I've come to really like this record in spite of it. That is, it's basically a tribute to slick, generic 70s classic rock, which, as a rule, I detest. Yet I kept playing this album and I went from curiosity to grudging acknowledgement to genuinely liking. There's zilch about it that I can defend or recommend, but I still like it.
There's hope for you yet with the KISS solo albums.
I've come to really like this record in spite of it. That is, it's basically a tribute to slick, generic 70s classic rock, which, as a rule, I detest. Yet I kept playing this album and I went from curiosity to grudging acknowledgement to genuinely liking. There's zilch about it that I can defend or recommend, but I still like it.
There's hope for you yet with the KISS solo albums.
I'll leap from a great height should that come to pass.
I've never fully cottoned to this album of Love of Life. They're good, don't get me wrong, but I have a hard time finding a hand hold. It's not the brutal minimalism of earlier albums and not the aggressive post rock they'd eventually become. It ain't commercial by any means, yet weirdly pretty. They're the most atypical Swans records, yet they're a sensible place to start, too.
This is going to sound really cringe, but I think the works taken in aggregate form a kind of epic narrative, like a 19th century Russian novel or something. There's a real sense of adventure to their body of work. So this is like a chapter rather than a testament. I realize this all sounds pretentious as all fuck but i can't think of another way to couch it.
It makes me want to look into their back story TBH
I've never fully cottoned to this album of Love of Life. They're good, don't get me wrong, but I have a hard time finding a hand hold. It's not the brutal minimalism of earlier albums and not the aggressive post rock they'd eventually become. It ain't commercial by any means, yet weirdly pretty. They're the most atypical Swans records, yet they're a sensible place to start, too.
This is going to sound really cringe, but I think the works taken in aggregate form a kind of epic narrative, like a 19th century Russian novel or something. There's a real sense of adventure to their body of work. So this is like a chapter rather than a testament. I realize this all sounds pretentious as all fuck but i can't think of another way to couch it.
It makes me want to look into their back story TBH
Nick Soulsby published an oral history of the band last year, and there's a documentary making the rounds on the festival circuit (should be commercially released by the fall).
There is something deliberate about what Gira does—he's an ultra-serious control freak who doesn't abide by happy accidents—but I'm not sure if there's some more meta to it all. Power and transcendence thru suffering are pretty standard themes throughout the Swans catalogue. He's a guy who has a deep need to find a meaning and purpose to human suffering. And as angry as he was in the 80s, he seems to have found some pleasure (if that's the word) in audience experiences now. A post-punk Jim Morrison maybe?
Re: What Are you Listening to Right Now?
Posted: 08 Aug 2019, 1:10pm
by Dr. Medulla
Re: What Are you Listening to Right Now?
Posted: 08 Aug 2019, 6:15pm
by Dr. Medulla
If Kory doesn't know this already, he'd probably give it support.
Re: What Are you Listening to Right Now?
Posted: 08 Aug 2019, 6:39pm
by Heston
Had Abbey Road and some Squeeze on tonight. Then dabbled with some Laurel Aitken. Finishing off with some 60s garage classics.
I've come to really like this record in spite of it. That is, it's basically a tribute to slick, generic 70s classic rock, which, as a rule, I detest. Yet I kept playing this album and I went from curiosity to grudging acknowledgement to genuinely liking. There's zilch about it that I can defend or recommend, but I still like it.
I think I saw them open for Interpol. I don't remember what they sounded like.
If Kory doesn't know this already, he'd probably give it support.
I do know it, and will wholeheartedly recommend any one of their albums. Laika (along with Moloko, Sneaker Pimps, and Lamb) definitely found a way to escape the thrall of the main three and become something unique.
I've come to really like this record in spite of it. That is, it's basically a tribute to slick, generic 70s classic rock, which, as a rule, I detest. Yet I kept playing this album and I went from curiosity to grudging acknowledgement to genuinely liking. There's zilch about it that I can defend or recommend, but I still like it.
I think I saw them open for Interpol. I don't remember what they sounded like.
You sound like me talking about books. It's ridiculous how few books I can recall beyond vague impressions.
I've come to really like this record in spite of it. That is, it's basically a tribute to slick, generic 70s classic rock, which, as a rule, I detest. Yet I kept playing this album and I went from curiosity to grudging acknowledgement to genuinely liking. There's zilch about it that I can defend or recommend, but I still like it.
I think I saw them open for Interpol. I don't remember what they sounded like.
You sound like me talking about books. It's ridiculous how few books I can recall beyond vague impressions.
I've come to really like this record in spite of it. That is, it's basically a tribute to slick, generic 70s classic rock, which, as a rule, I detest. Yet I kept playing this album and I went from curiosity to grudging acknowledgement to genuinely liking. There's zilch about it that I can defend or recommend, but I still like it.
I think I saw them open for Interpol. I don't remember what they sounded like.
You sound like me talking about books. It's ridiculous how few books I can recall beyond vague impressions.
You should keep a book diary!
I still have my rough notes when I did my fields, "reading" roughly a book a day. And whenever I teach a book, I have very thorough summaries and observations to work from. But that's about it.
Re: What Are you Listening to Right Now?
Posted: 12 Aug 2019, 4:31pm
by BitterTom
I've heard this many times but never really listened to it. I love it. Any Paul Young recommendations anyone?