Jandek - Upon the Grandeur

From "One Foot in the North"

[@thenightbladefeeds]

"Talent hits a target no one else can hit. Genius hits a target no one else can see." - Schopenhauer

[@Turfdeanthantrax]

Mopenhauer (Me)

[@scottanderson8167]

I was privileged to attend a college where the college radio station owned every Jandek record and we would play them on air from time to time.

[@tylermoore8370]

What the fuck college was this?

[@cakesnatcher4541]

@@tylermoore8370 buttfuck-asshole-college for half-retarded cabbage people.

[@pigammon7843]

You're the second guy who I've seen comment this. What college was it? Might go there lol

[@scottanderson8167]

@@pigammon7843 Boston College. But I betcha a lot of colleges with indie rock / noncommercial radio stations play Jandek records.

[@joe_chill1060]

@@cakesnatcher4541 prestigious institution

[@andrewsankov]

my favorite song to falling asleep

[@mrgakozak]

The more I listen to this guy's music, the more I appreciate it. He has a unique, stripped-down style that really appeals to me. He's far more astute than people might think. His music may be simple, but that's the genius of it. It's simple, but far from simplistic. He truly gets what music is about.

[@ceef8688]

so true. His early albums especially--they use the open strum guitar to convey such a tone, so downtrodden but dreamy... and a book of his lyrics would exceed pretty much all the poetry I've read in the New Yorker. (And the fact that almost no one will listen to Jandek with you makes it all the more anthem of the loner.)

[@sleepystars8482]

Same...

[@cakesnatcher4541]

Just sounds like an asshole who doesnt know if he wants to solo on guitar or raise his voice on the mic. You pulled your comment out your minds asshole.

[@oweb7754]

@@cakesnatcher4541 what an utterly meaningless statement, where else do you pull comments from? did yours come from your asshole?

[@InfiniteRhombus]

its about atmosphere and his ability to craft an incredibly creepy one due to how sparse and emotional it all sounds. I can picture myself being asleep in a completely empty room, i know there are rats in this room but I cant see them, though I can hear them running around and chewing on things from time to time, closing my eyes and pretending that they aren't there does nothing.

[@aerokraft]

this song could go on forever

[@MStaynor]

After getting scared from listening to Ready For The House at 2am, the last thing I would expect to find from the same artist would be to find a song that never fails to calm me. It's like the two halves form a whole. Completely beautiful on both sides, but affect in opposite ways.

[@zacharybartlett8519]

And that is called The Principle of Polarity 😊

[@booshnickselector700]

the fact that most people think this is garbage makes me feel privileged. thanks jandek.

[@skylined5534]

I've just read an article largely rubbishing Jandek but what little of him I've heard he still has more talent than the combined efforts of those in current and chart music going back over the last decade!

[@PaulMcMinotaur]

I've been listening to Jandek for years and I've never heard this song or anything like it. Beautiful.

[@bravetherainbow]

I listened to the first couple of tracks of Ready for the House and assumed all Jandek songs would sound like them since I'd never heard anything else from him... but this is so conventionally pretty!

[@IndependentVictor]

That's the beauty about Jandek imo. There's just so much from where you can dig. And sometimes you just find an awesome gem among all those other linear strumming weird guitar songs he makes. My favorite is "I'm ready".

[@Chipster971]

one of my favourite Jandek songs

[@epsonBaptism]

ahhhh....I love you Jandek

[@flamingfailureproductions3033]

About the Pink Floyd comments: I just find it funny that I had to explore music for oh so long before I found Jandek, and some more before I started enjoying the music (as opposed to the story); whereas PF were my favorite band back when I was like 14 but I haven't really listened to them for the last couple of years. I mean PF is kind of the obvious band to like when you're that weird kid in high school who's really into music, but they're not that strange or challenging; whereas Jandek is so out there and comes from such a different musical place that I'd never think of linking the two of them.

[@LG-lp7cl]

+Flaming Failure Productions Yeah. It's like when I showed my dad Godspeed You Black Emperor for the first time. He heard it and went "sounds like Roger Waters' solo stuff." First and only time I had to call my own father out for being a douchebag.

[@himalayansaltopus]

lmao

[@pagapollo5601]

I mean, Waters makes good music, GYBE don't

[@vick207]

@@pagapollo5601 Factually incorrect, GY!BE is incredible

[@skylined5534]

​​@@vick207 Mmm, debatable. That said, they did a great, very fitting track for 28 Days Later. Edited because I can't count!

[@SamanthaEnolaAndres]

This song feels like it’s the end of the world and I’m enjoying the last moments in pain.

[@c0okiesandmilk]

there's so many sides to jandek. blues, rock, jazz, psych, musique concrete, spoken word,

[@7d7films3]

What are some of his best spoken word albums / songs? I can’t seem to find any

[@ottofill7804]

You can't fool me, this isn't Jandek. The song actually has a key signature.

[@sio1574]

Jandek is one of the best live performers I have ever seen.

[@cakesnatcher4541]

This guy performs live? Jesus. What dumb cock-smoker actually pays for this wanky shite?

[@lemoneviltart]

@@cakesnatcher4541 seeing you all over his videos. it’s kind of hilarious. Hope I see you again. If I do I’ll say what’s up.

[@herbbirdsfoot]

On Foot In the North probably the most beautiful Jandek album in the catalog, musicwise. Mood and chords of some of these tracks always remind me of Bob Weir’s “Lost Sailor”.🤔

[@kingjoeyliscious]

Such undisturbable peace

[@donaldkelly5376]

I always found the story of Jandek far more interesting than the music itself, this tune is an exception.

[@chillepalmerz]

check out "The Cat that walked from Shelbyville"

[@jguzzwell]

nice. I've been looking up Jandek material all day. This is one of my favorites so far in the more tonal realm of his music

[@prettyfunbird]

'that cat that walked from shelbyville' is also pretty song-ish. maybe there are some others in this style too.

[@raspberryjuiceentertainmen719]

People with perfect pitch are screaming rn

[@twinsinner]

i’m very new to jandek, (just started listening to him yesterday), and i can see where the PF comparisons are coming from but personally i don’t think they’re fair. I am a fan of PF but they’re not on the same level of Jandek, they both make very good music but i feel like they’re completely different.

[@synthmalicious7541]

Pink Floyd?

[@PaulMcMinotaur]

His vocals sound like Roger Waters on Benzedrine and his guitar playing is like David Gilmore with a railroad spike through his head.

[@myersheggood]

@@PaulMcMinotaur I love this

[@twinsinner]

@@synthmalicious7541 dude i don't remember posting this but i have no idea who i was referring to as "PF" LMAO

[@chuazinha8gostosa889]

vizinha to morrendo de saudades das nossas noites de safadeza

[@theosegatelisantos8919]

que

[@R.............]

@@theosegatelisantos8919 que²

[@oldirtysethen3384]

depois de 4 anos voltei aqui só para dizer que eu ainda te amo

[@ifasteio]

obrigado por esse comentário

[@vick207]

Amazing

[@bartkaian9031]

Well let's burst upon the grandeur Second to see the scene (?) And when it's time To find a ??? Too close to ??? your picture I'm down to You deliver a place for me I ??? upon a ??? of stone ??? You turn around to ??? You ??? run away You smile ??? I pray to see the day And if you go away I will wait here and miss you Oh join hands and lead the way Reborn again today I feel whimsical That's the whimsy And there's no question Ask any man in the world And when this time is over There'll be another one To be ??? this (?) And you're moving on to the next one ??? lurks It's cold and your neck hurts There ain't a ??? here no more A letter's by the door (?) I leave by dawn today To find another way 'Til the day I see the light That brings my fortune here tonight

[@MistahEdwardus]

Lyrics transcribed most accurately (by nofxfonofx, on the tisue mailing list) Let's burst upon the grandeur Second to see the same And when it's time To find a flame To post upon your picture I'm done too far I see You build a place for me I cry upon a cornerstone You there to find a phone You turn around today You burn a land away You smile, say it's OK I fail to see the day And if you go away I will wait here and miss you Join hands and love the way Be born again today I feel quizzical If that's the reason And there's no question I see the night long And when this time's over There'll be another one To be in front of this one Moving on to the next one And if the drug hurts It's cold and your neck hurts The ink don't spill no more On letters read before I leave at dawn today To find another way 'Til I dream I see the light That brings my fortune here tonight

[@bobsoldrecords1503]

My musical wet dream. To hear The Rep do this song with the 13th Floor Elevators.

[@johnmcgowan770]

This is beautiful and completely unlike the majority of his output.For those who think his music is unlistenable,this proves o therwise

[@cameronschotter3545]

seriously, only song ive heard of him thats not atonal

[@BlakouttheMM]

@@cameronschotter3545 There's plenty. His first period of music was all atonal blues. After that things got more melodic. Listen to I'm Ready, I'll Sit Alone and Think A Lot About You, and Time and Space to get started. And give those atonal albums a try. Think of them more as spoken word. That's really what they are, actually. Spoken poetry. Listen to I Knew You Would Leave, it's a beautiful piece. He did some recent albums that were just reading, with no accompaniment at all. Just writing.

[@childeroland2569]

beautiful

[@liquidchickens]

feelings

[@ceef8688]

"upon" is the word of grandeur par excellence, making this song a bundle of valuable whims

[@hapless_sap]

Put this on but was like nah, some Floyd mine doods.

[@tonywalton1052]

one of the more conventional singles from One foot in the north album en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Foot_in_the_North

[@bipolar-polar-bear-east9717]

This is strong

[@dwdeclare1965]

jefferson airplane meets velvet underground

[@daniele.4260]

Finally, the first real comparisons in this entire comment section.

[@RobPaulson88]

Could easily slap it on a film and have a great vibe, I mean the film would have to relate the emotion so I’m not sure how you’d do it lol

[@thenightbladefeeds]

i always thought certain jandek songs could be used as soundtracks for Stan Brakhage films

[@skylined5534]

I'm surprised Tarantino hasn't used stuff like this!

[@kindle9597]

Show your musician friends who brag about having perfect pitch all the time this to get back at them for bragging about having perfect pitch all the time

[@dragon-id5uj]

wow... looks like my cousin adam. makes me appreciate my cousin's dj spin session that i caught, all the more.

[@frankbrinkmann2510]

He can't sing, he can't play, but it's great

[@JesusLovesHisSheep]

Well

[@wordvert7374]

What album is this on?

[@jonahlewis6225]

word vert One Foot In The North

[@evansgate]

Why so many comparisons in these comments to Pink Floyd? You might as well compare him to George Floyd because it's that apt.

[@EdwindePaula]

grandeur is such a beautiful word I don't even know what it means

[@synthmalicious7541]

Is he playing guitar on this one at all?

[@stevenderosa6573]

Jandek > Pink Floyd

[@devon6valentine]

[@theorangegoodness]

Andy Kaufman

[@jcc2917]

he's amazing ...like the emperor's new jandek. Love it, when people write tuneless boring, meandering songs, and can't in tune or play their instruments at all and pretend they're artists most likely sell their souls to Satan to make other people believe they're an important artist and not a phony hack.

[@zackzallie8735]

Why tf is everyone compare Jandek to Pink Floyd? Angry hipsters alert.

[@Banddroid]

Not a big surprise it's your favorite people. It's the only one that sounds like an actual song.

[@zvotaisvfi8678]

i dont know yall yall are just out of good music to listen to now yall settle for this

[@ChadKingOfficial]

I seriously see nothing weird w/ this. You commenters make me overthink.

[@propername4830]

Pink Floyd

[@BlemishesNow]

You have good taste

[@evinism]

Jandek is good, but Pink Floyd is a REALLY tough nut to crack. You don't just say it's more complex than Pink Floyd and leave it at that. Song by song comparisons! Show us what you mean!

[@ludwigbooth4882]

this makes pink Floyd look like cheap rip offs. jandek is so far ahead of Floyd, it hurts.

[@itisleben]

toots mctoots Pink Floyd were recording and releasing albums a full decade before Jandek released his first. You may prefer Jandek's music, but in no way was it 'ahead,' or at least not from a historical perspective. More likely it was 'influenced by.'

[@ludwigbooth4882]

itisleben is that all youve got, dork?

[@ludwigbooth4882]

itisleben is that all youve got, dork?

[@itisleben]

It's the only argument I need so... yeah.

[@ludwigbooth4882]

itisleben no. its all youve got.

[@JL-tf6vc]

Jandek is infinitely more listenable than pink floyd. even the syd barrett stuff fucking sucks

[@evieluv222]

based

[@D3ft0ne]

Sounds out of tune.

[@cpthammer]

+D3ft0ne sounds like a old tube amp cranked

[@kakstin]

If you want "out of tune" you should check some of his earliest electric stuff (e.g. 'The Rocks Crumble'/'Interstellar Discussion'). The VU at their noisiest would be a good starting point, but still not quite an adequate comparison.

[@user-ys3qq6rf6z]

10 years old boys are better

[@satinluva-4302]

Wth

[@fhiuadshfiudshfgiads]

and no one has ever said "man the way he punches his guitar is awesome I wonder what he was thinking when he wrote that" I actually do wonder what he was thinking because it most certainly wasnt "how to write a song and play my instrument" this is garbage

[@IHeartNoise]

As compared to some of the stuff you wrote? Of course it is - you are a genius, just like everyone else commenting here

[@bigfat4172]

6 years later and this comment still sucks

[@vick207]

@@bigfat4172 8 now, this shit is atemporal lmao

[@fhiuadshfiudshfgiads]

Don't you EVER compare Jandek to Pink Floyd, don't ever compare any band to Pink Floyd. This is the only Jandek song that isn't them fretting random notes and hitting random strings. Pink Floyd were musical geniuses that wrote some of the best and most intricate music ever written. Don't ever make that mistake again.

[@IHeartNoise]

I take you listened to his entire discography, then?

[@foodchewer]

Woah man

[@connordevlin8412]

lol

[@matthewwhiteford464]

lol

[@mikaelwhite55]

lol

[@12inchvertical]

jandek clammed all those notes in the intro just so you wouldn't compare him to dave gilmour. stop hurting his feelings

[@1funeral2many9]

jandek was like "god shut the fuck up i do know how to play and tune fuckin a"

[@ST-xg3gy]

Gilmore never "clammed" notes.

[@samaiello7543]

@@ST-xg3gy that’s... the point of his comment

[@johnsluggett1822]

Clamdiggers Holiday

[@klootperw1036]

Me and a couple of friends saw him live at som snobbish music festival and we had a good laugh, i'm a fan of the cult and phenomenon but I think all this is a joke, theatre....I was in correspondence (a laden word here.) wth Sterling Smith, thats his real name, and he send me lots of cd's I never bought one, the cult grew then he got a manager I suppose and the game was over and I lost interest....I thing there a cd of that AB concert in Brussels.