BlueHammer85
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Which song ?
The Album Review Club - Week #191 (page 1286) - Harlequin Dream - Boy & Bear
- Thread starter RobMCFC
- Start date
Which song ?
BlueHammer85
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mrbelfry
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Funny that the video supports my 9 rating AND Mr Grumpy's 2
threespires
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True and as much as I enjoyed watching this I thought your precis was as illuminating and didn't contain the inherent contradictions this does. I'm finding myself flip flopping with the album a bit at the moment too, albeit nowhere at the extremes of 2 and 9.
I'm going to try and read up a bit more on the reasons for the production. With the exception of the odd bar or two I'm not finding the lo-fi particularly problematic but equally I'm not convinced it's really saying anything of aesthetic importance.
Overall I'm getting why if you were of a certain vintage you'd have been well into this and once you strip away the oceans of bullshit around it and the band and just take it as a set of songs, it's not life changing but it's pretty enjoyable..
mrbelfry
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There is a bit of production info on Wikipedia. Maybe I do listen to a lot of bad sounding stuff but this isn't noticeable bad to my ears. How it sounds is actually one of the things I enjoy about it. If it sounded "better" it'd be less enjoyable to me I think.
Saddleworth2
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As my dear old mum used to say, ‘that’s got a good beat’.
I think it applies well to this album.
FogBlueInSanFran
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It isn't saying anything of aesthetic importance, and though I'm not of the vintage that found it important, I liked it because the songs are enjoyable, which is why I nominated it, and posted what I did.
I had no idea so many viewed it as a seismic game-changer at the time. And I guess in theory it was, but as I mentioned "Everything old is new again." One thing for sure -- it doesn't sound like Radiohead.
I guess my first reaction to hearing it was relief: "Ohhhhh . . . cool. So artists DO still make music like this!"
mrbelfry
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Frequently copied - never bettered
threespires
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Indeed, the more I listen to it the more I'm inclined to agree with your initial post on it.
Are these the only scores?
mrbelfry
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The only two that count
GornikDaze
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Listening to this again in the car, Mr B’s comment about the tempo of the tunes jumped out at me - something I hadn’t really appreciated or noticed before. It’s such a well paced album that gets you tapping right from the off.
The production side of it is never really thought about either - I just accepted it for what it was… bloody brilliant. Score to come soon after a few more listens ;)
The production side of it is never really thought about either - I just accepted it for what it was… bloody brilliant. Score to come soon after a few more listens ;)
GoatersLeftShin
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Great write.up @FogBlueInSanFran and I agree with what you said about it. I just remember hearing Last Nite and thinking it was a brilliant single and it was almost like something Supergeass would do as it, musically, felt like they weren't being entirely serious. Of course, it's insanely catchy and short too.
When I listened to the album a few years later I thought it was brilliant and like you say - simple, catchy and quick. It's not a revolutionary album but it shows what great albums can be made if you focus on the simple things.
Not heard this for a while and great to hear it again yesterday.
910
When I listened to the album a few years later I thought it was brilliant and like you say - simple, catchy and quick. It's not a revolutionary album but it shows what great albums can be made if you focus on the simple things.
Not heard this for a while and great to hear it again yesterday.
910
journolud
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This thread certainly moves on a pace at times and with more variety than the endless circles of the 115 and APT threads. I've often only just mentally formed a response to one area of discussion before we've moved on again without me quite finding the time to get things down. I really should make notes as I go along.
It would take me too long to go back through to accurately quote posts so I'll have to rely on what I might (mis)remember.
First on this particular album that I thought worthy of a response was @threespires comments about becoming your dad when listening to music. We can probably all relate to that at times, for me it's when my eldest is playing Kanye West at ear assaulting volumes, or some other rapper, they are all the same aren't they? He takes an interest into what this week's album for review is and frequently exhorts me to put Kanye up for review. I probably won't but he'll be delighted if somebody does I'm sure.
We do find common ground more often though and he gave a thumbs up to the Strokes although there are apparently better albums of theirs. On the getting like your dad stuff it was a fleeting thought that at 61 listening to some unheard indie might take me out of my comfort zone. Without the emotional resonance and memories of music that has been with me for years, the Smiths in a big way but so many from the 70s onwards what would listening to this for the first time be like.
I shouldn't have worried. Although I've never knowingly listened to the Strokes some tracks were familiar and the tone and sound were reassuringly comfortable. I think part of the trick to enjoying any genre of music is not to rely on it too much. Sop, a bit of indie, a bit of prog, a bit of classical, etc. This morning it's been Van Morrison since I got up for no real reason in particular.
Incidentally, talking about becoming like your father, musically at least that shouldn't worry me. My dad was an old hippy who was into the likes of Pink Floyd, King Crimson etc but would give anything a fair hearing. He died in the late 80s so wouldn't have heard the Strokes but I feel pretty sure he would have approved.
There was some discussion about the mastery of instruments, or some such unnecessary expectation. As someone who never got beyond the major chords when trying to teach myself guitar I'm appreciative of anybody who can get a tune out of anything. I don't consider myself knowledgeable enough to be able to listen to something and comment on the proficiency of the players. I guess it's reasonable to assume that classically trained progressive rock guitarists are more technically proficient than your average three chord wonders. But really, so what? What matters to me is what sort of a sound can the combined talents, or otherwise of the members produce.
And anyway, the Strokes do 16ths, whatever the fuck they may be. And they are what hook you, whether you know it or not. Possibly.
So, to the album. The opener is a bit meh, not bad so not quite Les Dawson deliberately playing the wrong notes before showing us he actually can play piano but a bit pedestrian compared to what is to come. From then on I don't think there is a bad track and some of them are very good indeed. Yes, the vocals are a bit lost in the mix and the lyrics don't mean too much but most it not all of the songs have got an energy and a hook that makes them an easy and refreshing listen.
This is ideal driving music or doing the cooking music or just passing the time music. None of the songs outlast their welcome and if I had a complaint it's that there aren't quite enough of them and at 36 minutes the album is just a bit too short. That's quibbling though.
For the second week running we've got an album and a band that I'll nee listening to more in the future. And another 8.
It would take me too long to go back through to accurately quote posts so I'll have to rely on what I might (mis)remember.
First on this particular album that I thought worthy of a response was @threespires comments about becoming your dad when listening to music. We can probably all relate to that at times, for me it's when my eldest is playing Kanye West at ear assaulting volumes, or some other rapper, they are all the same aren't they? He takes an interest into what this week's album for review is and frequently exhorts me to put Kanye up for review. I probably won't but he'll be delighted if somebody does I'm sure.
We do find common ground more often though and he gave a thumbs up to the Strokes although there are apparently better albums of theirs. On the getting like your dad stuff it was a fleeting thought that at 61 listening to some unheard indie might take me out of my comfort zone. Without the emotional resonance and memories of music that has been with me for years, the Smiths in a big way but so many from the 70s onwards what would listening to this for the first time be like.
I shouldn't have worried. Although I've never knowingly listened to the Strokes some tracks were familiar and the tone and sound were reassuringly comfortable. I think part of the trick to enjoying any genre of music is not to rely on it too much. Sop, a bit of indie, a bit of prog, a bit of classical, etc. This morning it's been Van Morrison since I got up for no real reason in particular.
Incidentally, talking about becoming like your father, musically at least that shouldn't worry me. My dad was an old hippy who was into the likes of Pink Floyd, King Crimson etc but would give anything a fair hearing. He died in the late 80s so wouldn't have heard the Strokes but I feel pretty sure he would have approved.
There was some discussion about the mastery of instruments, or some such unnecessary expectation. As someone who never got beyond the major chords when trying to teach myself guitar I'm appreciative of anybody who can get a tune out of anything. I don't consider myself knowledgeable enough to be able to listen to something and comment on the proficiency of the players. I guess it's reasonable to assume that classically trained progressive rock guitarists are more technically proficient than your average three chord wonders. But really, so what? What matters to me is what sort of a sound can the combined talents, or otherwise of the members produce.
And anyway, the Strokes do 16ths, whatever the fuck they may be. And they are what hook you, whether you know it or not. Possibly.
So, to the album. The opener is a bit meh, not bad so not quite Les Dawson deliberately playing the wrong notes before showing us he actually can play piano but a bit pedestrian compared to what is to come. From then on I don't think there is a bad track and some of them are very good indeed. Yes, the vocals are a bit lost in the mix and the lyrics don't mean too much but most it not all of the songs have got an energy and a hook that makes them an easy and refreshing listen.
This is ideal driving music or doing the cooking music or just passing the time music. None of the songs outlast their welcome and if I had a complaint it's that there aren't quite enough of them and at 36 minutes the album is just a bit too short. That's quibbling though.
For the second week running we've got an album and a band that I'll nee listening to more in the future. And another 8.
Last edited:
Black&White&BlueMoon Town
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Just FYI that the YT recording is from different venues and times by different broadcasters (Fox, MTV, CBS, etc.), so I'm just noting this isn't a full seamless live version concert.
Many punk or new wave albums get on, give it a go for the hell of it, do what they want and get out quickly.
So this album doing pretty much that, helped speed my commutes over the last couple of days. As a result of its lack of length, this has already had about 5 listens, all very enjoyable.
Whilst enjoying it, part of me did wonder if the sound was something that had been a little contrived?
I did get the feeling that Lou Reed could have done the vocals on the first few and that with the lo-fi production tyhey wanted to get a scuzzy NYC feel to it. No matter what the thought or how it was produed I think it fits wonderfully as a package to drop on and just enjoy.
Just enjoy it as with The Housemartins, no real gimmicks, just guys doing what they want and doing it well.
Another couple of listens in the car and I think this will be a decent score.
@Mr Grumpy , from your initial reviews I had you joining Waldorf & Stadler throwing down scorn on our meagre offerings, but who cares when we have another RDJ fan in the thread now. I'm betting you posted a picture of your SAWII wooden box on the FB group page.
So this album doing pretty much that, helped speed my commutes over the last couple of days. As a result of its lack of length, this has already had about 5 listens, all very enjoyable.
Whilst enjoying it, part of me did wonder if the sound was something that had been a little contrived?
I did get the feeling that Lou Reed could have done the vocals on the first few and that with the lo-fi production tyhey wanted to get a scuzzy NYC feel to it. No matter what the thought or how it was produed I think it fits wonderfully as a package to drop on and just enjoy.
Just enjoy it as with The Housemartins, no real gimmicks, just guys doing what they want and doing it well.
Another couple of listens in the car and I think this will be a decent score.
@Mr Grumpy , from your initial reviews I had you joining Waldorf & Stadler throwing down scorn on our meagre offerings, but who cares when we have another RDJ fan in the thread now. I'm betting you posted a picture of your SAWII wooden box on the FB group page.
The scoring (1-10) and my score (2) is bothering me and will continue to do so.
After some research, it seems that a more natural scoring system may be:
However, this a more technical scale (How good is it?). Rather than an opinion score ( I liked it).
Music is art, so technical scales don't really work.
Perhaps a modification of the above may be to the question in hand, so:
Q: What is your opinion of this album?
Semantics i know.
I gave "Is This It?" a 2. "Very poor" for the reasons listed previously.
Does this opinion fit my experience?
Yes, of sorts. But.....
Perhaps the above scale is missing a number:
PErhaps i am of the mind that i shouldn't really give it a score at all because i couldn't get past some of it's (perceived by me) structural failings? Perhaps my internal biases are such that i am not fit to give it a score?
Some music i absolutely detest (American Gangsta Rap for instance). I can't listen to it. My sensibilities won't let me so rather than giving such an album (should it appear) a 1 which would be unjust, i should really say "No comment"".
0 is a vote after all. It shows effort (i listened to the damn thing) but couldn't overcome my prejudices.
Should my review of "Is This it?" have been a zero (null) score?
Hmm. Not sure about that. I really didn't like it.
After some research, it seems that a more natural scoring system may be:
- Excellent (9-10)
- Good (7-8)
- Fair (5-6)
- Poor (3-4)
- Very poor (1-2)
However, this a more technical scale (How good is it?). Rather than an opinion score ( I liked it).
Music is art, so technical scales don't really work.
Perhaps a modification of the above may be to the question in hand, so:
Q: What is your opinion of this album?
- Excellent
- Good
- Fair
- Poor
- Very poor
Semantics i know.
I gave "Is This It?" a 2. "Very poor" for the reasons listed previously.
Does this opinion fit my experience?
Yes, of sorts. But.....
Perhaps the above scale is missing a number:
- No comment (0)
PErhaps i am of the mind that i shouldn't really give it a score at all because i couldn't get past some of it's (perceived by me) structural failings? Perhaps my internal biases are such that i am not fit to give it a score?
Some music i absolutely detest (American Gangsta Rap for instance). I can't listen to it. My sensibilities won't let me so rather than giving such an album (should it appear) a 1 which would be unjust, i should really say "No comment"".
0 is a vote after all. It shows effort (i listened to the damn thing) but couldn't overcome my prejudices.
Should my review of "Is This it?" have been a zero (null) score?
Hmm. Not sure about that. I really didn't like it.
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
"Unjust" wouldn't be the word that springs to mind in this case.
"Fair" and "Reasonable" would be more apt.