Currently listening to...

[Melaszka]

Right, I said I'd get back to a couple of people when I'd had a chance to listen to Fear of a Blank Planet properly. So, at the risk of being even more self-indulgent than usual:

Yes, I really like it. It's, as they say, all killer no filler. Unusually, I liked pretty much all of it on first hearing, and it continued to grow on me (usually when I'm breaking in a new album, it takes me a while to get into it and I cling to one or two more accessible tracks for a bit. In cases where I like it all initially, I've usually gone off it after a few of plays, but not here).

Much as I appreciate Rich's contribution to "Ashes", I think my favourite tracks are the title track, "Sentimental", and "Anaesthetise" from about the point where it sounds like it's about to turn into "Wish You Were Here". The only track I'm not sure about is "Sleep Together".

I think it is "really like" as opposed to "love", but I'm not sure how much that is because I went a bit mad when I got paid last week and bought more CDs in 48 hours than I've bought in the last 3 years put together (although that's still probably less than many people buy in an average week) and so I'm now desperate not to fall in love with anything else for a while.

I'm certainly keen to hear some more PT, though, and I bet they're fantastic live. I've also highly recommended them to my sister, who is heavily into prog rock.

Now listening to: TGU (again!) "Step Across The Edge"

[anortherncod]

PT took a while to grow on me as well - but then I could say that about everything I buy.

Sleep Together is a fantastic closer imho - straight after listening to it I burnt my clothes and my Prada trainers - oh, I just can't stop injecting my ker-azy sense of humour into everything, sorry about that...

In retrospect I don't know how I got through so many years WITHOUT PT - that's a bit of an exaggeration, you might think, but then you can't see me wired up to my PT Tank.

OK, that really is enough from me now.

Get Lightbulb Sun next - *runs*...!!!

[Melaszka]

Sleep Together is a fantastic closer imho - straight after listening to it I burnt my clothes and my Prada trainers - oh, I just can't stop injecting my ker-azy sense of humour into everything, sorry about that...

I don't dislike Sleep Together, it's just that I keep thinking it must be some kind of illegitimate son of "Sweet Harmony" by Beloved and "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin - *runs*!!!

Get Lightbulb Sun next

With a Sylvian solo album due out this year and a possible Furniture re-release, I'm afraid Messrs Wilson and Barbieri are just going to have to get in line. But, no, seriously, I will definitely look out for it, and try some more post Japan Barbieri, Jansen and Karn, too.

[Holmewood]

Lunchtime listening is a nostalgic throwback 80's compilation...

* It's Immaterial - Gigantic Raft
* Red Guitars - Good Technology/ ParisFrance
* Vicious Pink - CCCCan't You See
* The Bolshoi - MfP, Strawberries and Cream, Waspy, Giants
* Kid Creole & the Coconuts - Me No Pop i
* The Eurythmics - This is The House
* Barnes & Barnes - Fishheads (seriously...)
* The Bible - Mahalla
* Hue & Cry - Labour of Love.

Before that was The Creatures (Another Planet), some Eberhard Weber, Miss Modular by Stereolab, Lou Reed (the Bed) and His Name is Alive Mouth by Mouth.

Stone to Flesh and Approaching SIlence now that I have to do some work...

[Tin Bird]

[quote="Holmewood"]Lunchtime listening is a nostalgic throwback 80's compilation...

* It's Immaterial - Gigantic Raft
* Red Guitars - Good Technology/ ParisFrance
* Vicious Pink - CCCCan't You See
* The Bolshoi - MfP, Strawberries and Cream, Waspy, Giants
* Kid Creole & the Coconuts - Me No Pop i
* The Eurythmics - This is The House
* Barnes & Barnes - Fishheads (seriously...)
* The Bible - Mahalla
* Hue & Cry - Labour of Love.

Wow! Red Guitars, The Bolshoi, and Barnes and Barnes...you really know your rare stuff...impressive! I love The Bolshoi...the few bits of Red Guitars I've heard was pretty good, kind've reminded me of early Aztec Camera a bit. Of course, Barnes and Barnes was another story altogther...did you ever take the fearful steps over to the Residents and Renaldo and the Loaf camp?

[Holmewood]

the Residents and Renaldo and the Loaf camp?

New to me I'm afraid, but I wouldn't say I was a B&B expert either. I just love the lyrics...and it has the children in hysterics.

"Roly Poly Fishheads are never seen drinking cappucino in Italian restaurants with oriental women...yeah!".

"Classic stuff" as Alan Partridge might have said. But then he liked Wings and ELO too...

The Bolshoi were a great band - I saw them play "Friends" live In Birmingham supporting Peter Murphy when he had just released "Should the World Fail to Fall Apart". Trevor Tanner was a real talent. Their first album "Giants" is worth a listen, if you can find it.

Also meant to add the Mike Mansfield remix of Yip Yip Coyote's "Pioneer Girl" to the above - a classic 80's 12" remix single that John Peel used to play, and totally unlike the original.

Those were the days!

[Simonp]

I've been listening to the thomas feiner album a great deal. the closing track "all that numbs you" is simply one of the most beautiful songs I've heard in a long time. would love to hear Sylvian sing it.

[Tin Bird]

the Residents and Renaldo and the Loaf camp?

New to me I'm afraid, but I wouldn't say I was a B&B expert either. I just love the lyrics...and it has the children in hysterics.

"Roly Poly Fishheads are never seen drinking cappucino in Italian restaurants with oriental women...yeah!".

Residents and esp. Renaldo and the Loaf are both very much like the Barnes and Barnes stuff...totally eclectic, hardly even musical, and avant garde to the extreme. I've dabbled with the stuff...I actually kind of like Renaldo and the Loaf just cause they are sooo weird and out there, but would be hard for me to recommend their stuff to anybody. Just too crazy....
Back to the 80's obscure bands, how bout: Our Daughter's Wedding, Polyrock, Blancmange, Wild Swans, The Lotus Eaters, Red Box, Icehouse, Hipsway, John Foxx, Thomas Leer, Fad Gadget, Holger Hiller, The Chameleons, and China Crisis?

[Holmewood]

The Lotus Eaters - couldn't understand why they weren't big: I picked up their Peel Sessions CD recently. Icehouse (No promises etc..) - all good stuff: I think Jansen produced or sessioned on one or more of their tracks didn't he?

Fad Gadget - interesting Japan connection too, because he went to college with and did some stuff with David Rhodes who played on the Art of Parties tour if I'm right.

Hipsway good too. How about also:

* Icicle Works
* A Certain Ratio
* Xmal Deutschland
* Act

And some really obscure stuff
* Frazier Chorus - remember them?!
* Doe Rei Me - "Deep Blue Sea" ring any bells?!

I also loved Tanita Tikarum and Johnny Hates Jazz - just kidding...

[Chet]

wow... Frazier Chorus. I had forgotten that one. have to go down to the attics and search for some old vinyls.

[Holmewood]

wow... Frazier Chorus. I had forgotten that one. have to go down to the attics and search for some old vinyls.

I've got two of their albums, "Sue" and "Ray" - not sure if they are related but don't recall them doing anything else.

Has anyone heard any of Trevor Tanner's solo stuff - is it worth a listen?

[heartofdavid]

Coin-Operated Boy - The Dresden Dolls

[Tin Bird]

I've got two of their albums, "Sue" and "Ray" - not sure if they are related but don't recall them doing anything else.

Yes, Frazier Chorus were great too. I have both the cd's you mentioned...they actually did release one more called "Wide Awake" which was not quite as good. Of interest, Kate from Frazier Chorus is one of the girls in Client. Don't care for them much though...
I agree about the Lotus Eaters..."First Picture of You", what a beautiful track.
I know Steve Jansen and Mick Karn played on that Icehouse album, not sure if they produced it.
Didn't know about the Fad Gadget connection...too bad about Frank...he was a genius.

[Tin Bird]

I've been listening to the thomas feiner album a great deal. the closing track "all that numbs you" is simply one of the most beautiful songs I've heard in a long time. would love to hear Sylvian sing it.

I agree 100%...I totally see why David felt the need to rerelease this album. That track is gut wrenching to say the least...such difficult emotions that I unfortunately can quite relate too.

[godisinthesilences]

some various tunes by ryuichi sakamoto.

Oh i meant to ask if anyone here listens to Loscil and/or Tim Hecker? I took a listen to them the other night and found them interesting....