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Some bands produce albums that are so universally praised, so utterly associated with the band's identity, that follow-ups are cast aside as useless also-rans, destined for the great cut-out bin in the sky and fawned over only by the band's most ardent supporters. Examples of such juggernaut albums are Liz Phair's "Exile In Guyville," Jonathan Richman's first Modern Lovers album, and the first Elastica album.
However, none have been so unfairly maligned as Television's "Adventure." "Marquee Moon" is justly celebrated as one of the finest moments, if not the apex, of the post-punk CBGB 's movement. It might just be my favorite album ever. In comparison, "Adventure" is always given short shrift - an unworthy followup, a pale imitation of "Marquee Moon." Bollocks. It's not exactly right to compare the two - "Adventure" has a softer sound, with less focus on guitar epics and more emphasis on songwriting and production. There's so much to cherish on "Adventure, " from the pure pop bliss of "Glory" and "Days," the punky charge of single "Foxhole," and the absolutely ethereal "Carried Away." "The Fire" is the only song that sounds like it would fit on "Marquee Moon," and it too is a glorious listen.
Give "Adventure" another chance. The pundits are right - it's not quite as good as "Marquee Moon," but it is a masterpiece unto itself.
Dear God, what a thing of beauty this song is. I've been freaking out in general about Portastatic's newest one for a few weeks now (since around the time we played together to a cavernous room in Greensboro, in fact), but this song has it all... ersatz Latin guitar plucking, a string arrangement that Van Dyke Parks would be envious of, guiros and finger snaps, and some Tweedy-esque guitar acrobatics. It's really a very strange song - the first few times I heard it I didn't really know what was the verse and what was the chorus. It's, like, a stream-of-consciousness thing, man. When these guys play it live they invite a participant from the audience to come up and shake some nuts for percussion. So far, the nut-shakers I've witnessed have been 0 for 2.
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love the little falseto accents in it, as the title suggests, it's a sweet song. As for nut-shakers, this i have not witnessed, then i have only been to one portastatic show so it's possible this song just wasn't played...next time i'll look out for it and make sure i'm close to the front, hopefuly i can rectify the wrong doings of other mediocre nut-shackers!
Be Still Please is an amazing record all around. i've only seen one nut-shaker, and I was not impressed.
If you are one of the millions of people that saw and enjoyed the film "Little Miss Sunshine," then you have also heard and most likely enjoyed the band DeVotchKa. The four-piece from Denver, CO provided just about all of the music that appears in the film.
They have a great album called "SuperMelodrama" and a recent EP of covers entitled "Curse Your Little Heart." The music ranges from gypsy rhumbas to funereal dirges to crooners right out of the Bryan Ferry playbook, with string sections and bouzoukis and accordions darting in and out like ocean birds at play. It's stirring stuff.
This past summer my band had the pleasure of opening for them during a 3-week tour of the US and I am happy to report that they are four of the nicest guys (and girl) that you could ever meet, and that they simply must be witnessed live. Full disclosure: I am still recovering from the shots of scotch that I quaffed aboard their tour bus on Friday. Yeesh.
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Love the whole cross-pollination of various ethnic folk and American pop. Cool stuff. Love their song on the for trailer of Everything Is Illuminated.
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Modern Lovers' first album may be revered, but I currently prefer Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers. It is more idiosyncratic, and so (as is sometimes the case with me) I like it more.
You remind me to check this out, and I have wanted to. Thanks!
I wish I could say I was a bigger Television fan. I like them, and every few years I go and listen to what I have and say...okay...well then. And to pull out the break up cliche..."it's not you it's me".
For some reason -- to paraphrase Dylan and Manfred Mann - they ain;t my cup of meat...but your piece got me thinking it's time for my retasting.
BTW ...What do you think of the Jarvis album? I am really liking it. Black Magic is wonderful!
Cheers!