Modern Journal of Popular Savagery

I am reading a two volume set a friend of mine made. It is the story of The Smiths, in their own words, song by song. There is the album, the lyrics, followed by quotes from interviews from the band members over the years 1984-2001. One thread that is consistent is Morrisey's insistence on the band making popular music, as opposed to underground, indie or alternative. The band existed at an interesting time, when such categories were being developed. It got me thinking about reading Marc Almond's autobiography last year, and his lamenting not being mainstream enough, or underground enough to fit anywhere. But what this is about is my friend, Porest's new record. The Smiths and Almond's lament fit. Porest has recorded a record so sharp, so angry, so funny and so political it sounds as if it is both the death knoll or radical, left politics as well as the last gasp of those things. I was thinking of how this record does not fit neatly in any category. Found sound, very crafted songs that you can dance to, post 'industrial'. For sure, especially given our current political state it is an important work. Another friend once commented, 'It is not MY fault Keiji Haino or Tony Conrad are not popular music' I get it. What machinery and zeitgiest make what sells, or is heard? Porest makes important records, the only ones that seem to matter politically after 9/11. And guess what? He is playing in portland right after Thanksgiving, our Genocide Celebration. The record is called The Modern Journal of Popular Savagery, by the artist, Porest. Look up the date for the west coast shows. I will be at the northern one!