The Album Review Club - Week #194 (page 1303) - Ants From Up There - Black Country, New Road

[Coatigan]

Indeed I forgot about your dislike of anything with even a slightly countryish hue especially when it lacks grit. This album was the record companies attempt to get him the exposure his song writing deserved so he was is suitably scrubbed up and polished and any awkward angles where lopped off. Don't think it had the desired effect probably not helped by the fact he seemed to have little interest in the spotlight.

Personally I only think the cover looks home-made on first pass; it's got a very vivid colour scheme in-keeping with the slight sugar-rush production too.

I feel sure someone has posted the video for Smoke and Sweets before?

Na it is Rob that loves grit. The only grit I like, is coated in calcite. Or in the gritterman.

In fairness I have only just today completed my first listen so I'm a bit behind this week. But the country element stood out as my first impression.

 

[threespires]

Na it is Rob that loves grit. The only grit I like, is coated in calcite. Or in the gritterman.

In fairness I have only just today completed my first listen so I'm a bit behind this week. But the country element stood out as my first impression.

I knew you two had some sort of the discussion about it in past about it but obviously transposed his views onto you,

Everything's relative I guess, I only hear small amounts of country in it but them I do actually listen to four square country.

 

[RobMCFC]

I knew you two had some sort of the discussion about it in past about it but obviously transposed his views onto you,

Everything's relative I guess, I only hear small amounts of country in it but them I do actually listen to four square country.

Definitely not much country on this, if any.

 

[mrbelfry]

Given this is now an important topic of this thread.. The album cover artwork, then. Discuss.

I almost mentioned the album cover because I quite like it. It's certainly more reflective of the character of a lot of the tracks and making incredible leaps of judgement based on 2 or 3 youtube videos of his live show from this period seems to match his personality. 1991 is the year Screamadelica and Bandwagonesque came out and plus Blur had a big album out so I see some kind of indie sensibility in the cover design and the bold colours

 

[Coatigan]

Definitely not much country on this, if any.

Hunners of country mate.

 

[Coatigan]

I almost mentioned the album cover because I quite like it. It's certainly more reflective of the character of a lot of the tracks and making incredible leaps of judgement based on 2 or 3 youtube videos of his live show from this period seems to match his personality. 1991 is the year Screamadelica and Bandwagonesque came out and plus Blur had a big album out so I see some kind of indie sensibility in the cover design and the bold colours

I don't think there is anything indie in getting Julian Opie to design your album cover. Even back then he was pretty iconic. Always liked the Screamadelica cover, and hours spent with mates guessing what that was, till years later we read it was a damp patch on a ceiling. Both that and Bandwagonesque were much simpler compared to this. A bold colour is where the similarity ends, but there is a certain wonkyness to it that has a charm.

 

[threespires]

Hunners of country mate.

I'm envisaging spontaneous combustion as a response to some of the albums I could nominate!

 

[Saddleworth2]

Definitely not much country on this, if any.

The first track has a line dance feel to it.

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

I don't think there is anything indie in getting Julian Opie to design your album cover. Even back then he was pretty iconic. Always liked the Screamadelica cover, and hours spent with mates guessing what that was, till years later we read it was a damp patch on a ceiling. Both that and Bandwagonesque were much simpler compared to this. A bold colour is where the similarity ends, but there is a certain wonkyness to it that has a charm.

There was only one album cover that mattered in 1991, and I am 20% kidding and 80% not.

By the way, we have had three of the top ten records of 1991 on this thread now (according to the Pazz and Jop critic aggregator poll), and discussed another 3 or 4 numerous times.

 

[Saddleworth2]

Off topic but BBC2 have Frank Marshall’s documentary on Carol King and James Taylor’s Troubador gigs from 2007ish. Oh god I do love that woman’s music. It’s very very good if you like ‘that sort of thing’.

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

Off topic but BBC2 have Frank Marshall’s documentary on Carol King and James Taylor’s Troubador gigs from 2007ish. Oh god I do love that woman’s music. It’s very very good if you like ‘that sort of thing’.

It's Too Late is one of my favo(u)rite songs. Always loved it since I was a little kid.

 

[Saddleworth2]

It's Too Late is one of my favo(u)rite songs. Always loved it since I was a little kid.

She is one of the greatest songwriters/artists of all time. Her lyrics are so truthful and real. Nothing complicated but emotionally deep. James Taylor is ok too. :-)

 

[threespires]

Off topic but BBC2 have Frank Marshall’s documentary on Carol King and James Taylor’s Troubador gigs from 2007ish. Oh god I do love that woman’s music. It’s very very good if you like ‘that sort of thing’.

They had a load of stuff on Saturday night so I assume it's all on iPlayer. The Carole King Songs at the BBC programme had a somewhat random selection of versions (including Cerys Matthews and Aled Jones duetting on Some Kind of Wonderful!) but the songs themselves are just fantastic.

 

[Saddleworth2]

It's Too Late is one of my favo(u)rite songs. Always loved it since I was a little kid.

just for you mate.

 

[southamptonblue]

Not been about much, as so busy.....but this caught my attention, surprisingly decent to me!
7.5

 

[threespires]

The first track has a line dance feel to it.

I don't know the average age of a line dancer but I would worry about the need for a defibrillator if they went with the tempo from start to finish. At least with the likes of Copperhead Road they get a couple of verses to warm up before it kicks off.

 

[threespires]

Hunners of country mate.

If you want RT goes country this is what you need ;-)

 

[LGWIO]

I think I may have done a disservice to many a past offering in only giving them the required 3 listens. With the last couple of selections I have actually gone "above & beyond" in going as far as 5-6. Or maybe thats just down to having a little more time and them being a little more "accessible".

As I have said previously I have thoroughly enjoyed this weeks choice, so thank you @threespires for the opening of my ears. Certainly something I doubt I would have come across without the help of this little corner of the net.

It was interesting that the record company had asked RT to "tone things down", or however it was phrased. I am certainly glad that they did take it away from a much more folky/country sound. I think you get little snippets of it across the album, but nothing really to put "genre haters" off too much.

"Read About Love" is a great intro, upbeat with a little bit of honour and certainly draws you in. Somethign that continues throughout with only the little lulls in tracks. Particularly liked Grey Walls and the telling of the tale in 52 Vincent.

As I think I said previously, I wasnt so enamoured of God Loves A Drunk, as I think this was perhaps the one where his "Inner Folk" reared its real ale drinking head. This was then followed by Psycho Street. Whilst I thought this was almost a piss take, having total fun finale, part of me wondered whether it was out of place at the end of the whole album/product? Whatever the answer, it still made for a few happy listens and I may well come back to RT in the future...but be selective.

Indeed a national treasure....but I can think of others!!!!!!.....who can play, tell a story and certainly enage the audience. It's a 7.5 from the Derry jury

 

[Saddleworth2]

I don't know the average age of a line dancer but I would worry about the need for a defibrillator if they went with the tempo from start to finish. At least with the likes of Copperhead Road they get a couple of verses to warm up before it kicks off.

I don't know the average age of a line dancer but I would worry about the need for a defibrillator if they went with the tempo from start to finish. At least with the likes of Copperhead Road they get a couple of verses to warm up before it kicks off.

You should have seen my flying feet last time I was in Texas…..
All done with one hand clutching a can of beer (just like the locals).

 

[threespires]

I think I may have done a disservice to many a past offering in only giving them the required 3 listens. With the last couple of selections I have actually gone "above & beyond" in going as far as 5-6. Or maybe thats just down to having a little more time and them being a little more "accessible".

As I have said previously I have thoroughly enjoyed this weeks choice, so thank you @threespires for the opening of my ears. Certainly something I doubt I would have come across without the help of this little corner of the net.

It was interesting that the record company had asked RT to "tone things down", or however it was phrased. I am certainly glad that they did take it away from a much more folky/country sound. I think you get little snippets of it across the album, but nothing really to put "genre haters" off too much.

"Read About Love" is a great intro, upbeat with a little bit of honour and certainly draws you in. Somethign that continues throughout with only the little lulls in tracks. Particularly liked Grey Walls and the telling of the tale in 52 Vincent.

As I think I said previously, I wasnt so enamoured of God Loves A Drunk, as I think this was perhaps the one where his "Inner Folk" reared its real ale drinking head. This was then followed by Psycho Street. Whilst I thought this was almost a piss take, having total fun finale, part of me wondered whether it was out of place at the end of the whole album/product? Whatever the answer, it still made for a few happy listens and I may well come back to RT in the future...but be selective.

Indeed a national treasure....but I can think of others!!!!!!.....who can play, tell a story and certainly enage the audience. It's a 7.5 from the Derry jury

I have never really worked out what the hell is going on in Psycho street tbh. Though I obviously have a very different view of God Loves A Drink I can see your perspective.You'll find more than enough in his back catalogue that's electric guitar based and not too folkie. Even though him and his ex Linda were sort of seen as folk royalty, try their last album. Some great songs and not a finger in the ear to be seen.

Interesting that you took to Grey Walls, I wasn't a fan initially (and can sort of understand why Bellers thought it turgid) but it really grew on me over time.