Chalkhills Digest Volume 6, Issue 162
Date: Friday, 9 June 2000
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 6, Number 162
Friday, 9 June 2000
Topics:
Partridge Interview in Guitar Player Magazine
didn't hurt a bitter, twisted
J.S. Greenman..oops!
A fair cop?
Chalkhills subscribers are like opinions; there just aren't as many
Re: No Objective Truth
Carrie Ann
Falling off the edge of the world
If you let them push you...
RE: Arrrgh, to many Chalkhills . . .
programming in WS
Not what I meant Molly, sorry to do that... and other stuff for the rest of
my tuppence on Gregsy
Regarding Snakefinger
Another One? Yep!
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 8 Jun 2000 19:17:24 -0700 From: Fano Guitars <meridith@fanoguitars.com> Subject: Partridge Interview in Guitar Player Magazine Message-ID: <200006090217.TAA18170@bob.newdream.net> Have you gotten the July issue of Guitar Player magazine yet? If not, then you haven't read the interview or seen the great shot of Andy Partridge playing his Fano Partridge guitar. Visit www.fanoguitars.com for a preview of the photo...then run out and buy a copy! IF you haven't already done so, please sign our guestbook. Cheers!
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jun 2000 20:15:28 -0700 From: "Wes Hanks" <wes@iolvegas.com> Subject: didn't hurt a bitter, twisted Message-ID: <000701bfd1c0$f9923d60$3ab59fce@default> Observers, This may be the crab-puffs talking, but Colin's DHAB reminds me of a Pete Townsend tune. Wes "Honey, the folks at Chalkhills say I need a new stereo, ok" Hanks
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Jun 2000 20:11:29 -0700 (PDT) From: brown <mb2@deltanet.com> Subject: J.S. Greenman..oops! Message-ID: <200006090311.UAA08487@mail2.deltanet.com> Hey everybody! ...Man, oh man, did I have a brain fart... not to worry, my lovey already raked me over the coals about the Joy Joy thing... the Greenman melody sounds like the 'Joy of Man's Desiring' from Bach, NOT 'Ode To Joy' from Beethoven's 9th.... oooww, my face is a darling shade of crimson right now... o.k., so it was a joy, just not the right one... I sat, slack jawed, in front of the speakers while my dearest played both masters back to back... I even got the Apollo 100 single out and listened to it... it's ..ahem, fashioned after the Bach piece. If you need me, I'll just be over there in the damp, dark corner, facing the wall... Debora 'tears of shame rolled down my face' Brown ..if you still simply must slag me, aim below the belt, wouldya?
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Jun 2000 21:05:07 PDT From: "Duncan Kimball" <dunks58@hotmail.com> Subject: A fair cop? Message-ID: <20000609040507.72709.qmail@hotmail.com> Chalkers, A quick request: in a local 2nd hand shop I spotted several XTC 3"CD singles for sale, including 'The Loving', 'Mayor of Simpleton' and "King For A Day" in the crown-shaped package. They are asking AU$40 (about US$2.50 :p ) each for them - is this fair or am I being ripped off? Dunks
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Jun 2000 23:44:03 -0500 From: JH3 <jh3@winco.net> Subject: Chalkhills subscribers are like opinions; there just aren't as many Message-ID: <002e01bfd1cd$57a81f80$9cf190cf@JH3.alternatech.net> Dan "Dan Wiencek" Wiencek writes: >Look, can we call an end to this "your opinions are only opinions" >rigamarole? <snip> I will even propose that the acronym "IMHO" is >unnecessary and should be discouraged on the list. We are all adults, >or nearly adults; we don't need training wheels anymore. All of us >have enough basic intelligence to distinguish between a statement >of fact and a statement of opinion. The only purpose of "IMHO" is >to avoid hurting other people's feelings, and I don't need my >feelings protected, and neither should anyone else. No more "IMHO's"? What a great idea! AWESOME!!! So, let me be the first to take advantage of the new rules by stating the completely obvious and self-evident fact that "Go 2" is not only the best album XTC ever made, but, in truth, the greatest album ever made by anyone, ever. Those who fail to recognize this are, quite simply, not properly connected to the real world! In a word, they're all just plain WRONG! What's more, people who make outrageous and uninformed statements like "Go 2 and White Music are indistinguishable from each other" or "Go 2 is a 'new-wave' album" must obviously have never heard it or anything even remotely like it, and are, for whatever inexplicable reason, simply regurgitating utter and complete falsehoods spread by anti-XTC pranksters for their own selfish and petty amusement. Thanks... I always wanted to get that off my chest! John H. Hedges XTCware: http://www.alternatech.net/jh3/xtc
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2000 01:29:35 EDT
From: Blueruins@aol.com
Subject: Re: No Objective Truth
Message-ID: <92.5d65664.2671dabf@aol.com>
Oh Damian,
How can you say there is no objective truth which such certainty?
Sounds like you objectively believe there is no objective truth.
And that is an incorrect inference to draw from Quantum theory.
All it really shows is that we do not fully understand the properties
of very very small entities that exhibit some attributes of a wave and
some as a particle. It doesn't change the fact that if you don't
breathe you will die.
Opinions are subjective, reality is not.
Brett Reeves
"That kind of crap pisses me off"-Me
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Jun 2000 22:04:26 -0800 From: Patrick M Adamek <adamette@v-mmp.gci.net> Subject: Carrie Ann Message-ID: <394088E9.1FE8291A@mail.gci.net> In #157 Tyler Hewitt wrote: Carrie Ann by the Hollies (if you don't know that song, think British invasion-early '60's British pop). Sure I do. In fact, it was origianally titled "Mary Anne" as in Marianne Faithful (to whom the song was written). I've loved that song for years! ************************************************** Saints3Den@aol.com wrote in #158: 1)What is the one word, which, if correctly spelled, is pronounced wrong? 2)Which word is always spelled correctly? 3)Which word is always misspelled? 4)What is the longest word in the english language? 5)Which three words are always pronounced right? My attempt at answers: 1) wrong 2) correctly 3) misspelled 4) language 5) write, right and rite ******************************************************************** XTC Content: could someone post what an axis mundi is? Another Chalkhiller got the answer off list but the rest of us did not! Thanks Patrick
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2000 17:08:57 +1000 From: "Kimball, Duncan" <Duncan.Kimball@det.nsw.edu.au> Subject: Falling off the edge of the world Message-ID: <2B322381BDE3D111A2DC0000F8788EFFAA9B68@luf2.southst.tafensw.edu.au> Harrison, Joe etc: I am well aware that certain members of the 'scientific' (and I use the word advisedly) elite in the ancient world hypothesised that the world was round. Nevertheless, MOST people believed the world to be flat until so recently that it scares me. (Some people STILL think its flat!) I just didn't feel like letting the facts get in the way of a joke, OK. :p Ed K's -- I loved your production musings, especially this bit: >I think one of the things that always appealed to me in a lot of original >psychedelia was a result of ambitious production hitting the ceiling of the >limitations of the technology of the time. Well said!! (Unfortunately I think Lenny Kravitz took it too literally!) Re: Love, I have to differ. I know they were hugely influential, and I've tried to like them, but something about this band just doesn't click with me. Maybe I wasn't stoned when I listened to it. I bought Forever Changes, listened, experienced NO life-altering effect, sold it within the week. Another Grate-ful Dead moment I'm afraid. I was disapppointed, cos I really like most West Coast stuff of that era. I just think it's another case of musical Emperor's New Clothes. IMHO!! Bob O'Bannon -- lighten up! It's a SONG for crissakes! (You weren't by any chance one of those people who threw eggs at Randy Newman were you?) I hereby sentence you to look up the word "persona" your dictionary. (FYI - "Saving Private Ryan" is not a documentary.) To Seb and others - sorry if I trod on your toes re: Depeche Mode, and I know this only MY opinion, but they have always really bugged the hell out of me. Like The Musical, their origin and purpose is still a total mystery. I place them in the same general category as bands like Korn. It's just what Andy talked about in the JJJ interview -- songwriters who only write "1% emotional spectrum" songs. I just don't believe anyone's life can be that negative all the time, in which case their music is fake. If they in fact ARE on such a downer all the time ... well go and see a therapist, baby, and stop bleating about it. Either way they shit me. It's like silverchair ... moan moan moan ... 'my life is so miserable' .. 'I'm so young and rich and famous and skinny and white and good-looking and lonely and unhappy' ... God almighty, the Small Faces were just as young, just as dumb and had the exact opposite of the dream run silverchair have enjoyed. That whining brat Daniel Johns is a multimillionaire, while poor old Steve and Ronnie went to their graves never having seen a single cent of the tens of millions of pounds squeezed out of them by Decca and Immediate. They had more problems in five years that Danny Boy has had in his whole selfish life, but you didn't hear them crapping on about it. They just got on with the show and had fun. The sooner some rock musicians forget about being "artists" and remember that they are ENTERTAINERS, the better I'll like it. >So what if Dave Gahan is a junkie? So is Steve Kilbey from The Church. And countless other creative souls from all fields! Oh well let me be the first to congratulate them on their positive lifestyle choice. Sorry, but I'm TOTALLY sick of people who glorify and/or apologise for their own or anyone else's smack habit. It's stupid and destructive and anyone who gets into it deserves everything they get. Sorry but there's just no excuse in my book. You'd have to be five years old or certifiably retarded not to know how bad that shit is. I have no respect for them AT ALL, and in that regard, Kilbey and Gahan are equally stupid ... but at least you don't see Kilbey babbling on in Q about "my drug hell". In fact you don't see Kilbey in Q at all. (Which is part of my point. The Church could eat Depeche Mode for breakfast and still not feel hungry, yet the Angloamerigo-centric music press avoid Australian music like we have leprosy.) >Oh and Davo is a baritone,like Steve and me, so I *have* to defend him from scurrilous rumour and innuendo. If we're talking baritones I'll vote for the guy from The Triffids any day. Regardless of his range, Dave Gahan sings like a constipated drunken bank clerk in a karaoke bar. (pardon me while I douse myself in petrol - it'll save you some time) * * * Iain Murray sez: >.....a spray from Dunks: >>Depeche f***ing Mode?? Could you possibly have found a band I despise more? ELO. You've been using the Defence Department's secret mind-probe again, haven't you? * * * Joe Easter gets ominous: >Brett, Duncan, etc. I harbor no animosity towards anyone for their postings. >However, I have to let you know that although my girlfriend Tonya (Harding) >thinks that XTC is a pansy lovers band, she will go the length of the world >to defend our honor together. Only if she weren't on that pesky probation... OK OK -- tell Tonya I was just kidding. (Just don't tell her where I live. I haven't yet mastered the triple axle, and winter has only just begun.) BTW Joe are you any relation to Mitch Easter? Or Father Christmas? Thanks for the line "drunken macking with a barely legal doll". (Gee, you learn a new one every day on this list.) However the relevance of the Los Angeles thesis (a little overused, I have to say) is tenuous. I disagree that it was created by imbeciles. Run and inhabited by some imbeciles, sure. I try to keep an open mind (not always easy in the face of global stupidity) and I do have an ego (reconditioned, low-mileage, some minor panelbeating required) but I try not to let one get in the way of the other too much. Do I succeed? Probably not. * * * Brett Reeves: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE not the "CD vs LP" debate again, I beg you!!! * * * I totally agree with Paul Culnane. That Canberra Times review is the biggest load of shit I've read since Jack Marx's pustulous "biography" of Stevie Wright. It reveals nothing except the ignorance of the author. The guy evidently skimmed a few pages of Jimmy Webb's book and thinks he know everything about songwriting. Bollocks to him. * * * From: "Brian Young" <raggedglory57@hotmail.com> Subject: Steely Dan >I saw Steely Dan play on Tuesday night. Since I've seen a number of posts >regarding their latest album on this list, below is the setlist: You bastard!!!!! I hate you (sob sob sob) * * * From: Lawson Dominic He's BAAAACK! >Well, INXS were pretty ****ing dreadful...a piss poor version of late Gang >Of Four in fact, so awful AND sacrilegious... Well, I guess that's getting my own back isn't it? I'm not a dyed in the wool INXS fan, and I'm sure they outlived their welcome -- but they did have some damn good moments IMO. OK I know this is a bit of home-town barracking, but I think the Gang of Four comparison is off-target Dom. INXS were well established here LONG before anyone had ever heard Gang of Four, I can assure you. At the risk of being laughed at (moi??) may I recommend Michael Hutchence's solo album, released after his death. I was prepared for a load of boring rockist posturing and got an fine album that both delighted and saddened me. One listen makes it glaringly obvious that he should have ditched the Farriss Bros long ago, and found his own space. INXS's recent cringeworthy participation in a recent Aussie "all-star" (sic) musical tribute to His Royal High Exaltedness Tim Rice cemented my opinion that the backing band, not the singer, was the problem in that group. (Don't cry for me, Marge and Tina. The truth is, I never met you.) As for Paula ... the old Aussie expression "mad as a cut snake" comes to mind. A sad sad story when you know what really happened (e.g. it is not well known that just before he split with Helena Christensen, he had a serious motorbike crash and the resultant head injuries apparently caused a drastic personality change.) >seriously, it's almost worth going to see them just to remind >yourself why drummers should never be allowed to start their own bands. Funnily enough, I was in my local 2nd-hand CD store last night and he was playing Ringo's "Beaucoup of Blues". If you don't know it, that's the solo LP he made back in about 1969, with the producer and the session cats from Dylan's "Nashville Skyline" (Charlie Daniels, Charlie McCoy, etc). While not a really a country music fan at all, I was pleasantly surprised. Ringo's much-criticised voice is really right for the material and I must say was absolutely knocked out by one particular track "$15 Draw" which really kicks arse and features some incredible acoustic guitar work. Well worth a listen. Duncan (Love Me, Love My Dog) Kimball
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2000 03:32:50 EDT From: KINGSTUNES@aol.com Subject: If you let them push you... Message-ID: <84.658646d.2671f7a2@aol.com> Coupla notes (C# or Bb?) >This pure guesswork but I'm willing to bet a few bucks that it is not a >real Theremin; the sound is very similar but IMHO the frequency is >much too regular and in tune... >Something that is nigh impossible to achieve with a Theremin I agree, Mark. However, it could be a sample of a thermin! This would account for the (very realistic) tone, yet would allow for the pitch control through the controller keyboard. Very much like the mellotron samples that have been used recently. ***** Andy doesn't play like Dave... but geetar does not a song make. Andy does a song make, and fine ones at that. (-Brian Matthews) Bravo! Well said! Great anti-Kingstonian reduction! "What I meant to say was..." ****** >Yeah, I guess, but even the 'poppy' songs such as the ones you mentioned even >have a lot of substance and intelligence. By andy's standards, ITMWML has >very little of either. Plus, why must 'poppy music be 'stupid?'; an argument >that many seem to use. (matt mitchell) Hmmm...As deep as Mayor of Simpleton? Didn't I just call ITMWML brilliant? Isn't that the opposite of "stupid"? What we have here is a case of Oranges and Lemons! All contention aside, I find that the message behind ITMWML is quite deep. It's basically the same as All Of A Sudden (one of my alltime faves). Love is a fragile thing, especially love for life and humanity. If we're not careful, we'll loose it. In All Of A Sudden he warns that 'we'll find the cupboards bare...we'll find that we've lost love". And who better to do this mercy killing that one of it's greatest proponents? It's All Of A Sudden with a dark twist! The meaning is bleak, but the horror of it is blunted by the incredibly funny lyrics! "He was begging on his bended knee". "All the cheering angels shook my hand..." "...Putting statues up in every park". And the punchline at the end. Dark humour at it's best! Very challenging! And all on top of an unstoppably up, catchy rockin' tune! But stupid? Well, stupid is as stupid does! (Would you like a chocolate?) It may make some people uncomfortable with it's subject and it's metaphoric candor. But I feel there's a lot going on with this tune. If you feel otherwise, so be it. ******* <PS: Oh yeah "Hey Kingstunes - nice comeback!" My mother is passed on <now though so she can't stick her army boots up your ass. Dear Mr. Rosenberg. I deeply apologize if you were offended. I'm certain that your mother was a wonderful human being, as was my deceased mother. I meant no disrespect to her. And I'm quite certain she could knock me off my axis mundi! This is not a good start to our relationship as fellow Chalkhillers, and I would like very much to air this out and bury the hatch. I am here to have fun and to share my experiences, my knowledge and my opinions about XTC and related issues. I really don't want to go where this could head, and I don't think any of the other readers would, either. So I will say my piece and let it go. I found your comments regarding my "verbosity" hurtful, unnecessary, mean spirited and condescending. I reacted as anyone would who felt their character was being threatened. How would YOU have felt if you were scrolling along and you saw what you wrote about me, only it was about you? I apologize if my postings gave you such consternation as to have to lambast my usage of the language. Maybe for you, sitting alone at your keyboard, it's the most awful drek you've ever seen. But so what? I'm not out to capture any prizes. This is Chalkhills, not Nobel! You may not like how I say something, but that's my perogative. Unfortunately for you, I do not plan to alter what I might post and how I might say it to suit your whims. So, since we have to deal with each other, I suggest that we get along. I have apologized. It would balance the equation if you did the same, but, barring that, we can agree to at least be civil. You respect my right to say what I want however I want to, and I will respect your right to disagree. And vice versa. But stick to the subject! Who gives a rat's a** if I say it like Oscar Wlide or George W. Bush? OK?? Deal?? Now excuse me, but I have to get back to page 12 of someone else's post.... "Marked by the masters, and bruised by the bulllies in the Playground" Verbously yours, in a Kingstonian way, Tom K. Hey, Hey!
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2000 10:50:05 +0100
From: "Smith, David" <David.Smith@tfeurope.com>
Subject: RE: Arrrgh, to many Chalkhills . . .
Message-ID: <4BBE67B71C1DD411A23600508B65F71E0E51F8@tfsecmsg04.tfseur.co.uk>
Only joking, here's Smudger's once a week (ish) digest of things that
caught his diversely-wandering attention in this weeks posts. For what it's
worth - which is probably nothing.
Responses:
Eddie st.martin asked "what is Mr. Sting rhyming "spiritus moon-di" with?"
Errrm, "if we share, this nightmare, we can dream . . . spiritus mindi".
Well it probably means something to him!
ps. Eddie's pronunciation quiz.
1)What is the one word, which, if correctly spelled, is pronounced wrong?
"Wrong" perchance?
2)Which word is always spelled correctly?
That would be "correctly" wouldn't it?
3)Which word is always misspelled?
Get the drift yet?
4)What is the longest word in the english language?
See where this is going . . ?
5)Which three words are always pronounced right?
Enough, already!!
Joe Easter said "It is without doubt or controversy that XTC is the
world's best pop band (next to Flock of Seagulls and Nine Inch
Nails)". Nine Inch Nails. Hmmm, OK! Sorry Joe, but Trent Reznor is more
in need of a good kicking than even his "aren't we hard and dangerous" pal
Marilyn Manson. Oh, and Joe if you were being sarcastic, I've just done a
Molly - sorry mate, have a :-) on me.
As a chance to get back at me, I'll freely admit that I regard Violator by
DM as one of the best albums of the 90's.
Dom said "Yeah, but Iron Maiden are number one in Greece so it's not all
bad news....". Hey Dom, ever noticed how all the photos placed in reviews
of Iron Maiden still dig out that one band shot circa 1985-ish, with Bruce
wearing his yellow rubber skin-tight pants, while grinning (gurning) like
a yokel. Doesn't do 'em many favours does it?
Damien Wise helped us understand that "Actually it is patently obvious
from the physical interpretations of current Quantum Mechanic Theory that
the whole universe is subjective at best". Thanks Damien - what you mean
is "we're all light" - yes?
In 6-155 Jan Carol said she got the vid and not the sound on
guitar.com. Hey Jan, I got the sound and not the vid. We should get our
PCs to do lunch!
In 6-157 Brian Matthews said he never saw "Congo". You lucky, lucky, LUCKY
bar steward.
Alright, enough silly responses, here's some other silly stuff:
The much-discussed solo on CoW. I bloody love it - one euphemism rarely
attributed to Andy is understated. Well, on this he's as understated as
. . .oh, some really understated thing! Love it. I do, I love it. Honest.
More on-digest squabbling about demos. Have the nay and yea sayers ever
stopped to think that there's another (probably very large) sub-group out
here? That is, those frustrated souls who would LOVE to hear the demos,
but never get them, not being in the "inner sanctum" of those either in
the know or with stuff to trade.
To those of who who say the demos spoil it, I have one answer - give them
to me - all of them. That will kill two birds with one stone won't it?
Colin's bass playing comes in for fulsome praise and rightly so - if
you're still unsure, listen to One of The Millions.
And finally (honest), here's a funny little story (yeah, I know "funny" is
subjective). I met an old friend for a drink last night. Having been a
lovely sunny day in Croydon, we decided to sit at one of the few outside
tables the pub had.
Around 10pm, one of the staff came out and informed us that they were one
of the few pubs in the town with a licence to serve drinks outside, but
that licence was only valid until 10pm - so would we kindly move indoors.
Yes folks, for the first time in my life, last night I was kicked INTO a
pub!
Ain't life grand?
Smudgeboy
E-Mail: david.smith@tfeurope.com
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2000 09:59:40 +0000 (GMT) From: <gmiller@altern.org> Subject: programming in WS Message-ID: <200006090959.CAA07587@sgiblab.sgi.com> Hi all, Al last WS has been released in France. No promo single, but a coocking vinyl sampler is given up at selected stores (FNAC). While listenning to the cd, I first noticed the massive use drum machines especially in Stupidly happy and My Brown guitar. Isn't it the first time they use programming ? see you Gerard
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2000 07:27:57 -0700 (PDT) From: nross <PhoenixYellowRose@rocketmail.com> Subject: Not what I meant Molly, sorry to do that... and other stuff for the Message-ID: <20000609142757.12493.qmail@web2904.mail.yahoo.com> rest of ya. Okay, Molly... granted, my post came out more angry than I meant and I did push you in a corner somehow, which I knew I was doing... but I wanted you to post why you liked XTC. I know you can do that, you have a nice web page... you can write . I thought it would give you a chance to speak on something other than the sarcasm kick. And... although I find it amazing that you find it hard to understand written sarcasm, I must admit that I'm slow on understanding verbal sarcasm. And, actually, people often miss my verbal sarcasm. So, I don't think its a big deal you don't get it when its written on the screen of your computer. I did wonder if you caught it in the songs, because I'd think it would be a shame if you missed it. What bothers me about your posting on the subject is not that you missed the sarcasm, its that, afterwards you went on about how we should all put smiley faces and "just kiddings" throughout our messages. Actually, you could have been joking there, and I missed the sarcasm... but I think you were serious. Why does that drive me nuts? I dunno, cause I'm a snot, maybe. Anyway, the point of my last post was not to make you feel bad, and I'm very sorry if it did. It was to get people to see that you actually appreciate XTC and can express it. *********************************************************************** With that said, I'll move on to Wasp Star: What most amazes me about WS is that, when I listen to the songs, I'm not paying attention to the words (except for TWATMP). Its the first time the words fade for me and the music stands on its own. At first, this bothered me, because I like XTC for the lyrics (and the music, but mostly the lyrics grab me). Then, I relaxed and thought "what the hell, I enjoy it". But, the words, of course, are good too. They just didn't grab me as much. I don't think I'm the man is nearly as good as Mayor of Simpleton. The Mayor of Simpleton was written more as a conversation, than as a rhyme. For this reason, I think the lyrics flowed with the music in such a way that the song was both effective and enjoyable. With I'm the man, the lyrics seem more obviously rhymed. This makes the lyrics less effective, it sounds forced... less like thought. The music, on the other hand, is comparable to Mayor. This is opinion, of course. Hey, I don't think Standing in for Joe was meant to be lighthearted. Perhaps I'll write more detail on this, but right now I must get back to work so I'll shorten it. I'll merely state that I think you all need to listen to what is said and what is not stated in Colin's songs. What is not stated is purposely not stated. He keeps the wording to a minimum. He's making you think a bit. Think, for chrissake! -okay, thats it for now, Nicole ===== Nicole's internet music station: http://radio.sonicnet.com/mymusiclisten.asp?name=phoenixyellowrose
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2000 09:08:09 -0400 From: Jude Hayden <jhayden@bistrogroup.com> Subject: my tuppence on Gregsy Message-ID: <B1A488D8676AD211AC7C204C4F4F50200279FB@server.bistrogroup.com> On Wed, 7 Jun 2000 08:43:26 -0500 "Damian Wise (Foulger)" <damian@imclaser.com> said: "I do like Wasp Star, but I ... notice ... that many of the songs seem to start with a guitar riff which continues blantantly, loudly through the whole song... Has anyone else noticed this, or is it just me?" It's not just you, Damian. I mean, I really like WS- it has grown on me as all XTC usually do, slowly at first until - WHAMMO! I love it more than, say, solid gold Hostess "ho-hos." BUT... what I think this record is really lacking in Dave's absence is interesting guitar noodling. It's not a slam against Andy (and for what it's worth, I honestly can't believe that some people who have followed XTC for any length of time are surprised by Andy's guitar skills. Just listen to the guitar work on the 2 pre-Gregory albums- that is the work of an EXTREMELY capable, innovative guitarist. The guy just rocks!). Dave, however, added a lot of interesting guitar figures, all the time, in nearly every song. Andy (on this record anyway) seems to say "Well, I've got my riff and I'm sticking to it!" It's still great stuff, but it's missing that extra dimension Dave added. Andy's a terrific player, but Dave is the cleanest, most fluid guitarist I can think of in a "pop" band; he's just phenomenal. See ya- Jude
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2000 06:34:31 -0700 (PDT) From: The Colonel <captainextraneous@yahoo.com> Subject: Regarding Snakefinger Message-ID: <20000609133431.24372.qmail@web2302.mail.yahoo.com> I remember Snakefinger (vaguely), but I know "Smelly Tongues" better as the version which appeared on "Meet The Residents." Definitely one of the more listenable (if you can call it that) tracks on the record. I suggest you check out the Residents if you haven't already... As for Wasp Star, I haven't been able to find a copy here in Indy yet. But I ordered it online and I should have it in my player TODAY!!!! Yippee. The Colonel
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2000 09:40:23 -0400 From: "Martin, Alan" <Alan.Martin@ncxix.hcg.eds.com> Subject: Another One? Yep! Message-ID: <B812DC6BF121D411B3FE00508B0B94222E8AEF@chowan.ncxix.hcg.eds.com> I'm going to throw my one "sense" worth onto the review pile for AV2! I was able to hear all of the demos for the album and I believe that the album is a vast improvement over them. But I must say that the demos were very good. I have enjoyed reading all of the reviews so far. Keep them coming. Playground - An excellent opener with a great melody and driving drum work. I especially like the rolling "fuzzy warble" treatment of the vocals at the end of each verse. My favorite lyrical moment from the song: "School is out, but never over. That's the only lesson you can learn". Favorite vocal moment: the octave jump of Andy's voice at the end of the song. Stupidly Happy - Didn't like this song on the demo, to repetitive. Far to repetitive. Just repeated itself over and over and over and, ok I'll stop. The changes made to the album version really bring this song up a few notches. One aspect of this song that I feel is not fully realized follows the lyric "All the lights of the cars in the town form the strings of a big guitar". Right after that lyric a momentary crash of electric/acoustic guitar comes in. I always expect it to continue and carry throughout the song from that point until the end. It would have fit perfectly with the continued lyric of "I'm a giant who plays you a tune for wherever you are" and added that additional layering that takes place through the first half of the song. Boarded Up - My first reaction was, wow this is REALLY different for XTC. The feeling of this song is completely different from anything else on the album. It has a woody, late night feel to it. I think the lyrics are well spent without being preachy. I've often thought about the lyrics as the analogy of a sad ending to a relationship though I'm sure that is not what Colin intended. I find this song to be completely devoid of Andy in it's feel, which is nice and let's Colin's talent shine through. Man Who Murdered Love - I nearly cried the first time I heard this song it's so good. It immediately struck me as classic XTC. Melodic & Playful with great lyrics. Contrary to some reviews here, I find the quasi-eastern guitar solo the perfect amount of farce for what sounds to be a sarcastic response to the whole "Dave" thing. Think about it. "It's the middle of the song oh... yea... oh... I'm guilty, I'm guilty, I'm guilty, yea!" then the solo. A very "Charm the snake" feel, if you follow my line of thought. If you doubt for a second Andy's guitar ability and comprehension, take a look at the Guitar.Com videos and all your doubts will be quashed. This song is a brilliant piece of pop artwork from beginning to end. Wounded Horse - I have one name for you: John Lennon. This song SCREAMS Lennon and has all trimmings of Andy's brilliant pacing. Too slow? Not on your nipper. The whole point of the song is the express the complete loss and dismay felt by the situation. The "plodding" feel of dealing with such a realization from day to day. The horse clopping is great and I love the melody of the bridge, just awesome. Standing In For Joe - This song is really a playful idea though not really original. Allot of Beatle/McCartney feel seeping into this one. Like the little drum roll build up after the repeat of the first verse near the end of the song. Yes folks, you've heard that little drum bit somewhere before... "Good Day Sunshine" would be the place. Of course, I don't believe it was intentional. I can't really understand the comparisons to "Tell Me What You See" except for the similar beginnings in the melody at the start of the verses in both songs. Perhaps this is Colin's seedy version of "You're Gonna Lose That Girl". This is one of Colin's best. You & The Clouds - Strongest song lyrically on the album other than maybe TWATMP. The Sting comparison is understandable but slight. Sting is great, but Lyrically an Andy Partridge he is not. The lyrics that run throughout this masterpiece are one continuous stream of compact poignant statements. All balanced as counterpoint to the simple beauty that is the person being addressed. The perfect expression of the outside, seemingly harsh world and the intimate, beautiful, personal world all thrown into a single song. This is easily one of Andy's best compositions from ANY album. Church of Women - A song that sounds like it could belong on AV1. A great bridge here also, the end of which is VERY Beatles circa "White Album". A very enjoyable song filled with lots of audio texture. The structure of this song strikes one with a sense of being appropriate for its subject. Almost stoic in presentation as a religious feeling can often express. This song is a study of musical content and form. We're All Light - Andy never fails to surprise with his marriage of music and lyrics. From demo through final product, this song hasn't lost anything. The bridge throws the little hairs up on the back of my neck every time I hear it. It rolls along through the song and fills you with that zing that only an XTC song can. I think "Jack and Jillion" is a great, compact way of expressing the beginning of something great but tongue in cheek at the same time. My Brown Guitar - Again, I have to suggest a correlation to late Beatles music, specifically Lennon. This song has been stripped down a good bit from the demo version which was more guitar heavy and suffers from the change. This is the only track that I believe lost it's punch from demo to final recording. The lyrics are playful and very suggestive. The melody is brilliant but loses itself over the sparse arrangement. I had very high hopes for this song in it's final version, but it leaves me cold. In Another Life - "I'll be your Burton if you'll be my Liz" is very Andy like in it's lyric to me. In some ways, Colin can branch out into new musical territory that even Andy doesn't get. This song is a great example of that. Every time I get ready for a never before heard Moulding song to play, my first thought is "What's he gonna do this time" which is very refreshing. This is just a good, solid little piece of songwriting that catches you a little more with each listen. The hook is definitely at work here. Thanks for letting me drone on.
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