Just in time for summer! Skytone has release this new track along with this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puWYeUNtaeE
Available on Bandcamp: http://skytone1.bandcamp.com/album/the-summer-that-never-ends
Jul 04
New Releases in Cue!
Here’s a quick note to start the hype for the new Dot Dash album (https://www.facebook.com/dotdashdc) in final stages of production, Roy Moller’s latest , TVP4 and our latest free online sampler being released online this week!!
Hope to hear from you soon!
TBM
Apr 13
PAUL BEVOIR – IN DAYS OF WONDER – MAGNIFICENT RELEASE BY EX JETSET
This release is easily one of the best releases of the decade or should I say this century. It has taken me years just to get around to writing something about it, mainly because I don’t think anything I say, can do it justice. How do you describe one of the most magnificent releases you have ever heard? An album that soars and flows so beautifully that very little can compare. An album by one of your favourite artists ever!!!
I have to admit that I have been a fan of Paul Bevoir for years since his days with The Jetset (who were sort of like The Monkees of My Generation in the Mod revival but OH SO Much Better!!!). Paul was also associated with many a cool record labels, from Tot Taylor’s “Compact Organisation” (having even rumoured to be one of the Wilsations backing the wonderful Mari Wilson band and having a few songs released on various compilations); Paul Bultitude’s (fellow Jetset, Secret Affair, Advertising) The Dance Network where a lot of the early Jetset material was released on, being somehow involved with Capatain Sensible’s “Deltic” Records to Chris Hunt’s amazing Tangerine Records who released some of his later solo stuff and so much more (you know the fine folks who brought you releases by The Direct Hits, The Moment, Cleaners From Venus, Mood Six and the wonderful Rinaldi Sings albums etc.) .
Over the years I have treasured Paul’s first two solo releases “The Happiest Days Of Your Life” which was originally released on The Dance Network Label and re-released on the fabulous Tangerine Records and the superb “Dumb Angel” which came out on Tangerine and includes one of my favourite songs of all time “The Equestrian”. These releases have now become quite the collectibles but are well worth searching out, I have also quite enjoyed his Jangle, psych pop travels with The Smalltown Parade (and good luck finding their releases, having been released in Japan on CD and a few items on Deltic Records in the UK) and enjoyed his excursions with Melvyn & The Smarties (who released a 7” single on Little Teddy Recordings in Germany) and the mod supergroup Boys About Town 7” with Anthony Meynell, Edward Ball, and Simon Smith (who also had one 7″ single released on the Little Teddy Recordings label).
As a solo artist, Paul was influenced by the likes of Jimmy Webb, Simon and Garfunkel, The Kinks, The Beatles (at times even sounding better than the Beatles – you may laugh but that’s only because you have not heard these yet) and many others but also always had an elegance of British charm, that were unmistakably his own unique style. Paul is a song-smith of the highest order and everything he touches is magic – his music brings joy to the heart and can transport you to a wonderful place where POP music is supreme.
I waited for many years for this release to finally come out (along with many other people), only to become speechless upon it’s release. So finally the silence is broken, but I honestly don’t know what to say so I am not going to talk about the music but just encourage you to do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of “In Days Of Wonder” before it becomes a highly sought after collectible like most of his early works of art.
Jan 29
From the midst of the deep freeze something rumbles
… What’s this you say? A Beautiful Music 
update and it hasn’t even been 3 years since the last one – getting a bit ambitious aren’t we.
Ah well, we thought it best you heard the news from us before someone else told you about it (like our last release by Dot Dash which is now plastered all over the internet and still getting rave reviews, even making it in Jack Rabid’s top 40 of 2012 and we forgot to tell most of you about it). We plan to 
have a few new releases this year, starting with another Free Label Sampler (after the huge success of our last one which crashed our system- so if we seem to vanish for a while you’ll know why) so you can hear a few songs from some recent releases and to whet your appetite for some that are just around the corner – we may even include a song or 2 not on our label just to confuse you.
We hope to quickly follow that with a new album from the very prolific and talented Roy Moller who was championed by the amazing Marc Riley and who has been featured on several live BBC sessions including one with a former Fire Engine / Nectarine #9. Well Roy has sent us about 50 new songs to choose from (he isn’t making it easy for us with so many to choose from) and soon you will be humming to some of his new tunes.
Shortly following this will be the fourth (yes you heard it right) installment of our famous Television Personalities Tribute series. This one will feature submissions by the likes of The Just Joans, The Yellow Melodies, Simon Bish, Skytone, Banana And Louie, Bright Lights Big Zombie, I Satelite, Jeremy, The Dupont Circles, Paul Bonin and The Chosen Few (Paul being from one of our favourite bands of all time – The Jetset), and so much more – another 40 TVP covers to feed your addiction and maybe it will help cheer poor Dan up and speed up his recovery.
And if that’s not enough releases, we hope to also finally get another Armstrong album unleashed on the world.
Work is also under way on our tribute to The Sound and the Edward Ball / Times tributes with submissions trickling in – the latest cover by old favourites and tbm friends, The Woog Riots with a Smashing version of “My Andy Warhol Poster” which will also be included on a soon to be released compilation of rarities. Check out the label sampler for a few leaks from these tributes.
Rumours also run amok that a new single by Skytone is in the works (if we can get them to stop doing covers long enough to record it) as is new material by the ever mysterious TSI (The Social Icons for those who hate abreviations) but don’t hold your breath unless you don’t mind turning blue.
We better stop know as we have given away Way too much information and just thinking about all this is getting me tired and if we are actually going to pull this off, I better get back to work.
The Sound Of The Underground Lives On.
ps – Keep checking our Twitter and our Youtube for just as infrequent updates.
Jan 12
Brush Strokes On Canvas – Fabulous Art For Pop Kids
First I have to admit that I was predisposed to enjoy this compilation, even before I listened to it as I noticed quite a few of my favourite bands in the track listing – people like Phil Wilson (of June Brides fame – one of the best bands ever), Simon Bish / aka Simon Goalpost (who ran the wonderful Pop Noise label, which is sadly missed), A Fine Day For Sailing & Banana And Louie (both bands which feature the amazing talents of a one, Matthew Stead, an highly undervalued Pop genius), Andy Botterill / aka Andy B (head honcho at the Pastime Records Label and a man with great taste and a member of many bands, like National Pastime and Falling Trees to cite a few), Bright Lights Big Zombie (one of my favourite bands of the past few years), National Pastime, Falling Trees and The Morrisons (all bands who have released some amazing albums in recent times). But just having a solid line up doesn’t always make for a great compilation, you still need to have the tunes and this disc really delivers, with some of the finest music being released today. I’ll try to share a few thoughts on the songs and as usual name drop some other artists when the music so inspires me.
Catherine And The Owl are a band that I know very little about and I find their sound warm and appealing as well as bit dark underneath and a great opener to the CD. Simon Goalpost follows and how can you go wrong with a tunesmith of the highest order, always a joy to listen to. It keeps getting better with Phil Wilson up next, who not only is one of the nicest people but also a genius and a legend in POP music – it’s nice to have him back – Long live The June Brides! And I hope they have a new album in the works after listening to their latest single. Banana And Louie serve up some beautiful pastoral pop of the finest pedigree, reminding me of The Beach Boys (a bit obvious since they are named after Brian Wilson’s dogs), The Ladybug Transistor, The Lochness Mouse, The Pearlfishers and maybe some Pastels thrown in the mix – you get the picture (their recent album is absolute must for any Pop fan). Mozura is a new band to my ears and I love the groove and the swagger of this tune and really should search out some more.
National Pastime are a band I’ve already written about often and I really love their sound and especially the vocals which fill the songs with so much passion and emotion. Another new band to me is Raining Globe and I love the guitar intro and at times they remind me of Snow Patrol at their finest moments. The Morrisons present some more perfect Pop which at times reminds me of The Undertones (especially when he says “By Your Side …”), and what better compliment can you give someone. Secrets For September provide a dreamy backdrop that complement the vocals and the theme of the song and a joy to listen to. Bright Lights Big Zombie, as mentioned are already favourite and easily one of the best new band I’ve heard in a long time – this is a brilliant tune from a stunning album (which you can read more about here – http://thebeautifulmusic.com/?p=1250 ).
I have also been a fan of Andy B (aka Botterill) since the early days when he and Simon Bish sent me several TVP covers with the various bands they played with and his productivity and quality of tunes continues to improve and impress. This compilation speaks volumes on his impeccable taste and an ear for a great tune. The much missed A Fine Day For Sailing was the band Matthew Stead was in before forming Banana & Louie and you can’t go wrong with any of their releases if you’re a Pop fan and if you have not heard their last 7” single with the “Smith’s Song”, you’re really missing out on some timeless pop and a collector’s item that will likely sell for a small fortune in the near future. Talking about Pop geniuses, leads me to the one and only Simon Bish, a former member of Peel favourite Thrilled Skinny and owner of the wonderful Pop Noise empire and member of countless bands (and also to be featured on TVP tribute 4) is a real treasure and it will be well worth your while to check out his solo work if you enjoy Teenage Fanclub, Ride, Big Star, The Orchids or that era of Creation/Sarah Records sound.
The Falling Trees are up next with “Things To Look Forward To” and the title says it all as I always look forward to something new by this very talented band (I really enjoyed their last album “The Memories That Hold Us Together” and a new recording by them is just out, which is amazing and captures them in a live setting) – I love the vocals with so much passion and emotion, reminding me in some ways of Adrian Borland although not really sounding like him, it’s just the feeling that is poured into the songs. Fonda follows with more classic pop with jangling guitars, a touch of feedback and a great groove and tune to match – I don’t know much about them but I do know I’d like to hear more. The Akibas are another band that is new to my ears and I’m enjoying what I’m hearing with those rich vocals and a warm sound as they sing about deceipt and lies. Now don’t be scared off by The Coffin Collectors, as they are not a goth band and the music is not dark and gloomy, but rather joyous as here they present their wonderful love song to the red haired girl. Count To Fire’s “Falling In Line” is a beautiful laid back number with some jazzy piano and some hints of Americana in the vein of Lambchop or Willard Grant Conspiracy.
The final song by Console is a real treat – Wow! I love this song – it’s like Ceremony era New Order doing one of the Cure’s best songs from their early days, with hints of Joy Division, The Sound and in more recent years St. Deluxe. It has an amazing instrumental start and even without the singing I was hooked so when it builds (ooh and how it builds!) and the vocals enter, it makes for essential listening – you must hear this song. This is the first song I’ve heard by Console but I really want to hear their first album and their follow up, which I have been told was never released as they morphed into Bright Lights Big Zombie. That is a shame and an injustice that I’m sure will be rectified at some point. For now put this song on repeat and enjoy!
All things considered, you can’t go wrong with this collection and I’m sure you will find a few new gems to treasure!
Sep 30
Yesterday’s News Tomorrow!
Welcome to our “Adventure Playground” and here is a smidgen of what’s going on in our small world (we had hoped to update you on a more regular basis like once a year but you will have to settle for quarterly – of a decade that is – we did warn you that the transmissions would be rare) and even as I write this some of it is already outdated and new stuff is happening so to be completely up to date you would have to just hang out with us at tbm headquarters.
Anyway here we go enjoy the ride …
We have many exciting releases planned for this year if we can find enough time.
TVP Tribute volume 4 (Beauty 025) – You are going to love it!!!!! There is so much that can be said about it, but I’ll just give you a few hints so you will get the sense of how grand this will be. The Legendary Paul Bonin from one of my all time favourites The Jetset has created a most beautiful version of the song “How I learned To Love The Bomb” with his band of merry men – The Chosen Few which will be contrasted by an equally amazing version of the same song by Mod greats The Dupont Circles.
A seven year world-wide search for Dreamworld recording artists, The Impossible Years, has located Todd Shuster as he is reviving his original band, The Jags (not the UK version), and efforts are under way for a blog interview and a TVP cover (which is now completed). Schuman The Human will serve up a hauntingly classic version of “Look Back In Anger” and even includes the fine talents of one of my favourite drummers and Creation Records staple, Dave Morgan (The Loft, The Weather Prophets, The Rockingbirds, etc. etc.). You will certainly fall in love with The Just Joans cover, who have just released their first album (on vinyl!!) and will likely be a household name soon as they play many of the UK festivals. “Painting by Numbers” is given an interesting facelift by Norb Payr of The Jaybirds and Subcandies fame. Robert Scott from The Bats (who also released an amazing solo album recently) contributed a track as did fellow New Zealanders, The Puddle. Bright Lights Big Zombie’s beautiful take on “She’s my Yoko” and a submission by Japan’s The Penelope’s will guarantee your satisfaction. Ohhh and There’s So much more, but I’ve already said too much.
The Sound and Adrian Borland Tribute album. Although I never met him, Adrian’s music with the Sound meant a lot to me and their music were a significant part of my life in the early 80’s and I have followed his career through the years – his solo albums being just as amazing and he released some of the best songs ever written. It was such a tragedy with his death and I have wanted to do the tribute for many years now (even before his passing) but things keep getting in the way. I’m hoping that this next year we will have some time to dedicate to this project to do it justice.
I also discussed this project with Phil King (from Lush/The Servants/Apple Boutique) as he was an old friend and actually started his first band The Beautiful Losers with equipment that he got from Adrian. Adrian also produced his first few songs which recently got released on edition 59 records in Germany. He also helped out with Second Layer and played guitar on a song on Cinematic as well as linked Adrian with Felt to produce their last album. We are very eager to move forward with this in 2012. We had several covers already – one which was previewed on the free label sampler, but thanks to German Sound fan, Powertool Records promoter and old friend, Thomas Keitch, who decided he would help out, and he has/is scouring the planet looking for worthy contributors. As a result, this project has really started moving ahead with submissions coming in and Jack Rabid even agreeing to contribute a track and Roy Moller has recorded his, and an old Jazz Butcher band member is rumoured to be involved with many more covers in the works. We’ll keep you in the loop.
Also in the world of all things Skytone… tributes abound, cover after cover are being released on their youtube channel straight from the Woodside studio, check out one of my fave’s, made famous by First Aid Kit and now covered in an intimate studio session with perfect Doddridge harmonies and timing, great work boys! Stay tuned to this blog and the Skytone site for the latest on a possible upcoming single and maybe an album before the next decade is out.
The Social Icons have confirmed that they have begun recording their sophomore release with an interesting twist, Nick says they have begun the migration and are becoming a musical collective??? What can this mean for the ex-rebels? Stay tuned to this blog for more news as it happens… or at least every six months!!! Lol. Also keep checking the TSI site for leakages of rare tracks and the stories behind them.
Roy Moller is also a busy man with a follow up to last year’s Marc Riley approved “Playing Song’s No One’s Listening To” (Beauty 017) being released on the UK label, the Mecca Holding Company. The album is called “THE SINGING”S GETTING BETTER” and was just released May 1st, 2012 and it has more of his wit and talent on display. He also has enough songs recorded for a follow up album which may see the light of day on at a label near you. Stay tuned.
And that’s only a small part of the story as I just don’t have time to talk about the BMX Bandits tribute EP and the Edward Ball / Times tribute and the instrumental compilation and the follow up to our Pop compilation and the Robert King EP and the conclusion of the Nick Danger Thrillogy and the Phantom Mules, my love of Edwyn Collin’s new AED label, Apple Boutique’s album on Vollwert Records, and I can go on forever – some things will have to wait.
Since you made it this far and I did promise a reward – anyone who gets a copy of the new Yellow Melodies EP, we will include a free copy of the label sampler (physical CDR edition) and anyone who orders any of the full length albums can choose a another album free along with a free copy of the label sampler (physical CDR edition) – which will ensure that we continue to lose money on each sale and show you how much we love doing this.
Sep 25
Winter Garden Light – Dot Dash does it again!!
We are extremely excited here at TBM headquarters as we just released the amazing new album by Dot Dash “Winter Garden Light” (Beauty 022) which is their follow up to last year’s debut “Spark>Flame>Ember>Ash” (Beauty 019) which was released September 2011, making it two albums in one year, and giving them the title of the “most industrious band on the label”. Their first album was well received and created quite a buzz, which could easily match any other release that year, garnering at least 100 reviews and still growing (which it seems will require a new file cabinet just to store them all). Even though sales were not in the millions, the fans continue to grow and this new album promises to find even more new fans.
The excitement is due to various reasons: first and foremost because the 10 songs on this disc are stellar and pack a real punch with hooks and harmony, heart and soul and a sense of urgency. They continue to draw on the cream of the crop when it comes to influences like The Jam, Joy Division, Wire, Gang of Four, The Sound, The Chameleons, early Primal Scream, Jasmine Minks, Biff Bang Pow, and other Creation and Postcard label bands (and maybe a few on Fast and Pop Aural Records too), but yet they create a sound that is uniquely their own – a Post Modernist Pop or Post Mod in short – taking the energy of the 60’s garage and 70’s punk and blend the soul of mod with the edginess and diversity of Post Punk. It’s easily the best album you will hear all year, and possibly even one of the best albums released this century. Also this release, although recorded quickly on a meager budget, shows a significant improvement in sound quality that really lets the intensity of the songs shine and finally does them justice. This is music created by discerning music fans for real music fans with taste. If it had the financial backing of a real record label – it would be HUGE!
The buzz is already starting with positive feedback coming in and a few distributors waiting to get copies – be the first one on your block to own a copy and bask in the light – the “Winter Garden Light”.
Ps – you can listen to a radio interview here with Terry Banks as he features a few songs from the album and talks about his many influences – http://dissonance.libsyn.com/webpage/8-28-12-dot-dash
Winter Garden Light
Beauty 022 In Stock
$11.00 CDN
Apr 28
How I Learned To Love The Yellow Melodies
“For me, I’m just now discovering The Yellow Melodies, and I’m grateful, as they’ve got slews of albums for you to enjoy. Also, I just got a reminder of how much I love going back to my Television Personalities catalog.” – Austin Town Hall
The Beautiful Music is very proud to announce the release of the new single by The Yellow Melodies called “How I Learned To Love Television Personalities” (Beauty 021) – it’s a 5 song tribute to the TVP’s featuring the following songs:
- 01. If I Could Write Poetry
- 02. Look Back In Anger
- 03. 14th Floor – Sample Track Click Here
- 04. Happy All The Time
- 05. Where The Rainbow ends
This will also be a teaser for next installment of the TVP tribute series – volume 4 (Beauty 025) which will also include track 2 “Look Back In Anger” along with many other great covers and a few special treats as we have coaxed a few musicians from the Dreamworld era back into action – more on that later as I am getting off topic – back to The Yellow Melodies …
Many of you probably already know and love Spain’s The Yellow Melodies (www.yellowmelodies.com/ ), as they have been involved in the Pop music scene for about 16 years and have released numerous recordings on various influential labels like Cloudberry, Edition 59 / Vollwert Records, Clifford Records, Jabalina, Rock Indiana, and their own label Discos Imprescindibles (also on Elefant Records with Rafa’s other band Vacaciones). Rafa Skam, the vocalist and guitarist also writes the fanzine “El Planeta Amarillo” as well as hosts Pop festivals in Spain and chronicles the many live adventures of great music in and around Spain with his Fotos Pop feature – http://www.yellowmelodies.com/?page_id=82 .
There is so much that can be said about the band, and lots to discover (as I am still doing) as they have already released 5 albums and countless singles and contributions to various compilations and tributes. They have done so many covers of songs by Monograph (actually 2 versions of “Something That You Do” which are brilliant!), The Cure, Raspberries, The Velvet Underground, The Pixies, Gene, Leonard Cohen, Suede, The Beatles, REM and many others. In speaking with Rafa, he has amazing taste when it comes to music and loves doing covers which is great in my opinion and brings us to this EP and how it came about.
Rafa contacted us a while back to see if we would be interested in having them do a cover for our TVP tribute series, and of course we were – how could we turn down an offer to include such an amazing band. Little did we know that The Yellow Melodies were as obsessed as we were with the TVP’s and are such a productive band, that they would come up with 5 amazing covers, putting us into a bit of a predicament wanting to release all the songs and yet we had so many bands that wanted to contribute and we usually only include one song per band on each volume (excluding the bonus disc where we sometimes cheat and include an additional song). Solution = Release an EP featuring all 5 songs – so that’s what we did! Now you can be the proud owner of this wonderful gem as the release date is May 28th, 2012.
Rumour has it also that The Yellow Melodies are currently in the studio recording a follow up EP of BMX Bandits songs, for another tribute EP – stay tuned and in the meantime fall in love with The Yellow Melodies as I have!
How I Learned to Love Television Personalities
Beauty 021
$7.00 CDN In Stock
Apr 11
The Cleaners From Venus Have Returned!
This is not the title of a bad B-movie from the 60’s but rather a long overdue homage to Martin Newell’s wonderful musical creations with his group The Cleaners From Venus which has been in various stages of activity since 1980 and in recent years has had a flurry of new releases and re-issues, although most of it somehow seems to fly below the radar. Things however may change soon with MGMT (who has been championing a lot of great bands) doing a cover of “Only A Shadow” in their live set (http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/mgmt-concert/20054582-112010.html ) and an upcoming box set on the Captured Tracks Record label (which I will mention in more detail below) which has garnered several mentions on Pitchfork and the interest seems to be growing. 
The current interest in them started brewing, when one of the US’s premier Power Pop label Kool Kat Musik, released an amazing album of new material “English Electric” in 2010 and then another a few months back, making that 3 new full length albums in the last 2 years (when you include the bonus disc “The Stopping Train”). It continued with Burger Records releasing some cassettes, and some releases on the Fixed Identity label, being name-checked by various new bands, and featured here – http://blog.billkopp.com/?p=510 and an artist profile and an interview on the Altered Zones website (http://alteredzones.com/posts/1510/artist-profile-martin-newell/ ) and with great reviews and more people starting to notice. I hope this continues.
Martin Newell (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Newell_(musician) ) is described as an English rock musician, singer, guitarist, songwriter, poet and author, although this doesn’t even come close to describing this musical genius, or relay just how magnificent and timelessly enduring his compositions are. Martin’s musical career dates as far back as 1973 when he joined the Glam rock band Plod as the lead singer, and later with bands Gypp and The Stray Trolley’s, although I have to admit to knowing very little about this period of his career (and something I hope to further explore later). He also played with The Brotherhood of Lizards in the late 80’s and released solo albums (check out Cherry Red Records for more details on some of theses) and collaborated with other musicians and I’m sure a book can be written about his many experiences, if one has not already been done. With the Cleaners From Venus he worked with various other musicians like Lawrence Elliot in the early years and Giles Smith (who did write a book about his experiences in the band) and Dave Allen later on they were very prolific and had numerous releases, many being released only on cassette (http://www.discogs.com/artist/Cleaners+From+Venus ), which rarely found their way to our side of the ocean. So it does take a bit of treasure hunting to track down the physical copies of his releases.
I had been meaning to write a few words about Martin for some time, especially after listening to the Cleaner’s 2010 release “English Electric” which I purchased from Ray at Kool Kat (http://www.koolkatmusik.com/ ) and which comes with an extra full album of demos, but somehow my scribbling never happened, so when my good friend Steve (who has impeccable taste and is sort of like an Ottawa version of John Peel) told me about Captured Tracks (http://capturedtracks.com/reissues/the-cleaners-from-venus/ ) plans to release a Cleaners From Venus, 3 vinyl record box set for Record Store day this year, I just had to spread the word and share my excitement.
Captured Tracks is a very cool label out of Brooklyn, New York that has been creating waves in recent years with bands like Beach Fossils, Craft Spells, Minks, Wild Nothings and more recently Thieves Like US (who also released many wonderful records on another great US label Shelflife – http://www.shelflife.com/ ) and has started to steer into re-issuing some very classic and lost gems from the past. Last year they released an album of tracks by The Servants, and I don’t have to tell you how much I loved them, as you can read it in my post on Apple Boutique (Phil King and John Mohan’s other band) and they have also re-issued stuff by legends, The Monochrome Set, classic stuff by The McTells (with their obvious connection to the Television Personalities), and have plans to re-issue stuff by The Wake, so you can easily see these folks have great taste. (and I forgot to mention that they also released an essential 7” tribute to the Wake, with a follow up this year – so how great is that!) Anyway I have digressed and got off topic, but it is hard to contain my excitement – all this great stuff – so back on track now.
Martin’s music is very hard to categorize and compare but as I usually try to do, I will provide a few reference points, keeping in mind these are just my opinions. I can’t help but liken Martin to some other favourites, like Robyn Hitchcock, Paul Bevoir and XTC in how he blends those amazing melodies with a healthy dose of jangle and a touch of psychedelic pop and thus Syd Barrett and Julian Cope also comes to mind. Add in a touch of the Kinks and their Englishness, and the more mod side of David Bowie and a touch of John Otway (who sort of comes from that same generation) and maybe think of The Catalysts if you want a more modern reference. His songs embody perfection in Pop and the standard by which all English singer songwriters should be measured by and maybe that’s why he’s often been referred to as “The Greatest Living Englishman” and thus it’s quite appropriate he had a song and an album with Andy Partridge of XTC by that name.
There is so much more I could write about The Cleaners From Venus, like a track by track commentary on the “English Electric” / “Stopping Train” album with it’s so many highlights (like the punchy “Wake Up And Dream“, the dreamy excursion to “The Sunken City”, and my favourite “The Queen And Me” with it’s Elegant Pop) or the new EP/album that Kool Kat put together “In Chimp World” exclusively for America, where they expanded the original 4 track EP by adding 7 more rare tracks, the highly collectible best of collections on Tangerine Records “Golden Cleaners” and “Back From The Cleaners”, that came out in the early to mid 90’s, The Cherry Red collections of “Living With Victoria Grey : The Very Best Of” and “The Wayward Genius of Martin Newell” which collects tracks from solo Martin Newell, Cleaners from Venus, and Brotherhood of Lizards releases and came out in 1999. So many classic tunes like the beautiful “Girl On A Swing”, the dreamy “A Mercury Girl”, “Julie Profumo” and “Illya Kuryakin Looked At Me” (where Captain Sensible plays guitars), the early Cure like “Only A Shadow” and I can go on forever -actually almost all their songs are classics – how many bands can match that.
This is a very welcome return by a band that deserves to be heard and one that is worth searching out as the musical treasures you will find will be a rich reward. Thanks so much to Martin for all this wonderful music (“knighthood must be imminent” for this Pop royalty if true justice was to prevail) and thanks to Captured Tracks and Ray at Kool Kat (you have such great taste) for keeping this music alive and for digging up these treasures and making them available. Thanks Steve for inspiring me to finally finish this piece (you can listen to Steve’s show on CKCU – www.ckcufm.com at 6 to 8 on Saturday evenings – He may even play a Cleaners From Venus track or two.
Apr 04
Walk Towards The Light – Bright Lights, Big Zombie
There’s a light that never goes out and let’s hope it belongs to Bright Lights, Big Zombie (www.myspace.com/brightlightsbigzombie and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bright-Lights-Big-Zombie/125542644125373 ), the latest signings for Exeter label Pastime Records. I had mentioned in a previous post that I thought this self titled album (Pastime 017) is magnificent and maybe I should tell you why I love this album so much.
First, and I guess always first is that they have created a wonderful sound on this album and at times they remind me of so many bands that I have loved through the years from early Primal Scream and Ride and The Pastels a la Velvet Underground. At times I hear hints of The Railway Children, early Modern English, The Fire Engines, Josef K, June Brides, The Close Lobsters, Orange Juice, Felt, Apple Boutique, 1990’s, Galaxie 500, Love Tractor, etc. – I think you get the picture – just an all round wonderful noise that presses all the right buttons.
Something I should mention is that I didn’t realize this before and only recently found out from the band, that Leo Collett played previously with A Fine Day For Sailing, which is pretty cool as I really love their releases. Also I found out that 3 of the 4 members had also played in a band before they became BLBZ and released an album under the name Console (which I would love to hear) and recorded a second album which was never released, so they have had some past experience which no doubt really helped them on this album to create a real masterpiece.
As usual, I will give you a few of my thoughts and scribblings on some of the songs and who they reminded me of as I was listening to them – “Particle and Velocity”, the first track brought me back to an old favourite, Love Tractor especially when they covered Kraftwerk’s “Neon Lights” in their own unique style and blend that with a good dose of Velvet Underground stylings and a bit of Television and some early Primal Scream, you start to form the picture. “Sad Dreams, Rainy Mornings” brings me back to early Modern English and how they could create some real magical moments – Love the guitars and how the song builds into an amazing crescendo of sounds and at the end which reminds me of Apple Boutique. Track 3 meanders like a folky Velvet Underground meets Syd Barrett. “Hold Tight” with it’s funky backbeat reminds me of Scotland’s APB (do you remember them?) and with hints of Orange Juice.
Then comes a real classic, “Figure” which really moves with a wonderful groove and has vocals that blends perfectly, part soaring, part dreamy, part groovy – Wow, what a song – reminds me of Josef K and The June Brides when they hit their stride – Pure Pop Genius!!! – For this song alone you should pick up this album – it’s like Television’s “Marquee Moon” and although it’s just over 5 minutes long – it’s one of those songs that could very easily go on forever, and you wouldn’t mind at all. Maybe even a bit of The Railway Children and how they can put together so many songs that could easily be the Perfect Pop Song.
“Inevitable” starts off by reminding me of a folky Echo and the Bunnymen and then drifts off into a different psychpop territory with hints of the East – is that a sitar I hear. “Voices In The Dark” sounds like The Velvets meet the Pastels with Galaxie 500 guiding things along and maybe Ride helping speed things up a bit – Could this be Psych Twee Pop for a revived Sarah records? Track 8 “Snowglobe” has a nice guitar/drum assault going on with more interesting meandering guitars in the background and lots going on. “Complicated” is more perfect pop with a bit of an edge and would be amazing to experience live with those beautiful guitars. “Decendo” starts slow and quiet (maybe hints of Low) and builds into many layers of sounds propelled by a great bassline in the undergrowth and since it’s an instrumental – that just adds to my liking it that much more as I always love a good instrumental. More great guitars and drums on “Against The Light” and “Everytime, Everytime” closes things off beautifully, starting slow and building into glorious sound cacophony.
I wish these guys the very best on an amazing album and really looking forward to hearing more from this very talented bunch. As a postscript and just to prove how impeccable their taste is they have agreed to cover Television Personalities “She’s My Yoko” for volume 4 of our tribute series – stay tuned for that.