| Author | Message | ||
     Duncan Hurwood Member Username: Duncan_h Post Number: 73 Registered: 05-2005 |
So what do you think of this new compilation? I think the tracklisting is almost exactly right: the only changes I would make are: 1 - Substitute "Comet Scar" for "Malibu 69" 2 - Substitute "2541" for "Frisco Depot" But it looks lovely. Pity I've already got all the songs! | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 244 Registered: 04-2005 |
For those of you who haven't heard (and I had no idea what Duncan was on about) http://go-betweens.org.uk/discography/20 07intermission/2007intermission.htm Kinda pointless? One unreleased track... PS Drop the blank between '20' and '07' in the url. | ||
| Pat Boland Member Username: Pat_boland Post Number: 25 Registered: 05-2005 |
Great stuff. The track listing is (bar the absence of '2541') spot-on, in my opinion. Some of the material will benefit hugely from the Bill Inglot treatment. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1407 Registered: 05-2005 |
I suppose, from Beggars point of view it might earn them a bit of cash. From an existing fan or new fan's perspective, if the stuff is remastered then that's good, unreleased track? that's good too, and for the new fan who never got the solo stuff its a good starter/companion. To me it would have made more sense to reissue the solo albums a the same time, the whole remastering, repackaged process. Is this on the cards? Tracklisting is neither here or there for me. That is so subjective everyone's idea on what to include would be different. The packaging for the solo sleeves is nice, the booklet looks great, but why pick a Joy Divisionseque marble tomstone for the main cover, its truly awful. Why not one overall colour with a small typeset title and let the other covers and booklet and of course the CD's do the talking. (Nick Caves Orpheus) This sleeve may put peole off buying it I guess, it just doesn't arrest you enough. My thoughts. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1818 Registered: 03-2006 |
My thoughts: First off, I'll buy it just because...It looks like a lovely keepsake, just for its own sake, But, it seems to defeat the point a little bit to include a cover on Robert's disc. Surely there were better examples of his art that he himself actually penned? And, for balance, perhaps they should've included Grant's great, epic cover of "Ballad of Easy Rider". Apart from the inclusion of "Frisco Depot", though, I guess the RF disc more or less gets it right. Not so much, the Grant disc. I consider myself to be a huge Grant afficionado and I think about half the songs on his disc get it wrong and don't really represent his best. There were so many better ones that could have been chosen. One obvious omission: "Simone and Perry". And great point about the sleeve, Spence. I wasn't able to verbalize what's wrong with it, but it isn't very appealing and I think you've put your finger on why...I know next to nothing about graphic art, but one sleeve I found tremendously appealing and evocative, and that sort of set the tone for the music found within, was the sleeve for "1978-1990"...maybe if they could've taken that approach with out exactly copying it, it might've worked better... Before it sounds like I'm just carping for the sheer hell of it, let me reiterate: I intend to buy this. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1340 Registered: 04-2005 |
Does the 28-page lyric book have any liner notes or essays? That makes a difference to me. I'd be more inclined to buy this if it had something special in the notes, more rare tracks, or if I didn't already have this stuff on CD. For people with vinyl copies of the solo stuff, I could see this being a great purchase. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1125 Registered: 03-2005 |
Like LK, I'll buy it because I'm a loyal kind of guy and I want some cash dumping into Robert's pocket. I have to assume that Robert was consulted and the choice of the sappy "Frisco Depot" was his. After all, he chose it in the first place. Feh. "2541" is obviously better as is "Locked Away" or, best of all, his strained-vocal version of "Look Out, Here Comes Tomorrow" making such a sweet nod to his and Grant's roots. I agree with LK about the Grant CD choices. They seem to miss as much as they hit, especially in the case of the HS songs aside from the transcendant title song. But who knows, maybe Robert made these choices too; maybe he just wanted people to be introduced to Grant's rhyme of "blown apart" with "Bonaparte." As a consolation I'm hoping the Bill Inglot remastering makes a sonic difference. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1379 Registered: 05-2005 |
I'm sure I'll get it anyway, but I'd be more inclined to do so if they added, say, a live show by Robert and Grant from the 90s. They did play some shows together long before there was a Go-Betweens reunion (a friend of mine was at one in London in, I think, 1992 - it was billed as a Grant show and he walked on and said a friend was going to join him...). There must be desk tapes at the very least of some of these shows? Something like that would be a nice limited edition third disc to get geeks like us onboard. | ||
| Per Stam Member Username: Matsrep Post Number: 26 Registered: 10-2005 |
I'd say Intermission is a clever title. It seems that the grey 'tombstone' is hinting at the intermission years as some kind of blur, unidentified, in-between existence between those two go-between periods. And then you open the blurry box and get two fine solo discs - in colour to your surprise. (Maybe...) Song choices: I'd do Grant very different and Robert slightly different (I do like the cover album: 2541!, Tell Me It Isn't True etc., the song Warm Nights, and the b-side Brookfield 1975). But I guess it is a primer for those who do not know much about the Intermission years: they shall get a little bit of each album, and then go out and look for the entire albums (that hopefully will get the reissue treatment soon). | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1415 Registered: 05-2005 |
Per you are prob correct sir, tho its a bit drab after what happened last May? the songs are always gonna be subjective, i look at it this way, if its a new wannabe fan, whatever they choose that's cool if they end up buying the bloody thing! Its a start, and like most, they'll convert! and but everything else. CHANGE the sleeve you BASTrADS!!!!!!! | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 534 Registered: 08-2006 |
Tracklist quibbles aside (and who among us wouldn't have quibbles), I'm very happy they're putting this out. It looks like a quality package (Spence's design concerns noted) and I hope it catches the eye of the many folks who missed the solo stuff the first time around. All told, my GBs evangelism probably hasn't earned RF enough to pay his electric bill for one month; maybe a nice new compilation will raise some awareness (and some residuals). | ||
| Paul Wright Member Username: Wallaby Post Number: 31 Registered: 05-2005 |
Actually I think it looks ok. And though I have all of Grant's solo stuff I don't have all of Robert's, (and none on CD) so I will probably buy it. And as Rob suggested, it is good to have a reason to give RF some money. I think of all the joy I get from the GBs, and how little I play lots of other music that cost me just the same, and somehow it doesn't seem fair. | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 99 Registered: 05-2005 |
Songs with soup. I'm happy to see 'Hot Water' included, it's one of my faves - "I read about your death in the paper when I was buying tomato soup..." sounds among the same soupy shite as The Waterboys "Nora was my girl when I first was in a group, I can still see her to this day, stirring chicken soup" but Hot Water is a great song regardless imho. Robert Forster has banged on before about the early 'Danger in the past' session version of 'Falling star'. I got a copy a while back and as RF said, it is gothic and very different to the country and western version. | ||
| Pat Boland Member Username: Pat_boland Post Number: 26 Registered: 05-2005 |
I was under the impression that Grant was buying tomato seed at the start of 'Hot Water'. Either way, I think it's a great song and well worth it's place among his best solo-work. Of course, the lyrics booklet will put an end to the soup/seed speculation which, in some ways, is a pity..... | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 100 Registered: 05-2005 |
As the saying goes - 'on mature recollection (or mature reflection? - old brain isn't what it used to be), I think you could be right, Pat.' | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 564 Registered: 01-2005 |
I agree also with LK and Randy about the obvious HS errors, especially as LK noted "the one obvious omission: "Simone and Perry". That's the perfect GM solo song in his cannon IMHO. Does anyone know who gets Grant's proceeds, or if he ever made out a will? I'm not up on OZ law. | ||
| Donat Member Username: Donat Post Number: 258 Registered: 11-2004 |
I think his son would most likely get the proceeds. Legalities aside, I think the packaging looks great as that's all I'd be really buying it for. I'd be keen to hear the mastering job on it, too - though I don't think any of Robert's material would really need any tweaking. | ||
| Large Burgers Member Username: Burgers Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2005 |
I'm surprised there's so much agreement about the tracks included. If I'd compiled it I'd have only included half of Grant's tracks. All a bit pointless but it looks quite nice. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1390 Registered: 05-2005 |
Just read on another website (sorry, lost the link) that Grant picked the track list himself as this has been planned for years. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 618 Registered: 08-2004 |
I like the design. It looks majestic.  | ||
| Lawrence Mikkelsen Member Username: Simplythrilledhoney Post Number: 79 Registered: 03-2006 |
Having just shelled out for _all_ the GM and RF solo albums in the last few months, I'm probably not going to buy this unless I see it really cheap. But it's a nice package, although I'm stunned there's no "Comet Scar". In a way, it's a shame there's not a third rarities disc of b-sides, or a live gig or whatever. I'm not quite sure who this is aimed at, and I suspect that if it had've come out a few months ago, all it would have done would have encouraged me to go out and buy all the solo albums anyway. Go figure ... What _would_ have been interesting would have been if they'd mixed up the tracks so Robert and Grant's songs sat side by side. Two "new" Go-Betweens albums for the uninitiated? | ||
| Peter Member Username: Peterw Post Number: 6 Registered: 02-2007 |
No Simone & Perry on the GW record is weird, he loved that song (as do I). Bobs is a good selection. | ||
| Sloan Nevidy Member Username: Rockandrollfriend Post Number: 10 Registered: 07-2005 |
I'm sure you knew this was coming... My personal Intermission Grant's CD 1. In Your Bright Ray 2. Parachute 3. Black Mule 4. All Them Pretty Angels 5. Coming Up For Air 6. Comet Scar 7. Ice in Heaven 8. One Plus One 9. Haven't I Been A Fool 10. Cave In 11. Keep My Word 12. Lamp By Lamp 13. Horsebreaker Star Robert's CD 1. 121 2. Loneliness 3. Baby Stones 4. Drop 5. 2541 6. I've Been Looking For Somebody 7. Falling Star 8. Atlanta Lie Low 9. The River People 10. Snake Skin Lady 11. Fortress 12. Justice 13. I'll Jump I really love Fingers, but left it off because it had that other guy in the songwriting credit. I also found tha there were many other Grant songs I was pained to have to leave off, like Easy Come Easy Go, Hot Water, Things Will Change, Put You Down and From My Lips. In fact it was a toss up between Things Will Change and All Them Pretty Angels, but I guess I'm having a Pretty Angels type of day. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 636 Registered: 08-2006 |
I'm curious who on this board plans to buy this? I have all the solo recordings, so it's entirely redundant (aside from the one unreleased track), and yet I feel compelled to pick it up, if for no other reason than to support the team. Anyone else feel the same, slightly irrational, pull? | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1554 Registered: 05-2005 |
I think its less about ths osngs, its about raising the profile (again) Its not life or death what appears, for me, i'll buy it regardless of what was on it, even if there was nothing on it, i'd buy it. That's how being a 'fan' is, IMHO | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1481 Registered: 05-2005 |
I'll be buying it on the day of release Rob, along with the new tribute album and the Traveling Wilbury's package; all of which come out on the same day here (Friday 15 June). I feel exactly how you feel about the track list and very disappointed that there isn't, say, a third disc of rarities or a live show or something. I'm a little drawn in by the promise of the tracks being remastered. Presumably that means all the solo albums are going to be reissued in remastered editions and the bonus cuts, whatever they might be, are being held off for inclusion on the albums proper. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1217 Registered: 03-2005 |
For me, it's a question of support. Grant is gone. I can't support him any longer. Robert is still here. I'll buy the antho to support him, to send $$ into his pocket so he can continue to raise his family in dignity and keep doing whatever it is that he wants to do. Which, happily, turns out to include the July shows. I do hope the remastering will yield positive audible results. In my opinion, John Keane's work on "Horsebreaker" pretty much set the standard for a nice warm tube-like sound and I'd like to hear more of that on the remasters of the other albums, both Grant's and Robert's. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1978 Registered: 03-2006 |
For me, "Lighting Fires" is Grant's "Stairway to Heaven". I just don't care about it and have no need to ever hear it again, so I can't imagine why it was stuck on this comp. Both tracklists are, to me, similarly uninspired, in general. We have a cover on the Forster set, and two versions of the same song, when there's so much other great stuff in his catalog? Still...everybody needs an artist that you just respond emotionally to and buy everything that their name is appended to - we're allowed one, right?...and for me, the GBs fit that bill. So, I'll be having this set as well, though as has been said above, it woulda been nice to have some unreleased tracks added for flavor, for spice. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1555 Registered: 05-2005 |
I still think this is NOT aimed at the 'fans' its aimed at the new listener, that's why tracklists don't matter. I don't happen to agree with the tracklisting, however, that's my opinion. The promotion that is created by thius, a year on from G's passing is what is needed, then as you guys say, remastered albums, and people will hopefully buy the studd again, like people do with many 'classic' bands. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 638 Registered: 08-2006 |
Padraig, I read somewhere - maybe in NME or some such place - that the individual albums are indeed being released in remastered editions. I don't think I noticed any mention of bonus tracks, but the article was mainly about "Intermission." | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1979 Registered: 03-2006 |
It seems to me that if the set were indeed aimed at new converts, that you'd wanna try and make the tracklisting as strong as possible, just like if you were a dealer you'd wanna give potential addicts your strongest, most potent crack as a free sample, to get 'em on the train. Though, having said that, I just read the press release, and supposedly, Grant and Robert selected the tracks for each of their discs. So, I have to give that some respect and credence, even if it seems to me that the artists aren't the best judges of what their best work is (actually a pretty common syndrome: Dylan, for one, has notoriously left some of his best work off of his proper studio albums). Also, as the press release points out, I believe soundly and righteously, since this was the last thing they planned together, in a way it is actually the last Go-Betweens project, which makes a fairly compelling argument for owning it. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1560 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yeah but a stronger tracklisting is just someone's opinion. It could be stealth marketing, who cares, if it spurs people to buy the back catalogue. This album is a sampler, an overview, in many ways how can you ever better the Best of from '90, apart from the additional solo stuff. There's still some fantastic stuff on there. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 650 Registered: 08-2006 |
This is a nicely done page: http://www.beggars.com/intermission/ Haven't listened to the 55-minute interview included, but I watched a few of the videos I'd never seen. Good stuff. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 1997 Registered: 03-2006 |
Thanks, Robinator. It is indeed a cool-looking page. Considering my lack of enthusiasm about the tracklisting, which I am, as I pointed out, lightening up on, since they (GM and RF), apparently, made the selections, I'm oddly excited about the set. It is, if nothing else, affordable. It looks like the double-disc set is retailing for the price of a single. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 653 Registered: 08-2006 |
Yeah, man, and it looks like Beggars is putting at least a little oomph behind it, if the site is any indication. I certainly don't expect it will sell oodles, but a few nice reviews might catch some eyes. It is priced to move. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1579 Registered: 05-2005 |
I hate the slate image, its so fucking FINAL, aghhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS NOT FUCKIN JOY DIVISION BEGGARS< SORT YOUR ART STUDIO OUT OR I WILL!!!!!!! | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1580 Registered: 05-2005 |
nice page Rob! | ||
| Mark Leydon Member Username: Mark_leydon Post Number: 123 Registered: 05-2005 |
The album gets a 3 out of 5 review by Andy Gill in today's Independent (UK) - see below. For those who don't already know, Andy Gill is a bit of an idiot (see final sentance of review as proof). http://arts.independent.co.uk/music/revi ews/article2657751.ece Album: Robert Forster / Grant McLennan Intermission, Beggars Banquet By Andy Gill Published: 15 June 2007 On their reunion as The Go-Betweens after a decade apart, it was decided that the compilation of highlights from Robert Forster and Grant McLennan's solo careers should be titled Intermission, an indication of the importance they placed on their Go-Betweens career. Sadly, the resumption was cut short by the death last year of Grant McLennan. With an album apiece, Intermission highlights the differences between the two songwriters' styles - Forster is typically elegant but can be ruthlessly analytical in songs such as " Cryin' Love" and "The Circle"; and McLennan wields a nice line in regret in "Haven't I Been A Fool", but reveals a darker edge in "Black Mule", where a man saved from thugs by a nun's intervention is nonetheless killed in the next verse by a car-bomb. McLennan's songs are more generously endowed with catchy hooks, but neither of them are well served by their bland voices. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1520 Registered: 05-2005 |
I don't think I've ever liked a single thing I've ever seen with Andy Gill's byline. I saw the album in JB Hifi today for $29 but didn't buy it as I was annoyed they didn't have it at their internet price of $24. So I looked for it online but you had to buy it before today to get it at that price. I'll wait. It's not like I don't already have all bar one of the songs! | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 64 Registered: 10-2006 |
So, Robert Forster has a bland voice like... Ali had a bland punch Elephant beer has a bland kick Halle Berry has bland legs Rome has bland architecture... etc etc | ||
| David Gagen Member Username: David_g Post Number: 73 Registered: 02-2007 |
like..... Highway 61 is a bland record, Brazil play bland football, George W has bland foreign policy Sopranos is bland television! | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1648 Registered: 05-2005 |
Andy Gill gave REMs last album (something about the Sun, it was that rubbish I cant even remember what it was called!) five stars (yes that was 5, FIVE) stars in his review in The Independent. Even the most seriously deluded REM fan would struggle to stretch to a 3 star review for that monstrosity. There was an Andy Gill who used to write for NME, there is also an Andy Gill who writes for Uncut. I assume they are the same person, but if so his writings in Uncut are at odds with his consistently "out on a limb" reviews in the Independent. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 676 Registered: 08-2006 |
"Halle Barry has bland legs." That's good stuff, Stuart. Anyhow, I actually think there's a kernel of truth in Gill's opinion of R&G's vocals. I certainly don't feel this way now, but the first time I heard the GBs years ago, I found their voices... not bland, but maybe a little indistinct, especially Grant's. Like everything about the GBs, the singing is subtle, and its charm reveals itself over time. But I think it's something a new listener has to get accustomed to, especially in a pop environment that favors either big or very eccentric vocals. That said, nobody who gets column-inches in any paper anywhere should have mistaken REM's last release for a 5-star-er. I guarantee Michael Stipe himself would take issue with that one. Somebody call the union. | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 659 Registered: 08-2004 |
Not sure of the reviewer, but initially Around The Sun, had a rave review in Uncut. Then a few months later it was panned when released as an DVD-A double. For a while I thought RF was the sole frontman of the group. Only recognising the distinctive ticks of Robert & the subtle smoothness of Grant after hefty rotation. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1530 Registered: 05-2005 |
Rob, Stipe said at the time it was their best album. The first time I played it I knew it was a turkey. I think I only played it once more since. I'm not looking forward to their next album but will no doubt buy it anyway. | ||
| Elizabeth Robinson Member Username: Liz_the_new_listener Post Number: 107 Registered: 10-2006 |
Robert Forster's voice sounds to me as if it's always been one of a kind. Perhaps the vocals of the Go-Betweens have been described as out of tune because of his distinctive declamatory style. 'It's called punk', he might say, but he's far too intelligent a lyricist and too subtle (like Grant McLennan, after all!) to be lumped in with just any punk group or even to be compared with David Byrne of the Talking Heads. 'Ask' from Before Hollywood is probably 'called punk', but if it is singing out of tune, it never sounded so right. But compare 'Head Full of Steam' recorded in 1985 to the version on 'That Striped Sunlight Sound'. The tone becomes more muted (as it had to), just as the lyrics have mellowed to a logical 'Can I come to your place and will I find you there?' Grant McLennan's voice, at first suave but a bit wavery, got stronger with age. Comparing two versions of 'Hammer the Hammer' - one from the aforementioned Before Hollywood and the other from Live in London - is instructive. By the time he recorded 'In Your Bright Ray' he had come a long way; 'Old Mexico' and 'Going Blind' are pure striped sunlight, and 'The Statue' is particularly powerful. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1657 Registered: 05-2005 |
Just been over at Napster and they now have Intermission available for download, so I am a few minutes away from listening. However, they have it as two separate albums, I thought it was a 2 disc release? | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1537 Registered: 05-2005 |
It is Kevin. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1660 Registered: 05-2005 |
So it is Padraig, review below, 4.5 stars no less. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg &sql=10:jvfexzu5ldae~T1 | ||
| Matsrep Member Username: Matsrep Post Number: 33 Registered: 10-2005 |
Hi, I got the comp. yesterday. To me the Forster CD is brilliant: good choices, fine sound, nice track order, AND a new (old) version of Falling Star. Worth the price. The McLennan CD starts fine, I even enjoyed the Fireboy songs again (taken apart from the rather brownish album). I guess I have to listen more to get it all, but I have not changed my mind on In Your Bright Ray (yet). The lyric book is nice. Did anyone know that Grant did not play guitar (or anything else) on several of the Horsebreaker Star album? (Can that be correct?) The slipcase is very unlike a tombstone, I should add: it is quite thin and paperish. | ||
| Matsrep Member Username: Matsrep Post Number: 34 Registered: 10-2005 |
Should have been: ... several of the Horsebreaker Star album TRACKS ... | ||
| Duncan Hurwood Member Username: Duncan_h Post Number: 75 Registered: 05-2005 |
Being a cheapskate, I just bought the one song I did not already own on a download. Now, if new material is released - live, or other tracks I don't have - then I'll get an album. | ||
| Pat Boland Member Username: Pat_boland Post Number: 29 Registered: 05-2005 |
As expected, Bill Inglot has done a fine job with the re-mastering. Also, I couldn't help but notice that Amanda Brown does not receive a credit for her contributions to the selections from 'Watershed'. | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 106 Registered: 05-2005 |
I cradled the Intermission package in my hands in HMV today. It's two card covered CDs (as opposed to jewel case) with a wrap around cardboard cover which is plain grey ugly. I couldn't see what was in the booklet because it was shrink wrapped but was I curious. I've got all the tunes already but sucker that I am, I know I'm still going to end up buying it. But HMV aren't gonna get my money 'cause they're a nasty multiple and I don't like giving money to nasty multiples for anything other than what's in their bargain bin. Phuck 'em. | ||
| Pat Boland Member Username: Pat_boland Post Number: 30 Registered: 05-2005 |
Fsh, Freebird are selling it for €16.99. | ||
| Matsrep Member Username: Matsrep Post Number: 35 Registered: 10-2005 |
Pitchfork review: 8,5 stars (that's good). http://pitchforkmedia.com/article/record _review/43732-intermission-the-best-of-t he-solo-recordings-1990-1997 | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 711 Registered: 08-2006 |
Not only is the rating good, Matsrep, but the review itself is well-written and articulate. Definitely a departure from that self-conscious, overheated style that clouds a lot of P4K reviews. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 712 Registered: 08-2006 |
It's also interesting the reviewer mentions the '99 show in Chicago and notes how sparsely attended it was. It was, indeed, but I've seen that show referenced in print about a million times. You'd think 1,000 people were in the audience. I think basically everyone who was at that show wrote about it. | ||
| Peter Member Username: Peterw Post Number: 10 Registered: 02-2007 |
Andy Gill isn't THE Andy Gill is he ie Gang of Four?? | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1680 Registered: 05-2005 |
Another review, guy seems to be a fan, but not a fan of this record. What the hell does C+ mean, 6 out of 10? http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/ro bert-forster-and-grant-mclennan/intermis sion.htm | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1449 Registered: 04-2005 |
Not the most knowledgeable review either...I'm pretty sure Don Dixon had nothing to do with HS: >> This isnŐt entirely fair to Horsebreaker Star, on which R.E.M. collaborator Don Dixon injected welcome country grit into his bossŐ rote sound and produced the best Go-Between solo album,<< I think he means John Keane. Research first, write second. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 714 Registered: 08-2006 |
Yuck. "Crass and inexplicable song choices"? There are GBs songs I don't love (although not many) but describing them as crass and inexplicable is critical hyperbole of the most pernicious sort. And the Don Dixon thing is just lazy editing. I don't know that I'll ever be able to judge the merits of this compilation since I've heard its source material way too many time, so I'll | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 715 Registered: 08-2006 |
Oops, that should finish: ...so I'll grant him his opinion, but I grade his review a C-. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1554 Registered: 05-2005 |
Different Andy Gill. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1565 Registered: 05-2005 |
Listening to Falling Star (original version) now. Downloaded it from iTunes as I have all the other songs. I know they are remastered but I'll by buying the remastered original albums if they come out with extra material anyway. It's a great song, of course. | ||
| Alfredo L Soto Member Username: Alfred_soto Post Number: 9 Registered: 05-2005 |
I don't assign the grades. Besides, I was reviewing the compilation, not the songs. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1641 Registered: 05-2005 |
I don't do journalists (Sorry Pad!) | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 111 Registered: 05-2005 |
Anyone any idea why they called it 'Intermission'?? | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 67 Registered: 10-2006 |
Someone hasn't seen the Acoustic stories DVD! | ||
| Hugo Member Username: Hugo Post Number: 25 Registered: 06-2005 |
Anyone any idea why they called it 'Intermission'?? Fairly obvious I'd have thought: they were taking a break from the Go-Betweens. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 746 Registered: 08-2006 |
Grant came up with the name, according to the press release from the label. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 95 Registered: 01-2007 |
is it npt a reference to films were you had an intermission half way through a film or before the main film after the trailor. | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 112 Registered: 05-2005 |
I wrote above: Anyone any idea why they called it 'Intermission'?? Hugo wrote:Fairly obvious I'd have thought: they were taking a break from the Go-Betweens. I think you may have failed to spot my double question mark - eh,eh!! | ||
| joe Member Username: Dogmansuede Post Number: 229 Registered: 07-2006 |
got this the other day alongside the tribute cd. it's going down a treat....i've always been a slightly bigger sucker for grant's stuff than robert's, but no doubt both will receive a thumping on the hi fi at home. i think i listened to grant's one three times before finally calling it a night yesterday. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 747 Registered: 08-2006 |
I'm with you, Joe. I've actually had the comp sitting around for a week; I bought it largely 'cause - well, you know, being a regular poster to a band's discussion board makes such things pretty much a requirement - and I know all its tunes by heart so I viewed it as a pretty bauble, not something I'd play a lot. But I put it on the other night and I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. I've heard the solo albums so many times through the years it's actually nice to hear them in a different context. Maybe Alfred's review - if you take away the letter grade - was right. I think I'm far too close to the material to tell how this rates as a comp. But it is nice to hear the tunes on it from a fresh perspective. | ||
| Alfredo L Soto Member Username: Alfred_soto Post Number: 10 Registered: 05-2005 |
Song for song the comp is largely excellent; I just don't the idea of splitting the material into two discs worked in practice. I am as devoted a fan as anyone on this board, but this comp makes Forster and McLennan sound more boring than they really are. | ||
| Alfredo L Soto Member Username: Alfred_soto Post Number: 11 Registered: 05-2005 |
Correction: "I just don't think" | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 752 Registered: 08-2006 |
You're probably right Alfredo; I just know and love the tunes from the individual albums, so it's tough for me to step back and try to take stock of the comp from the viewpoint of someone for whom it will serve as an introduction. It seems like that's what you tried to do - I think that's what you HAVE to do in your position - and I think in hindsight you did a good job. Especially since you're such a fan of the GBs. It's tough to write a negative review - even when it's tempered by praise - of artists you really like. A lot of writers can't do it (cf most of the staff of Rolling Stone). My post was mainly repsonding to the letter grade. I'm used to the Christgau system of letter grading, which is a little more charitable than your publication's. Christgau's C grades tend to be real stinkers, stuff you'd bury in the back yard. Your publication seems to use them more in the academic sense of "close but no cigar." And since that's your opinion of the comp, fair enough. By the way, I read some of your other reviews on the site and they were quite good. You're a fine writer. Cheers, man. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2201 Registered: 03-2006 |
In the new Rolling Stone, there's a nice and insightful review of Intermission, from the often nice and insightful Robert Christgau. For now, I think it can only be found in the paper edition; it doesn't appear to be posted online anyplace. He concludes with the sentiment that it's good Forster is going to be making more music... | ||
| Pat Garrett Member Username: Pat_garrett Post Number: 7 Registered: 04-2005 |
This is the link: http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/albu m/14053372/review/16077410/the_best_of_t he_solo_recordings_19901997 | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 190 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks Pat. Nice and insightful indeed. Anyone else get the impression Robert Christgau was more of a fan of Grant than Robert? | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 777 Registered: 01-2005 |
Very nice article from RC, and a pleasant surprise when I was thumbing through my RS the other day. I used to think that certain G-B albums were more Grant albums or Robert albums. Not counting SMAL, nowdays the only one that I might give the slight edge to would be Robert on LBATBDE. The others are all ties in my book. Robert gets the edge for his first two solo albums, Grant gets the edge for solo albums three and four. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1508 Registered: 04-2005 |
Michael, I can't remember if we've had the "Grant vs. Robert" thread before, but it's a good one. I've thought about it too much because I overanalyze everything. Here's how I rate the Grant vs. Robert "contest" on the Go-Betweens albums: SMAL - Robert because most of it is his, but the best song is Grant's: "It Could Be Anyone" BH - Grant trounces Robert on this one; not even close--RF admitted to major songwriting block around this time SHF - Robert's great comeback; a decisive victory LBATBDE - tie Tallulah - Robert 16LL - tie TFORW - Grant BYBO - tie Oceans Apart - Robert, by a nose Solo albums, Grant wins comfortably, though I'd say the best individual album is "Danger in the Past." | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 681 Registered: 10-2004 |
This is interesting, and could probably be its own thread. SMaL - Grant (although Robert sings a few of Grant's songs, Grant's are stronger and poppier) BH - tie SHF - tie (but were it not for Robert's gorgeous Part Company, I might give a slight lead to Grant) LBATBDE - tie (but ask me another day and I might give it to Robert by a hair) Tallulah - Robert 16LL - tie FORW - Grant BYBO - Grant (without question) OA - Robert For solo albums, Robert wins hands down: for me, Calling from a Country Phone trumps anything else either of them did solo. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 644 Registered: 09-2006 |
Kurt, your assessment is pretty much mine as well - we only differ substantially on Rachel Worth. | ||
| Hugo Member Username: Hugo Post Number: 26 Registered: 06-2005 |
Sadly, I have to say I think Grant is a bit weak on his last ever album. He goes a little too much for the smooth rock sound, exemplified by the forgettable This Night's For You. Whereas Robert comes up with Darlinghurst Nights, for me his best song in 15 years. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2217 Registered: 03-2006 |
Let's see - I think I do agree largely with Herr Kurt: SMAL - I never really rated this one, don't really listen to it, but absolutely, "Could Be Anyone" is the best song on the record. The version from "Live In London" rocks like a bag full of rabid ferrets. BH - As this record represents the ascendancy of Grant, his coming out, as it were, as a songwriter, it is indeed his. SHF - pretty much a draw LBBDE - same Tallulah - Yet another draw. Though the extremely naff "Cut It Out" is Grant's, he makes up points with the immortal and anthemic "Bye Bye Pride". 16LL - Part of its Zen perfection is, I think, that the contributions from the two of them are so beautifully balanced. It's like some profound and moving conversation with a good friend that you remember a long time... FORW - Grant's show. All five songs of his range from extremely good (Orpheus Beach) to excellent (Going Blind). Robert manages to come up with three very fine ones, but drops the ball a bit with the naff "Surfing" and "German Farmhouse". BYBO - Put this record on and I'd enjoy it, but it doesn't really stand a lot of comparison to the rest. Robert and Grant come up with one great song a piece: "Make Her Day" and "Mrs. Morgan". OA - Here's where I depart from the rest of the class. I think this record is far and away stolen by Grant's superior work. It really makes me sad because I think he was operating at quantum genius level. "This Night" is weak, but the other four songs stand, for me, with the greatest he's ever done. The only song of RF's on the disc to reach that level of power and profundity is "Mountains Near Dellray". The rest I like fine, but they just aren't in that league, ranging from trifles ("Family", "Lavender") to very good ("Darlinghurst" - has moments of greatness but I always lose interest before it's over). In the solo album sweepstakes, I think Grant wins. He was more prolific and produced much more of quality. "Horsebreaker" is the best of the solo albums by either, I think. I definitely agree that "Danger In the Past" is Robert's best solo record - things got a bit patchy after that. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 683 Registered: 10-2004 |
It's funny how "This Night's For You" seems to get routinely dissed. I actually quite like that song and think it's one of Grant's best on OA. The rock-out chorus may be a bit cheesy, but I think it works. I also think the verses are quite pretty - there are a lot of nice melodic details and flourishes if you listen carefully. (For the record, "Finding You" is my absolute favorite Grant number from OA). I will probably always remain in the minority on Grant's solo work. While I can certainly find a few songs to love on each of his albums, in general I still find the bulk of his material too MOR for my liking, and quite removed, stylistically, from his superior work with Robert. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 778 Registered: 01-2005 |
Lot's of ties and draws, which goes to show you what a perfect, balanced team they were. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2218 Registered: 03-2006 |
Nothing, but nothing, beat them together! | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 208 Registered: 05-2005 |
LK, you have a wonderful turn of phrase! I'm particularly fond of It Could be Anyone, and yes, the Live in London version is pretty special. I can't think though, that bags of rodents, rabid have ever sprung to mind when trying to describe just how much it rocks. I agree though! | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2221 Registered: 03-2006 |
I think I was flashing on that great scene from "Big Lebowski" where the nihilists throw a ferret into the tub with Jeff Bridges. Have you seen it? - if not, you've got to run out to a video store! | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 213 Registered: 05-2005 |
I forgot about that! I've not seen it in a while, but I have it somewhere. One of the funniest movies I've seen. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2222 Registered: 03-2006 |
Should've known someone like you was too cool not to have seen it. Not too highbrow, but pretty much my favorite movie. Sort of my own Citizen Kane/Gone With the Wind... | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 215 Registered: 05-2005 |
Aw shucks, LK! Highbrow can be a pain in the ass sometimes. You can have too much caviar, when all you were in the mood for was a cheese sandwich! | ||
| Martin Schori Member Username: Martin_s Post Number: 9 Registered: 05-2006 |
LK, I love "Surfing Magazines" as well as "German Farmhouse". I still think "Rachel Worth" is the best Go-Betweens album. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2259 Registered: 03-2006 |
Fair enough, Martin. I think FORW is a fantastic album. "Surfing Magazines" looks like it would've been a total blast to see played live. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2302 Registered: 03-2006 |
I finally got a street legal version of Intermission. I have to admit, I was skeptical, thought the cover did look uninspired, but the web graphic didn't do it justice. In reality, it's a great looking cover and package. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 718 Registered: 09-2006 |
Agreed, right down to the CD labels...the only thing one could possibly ask is for a bit of included reminiscence about the period from Sir Robert, but ah well. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2312 Registered: 03-2006 |
Ah guess he, they, just wanted to let the songs stand by themselves, let them rise or fall on their own merits... That's another thing - I was also somewhat dubious about the song choices, particularly for the Grant disc. But the more I listen the more apt, the more perfect, they seem. Both discs flow beautifully and are highly entertaining listens. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 931 Registered: 08-2006 |
I agree, LK. I play the comp more than I ever thought I would. | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 271 Registered: 05-2005 |
I personally think Intermission is as disappointing as I expected it to be. I lost track of Grant and Robert after the poor showing of 16 Lovers Lane.The WOEFULLY lacklustre singles by Grant that used to get played ad finitum on Triple J and the overtly mannered Danger in the Past convinced me that those 2 needed the competition of each other to create magic. Having said that, I am more intrigued by Grant and Roberts LAST solo albums which seem to contain the better songs on Intermission. Is the rest of those last albums as good as the representative tracks on Intermission? I find it interesting that those last tracks on Intermission seem to finally show, in both Grant and Robert, a moving away in style from "Go Betweens pastiche" that seems, to me, to have dogged their first few albums. Ironic too since "Friends.." is SUCH a true Go Betweens album. The first time I heard German Farmhouse on the radio, I thought it was some unsung b-side taken from the vaults. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 950 Registered: 10-2004 |
Wow, what an epic thread. And here I am adding to it. I've been listening to some of Grant's solo work this week, which is something I don't do very often, and I realized why: for me, personally, I find it quite patchy. I can't listen to any of his albums all the way through, and yet he's got some truly amazing gems scattered throughout. And since I was less than thrilled about Grant's half of Intermission, I thought I'd make my own personal Grant comp: Making it Right for Her Stones for You (original b-side version w/ trumpet & accordian) She's So Strange I Know What It's Like w/ out You (solo demo appended to some versions of Botany St. bootlegs) Just Get That Straight (demo version appended to Botany St.) Haunted House Broadway Bride The Day My Eyes Came Back Signs of Life Race Day Rag Open Invitation Ice in Heaven Hot Water Keep My Word Peace in the Palace Cave In Sea Breeze Lamp by Lamp Down Here For me, this is a thoroughly satisfying solo-Grant experience, and simply having this comp will make me listen to these songs a lot more. I'm not compelled to do the same for Robert, mainly because when I want to hear his solo stuff, I'm usually content to listen to Country Phone, which I thoroughly adore. And if I made a comp, most of Country Phone would be on it anyhow. |