Yin/Yang is the comprehensive new retrospective double LP compilation from The Static Dive
Regular readers know, in addition to providing this world-class music blog, The Static Dive also functions as my primary recording artist name. I debuted the project in 2019. You can read about my preceding three-decade career in music here.
I have released about three dozen singles as The Static Dive, ranging in genre and style from acoustic singer-songwriter stuff to electro-pop, ambient electronic, trip-hop, and jazz. Recently, upon reviewing The Static Dive catalog, it dawned on me that it would do well with a little organization. So, today I dropped the new double album compilation Yin/Yang. Together, the records compile those aforementioned singles into two sets. Yin features all of the songs with vocals while Yang represents the instrumentals.
All artwork for The Static Dive is created by my talented son, graphic artist Lela Smith. Except where noted, all music composed and performed by Bob Smith, and all sounds mixed and mastered by some combination of Bob Smith and Kilo House for House of Static Records.
Below, I’ve included a little history on each track, and links to everything. Enjoy!
Yin/Yang on Spotify
Yin/Yang track listing
Yin
High & Dry (2021)
Still one of my most popular songs. This track was played on Sirius XM a few times and still pops up on the radio from time to time.
Object 64 (2022)
This was a weird little experiment that went through many permutations before becoming one of my favorites. BTW – that’s Jimi Hendrix talking in the bridge.
Man With a Gun (2024)
Originally written and recorded by Jerry Harrision (Talking Heads, Modern Lovers) and released on his 1988 solo album Casual Gods. I’ve always loved it. It’s a cool, dark alt-pop vibe about privilege, love, and obsession.
1986 (2021)
This goofy little funk groove started a lot of things. It was my first collaboration with Kilo House, with whom I now own a record label!
Little Devil (2023)
Those who know me, know that I used to drink like Bukowski. I quit 8 years ago. This song is a letter from my present-day sober life to my younger & drunker self.
The Refrain (2021)
I dropped the original version of this track back in 2010 on my album Bob Was Here, a few years before becoming The Static Dive.
Give Peace a Chance (2023)
Each year I release a single on my birthday. Last year I dropped this groovy guitar-fueled cover. I don’t do a lot of covers, but when I do, I usually cover John Lennon. 
Handle on the Sum (2022)
This is another remake of one of my old songs. This track has seen a lot of different versions. I don’t know why. There will probably be more. I originally wrote this waaaayyy back in 1990, although the lyrics in the second verse were new with this version.
Faster Than Light (2020)
Probably my most Classic Rock sounding tune. Pink Floyd was somewhere in the back of my mind during recording. I have a new mix which I will be releasing soon.
Only a Snowfall (2023)
Another oldie from the 90’s resurrected for the modern day. I didn’t know it at the time, but I had COVID when I recorded this one.
Slipstream (2020)
A few years ago I collaborated with UK-producer Equalisation on a couple of tracks. The instrumental “Plateau”, and this angsty little number.
Mean Old Me (2019)
The original version of this track appeared on my 1998 solo album. I have recorded it dozens of times since. This little Americana take (released in 2019 as Bob Smith) was recorded around 2010-ish at Edie Rd. Studios in Greenwich NY with Marc Fuller and Doug Ford.
Built for Better Days EP (2019)
These five songs (BFBD, Vodka Tonic, High and Dry, American Today, and Bit by Bit) appeared on The Static Dive’s debut EP, released everywhere January 1, 2019. A couple of years later I remixed the title track, which is the version I’ve included here.The original full LP is still available on Bandcamp.
Yang
Englewood (2024)
I originally wrote this one on piano for Kilo to use. However, once I added guitar the thing took on a life of its own. Released on my birthday, the track is named for the city of my birth Englewood, New Jersey. My buddy Rye Wylie made a cool aerial drone video for the track.
Zen Seeds (2022)
The opening piano riff of this song existed on my computer for about 5 years before I figured out what to do with it. Named for a beautiful book by Japanese priestess Shundo Aoyama, I can only hope I did it justice.
Callisto (2019)
For a while, I was way into writing space music. This is one of the best. Also, the bridge hints at the Latin jazz and salsa vibes which permeate some of my recent work. This version is a previously unreleased remix by Kilo House.
Retribalize (2019)
This track was Inspired by media philosopher and futurist Marshall McLuhan, who is sampled throughout the track. It’s a cool, dark, groove.
Agape (2024)
I’ve been exploring ambient improvisation as of late. This tune just sort of happened. I don’t honestly remember recording it. Birds like it, and so do I.
Low Tide Funk – Long Sands Mix (2023)
Kilo and I kept this epic remix under wraps for about a year before releasing. I don’t really know why. It is awesome, and a complete reinvention of the original.
For Your Comprehension (2020)
I love this weird little tune. It’s a simple 12-bar blues progression played in a major key with quirky instrumentation. The woman speaking throughout the tune was taken from an English-to-French language instruction album which I found in a “free” box at a local used record shop.
Mezzo Nuovo Blues – Kilo House Remix (2021)
Another Kilo banger. Again, he completely reinvents the original… and kills it. I’m playing all of the instruments, but sampled a bunch of voices including Muddy Waters and some random Italians on the internet.
Africana Sanga (2024)
The only completely new track on the Yin/Yang compilation, this was a fun experiment. In my studio I have a collection of uncommon instruments which only occasionally make it on to recordings. So, here I feature them all together. Instruments included on the recording: udu, congas, bongos, lap steel guitar, dobro, mandolin, ukulele, pianorgan, and theremin. Kilo added the howling wolf.
Holy Ghost (2019)
One of my earliest trip-hop experiments, and still one of my favorites. A little funk, a little dirt, a little philosophy, and guitar. What more could you ask for?
Pocketful of Pieces (2023)
This was an experiment in composition and editing. I recorded a bunch of 8-bar segments on guitar, piano, bass, and keys (the ‘pieces’), and then arranged them over a breakbeat groove. I didn’t know it at the time, but the song was the first in a series of Latin-infused tunes.
Feb 17, 3 A.M. (2020)
I collaborated with my younger self on this one. The bass and guitar were originally recorded in 1992 when I was 22 years-old and living in Florida. 28 years later I resurrected the tune from its 4-track cassette slumber, and finished it with keys and drums. The voice in the intro is Albert Einstein.
Forward (2019)
A few years ago I read that the universe vibrates in the key of B flat. This experiment explores that fact by harmonizing the B flat major scale. There is no verse, chorus, or bridge. The song just moves forward until it comes full circle. I’ve never really known how to feel about this one. It doesn’t sound as I thought it would, but I think it may be cool anyway.
Low Tide Funk – original mix (2019)
This was my first instrumental release as The Static Dive. Although it was ultimately eclipsed by Kilo’s bangin’ 2023 remix, I still dig this chilled little funk groove.
Mezzo Nuovo Blues – original mix (2019)
This original is a slower, slightly darker version than the high-octane remix we dropped a couple of years later.