| Author | Message | ||
     Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 312 Registered: 08-2004 |
Listened to BYBO last night, quite brilliant in it's summery context, different now in light of recent events. Romantic & quite potent, a lot of people here have expressed a dislike for this album, but I feel it's where they achieved "That Striped Sunlight Sound". | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 365 Registered: 04-2005 |
I think we're all listening a little less critically now, which is a good thing--we were all in super nitpicky mode before Grant's death. I guess that's what overanalysis does. BYBO gets a bum rap, I agree, as does FORW. Yet at the same time, they aren't quite as successful as the '80s albums or OA. I think the arguments against BYBO tend to be underdeveloped songs and arrangements. And, I'm sorry to say this, but I don't think it was one of Grant's better batches of songs; this is one of the few albums where I'd say RF's songs dominate, even though two are disposible pop songs ("Caroline" and "Make Her Day") almost in the "Lee Remick" vein. | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 34 Registered: 04-2006 |
the first time i listened to this album was a little bit dissapointing - especially after that wonderful comeback-album. so my first thoughts were, not bad, but i listened not very often to it. after ocean's apart release BYBO got his second chance - and it growed and growed. in the meantime it is one of my favourite albums to which i listen more than to rachel worth and ocean's apart. one reason is this pure acoustic feeling which dominates BYBO. i like that. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 351 Registered: 10-2004 |
i've always felt that grant's songs on BYBO were particularly strong, outshining robert's share of the tunes. for me grant just really seemed to nail it, instilling his batch of songs with some really memorable and moving hooks. i quite like every one of his songs on BYBO. but i totally agree that the production and arrangements on BYBO are underwhelming. although it's not my favorite go-betweens album, i do think BYBO seems to be unfairly slagged. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 426 Registered: 03-2005 |
Like everyone else on here I started pulling out the things I had not listened to in quite a while and BYBO was among them. What I found pleasing about the record is its clean, fresh-faced sound which I'm guessing is what appeals to you Andreas. And I agree with you, Jeff, about Grant's songs here. This cluster (for me) is significantly better than his contributions to "Rachel Worth." I've made a few Grant McLennan samplers for friends recently and "Mrs. Morgan" always gets on there as does "Unfinished Business" and "Old Mexico." While I really like "Poison in the Walls" as a song, it is one that suffers from the stripped nature of the album. It sounds like a well-recorded demo. Robert's songs also hold up well except for the ones he insists on doing on stage, i.e. "Make Her Day" and "Caroline & I." The latter is a nice piece of music but, well, I've already picked on the lyrics. What I go for are songs like "In Her Diary," "Something for Myself" and "Girl Lying on a Beach" which is so simple and so effective. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 107 Registered: 01-2005 |
It's been awhile since I pulled out BYBO and listened to it. I'll certainly do it tonight when I get home. I'll always treasure my cd insert for BYBO though, as Grant, Robert, Glenn and Adele signed it for me at last years Abbey Pub show in Chicago. Roert wrote In The Rain where the raindrops are on the front cover. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 459 Registered: 05-2005 |
Randy, Jerry, Jeff, Kurt agree with you all, but, I must say, I have always loved FORW and BYBO. For me, I love the simplicity of it all, the songs are great, every one of them, they all sound like they belong together. I love the way they came back with a great bunch of totally unique songs (when did they never), after their long break. Who else could've done that? All the instrumentation sounds clean, well played, and just right. From Robert's simple thin Strat sound, sometimes 'grungey' (Farmhouse), through to Adele's poignent bass playing, Grant's sincere delivery, great drumming, wow!, very American in many ways, very Television, very REM 'Murmer" some of the songs remind me of what the Triffids would of sounded like had David McComb covered The GB's! Going Blind, is what every shambling band from C86 onwards including the heroes, Heavenly, tallulah Gosh and the RIOT GIRLS wish the'd of written first!. Heart and Home, phew wow, those opening Grant 'drone' chords, life don't get much better, Crooked Lines, Too much, oh Lord, STOP ME!ditto the other songs on these two magical, beautiful, simple yet sophisticated FANTASTIC albums! We gotta celebrate em fellas!  | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 35 Registered: 04-2006 |
i do, spence, i do. and randy, your description express it much better than mine. what i like about this album is that apparently simplicity. yeah, and isn't 'old mexico' not an exceptional and pure 'pop-song'? | ||
| Sloan Nevidy Member Username: Rockandrollfriend Post Number: 5 Registered: 07-2005 |
i love 'caroline and i' it's such a driving thumper great way to open an album track. haven't been around to see why some people here dislike it. just my two cents. mrs. morgan is quite hanting as well, lovely track. --sloan | ||
| James Member Username: James Post Number: 39 Registered: 05-2005 |
I'm just listening to FORW with the balcony window open, it's summer and the traffic is speeding past outside to the opening bars of 'He Lives My Life' It sounds perfect from here. | ||
| Guy Ewald Member Username: Guy_ewald Post Number: 167 Registered: 02-2005 |
Pursuant to Spence's comments... I love BYBO as well and was struck by the clean New York sound on a few of the songs. This hit home when they performed here last year; the precision and simplicity reminded me of classic Velvet Underground with a dose of the CBGB era... especially 'Make Her Day.' | ||
| Ian Member Username: Fins Post Number: 10 Registered: 05-2005 |
It's nice but forgettable for me. No matter how much I listen to it, there are songs on there that I couldn't hum the tune to if you asked me. | ||
| Richard Sandoval Member Username: Richards Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2006 |
Hey, everyone. Yesterday I saw BYBO packed with a bonus CD with something like "4 unreleased tracks." Anyone know if they're worth buying the album all over again? | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 786 Registered: 03-2005 |
That sounds like the early release bonus disc with "Instant Replay," "Woman Across the Way," "Locust Girls" and "Girl Lying on a Beach." Yes, you should buy it. | ||
| Richard Sandoval Member Username: Richards Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2006 |
Great, I'm off to get it today, hope it's still there. Thanks | ||
| David Matheson Member Username: David_matheson Post Number: 111 Registered: 12-2004 |
I think I ranked BYBO number 8 in order of my favourites (ahead of SMAL). Having said that I should add that I like all of the Go-Betweens albums. Although the production on BYBO may be fairly basic, I think the quality of the songs shines through on tracks like Poison In The Walls and Too Much Of One Thing. | ||
| Lawrence Mikkelsen Member Username: Simplythrilledhoney Post Number: 32 Registered: 03-2006 |
I quite like the deliberately lo-fi, folky sound of that album. I think it's probably the weakest of the three 'comeback' albums, but it's still a solid four-star effort in my opinion, | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1009 Registered: 05-2005 |
I wouldn't call it lo fi personally. Its just that its great raw songwriting recorded without the need for every instrument and voice to have added affects/EQ etc etc. It proves that the songs were good and strong. |