| Author | Message | ||
     Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2739 Registered: 03-2005 |
Ups & Downs -- Out of the Darkness I was rewarded by my restraint on this one. I waited until I was able to purchase a copy from a U.S. importer and the price was approximately $10 less than the Aussie sources. I am struck by the following bit of trivia provided by drummer Darren Atkinson in the pamphlet: "By 1983, the Obsessions had evolved into Ups and Downs, named after a Chris Stamey and the dB's song--not the Flamin' Groovies song people assume." You gotta love a band like that. | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 770 Registered: 05-2005 |
OH YEAH!!!! Randy, I'm having trouble with my regular email at the moment but I'll send you Cabin Fever when I'm on holidays in a couple of days. I bought a ticket to the Sydney show but didn't go as I had to put my Dawg down the day before and wasn't up to anything much as you can imagine. I'm thinking of splurging some cash and seeing them in Byron Bay in November. The pity with the cd though is the inclusion of ALL of the "Rash" ep and the exclusion of Gangway and the other "lost" ep songs. There are a couple of other flips that are more worthy than say "Awesome" et al. If I get the email going, I'll post them too. I've been toying with buying "Repercussion" on iTunes but it's as weak as I remember from my vinyl copy. Only "Happenstance" and "I feel good (today)" really hit the nail for me. And, of course, that "Happenstance" is not a patch the Church's "Happenstance" off Untitled #23! (PLUG PLUG) | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2740 Registered: 03-2005 |
Geoff, you probably know that I like hearing a band's early work so reading about the Sunshine Studios recordings, none of which are featured on the CD, was a bit frustrating. I also would like to hear some of those Tascam 4 track demos that they recorded over the years, especially with Atkinson saying that they liked recording demos more than touring. Ups and Downs favored a lot of gloss in their studio recordings. The inevitable lack of gloss to the four track demos would almost certainly yield better results in my book. I love the funny story about Gil Norton wanting to steer them in the arena rock direction. I am not the fan of Gil Norton that some folks seem to be; I still think he basically ruined "Calenture." It's interesting that they had to master from vinyl for a lot of the CD. That's so odd for such relatively recent recordings. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 2158 Registered: 09-2006 |
A 9-song live Go-Bees set from 1983, playing mostly "Before Hollywood" stuff. They really knew that they had a great set of songs on their hands, and they play the hell out of them. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 2267 Registered: 01-2005 |
Paul Chambers - Bass On Top The Chills - Submarine Bells | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 2159 Registered: 09-2006 |
Paul Pena - New Train Go-Bees - Live in New Zealand 1985 | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1395 Registered: 10-2008 |
artery - into the garden: an artery collection 1981-1983. the critics lazily described them as sheffields answer to joy division, but i reckon this band are for lovers of the sound and magazine even though they dont sound particularly like either band apart from the obvious similarity of a keyboard dominated sound. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 4073 Registered: 05-2005 |
Nirvana - Nevermind (Devonshire mixes). Quite extraordinary to hear an album I've loved for almost half my life the way it was before it was prettied up for mass consumption. Not that I'm dissing the mass consumption version or saying the original mix is better. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 2268 Registered: 01-2005 |
The Connells - Boylan Heights A very IRS era REM sounding band, understandably so as the album was released in 1987 and they were from the same region as REM. I'll explore some of their subsequent albums in the coming months. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2743 Registered: 03-2005 |
The Church--Seance. I can't put it in the Revival section because I never got around to getting this album even though I love "It's No Reason" to death. I picked up a good condition "West German" vinyl pressing this weekend. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1399 Registered: 10-2008 |
the smiths complete box set. presentation wise this is excellent. each album is housed in a chunky cardboard replica lp style sleeve. they even go as far to retain the gatefold sleeve effect for those albums that were gatefolds. the albums that originally had stickers (eg hoh,tqid,rank and twwl)even have little mini stickers attached, and there is even the poster that came with rank included. so far have only listened to the debut album, but if the rest sound as good as that does these remasters will prove to be really worthwhile and not just another cash in. i suppose the debut was the one that was most in need of a make over, the tinny sound that always detracted from my enjoyment of an otherwise great album has been remedied, the drums and bass more upfront and organ fills that were buried before are now crystal clear. (i should also point out that i upgraded my cd player last week and have been noticing big improvements, but i think the improvements here are over and above) excellent value as well at just over £30, but for those that don't want to fork out that amount the albums will be released individually in early 2012. i guess you can then be more selective about which albums you want to buy if you are not too enamoured by the live album and the three comps. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1400 Registered: 10-2008 |
wilco - the whole love. my god this sounds terrific on headphones, great musicians at the top of their game. tweedy has got his mojo back roots manuva - 4everevolution lightnin' hopkins - lightnin' wild beasts - smother the smiths - meat is murder | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1401 Registered: 10-2008 |
rustie - glass swords absolutely immense album from rustie, pure funky electronica, and on warp records to boot! | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 2259 Registered: 10-2004 |
Kevin, so did you get the Smiths CD set or the complete, crazy, over-the-top everything set? If the debut sounds as good as you say, I might fork out for that one when they sell these things individually. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1402 Registered: 10-2008 |
just the cd set jeff, the ott set does look very tempting but seems very expensive. if it was £100 or so I would have had no hesitation, but the cheapest i have seen it is £225 | ||
| Mark Leydon Member Username: Mark_leydon Post Number: 326 Registered: 05-2005 |
Wilco - The Whole Love Been a great year for albums. This and 'King of Limbs' are my favourites so far. Agree with you Kev on The Whole Love being very headphone-friendly. So much going on in the mix. 'Art of Almost' is an instant Wilco classic - and 'One Sunday Morning' is simply beautiful. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1403 Registered: 10-2008 |
radiohead - the king of limbs | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 358 Registered: 05-2005 |
Plaid - Scintilla return of the princes of intelligent techno (Orbital being the kings) with a brilliant new album | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 508 Registered: 01-2007 |
Johnny Marr wsas on BBC6music yesterday and discussed the remasters It sounds as if they really tried to get rid of alot of the high end stuff which had been obvious on old CDs. He also said that they didn't want it loud i guess compressed like a lot of stuff now which has been remastered. Like he says loudness that what the volume knob is for. Was't going to get it but will have to. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1405 Registered: 10-2008 |
orbital are untouchable cosmo, but will be interested to hear the plaid album. a few good albums out in the dance/electronic/hip hop field just now - rustie, roots manuva, the field are all doing the rounds just now. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 661 Registered: 04-2005 |
Camille - L'étourderie The return of Camille ! And back to singing in French. Not quite sure why she sings in the clip with a bamboo pole balanced on her head, but she is a real original. It is a beautiful little song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL4pe3caZ EY&NR=1 | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 2271 Registered: 01-2005 |
Very nice Andrew. | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 774 Registered: 05-2005 |
Seeker Lover Keeper (Sarah Blasko, Holly Throsby and Sally Seltmann) Pajama Club Woonona Industrial Cooperative Society | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 2160 Registered: 09-2006 |
Nick Lowe - The Old Magic Wild Flag - s/t | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 663 Registered: 04-2005 |
Geoff, Thanks very much for mentioning 'Seeker Lover Keeper'. Sounds great, particularly "Light All My Lights.. | ||
| Shane Greentree Member Username: Realinspectorshane Post Number: 99 Registered: 03-2007 |
Wild Flag: Wild Flag Grizzly Bear: Yellow House I've been kinda addicted to 'Little Brother' lately. Fun to try and learn on guitar too. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 2162 Registered: 09-2006 |
Mates of State - Mountaintops Two CD-Rs collecting all of the rare/unreleased tracks from the first Neil Young Archives box. I could do without the live clowning around by those CSN bozos, but almost everything else is well worth hearing. | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 360 Registered: 05-2005 |
am on a Plaid binge anyway after seeing them on Monday but have to say the new album Scintilla is getting better every time I hear it | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 337 Registered: 03-2007 |
Transistor Six - Johnny, Where's My Purse? Hardy Tree - The Fields Lie Sleeping Underneath Musical projects of the Illustrator Frances Castle. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1413 Registered: 10-2008 |
I'm not a fan by any means, but here is a list of Brett Andersons fave albums. Some interesting, if unsurprising choices. http://thequietus.com/articles/07117-bre tt-anderson-suede-favourite-albums?page= 1 One that took my eye was an album by TalkTalk. I have a couple of CD-R'S by them a friend gave me (Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock) but I remember not being too impressed at the time. I know they were very much critical darlings and these albums were held in very high esteem by critics and fans alike. Can't remember anybody on here raving about them, anybody got any thoughts on them? | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 363 Registered: 05-2005 |
Brett hates the Beatles Kev so you have that in common. It's a good list actually (although I hate to say it as a he is such a knob), I think Spirit of Eden is a work of genius, I like Talk Talk alot and all the albums have their moments,plotting a strange musical journey from synthpop The Party's Over to the avant garde textures of Laughing Stock. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1620 Registered: 08-2006 |
I'll rep for Sprit of Eden, Kev. I'd never heard it until a couple years ago, when I heard it playing in - of all places - my neighborhood bar. Not sure I've heard anything quite like it - it kind of reminds me of a weird mashup of jazz, ambient and Big Star's Third. I like it a lot, but I'm not sure I could tell you just why. | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 775 Registered: 05-2005 |
I too remember them at the time and didn't think much of them. Fast forward 20 years and the critics are raving about them so I bought the "classic" "The Colour of Spring". Gee...what IS all the fuss about? They sound like a later period Tears for Fears i.e. AVOID AVOID AVOID!!! I'm not going to investigate further...unless I'm suddenly on a Thompson Twins psychosis! Reminds me of how great the early synth stuff was in the 80's and how it all went so terribly wrong. | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 364 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sorry Geoff but comparing Talk Talk to Tears for Fears (or the f***ing Thompson Twins!) is like comparing Tim Buckley to Don Mclean. And Spirit of Eden is their classic | ||
| peter ward Member Username: Peter_ward Post Number: 154 Registered: 06-2005 |
"Spirit of Eden" is one of my favourite albums to play at 11 when there's noone at home, it's a beautiful timeless piece of work and a long time favourite of mine. "Laughing Stock" is at it's heels too and there were signs of the sparse haunting improve route they were heading on in "Colour of Spring's" quieter moments like "Chameleon Day"(You know the song that you most find yourself singing to yourself silently while taking a leak over the years, well this is mine!) Too much info. I watched their Live At Montreaux DVD recently, it was recorded on their last tour around Color of Spring, there's a fantastic mullet on display from one of the session musicians, some jazzed up versions of those songs on there that you might prefer Geoff? I was never taken with Mark Hollis' solo album, I must dig it out again, don't know what he does now but I remember from interviews something about him being a child psychologist by profession. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1414 Registered: 10-2008 |
Thanks guys, will spend some time over the weekend with the two Talk Talk CDs. I think Peter may be right and playing it on a Sunday morning or an empty house is the best environment to listen to this band. Or possibly with headphones. I read something the other day that said Mark Hollis insisted that the last two albums were recorded in total darkness!! Interesting concept, but no doubt in this healthy and safety concious age an idea like that would be kicked in to touch!! | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 478 Registered: 10-2006 |
Maria del mar bonet - Raixa One of the world's most beautiful voices, I think, this Majorcan singer, caught here majestically live in Barcelona and especially vivid on her island's traditional songs. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1421 Registered: 10-2008 |
Still digesting the Talk Talk albums. Musically it will be something I think I could enjoy, the Peter Gabriel style vocals are a barrier I will probably struggle with big time! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 4078 Registered: 05-2005 |
Spirit Of Eden is simply one of the greatest records ever made Kevin. I have bigged it up here before. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1422 Registered: 10-2008 |
What do you make of Laughing Stock Padraig? I think I prefer that over Spirit Of Eden, both musically and also for the fact that the vocals don't grate on me as much. Seems to have more guitar that Spirit Of Eden too, although guitar is not too prominent on either record. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 4082 Registered: 05-2005 |
It's ages since I've played it but I certainly didn't love it like I do Spirit Of Eden. | ||
| peter ward Member Username: Peter_ward Post Number: 156 Registered: 06-2005 |
"Before you play two notes learn how to play one note – and don't play one note unless you've got a reason to play it." – Mark Hollis, 1998 | ||
| Shane Greentree Member Username: Realinspectorshane Post Number: 102 Registered: 03-2007 |
Devo: Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 482 Registered: 10-2006 |
Dominique A - Remue DA has been, it seems, one of the central figures of modern French music since the 90s, and anyone with a glimmer of interest in music will surely enjoy Remue’s enticing counterpoint of noise and melody, with the singer pitching his highly tuneful tenor voice against a backdrop of crunching, fluttering instrumental sounds which sometimes seem to be following their own path on a separate song altogether and then at others suddenly mesh in with the vocal in traditional style - so the first listen is a bit hmmmmmm, what's going on here, but then around the fifth you should be absolutely hooked. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1427 Registered: 10-2008 |
tom waits - bad as me streaming here http://badasme.com/ | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1428 Registered: 10-2008 |
The track Eden from Talk Talks Spirit Of Eden is a barely disguised rewrite of Heroin by VU. I like it though! | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2750 Registered: 03-2005 |
Thanks for the report on "Remue" Stuart. I haven't gotten that one yet. Dominic A has a lot of records which means that there's the danger of getting a bunch of them and not hearing any of them sufficiently to become familiar. I have three so far, "Auguri," "La Memoire Neuve" and "Si Je Connais Harry." Have you heard Louise Attacque? Their main man was behind Bashung's final album. Gordon Gano (of Violent Femmes) produced their first album. I have two of their three albums on the way. Comments on Amazon suggest that their third album might not be nearly as good so I've left it for later. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2751 Registered: 03-2005 |
Ok, I lied. A fourth Dominic A record just arrived in the mail today: "La Fossette." My focus has been on trying to get his earlier work first. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 483 Registered: 10-2006 |
The first two Louise A albums are pretty good, nice punk energy, short songs, tuneful. I've held off buying the third one as well, for the same reasons you mention. I'm about to order some more Dom A too, so if you have time to rush through your four albums, maybe you can let me know what to go for first! I think you'll enjoy Remue when you get round to it, though - a real beauty. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 665 Registered: 04-2005 |
My partner has the third Louise Attaque CD 'à plus tard crocodile', and it is the sound of a group that has lost the plot. Apart from 'Depuis toujours', there is not a lot to be recommended from it. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2753 Registered: 03-2005 |
Thanks for that confirmation Andrew. On the superficial basis of one hearing, Stuart, I'd say "La Fossette" is not a must at this time. Approximately one- half the songs utilize minimal sketch backings to his vocals. But, as you note, these impressions can change. This morning before going to work, Serge Gainsbourg's "Histoire de Melody Nelson." | ||
| Thomas Keitsch Member Username: Thokei Post Number: 28 Registered: 06-2005 |
Right now, i´m dicovering THE BLACK WATCH from Los Angeles: http://www.youtube.com/user/theblackwatc hmusic?feature=mhee#p/u/34/DFeBM-DgOxw Old and great band that reminds of so many other bands/artists i love/like: GoB, XTC, Robyn Hitchcock, Beatles, Chills, the Church, House of LOve, the cure ... | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 341 Registered: 03-2007 |
Thomas, they have a substantial back catalogue ( 10 albums and 4 eps still available ) and you are in for a treat. I like them a lot. Currently listening to 'But Wait There's More' by The Pearly Gatecrashers. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2756 Registered: 03-2005 |
Alain Bashung -- Chatterton From 1994. This one is sounding like another keeper on track four so far. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 2757 Registered: 03-2005 |
Stuart, if you haven't already gotten it, put "Chatterton" on your list. It even has a lovely pedal-steel seasoned number serving the same function songs like "Lady Came From Baltimore" and "Black Sheep Boy" did on Scott Walker's classic albums. Only the formula guitar solo mars it, and not nearly enough to ruin it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqgVSgv2v 0s Bashung writes or co-writes all songs. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 485 Registered: 10-2006 |
Since you set off my Bashung binge a year or so back, Randy, I've bought about everything by the guy, except the very early stuff! Chatterton is indeed excellent, one of his best. I've also watched the Live at Olympia DVD about a hundred times, I don't know if you've seen that? Recorded not long before his death, with a heartbreaking version of "Nights in white satin" at the end. He looks a little fragile, but pours out charisma. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1435 Registered: 10-2008 |
After immersing myself in the two Talk Talk albums for the last two weeks I must say they are both brilliant. So I forked out for Colour of Spring which I havent got round to playing yet, and Mark Hollis solo record which I played for the first time this morning. On first listen its just a continuation of Laughing Stock (albeit there was a 7 year gap between the two records) with very similar instrumentation. I noticed Pitchfork reviewed both these albums yesterday,they have just been reissued on vinyl. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 1436 Registered: 10-2008 |
Here's the Pitchfork reviews, 10/10 no less!! http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/reviews/al bums/15957-laughing-stock-mark-hollis/ | ||
| peter ward Member Username: Peter_ward Post Number: 157 Registered: 06-2005 |
Hi Kevin, seeing as your enjoying immersing yourself in the latterday Talk Talk work you will probably enjoy this B-side of "I Believe In You" which is very much in the vein of those albums, it's a great track: http://www.last.fm/music/Talk+Talk/_/Joh n+Cope |