| Author | Message | ||
     kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1491 Registered: 05-2005 |
Bright Eyes - Cassadaga. Never been this guys greatest fan but this is quite good, following on from the promise shown by the last album(no, not the electronic one!) His voice is now a lot stronger, songs have a semblance of a tune compared to the early stuff which blatantly didnt - lots of violins, and subtle strings. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 609 Registered: 08-2004 |
I've got Cassadaga cued up for this week. As well as Prefab's Steve McQueen Deluxe. I'm led to believe it's a classic so I'll have to give it a go. Also The Waterboys Book Of Lightning. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1327 Registered: 04-2005 |
LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver Low - Drums and Guns Finally picked these up, months after Kevin snagged 'em. The former is challenging and quite dark; I was immediately impressed. Sparhawk must have given himself a musical challenge on the album of "don't play chords on the guitar." The LCD Soundsystem is pretty much what I expected and some of it is exhilarating; but there are two or three songs that start dragging at the three-minute mark, then go on for several more minutes. They'd probably make more sense in a dance club than they did in my car. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1115 Registered: 03-2005 |
My most recent listens are a string of marvelous songs by the Pale Fountains and early Shack, thanks to Spence and Jeff. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 502 Registered: 08-2006 |
Golden Afrique Vol. 3 - A collection of music from southern Africa. Not as great as the first two in the series (Vol. 1 is a must-have for African music fans), but it does avoid duplication with a lot of South African music I have and turns up some gems I'm not familiar with. Also: The Arcade Fire, again and again. It's my "Boys and Girls in America" for 2007. Only a lot more apocalyptic. And with hurdy-gurdy. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1492 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Soulsavers. Its Not How Far You Fall... This is great, an English duo who create electronic landscapes for the gravel toned Mark Lanegan to sing over. This snippet from their website sums it up better than I could "Twisting together elements of gospel, goth and Spiritualized, they have forged one of the year's most intriguing records - a veritable smorgasbord of misery and pain, also featuring guest appearances from that other American chuckle brother, Bonnie Prince Billy. Think Andy Weatherall's more esoteric work with Primal Scream, and you'll be getting close. "Kingdom Of Rain" serves as a good taster of what's to come. As always, Lanegan sounds beyond redemption, but this is gospel music pure and simple" Low - Drums and Guns. I love this band. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1779 Registered: 03-2006 |
Prefab Sprout - the demos from the deluxe Steve McQueen. They're really wonderful, just transcendent. You'd think they would suffer from not having the full bore arrangements, but good ole Paddy really worked out some great stripped-down versions, that work without all the adornment. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 534 Registered: 10-2004 |
LK - if you don't mind me asking, how'd you come by these demos? I *love* that album, but have always longed to hear those songs without some of the 80s gloss. And I can totally imagine that the songs wouldn't suffer a bit from stripped-down arrangements. Paddy always made sure the *core* of the song itself was brilliant. He never had to rely on fancy arrangements or overdubbed melodies to bring the songs to life. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1780 Registered: 03-2006 |
Check your email, Jeff - I sent you some info about the street corner where I found the guy selling them off the back of his truck. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1364 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Waterboys - Too Close To Heaven. LK, can you pleaes drop me a similar email? | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 610 Registered: 08-2004 |
The Young Knives - ... Are Dead Julian Cope - Jehovahkill Schoolly D - How A Black Man Feels Shelby Lynne - This Is... R.E.M. - Document Asian Dub Foundation - Rafi's Revenge Ian Brown - Golden Greats Johnny Cash - The Legendary Sun Recordings | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1783 Registered: 03-2006 |
Comin' up, PC. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1495 Registered: 05-2005 |
Am I missing something, or hasnt Steve McQueen just been reissued? With demos? | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1784 Registered: 03-2006 |
It's about to be, and I mistook the newly recorded acoustic versions on the bonus disc for demos...they're still great. Do you need the location of that street corner, too? | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1496 Registered: 05-2005 |
Cheers LK, sure would | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1386 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Jazzateers myspace, was somebody interested in these? They were greeeeat! http://www.myspace.com/jazzateers | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 370 Registered: 09-2006 |
Marvin Gaye - "Here, My Dear" Another of the great divorce/breakup albums, right up there with "Shoot Out the Lights" and "Rumours." | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1368 Registered: 05-2005 |
The acoustic Steve McQueen sessions! | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 507 Registered: 08-2006 |
I gotta buy "Here, My Dear," Allen. Been meaning to for years. Now's as good a time as any, I guess... | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1370 Registered: 05-2005 |
Fatima Mansions - Against Nature. So long since I've heard it. It sounds amazing. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 511 Registered: 08-2006 |
The Hold Steady doing a distinctively Hold-Steadyish take on "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," complete with multiple shout-outs to their beloved Twins. When you're ready for a seventh-inning stretch, you'll find it here: http://myspace.com/theholdsteady | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 373 Registered: 09-2006 |
That is pretty fun...even tops the version by Bruce Springstone. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 611 Registered: 08-2004 |
Rob, Here My Dear was released as a 2 for 1 a few years ago with another MG funky slow-burner called In Our Lifetime. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 536 Registered: 10-2004 |
Spence, two of those Jazzateers songs from their myspace page sound A LOT like early Orange Juice. Like, a whole lot, particularly with the guitars. Interesting stuff. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1391 Registered: 05-2005 |
Jeff yeah, they do. Sorta from the same stable really. I love the rawness of Skinners voice. These were the real deal for me, more than James King and the Lonewolves, who i didn't have much time for, however sounded similar in places. Paul Quinn's Bourgie Bourgie were great though. I never saw thse bands live, has anyone I wonder? | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1788 Registered: 03-2006 |
Still listening to the magnificent Steve McQueen acoustic sessions, that were apparently recently recorded. Which is good, because it's proof positive that Paddy still has a lot of musical chops left. I also like the way they tend to shove the lyrics out front and center - I'm noticing all kinds of compelling lyrical tidbits that I'd never picked up on before. For instance, in "Moving the River", he's moving it "bucket by spoon", and the heartbroken kid he's gently admonishing in "Johnny" is "still in love with Hayley Mills"...I love everything PS has put out, but I think this is my favorite group of songs by them, bar none. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1119 Registered: 03-2005 |
I have literally never heard Prefab Sprout. Is this a good starting point? | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1790 Registered: 03-2006 |
I think it's their most accessible, so yeah. There's probably some arcane, trainspottery argument as to why some other one is better, but this one, to me, is most enjoyable, start to finish. I find things to enjoy in all of them, but on the last few to come out, the saccharine head rush started to get a bit much and the songs weren't quite as good...and oh, Paddy McAloon's solo album, a weird spoken-word, orchestral thing, called "I Trawl the Megahertz", or something along those lines, is a heartbreaking work of staggering genius. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 537 Registered: 10-2004 |
Randy, I'd help you out but everything I own by them is on vinyl. Personally, I would start with their first album, Swoon. It's incredibly creative, and despite some rather idosyncratic song-writing in terms of structure and melody, it holds together incredibly well and manages to sound beautiful, sophisticated, angsty, and energetic, all at once. The songs tend to be jazzy, melodic, and always well written. Actually, the first things I'd recommend for you are their first 2 singles, "Lion's in My Own Garden," and "The Devil Has all the Best Tunes." These have a certain rough around the edges quality typical of many bands in their early stages, which I know you tend to like, yet they still possess the jazzy chords, slightly altered tunings, and melodic brilliance that is distinctly Paddy. I think these were reissued onto some CD comp, though I may be able to figure out a way for me to get these to you. Steve McQueen was produced by Thomas Dolby. It must've seemed tasteful and sophisticated at the time, but now it sounds a bit on the aggressively commercial side, as you might put it. But despite the gloss, the songwriting is top notch from start to finish. I rate this album highly. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1393 Registered: 05-2005 |
Guster - Ganging up on the sun. A nice album, pleasant and reminiscent of Jellyfish in places, a bit like Deathcab, less of the OC reference points, bit Nada Surfy. Even bits of The Church and dare I say Luna (from what I've heard), I like em. Randy, i agree with jeff. Swoon is really the place to start. Its a wonderfully executed debut. It reminds me of Murmer in its naivety, but sure footedness. The line I love most: "After the last unholy row - I never, ever play basketball now." Swoon IS original. The singles were great, they wer released on the Kitchenware label, which, att he time was folowing the tradition set out by Fast and Postcard Records. You could get them on a comp or download. McQueen is great. Its cover is evocative, a dismal overcast winter's day in England. It makes me think of exactly this. The songwriting is sheer genius, we need to let peole hearit, they know its great, its hard to describe. Bit like the Beach Boys Surfs Up or Sunflower is hard to describe...it just touches you. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1394 Registered: 05-2005 |
Actually, I think Paddy's bro, the bassist is in an ad agency, or was in here in Birmingham, sure I saw him at a dinner do and wanted to go up and speak to him about the prefabs, but became far too pissed, far too quickly! | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1497 Registered: 05-2005 |
spence - who is this Guster lot? I like the references so have downloaded the album from Napster. Just going to work, so will listen tomorrow. Randy, I would start with Swoon. Steve McQueen for me is the Prefabs 16LL, great songs but syruppy, gooey, mid 80s production nightmare. If you can get past the sound its a winner. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1395 Registered: 05-2005 |
Its 2.48am in th mornig, hello Kev, u there buddy? I'm designing a ne I.D. for a STOP COCK compnay! Woweee!!! So, on the iTunes now is Scott Walker - Scott 3. I love the orchestral backing on its opener, its raining today. eminds me of the Walker Bros Electrician from Nite Flights. Kev, hope you like Guster, you may not of course!! I'm lining em coz i don't mond a bit of fluff now and again, I'm not the pop police! Its not Bend Sinister tho! Hoever, you have the taste my man, so all should be well! | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1795 Registered: 03-2006 |
Jarvis - Jarvis Cocker. You lucky dogs overseas have had this for quite a while now, but it just came out here. And man, what we were missing...this is an outstanding record. Great great stuff. Every word rings true and glows like burning coal. I simply can't say enough good things about it. Los Straitjackets - Rock En Espanol. More great surf music from the leading current practitioners of the genre, this time with a Latin flavor, and great guest stars like Caesar Rojas and Little Willie G. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1498 Registered: 05-2005 |
Great Lakes - Diamond Times. Heard about this band through a positive review in Uncut. Part of the Elephant 6 collective, after doing some research on the net it seems that this album is their pinnacle achievement that nobody thought they had in them. Its a country rock/pop album that has the usual influences- The Band, Neil Young, Big Star, Raspberries and Teenage Fanclub. Great tunes. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 521 Registered: 08-2006 |
Hey, Allen/Jerry: Thanks for the reminder about "Here, My Dear" and the info about the two-fer with "In Our Lifetime." It's on its way to my mailbox. And Great Lakes sounds interesting, Kev. I'll have to look 'em up. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1398 Registered: 05-2005 |
Gavin Bryars Ensemble with Tom Waits - Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet One of the most beautiful songs I haver EVEr heard in my entire life! | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 523 Registered: 08-2006 |
That's funny, Spence. The person who introduced me to that song was, of all people, my father-in-law, who largely listens to classical music. We were at their home in Michigan, he said "you have to hear this" and my wife and I sat there with our mouths open hearing Tom Waits wafting through the living room. I kind of forgot about it after that, until your post. It is an amazingly beautiful tune. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1799 Registered: 03-2006 |
Perhaps not too surprisingly (since I blather on about Waits so much), I'm a big fan of that song, too...What fascinates me about it is that it came from such humble beginnings. Apparently, Bryars recorded some poor old homeless person in the street, singing the old hymn. He then wrote orchestrations on top of that, sample, if you will, and invited Waits to join in on the fun. The results truly are spectacular and beautiful. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1121 Registered: 03-2005 |
I still haven't gotten any Waits. Eventually. Meanwhile, following the weight of advice "Swoon" is on order. Last night: The Law of Things -- The Bats Hitch on the Leaves -- Gaslight Radio. I wonder if this band was an influence for Glenn Richards and company. Stuffed into the CD magazine for the car today: 39 Minutes -- Microdisney Cannot Buy My Soul -- the cover disc Sunset Studies -- Augie March Kaleidoscope World -- The Chills Chaps, second disc -- Monochrome Set Foburg -- Cathal Coughlan | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1800 Registered: 03-2006 |
Randy, in retrospect, I think "Swoon" probably is the best place to start for you. I forgot about some of your production issues. "Steve McQueen" really is as slick as whaleshit in an ice floe. Though it should be noted that, when it came out, it seemed to fit in pretty well with everything else that was out. It's just that, to me, the songs are so much better, but then, hey, 16 LL is my favorite GBs record - I guess I'm just not that much of a production fetishist. But, on SM, Paddy had really developed his melodic gifts and had started crafting those soaring, beautifully flowing, transcendent melodies. On Swoon, not so much...much of it is just too "busy" for my tastes. There's too much going on - too many odd shifts, too many chord changes - a lot of the melodies just never take off. I should say that when it succeeds, it succeeds wildly, as it does on "I Never Play Basketball Now", "Cruel" and "I Couldn't Bear to Be Special". The single, "Lions In My Own Garden" really is excellent, too, if you can find it. Still and all, Swoon is well worth having and you'll soon be wanting them all. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1501 Registered: 05-2005 |
Feist - The Reminder. At last a female vocalist I can listen to without reaching for the stop button  What a great voice, she must have been holding back on those cameos she had on the Broken Social Scene records. Looks like Ms Case has a rival for best Canadian songstress. LK - I kinda wish I had your f*ck it attitude to production values, but my bullshit detector just doesnt allow it. I know it should just be about the songs, but to me its what you actually hear coming out the speakers that determine how good a record is - so 16LL and Steve McQueen ultimately disappoint me. Guess its the curse of the 80s, MTV and all that, when the sound of records seemed to be the holy grail what with all those multi million dollar studios and their new state of the art equipment. Scritti Politti is another case in point, can anybody listen to those mid 80s albums just oozing studio gloss? - yeuuch! | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1801 Registered: 03-2006 |
I'm a lucky guy, to be oblivious to such picayune matters Seriously, I think both groups pursued those production styles for the same simple reason: they wanted a hit, wanted people to hear their shit. For which, I don't blame them a bit. Honestly too, you can rail against me and say I have bad taste, etc., don't hue to that indie aesthetic, etc., but I find nothing not to like, nothing that offends my ears about 16 LL and its production. I think it suits the songs perfectly...I could give a shit about drum machines. I know that kind of thing signifies to some folks, but it matters not in the least to me. If they had a trained chimp play drums and it worked for the song, I wouldn't care in the slightest. My take on "Steve McQueen" is a little different. When I first heard it, the production seemed pretty suited to, and of a piece with, the times, so I didn't really notice it and just enjoyed the songs. Later, now, it does seem pretty syrupy and slick - but the songs still sound great - they still work, they still resonate. So, I dunno...it should be noted, too, that their productions just got slicker and syrup-ier, as they went on. It is, absolutely, about what comes out of the speakers, but I'd argue that how you hear that and whether you like it depends on your, forgive me, values: what you like, what's important to you, etc... Here's another example of my fuck it attitude about productions: I was listening to "69 Love Songs" yesterday, while jogging. It occurred to me that, though I love the hell out of it and think it's one of the great records of the last 20 years, it has the cheesiest, tinniest, crappiest production. Yet, I get past it, because the songs are so genius. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1502 Registered: 05-2005 |
Must have been a hell of a long jog | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1802 Registered: 03-2006 |
Yeah, I do tend to get wrapped up in a record while I'm listening...I wondered why I ended up in San Diego... | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 524 Registered: 08-2006 |
Next time, point yourself toward Chicago, LK. You might have to replay disc 1 before you make it here, however! | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1803 Registered: 03-2006 |
Absolutely. I could be there for cocktail hour - chances are, I'll be really thirsty! More or less traversing the continent on foot will do that to a feller. Actually, can't make it tonight. I'm heading up LA way (by car) to see Dean and Britta, at the Getty Museum, of all places. Don't know what to expect, though I have high hopes, based on their new record and reports I've heard about their live show...I just hope, it being a museum, a man can find a cocktail! I may have to partake of a little herb before I go... | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 525 Registered: 08-2006 |
Is the Getty the new-ish one, LK? Or did they add on to it recently? I seem to remember hearing something to that effect. Have fun. I bet it's a great show. I already had your cocktail mixed, BTW. Guess I'll have to drink it myself now. Oh, the hardship... | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 542 Registered: 10-2004 |
LK - I like how you describe the differences between Swoon and SM. Swoon really has its own internal logic, its own rules. Some of the song structures are down right weird. If you listen to "I Never Play Basketball Now" carefully, you'll notice that there are a gazillion parts that never repeat. Paddy just keeps building it up, stacking one part over the next, until you finally get to the middle of the song, and only then do any of the previous parts repeat again. But what's genius about Paddy is the songs all still flow nicely, breezy and melodic, despite that. So, it's still definitely a 'pop' record and not at all some difficult, masterbatory prog virtuoso nightmare. By comparison, the songs on SM are simpler, and in some cases more direct. He either sticks to a more standard verse/chorus/verse/chorus structure, or allows the songs with more convoluted strucutres to evolve more slowly and freely. Both albums are mind-blowing, though Swoon just takes the lead for me. SM's production could certainly be worse: take Langley Park, for example! And I imagine Andromeda Heights would have both Randy and Kevin madly pounding the eject button and taking out the cd and smashing it. SM, in contrast, isn't as bad as those. Randy, you can probably find a used copy of Swoon at Amoeba without too much difficulty. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1804 Registered: 03-2006 |
Jeff, as they say (perhaps too much) "it's all good". I have a tremendous amount of admiration for everything the guy's ever done. I hope he someday puts out a record of new songs. As with Forster, whatever he puts out, I'll be compelled to buy. Only problem with his genius is, he apparently knows it. See the first quote on this page: http://www.browningmcintosh.com/plockton west/paddyspeaks.html I guess it's not bragging if you can really do it. Rob, I don't know enough about the Getty to answer with much confidence, having only been there a few times, but wonder if you're thinking of the "Getty Villa", which is up in Pacific Palisades, and is newer, I think. This event is going to be in the Getty Center, in LA, near Brentwood (OJ land).... | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1503 Registered: 05-2005 |
Low - Drums and Guns. One of the few bands who get better with each passing album. I was priveleged enough to see them the last two times they visited the UK, but you lucky US citizens have a chance to see the tour package of the year, hands down http://www.nme.com/news/low/27582 | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1122 Registered: 03-2005 |
Actually the Getty villa is the older place but it was subjected to a recent extensive renovation. Getty Center is a relatively new Richard Meier-designed affair. Jeff, you're probably right about finding "Swoon" at Amoeba. But I didn't wait; I just clicked "one-click" on Amazon. I'm so spoiled by the online thing that I get really grumpy when I go to Amoeba with my laundry list of anorak-rare albums and they don't have any. What really kills me is their penchant for having cards for artists but no actual music. It'll be something like "Microdisney" and then "Microdisney, Cont'd." Two cards. And nothing. Nichts. Nada. Zilch. My thought is that whoever stocks the racks has an evil sense of humor aimed specifically at folks like me. I am not fond of big, blatant major-label style productions but I don't think I react to them quite as intensely as Kevin. I do hate the sound of gated drums but it was so prevalent in the 80s that I regard each record that doesn't have that sound as a miracle. As Kevin mentions, records were being produced to sound good on crappy TV speakers. It's a variation of what was done in the 60s. If you wonder about the sound on some 60s records, listen to them through the monophonic tube radio in a 1964 Mercury Meteor and you'll suddenly understand. You'll also have to park the Meteor in your yard so you can resort to it frequently. On our big home systems (and Kevin's glass-shattering headphones) these productions just hurt. I'm sure this is one of the reasons I love "In the Pines" so much and also Gene Clark & Carla Olson's "So Rebellious a Lover." There's no phoney baloney sound issues at all. Jeff, your description of "I Never Play Basketball Now" really whets my appetite for hearing that. Incidentally that description applies pretty well to the Zombies' "She's Coming Home." | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1373 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Who Jukebox; tracks picked by Pete and Rog for a Mojo mag CD. Great mix of blues, pop and soul. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1402 Registered: 05-2005 |
Swoon's guitar sounds arereally weird, they soound so chiming, Don't Sing, listen to the gutars on that song! randy, 39 mins is fab, what a gem of a pop album that was!! rob, lk, great you know the bryars tune, it is a nice story of how bryars came about to writing it isn't it. that whole song and everything about it is really sums up humanty and what humanity should be. happy easter everyone! | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1507 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sly and The Family Stone - Theres a Riot Goin on, Fresh and Stand. This is Sly's "holy trinity", which in its own genre, matches the Dylan holy trinity of BIABH,H61R and BOB. Bill Callahan - Woke On A Whaleheart. Excellent solo album from Mr Smog. Feist - The Reminder | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1508 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls In America. The first record in a long time that made me wish I was still in my 20s. Replacements - Skyway. It made it onto Padraigs 40th birthday comp, dont need to say any more. Also, Alex Chilton - "never travel far without a little Big Star" - wise words indeed. Von Sudenfeld - Cant get Enough. Space age Mark E Smith on this collaberation with Mouse on Mars. Great quotes from MES in Uncut "Its like when you play the Jools Holland show, theyre all "bands", and theyve all been to music college. Theyve all studied to be in a "band", theyve all got degrees to be in "bands". You understand. Its true, theyve all done courses. I dont know, to me a bands like, 26 musicians. The Falls different, The Falls a group" Magazine - Philidelphia. Funky guitar from Mr McGeoch, and the funkiest bass line ever from a "rock" band courtesy Mr Adamson. Well this side of Fernando Saundrers on The Blue Mask anyway. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 526 Registered: 08-2006 |
Fernando Saunders is a hell of a bassist, isn't he, Kev? And I think I've heaped enough praise on The Hold Steady on this board to be risked being tagged a fanatic or worse. So I'll just say I agree with you. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1509 Registered: 05-2005 |
He sure is Rob. I love the way he kind of floats on top of the melody of a song. The Fall - Plug Myself In. I cant wait for this Von Sudenfeld release, so am working my way backwards through the Fall back catelogue for anything that remotely resembles a dance beat | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1404 Registered: 05-2005 |
A great live version of Spring Rain on Mr Vickers myspace page http://www.myspace.com/thegobetweensmk1 | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 528 Registered: 08-2006 |
Man, that's great stuff, Spence. Thanks for pointing it out. I really hope someday there's a live release covering this period. Everything I've heard is just terrific. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1808 Registered: 03-2006 |
Boo Hewerdine - Baptist Hospital | ||
| joe Member Username: Dogmansuede Post Number: 165 Registered: 07-2006 |
the the - dusk | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1814 Registered: 03-2006 |
Rolling Stones - Some Girls Los Lobos - How Will the Wolf Survive? The National - Boxer | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1336 Registered: 04-2005 |
Betty Davis - This Is It! Dirty '70s guitar funk from one-time wife of Miles Davis. A friend gave me this recently--I'd never heard her before. Anyone who thinks Patti Smith, Chrissie Hynde, PJ Harvey, Liz Phair, etc., were the pioneer raunchy/badass women in pop music needs to hear this. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1511 Registered: 05-2005 |
Just listening to The National just now LK - have had it for a few weeks and after giving it a few plays at the time had then forgotten all about it. Dont think its as strong as Alligator, do you? Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare. The first few listens say its just a carbon copy of the first album, except with a gentle reflective closing track perhaps hinting at a new direction. Its hard to criticize the lack of progression given the age of these guys, but lets hope they arent one trick ponys. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1337 Registered: 04-2005 |
Does the lead singer still sound exactly the same, Kevin? Because his vocals were #1 on my list of reasons the group wasn't likely to have a long shelf life. The songwriting and musicianship had lots of potential for growth, but that voice...no. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1512 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kurt, if anything his voice is more downbeat and mournful than on the first record, it is putting me off a bit I must admit. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1815 Registered: 03-2006 |
We're still talkin' about the National, right? Yeah, his voice is pretty frickin' mournful, like some kind of Frankenstein monster mix of Eitzel, Nick Cave and the guy from Tindersticks, but yet...I'm kind of diggin' it, so far, Kev. It's gonna take me a little longer to weigh it against Alligator, though, which truth be told, I liked a lot. But this, I dunno, could really be a contender (pun intended)...Howz the Arctic Monkees? | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1338 Registered: 04-2005 |
Geez, now I'm not sure. I meant the Monkeys--is that what you meant, Kev? | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1406 Registered: 05-2005 |
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith2007/ A lecture given by Jefferey Sachs, really quite moving, aboout the state of things, starts off with a quote from the US visionary that was Mr JFK. Guster - Ganging up on the sun. Its really impressing me with each listen. Must by some The National, saw them on a show Jools Holland last year?, they are everything that Gomez should of been, quite an interesting band. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1513 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sorry Kurt, I dont know why but I just assumed you meant the singer from The National. Maybe because I just couldnt imagine anybody else singing the Arctic Monkeys songs, the guys vocals fit the songs like a glove, and maybe you have to be a Brit but I quite like his vocals. So far the Arctics album just isnt doing it for me though. on about the 4th listen now and the songs just all seem to blend into each other like one long song -maybe I'm not in the mood. The critics like it here in the UK, Album of the month in Uncut, Mojo, Word and Q. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 532 Registered: 08-2006 |
I knew nothing of the National until I caught them at last year's Pitchfork Music Festival and they blew me away. I'll have to pick up the new one. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1124 Registered: 03-2005 |
Thanks for that link Spence. It was a good morale-booster. It makes it a little easier to go to work today. Last night, Prefab Sprout's "Swoon" and Pale Fountains' "From Across the Kitchen Table" all thanks to friends on this board. Also the Cannanes' "Love Affair With Nature." | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1409 Registered: 05-2005 |
http://www.myspace.com/theclienteleoffic ial The Clientele - for me, they are pretty perfect, and I haven't yet heard the albums. Randy u liking the Fountains and the Prefabs then? Good lad! | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1339 Registered: 04-2005 |
Listening to "Jarvis," finally. Haven't had time to listen to it all the way through, but it sounds excellent. It's a little hard to pin down how it differs from Pulp--I mean, he was Pulp, right? Maybe a little less tacky/glammy than Pulp tended to be? Also, I didn't realize Jarvis has instrumental talent--I always assumed any playing he did on Pulp albums was a token, but he's credited with a lot of different instruments on the new album. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1514 Registered: 05-2005 |
Richard Swift - Dressed Up For The Letdown. Great little pop album from a very intelligent songwiter. Anybody else rate him, or even heard of him? Prefab Sprout - Swoon. Been listening to this recently after recent posts about it, Cruel may be Paddy's finest moment. The Clientele - Strange Geometry. Spence, you will love this, buy with confidence. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1377 Registered: 05-2005 |
Irish 80s/90s garage band The Golden Horde. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fus eaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=177948 920 | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1819 Registered: 03-2006 |
Jarvis, Dean and Britta and the new, on these shores at least, Grinderman - and a swell and mighty disc THAT is...I don't think there's a more glorious punk-rock midlife crisis on record. No Pussy Blues may be the funniest thing I've ever heard. I wonder if Nick Cave thought that up, or if there's some song with that title by one of the old blues greats, Sonny Boy Williamson or Blind Lemon Pie or whoever...sheer genius... Right now, at this exact moment, I'm listening to Jarvis' song about how "fat children took his life". Not sure what that's all about, but I fuckin' love it. More sheer bloody genius... Some middle aged guys are makin' some great flippin' records these days... | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 383 Registered: 09-2006 |
Pavement binge...all the studio albums, the EP comp, a couple of the maxi-singles, the "S&E" bonus disc. The music comes off as self-conscious but has real intuitive beauty. The lyrics earn the dreaded term "Dylanesque," but in the best possible way: half ambiguous stabs at meaning, half wonderful nonsense. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1126 Registered: 03-2005 |
Padraig, they are great! The only thing that didn't totally knock me out was "Stop Thinking." I especially loved the oldest track "Lawrence Talbot Suite." Didn't make it all the way through reading their history though. They need four more songs for that. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1378 Registered: 05-2005 |
Glad to be of service Randy. I was looking for some of their stuff on my last couple of trips back to Ireland but found nothing. Then this morning I got an email from myspace saying they wanted to add me as a friend! I think that's called serendipity. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1410 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kev, The Clienetele are the best thing I have heard in a while, its the kinda group I wish I was in you know! I look forward to purchasing with the 'kev peace of mind' cheers mate! | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 614 Registered: 08-2004 |
The Who - Live At Leeds Bryan Ferry - Boys & Girls Depeche Mode - Ultra Doves - Lost Sides Alan Vega - Station The Jam - Setting Sons LCD Soundsytem - Sound Of Silver | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1382 Registered: 05-2005 |
Angus & Julia Stone - Choclate & Cigarettes EP. They are a brother and sister from a little further out on the Northern Beaches peninsula from where I am. Definitely folky, but not in a hokey way. There's a bit of a Tim Buckley thing on the songs Angus sings. www.angusandjuliastone.com | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1383 Registered: 05-2005 |
Angus & Julia Stone - Heart Full Of Wine EP. Got the two EPs (6 songs on each) in one package for $13. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1411 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Fall - Reformation post TLC. I must say after a while listening to it, Randy is right, E Smith sounds like some drunken wino with tourette's. I love the album don't get me wrong, but I wonder if E Smith is actually sobering up? The growl reminds me of Shane MacGowan's "cleethhhhh" slurred laugh after everything he says, I draw a strong similarity with MacGowan and E Smith now. The music and the way it links actually reminds me of the way the pistols were sounding when they were recording their Johnny - be - good, just ranting over a jam to who knows where. As I say though, i still love it. | ||
| Per Stam Member Username: Matsrep Post Number: 27 Registered: 10-2005 |
Nice thread! I bought the new Steve McQueen yesterday. Haven't listened to it yet... Swoon and early singles are my favourites, though (pre re-acquaintance with SM). I saw The Clientele in Stockholm a couple of years back. Great, but samey, before I got some records. The spoken word track on Strange Geometry, called Losing Haringey, reminds me a lot of the Go-Betweens ca 1984 (it's partly about a dream from 1982, so it makes sense). Thanks for the Jazzateers link! I've listened a lot to the Blackeyed Susans lately (putting together a comp. for a friend): lot's of fine moments. Phil Kakulas of BES fame made some great recordings with Grant ca 1990 (on leave from BES!). Would have made a longer lasting Watershed... | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1515 Registered: 05-2005 |
Stand/Fresh/Theres a Riot... 3 killer reissues of Sly and The Family Stone,remastered with extra tracks and nice sleeve notes in a digipack - all for Ł5.99 each its almost like they are giving them away. Theres a Riot... is always the one that makes those best albums lists, but for me Stand is more consistent and has more killer tunes. Anybody else agree? The National - Boxer. This one is really hitting home now, not as "rock-y" as Alligator but the slower, textured songs on this may be more durable. Richard Swift - Dressed Up For The Letdown. This could be the sleeper hit of the year, a kinda Midlake or Ray LaMontagne for 2007. Apparently there is traces of Randy Newman but I wouldnt have a clue. LK - I reckon this is right up your street. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1414 Registered: 05-2005 |
Ray Monty is on BBC4 tonight 9pm | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 388 Registered: 09-2006 |
Though my tiny fun-money budget is strained to the limit with the Sly reissues and the Twin Peaks second season box, after much deliberation I broke down and bought "Neon Bible." Shit. Fuckgoddamn it's good. More incisive commentary to follow when I'm not so ecstatic. Maybe. I will say that it tones down the only thing that sort of put me off "Funeral," Win Butler's yelp-sob. On the adjustment scale it ranked up there with Joanna Newsom's Rugrats Voiceover Artist and Craig Finn's Potentially Belligerant None-Too-Bright Guy Convinced He's a Philosopher Who's Had a Few Too Many and Doesn't Notice or Care How Loud He's Being. All of which I'm glad I adjusted to, especially Finn, who is, of course, a smart and sensitive guy...his voiceprint just came across like too many schmucks I've run into at parties in the past... | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1385 Registered: 05-2005 |
Home Improvements, the new album by Australian orch poppers My Friend The Chocolate Cake. And it's great. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 12 Registered: 03-2007 |
Padraig, a superb band with a wonderful back catalogue. Fronted by a singer/songwriter who, in my opinion, should be much better known. They were due to perform at the Edinburgh Festival a year or so ago and I was planning to attend the show but they cancelled their trip to the U.K. at the last minute. David Bridie's solo albums ( Act Of Free Choice and Hotel Radio ) are well worth a listen if you are not familiar with them. Several videos of both acts over on YouTube including 'The Koran, The Ghan And A Yarn' from Act Of Free Choice which is one of my favourite David Bridie songs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptPxPCxUn vw Currently listening to The Loyal by Tiger Lou. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1516 Registered: 05-2005 |
Dean and Britta - Back Numbers. Try as I might, this album just isnt doing it for me. Too one dimensional,and to use a footballing term, no change of pace. Low do this sort of thing so much better in my opinion, and their music has a genuine edge to it. D & B just seems polite by comparison, and vocally very weak. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1517 Registered: 05-2005 |
By the way Spence, do you hear similarities with The Auteurs when listening to The Clientele, especially in the vocals? | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 37 Registered: 01-2007 |
yeah I bought Neon Bible as well and the Kings of Leon today listened to Prefab Sprout-Jordan The Comeback ,London Calling and Rattlesnakes, Also the the excellent 13 cities by Richmond Fontaine | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1417 Registered: 05-2005 |
kev, yes you are right. i can see the haines link withthe cients. i keep thinking of davey from the monkees too! | ||
| joe Member Username: Dogmansuede Post Number: 168 Registered: 07-2006 |
i keep saying i'm going to go back to neon bible...i only listened to it the once and even though i enjoyed it some month or so ago, nothing's drawn me back since. listening to old morrissey singles, nick cave's "tender prey" and spring hill fair as much as ever. perpetually smitten with tmc's cover of "kangaroo"...though i do like the original a lot too. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 38 Registered: 01-2007 |
Must get the Clientele cd sounds like it must be good if both Kev and Spence rate it | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1131 Registered: 03-2005 |
My big listen accompanied yesterday's 4 hour drive back to civilization from Fresno, California. First off: Pale Fountains' ". . . From Across a Kitchen Table." Many many thanks (for the umpteenth time) to Jeff and Spence for exposing me to this group. I love this album, start to finish. Next: "Swoon." This unusual record is just growing. It was a great eventful listen while speeding down the length of the unengaging agricultural flatlands of the San Joaquin Valley. After that: Toots Hibbert's "World is Turning." Not a bad album IF you cut it down to ten songs. The man has a great voice. But by the time the full 15 have gone, I'm ready for it to end. Then Augie March's second album "Strange Bird" again. I have their three albums and they're all good but I still say this is the best of the three. The music ranges from the beautifully dolorous ("The Night is a Blackbird" literally makes me cry) to the Nick Cavesque hysterical. The funhouse carnival feel of some of the tracks reminds me of Arcade Fire's "Funeral" but "Strange Bird" came first, is more varied and incomparably better. I've never heard the Auteurs or Clientele. Or Richmond Fontaine for that matter. A person's work is never done. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1426 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Pale Fountains - From Across the Kitchen Table Randy, I realised I didn't have it, so just bought it from iTunes! Its been ages since I heard my vinyl. It takes me right back to 1985, and a happy time. Glad u like Swoon. In many ways, I prefer it to Steve McQueen. Its stripped back approach is very beautiful, there's a real focus then on the magic of Paddy's lyrics. San Joaquin Valley, what a great name! Next album title Randy! | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1428 Registered: 05-2005 |
Actually Randy From across the kitchen the song is an inferior radio friendly version, shame that. Wish Virgin wouldn't do this. The vinyl version is much better. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1133 Registered: 03-2005 |
Explain, Spence. What did they change? | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1523 Registered: 05-2005 |
Great Lake Swimmers - Onjiara. Acoustic Neil Young meets Iron And Wine via Wilco in a country stylee. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1430 Registered: 05-2005 |
randy, they changed virtually everything, the drums on this new version are electronic and the drum pattern doesn't sound like the vinyl version did, much better drumming etc etc. various other elements sound completely different too. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 13 Registered: 03-2007 |
Randy/Spence, I believe the U.K. c.d. replaced two songs from the vinyl album ( Bicycle Thieves and From Across The Kitchen Table ) with alternative versions which were not produced by Ian Broudie. I read somewhere that the Japanese release is an exact copy of the original vinyl but I cannot confim this. Currently listening to tracks from Fourteen Autumns And Fifteen Winters by the Twilight Sad on MySpace. The band are from Scotland and the album, which is their debut, is due for release early next month. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1134 Registered: 03-2005 |
Ok, that's probably why it sounds a little bit like a refugee from "Lexicon of Love." At first I thought you said that the entire album was different and panicked! | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 14 Registered: 03-2007 |
Spence, could you follow the link to CDJapan/Neowing and have a listen to Track 10. Is this the version from the original vinyl? http://www.neowing.co.jp/detailview.html ?KEY=VJCP-68649 | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1135 Registered: 03-2005 |
Wow, if that's it then it's radically different. I only got to hear a small snippet. Thanks for the info Hugh. Meanwhile, thanks to Jeff I'm now listening to "Pacific Street" which arrived on my doorstep today. I wonder if it's been given the Virgin shuffle routine too. "You'll Start a War" is another pop diamond along the lines of "Jean's Not Happening." How could these people have missed my radar so thoroughly? Their distillation of 1966-68 British pop sounds refracted through a twenty-year-later prism makes a perfect light show on my mental wall. It's SO much better than the literal revivalism of Paul Weller. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1431 Registered: 05-2005 |
Their distillation of 1966-68 British pop sounds refracted through a twenty-year-later prism makes a perfect light show on my mental wall. That remark is probably the greatest/funniest (meant in the nicest possible way!) I have ever seen on a msg board, Randy, you're a poet! Hugh, I think you are right, its only a snippet, the Japan album sounds like the original,much better. I think that was the thing, everyone at the time was expecting the Fountains to make it BIG. Their advance for an 'indie' band was BIG, yadda yaddd yadda, that album is a snapshot of a great period in my teenage life, I adore it to bits, for me, its music is tinged with lots of different strands of romanticism. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 15 Registered: 03-2007 |
Randy, there is a Japanese Edition of 'Pacific Street' which contains the eleven songs from the original album plus ten bonus tracks ( several non album tracks plus some alternate, expanded and remixed versions of album tracks.) | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 566 Registered: 01-2005 |
Randy, I always liked the drive going west from Fresno, driving past the orange groves and climbing up the Sierra Nevada mountains driving to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. Of course, any drive leaving Fresno has it merits. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 550 Registered: 10-2004 |
Randy, I don't think Virgin messed with any of the Pacific Street tracks when putting together the CD. I have both the CD and LP, and I don't recall there being any difference aside from the CD's 4 bonus tracks. I'll do a few "needle drops" with the LP tonight and see. I wasn't aware of the difference with that song on "Kitchen Table" as I've only ever had the LP. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1432 Registered: 05-2005 |
hugh, that is the standard release, well here in the UK. There's also the Longshot for your love companion released on Marina, Christ, nearly 10 years ago!! Bicycle Thieves is different too Hugh, skipped that. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1435 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kings of Convenience - Quiet is the new loud. And, the song Frame by Frame - King Crimson. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 16 Registered: 03-2007 |
Spence, I was under the impression that the standard U.K. release only has 15 tracks. http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/2395259/ Pacific_Street/Product.html I cannot get the link to HMV to work properly but it also lists the U.K. release as having 15 tracks. If that is the case then it would appear that the Japanese have simply added some alternate takes, expanded versions, a remix and an instrumental to the U.K. release. Nothing to get excited about but for anyone looking to purchase the albums for the first time then the Japanese releases are the way to go and they are available at very good prices from CDJapan at the moment. I have a copy of what I believe was the first album released on c.d. by Marina ( 14 years ago.) | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 551 Registered: 10-2004 |
Hugh, the version that I have (and which Randy now has too) is the one you've linked to, and is what I, too, thought to be the standard Virgin UK release. I saw the Japanese reissue of Pacific Street online, but I'm generally not into extended versions or remixes of songs, so I wasn't tempted by it. However, I bet the Japanese version has a super nice booklet with photos galore and liner notes written in Japanese. From my experience, Japanese reissues tend to be pretty generous with that kind of thing. I can't remember the label offhand, but the Japanese reissue of Shack's "Zilch" is beautiful. | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 448 Registered: 04-2006 |
at this moment rotates jack rose - kensington blues anothe rone of that 'solo acoustic guitar freaks' i admire so much. other premier listen experiences: glenn jones - this is the wind that blows it out glenn jones- against which the sea continually beats the 'cul de sac' leader with two excellent solo acoustic guitar albums. Similar to Fahey's work. bola sete - ocean another solo guitar masterwork. released on fahey's takoma label. Fahey desribed Bola's live performances as following: ''they all begin and end with songs whose emotional contour is pretty, happy, light, peaceful, or ecstatic. but after the first two or three songs, the terrain gets rougher and darker, heavier and weirder... but then bola gradually lightens up the spectrum of feeling and leads you out of the cave into the sunlight, and life is paradise.'' just for good order's sake: doesn't sound like fahey. john greaves peter blegvad lisa herman - kew. rhone art-rock. o.k., i don't want to give you the feeling that little andreas has gone totally mad in the meantime. there is still other music worth to listen. and thanks to the ipod i do. for example eagle seagull - eagle seagull accompanied me back from work. the go-betweens - bybo within the last year bybo has grew to my favourite go-betweens album. yes, and i should pull the pale fountain's pacific street out of the shelf. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 17 Registered: 03-2007 |
Jeff, I have a few Japanese re-issues and they do, as you say, package them quite beautifully. Several of mine have booklets with liner notes in English along with separate inserts in Japanese and the sound quality is invariably superb. I have 'From Across The Kitchen Table' on vinyl but it has been a long time since I last listened to it as I dismantled my turntable years ago. I am tempted to pick up a c.d. copy from CDJapan given the low price ( for a Japanese re-issue that is ) and, if I do, the chances are I will purchase a copy of 'Pacific Street' at the same time. The Japanese seem to have a thing about adding bonus tracks to albums if they can and I am pretty certain they added some to 'Zilch.' | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 552 Registered: 10-2004 |
Hugh, the Japanese reissue added about 10 or so tracks to "Zilch." That reissue was worth every bit of the $30.00 I had to shell out for it. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1437 Registered: 05-2005 |
same for Virgins and Philistines - Colourfield, I forked out a lot for it but it was worth it. TOns of tracks on the Jap version, you can't get the UK one unless you ebay anyway. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1138 Registered: 03-2005 |
I guess the Japanese have improved things. My experience of their releases is that I get a super expensive third generation copy (of an admittedly rare release) with a nice long batch of liner notes in a language I have no prayer of reading. Hence I haven't bought a Japanese version of something in quite a long time. But thanks to eBay I just got a copy of "Long Shot." Too bad I slept through the offer of "Everybody's Fantastic." Last night--besides watching the terrific Beeb documentary on Richard Thompson posted on YouTube--I listened to Nick Drake's "Bryter Layter" and "Five Leaves Left." I like "Bryter Layter" quite a bit but I'm finding "Five Leaves Left" to be a little on the dull side, Thompson's great guitar work notwithstanding. Why does it seem like nearly every English male folkie had Drake's voice back then? Andreas, always good to see your posts on here. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 548 Registered: 08-2006 |
I agree with you, Randy, about "Bryter Layter" vs. "Five Leaves Left." The latter has it moments, but as an end-to-end listen I far prefer the former, which at least has some kick to it. If I want to hear somnambulant Drake, I'll pull out "Pink Moon." Or just go to bed. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 553 Registered: 10-2004 |
I like "Five Leaves" quite a bit, but I've always preferred "Bryter Layter." What's frustrating is that "Bryter" is often slagged by the critics, saying it sounds compromised or like an overt pitch at the charts. One critic went so far as to say it sounded like a deliberate Van Morrison rip-off. This has always confused me to no end, since to me "Bryter" is definitely the superior of the two. Accusing Drake of commercialism is seriously ironic anyhow, given how obscure he was at the time. So, I'm inclined to just view the album as misunderstod. | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 449 Registered: 04-2006 |
Black Keys - Magic Potion and in pleasant anticipation of his new album and a gig in Berlin Ben Weaver - Stories under Nails | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 390 Registered: 09-2006 |
"King of America," the bonus disc. A really nice bunch of songs...the intimacy of the solo demos is especially strong. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1387 Registered: 05-2005 |
Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft; Babes In Toyland's terrific version. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1841 Registered: 03-2006 |
Allen, I think KOA (not to be confused with the campgrounds)is the fucking bee's knees. My favorite Costello, though it's not really all that much like the rest of the catalog that I also dearly love (at least not that much like the classic Attractions stuff)... I'm such a sucker for it, I have two, count 'em two, deluxe editions of it. I particularly love, out of the demos, "Suffering Face", and on one of the reissues I have, there's a set of live songs played by his band at the time, the Confederates, including the wonderful and legendary James Burton, who'd previously played with Elvis Presley, Gram Parsons and Emmylou. I remember seeing that band live and marvelling, at the time, over the great new, classic EC song, "It Tears Me Up", only to find out later that it was an old Percy Sledge tune. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 393 Registered: 09-2006 |
That's the bonus disc version I was listening to...agreed that the live set is dead on, as loose and tight as it should be. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1389 Registered: 05-2005 |
Van Halen - Jump. Awesome pop song. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1140 Registered: 03-2005 |
Just to augment the record on a minor (but I think significant) point, James Burton also played on Ricky Nelson's early records. That's pretty much where he started. He first played rhythm guitar until Nelson took over that role in early 1958. After that Burton played lead. One of his greatest moments was lead guitar on Nelson's 1960 version of "Milk Cow Blues." I'm only being this picayune because people always overlook Rick[y] Nelson's often excellent records. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 42 Registered: 01-2007 |
KOA one of my all time favourites, agree the demos are really good. I saw EC and the confederates 3 nights straight at the ALbert Hall and one the last night welcomed on Van the Man (tear rolling down my face)2 of my heros sharing the stage at the same time covering ray charles song. the next 3 nights he did with the attractiions and saw all those. Having said that my favourite EC was his first solo tour with T-Bone Burnette supporting and they did a 1/2 hour interlude as the Coward Brothers. | ||
| joe Member Username: Dogmansuede Post Number: 176 Registered: 07-2006 |
pretty much anything i want to as we just got our new cabinet - so all of our cds now have a home for the first time ever. very exciting. |