| Author | Message | ||
     jerry hann Member Username: Jerry_h Post Number: 35 Registered: 07-2005 |
I saw in the Christmas edition of MOJO magazine in the artist recommendations of " best I've heard all year" that Robert recommended Smog.Any one any opinions on Smog? I've not got the album but tempted. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 49 Registered: 05-2005 |
Smog are a decent band Jerry. Vocalist Bill Callachan has a deep melancholly voice, quite similar to a young Willie Nelson. I would not think this album is a good intro to Smog - I would go for Knock Knock from 1999 | ||
| abigail law Member Username: Abigail Post Number: 20 Registered: 06-2005 |
i had a couple of their albums in the ninities Red Apple Falls & Knock Knock i think. Nice sad/sweet songs, dark and gothiky but nothing special. i believe cat power sung some backing vocals and was going out with the lead singer at the time. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 50 Registered: 05-2005 |
abigail - regarding the quality of Knock Knock : - this may be the first time I have ever disagreed with anything you have written o  | ||
| M.J.L. Member Username: Mjl Post Number: 27 Registered: 09-2005 |
Jerry, 'Knock Knock' is a fine introduction to (Smog). It's Callahan deep in a purple patch - literary, beautifully stark, not overly droll, sad with a poker face and Velvets guitar tone. I like it a whole lot more than 'A River Ain't Too Much To Love,' even though the latter is a pretty good album. There's a four song EP called 'Kicking a Couple Around' which is stunning, and would also make a great introduction. Rich, deep vocals, lyrics terse and loaded with meaning. I recommend "I Break Horses," the EP's third track, as a beautiful initial port of call. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 51 Registered: 05-2005 |
jerry - check out this link http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:6ku67ur0o0j3 | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 108 Registered: 05-2005 |
Dongs Of Sevotion is a great album also, up there with Knock Knock. I even like the title, though at the time I just thought it was stupid. Dress Sexy At My Funeral is hilarious. I have to dig that our and play it again. The Doctor Came At Dawn is also a great record. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 109 Registered: 05-2005 |
Dongs Of Sevotion is a great album also, up there with Knock Knock. Dress Sexy At My Funeral is hilarious. I have to dig that out and play it again. The Doctor Came At Dawn is also a great record. All Your Women Things is a great break-up song; if a little creepy. OK, a lot creepy. | ||
| Peter Collins Member Username: Tyroneshoelaces Post Number: 43 Registered: 05-2005 |
I would also recommend Dongs of Sevotion and Knock Knock. You do have to be in the mood a bit, but fine nevertheless. | ||
| Guy Ewald Member Username: Guy_ewald Post Number: 68 Registered: 02-2005 |
I have to chime in with a recommendation for Knock Knock, although I haven't heard all of his stuff. KK has a varied mix of arrangements, a couple of songs lock into a VU kind of groove, there are some string arrangements and a childrens choir... lots of different textures, but still minimalist in approach. I don't like Dongs of Sevotion nearly as well... too much electric piano or something. | ||
| Per Stam Member Username: Matsrep Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2005 |
I do like Smog a lot. And the new album A River Ain't Too Much to Love from 2005 is a fine one: very acoustic and sparse, with some great songs. Fine drumming from the man from Dirty Three (once a Blackeyed Susans man too) Jim White. A kind of willie nelsonian Smog album (apparently recorded in his studio). Stand out tracks: Let Me See the Colts, Say Valley Maker and the cover of In the Pines. I also like the Supper album (the one before this one). I would also recommend: Red Apple Falls (ca 97), Knock Knock (ca 99) and Dongs of Sevotion (2000). Avoid the black monochrome one Rain on Lens (2001). Some singles are great, see the odds.n.sods coll. Accumulation None which have at least two, three of the best Smog songs: I Break Horses, Chosen One, Cold Blooded Old Times (acoustic). I do not know much about the pre-Doctor at dawn-stuff (pre 96). Anyway: Smog is a special thing. Try, try again but they/he (Bill Callahan) is not to everyones taste. Irony or cynism? Bleak or honest? Etc. Great tunes, intriguing lyrics etc. | ||
| Per Stam Member Username: Matsrep Post Number: 6 Registered: 10-2005 |
See the video for Rock Bottom Riser (from the latest album) at: http://dragcity.com/video/dc292smogrbr_sm.mov | ||
| Hardin Smith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 11 Registered: 03-2006 |
Smog are excellent and truly unique...I recommend "Dongs of Sevotion" and "Dress Sexy for my Funeral" is a classic: hilarious and strangely touching... |