Arto Lindsay & Ambitious Lovers - Envy (1984)

Previously on OPIUM HUM:
Arto Lindsay - Noon Chill (1998)

Weird, angular art pop fronted by the great Arto Lindsay. Some buoyant Latin percussion here and there, as well as a snapshot or two of the laid-back tropicália that would come to define Lindsay's solo work.

Track listing:
1. Cross Your Legs
2. Trouble Maker
3. Pagode Americano
4. Nothings Monstered
5. Crowning Roar
6. Too Many Mansion
7. Let's Be Adult
8. Venus Lost Her Skirt
9. My Competition
10. Badu
11. Dora
12. Beberibe
13. Locus Coruleus

Your generosity is too close to cruelty

If you like this, try:

Che -
Narcotic (1989)

Nona Hendryx -
SkinDiver (1989)

Gilberto Gil - Gilberto Gil (1968)

A colorful fusion of bossa nova (and probably some other Brazilian styles of music with which I'm not as familiar) and psychedelic rock, with orchestral arrangements courtesy of Rogério Duprat. Think Os Mutantes. In fact, really, think Os Mutantes: they're Gil's backing band. If I knew what was good for me, I'd probably listen to this every morning, and be a happier, more successful person within a few weeks.

Track listing:
1. Frevo Rasgado
2. Coragem pra Suportar
3. Domingou
4. Marginália Il
5. Pega a Voga, Cabuelo
6. Êle Falava Nisso Todo Dia
7. Procissão
8. Luzia Luluza
9. Pé da Roseira
10. Domingo no Parque
11. Barca Grande
12. A Coisa Mais Linda que Existe
13. Questão de Ordem
14. A Luta Contra a Lata ou a Falência do Café

Come on, summer

Arto Lindsay - Noon Chill (1998)

Here's the album that introduced me to the singular musical vision of no-wave ex-pat Arto Lindsay. Noon Chill is the sound of laid-back, booze-soaked tropicalia being filtered through dark trip-hop and fronted by what sounds like the singer for Slint. Way more cohesive and easily enjoyed than that description might suggest. I got a kitten the other day, and I'm fighting against his lil paws to write this, so I'm done.

Track listing:
1. Noon Chill
2. Whirlwind
3. Simply Are
4. Blue Eye Shadow
5. Mulata Fuzarqueira
6. Ridiculously Deep
7. Anything
8. Gods Are Weak
9. Take My Place
10. Daily Life
11. Light Moves Away
12. Why Compare
13. Reentry

My mind is going