The Album Review Club - Christmas Break Until 8th January

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

Tim Burgess wouldn't be my pick as vocalist in my fantasy band, but he's good enough because the instruments and arrangements of the songs are so good.

I just recall another UK indie band that you were critical of on the vocal delivery department, which I find light years better than this, so that was all. ;-)

I'm not always that great at spotting influences and similarities, so I'm still not sure of the Dylan song that "Get It On" is influenced by. I've just done a Google and it's suggested that it's "Like A Rolling Stone", a song I'm very familiar with. But even with this knowledge I can't put the two together in my head!

It could have been that one too, but I hear more of the lyrics I quoted each and every time that one queued up, so much that I obviously could not shake it. The French harmonium that starts it off really had me doing a double take. They thankfully change tempo at 2:23 where the song evolves into what it eventually becomes - more enjoyable and original sounding.

I agree with your comments about the Mellencamp and Midnight Oil albums - my #1 and top 20 all-time albums for me respectively whereas Tellin' Stories would probably be merely a top 50 album.

I'd have bumped both of those to where they rightfully belong - much higher in the rankings listed on page 1. I could promise you that. Those two albums in particular I also felt were glaringly initially underrated when I was reviewing things. Of course, being familiar with both prior, I could not put in my top 5, but they were both top 10 of what I knew well prior from the entire list.

Things that stick in my head: When I read Q Magazine's review of Earth & Sun & Moon by Midnight Oil, I remember it talking about the organ sound on the album, "kind of like a Charlatans down under". I had never listened to a Charlatans album at this stage (1993) but I was familiar with "The Only One I Know", so the review was a great reference point.

Interesting comparison on that last one. But give me Midnight Oil each and every day, please.

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

You normally do it yourself. Wait until the scores have been tallied by Rob though

I initially read that first sentence as "you do it to yourself". I need help or more coffee, probably both. ;-)

 

[RobMCFC]

A decent score for The Charlatans Tellin' Stories - an average of 7.00 but perhaps a disappointing return in only 13 votes, two of which were from guests. Thanks to those of you that did listen and comment. Let's hope that participation picks up as the weeks progress.

Now it's over to @bennyboy for this week's offering.

 

[LGWIO]

Duran Duran - Rio

 

[bennyboy]

Sorry for the easy clues.

 

[RobMCFC]

"Pictures of Matchstick Men" is a song by Status Quo, which is all I've got, but I don't take you for a Quo fan and the ship (Oil tanker?) doesn't fit.

 

[LGWIO]

not so easy clues then

 

[RobMCFC]

Oil on Canvas - Japan

 

[LGWIO]

Ocean Colour Scene?

 

[bennyboy]

Nowhere near yet.