Love-Hounds-request@EDDIE.MIT.EDU.UUCP (02/13/87)
Really-From: squids%UMASS.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.edu
(The UMass Squids Association)
Let me take this opportunity to second Ranjit's nomination
of "SKYLARKING" by XTC... This is definitely one of the top two
albums of last year... (Don't ask me what number one is, I haven't
the faintest idea)
And, for those of you hardcore love-hounds who may remember my
letter that took slight exception to the "flat" production and
musical values expressed in "Experiment IV" let me just clarify
my position (then and now):
First, I said that I thought it was "a bit flat (compared to the
level of stuff Kate is capable of producing)" I was told that
the 12" version is slightly superior to it. Well, I finally
got hold of a copy and have listened to it extensively. I think
the violin solo is VASTLY OVERRATED. Sure, it's *good* and it's
not something you'll find in a lot of modern music output, but
it also sounds incredibly melodramatic and weepy. This could
count in its favor, though, when you consider the theme of the
song. But, overall, I find it no great shakes. And when I said
that I considered the music and production "flat" I didn't mean
flat in the sense of "lacking depth and technical quality and/or
polish" but flat in the sense of "not filled with the vibrant
dynamism and sheer inspirational musical and productional ideas
that Kate brought us in such intense *classics as Sat In Your Lap
and Jig Of Life" -- it STILL seems like a mediocre Top 40 song!
(to me anyway, if you get off on it, more power to yoa)
Enough ranting - rememeber:
Time is money, especially a good time.
Jon DrukmanLove-Hounds-request@EDDIE.MIT.EDU.UUCP (02/28/87)
Really-From: ranjit%cory.Berkeley.EDU@berkeley.edu (Ranjit Bhatnagar) >From: squids%UMASS.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.edu > (The UMass Squids Association) > >Let me take this opportunity to second Ranjit's nomination >of "SKYLARKING" by XTC... This is definitely one of the top two >albums of last year... (Don't ask me what number one is, I haven't >the faintest idea) > Well, at least SOMEONE doesn't feel pity and contempt. Now, let me second the motion that this newsgroup be renamed "mod.music.ied." Not because of any glut of Marvicisms, but because I see most of mod.music.gaffa quoted in his messages long before I receive the originals. Perhaps this is why: ]To: zen!ucbcad!ames!styx!twg-ap!amdahl!pyramid!prls!philabs!cmcl2!beta!unm-la!unmvax!hi!jedi!sundc!seismo!nbires!hao!hplabs!decwrl!decvax!wanginst!ulowell!ci-dandelion!necntc!husc6!panda!genrad!mit-eddie!EDDIE.MIT.EDU!Love-Hounds-request I might as well say why I like "Skylarking," as that seems to be the thing to do these days. First, continuity of music. This is obvious just from listening. Example: the join between "Summer's Cauldron" and "Grass," or between "Ballet for a Rainy Day" and "1000 Umbrellas." Second, continuity of theme. "Ballet" and "Umbrellas," "Grass" and "The Meeting Place," "Earn Enough for Us" and "Big Day." Third: beautiful lyrics. They may not be profound, they may not be screeched, but "Insect bomber Buddhist droning/Copper chord of August's organ" is pretty neat, and "Who's pushing the pedals on the Season Cycle" is clever. Fourth, good production. I don't have the vocabulary to rave about production. Fifth: variety of music. Sixth: variety of theme and mood. Seventh: doesn't take itself too seriously (contrast with "Experiment IV/Even trIpe mix"). Since seven is a lucky number, I'll stop here. I earlier nominated Talking Heads' "Remain in Light" for an Andy (the award for Sophistication, Originality, and Complexity." I would like to stress this, because I have discovered that this is the only album I can listen to three times through on headphones and hear something different and new each time. (Bush I couldn't listen to three times through, period. I have to wait at least a day to recover from any particular album. I offer no value judgements regarding this point.) On the sale table at Waldenbooks, an interesting tome. "The Ultimate Collection," or something like that, detailing the 200 records you should buy to get a good overview of rock. Didn't buy it, but I flipped through the section on the 80's. Caught my eye: The Soft Boys, Television. [Re Experiment IV, which, by the way, anagrams to Ever Inept Mix:] >(From squids again) >the 12" version is slightly superior to it. Well, I finally >got hold of a copy and have listened to it extensively. I think >the violin solo is VASTLY OVERRATED. Sure, it's *good* and it's ... >and Jig Of Life" -- it STILL seems like a mediocre Top 40 song! >(to me anyway, if you get off on it, more power to yoa) > I agree for the most part. Now, several of you have kindly explained to me that this was only a good single, not part of a great album. But then, what was all the fuss about? When E4 first appeared, it was "the greatest thing in the universe." I will say it's got Complexity, but I'm not so sure about Sophistication or Originality. I'll take "Jig of Life" for that. I picked up "Gotta Let this Hen Out" by Hitchcock. It's good but not great. Any suggestions regarding my next Hitchcock purchase? Ditto for "Echoes in a Shallow Bay," Cocteau Twins. Ditto for "Hammer Party," Big Black, except that this IS great. IED: I apologize for misspelling "libretto" (I assure you it was a typo, as the above spelling is the way I _believe_ it should be spelled, and the dictionary, thankfully, agrees) and for tricking you into flaming someone else for it. I may be a pitiful, contemptible typist, but I know my nouns. I will refrain from saying anything nasty about IED, although he deserves it for not practicing what he preaches in his postings, because everyone else is doing it. However, I will say that I have anagrams that definitively prove that IED is a devil-worshipping soviet spy from Middle Earth who is mean to flying insects and busboys. ...enough... Ranjit Bhatnagar "I want to be a scholar, but I really can't be bothered." -- .......(o o)....... ranjit@cory.berkeley.edu ---vvv---U---vvv--- ucbvax!cory!ranjit "Irrationality is the square root of all evil" - Douglas Hofstadter "Who's interfering? We're taking over." - Capt. James Kirk