Author: Eileen Myles Publisher: Fonograf Editions (2016) Aloha / irish trees is a collection of new and old poems by Eileen Myles, many of which have never been featured in their previous print collections and all of which have never been featured on a vinyl record. Further, unlike the vast majority of vinyl-poetry records, Aloha / irish trees was recorded live. Live meaning that it encapsulates an experience that every poet is familiar with—an occasional linguistic flub can be heard now and then, as can the sound of the poet clearing their throat, taking a sip of water. “Fuck, this is so hard” is uttered on the first track of Side A. The final sentence heard on the last track of Side B is “I’m gonna catch up, I have to pee.” Listening to Aloha / irish trees is listening to Eileen Myles read their work live, an aural experience easy to hear, hard to escape.
