| Author | Message | ||
     kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1812 Registered: 05-2005 |
X - Wild Love. Have played this 3 times in the last 24 hours The Bats - Thousands Of Tiny Luminous Spheres. Excellent introduction to The Bats. Augie March - Strange Bird. Thanks to Randy for turning me on to this one. | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 517 Registered: 04-2006 |
Rolling Stones - It's only Rock'n'Roll Yes, sometimes it is! | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 690 Registered: 09-2006 |
From the library: Miranda Lambert - Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Ecnirp - Planet Earth Wilco - Being There | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 891 Registered: 08-2006 |
The Fall - "Reformation Post TLC." Slowly turning into one of my faves of the year. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 77 Registered: 10-2006 |
I listened to the Most Beautiful Record Ever Made on Saturday morning… Ok, I know it’s all subjective etc but that’s my absolutely final opinion…at the moment. I first heard it when I was at school in the 1970s and a mate let me hear his big brother’s recently bought copy. I was scornful. Call that singing? All that grunting and weird noises and stuff? Greg Lake’s got a much better voice… etc etc But later on I borrowed it and kept it for several months and in time got my own copy and many more works by the same artist, including one generally agreed to be the masterpiece. But this is even better, I decided last Saturday: just so organic, inspired, so beautifully played and astonishingly sung, with a sequence of songs that never lets down the quality or the atmosphere, an atmosphere of pastoral richness, a gift for melody and mood that comes across as effortless, a simple blissful outpouring of soulful genius… …and of course I’m sure you all know what it is… | ||
| C Gull Member Username: C_gull Post Number: 78 Registered: 05-2005 |
Is it Grotesque by The Fall? | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1784 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Best of The Blue Aeroplanes - 1985-1988. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 157 Registered: 01-2007 |
Nick Drake,probably ?? | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 892 Registered: 08-2006 |
I dunno, Frank. Stuart mentions "grunting and weird noises," which I wouldn't ascribe to Nick Drake. He also says he bought "many" more works by the same artist, and the Drake catalog is pretty slight. So I'm thinking: solo artist, 70s, pastoral, unusual voice, medium to large number of releases. I'm stumped. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1815 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sounds like Tom Waits to me or Dylan? | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2269 Registered: 03-2006 |
Hmmm, that's a good riddle. Dylan, though obviously quite nasal, sounding like nothing so much as someone in need of a good decongestant, doesn't really grunt, that I recall. Waits would be an obvious candidate, but his work in the 70's was much more traditionally melodious, melliflous, etc. It was basic, Tin Pan Alley, piano-based stuff. It wasn't until "Swordfish" that things got truly weird, though "Heart Attack and Vine" had its moments... I'm stumped, too.... Maybe Capt. Beefheart, but that would require a very broad and liberal interpretation of "pastoral"... | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 691 Registered: 09-2006 |
Beefheart's as close as I can come to a guess too...maybe Robert Wyatt's "Rock Bottom"...Stuart, please do have moicy upon us... | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 518 Registered: 04-2006 |
my first thought was king crimson because of fast reading and the name greg lake. after reading more carfully i thought it could be captain beefheart, but like all the others more questionmarks in the eyes than really the correct answer. well done, stuart and i think this could be an interesting thread. someone starts and the one who answers correct ist the next in the line. but on th eother side i am not able to write and describe an album (or cover, that could be interesting, too) like stuart did so fine. at least not in english. cheers andreas | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1516 Registered: 04-2005 |
"Astral Weeks" by Van the Man, Stuart? | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2270 Registered: 03-2006 |
I think you hit it, Kurt, but there's one more twist. Stu intimates that it's NOT the one regarded to be the classic. Since Astral Weeks is the one most folks (but not me) hail as the masterpiece, it must be Moondance. What do we win again, if we guess this correctly? | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1517 Registered: 04-2005 |
True, but some consider "Moondance" the masterpiece, so it could go either way. If I were a wagering man, I'd say Stuart is talking about either "Astral Weeks" or "Moondance." | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1816 Registered: 05-2005 |
And if its either, the music is no masterpiece  Van aint the man | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 893 Registered: 08-2006 |
No love for Van, Kev? Either way, I think it's a great guess, Kurt. Could be "Veedon Fleece," too, one of Van's more pastoral albums and not often shelved in the "classic" catagory, although I like it a lot. The suspense is killing me... | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2271 Registered: 03-2006 |
Love "Veedon", Rob. "Linden Arlen Stole the Highlights" is the shit! | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1367 Registered: 03-2005 |
Well, I thought Van. But maybe we're chasing the wrong fox. Maybe it's the Most Beautiful Record Ever Made on Saturday morning. Can't be the Archies, no grunts and weird noises there . . . Now, on to nicer things . . . . I'm spending my lunch at home listening (for the second time already!) to Ashtray Boy's "The Honeymoon Suite" which arrived in the mail at work. I am very much digging this album. Endless thanks to both Hugh Nimmo and Jeff Whiteaker for bringing Randall Lee up (and to Jeff for the great Nice cuts). | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 804 Registered: 01-2005 |
I have Van's 1968-1974 albums on vinyl, but never bothered to get all of them on cd. I remembered liking Tupelo Honey and Saint Dominic's Preview though as much as the usual suspects. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2272 Registered: 03-2006 |
I have every Van Morrison album on CD. It's quite a healthy number - don't even know how many it is... And, if I could afford it, I'd buy 'em all twice, particularly the "usual suspects": "St. Dominic's", "Tupelo Honey", "Astral Weeks", "Moondance", "Veedon" and "Hardnose the Highway" and "Into the Music". | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 894 Registered: 08-2006 |
Me, too, LK. And I'd add "His Band and the Street Choir." And "Avalon Sunset." And "Too Long in Exile." And what's the name of the amazing live one? | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 895 Registered: 08-2006 |
Me: Gogol Bordello - "Super Taranta!" This is punk if the Pogues ever were. And I think they were. MIA - "Kala." This is punk if Public Enemy ever were. And I think they were. And are. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 693 Registered: 09-2006 |
"It's Too Late to Stop Now" | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2273 Registered: 03-2006 |
It is indeed.... Me, though this discussion makes me wanna pull out the VM records and rock my little tenement block, am listening to the new one by Joe Henry, "Civilians", and it's extraordinary. It features his version of the song "You Can't Fail Me Now", which he co-wrote with LWIII. Anybody else like ol' Joe? How about my bruthas in eclecticism, Allen and Rob: diggez-vous? | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 694 Registered: 09-2006 |
LK, his name is one of many of a long list of artists I've been meanin' to get around to...I am on the waiting list for a couple of his at the library. In return, I've got one for you, probably my favorite album right now: Miranda Lambert's "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend." Wonderful, hilarious shit... | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1785 Registered: 05-2005 |
Air - Premiers Symptomes | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 297 Registered: 04-2005 |
Van the Man: was listening to his wonderful record with the Chieftains (Irish Heartbeat) at the weekend and remembering knowing someone who despite being a Van fanatic, refused to have it his house. He was a Celtic fan and couldn't abide the brief burst of "The Sash" (Protestant/Orangeman's marching song) in "Mairie's Wedding". Van has released such a bewildering mixture and level of quality of stuff now. I still love 'Astral Weeks' and generally much prefer the celtic mystic Van to the recent stodgy R&B releases. And I have never really rated "It's Too Late to Stop Now". Presently listening to the new King Creosote release (Bombshell), a present from a friend. Mighty fine it is too. The same friend also send the (slightly surreal) news that Malcolm Ross (ex Josef K) is star (musical) attraction at the World Stone Skimming Chamionships at Easdale (near Oban) on the west coast of Scotland. So if you are there next Sunday... http://www.stoneskimming.com/ | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 897 Registered: 08-2006 |
LK: I guess I fall in the same category as Allen - I've been meaning to check out Joe for years. Maybe now's the time. I've been on a new release binge of late. Although everything's bottlenecked behind the new Public Enemy, which I can't stop playing. It will sell for s--t but should make 50 Cent and his imitators hang their heads in shame. By the way, Stuart still hasn't given up the secret of the Most Beautiful Record Ever Made. C'mon, man, spill the beans! | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 898 Registered: 08-2006 |
By the way, Allen, your admiration for Lambert CD is seconded. It had been sitting in its shrinkwrap for a couple weeks (the PE bottleneck mentioned above), but I broke it out over the weekend and was amazed. What great, clever, knife-sharp tunes. I think it's gonna be a year-end fave. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2274 Registered: 03-2006 |
Make that thirded. It's a great disc - maybe it's hard for some folks to take her seriously because of her appearance. After No Depression magazine featured her on the cover, they actually got letters complaining about it along the lines of, "what's with the top 40 shit on the cover?" The answer, of course, was "buzz off, it's a great album full of sharp, substantive songs". She wrote a lot of them, but also got in some ringers to write some, like Gillian Welch. Man, JH is so in the range of what you guys, A & R, like...I thought Joe Henry was going to disappear into the world of producing and just do that - he's been so successful at that of late, producing great records by Solomon Burke and Bettye Lavette, among others. But this new one's a delightful surprise - it's really a corker. It seems to me, as the title might imply, to be about the sorry-ass state of our country today and the centerpiece is an extended meditation on that, called "Our Song", which is cloaked in an anecdote about seeing Willie Mays in a Home Depot in Scottsdale. As great as the record is, I have to admit that his version of 'Can't Fail Me Now' isn't as good as Loudon's. In concert, Loudie intimated that Joe wrote most of it, and he just had to add finishing touches, but I wonder if that's true. The chord pattern seems very LWIII... | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 805 Registered: 01-2005 |
I've avoided getting Miranda Lambert's "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" due to negative impressions from that Kerosine song/video from her first album and the lyrics which I thought were pretty lame. Since "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" has been thirded, I will check it out though. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 79 Registered: 10-2006 |
You mean.. no one remembers the Bay City Roller’s “Rollin” album??... Well, no, of course, the floral bouquet and bucket of champagne go to Mr Brookman, in fact, for, amazingly, given the beautiful vagueness of my description, recognising Veedon Fleece. Also, composed and recorded in such an astonishingly short period of time, it might even qualify for Randy’s Most Beautiful Record Ever Made On Saturday Morning. Apologies for partially turning this thread into a quiz, a hangover from the summer holidays. Perhaps the only surprise is discovering that Kevin, that indefatigable absorber of so many types of music, spurns Van Morrison, who I suppose I’d always considered inhabits that singer-songwriter pantheon of Everyone-agrees-at-least-some-of-it-is-G enius, along with Bob & Lou & Len & Johnny & Bob & Neil & Warren &…oh, that handful of others. Is there really nothing, Kevin, in VM’s huge output, amidst so much simply gorgeous music, that doesn’t tug at least a wee bit at the Celtic – hard C – chords of your soul?? | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1818 Registered: 05-2005 |
Stuart, Van Morrison is one of those artists that I cannot enjoy, BUT, I can understand why others think is a genius. To be honest, a lot of my dislike for his music actually stems from my dislike of him as a person - you must admit he's got a personality even a mother could struggle to love. Curiously, I didnt mind his album with The Chieftains, Sash and all. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 158 Registered: 01-2007 |
Kev you are on the button, I loved his music until I started following his media trail, quite an obnoxious man but one of those powerful fabulous voices.shame really. his newer stuff is pastiche really. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1524 Registered: 04-2005 |
Disliking Van as a human being is certainly valid; he always struck me as severely personality-challenged, and Kev's "even a mother could struggle to love" comment made me laugh. But a lot of these people are pretty unsavory humans. Not that these are all necessarily Kevin's favorites, but Dylan, Reed, Young, Tweedy, Farrar, MES, Rotten/Lydon, J. Mascis, Ryan Adams, etc., all seem like pretty major arseholes. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2278 Registered: 03-2006 |
Yeah, that MES is a real cuddly teddybear...sheesh! | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 903 Registered: 08-2006 |
I'd definitely rather see Van sitting next to me at the bar than Mark E. Smith. Then again, if we have to listen to my barmate's latest record while sharing a pint, my preference switches to MES. Really, though, I prefer to see all of them a safe distance away, on stage. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 697 Registered: 09-2006 |
Nirvana - Bleach The Monty Python Instant CD Collection | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1369 Registered: 03-2005 |
MES would insult me in all kinds of ways that I'd never even figure out, but the two or three insults that I understood would make me laugh. No contest: I'd want to be sitting next to him. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 80 Registered: 10-2006 |
But if we only listen to or read or look at art by those we consider cuddly, it’s going to cut out a large chunk of the best stuff that’s been produced. Perhaps a certain level of shittiness is necessary for an artist to get the work out, everything else, good manners, good humour, patience, tolerance, sympathy etc, all goes into a distant second place. Yeats said something about either perfecting the art or perfecting the life: and so some monsters end up producing astonishing beauty. Then when the life starts to come together, when the artist starts to mellow and relax, it probably means his best work is behind him. VanM may be grumpy and churlish or even worse, but he did write “Steal my heart away”… I wonder who would qualify as history’s Chummiest Great Artist? | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 810 Registered: 01-2005 |
Stuart, define great. If you mean great chart success, then that really cuts down the field. I always read that Ringo was a sweatheart. Robert and Grant were both really chummy the two times I talked with them, Robert somewhat more so than Grant. Austin, our friend Cindy and Matthias, shared Heinekins with Robert and Grant after the June 1999 show in Pontiac, MI at the 7th House. I've talked with Robyn Hitchcock a few times, and he is equally chummy. He just doesn't like to have his photo taken. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1528 Registered: 04-2005 |
Kristin Hersh is the artist I've encountered who is nicest to her fans by far, which is interesting because her music is usually pretty dark and even scary. Never had the pleasure of meeting GM and RF, though. Great art can come from nasty people or nice people, but I suspect more of the former. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2279 Registered: 03-2006 |
When I saw Lucinda, she said that interviewers had been asking her if she could still write songs, now that she was in a happy relationship, and that that was a stupid question that really pissed her off. The thing is, though, I completely believe that most great art comes from misery, pain, agita, etc. As Martin Amis says, "happiness writes white on the page"... And, by the same token, I believe that the vast majority of great artists were and are complete assholes. Maybe you need a huge, out of control ego to help you believe you really have something to say. Grant and Robert are, apparently, happy exceptions, though, God love 'em. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1529 Registered: 04-2005 |
Randy, be careful what you wish for. If you found yourself in a bar next to MES, this is what you'd be facing: http://www.nndb.com/people/631/000095346 / | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 716 Registered: 10-2004 |
Yeah, that's a classic MES photo. I remember seeing it in color in a magazine a few years ago. Just looking at it you can smell the alcohol. Sean O'Hagan (High Llamas, Microdisney) was a genuinely nice guy; easy to talk to, friendly, with an easy-going, down-to-earth demeanor. He didn't seem to like it when I kept trying to talk about Microdisney, but at least he just politely skirted the subject rather than get his panties in a bunch. A close friend of mine got to meet the Go-Betweens backstage after a show in 2000. He said Robert and Grant were almost absurdly polite, even a bit formal. But at one point, my friend asked Grant if they would ever play "Unkind and Unwise" live. Adele asked, "which one is that?" Apparently excited that my friend referenced this song, Grant got this huge smile on his face, put his arm around my friend, and started singing the lyrics until Adele recognized it. My friend says that was by far one of his nicest "meet a pop star" moments. I met Momus, aka Nick Currie, nearly 10 years ago after a show. Very witty, charming, nice fellow. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1530 Registered: 04-2005 |
A regret I'll always carry with me is that I didn't try to talk to Grant when he hurried past where I was standing a couple of hours before the '05 Seattle show. He seemed busy and I didn't want to bother him, but I wish I'd tried. Maybe I could have gotten him to sing "Hammer the Hammer" if I'd mentioned it. The amazing thing about MES is that he seems like a fairly unpleasant chap and he's certainly no Jude Law or George Clooney, but he sure pulls some good-looking wives--Brix and now the woman in the current version of the Fall. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1373 Registered: 03-2005 |
OMG. I'd never seen that photo. Lordy. I love the "Unkind and Unwise" story Jeff. I'm kind of impressed that Grant could remember the song. And, yeah, it would have been nice to hear them do it. I know what you mean, Kurt. I didn't stick around and try to talk to Grant or Robert in 2005 when they played at the pathetically tiny Troubadour in West Hollywood. It has a bar and I'll bet they hung out there for a while afterwards but I was with friends who were not as committed as I and, well, I just didn't stand up to the situation. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2282 Registered: 03-2006 |
Call me psychic, but if they ever have a "worst breath on the planet" contest, he seems a likely winner... It reminds me of an article from some rock rag where the journalist had the pleasure of Johnny Rotten breathing in his face. His description: "it was like the bottom of a dustbin"... | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 813 Registered: 01-2005 |
Is Shane McGowan still on the booze? The Pogues were just as good as The Fall for a few years until the booze took it's toll on Shane. I almost cried durring the documentary on Shane. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1822 Registered: 05-2005 |
Regarding the discussion we had about artists being stroppy, unpleasant etc etc - the editors note in this months Word magazine is on a similar theme. And he does mention Van M. He mentions the fact that after reading a John Lennon biography a good while back he realised he was "no longer appalled to discover my heroes had flaws". "in fact their lumpier kinks(?) and idiosyncrasies only intensified my affection for them and gave their works a deeper resonance" "Thirty years dealing with people in the public eye has taught me to be cautious - I wouldnt get Cher to open your village fete for example" "And only the purest optimist would stumble towards Van Morrison with an outstretched hand expecting an invitation to tea" | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1531 Registered: 04-2005 |
Is Shane McGowan still on the booze? Do fish still prefer living in the water? | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 906 Registered: 08-2006 |
"Authenticité - The Syliphone Years": Wonderful, 2-CD collection of Guinea's national orchestras from 1965 to 1980. Kinda rumba, but kinda not, it's uncommonly beautiful stuff. It's amazing how African music just exploded at the end of colonialism, and how it's gone back into it shell as repressive or just plan incompenent regimes have come into power. They deserve better. This CD proves it. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 907 Registered: 08-2006 |
Kanye West - "Graduation": Intelligence is 300,000 units to the good. Yo, Chicago! | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 908 Registered: 08-2006 |
I like the Kanye record fine; it's not as good as the Public Enemy record, which will sell a fraction of the copies.Yo, Long Island! | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 703 Registered: 09-2006 |
Warren Zevon - Preludes: Rare and Unreleased Recordings Demos, mostly, some illuminating, but none brilliantly so. The handful of Zevon songs that never made an album are also good but nonessential. And the interview disc is worth hearing once. For serious students of the man only... | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 245 Registered: 05-2005 |
I heard the other day that Shane McGowan and Pete Doherty are renting a flat together somewhere in London. I'm still waiting for the punchline.. | ||
| Catherine Vaughan Member Username: Catherine Post Number: 246 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - Naturally Thank you thank you thank you LK, for mentioning this woman on here! The cd arrived yesterday, and I've listened to it three times last night and twice this morning already. My poor cat has taken to hiding out on top of the highest shelf, to avoid losing her tail as I stomp/dance about the house! And it nicely took my mind off our Rugby team's pathetic performance last night... | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2286 Registered: 03-2006 |
My pleasure, Catherine. It's great stuff, isn't it? She has a new record coming out imminently, called "100 Days, 100 Nights", that should be another humdinger. Interesting factoid about Sharon Jones I just read: in her previous life, before music, she was a corrections officer (read prison guard) at New York's Rikers Island prison. Not sure why, but that somehow blends in perfectly with the air of authenticity wafting off of her. Glad you're enjoying it, but if the kitty ends up needing a tail transplant, I'm not responsible... | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 910 Registered: 08-2006 |
Rilo Kiley - "Under the Blacklight." I didn't love the last record; I played it, nodded my head a couple times, filed it away. But I decided to go back to well on these guys, and I'm glad I did. It sounds a little more pop than the last one, and since I never thought of them as much of an indie band to begin with, I think that's an improvement. I like it so much, I might have to reexamine the one before. But I'm still betting this is the one they should have called "More Adventurous." | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 161 Registered: 01-2007 |
Resisted the double luse of Rilo Kiley and the Richard Hawley releases a few weeks ago. I've been going back listening to old stuff and trying to give time to things that have not clicked in the past, but did buy the new Kate Rusby and Edwyn Collins ( how could I not ) both excellent releases and worth the 4 stars. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 704 Registered: 09-2006 |
I enjoyed "More Adventurous" (as well as "Rabbit Fur Coat") quite a bit...musically I had no problem with them at all. But something's always felt a bit off to me about Ms. Jenny Lewis - smart, funny, but not half as wise as she seems to think she is... | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 911 Registered: 08-2006 |
Don't get me wrong, Allen, I liked "More Adventurous," but it seemed a little bit singer-songwriter-y. By which I mean, it seemed like some of the tunes were constructed to hold up the words, not the other way around. This one lands as music first, which kind of helps with the Jenny Lewis "not half as wise as she thinks she is" problem. I'd be curious to hear your take on it. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 705 Registered: 09-2006 |
Definitely hear what you're saying there about "More Adventurous", Rob, and that helps a lot with my understanding about why her pretensions stick out so much for me on that album...because she was spending so much time calling attention to them... | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 706 Registered: 09-2006 |
I've got the new one coming from the library soon...and what came in today was a great one: the Buffalo Springfield box set | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1374 Registered: 03-2005 |
Thanks to Hugh, I'm listening to the Bats' "Daddy's Highway." This album really stands out. Now my (so far unsuccessful) efforts to get an official copy will be redoubled. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 707 Registered: 09-2006 |
Thanks to Hugh redoubled...he knows why... | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1727 Registered: 05-2005 |
Randy, I just ordered it from Amazon for $11. It says it takes 4-6 weeks to order it, but I'm in no hurry. If a couple of other people order it maybe that will speed up the process! http://www.amazon.com/Daddys-Highway-Bat s/dp/B000004AVS/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-5412 926-4284718?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=11905198 22&sr=8-1 I'll be dissapointed though if I subsequently get an email from Amazon saying it's not available afterall. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1375 Registered: 03-2005 |
Padraig, they lie like a flea-infested rug. I have that order in too. Guess what? They just recently sought my authorization for an extension of time to fill the order. Did you notice the real one for sale on Amazon Marketplace? $39US Amazon is doing the same thing with "Compiletely" but I haven't submitted an order for that one yet. I'm not sure what their plan is with pretending to have these OOP things. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 913 Registered: 08-2006 |
The old bait-and-fail has happened to me a bunch of times with Amazon. They tend to be a little... optimistic when it comes to hard-to-find albums. I still place the order; I just try to stay realistic about it ever reaching my mailbox. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 914 Registered: 08-2006 |
Thurston Moore - "Trees Outside the Academy." Songs, of all things, with verses and choruses, fleshed out by acoustic guitar, cello, bass and drums (and the odd J. Mascis noise-guitar appearance). Don't know if I'll reach for this one as often as, oh, "Rather Ripped," but for a solo job it's pretty damn good. As long as it doesn't give him any ideas about quitting his day job. | ||
| joe Member Username: Dogmansuede Post Number: 303 Registered: 07-2006 |
all of george michael's miserable (read:best) ones.....praying for time, one more try, a different corner - jesus h christ! | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 816 Registered: 01-2005 |
Rob and Randy, The old bait-and-fail with amazon has happened to me a couple of times this year. Japan - Tin Drum and Virgina Astley - From Gardens Where We Feel Secure. If your lucky a few months later they show up reasonably priced on Amazon Marketplace for a lot less than $39US. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2301 Registered: 03-2006 |
Iron and Wine - the Shepherd's Dog. Easily his best yet. If you like his sound at all I heartily recommend it. He varies the sound a little bit adding some different tempos and instrumentation. As per usual, I have no idea what he's singing about, but it's sheer ear candy. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 719 Registered: 09-2006 |
There was a brief discussion on here months ago about the best five-album runs ever, and my listening for today reminds me that Creedence belongs on that august list - the only drop is "Pendulum," and it's hardly precipitous - still a quite good album. The four before it just cook and cook. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 720 Registered: 09-2006 |
Though now my ever-faultier memory is thinking that maybe that run actually was mentioned by someone during the discussion... | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1387 Registered: 03-2005 |
Nice (the Randall Lee group). Jeff Whiteaker already sent me the songs from this album but now the actual thing showed up in my mail. I can't seem to get quite enough Randall Lee. Immediately preceding Nice, I listened to the Panics' "Sleeps Like a Curse" from 2005. Produced by Tim Whitten who also does Gaslight Radio and the Bell Divers' unreleased record. It was my first listen. On one listen it sounded like a magnificent record. Really. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1743 Registered: 05-2005 |
Betty McQuade! Aussie singer from the 60s. Thanks Randy. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1744 Registered: 05-2005 |
And now I'm listening to Betty Wright because she follows Betty McQuade in my iTunes! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1745 Registered: 05-2005 |
Now Bettye LaVette's version of Down To Zero. Thanks Randy for that too btw. Three Betty/Bettyes, three very different takes on R&B. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2315 Registered: 03-2006 |
Allen, just saw your observation about "Pendulum". Agreed, it's a great record, probably a little under-rated. Perhaps, it suffers unduly being compared to the first four. I'd have to go pull my copy out - my memory being faulty - but wasn't it the first one where Fogerty let the other band member contribute songs? Or maybe that was "Mardi Gras". I always thought "Pagan Baby" was a genius title and concept for a song... | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 727 Registered: 09-2006 |
Yep, "Mardi Gras" was the one...a lesson, I guess, in how sometimes bands should recognize that having a monarchy is a good idea, artistically, and save their self-expression for solo projects? | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1747 Registered: 05-2005 |
I think 'dictatorship' would be more acceptable to Fogerty than 'monarchy'. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1748 Registered: 05-2005 |
Jimmy Little - Bury Me Deep in Love. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 730 Registered: 09-2006 |
LK, though I certainly don't trust everything in Rolling Stone, they do mention a pretty dynamite-sounding Parsons/Burritos live show from '69 that's coming to CD at the end of next month. It'd be nice if it turns out to be true... In other news, I'm getting a bit more excited about "I'm Not Here"...the musical talent amassed is undeniably impressive, and I'm a big Todd Haynes fan ("Safe" is one of the best movies ever made, IMO) - the only thing that gives me trepidation is that I thought his other musical film, "Velvet Goldmine" was sort of a misfire, with actors not quite up to the task of portraying iconic rock stars, especially Ewan McGregor as an Iggy composite without much real craziness about him at all. Reviews are good so far... | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 520 Registered: 04-2006 |
from 1971 osibisa - osibisa | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 522 Registered: 04-2006 |
the postman ringed and brought me (at long last) pj harvey's new album 'white chalk'. kevin, i like it and btw: what about the quality of the JD vinyl? i think tat you received the albums in the meantime. a reply will be highly appreciated. thanks in advance. andreas | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 523 Registered: 04-2006 |
The uplifting The Go! Team's Proof of Youth album. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1836 Registered: 05-2005 |
Andreas, glad you like PJs album, best thing she has done in ages. I have had mixed luck with the JD vinyl. Closer is fine, and sounds great. However, I had to return Unknown Pleasures to HMV as the copy I had was crackly and staticy (is that a word!!?) on a few tracks. The replacement is better, but one or two tracks still sound a bit duff(although listenable)- you would think in this day and age with 180g vinyl the quality would be great. I cant be arsed sending it back again, vinyl isnt the easiest thing to return via post. | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 524 Registered: 04-2006 |
Kevin, thanks a lot for your report about the JD-vinyl. It helped me in my decision and I think I will not buy it or not immediately. Maybe by chance I will check it at the local record store. This is also more practicable if such things happens like you told. The new PJ album ist very intimate (is this the correct word?) and it is very good. PJ Harvey is one of the great artists. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1790 Registered: 05-2005 |
Tha National - Boxer. Turni Brakes - Dark on Fire. Prefab Sprout - Swoon. Ross Noble - Randomist The Leaking Machine | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 711 Registered: 08-2004 |
Thurston Moore - Trees Outside The Academy Depeche Mode - Ultra Wedding Present - Seamonsters Sly & The Family Stone - There's A Riot Goin' On Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Is Is Front Line Assembly - Monument | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 331 Registered: 01-2006 |
Jerry what's the Thurston Moore one like?? And you're not going to believe this but I had a bit of a vinyl fest yesterday but didn't play Seamonsters, I've had it going round me head all day...must play it tonight... | ||
| Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 714 Registered: 08-2004 |
On first listen it's very good, XY. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1839 Registered: 05-2005 |
Jesus, can hardly keep up with all the new (and old) stuff just now. Jimmy Little - Messenger The Bats - Daddys Highway Edwyn Collins - Home Again Fire Engines - Hungry Beat Carbon/Silicone - The Last Post Iron & Wine -The Shepherds Dog Field Music - Tones of Town Shack - Waterpistol The Feelies - Crazy Rhythms Subway Sect - 1978 Now | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1544 Registered: 04-2005 |
Kevin, let us know what you think about the new Edwyn Collins...Pitchfork had an uncharacteristically informative and insightful review of it last week, and gave it an 8.0, which is by their standards, pretty lofty. It's not really like them to be charitable and give a good score just because of what poor Edwyn's been through, so it must be genuinely good. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1392 Registered: 03-2005 |
Tallulah. Nice and loud. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 731 Registered: 09-2006 |
"And then you tell meeeeee....ooooh oooohh..." | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1841 Registered: 05-2005 |
Kurt, I agree with you about Pitchfork, however I was initially pretty cynical about all the other reviews I read of the album. I reckon I must have saw about a dozen reviews, either online or in mags and strangely every one of them awarded the album an 8/10, or a 4/5. I thought there must be a fair bit of sympathy voting going on, however when you hear the album it really is the best thing he has done in about 2 decades. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1798 Registered: 05-2005 |
really Kev? I kinda gave up on Edwyn's music in '83, though I loved singles he had on Alan McGee's Elevation label., like Don't Shilly Shally etc. I hope to take a gander at his new album, but I am not sure I will get it...get into it... | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 525 Registered: 04-2006 |
really spence? i always loved orange juice and followed his solo work step by step. still like his music and his unique kind of singing/his voice. his last album dr. syntax was great and what i heard about the new one makes me curious. in the last days i asked myself why nobody talked about his new one. my copy is ordered, but still not received. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1800 Registered: 05-2005 |
yeah andreas, don't get me wrong, i like the guy and he was really inspirational, but nothing matched his Oj stuff for me. that was the stuff which really sealed his alltime greatness. i suppose one reason for losing interest afetr oj was that i was getting into so much stuff growing up , as you do, that i'd moved on. i liked his work with paul quinn. that was excellent, and i saw him and met him a lto in the late 80's, but majority of that stuff was back catalogue, which was still ok. but his solo albums, have never really done it for me. a ot of its down to his voice. i prefer crooners, like the likes of paul quinn etc. paul haig's the same, i aodred josef k, but he hasn't matched that since. | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 526 Registered: 04-2006 |
spence, i didn't understand you wrong and it is always interesting (and also enriching) how taste differs in parts. btw: good to hear about the forthcoming release of the new winnebago album. i am looking forward to check how you guys and the lady realised the promise of a lot of slide guitar thereon. any plans for touring? and btw 2: anyone heard the beachfield album? or have i just missed the postings about? | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 936 Registered: 08-2006 |
XY, to get back to your query about the new Thurston Moore, I'll second Jerry's positive review. It's very recognizable as Thurston, of course, but it's not simply a Sonic Youth record sans band. Some of the tunes could totally be Youth-ified, but there are several that sound like just the kinds of tunes solo records are designed for. It sounds like Thurston plays acoustic throughout, and a cello takes the place of bass on most, if not all, tracks. Just to make sure things don't get too prettified, there's some nasty J. Mascis guitar on a few tracks. And it ends with this hilarious and oddly prophetic track called "Thurston@13," which is a recording of 13-year-old Thurston Moore making sound affects into a cheap recorder as he narrates what he's doing in kind of a beat poet way. A portrait of the noise artist as a young man. Very illuminating. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1802 Registered: 05-2005 |
Andreas, cool. Its still nice you have the Collins on order, i'll get around to getting it I suppose. Let me know what you think of it.;) Re Winnebago, ta. Well, the lap steel, if its what you mean by slide, yep, that's there. Though, we did lots of interesting things to it, bit like Wilco would of. In fact, the production on this one, was heavily influenced, again, by firstly watching the Wilco DVD, Trying to break your heart, then by the heavy listening to their latest albums I have subjected to myself over the last few years. I suppose if I had released anything like this 20 years ago, it would sound like Joef K, or Panz Perdinand.! there's a gig at a night put on by Pat Fish, The Jazz Butcher in December 7th 2007. Its in Northampton in England, if you can make it. Other gigs being lined up now. i'm really looking forward to thurston CD. | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 334 Registered: 01-2006 |
Thanks guys for the info on the Thurston CD, might wait a while to get it though as I've had a little splurge recently, gotta wait for the funds to re-charge. Sounds great re the new album Spence, best of luck with it. Pity about not getting that Wilco support slot in Birmingham. Pat Fish AKA the Jazz Butcher, he's done quite a bit of work with Sonic Boom/Spectrum/Spacemen 3 right?? | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1845 Registered: 05-2005 |
Guys I thought the Thurston CD was patchy, first half pretty good but tailed off at the end. Maybe need to listen a bit more. Carbon/Silicone, Mick Jones new band, have an album out called Last Post. Sounds pretty much like the stuff he was doing with BAD, but if you like his stuff you wont be disappointed I guess. Babyshambles - Shotters Nation. This is actually surprisingly good, I never carred for any of The Libertines albums, or what I heard of Babyshambled debut but this is bursting with tunes and hooks galore, although his vocals can still be patchy. A real bolt from the blue this one. He's still a bit of a tit though, and probably a worse dancer than Spence! | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1804 Registered: 05-2005 |
XY yep, Pat has, all being Northampton based. He's a great guy Pat, and a helluva great songwriter. Me mate Pete say Carbon kev, said they were great, couldn't believe the great Mick Jones was walking right next to him in this smallvenue in Worcester! | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 833 Registered: 01-2005 |
Cajun: The Essential Collection Zydeco: The Essential Collection Stray Cats - Stray Cats Stray Cats - Gonna Ball Stray Cats - RantN' Rave With The Stray Cats Japan - Tin Drum Duke Ellington - Money Jungle Bud Powell - A Tribute to Cannonball John Coltrane - My Favorite Things: Coltrane @ Newport | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1814 Registered: 05-2005 |
Brighton Bothways - Beachfield. Its a classic sorta pop album. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1555 Registered: 04-2005 |
PJ Harvey - White Chalk Ermm...not sure about it. It's getting some brutal reviews. I have a feeling it's going to be one of those records a few people will call "her best ever" and accuse detractors of "not getting it." The rest will find it really boring. Even at 11 songs and 33 minutes, it feels like "too much of one thing," and that's not good. But I reserve the right to call it a grower. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 948 Registered: 08-2006 |
Hmmm, I was worried about that, Kurt. Even the positive reviews I've read of the record kind of made it sound a little too rooted in the drawing room. I like my PJ loud. That said, I think Kev likes it, which is encouraging. I've been on a bit of CD binge lately, so it's not high on the "to buy" list, but maybe in a while, after the dust settles. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1854 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yes Rob, myself and Andreas both like it. I was just glad to hear her do something different because she seemed to be just churning out the same old formula(good as it was) with each release. This,being piano based, was a whole new direction. You know, wouldnt it be great if she did a country-ish record? I think she could pull it off | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1558 Registered: 04-2005 |
Interesting idea, Kevin...I mean, she's done the blues, so why not country(ish)? And Rob, "White Chalk" is better than I expected after reading some of the reviews. I was relieved it didn't sound like Tori Amos. "Uh Huh Her" was kind of a going-through-the-motions album, so it's true she needed to try something different. But I don't see myself playing this departure much for pleasure, unlike "Is This Desire?". As an esteemed poster on this board mentioned to me earlier, this one may be a setup for a "kick out the jams" rock album to follow... | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 175 Registered: 01-2007 |
Lucinda Williams-Car wheels, prompted by this board to give it another spin-and can't believe didn't really get in to it first time round. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 96 Registered: 10-2006 |
Right in time - what a great opener, a huge stomping sexy wonderful pop-drawl killer of a song. Will play it immediately on getting home. It's Friday, hot sun, the fridge is full of floral-bouqueted North Italian wine, I finish work at 1.30... the weekend starts here. | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 528 Registered: 04-2006 |
i listen to the great robert wyatt's new release 'comicopera'. awesome. tears of joy and emotion. wyatt, ayers, pj harvey and edwyn collins. what an autumn! | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 298 Registered: 04-2005 |
The greatest Australian outfit of all time (bar none): The Seekers Currently grooving to a selection of EPs (that belonged to my grandmother) with their wonderfully glossy sleeves. Their long-playing disc of 'Live at the Talk of the Town' was the first record I really developed a passion for. And on the back cover it had a very nice photo of Judith Durham in an polo-neck sweater looking a bit forlorn and quite bohemian. Even to today it is the only photo I have ever seen in which she looks 'bohemian'. Still "The Carnival is Over" is one hell of a song. | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 529 Registered: 04-2006 |
the allman brothers band - live at the atlanta international pop festival 1970 great sound, great show! | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 1396 Registered: 03-2005 |
Andrew, you gave me a great laugh! If I remember right, the Seekers were taken in hand by Dusty Springfield's brother Tom. I can't remember if he wrote "The Carnival is Over" but he did write some of their other hits. I scurried off to my left-over vinyl but it looks like I no longer have "The Best of the Seekers." Love that acoustic 12 string! Last night, it was loads of JA music, trying to decide what to list on the reggae thread. The one I decided not to list (only because it tries to cover too long a period with 21 songs) was Heartbeat's very enjoyable Derrick Morgan collection. I haven't heard "Car Wheels" in a millenium since I borrowed it from a friend. I should pick it up sometime. I'm monitoring the PJ Harvey comments. I've only heard "Uh Huh, Her" and "Dry," both of which were lent to me. The latter was better but I never felt the urge to acquire. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 835 Registered: 01-2005 |
Randy, "Car Wheels" is one of the better albums from the late 90's IMHO. Although her self titled 1988 album is just as good and is sadly out of print for some reason despite only being released on cd in 1998. "Sweet Old World" from 1992 is just a tick behind those two, it contains the original version of Passionate Kisses. Mary Chapin Carpenter covered it and had a huge hit with it, and Lucinda no doubt loved the fat royalty checks. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1560 Registered: 04-2005 |
Sorry, Michael, don't mean to be a nitpicky trainspotter, but "Passionate Kisses" was on the self-titled album, and a subsequent mini-album/EP too. Otherwise, your assessment is spot on. Randy, if you're on the fence about PJ Harvey, I'd recommend you check out "To Bring You My Love," which conventional wisdom says is her best. (Of course, conventional wisdom can often be wrong.) If it doesn't do it for you, I think you can safely skip the rest of her oeuvre. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 952 Registered: 08-2006 |
Good call, Kurt. I like "Rid of Me," just because I lurve Albini's production on it (and the songs, natch), but "To Bring You My Love" is probably the best litmus test. And can I give another shout-out to the new Public Enemy CD? If we got old fans in the house, I recommend it without reservations. I'm rockin' it loud right now, enjoying a little summer in autumn here in Chicago. It's all down hill from here... | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1863 Registered: 05-2005 |
Rob, I checked out the new PE after I remembered you giving it the thumbs up a few weeks ago. Only heard it once right through(just far too much too listen to right now!!!), and have played what I thought were the stand outs 2 or 3 times. Songs that jump out are Harder Than You Think (love that brass!!),Black Is Back and Amerikan Gangster. Just done some searches for reviews and it seems that it is being very well received, the last few albums were badly slated if I remember correctly. Its always nice to see great artists coming back strongly when everybody has written them off as a spent force | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 953 Registered: 08-2006 |
You're right, Kev, this one is a step above their recent stuff. I don't know that they've ever made a bad record - every release has at least a few songs to recommend it - but the last record of theirs I played in its entirety was "He Got Game," which itself was maligned in some quarters. I think when "Muse Sick-N-Hour Mess Age" came out in '94, a lot of people didn't know what to make of it, gangta rap was on the rise, and PE's moment as a cultural force was over. But they've kept doing interesting, challenging stuff under the radar, even it doesn't quite stand alongside their late '80s/early '90s stuff. As you say, the new one's got the usual three or four absolutely killer tracks, but I think the "filler" here is anything but. New favorites jump out at me the more I listen to it, which is always the mark of a good record, IMO. I like it better than any hip-hop I've heard this year, the estimable Mr. West's new one included. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 742 Registered: 09-2006 |
Dion - King of the New York Streets (box set) Afrika Bambaataa - Looking for the Perfect Beat Listened to "More Adventurous" today, and it must be that enough time has passed to dissolve past conceptions - Jenny sounds even smarter than she used to, there are fewer smug moments than I remember (and those can, I think, be chalked up mostly to her relative youth). And the music sounds great. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 958 Registered: 08-2006 |
I gotta go back to "More Adventurous" now that I've spent a good amount of time digging the new one, Allen. "Under the Blacklight" is shaping up to be one of my faves of the year. I think their musical palette has definitely expanded. The album sounds more varied than the last, but still very much of a piece. But maybe the last one will grab me more now. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2352 Registered: 03-2006 |
I actually lurved Mo' Adventurous from the get go, always thought Ms. Jenny seemed smart and I never particularly noticed any smug moments, but perhaps I was sucked in by the pretty face, using it as the basis to attribute qualities that weren't, in fact, there. Wouldn't be the first time. Her solo album, "Rabbit Fur Coat", is great, too. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 960 Registered: 08-2006 |
I remember I bought "More Adventurous" at a bad time; I wasn't in the mood for it and I just never listened to it much. That happens sometimes with records. Since I'm so smitten with the new one, I bet its predecessor will hit home now. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 179 Registered: 01-2007 |
More Adv was really great still love it, Rabbit Fur was a little to home spun/syrupy for my ears | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 743 Registered: 09-2006 |
LK, my idea of smug moments (or more to the point, in my other phrase, times where she's "not half as wise as she thinks she is") are things like spending a whole song singing about "the slow fade of love" as if it's an inevitability, or the bit about how "you're flawed if you're not free" - meaning, within the context of the song, having the freedom to walk out of a relationship any time you feel like it and viewing the very idea of commitment as some kind of manipulative trap. Ideas that most often come from young (or emotionally immature) people. But my further listening is also telling me that she's addressing those ideas with a bit more complexity and ambiguity than I first thought was there. | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2355 Registered: 03-2006 |
Yeah, AB, not to spend too much time defendin' Jenny - she ain't no Boss, and 'sides, she's far too young, pretty and rich to need my help, but I think she is putting those ideas out there with a tad more shading and depth than first impressions might indicate. For instance, the "flawed" line comes out of the mouth of a character in the song, as I recall, and is held up as an example of a hurtful, self-indulgent thing that that character says to another... Plus, I'm not sure she's completely wrong about that slow fade of love thing, think it's, at least, probably open to debate and an understandable position to adopt for the length of a song. But, the thing that counts most to me is that it all has a good beat and is easy to dance to. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 744 Registered: 09-2006 |
Oh agreed, there's many cases of slow-fading love out there...my point was that it's far from an inevitable thing - there's plenty of cases of the complete opposite out there, too. Checking the lyrics to be sure, the "flawed" comes up twice...once when she (or rather, the character, agreed) is remarking to her married lover that his wife loves him even though he used to say you were flawed if you're not free. The second time she claims it as her own belief. That "Portions for Foxes" song certainly does have a good beat, though it does feel a little funny to be flinging yourself around and singing "I'm bad news, bad newwwwwws." | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2357 Registered: 03-2006 |
Forgive me, Allen, I've listened to that song, one of their finest I think (fantastic twist in it), way too many times, and plus, I have a tendency to overanalyze (nooo, not you, LK!)... But anyway, I don't think that the narrator of the song = Jenn, but rather, she's yet another character in the song. And, that that character ends up repeating that selfish platitude back to the original utterer (izzat a word?), lends a certain bitter irony, rueful resignation and gives it a nice bit of oommph, that makes the song unforgettable. Also, since the narrator ends up the "loser" in the triangle, she seems to taking a kind of sarcastic cold comfort in that observation, that though the husband would never leave his wife for her, it's for the "best", since she'd be flawed if she weren't free. Sadly though, what she's left with is that Kris Kristofferson-style freedom. (I've listened to that song way too many times.) And agreed, that love fizzling out ain't necessarily an inevitable thing, fo shizzle. It's just that, per my tastes, songs about fading love are typically far more interesting and dramatically compelling than the happily ever after variety. Speaking for me, imho, etc., I think it makes for a better song to adopt an extreme point of view, anyway. There's no obligation to be fair and balanced, give equal credence to all points of view. For instance, "Tramp the Dirt Down" wouldn't have been half as good a song if Elvis had included lines about "well, I suppose Margaret had her good side, too". Or "Start Me Up" wouldn't have been so rock n roll, if the line had been, "you make a dead man come, but are also nice to children and puppies"... Love "Portions", too. The genius of the chorus is, to me, in its obviousness. Shocking that no one had thought of the chorus before and made it the basis for a song. As it is shocking that they are the first group to use a faulty phone connection as a metaphor for a relationship on the skids (there they go again), as they do on the new record's "Are We Breaking Up". | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 745 Registered: 09-2006 |
Most assuredly...as I said, on first listen the complexity didn't come through for me...like the slow fade song, it at first just sounded like she felt it was a home truth and was quite pleased with herself for having arrived at it. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 180 Registered: 01-2007 |
Portion for Foxes is the LPs centrepoint for me such a magnificent song, I have nothing more to add LK says it more eloquently than me. Still not got the latest, my birthday next week so I'll put it on my list along with the Neil Young |