Reminiscent of Bedlam. I didn't really get Bedlam until I saw it performed live. Then it took on another whole level of meaning. I'm a big fan so I'll definitely but the album. It's got good hooks, but seems to cover some ground he's covered before. Then again, what artist doesn't do that?
I think it's great and I don't particularly like Elvis Costello even though I have 16 of his cd's. I loved "My Aim Is True", and saw him twice on the 1978 package tour with Rockpile and Mink Deville, so we go way back. I lost interest after "Armed Forces", but got hooked again when Sal played "Deliveryman" in the store. I think he has great pitch and a good voice. He writes a lot of songs and some are great. The video is distracting, don't watch it, just listen. It gets better as it goes.
I admit it gets better with each pass, but I'm having a hard time with EC's delivery. Overall though, I'm digging the sound and still looking forward to the whole thing.
And ANON-- "I didn't really get Bedlam until I saw it performed live."
Interesting. I have a feeling this will be a project that will benefit from repeated listenings. After 3+ decardes, I'm all-in on anywhere EC wants to take me.
Very mediocre lyrics for EC. His wordplay is one of the only reasons I still listen to him - disappointed by the awkward phrasing and trite imagery. The beats are cool, the Roots collab could inspire some fresh sounds, but only if the songs are there. This one is not doing it for me.
I guess it's a good 35 years since I first saw EC perform in a West London pub, and I'm glad that he's still out there, still doing his thing. He turned in a really sparky vital performance at Glastonbury a few weeks ago (I only saw it on tv) so he still has his chops undoubtedly. But this... this is dismayingly nondescript, nothing makes me want to hit replay, never mind seek more of the same.
1. The first "singles" from (most of) the last handful of EC albums haven't thrilled me, nor have they represented the albums as a whole. 2. The problem with this production style is that everything sounds sampled, when we know that the Roots are actually a fine band. You know, the kind that can play. 3. I'm not looking forward to a return to the sound of the When I Was Cruel album. 4. I blame David Bowie for the lousy cover art. 5. Can't wait to hear the rest of it.
1. The first "singles" from (most of) the last handful of EC albums haven't thrilled me, nor have they represented the albums as a whole.
TRUE DAT!
2. The problem with this production style is that everything sounds sampled, when we know that the Roots are actually a fine band. You know, the kind that can play.
HOPEFULLY, IT'S JUST THE SINGLE.
3. I'm not looking forward to a return to the sound of the When I Was Cruel album.
NEITHER AM I. SOME GOOD TRACKS ON THAT RECORD, BUT MOST WAS JUST OVERKILL.
As I read along with the lyrics (interesting that they were so front-and-center), I was thinking that this song might be a reaction to the Trayvon Martin tragedy.
When I listened to it a 2nd time it fairly screamed "Trayvon" at me.
" I don't particularly like Elvis Costello even though I have 16 of his cd's". Gee, BBJ, I'd hate to see what liking an artist would look like to you! ;-) Anyways, I like the sound, very atmospheric. I think a better video would help set the mood a little, maybe a lady in high heels and a tight dress walking down a dark city sidewalk. Like Jeff Matthews said, the lyrics seemed a little weak for EC. But I could hear it a few times without hating it.
kept waiting for the Koda with a "sampled/backwards" version of "Downtown" by either Petula Clark or Neil Young...... at least he allows his music to "grow"...... not a fan - don;t even have 16 cd's but i DO enjoy his taste in women......hubba hubba! GMB
I wrote a long response yesterday that didn't take... oh well... short version is "I actually love it and can't believe more of you don't like it too!"
Bruce Thomas was a crushing loss. He may have been drunk all the time and impossible to tolerate, but only the Attractions framed EC in the best possible way. Nothing has ever been the same since.
Sal, you stole my 1st comment. EC seems to put out the 1st single as a teaser, it`s never the best track. The song lays out the style of the album, makes me want to hear more of it, but not necessarily this particular cut.
25 comments:
Don't love it, Sal. It's ok, but not something I'll want to play too soon.
For me, not an instant hit, but hardly the train wreck it might have been. I definitely want to hear the entire album...
eh
Reminiscent of Bedlam. I didn't really get Bedlam until I saw it performed live. Then it took on another whole level of meaning. I'm a big fan so I'll definitely but the album. It's got good hooks, but seems to cover some ground he's covered before. Then again, what artist doesn't do that?
I think it's great and I don't particularly like Elvis Costello even though I have 16 of his cd's.
I loved "My Aim Is True", and saw him twice on the 1978 package tour with Rockpile and Mink Deville, so we go way back.
I lost interest after "Armed Forces", but got hooked again when Sal played "Deliveryman" in the store.
I think he has great pitch and a good voice. He writes a lot of songs and some are great.
The video is distracting, don't watch it, just listen. It gets better as it goes.
Love it. BBJ is right just listen don't watch. And listen more than once.
I admit it gets better with each pass, but I'm having a hard time with EC's delivery. Overall though, I'm digging the sound and still looking forward to the whole thing.
And ANON--
"I didn't really get Bedlam until I saw it performed live."
YES!
Interesting. I have a feeling this will be a project that will benefit from repeated listenings. After 3+ decardes, I'm all-in on anywhere EC wants to take me.
Very mediocre lyrics for EC. His wordplay is one of the only reasons I still listen to him - disappointed by the awkward phrasing and trite imagery. The beats are cool, the Roots collab could inspire some fresh sounds, but only if the songs are there. This one is not doing it for me.
Bleah.
Reinforces my feeling that -- apart from Painted From Memory -- that EC still has lost his appeal for me from the time Bruce Thomas left his band...
I don't know why, either. We're both getting older (but I'm younger than that now...)
I guess it's a good 35 years since I first saw EC perform in a West London pub, and I'm glad that he's still out there, still doing his thing. He turned in a really sparky vital performance at Glastonbury a few weeks ago (I only saw it on tv) so he still has his chops undoubtedly. But this... this is dismayingly nondescript, nothing makes me want to hit replay, never mind seek more of the same.
I like it. Nice groove and EC's vocals are fine without overkilling on it.
My initial reactions:
1. The first "singles" from (most of) the last handful of EC albums haven't thrilled me, nor have they represented the albums as a whole.
2. The problem with this production style is that everything sounds sampled, when we know that the Roots are actually a fine band. You know, the kind that can play.
3. I'm not looking forward to a return to the sound of the When I Was Cruel album.
4. I blame David Bowie for the lousy cover art.
5. Can't wait to hear the rest of it.
1. The first "singles" from (most of) the last handful of EC albums haven't thrilled me, nor have they represented the albums as a whole.
TRUE DAT!
2. The problem with this production style is that everything sounds sampled, when we know that the Roots are actually a fine band. You know, the kind that can play.
HOPEFULLY, IT'S JUST THE SINGLE.
3. I'm not looking forward to a return to the sound of the When I Was Cruel album.
NEITHER AM I. SOME GOOD TRACKS ON THAT RECORD, BUT MOST WAS JUST OVERKILL.
4. I blame David Bowie for the lousy cover art.
I LOVE THE BOWIE ALBUM COVER.
5. Can't wait to hear the rest of it.
SAME HERE
Interesting, I want to hear more. Cool record player.
As I read along with the lyrics (interesting that they were so front-and-center), I was thinking that this song might be a reaction to the Trayvon Martin tragedy.
When I listened to it a 2nd time it fairly screamed "Trayvon" at me.
Substitute "gun" for "drum."
A little bit 'Trust'ish with horns? A bit of the old edge. I'm interested.
A Hit - Like. sbUSA13
" I don't particularly like Elvis Costello even though I have 16 of his cd's".
Gee, BBJ, I'd hate to see what liking an artist would look like to you! ;-)
Anyways, I like the sound, very atmospheric. I think a better video would help set the mood a little, maybe a lady in high heels and a tight dress walking down a dark city sidewalk.
Like Jeff Matthews said, the lyrics seemed a little weak for EC. But I could hear it a few times without hating it.
Nice groove. Wish there was more/ better melody.
kept waiting for the Koda with a "sampled/backwards" version of "Downtown" by either Petula Clark or Neil Young......
at least he allows his music to "grow"......
not a fan - don;t even have 16 cd's but i DO enjoy his taste in women......hubba hubba!
GMB
I wrote a long response yesterday that didn't take... oh well... short version is "I actually love it and can't believe more of you don't like it too!"
I like it. The vibe reminds me of his work with the Specials way back in the day.
Bruce Thomas was a crushing loss. He may have been drunk all the time and impossible to tolerate, but only the Attractions framed EC in the best possible way. Nothing has ever been the same since.
Sal, you stole my 1st comment. EC seems to put out the 1st single as a teaser, it`s never the best track. The song lays out the style of the album, makes me want to hear more of it, but not necessarily this particular cut.
Post a Comment