| Author | Message | ||
     Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5136 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Replacements - Inconcerated Live (an EP only issued to US radio stations in 1989) | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5141 Registered: 05-2005 |
Material Issue - Valerie Loves Me. A lost power pop classic. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5144 Registered: 05-2005 |
We put up the Christmas tree last night and then played some Michael Buble Christmas songs (Let It Snow etc). What a voice that guy has. I got the CD free with a Sunday newspaper here a few years ago. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5145 Registered: 05-2005 |
And then we played The Pogues & Kirsty McColl's Fairytale Of New York. Best Christmas song ever. It's 25 years old this year and is being re-released this week. Maybe it will get the No 1 spot denied it in the UK by the Pet Shop Boys a quarter century ago? | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2073 Registered: 10-2008 |
And right on cue http://thequietus.com/articles/10794-sha ne-macgowan-interview | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5146 Registered: 05-2005 |
Randy, you have to read the article Kevin links to above - it's got Shane McGowan raving about Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5147 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Jaybirds - Mockingbird Time | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5149 Registered: 05-2005 |
Irish garage band September Girls. http://soundcloud.com/septembergirls | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5150 Registered: 05-2005 |
Seti The First - La Bassinette Noir http://setithefirst.bandcamp.com/album/m elting-cavalry (also Irish) | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5151 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sfumato - Fly To Me http://sfumato.bandcamp.com/album/these- things-between-album (more Irish goodness) | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5152 Registered: 05-2005 |
Girls Names - The New Life (from Belfast - congratulations if you've spotted a theme here) http://soundcloud.com/slumberland-record s/girls-names-the-new-life | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5153 Registered: 05-2005 |
Burrows - In Winter (from Waterford) http://burrowsinwinter.bandcamp.com/albu m/in-winter | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5154 Registered: 05-2005 |
From Dublin, Cheer Up Charlie Brown by Mumblin Deaf Ro http://mumblindeafro.bandcamp.com/album/ dictionary-crimes | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5156 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kevin, did you get PIL's Reggie Song / Out Of The Woods EP? It's fantastic. The two main songs are the same as the album versions, but there are also five great live songs on the EP. http://www.pilofficial.com/reggieouthewo ods.html | ||
| Lewisdhead Member Username: Lewisdhead Post Number: 93 Registered: 01-2007 |
@Padraig. Where did you come accross this?? I may have posted about this album (Burrows) here previously, maybe not. Just curious as to how you discovered them. I'm from Waterford myself. Bought it on vinyl way back. | ||
| Lewisdhead Member Username: Lewisdhead Post Number: 94 Registered: 01-2007 |
Another couple of artists from Waterford worth checking are Deaf Joe http://www.deafjoe.com/ and Katie Kim http://katiekim.bandcamp.com/. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2075 Registered: 10-2008 |
Padraig, I didnt even know the EP had been released. I would have thought BBC6 might have played it, but so far they havent, as far as I know anyway. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 772 Registered: 04-2005 |
The Dave Brubeck Quartet "Live at Carnegie Hall" RIP Mr Brubeck | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5160 Registered: 05-2005 |
Lewis, a friend in Dublin (who if from Cork) sent me all those links. I'd never heard of any of them prior to that. I'm going to The Waterboys in Sydney next month. Hopefully Katie Kim is playing with them. Are her parents Korean? | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5163 Registered: 05-2005 |
Winter People - A Year At Sea. From Sydney, they sound like Luke Steele of The Sleepy Jackson fronting Augie March, with a touch of The Triffids, The Go-Betweens and Bob Dylan. If this sounds like a poor mix, then I'm not doing it justice. It's a superb debut. Randy, check them out. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5166 Registered: 05-2005 |
There is also a Panics influence on Winter People. That, along with Augie March and The Triffids makes them sound more like a Perth band than a Sydney band. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5167 Registered: 05-2005 |
Wire - Red Barked Tree | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 2267 Registered: 09-2006 |
Coincidence (well, the amount of Wire that gets listened to around here, not even that coincidental) Wire - Send Ultimate One of the few deluxes that lives up to its name. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 2269 Registered: 09-2006 |
Yo La Tengo - Fade | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 2273 Registered: 09-2006 |
Quite liking the new Yo La - it's pastoral-leaning, but I love Summer Sun, so I'm fine with that. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 2480 Registered: 01-2005 |
I finally got my double disc reissue of Hats from amazon.UK, I'll be playing it later on today. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2087 Registered: 10-2008 |
The three albums that Ty Segall released this year are all brilliant. Pure garage rock, like a more tuneful early Nirvana as well. Easily my artist of the year. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5175 Registered: 05-2005 |
Bobby Womack - The Bravest Man In The Universe | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 712 Registered: 10-2006 |
This, at the moment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQzktaWy lZI&list=FLUjtIKrfy-BkucB3tJy2M8g&index= 3&feature=plpp_video Is there no technique for downloading tunes from Youtube? I'd love to have this on a disc. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3106 Registered: 03-2005 |
Red Lorry Yellow Lorry -- Talk About the Weather This is Cherry Red's reissue in the "Goth Collector Series." I first bought a RLYL release ("Smashed Hits") back in the 1980s just because I liked the cover art and I wanted to see what they sounded like. I thought "Smashed Hits" was great and bought two subsequent albums. I never had a clue they were Goth. The Goth thing totally passed me by. I was too old by then. And I never knew about "Talk About the Weather." It's sounding very good so far . . . . Now if I can find a copy of "Paint Your Wagon" on CD for less than a fortune. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5182 Registered: 05-2005 |
Clinic - I'm Aware | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5193 Registered: 05-2005 |
Alejandro Escovedo - Big Station. There is more brass than I've ever noticed on his record before, but it's well used. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5197 Registered: 05-2005 |
The xx - Coexist | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5198 Registered: 05-2005 |
Dinosaur Jr - Black Betty (bonus track on the Japanese version of I Bet On Sky) | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5199 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Laurels - Plains. I know the producer (I used to work with his girlfriend). | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5202 Registered: 05-2005 |
Frank Ocean - Nostalgia/ultra | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5210 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Afghan Whigs - Lovecrime. (A brilliant Frank Ocean cover, which I'm pretty sure Kevin tipped me off about in the first place! Oh, the irony). | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2106 Registered: 10-2008 |
I just played Think About You from his album on Spotify. Its unspeakably bad. And for anybody who objects to this opinion, just ask yourself were you one of the many on here who trashed Joanna Newsome and Mumford and Sons in a more vitriolic fashion than I did to old Frankie Boy :-) You probably were, or were thinking it at least!! Frank Ocean is No2 Pitchfork album of the year btw. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2107 Registered: 10-2008 |
Oh and Padraig, just to be clear, I tipped you off to a new Afghan Whigs song, not the fact that they were covering Frank Ocean. I had never heard of him at that point, and still haven't heard his version of the song. Dulli has previous for this type of thing, I saw perform Crazy by Gnarls Barkley at a live solo gig he did just as that song was going mega. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2108 Registered: 10-2008 |
Japandroids - Celebration Rock. Not played this for a while, still sounds raucous and tuneful at the same time, never a bad thing. Done quite well in the end of year polls as well I see. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5211 Registered: 05-2005 |
I was making a little gag Kevin. I know you didn't mention it was a Frank Ocean cover. I hadn't heard the original myself at that point. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 720 Registered: 10-2006 |
But skulld, how can you ignore the dazzling brilliance of the lyrics? I mean: I'm thinking 'bout you (Ooh no, no, no) I've been thinking 'bout you (You know, know, know) I've been thinking 'bout you Do you think about me still? Do ya, do ya? Or do you not think so far ahead Cause I been thinking bout forever, ooh Or do you not think so far ahead Cause I been thinking 'bout forever, oohExplain Pure poetry. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2111 Registered: 10-2008 |
Yep, he's no Prince. Oh hang on, his lyrics could be a bit shit as well! (Sign of The Times excepted of course) | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5213 Registered: 05-2005 |
Gary Clark Jr - The Bright Lights EP | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5215 Registered: 05-2005 |
Razor Ball - Razor Ball. I picked it up for $5 in JB Hi-fi's bargain bin on the basis of Reeves Gabrels playing on it. Hmm, I think my brother might be getting this for his birthday. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5220 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Nits - Ting. I suspect that only Hugh also owns this album. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5221 Registered: 05-2005 |
Cathal Coughlan - Grand Necropolitan. What an album. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 474 Registered: 03-2007 |
Padraig, they are an amazing band in my opinion. I own copies of all of their albums with the exception of Malpensa which I hope to pick up shortly. I have been playing 'Strawberry Wood' a lot recently. Currently listening to the back catalogue of Humbert Humbert ( a Japanese duo.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rbgFVpD6 uY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oPQJHoYq xE | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3107 Registered: 03-2005 |
Thank you both for reminding me of the Nits. I have only one of their zillions of albums ("Doing the Dishes"). Listening to it now, it sounds like "The Great Caruso" is a big nod to Bashung's "Osez Josephine." Into the iTunes library . . . . | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5225 Registered: 05-2005 |
A radio program from Ireland (RTE Radio 1) playing beautiful choral Christmas songs. Gotta love the internet (and the iPhone which makes it all so easy). | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 475 Registered: 03-2007 |
Randy, For me, their peak years were 1987 to 1990. Start with 'In The Dutch Mountains' and work forward. Henk Hofstede is a superb songwriter and Rob Kloet is an incredible drummer/percussionist. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_hHzd5Uo 1o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDXMRPK1a Kk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BekFPPEST YE | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 476 Registered: 03-2007 |
He has someone helping him out on this track / video but Kloet is such an integral part of the the band's sound. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc6o7L4zG WU | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 477 Registered: 03-2007 |
Sorry if I am overdoing it but, in my humble opinion, this band should be far better known. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M-oySJC7 qE Randy, I still don't have anything by Bashung but plan to rectify that in the new year. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5227 Registered: 05-2005 |
My favourite Nits song (possibly because it was the first one I heard) is The Train, which in on the 1988 mini-album Hat. I first heard in at the end of a Pixies bootleg in 1991! It took ages to identify what the stray song was (pre-internet). | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5228 Registered: 05-2005 |
Mojo Festive Fifteen Christmas CD from a year ago. R.E.M., Chuck Berry, Superchunk, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Hannah Peel And Tunng, Sea Of Bees, The Free Design, The Flaming Lips, Sufjan Stevens, Richard Hawley, Joe Tex, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Irma Thomas, Marc Almond with the Rossiya Folk Orchestra and Tony Christie. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5230 Registered: 05-2005 |
Actually, that disc is two years old. It came free with Mojo's Christmas 2010 edition. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5240 Registered: 05-2005 |
Gary Clark Jr - The Bright Lights EP . I rarely like modern blues, but Clark sounds like he's from the glory days many decades ago. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 5257 Registered: 05-2005 |
BMX Bandits - "Theme Park" | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 722 Registered: 10-2006 |
Bashung's one case where starting with the early stuff really isn't such a good idea, Hugh! Otherwise you might give up quite soon...I see Randy's even got his Chloe Mons collaboration on the Song of Songs! Any good, Randy? | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 478 Registered: 03-2007 |
Stuart, I placed orders for Osez Josephine, Fantaisie Militaire, Bleu Petrole and L'imprudence on Christmas Day based mainly on Randy's recommendation and have since ordered a copy of Chatterton which does not appear to be as well regarded as the other four titles. Fantaisie Militaire is the only one to have arrived so far. I like it a lot. Currently listening to :- Michael Moller - A Month Of Unrequited Love. The songs ( 31 in total ) were originally released as digital downloads during the month of May, 2011 ( one per day.) Demand for a proper release led to the idea of 'crowdfunding' the production / release of an album. Moller is a member of the Danish band Moi Caprice. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 725 Registered: 10-2006 |
FM is maybe his masterpiece, Hugh, where all his years of gigging and frustration and nuts and bolt songwriting for others and lyrical pedantry suddenly coalesced around a truly modern sound into something boomingly marvellous.I like Chatterton a lot, too. BP is a lovely swansong. L'imprudence is...er, I'll leave you to make your own mind up about that one! | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 479 Registered: 03-2007 |
Randy did say that L'imprudence was definitely more demanding than his other recommendations and that he would never direct someone there as a starting point but I decided to go for it in any case. I suspect I will be looking for recommendations for a few more Bashung titles in the not too distant future. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 726 Registered: 10-2006 |
I fell in love with him as an artist almost immediately, in that wonderful way that sometimes happens when someone seems to go straight to your heart in the directest way possible: it's happened just a few times in music for me, the Smiths, the GBs, Focus, the VU... | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3110 Registered: 03-2005 |
Hugh, "Chatterton" was going to be in the next list I'd recommend if you found that you liked what you got in your first list. I think it's pretty good album. I don't really associate you with synth type music but if you can hack that sort of thing "Novice" is another significant road marker. And "Play Blessures" is where it starts, in 1983. But it's kind of like "L'Imprudence" without orchestration; it's very spikey and challenging to the listener. It's superb. For 1983 it's just way out there. "Fantasie Militaire" is the best one to start with. I think it was Les Inrockuptibles that rated "Osez Josephine" the highest but I would not. It's too specific in terms of its musical objective and personally I omit close to half of its tracks but the remaining ones are lovely. Stuart, the one I have with Chloe Mons consists of one lengthy spoken word piece (with musical backing). Knowing French is essential here, and I don't. I'm guessing the song they did at l'Olympia was recorded by them and I think there's another title of theirs so I'll be hunting it up. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 727 Registered: 10-2006 |
Storming live version of one of my favourite songs from Play Blessures. Best played extremely loud. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCh_m3OOo Do | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 480 Registered: 03-2007 |
Stuart, I know exactly what you mean. I have a substantial record collection but there are only a few artists / bands who hit me in that way on first listen and I invariably continue to purchase their releases, without hesitation, to this day. If you are not familiar with The Nits then I suggest you give them a listen ( I can help out if need be.) I made a mistake in an earlier thread entry when I said that their peak years were between 1987 and 1990. I meant to say 1987 to 2000. They started life as a new wave band ( influenced by the likes of XTC and Talking Heads ) but by the time of 'In The Dutch Mountains' which was released in 1987 they had a distinctly European sound. They do not sound anything like Alain Bashung or Dominique A but I think they share a lot of the same musical influences. I have fired off an e-mail to All Your Music ( Amazon MarketPlace Seller ) who are advertising 'Play Blessures - Volume 3' for sale. I think it is probably the latest release of the album ( 2009 ) but I want to be sure before placing an order. Randy, you are spot on as usual. I am not usually a fan of keyboard / synth type bands but there are always exceptions to any rule. The Nits are predominantly a keyboard / synth band but the quality of their songwriting and arrangements raises them to another level in my opinion. It is always difficult figuring out exactly what might appeal to other people which is probably why some of us get it wrong so often. :-) | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3111 Registered: 03-2005 |
That's terrific, Stuart. From what appears to be the same show there's "Bijou Bijou," an astonishing reinterpretation of one of his oldest numbers. Here's a pretty straightforward live performance of what is probably my favorite song on "Chatterton," clearly from a later show. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No0Uynp9v OI | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3112 Registered: 03-2005 |
And now onto tonight's new arrival in the mail slot: The North Sea Scrolls If I had access to a Vauxhall Astra, I'd hop in and pop this in the stereo and drive around town. And no, some crappy Chevrolet will not suffice. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3113 Registered: 03-2005 |
I know I'm just killing it with Bashung vids, but here's a 2004 TV performance of another number from "Chatterton," another of his Dylanesque ones . . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHcR1fu2o 1k The guy playing bottleneck also plays on the great 2008 L'Olympia shows. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 728 Registered: 10-2006 |
That version of J'passe is from the Tournee des grands espaces DVD, Randy,filmed at the Bataclan 2003, which I very generously gifted to myself for Christmas...the smokey, swirling fag he leaves on the stool to filter through the air here is chillingly prophetic. There's an amazing scene at the coda of one song where he hunches up growling over the microphone, spilling a slow mingle of spit and sweat into it in a bizarre, fascinating way. One of a kind, that guy. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 729 Registered: 10-2006 |
Just watching the M Boude vid again and wondering about drummers in general, as a complete non-musician: isn't it just incredibly exhausting? I'd imagine needing a half-hour rest after playing through that song, but, skinny wee guy that he seems, he'll just go straight into the next one I imagine: so is drumming less tiring than it looks? | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 730 Registered: 10-2006 |
Hugh, I see there's a 3 for 1 CD Nits issue including Omsk, Dutch Mountains & Henk/kilo: a good place to start? | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 481 Registered: 03-2007 |
Stuart, if you are referring to the Original Album Classics by The Nits then it is actually three album ( Omsk; Henk; In The Dutch Mountains ) plus a six track mini album ( Kilo ) spread across three discs ( Henk / Kilo combined on one single disc.) It is a good buy at the price but if you think you might want to pick up additional titles at a later date then I would seriously consider the ten disc Soap Bubble Box Set ( Omsk; Henk / Kilo; Adieu Sweet Bahnhof; In The Dutch Mountains; Urk - Two Disc Set; Giant Normal Dwarf; Ting; Les Nuits; Doing The Dishes.) It can be purchased directly from the band for €35.00 plus shipping which is a steal. Urk is an amazing two disc live set. http://www.nits.nl/shop | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 731 Registered: 10-2006 |
You sure you haven't been hired directly by the band, Hugh? | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 482 Registered: 03-2007 |
Nah, I just love promoting bands I really like to others. Ask Randy. I inundate him with recommendations all the time. :-) | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2121 Registered: 10-2008 |
Just listening to Wool by The Nuts on Spotify- the only album they have on there. Released in Hugh's cut off year of 2000. First impression is it sounds very "easy listening", which is not meant as an insult! Maybe laid back is another term to use. They sound extremely "English" for a Dutch group. Also not much sign of synths, but that was maybe their early sound? Is this one I should persevere with, or is it one to be avoided? | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2122 Registered: 10-2008 |
That should be The Nits of course, not The Nuts!! | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 1029 Registered: 04-2006 |
I will go out on a limb and say that The Nits aren't Kevin's cup of tea, or am I wrong? | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 732 Registered: 10-2006 |
Sometimes you'd think even the GBs aren't really Kevin's cup of tea, so it's hard to know where the dice will fall...er, in the tea... or not...I'd reckon the Nits lack that necessary skulld edge, but they qualify under the Forsterian category of 'melodic rock'. They do sound English... the singer has even learned that very English 'absent r' tagged on before words with vowels! (like, I sor Amanda yesterday, lookin' great!) | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 1030 Registered: 04-2006 |
That's true, Stuart. I think that The Nits are too ''polished'' in Kevin's ears (lack of that skulld edge as you said). To be true, I never really get really warm with The Nits (in whole, even when I like the one or other song) and I transferred my opinion on Kevin. Just because I I think I have a lot in common with Kevin -musically-, even when I often have to shake my head in disbelief regarding some music he likes :-). | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 483 Registered: 03-2007 |
Kevin, they may sing in English but I am not sure I agree with your observation that they sound extremely 'English' or that the music is 'easy listening.' For me, 'Wool' has a jazzy feel with little hints of the far east on at least one track ( Angel Of Happy Hour.) The lineup on the album was Henk Hofstede - Vocal, Keyboards; Rob Kloet - Drums, Percussion; Arwen Linnemann - Electric Standup Bass; Laetetia Krieken - Keyboards, Vocals, so I am guessing that most of the sounds you hear on same were played on keyboards / synths. Robert Jan Stips ( the main keyboard player ) left the band after the release of 'Da Da Da' in 1995 and did not return until the release of '1974' in 2003. The band released three albums during his absence ( Nest; Alankomaat; Wool.) Their style has varied considerably over the years and each album release has tended to differ considerably from its predecessor. My best guess is that they are probably not for you ( i.e. avoid.) | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 1033 Registered: 04-2006 |
Hugh, your right. The Nits are not easy listening. I often thought that The Nits must be a band I like. Despite the fact they make interesting music I always felt ''dissapointed'' when I listened to their music. But that is the interesting thing upon music. We all have a lot in common (regarding our musically taste), but sometimes it doesn't fit. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2123 Registered: 10-2008 |
Stuart, you are right in one respect regarding the Go-Betweens, I haven't really liked anything they did after Tallulah with the same passion that I did for the stuff that came before and up to Tallulah. That's not to say I still didnt enjoy a lot of stuff that they did as a band after that, I did. The Go-Betweens were possibly my favourite band during the mid 80's and this was at a time when they were competing with REM, The Smiths and New Order for my affections. I still have a massive soft spot for the band, I just dont rate anything they did after Tallulah as highly as I did the earlier stuff. However RF's solo stuff is by far my favourite GB's related stuff with the exception of Before Hollywood, Spring Hill Fair and Liberty Belle, I think every solo album he has done is a minor classic! Hugh, Wool is my only exposure to The Nits, and I had only heard half the album at the time of my post which was why I was asking for advice on whether this album was representative of their output, or if I should look to some other albums because at that point they weren't doing that much for me. Looks like you answered that by saying that their style varied considerably. I guess I should perhaps try to track down the Talking Heads-ey sounding stuff, any pointers there? I have a hunch that I will like at least some of the output by this band, just by what I have heard you guys say on here, and info I have gleaned from the internet. I still think that on what I heard they sounded very English! | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2124 Registered: 10-2008 |
This might be of interest. http://pitchfork.com/news/49042-captured -tracks-and-flying-nun-partner-for-expan sive-reissue-series/ | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 484 Registered: 03-2007 |
Kevin, I believe Henk Hofstede was the person who said in an interview that Talking Heads and XTC were big influences on the band when they started out. I am not familiar with early Talking Heads / XTC so I am not in a position to say if The Nits 'sounded' anything like either of those two bands back then. The one musical influence I do pick up from time to time in their early releases is that of The Beatles. I know what you think of them which is one of the reasons I am not convinced that The Nits will work for you. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2125 Registered: 10-2008 |
Hugh, as long as they don't sound like Oasis it might be ok! I don't know whether to be surprised or impressed at your non familiarity with Talking Heads/XTC! Thanks for sending the samples of some Nits songs. I am on 12 hour nighshifts just now so wont get a chance to properly listen till Monday or Tuesday. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 485 Registered: 03-2007 |
Kevin, I am not a fan of Oasis so hopefully you will be okay. :-) As I have mentioned in this forum in the past, the majority of the music released by major American / UK labels in the late 1970s / early 1980s holds no appeal for me and while I was 'aware' of Talking Heads / XTC, nothing that they put out during those early years made me want to rush out and buy an album. Most of music I purchased during that period was by Australian and New Zealand artists / bands ( Flying Nun in particular.) Ordering from overseas is not a problem today but, back then, if you were ordering from small independent labels, you invariably had to send cash in envelopes and it could take several weeks, if not several months, to complete a single transaction. I have vinyl copies of 'Remain In Light; Little Creatures; True Stories' by Talking Heads but nothing on cd. I have vinyl copies of 'Mummer; Skylarking; The Big Express; The Mayor of Simnpleton ( 12 inch ) and cd copies of 'Oranges & Lemons; The Big Express; Skylarking; Nonsuch; Apple Box' but, while I really like several tracks by the band, the albums have never really worked for me. Have a listen to the songs I sent and, if you want to hear more, please feel free to get back in touch. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2126 Registered: 10-2008 |
Thanks Hugh, will listen and let you know. I guess you wont find any surprises in the Flying Nun link I posted above as I suppose you will have it all and loads more besides? | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3115 Registered: 03-2005 |
The only surprise I found in the link was "damn! Vinyl." | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3116 Registered: 03-2005 |
I have a few more Talking Heads releases than does Hugh but I also bailed with "True Stories." While putting together my new iPod's database I thought I'd try a TH album since I hadn't played any of them in probably two decades. So I pulled out "Fear of Music." I remember liking it. I loaded it onto the computer and then started listening to each song. I deleted every single track. I couldn't even find one track that I'd want to hear today. I imagine that at least a few tracks from "Remain in Light" and "Speaking in Tongues" would survive such a test but I haven't felt like doing it. I still have a bunch of other folks I know I like--such as the Wipers--to audit and install. XTC will fare better with me, but they also had a tendency to do what sounds to my 2013 ears as novelty music. So much of what we heard on the radio in the '80s in the U.S. was novelty music. It hasn't aged well. I have a LOT of '80s music that I've loaded onto the computer. Virtually none of it received any airplay in Los Angeles when it was new. Aside from people I found on my own such as the Fall, Magazine, Nick Cave and Cocteau Twins, I had to learn about a lot of the '80s music I listen to now long after the fact, frequently from people on this board. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 486 Registered: 03-2007 |
Kevin, I don't own copies of everything Flying Nun released from the early 1980s through to the mid 1990s as there were several artists / bands whose music did not particularly appeal to me. My favourite artists / bands on the label back then were Able Tasmans; The Bats; The Bird Nest Roys; The Chills; The Clean; Headless Chickens; Jean-Paul Sartre Experience; Look Blue Go Purple; Sneaky Feelings; Straitjacket Fits; Tall Dwarfs; The Verlaines. I already have the majority of their releases on vinyl and/or cd but I will not rule out the possibility of finding something of interest in among the Captured Tracks re-issues. Randy, the Captured Tracks website states that they are planning to re-issue the Flying Nun back catalogue on all formats ( second paragraph.) http://capturedtracks.com/news/flying-nu n-to-partner-with-captured-tracks/ | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 2485 Registered: 01-2005 |
Cat Power - The Greatest Jesus Jones - Doubt | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2127 Registered: 10-2008 |
Hugh, I think I might dip in to some of this Captured Tracks stuff as it gets released. I did buy vinyl albums by the likes of The Clean and Straightjacket Fits back in the 80's but they were sold in the totally misguided "vinyl purge" that I had in the early 90's. Looking back I sold a treasure trove of stuff. Amongst the stupidest things I have ever done! | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 650 Registered: 05-2005 |
WTF! Talking Heads unlistenable? XTC novelty music? These are brilliant and important bands, hugely influential to and a lot better than almost all the bands that have followed in their stylistic and sonic footprints and become lauded in the process. Don't think many (or any) of this years top ten coolest/best will stand up as well in 30-35 years time | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 487 Registered: 03-2007 |
Cosmo, They may well be brilliant / important / hugely influential bands to you but, with the exception of a few tracks, neither of them has ever really appealed to me. I don't know who you are referring to but I am guessing that the majority of the groups who followed in their 'stylistic and sonic footprints' probably did nothing for me either. As Andreas mentioned earlier in the thread, we may all have a lot in common musically on this board but 'sometimes it doesn't fit. I will take The Nits over Talking Heads / XTC any day but I do accept that not everyone will share my opinion. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 488 Registered: 03-2007 |
Kevin, I have never been tempted to dispose of my vinyl collection even although I have probably not listened to any of it for over 20 years ( I no longer have a functioning turntable.) My cd collection is now three times as large as my record collection so, needless to say, storage is a bit of a problem. A lot of the early Flying Nun titles have been out of print for many years so the news that Captured Tracks are about to reissue them is to be welcomed. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2128 Registered: 10-2008 |
Must admit I love Talking Heads up to Remain in Light ,after that I didnt feel they reached the same standards again, although their records were still well above average compared to what lots of other bands were releasing at the time. Fear of Music is a solid gold classic, and I love the first album for its jerky new wave enthusiasm. Talking Heads were probably also the last band that Brian Eno collaberated with that produced anything interesting! I loved early XTC at the time and bought the albums as they were released. I tried listening to these records a few years ago and must admit they didnt hold up really well imo. Thats probably more to do with me than the quality of the records mind you! | ||
| David Gagen Member Username: David_g Post Number: 417 Registered: 02-2007 |
Interesting discussion. 2 of my fav bands of all time were/are Talking Heads and XTC. Agree TH patchy after Remain In Light. More Songs About Building & Food a classic that not often mentioned imho. Hear influence in early GBs. Still listen to XTC regularly. Early XTC a kind of new wave pop, and later Apple Venus renaissance. Agree with Cosmo, half a dozen of these albums better than anything I heard this year but thanks to this board I am starting to broaden my horizons. Also Happy New Year to everyone. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2129 Registered: 10-2008 |
I've always thought that Talking Heads were a big influence on Robert Forster in particular. Just listen to" Ask" off Before Hollywood, that is a clear homage. | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 651 Registered: 05-2005 |
Fair play to you Hugh, we all have our favourites, I consider The Soundtrack of Our Lives to be one of the greatest rock bands ever but realise that I would appear to be in a minority. I respect your (and Randy's opinion) I think I was just surprised to see those bands so casually dismissed. It isnt just me that considers them brilliant / important / hugely influential, they are widely acknowledged as such by bands and music writers. I listened to all the Nits I could find on spotify (Wool) and they sounded perfectly pleasant to me | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 652 Registered: 05-2005 |
I should have said 'by many bands and music writers' | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3117 Registered: 03-2005 |
Agreed, Cosmo. I was honestly surprised by my response to "Fear of Music." I've tried to figure out what it is that makes TH fall flat for me now, particularly in light of their influence on Robert Forster (which I agree with). My quickie guess is that I find no actual emotional content to David Byrne's songs. I don't think anyone would say that Robert's songs lack emotional content. But there are plenty of other music people I enjoy who don't really offer much in the way of emotional content. It's always a losing game to try to rationalize my musical tastes. They just are. XTC will fare better with me because they're from the U.K. and thus can at least bring a little bit of exoticism for me. They were always terrific musical craftsmen. I'm amused that Kevin ever liked them because XTC is definitely a band I would characterize as "Beatlesque." So much of their music grows from 1966-vintage Beatles as a starting point. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2130 Registered: 10-2008 |
XTC like The Beatles Randy? I can only assume that crept in to their albums they released after Drums and Wires which is basically where I jumped off. Up till then they were basically a jerky angular new wave act to my ears. Although as has been said on here many times isnt everybody in the rock and pop field influenced by The Beatles, whether they like it or not, and whether they admit it or not? Back in the mists of time when I first posted about my dislike of The Beatles I admitted I had never heard a Beatles album, the closest I got was when a friend did me a CD-R copy of Revolver. I think I lasted to track 6 or 7, it just did nothing for me. I guess you might say well how do you know you don't like them? Well given the blanket radio play they got you couldn't escape them from the mid to late 60's all through the 70's when I was growing up, so I think I have heard enough to know they weren't my bag. To try and qualify that I have never heard a note played on any album by The Grateful Dead, and to this day to the best of my knowledge I haven't even heard a song of theirs on the radio so I have absolutely no idea what they sound like apart from what I have read their music described as. So I would never say I disliked them, I couldn't do that because I can't base it on anything I've heard. So, anyway, for all I know maybe Statue of Liberty, This Is Pop, Are You Receiving Me, and Meccanik Dancing are total rip offs from The White Album! | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 653 Registered: 05-2005 |
Time won't change you Money won't change you I haven't got the faintest idea Everything seems to be up in the air at this time I need something to change your mind Drugs won't change you Religion won't change you Science won't change you Looks like I can't change you I try to talk to you, to make things clear but you're not even listening to me... And it comes directly from my heart to you... I need something to change your mind. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2132 Registered: 10-2008 |
I still don't know what I was waiting for And my time was running wild A million dead-end streets Every time I thought I'd got it made It seemed the taste was not so sweet So I turned myself to face me But I've never caught a glimpse Of how the others must see the faker I'm much too fast to take that test Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strain) Ch-ch-Changes Don't want to be a richer man Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strain) Ch-ch-Changes Just gonna have to be a different man Time may change me But I can't trace time I watch the ripples change their size But never leave the stream Of warm impermanence and So the days float through my eyes But still the days seem the same And these children that you spit on As they try to change their worlds Are immune to your consultations They're quite aware of what they're going through Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strain) Ch-ch-Changes Don't tell t hem to grow up and out of it Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strain) Ch-ch-Changes Where's your shame You've left us up to our necks in it Time may change me But you can't trace time Strange fascination, fascinating me Changes are taking the pace I'm going through Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strain) Ch-ch-Changes Oh, look out you rock 'n rollers Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Turn and face the strain) Ch-ch-Changes Pretty soon you're gonna get a little older Time may change me But I can't trace time I said that time may change me But I can't trace time | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 489 Registered: 03-2007 |
Cosmo, I apologise if I came across as dismissing Talking Heads / XTC. That was not my intention. I gave up trying to work out why some artists / bands appeal to me while other leave me cold a long, long time ago. As an example, I really don't have a lot of time for keyboard / synth dominated bands so I probably shouldn't like The Nits. I don't just like them. I adore them. Their style has varied considerably over the years so 'Wool' is not particularly representative of their music. They are certainly not edgy and nor do they rock out often but 'perfectly pleasant' might just be a little harsh. ; -) I like The Soundtrack Of Our Lives but probably not as much as you do. I am more of a folk / pop fan than a rock fan and always have been. I do, however, have several of their their albums as well as titles by Union Carbide Productions and Bjorn Olsson. | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 654 Registered: 05-2005 |
Hugh, I never meant to damn the Nits with faint praise, I actually meant perfectly pleasant as a positive, I liked some of Wool and didn't dislike any of it. I t lacked an edge for me though, will definitely listen to some earlier stuff with receptive ears and attitude on your recommendation | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 490 Registered: 03-2007 |
Cosmo, I know. I was jesting. Pulled out and listened to a couple of T.S.O.O.L. albums yesterday afternoon. Currently listening to:- Alain Bashung - L'imprudence Next up ( when I can find the time ) will be Blue Petrole, Osez Josephine and Chatterton by Alain Bashung and a few more T.S.O.O.L. titles. | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 655 Registered: 05-2005 |
Hugh, I have been sessioning TSOOL on long car journeys and falling in love with the first two albums, Extended Revelation (for the Psychic Weaklings of Western Civilisation) is sounding f***ing great and Welcome to the Infant Freebase has revealed hitherto undiscovered charms in some of the less obvious tracks. Words can barely describe my love for this band. | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 656 Registered: 05-2005 |
Broadcast - Berberian Sound Studio Yo La Tengo- Fade Tony Joe White - Tony Joe | ||
| Lewisdhead Member Username: Lewisdhead Post Number: 95 Registered: 01-2007 |
Jim James-Regions Of Light And Sound Of God Rachel Zeffira-The Deserters The XX-Coexist The Blue Nile-Hats Julia Holter-Ekstasis Willy Mason-Carry On Allah Las-Allah Las Lightships-Electric Cables Family Of The Year-Loma Vista I Was A King-You Love It Here Bill Fay-Life Is People Ty Segall-Twins | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2135 Registered: 10-2008 |
Various albums by The Nits, many thanks to Hugh. Most of this stuff is so far removed from "Wool" as to be a totally different band altogether. And yes it may lack the apparent "edge" of some(but not all!)of the music that I enjoy, but this is more than made up for by the wonderful arrangements, and seemingly endless capacity for churning out melodic, tuneful songs, some of which lodge in the brain after a mere two listens. And while it would be a stretch to call it weird, the album Henk sounds more eccentric, and off kilter, compared to lots of the other stuff I have now heard by this band. | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2137 Registered: 10-2008 |
Various Husker Du and Replacements songs after watching the film Adventureland - not a great film, certainly watchable, but very good soundtrack. Lou Reed being name dropped all throughout the film. | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 658 Registered: 05-2005 |
XTC - English Settlement XTC - Skylarking both these albums are brilliant, full of great songs, riffs, lyrics and English woozy psych (in the case of Skylarking) | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2138 Registered: 10-2008 |
Yo La Tengo - Fade Loved this passage from the review in Dusted "the three members — Ira Kaplan, Georgia Hubley and James McNew — are pretty much where they’ve always been, in the jangly, drone-y corner of Hoboken where The Feelies, Flying Nun, The Velvet Underground and Galaxie 500 all hang out together." http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/75 23 | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 659 Registered: 05-2005 |
Dutch Uncles and Everything Everything new albums Dutch Uncles is good although I am missing the guitars which are largely absent or background texture, they sound like they would now rather be Tears for Fears than XTC/King Crimson. Everything Everything is bloody awful, they have managed to turn in to Coldplay in less than an album and a half. Having said that there were only two songs on the first album which I thought were good and the rest of it was bland. My mate Mad Paul said 'once you've been on Later music's just a graph for new bands', I think I know what he means, EE are obviously working for a boring stadium noise but pretending we are arty assault on the market | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 741 Registered: 10-2006 |
Dominique A - L'horizon I've got to say that considering how prolific he is this guy maintains a very high level of quality throughout his work - there's almost nothing of his I'd willingly skip or part with. This is another beautiful album, good to hear the acoustic guitar right up front for a change, with lots of subtle brass business going on behind. Rue de Marais is a lovely, melancholy ballad. | ||
| cosmo vitelli Member Username: Cosmo Post Number: 660 Registered: 05-2005 |
Mark Hollis - Mark Hollis | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 744 Registered: 10-2006 |
George Harrison - All things must pass When I lived in Spain, in my spare time I used to follow an old pilgrim's path through the hills, finally arriving at the massive rocky structure of Montserrat, pushing like a huge bare-knuckled fist into the air. That's what it's been like trolling through the later albums of George Harrison to finally arrive at All Things - a huge, horizon-filling, artist-defining masterpiece. Utterly stunning. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 777 Registered: 04-2005 |
Can - Tago Mago Must confess to having never really listened to Can. But then my son bought this CD. Frankly stunning. Quite what this must have sounded like at the time of release, goodness knows. It sounds pretty wild even now. That drummer ! | ||
| skulldisco Member Username: Skulldisco Post Number: 2140 Registered: 10-2008 |
Mushroom, from Tago Mago is astonishing. Quite possibly one of the best drumming performances ever recorded. And where the drummer from A Certain Ratio learned every trick in his limited book. |