Opening on resonant bass and vibrant piano, Alexei Shishkin’s “Tiki Taka (2006)” makes clear the focus of this musical tribute from the moment his and album co-producer Bradford Krieger’s chosen samples fade into clarity. Laughing, the chirp of security’s walkie-talkie radios, and the bustle of a crowd set the soundscape beside the steady crescendo of piano and bass until, at last, Shishkin’s vocals begin this ballad of the victories of FC Barcelona.
Two-thousand and six,
feelin’ mixed up
It’s a champion thing
caught myself off a landslide
in Sevilla, I was feelin’ nothing
Shishkin’s press statement explains that the line “landslide in Sevilla”, in particular, refers to a nonspecific squash match where Barca overtook Sevilla by several goals. By my own research, the line “2006, feelin’ mixed up” may refer to the end of the 2005-06 Barcelona season, where Barca won the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final, as well as the beginning of the following 2006-07 season, which comparatively saw very little of the competitive success shown in the team’s previous years and ended in Barca’s defeat in the second leg of the UEFA Championship by Liverpool. At risk of speculation, the line “it’s a champion thing” may refer to the inevitable nature of the changing of champions in the realm of sports; even seemingly unending championship reigns in any sport can, in fact, be ended. The champion inevitably must give way to a new champion, and that surrender is something only a champion can do.
I do not think it is only a coincidence that the same can be said of life and legacy.
I make this claim after reading a little more about Alexei Shishkin, perhaps feeling a kinship over our shared name, and seeing his musical style described as “equal parts prolific and poignant.” From the look of it, his portfolio is only growing by the minute; citing influence from Martin Newell, David Berman, Steve Malkmus, and Dean Wareham among others, Shishkin appears to compose each piece in the same way one would weave a tapestry. The end of the bass’ musical phrase becomes the beginning of the piano’s, the end of the piano’s phrase cues the drums—one rhythm flows into the next to build up to a complete, final sound.
I got broken down into the
crevice of what I found
moving above solid ground
I watched through broken window panes
everything felt the same
I watched them move it around,
and around (x8)
I watched them through broken window panes
everything feeling the same
move it around, and around (x3)
Two-thousand six, around and around
More references to FC Barcelona’s legacy are littered throughout the lyrics: Shishkin explains the use of “broken down” refers to Barca’s aggressive strategy of passing the ball until a gap forms in their opponent’s defenses, which ties into the refrain of “move it around” referring to the same offensive strategy—which is actually formally known as the Tiki-taka. The idea to write lyrics in tribute to FC Barcelona apparently was not Shishkin’s first choice: he shares in the press release for his album “Good Times”, which is set to release September 5th and features this track, that he had “went into the vocal booth, and Brad put on some random soccer highlights for me to watch while singing”. Shishkin further explains, “It just so happened that he pulled up some supercut of Barca moments, so I just started making up soccer things (…) Ironically, it pains me because I normally cheer against Barcelona, but I would be a fool to deny their greatness”.
To speak a little more of greatness, electric guitars and synths flesh out the instrumental to its final sound, invoking a passing nostalgia for the summer season of baseball and high school football in my hometown growing up. The timing on each sample almost makes them feel like incidental percussion instruments themselves, with the chirp of a walkie-talkie radio marking the song’s start and end. At the same time, the pleased laughter and chatter of an enthralled crowd blend seamlessly with the swaying instrumental to build this portrait of a summer afternoon spent watching soccer.
The album on which this song will be featured, “Good Times”, is described by Shishkin as “a collage of spur-of-the-moment inspiration”, created over four days of improvisation and recording at Big Nice Studio in Lincoln, Rhode Island. The music is reportedly built around bassist Dave Kahn’s solo basslines, with lyrics improvised while interacting with or observing the song’s eventual star, be it magpies or Disco Elysium. These little sources of inspiration stoke the artists through the joy they bring, whether the source comes from nature or another artist; birds, games, poets, and soccer teams all have fans, after all. Yes, from the look and sound, one thing jumps out at us for certain: Alexei Shishkin and Bradford Krieger are shining examples of one of the best types of fans. While I cannot speak for all creators, I know that if anyone has enjoyed what I create enough to both call themselves a fan and make uniquely beautiful art in tribute to whatever I’ve made that inspired them, I would not hesitate to call them just that: the best type of fan.
We hope everyone looks forward to the release of “Good Times” on September 5th as much as I do.
Written by Alexei Lee
