Scotch is a drink mate. Think you'll find, it is 'Scots'.
Coatigan is gonna come on and give you hell about referring to him/them as "Scotch" - that's a drink. I think the grouping you were reaching for is "Scots".
Like soundtrack music, Eurovision, comedy situations and the backing for videos, electronic music for ice cream vans gets a pass because it's for a functional purpose. Electronic music for serious discourse is laughable - only joking, don't write to your MP :)
But I do like the idea of using "ice cream van music" as a put down a very nice idea. I'll be sharpening my quill awaiting its next appearance.
Some of the comments so far that the Smithereens somehow have no edge is most surprising. They came up through the US college rock system with R.E.M., The Replacements and others. How you can listen to that guitar sound and come to that conclusion is baffling, but each to their own.
Unless, of course, we throw in the curve ball of an enforced 2025 and beyond round next time.
The Scotch bit was supposed to be the joke, condemning the behaviour I then indulged in. Fail on my part but it worked for Stewart Lee, it's almost like he's got some skills I don't have :-(
Yea mate, I got it, I was only following through on the punchline Rob had set up and left gaping there in front of goal.
Smithereens 11 by The Smithreens is the audio equivalent of a used tea bag. It might have once been enjoyable but no matter how much you try to reuse it it's a symbol of what once was but which will no longer be. I think at some point even the Smithereens gave up trying to heat things back up. Back to back tracks contain "blue" in the title; two tracks have "girl" in the title; back to back tracks are peoples names. They couldn't even be bothered counting up the number of tracks on their own album. There are 10.
Ho ho you may cry - the album title is actually a reference to Oceans 11 with a cheeky nod to the amps from Spinal Tap! In that case something went terribly wrong from conception to delivery like a baby being born wearing a cardigan and sporting a name tag. She's called Holly, is a CPA and plays bass in a band with her dad.
This album is a comfy pair of slippers; well worn and familiar and certainly not bad just faded and missing a sole. You very clearly hear an echo of Elvis Costello in the vocals and Pat DiNizio is probably a technically superior singer but he lacks the sneer and grit of Costello. My own theory is that when people who love these earlier singers and bands and are clearly inspired they end up being too competent. It's all too good and the rough edges are smoothed out. The early stuff was being made up in the moment and has a wildness that is missing when someone else repeats it. Sometimes for me it's the rough edges that give it some personality. Pat DiNizio sounds like he's quiet in libraries whilst Costello is in the corner looking up racial slurs in a dictionary.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with this album except for it's aggressive commitment to being reasonable and balanced and nice. It's lunch with your mum - you both order salad and your mum updates you on what your cousin is now up to. She's called Holly, is a CPA and plays bass in a band with her dad. She likes this album but I cannot score it more than a 5 because unlike Rob I'm not a nice well balanced reasonable person. I don't have any natural flavour so only enjoy music with lots of spice to compensate.
I don't really know what a CPA is I've just heard it in American movies where someone is a nerd loserIf you're going to take the piss out of CPAs you might have to contend with OB1 windmilling at you. Pretty sure he's said somewhere that he was/is an abacus botherer.
Chapeau.I didn't read the posts in order so failed to ken. Sorry.
Just had a brief listen, concentrating today on Roman coins.
His voice is very limited. A Girl Like You could have done with some screeching/ shouting/ high notes but then he is keeping within his voice boundaries I suppose. There is a touch of Elvis Costello. It's all very safe. There's nothing annoying about it but then nothing is leaping out at me. It's not offensive.
It's also very American middle of the road rock light.
CU Alloy. Late 2nd to late 4th century. A lot of coins have an exergue mark on the reverse. This is the mint mark. Seeing as there weren't that many mints about then yes, you can tell with most of them.Its politeness might be it's downfall.
Are we in brass or fancier territory with the coins? Is there a way to tell where they were minted?
CU Alloy. Late 2nd to late 4th century. A lot of coins have an exergue mark on the reverse. This is the mint mark. Seeing as there weren't that many mints about then yes, you can tell with most of them.
Nothing minted here. All from France, Germany etc etc. There was a mint in London but it was quite late but you do see them. There also might have been one in Colchester/ Southampton but that's hard to prove without a mint mark.So a mixture of stuff minted here and elsewhere I assume?
Funny you should mention this, only a few days ago I was reading an article about a Cambridge/Nottingham Uni study that suggests the orthodoxy that everything went to ratshit when the Romans withdrew isn't actually accurate and the industrial economy held up for close to a couple of centuries before probably plague or similar did us over for a time.
So what you are saying is, it’s “Friends” music?Just had a brief listen, concentrating today on Roman coins.
His voice is very limited. A Girl Like You could have done with some screeching/ shouting/ high notes but then he is keeping within his voice boundaries I suppose. There is a touch of Elvis Costello. It's all very safe. There's nothing annoying about it but then nothing is leaping out at me. It's not offensive.
It's also very American middle of the road rock light.
As one man once said, it’s funny how we hear things differently. For me, “A Girl Like You” is one of the singles of the decade. Brilliant guitar and vocals and the solo after the break is blistering and anything but average.It's quite pleasant without making a huge dent in my consciousness. Think I'm with Foggy, nothing duff but nothing really exceptional either. It's been fine to have on in the background while I'm working.
Fighting talk!!So what you are saying is, it’s “Friends” music?
As one man once said, it’s funny how we hear things differently. For me, “A Girl Like You” is one of the singles of the decade. Brilliant guitar and vocals and the solo after the break is blistering and anything but average.
I’ve got nowhere to go after this nomination. Everything I nominate is considered “too nice”, “not enough edge”, “vocals are average” - actually, this last one is a huge compliment given some of the vocalists on this thread!
It’s country all the way after this round.
Don't worry, I'll be coming around the corner soon to make you feel much better, just as I did last round.I’ve got nowhere to go after this nomination. Everything I nominate is considered “too nice”, “not enough edge”, “vocals are average” - actually, this last one is a huge compliment given some of the vocalists on this thread!
It’s country all the way after this round.
Yeah, I know a few people will like it. Given that you are familiar with their first two albums, I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts on how it stacks up.Don't worry, I'll be coming around the corner soon to make you feel much better, just as I did last round.
Your welcome!
I’ve got nowhere to go after this nomination. Everything I nominate is considered “too nice”, “not enough edge”, “vocals are average” - actually, this last one is a huge compliment given some of the vocalists on this thread!
It’s country all the way after this round.