The Album Review Club - Week #195 (page 1310) - A New World Record - ELO

journolud said:
Wasn’t me although I already knew them but hadn’t heard the live album. Loved it though, still regretting I didn’t go and see them at the Piece Hall in Halifax a year or so ago, only found out at short notice they were on there.

Just googled that and the two nights in Liverpool are while we are away in Norfolk. Destined not to get to see them by the looks of things.
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They seem to have pretty much sold out Liverpool and the two nights at the RAH. Pity there aren’t more dates.
 
Black&White&BlueMoon Town said:
After hearing both, it's more than a strong suspicion to me. Radiohead wrote HtDC in June 1997 while on tour for OK Computer, but that is the same year that this album came out.

Those songs are just too similar and I'm quite shocked I can't find any notes about one being a rip off of the other. If there's a backstory or otherwise I'm not aware of, then I'm all ears on this one. I find it heard to believe Michael Head hasn't heard the song (and a single!) from Kid A 3 years later, with the same music, albeit the lyrics are completely different, and not had deja vu on Loaded Man.

Great observation, all the same.
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Oxfordshires finest noodler's in "borrowing" controversy, you could have knocked me down with a feather!

(Interior dialogue kicks in gollum style...

S: you promised after last weeks we's never have to think about the unprecious again...

G: but theys annoying twatsies who have to be slagged off at every opportunities

S: but now they's living rent free in our headsies, it's not healthful

etc etc)
 
I've never heard of this band before and I wasn't too sure what to expect.

The opening track was brilliant, right up my street. Really nice vibe to it and instantly catchy. Whilst the other tracks didn't hit the heights of the first the whole album was very good.

I've only managed one listen but I will definitely going back for more from them and I'll be digging through the back catalogue too.

it's always nice to find a gold nugget,be specially from a band you've not heard of before.

this is a great pick and just what's needed to take my mind off the Cup final!

9/10
 
After last week, where I was on this thread and writing my review for hours, and given the holiday in America this week, and the events of the last few days, I don’t have to energy to spend a lot of time here, so forgive me.

I didn’t hear anything on this record that grabbed and shook me though it was pleasantish enough. More “sit down and listen” music, a little 60s folky, smoky club lilt, but what would be on in a Starbucks today. And, let’s face it — if you’re honest, it’s boring. Like some other stuff we’ve had, it’s Sunday AM with a coffee and paper music. My dog liked it. She fell asleep instantly, though that might have been because of the long walk we were on before I listened. Anyhow, “X Hits The Spot” was my favo(u)rite and the first three minutes of “And Luna” til it devolves into misplaced cacophony. Nothing to hate, nothing to love, and little to like. 4/10 with a hope the next record ups our BMP count.
 
RobMCFC said:
If I was more of a showman, I’d say “Noted, locked and loaded.”

The truth is, my next selection was decided at the same time as my Bruce Hornsby selection and it was a toss of the coin as to which came first.
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I have two write-ups ready for my next and two in process. Don’t know if I’ll use any of them. TBF we had ABC not that long ago and that was a “get up and move” record. I was so irritated by RH I went on a writing bender among records that it sounds the least like. Almost assuredly my next record will finally break the streak I’ve had of no Top 1,100 records though. I have an all-time classic, an early 90s pick, a late 90s pick and an early 2000s one. I’ll be ready this time!!
 
FogBlueInSanFran said:
I have two write-ups ready for my next and two in process. Don’t know if I’ll use any of them. TBF we had ABC not that long ago and that was a “get up and move” record. I was so irritated by RH I went on a writing bender among records that it sounds the least like. Almost assuredly my next record will finally break the streak I’ve had of no Top 1,100 records though. I have an all-time classic, an early 90s pick, a late 90s pick and an early 2000s one. I’ll be ready this time!!
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Writing as a form of Radiohead exorcism - I like it :)
 
Don't feel I have much to say about this one, pleasant and relaxing for the best part. Strong distinctive guitar sound and singing. Probably would have liked it more back when it came out in that context, I imagine the post-dylan pre-indie mix of sound would have been quite interesting to me then. It was a 'split it up' album for me, as more than 3 in a row started getting a bit tedious. But individually there are some really good songs, of which for me, Something Like You and Loaded Man were my favourites. A solid 6.
 
The Magical World of the Strands – Michael Head & The Strands

The first three tracks aren’t bad without really hitting the mark although the mix of acoustics and strings on “Something Like You” are pleasant enough. What they do, though, is establish a nice tone for when “X Hits the Spot” lands. This has a sound right out of the 60s, in a good way. I also enjoyed “The Prize” with its changes of tempo.

I don’t know where the original “Undecided” is but the reprise here is makes for a lovely, lilting listen. “Glynys and Jaqui” features a nice break around the halfway mark and a nice psychedelic flourish at the end.

Listening to a song like “Loaded Man”, you realise that Michael Head’s performance is good enough to just have him accompany himself on acoustic guitar – his voice is good enough that the seven-minute-plus running time doesn’t feel like that. It’s a beautiful performance of a beautiful song. Every time a new verse comes around, I keep thinking that it was going to launch into Willy Wonka/Gene Wilder singing “Pure Imagination”.

“Fontilan” goes on a bit and is the only disappointment in a very good runs of tracks; “Harvest Time”, “Hocken’s Hey” and “Green velvet Jacket” all being enjoyable, chipper acoustic songs.

The font on the album cover is reminiscent of 60s psychedelic bands. Reading that Love were one of Michael Head’s heroes, this, along with the sound of this album, makes a lot of sense. One of best albums I have heard by participating in these music threads is Love’s Forever Changes.

Whilst I enjoyed The Pale Fountains’ album nominated a few weeks ago, I enjoyed this album more. Once again, rather than any standout songs, it’s the overall tone and sonic palette that I enjoyed.

The album doesn’t rely on any catchy hooks or strong rhythm through its guitar chords. It’s more intricate, finger-picking guitar work that builds up a warm, open sound that’s good to listen to. Given that I enjoyed most of the tracks, I’ll go with 7/10.
 
RobMCFC said:
I don’t know where the original “Undecided” is but the reprise here is makes for a lovely, lilting listen.
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It's on the Waterpistol album by Shack, another of his projects/bands.

Your mention of Forever Changes and my divergence into witch finders makes me think we should have that as a nomination so we can definitively root out any real wrong uns on the thread :-)
 
threespires said:
Now got visions of you in a witch finders hat roaming the countryside conducting "trial by record collection". You sure you don't hail from New England? :-)
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I swear Mr Witch Finder that "Popped in, Souled out" was a present and I have never actually played it...honest.

As for this weeks nomination I thought it was something of a palate cleanser after last weeks offering. From somethign that I thought was aimed at mass sales to this beign somethign that felt so much more personal.

Hints of an acoustic "waterfall" on the first track and reminders of S&G throughout. I'm afraid my following of Mick stopped after The PF's and I have to say I was a little disappointed that there wasnt a little more variety across this. Some good tracks but I did think they did start to sound very similar. The odd change of tempo in songs was nice but perhaps not enough of it. Both wife and son said they thought they would fall asleep to this when listening in the car.

Pleasant has been used a fair few times about this and I have to agree...and as such I dont think it goes beyond a pleasant score of 6 from the Derry jury
 
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