The Album Review Club - Week #191 (page 1286) - Harlequin Dream - Boy & Bear

RobMCFC said:
I agree with a lot of what you said, and you know I love Mellencamp, but I don’t hear any similarity here.

First listen today and it’s definitely an album that will reward a few more plays.
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Working from home tomorrow so will be able to make some notes, so hopefully will be able to be more precise with where I thought I heard that
 
RobMCFC said:
When you nominated, I was looking from which album the song "I'll tag Along" came from and it's The Old Kit Bag.
I remember hearing it on the radio at the time, and I'm surprised to find out it was 2003 because I'd pretty much given up on the radio then. It must have been on a Bob Harris show.

Anyway, I'll be listening to that album this week as well.

EDIT - No I won't because The Old Kit Bag isn't available on Spotify! But just listened to the live version of "I'll Tag Along" instead.
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Just had a quick look and it's not available on any of the streaming platforms, perhaps because it wasn't on one of the bigger labels, think it was Cooking Vinyl. However, someone has gone to the trouble of uploading it as a playlist on YouTube, hopefully the quality is ok because it's a got a really simple and intimate production that works really with the songs. Thinking of some of the tracks on that album (particularly Outside on the Inside) it strikes me even though it's over 20 years old it is music for the times we live in.
 
FogBlueInSanFran said:
I heard God Loves A Drunk this am at 4:30 when I was driving to work and having had one of my three best friends pass away just a few months ago due to liver failure, and having lost my father to the same disease many years back, I had to take a minute and compose myself before coming into the building. I was extraordinarily moved.

I'll save my full comments for my review but there's no getting around it -- this man is very, very, very talented.
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The times I've seen him perform that song live, you could have heard a pin drop.
 
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threespires said:
Just had a quick look and it's not available on any of the streaming platforms, perhaps because it wasn't on one of the bigger labels, think it was Cooking Vinyl. However, someone has gone to the trouble of uploading it as a playlist on YouTube, hopefully the quality is ok because it's a got a really simple and intimate production that works really with the songs. Thinking of some of the tracks on that album (particularly Outside on the Inside) it strikes me even though it's over 20 years old it is music for the times we live in.
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Yeah, was wondering whether it’s on YouTube. I’ll give it a listen.

Listened to Acoustic Classics today and that was very good.
 
RobMCFC said:
Yeah, was wondering whether it’s on YouTube. I’ll give it a listen.

Listened to Acoustic Classics today and that was very good.
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Vol II is decent enough but Vol I has a hell of a collection of songs on it.

As a bit of a niche listen there's an album called Beat The Retreat which is other people playing Thompson's songs. What I like about it is the mix of performers, you've got the likes of X and Bob Mould alongside June Tabor and Maddy Prior and the likes of Dinosaur Jr alongside The Blind Boys of Alabama (with Bonnie Raitt as their guest lead vocalist!).
 
Rumor and Sigh by Richard Thompson

Rumor and Sigh is a cheeky and eclectic album that is clearly written by a talented songwriter of some repute. The majority of the songs feel well crafted and paints some great pictures of characters and situations. It is so close to being pretty good but for a reason I’m going to struggle to articulate it sits firmly in bronze medal position.

The first two songs, Read About Love and Feel So Good get us off to a good up tempo toe tapping start. But to the annoyance of everyone I’m a little disturbed. Read About Love tells of a teenage boy failing in the act of coitus due to his dependance on book learning and his lack of experience. Feel So Good is a song about a man getting out of prison and what a time he had. Our unrepentent hero is released, gets high, somehow has a suitcase of £50 notes and a half naked lady stuck to his face and fully intends on breaking her heart. If she escapes with just her heart broken she will have avoided much worse. The hero is too young to vote so under 18 and was in prison for over 2 years for deviancy? Richard we need to have a talk about role models.

Thompson answers my qualms with track 3 which he frames as a relationship breakdown and informs me that I Misunderstood. It’s ok I guess but maybe if you’d spent more time talking to her you might still be together.

He follows this up with a turgid rock number Grey Walls. He’s committed his love to an institution. Is this the same woman that’s just split up with him? I’d like to know more about Richard Thompsons romantic excursions but I’m afraid to look.

You Dream Too Much is another starving woman rejecting the horn dog Richard Thompson and it’s pretty catchy to be honest. Not sure if “jungle beat” is racist but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt as he shows off some his guitar skills.

Why Must I Plead is a slow rocker in the style of several artists of this vintage. This starts a run of some weird innuendos that I’m not sure are intentional (sitting on his lap and taking his dictation) and I have questions. Is the lady in question his secretary that just got another job or is this another break up song? Does this woman even know she’s in a relationship with Richard? Is the guys lap she’s sat on Santa? Would Rod Stewart sing this better? Why does he have to plead for what’s already his? Perhaps we are getting to the root of the problem and Richard is a little jealous and controlling.

1952 Vincent Black Lightening is a song about motorbikes, gingers and young criminals. It feels like there is a real story behind this song. It’s pretty good.

Backlash Love Affair is a return to the turgid rock with some pretty funny lyrics. It’s about sex obviously and was the inspiration behind Wannabe by the Spice Girls, jig a jig nein. I’m a little disappointed that he hasn’t tried to name check more metal bands other than Iron Maiden as she spits thrash metal lyrics into his mind. They also walk demurely down a promenade whilst looking like Jack Kirby has been illustrating her. Doesn’t quite make sense.

So let’s recap our story so far. Young lad has an unfulfilling sexual encounter he blames the woman for. Young lad spends two years in prison for some unspecified deviancy. Hooks up with a semi naked lady we can probably conclude he’s drugged. They break up. He get’s her committed to a mental hospital. She’s out but disinterested and tries to get a job for some financial independence which Richard doesn’t like. He then takes off on a motorbike, fakes his own death by shotgun and chills in Berlin with an inked up sex worker. Are we keeping up?

Mystery Wind is another song about a relationship going bad. The mystery wind; can’t you smell it, you can almost feel it. This is a song about farts right?

Don’t Sit On My Jimmy Shands is another toe tapper but Richard don’t invite people around for a party and not tidy up! If you’re stuff gets broke that’s on you. Take some responsibility.

Keep Your Distance is just what every woman should do. Obviously it’s not his fault he keeps having an affair but at least he’s trying to protect her now by telling her in a nice way to go away.

Mother Knows Best has Richard showing off his guitar skills and all he knows about contraception. I think he has issues though.

God Loves A Drunk is a song I’m not going to be snarky about. It’s serious and a nice song. However I’m not sure what’s he got against respectable people just living their boring lives. This is a pretty beautiful and thoughtful song none the less with some wonderful words and with a poignancy missing from songs like I Misunderstood. A difficult song to listen to but rewarding even for someone sober like me. It’s the best song on the album which I missed on my first couple of listens. It's worth listening to this with the lyrics in front of you and taking a bit of time.

Psycho Street almost got the album a 10 by itself. A hate letter to Australia and community which perhaps reveals why I just can’t vibe fully with this album. I don’t think masturbating on trains is a praise worthy act. Despite sharing a name we are just too different and he’d probably write a song talking about how boring I am. Well actually he wouldn’t even consider me worth the minimum amount of effort.

From watching a couple of live videos from YouTube I can definitely see why he’s a great and captivating live act. I’d probably go watch him just chat about his life and the songs he’s written. I just would prefer it if he didn’t play them. It’s a confused 7 from me because it’s much better than the 6 I gave Megadeth but there is a disconnect for most of it. It’s possibly the voice, maybe the production or possibly because I suspect he’s a bit of a perve.
 
mrbelfry said:
Rumor and Sigh by Richard Thompson

Rumor and Sigh is a cheeky and eclectic album that is clearly written by a talented songwriter of some repute. The majority of the songs feel well crafted and paints some great pictures of characters and situations. It is so close to being pretty good but for a reason I’m going to struggle to articulate it sits firmly in bronze medal position.

The first two songs, Read About Love and Feel So Good get us off to a good up tempo toe tapping start. But to the annoyance of everyone I’m a little disturbed. Read About Love tells of a teenage boy failing in the act of coitus due to his dependance on book learning and his lack of experience. Feel So Good is a song about a man getting out of prison and what a time he had. Our unrepentent hero is released, gets high, somehow has a suitcase of £50 notes and a half naked lady stuck to his face and fully intends on breaking her heart. If she escapes with just her heart broken she will have avoided much worse. The hero is too young to vote so under 18 and was in prison for over 2 years for deviancy? Richard we need to have a talk about role models.

Thompson answers my qualms with track 3 which he frames as a relationship breakdown and informs me that I Misunderstood. It’s ok I guess but maybe if you’d spent more time talking to her you might still be together.

He follows this up with a turgid rock number Grey Walls. He’s committed his love to an institution. Is this the same woman that’s just split up with him? I’d like to know more about Richard Thompsons romantic excursions but I’m afraid to look.

You Dream Too Much is another starving woman rejecting the horn dog Richard Thompson and it’s pretty catchy to be honest. Not sure if “jungle beat” is racist but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt as he shows off some his guitar skills.

Why Must I Plead is a slow rocker in the style of several artists of this vintage. This starts a run of some weird innuendos that I’m not sure are intentional (sitting on his lap and taking his dictation) and I have questions. Is the lady in question his secretary that just got another job or is this another break up song? Does this woman even know she’s in a relationship with Richard? Is the guys lap she’s sat on Santa? Would Rod Stewart sing this better? Why does he have to plead for what’s already his? Perhaps we are getting to the root of the problem and Richard is a little jealous and controlling.

1952 Vincent Black Lightening is a song about motorbikes, gingers and young criminals. It feels like there is a real story behind this song. It’s pretty good.

Backlash Love Affair is a return to the turgid rock with some pretty funny lyrics. It’s about sex obviously and was the inspiration behind Wannabe by the Spice Girls, jig a jig nein. I’m a little disappointed that he hasn’t tried to name check more metal bands other than Iron Maiden as she spits thrash metal lyrics into his mind. They also walk demurely down a promenade whilst looking like Jack Kirby has been illustrating her. Doesn’t quite make sense.

So let’s recap our story so far. Young lad has an unfulfilling sexual encounter he blames the woman for. Young lad spends two years in prison for some time unspecified deviancy. Hooks up with a semi naked lady we can probably conclude he’s drugged. They break up. He get’s her committed to a mental hospital. She’s out but disinterested and tries to get a job for some financial independence which Richard doesn’t like. He then takes off on a motorbike, fakes his own death by shotgun and chills in Berlin with an inked up sex worker. Are we keeping up?

Mystery Wind is another song about a relationship going bad. The mystery wind; can’t you smell it, you can almost feel it. This is a song about farts right?

Don’t Sit On My Jimmy Shands is another toe tapper but Richard don’t invite people around for a party and not tidy up! If you’re stuff gets broke that’s on you. Take some responsibility.

Keep Your Distance is just what every woman should do. Obviously it’s not his fault he keeps having an affair but at least he’s trying to protect her now by telling her in a nice way to go away.

Mother Knows Best has Richard showing off his guitar skills and all he knows about contraception. I think he has issues though.

God Loves A Drunk is a song I’m not going to be snarky about. It’s serious and a nice song. However I’m not sure what’s he got against respectable people just living their boring lives. This is a pretty beautiful and thoughtful song none the less with some wonderful words and with a poignancy missing from songs like I Misunderstood. A difficult song to listen to but rewarding even for someone sober like me. It’s the best song on the album which I missed on my first couple of listens. It's worth listening to this with the lyrics in front of you and taking a bit of time.

Psycho Street almost got the album a 10 by itself. A hate letter to Australia and community which perhaps reveals why I just can’t vibe fully with this album. I don’t think masturbating on trains is a praise worthy act. Despite sharing a name we are just too different and he’d probably write a song talking about how boring I am. Well actually he wouldn’t even consider me worth the minimum amount of effort.

From watching a couple of live videos from YouTube I can definitely see why he’s a great and captivating live act. I’d probably go watch him just chat about his life and the songs he’s written. I just would prefer it if he didn’t play them. It’s a confused 7 from me because it’s much better than the 6 I gave Megadeth but there is a disconnect for most of it. It’s possibly the voice, maybe the production or possibly because I suspect he’s a bit of a perve.
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Very enjoyable and allows me to tick off the first part of my accumulator.

Re life imitating art he's been married three times so does that qualify as him being a 'horn dog' ? I dunno and given the febrile nature of so much of the forum at the moment I don't know if I want to start a morality debate on this thread. Btw his current wife is Zara Phillips which I assume will come as something of a shock to Mike Tindell unless it turns out there's more than one person in the world called Zara Phillips which, having never met a single person called Zara, I find hard to believe.

You raise some interesting points which I will respond to sensibly tomorrow but for now I'll leave you with the thought that he might be a perv(e?) but at least he's not denying the individuality of our nations redheads and strawberry blondes and indulging in casual gingerism is he? :-)
 
threespires said:
Very enjoyable and allows me to tick off the first part of my accumulator.

Re life imitating art he's been married three times so does that qualify as him being a 'horn dog' ? I dunno and given the febrile nature of so much of the forum at the moment I don't know if I want to start a morality debate on this thread. Btw his current wife is Zara Phillips which I assume will come as something of a shock to Mike Tindell unless it turns out there's more than one person in the world called Zara Phillips which, having never met a single person called Zara, I find hard to believe.

You raise some interesting points which I will respond to sensibly tomorrow but for now I'll leave you with the thought that he might be a perv(e?) but at least he's not denying the individuality of our nations redheads and strawberry blondes and indulging in casual gingerism is he? :-)
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My grandma was a ginger so I think that means I can say what I want. Her hair was jet white by the time I was born though. When I get a little stubble on my chin it has spots of ginger in it and I'm reminded of her.

Seems like Ms Philips is also a song writer and the creative behind the album "Meditations and Kitkats". I definitely wouldn't want to shock Mike Tindell. I had a Zara play Mary in a nativity play a couple of years ago. Mike Tindell was not involved in the production.

Can't believe I spelt perv wrong. I spent ages looking at it because it felt wrong. Never thought about dropping an e. Proper annoyed me that has
 
mrbelfry said:
Rumor and Sigh by Richard Thompson

Rumor and Sigh is a cheeky and eclectic album that is clearly written by a talented songwriter of some repute. The majority of the songs feel well crafted and paints some great pictures of characters and situations. It is so close to being pretty good but for a reason I’m going to struggle to articulate it sits firmly in bronze medal position.

The first two songs, Read About Love and Feel So Good get us off to a good up tempo toe tapping start. But to the annoyance of everyone I’m a little disturbed. Read About Love tells of a teenage boy failing in the act of coitus due to his dependance on book learning and his lack of experience. Feel So Good is a song about a man getting out of prison and what a time he had. Our unrepentent hero is released, gets high, somehow has a suitcase of £50 notes and a half naked lady stuck to his face and fully intends on breaking her heart. If she escapes with just her heart broken she will have avoided much worse. The hero is too young to vote so under 18 and was in prison for over 2 years for deviancy? Richard we need to have a talk about role models.

Thompson answers my qualms with track 3 which he frames as a relationship breakdown and informs me that I Misunderstood. It’s ok I guess but maybe if you’d spent more time talking to her you might still be together.

He follows this up with a turgid rock number Grey Walls. He’s committed his love to an institution. Is this the same woman that’s just split up with him? I’d like to know more about Richard Thompsons romantic excursions but I’m afraid to look.

You Dream Too Much is another starving woman rejecting the horn dog Richard Thompson and it’s pretty catchy to be honest. Not sure if “jungle beat” is racist but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt as he shows off some his guitar skills.

Why Must I Plead is a slow rocker in the style of several artists of this vintage. This starts a run of some weird innuendos that I’m not sure are intentional (sitting on his lap and taking his dictation) and I have questions. Is the lady in question his secretary that just got another job or is this another break up song? Does this woman even know she’s in a relationship with Richard? Is the guys lap she’s sat on Santa? Would Rod Stewart sing this better? Why does he have to plead for what’s already his? Perhaps we are getting to the root of the problem and Richard is a little jealous and controlling.

1952 Vincent Black Lightening is a song about motorbikes, gingers and young criminals. It feels like there is a real story behind this song. It’s pretty good.

Backlash Love Affair is a return to the turgid rock with some pretty funny lyrics. It’s about sex obviously and was the inspiration behind Wannabe by the Spice Girls, jig a jig nein. I’m a little disappointed that he hasn’t tried to name check more metal bands other than Iron Maiden as she spits thrash metal lyrics into his mind. They also walk demurely down a promenade whilst looking like Jack Kirby has been illustrating her. Doesn’t quite make sense.

So let’s recap our story so far. Young lad has an unfulfilling sexual encounter he blames the woman for. Young lad spends two years in prison for some unspecified deviancy. Hooks up with a semi naked lady we can probably conclude he’s drugged. They break up. He get’s her committed to a mental hospital. She’s out but disinterested and tries to get a job for some financial independence which Richard doesn’t like. He then takes off on a motorbike, fakes his own death by shotgun and chills in Berlin with an inked up sex worker. Are we keeping up?

Mystery Wind is another song about a relationship going bad. The mystery wind; can’t you smell it, you can almost feel it. This is a song about farts right?

Don’t Sit On My Jimmy Shands is another toe tapper but Richard don’t invite people around for a party and not tidy up! If you’re stuff gets broke that’s on you. Take some responsibility.

Keep Your Distance is just what every woman should do. Obviously it’s not his fault he keeps having an affair but at least he’s trying to protect her now by telling her in a nice way to go away.

Mother Knows Best has Richard showing off his guitar skills and all he knows about contraception. I think he has issues though.

God Loves A Drunk is a song I’m not going to be snarky about. It’s serious and a nice song. However I’m not sure what’s he got against respectable people just living their boring lives. This is a pretty beautiful and thoughtful song none the less with some wonderful words and with a poignancy missing from songs like I Misunderstood. A difficult song to listen to but rewarding even for someone sober like me. It’s the best song on the album which I missed on my first couple of listens. It's worth listening to this with the lyrics in front of you and taking a bit of time.

Psycho Street almost got the album a 10 by itself. A hate letter to Australia and community which perhaps reveals why I just can’t vibe fully with this album. I don’t think masturbating on trains is a praise worthy act. Despite sharing a name we are just too different and he’d probably write a song talking about how boring I am. Well actually he wouldn’t even consider me worth the minimum amount of effort.

From watching a couple of live videos from YouTube I can definitely see why he’s a great and captivating live act. I’d probably go watch him just chat about his life and the songs he’s written. I just would prefer it if he didn’t play them. It’s a confused 7 from me because it’s much better than the 6 I gave Megadeth but there is a disconnect for most of it. It’s possibly the voice, maybe the production or possibly because I suspect he’s a bit of a perve.
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Another wildly entertaining review, Mr Belfry. That was a good read, well done.

I must admit when I heard the lyric about sitting on his lap and taking his dictation I thought that's got to be a double entendre by design!

Reminded me of the clearly obvious Kula Shaker lyric on "Dictator of the Free World": "I'm a dic, I'm a dic, I'm a dic, I'm a dictator".
 
mrbelfry said:
My grandma was a ginger so I think that means I can say what I want. Her hair was jet white by the time I was born though. When I get a little stubble on my chin it has spots of ginger in it and I'm reminded of her.

Seems like Ms Philips is also a song writer and the creative behind the album "Meditations and Kitkats". I definitely wouldn't want to shock Mike Tindell. I had a Zara play Mary in a nativity play a couple of years ago. Mike Tindell was not involved in the production.

Can't believe I spelt perv wrong. I spent ages looking at it because it felt wrong. Never thought about dropping an e. Proper annoyed me that has
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Your stubble provides you with lived experience so you get a free pass.

Looking at the cover of Meditations and KitKats I assume it's a concept album about a giant Nordic meat shield?

I've unfortunately got to go and do some actual work for a number of contiguous hours but I will come back with my take on the last sentence of your review where there's a lot to discuss I think.
 
RobMCFC said:
Another wildly entertaining review, Mr Belfry. That was a good read, well done.

I must admit when I heard the lyric about sitting on his lap and taking his dictation I thought that's got to be a double entendre by design!

Reminded me of the clearly obvious Kula Shaker lyric on "Dictator of the Free World": "I'm a dic, I'm a dic, I'm a dic, I'm a dictator".
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Why Must I Plead is a good example of the off kilter nature of Thompson. Exquisite guitar, pleading Hammond organ deliberately punctured by a piece of school boy humour that's laced with a trace of bitterness.
 
mrbelfry said:
From watching a couple of live videos from YouTube I can definitely see why he’s a great and captivating live act. I’d probably go watch him just chat about his life and the songs he’s written. I just would prefer it if he didn’t play them. It’s a confused 7 from me because it’s much better than the 6 I gave Megadeth but there is a disconnect for most of it. It’s possibly the voice, maybe the production or possibly because I suspect he’s a bit of a perve.
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I think confusion is a fairly reasonable response when confronted with Thompson and this album in particular which has some weird juxtapositions.

Thompson’s voice isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I’ve grown to rather like it over the years I think because it matches the material so well. I think he’s quite smart about how he uses it too, he’s not got the greatest range, but he uses his guitar to do the things his voice can’t. When he does stretch it a bit he does it in places where any sonic deficiencies are in keeping with the subject matter like in the middle of I Feel So Good where it’s slight waywardness works with the delinquency of the song protagonist. As he’s aged, vocally he’s benefited from the fact you can’t lose what you haven’t got and if anything, his voice has become more sonorous and suited to his work. I prefer him vocally now to his earlier albums where he sounds somewhat different.

You haven't elaborated on the production side of things but as I alluded to in my review there's a lot of fans who don't like it or frankly the multi-album collaboration he had at that point in his career with Mitchell Froom. It was in part an attempt to make him better known and radio friendly etc. Though it's not my favourite way in which he's been produced over the years it really doesn't bother me like it seems to some people and that's from someone who thinks all gated reverb VSTs should have the number 666 in their name :-) . Personally I think his collaborations with Froom might be a little different to normal but stacks up well against the rest of his career.

I don’t know the man from Adam so I can’t talk to his proclivities and what his stories say about his own psyche. I would guess he has a least in part a somewhat juvenile sense of humour which would put him firmly in the centre of the distribution when it comes to British blokes. When he uses a lyric like ‘she had a chassis like an XJS’ is he being deliberately knowing and slightly mocking of his own genre or is he just reflecting the not uncommon attitudes of a man who is the age he is? Who knows. What I feel more confident of is that with Read About Love for all its dodgy humour it is also taking a swipe at a certain type of male attitude to sexual satisfaction.

The world(s) Thompson creates in his songs are often a bit dark in humour, a bit twisted but in the same way you tend to get at least a couple of gems on his albums I think you’ll also typically get a less flippant, more unalloyed insight into his perspective and on this album that is provided God Loves A Drunk. It’s unflinching but full of humanity; it recognises the fragility of the human condition without the rush to judgment and though written 30 odd years ago, the times we live in now make it all the more powerful to me. But as beautiful a song as I think it is, even if he could manage the feat, I’m not sure I could cope with 5 or 6 of these on an album. The humour in many of the other tracks acts as a counterpoint to a song that as you say in some ways is a difficult listen.

There's generally at least one of these no snark types of songs on his albums and they're often the most loved (and covered). For example On Daring Adventures it's How Will I Ever Be Simple Again; on Mirror Blue it's his much loved song Beeswing, though seemingly just an archetypal folk story it speaks to the fragility of life and love "Oh she was a rare thing, fine as a bee's wing, So fine a breath of wind might blow her away". These songs tend to highlight his duality at his gigs too, you spend most of your time jigging along and smiling at his acerbic and often self deprecating asides then he closes his eyes plays one of those types of songs and you sit there hushed and if you’re an emotionally repressed bloke try not to well up in public.


mrbelfry said:
Mother Knows Best has Richard showing off his guitar skills and all he knows about contraception. I think he has issues though.
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He does and with a particular person. Just for historical context this song was a "good riddance and don't let the door hit your arse on the way out" for Margaret Thatcher who had just been deposed as Leader and PM. So I'm fairly sure the medieval forms of contraception were a commentary on what he saw as the callousness and brutality of that period of British politics. I'd say the imagery in this song is a bit more entertaining than chanting Maggie Maggie Maggie Out Out Out.
 
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threespires said:
I think confusion is a fairly reasonable response when confronted with Thompson and this album in particular which has some weird juxtapositions.

Thompson’s voice isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I’ve grown to rather like it over the years I think because it matches the material so well. I think he’s quite smart about how he uses it too, he’s not got the greatest range, but he uses his guitar to do the things his voice can’t. When he does stretch it a bit he does it in places where any sonic deficiencies are in keeping with the subject matter like in the middle of I Feel So Good where it’s slight waywardness works with the delinquency of the song protagonist. As he’s aged, vocally he’s benefited from the fact you can’t lose what you haven’t got and if anything, his voice has become more sonorous and suited to his work. I prefer him vocally now to his earlier albums where he sounds somewhat different.

You haven't elaborated on the production side of things but as I alluded to in my review there's a lot of fans who don't like it or frankly the multi-album collaboration he had at that point in his career with Mitchell Froom. It was in part an attempt to make him better known and radio friendly etc. Though it's not my favourite way in which he's been produced over the years it really doesn't bother me like it seems to some people and that's from someone who thinks all gated reverb VSTs should have the number 666 in their name :-) . Personally I think his collaborations with Froom might be a little different to normal but stacks up well against the rest of his career.

I don’t know the man from Adam so I can’t talk to his proclivities and what his stories say about his own psyche. I would guess he has a least in part a somewhat juvenile sense of humour which would put him firmly in the centre of the distribution when it comes to British blokes. When he uses a lyric like ‘she had a chassis like an XJS’ is he being deliberately knowing and slightly mocking of his own genre or is he just reflecting the not uncommon attitudes of a man who is the age he is? Who knows. What I feel more confident of is that with Read About Love for all its dodgy humour it is also taking a swipe at a certain type of male attitude to sexual satisfaction.

The world(s) Thompson creates in his songs are often a bit dark in humour, a bit twisted but in the same way you tend to get at least a couple of gems on his albums I think you’ll also typically get a less flippant, more unalloyed insight into his perspective and on this album that is provided God Loves A Drunk. It’s unflinching but full of humanity; it recognises the fragility of the human condition without the rush to judgment and though written 30 odd years ago, the times we live in now make it all the more powerful to me. But as beautiful a song as I think it is, even if he could manage the feat, I’m not sure I could cope with 5 or 6 of these on an album. The humour in many of the other tracks acts as a counterpoint to a song that as you say in some ways is a difficult listen.

There's generally at least one of these no snark types of songs on his albums and they're often the most loved (and covered). For example On Daring Adventures it's How Will I Ever Be Simple Again; on Mirror Blue it's his much loved song Beeswing, though seemingly just an archetypal folk story it speaks to the fragility of life and love "Oh she was a rare thing, fine as a bee's wing, So fine a breath of wind might blow her away". These songs tend to highlight his duality at his gigs too, you spend most of your time jigging along and smiling at his acerbic and often self deprecating asides then he closes his eyes plays one of those types of songs and you sit there hushed and if you’re an emotionally repressed bloke try not to well up in public.




He does and with a particular person. Just for historical context this song was a "good riddance and don't let the door hit your arse on the way out" for Margaret Thatcher who had just been deposed as Leader and PM. So I'm fairly sure the medieval forms of contraception were a commentary on what he saw as the callousness and brutality of that period of British politics. I'd say the imagery in this song is a bit more entertaining than chanting Maggie Maggie Maggie Out Out Out.
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Too long didn't read
 
@threespires just joking lad.

I think my confusion is more in why I don't like it as much as in theory I should. There are lots of things I enjoy about it - I guess the difference is kind of how you feel about seeing an attractive lady on a bus and admiring her compared to falling in love with someone.

I think his voice is fine and agree he uses it well. I do wonder though if I would like it more if he was singing a whole step up - I find it a bit dull in that range. I think similar about the production - it feels like an instrument is missing in most of the songs. Maybe my hearing is going (I'm old and it happens) but I wanted some more high end sizzle. It's most dull in the rockier numbers for me. It doesn't sound bad - just incomplete to my ears.

Thanks for the context around mother knows best. It makes a lot more sense with that in mind.

Hopefully I've explained more of my thoughts around the album to your satisfaction. I can definitely appreciate and enjoy your enjoyment of it
 
mrbelfry said:
Too long didn't read
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Lol

mrbelfry said:
Hopefully I've explained more of my thoughts around the album to your satisfaction. I can definitely appreciate and enjoy your enjoyment of it
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Well now you mention it, if you could perhaps watch the 2 hour long 1000 Years of Popular Music gig on YT and then maybe reparse your thoughts I'd be grateful :-)

I'm conscious I have a propensity to respond to people's comments on my picks probably more so than other posters, I do that not to be disputatious or contumelious but simply cause I only ever pick albums by artists I really like talking about.

On the hearing thing, don't know how old you are but there comes a time when it's quite shocking what your kids can hear at the top end compared to yourself :-(
 
threespires said:
Lol



Well now you mention it, if you could perhaps watch the 2 hour long 1000 Years of Popular Music gig on YT and then maybe reparse your thoughts I'd be grateful :-)

I'm conscious I have a propensity to respond to people's comments on my picks probably more so than other posters, I do that not to be disputatious or contumelious but simply cause I only ever pick albums by artists I really like talking about.

On the hearing thing, don't know how old you are but there comes a time when it's quite shocking what your kids can hear at the top end compared to yourself :-(
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I'll be 50 in a couple of years so basically all i hear is my own heavy breathing as i walk up stairs.

i don't understand half the words in your post but I do pitch my reviews to be a little provocative so happy to have a response.
 
mrbelfry said:
@threespires just joking lad.

I think my confusion is more in why I don't like it as much as in theory I should. There are lots of things I enjoy about it - I guess the difference is kind of how you feel about seeing an attractive lady on a bus and admiring her compared to falling in love with someone.

I think his voice is fine and agree he uses it well. I do wonder though if I would like it more if he was singing a whole step up - I find it a bit dull in that range. I think similar about the production - it feels like an instrument is missing in most of the songs. Maybe my hearing is going (I'm old and it happens) but I wanted some more high end sizzle. It's most dull in the rockier numbers for me. It doesn't sound bad - just incomplete to my ears.

Thanks for the context around mother knows best. It makes a lot more sense with that in mind.

Hopefully I've explained more of my thoughts around the album to your satisfaction. I can definitely appreciate and enjoy your enjoyment of it
Click to expand...
Again, I will have more but I had somewhat of the same reaction my first time through -- i.e. why don't I like this a little more -- though my take on some particular songs is different than yours. I do think "side one" is conventional and "side two" more messing about, but that's not a value judgment nor a preference. Also think I'm going to like it more the second time through. The first time with a new record -- if it doesn't immediately blow my doors off or make me want to chuck it out the door -- is always just processing -- i.e. sniffing not tasting.

Also, is Jimmy Shands cockney rhyming slang for something? I assumed he meant his schlong given the reference to pork and beans.
 
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