydia passed away in 2007, her genius lives on in these recordings. Please respect her decadence.

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released July 12, 2019

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Algebra Suicide Chicago, Illinois

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