Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 114
Date: Wednesday, 3 March 1999
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 114
Wednesday, 3 March 1999
Today's Topics:
Re: Dharma
The Toronto Appearance
Demo Culture Through the Looking Glass
Love's Better the Second Time Around!
After a few dozen spins...
re: XTC rap? This is a joke, right?
42 with a bullet
AV1 Reviews Keep Coming, and Coming, and ...
Re: greenman vs. ?
Re: The BAD thing about AV-1
Re: Electric Light Orchestra
Apple Venus Vol1 sales
Bostonian at Tower/ Easter Theatre
Apple Venusian
Chicago - Still waiting in line?
sins of omission
xtc
apple venus review
meeting with andy
In The Wings
Andy's No-Show On MuchMusic
Chimin' in
AV review, sort of
Demos and The Odyssey
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-Id: <v01540b03b2ffb1f4b435@[192.168.0.72]> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 15:56:11 +1300 Subject: Re: Dharma From: digja611@student.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan) Shriekback Phil wrote of a blurb: >11 new songs, which have an effect, according to Andy Partridge, "similar >to being whacked on the head with a sherbet-dipped crowbar". Apple Venus >Volime.1 is non-conformity at its most brilliant, luscious orchestral pop >that sounds like nothing else you'll hear in 1999" does this sound vaguely reminiscent to anyone of Douglas Adams' description of the Pan-Galactic Gargleblaster (in Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy") as being like being hit by a lemon wrapped around a brick? Jon Holden-Dye <jon@jhd-designs.demon.co.uk> said: >In article <Pine.GSO.3.90.990218190910.13335D-100000@fatima.dds.nl>, >Martin van Rappard <rappard@dds.nl> writes . . .snippety-snip >>Which neatly brings me to another point: strange band names. A friend's >>band was once called Weirdos From Another Planet! (the title of one of >>the Calvin & Hobbes comic books) - reading it as I type it, it's probably >>been the name of a Thomas Dolby song already. The abbreviation WFAP! is >>lovely onomatopeeic (spelling?), though. try: <http://home.earthlink.net/~chellec/> for "The canonical list of weird band names"! oh, and to whoever gave information about the AV1 lyrics on the web, thanks! Excellent to get them (even if they spelt 'dharma' wrong in "Knights ISK") James
------------------------------ Message-id: <fc.00003c54001a097e00003c54001a097e.1a0981@nynet.nybe.on.ca> Date: Sun, 28 Feb 1999 22:47:23 -0500 Subject: The Toronto Appearance From: Joe_Jarrett@nynet.nybe.on.ca (Joe Jarrett) Howdy I too had the opportunity to meet Andy, at his Toronto appearance at Tower Records on Saturday. He was just as wonderful and funny as everyone else has already posted and it was a pleasure to finally meet him. I arranged to meet Peter Dix of the Little Express there, and he had arranged to meet Peter Murray, who was instrumental in getting the XTC cover band to play at the Barrie Convention way back in 91. Peter Murray was very excited to discover that the new Bass Player magazine was out, and available right there in Towers, with the article he had written about Colin. It's called "Colin Moulding XTC's Backroom Boy". Check it out, it's in the April issue. In addition another fan pointed out that XTC are in a CD Rom magazine called "Launch". It's volume number 25 and has the Goo Goo Dolls on the cover. They are featured with three audio and video clips and a review of Transitor Blast in the 'Vaults section. One sound clip is Making Plans For Nigel and has a video montage of promo shots (TVT doesn't have the rights to the MPFN video). The second clip is a black and white version of CrossWires live. It's great and has a manic Barry at work. The third clip is Science Friction and features a really young Andy. It's a video and not a live show. At the end it cuts to a shot of the keyboard player and it's not Barry. I think it's Johnny Perkins. All three clips are about a minute a piece. Really great find. And Dom, I met David Oh there and his lovely wife, among others, and David is a really nice guy and obviously a big fan like the rest of us. Sometimes you need to put and face and a perspective to e-mail activity. Matter of fact David, myself and another guy named John managed to get a promo picture for Apple Venus. They had mounted three flats along the edge of the desk Andy was signing on. The Towers people had cut out a gold X , T, and C and taped them to the middle of the poster. John got X, David got T and I got C. Then we all got Andy to sign them. I asked Andy which way the peacock feather was supposed to face, because the cassette has it pointing (with the stick) to the lettering of title, but the CD has it turned 180. He said that it is supposed to go with the stick pointing to the left at the title of the CD because that's the way it looks most "vulvic" as he intended. So obviously someone in charge of distribution doesn't like the subliminal message! After the radio interview, question and answer period, signing session a group of us went out for dinner and a couple of English pints. Big Day! By the way, Andy missed his Much Music interview on Friday, so they rescheduled to Saturday. But he missed that too in order to stay at Towers to sign for everyone in line. Great for us, but too bad for the rest of the country and maybe for Apple Venus promotion in Canada too.
------------------------------ From: "Will Kreth" <wkreth@twmaine.com> Subject: Demo Culture Through the Looking Glass Date: Sun, 28 Feb 1999 23:17:00 -0500 Message-ID: <001f01be639a$5a6933f0$275cd2cc@dhcj1.maine.rr.com> Thanks Mitch Friedman for the update on "I Don't Want To Be Here" and it's (non)-status on AV2. Sorry to hear that it won't get the full treatment in the studio, but I'm very thankful Andy recorded the demo and it has already had a chance to reach many ears. I have to say that it's my favorite XTC demo ever, knocking off "Broomstick Rhythm" (heh!) as my top pick. I've got "Jules Vernes' Sketchbook;" "Bull w/da Golden Guts" and the Oranges and Lemons Demos, plus the last two sets of demos from _The Great XTC Song Famine of the '90s_ that most of us just lived through. >From the "Pecknam Rose" he wants to smell like, to the "Thorny Rose" he doesn't want to pick (again, right?) - IDWTBH is a pop gem. The chord progression is perfect, fab, a brilliant companion to the heartfelt lyrics about his nightmarish sojourn to the ugly edge and back. For anyone who's gone through some pretty heavy life-changing, emotional shit - I dare say IDWTBH's message both resonates and rings true. All histrionics about the "breakup of the marriage(s)" aside, we're pretty damn lucky that Andy (and Dave, via the Remoulds bits) have consented to use the makeshift "underground railroad" of their volunteer subculture to get their music out to the people who care about it. I don't think any group in the world has given its tacit approval to such an arrangement, at least not that I'm aware of (GD & Phish, yeah - right - but, those are/were live bootlegs, not intensely personal, hand-made -demos- from a group that plays live less than the Residents and/or Steely Dan have since 1982 !). Looking forward to the album full of demos in 2000 (?! - even if Colin did tape-over most of his own work - heh!). Will P.S. - I'm moving to Austin, TX in about a month or so ---- so any Austinites who are into music and recording (I'm bringing my home studio with me) who'd like to chat, pls. contact me via e-mail. See you in Tejas!
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36DA2F50.B4161FFE@erols.com> Date: Mon, 01 Mar 1999 06:10:31 +0000 From: "Neal H. Buck" <nealhbuck@erols.com> Subject: Love's Better the Second Time Around! Fellow junkies, I can see us all in our respective corners, drooling with our eyes rolled back in our heads, we have our seven-year fix. No wonder we were getting so cranky the last few months! I just wanted to share some thoughts after a few more listens: Harrison: Thanks for the info on Greenmen. Not being from a religious background, I wasn't sure what to make of the song. I loved the music, but I wasn't sure of the intent of the song. Andy certainly seems to be into the season cycles/pagan thing. NOW... could you enlighten us a little on "Rivers of Orchids"? I get the impression it's about reclaiming child-like qualities/redemption, but I'd be interested in the roots of the title. The quiet part at the end of "Easter Theatre" reminds me a bit of Yes' "And You and I". (I know this sounds kind of vague, but I'm not sure how to write out the parts I'm specifically talking about. Those who are familiar with the songs I hope will know.) As I predicted, Colin's songs ARE growing on me. "Frivolous" is especially sweet, and I like that hidden guitar squall behind "Fruit Nut". The ending of "Your Dictionary", while I appreciate the upbeat tone, strikes me as a personal decree. While the paper makes it legally official, the artist is not purged until he musically ends the relationship. It almost seems like something to be left in the therapist's office. I've heard "I Can't Own Her" described as a "lost love" song. I disagree. I think it's more about the realization that even in the most committed relationship, we can't "own" or guarantee our partner's love or presence. So he could be talking about his present flame, too. "The Last Balloon" on one hand gives me hope that us men folk (at first I thought he was saying "human folk" instead of "you men folk" - but then mentioning "you women" specifically, didn't make sense) have a chance to escape Fear, but on the other saddens me that parents aren't given the same consideration. And they work harder at a (sometimes) thankless job than us bachelors. All in all, this album is a gem - very polished and unique. While it continues the pastoral theme hinted at by the sound of "English Settlement" and the lyrics of "Mummer" (Love on a Farmboy's Wages, Deliver Us...), it has a feel unlike any other record they've made. Especially if AV2 harkens back to the guitar pop of old, AV1 will be in a class by itself. Curious George: You obviously know your guitarists, but putting Adrian Belew next to Hendrix, while putting Fripp in with the pack? I would say Fripp was the innovator here, and Adrian (while a very talented and inventive musician in his own right - and a damned nice guy to boot!) the influenced. That's why Bowie used him as a Fripp-substitute on "Stage". He certainly takes the load off the man in Crimson, as well. OK, enough from me today, Neal
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199903010708.XAA02932@mail.rapidnet.net> From: "J & J Greaves" <jgreaves@rapidnet.net> Subject: After a few dozen spins... Date: Sun, 28 Feb 1999 22:54:25 -0800 This is the best release yet for XTC, and all the more remarkable an achievement considering what they have gone through in the last seven years. Now I must go and redo my C-90 "XTC Best Of " compilation cassette for the first time since '92 Way to go boys, and welcome back! John PS: Keep those meeting XTC reports coming in folks, they are great reading!
------------------------------ From: jsteich@mindspring.com Message-ID: <001201be63c3$2013e5a0$b1cef7a5@funtosplamisham> Subject: re: XTC rap? This is a joke, right? Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 04:08:50 -0500 rap music is just as much art as pop music is. in all fairness, i dont think there is a rap act that compares to xtc, other than public enemy, but this is not the end of music. rap is well over 20 years old now. and if xtc can make a bit of money off a silly rap single, then let them. it's not as bad as "revolution" selling sneakers or anything. i believe this to be a good business judgement on andy's or whoever's part, and has nothing to do with xtc's music as such. jesse
------------------------------ Message-ID: <000901be63cf$5bdad240$1700000a@andy-pii> From: "Andy Miller" <andymiller@4thestate.co.uk> Subject: 42 with a bullet Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 10:36:25 -0000 Apple Venus #1 entered the UK album chart at number 42 - don't know the sales figures, but that's three places higher than The Sebadoh by Sebadoh, also in its first week of release. Is this a good showing? Better than Nonsuch? Best Andy
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199903011832.NAA00318@mail.bna.bellsouth.net> From: "RoadKill" <csberry@mail.bna.bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 12:38:16 +0000 Subject: AV1 Reviews Keep Coming, and Coming, and ... Wow, AV2 will be released by the time I finish reading the Chalkhills Digests I've received over the past couple of days! It's nice to see the list revitalized lately by this CD. Cory
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36DA9E34.3692@realtime.com> Date: Mon, 01 Mar 1999 14:03:30 +0000 From: chris vreeland <vreecave@realtime.com> Organization: Vreeland Graphics Subject: Re: greenman vs. ? Just realized: Isn't it a good thing we have someone finally capable of taking on 21st Century Schitzoid Man? And just in time too! whew! Back to the shed, The other, other chris (Vreeland in Austin)
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36DAB901.466D@bhip.infi.net> Date: Mon, 01 Mar 1999 15:57:55 +0000 From: Brian <mattone@bhip.infi.net> Subject: Re: The BAD thing about AV-1 Tschalkgerz! >The unfortunate thing about Apple Venus vol. 1 is that it makes even more clear, how shallow, amateurish, and dull, most efforts by other recording "artists" are.< Awwwwwwww... -- BRIAN THOMAS MATTHEWS * RENDERMAN ~ One-Man Band Ordinaire SAPRINGER CENTRAL ~ http://www.angelfire.com/fl/sapringer
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 08:19:52 -0800 (PST) Message-Id: <199903011619.IAA19962@mando.engr.sgi.com> From: John Relph <relph@engr.sgi.com> Subject: Re: Electric Light Orchestra It was written: >>I will tell you one thing about ELO: >>Their song "One summer dream" is as good as anything XTC have EVER done. >joe > > I was never a huge ELO fan, but they're not entirely worthless, IMO; > Most ELO albums have at least one pretty Beatlesque > ballad as good as "One Summer Dream" or "Shangri-La," One thing I liked about the latter song is that it was at the end of the record (towards the center). I would set my record player to 7-inch mode and put it on repeat, and that song would play over and over and over and over and ... ELO definitely have their place in the British pop pantheon. And even if their sound is a bit dated at times (horribly dated at others), they were a big part of my musical upbringing, so I can't help but listen to "Face the Music", "A New World Record" and "Out of the Blue" every so often. "One Summer Dream" and "Shangri-La" are both excellent tracks. -- John
------------------------------ From: sclarke@maritz.co.uk Message-ID: <80256727.005CD59E.00@lisa.maritz.co.uk> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 16:26:59 +0000 Subject: Apple Venus Vol1 sales Claire Munro <claire@cookingvinyl.demon.co.uk> wrote: > >Just a quick update from the home of XTC: The mid-week UK chart >position for Apple Venus is 31; this means that we need everyone to rush >out and buy more copies so that we can reach the top 30. Buy copies for >your parents, your children, even your grandparents; remember no home is >complete without one! Hi Claire Happy to buy loads of copies of AV1 However, if i'm not doing it in a chart return shop - it won't make any difference - or will it? Also are Andy & Colin planning to do any promo work in the UK like they are in the states at the moment? Regards -Steve Clarke
------------------------------ Message-ID: <65B793F0016DD11196E800A0C96034360FEBF7@FS_1> From: Sheridan Zabel <SZabel@rawnarch.com> Subject: Bostonian at Tower/ Easter Theatre Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 11:59:37 -0500 Sorry to post this, but: I am looking for the guy I talked to in line who took a poster from Tower in Boston (I believe you said you used to work there). If you are this man, please email me. Easter Theatre: I have to tell everyone this, because I was so blown away by this song the first time I heard it. AMAZING! Not a flaw in the song anywhere. I have since listened to it dozens of times (including several while standing in that delicious line waiting to meet Andy) and it still gives me goosebumps. If any of you find that you didn't get blown away by this song... I URGE YOU TO LISTEN AGAIN! It has replaced my former favorite: Complicated Game. Well... almost... ~Sheri
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 09:03:49 -0800 (PST) From: Shirley Jonestown Massacre <jemiah@q7.com> Subject: Apple Venusian Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.96.990301090120.24251B-100000@q7.q7.com> This album is a work of M**** F**** genius. I don't believe in song-by-song dissection -- there's plenty of that going on on Chalkhills -- and I don't think I'd add anything to what's already been said and what's going to be said. But I am "well pleased" as the devout Quakers say. And it wins the award for best sleeve design this year, hands down. -Alizarine (very pleased about the pagan advice on the back of the CD)
------------------------------ From: Jeff.Stoffel@outokumpu.com Message-Id: <C2256727.00620A8F.00@espox006.okno.outokumpu.com> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 11:44:18 -0600 Subject: Chicago - Still waiting in line? Hello all. I'm glad some of you actually made it all the way to Andy in Chicago. I was about three quarters of the way back in line. The line formed at about 7:20, and by 8:30 we had advanced about 15 feet. I took a walk to see how long the line was, and estimated that I would reach Andy sometime between 12:30 and 1:00 A.M. I hemmed and hawed for about ten minutes, then left for the train station. I just can't piss away 5 hours of my life for a quick superficial meeting of that sort. I wonder about the people who were towards the back of that line. Did they ever get to meet him, or did the store call it off at a certain time? Oh well, maybe some day.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36DADDB0.AE958406@msu.edu> Date: Mon, 01 Mar 1999 13:34:25 -0500 From: "Nathan L. Miller" <millern9@msu.edu> Subject: sins of omission type o negative...your friendly neighborhood goth band released a song entitled "greenman" in '96...just to make the list complete... nathan
------------------------------ From: "Mugsie Rimmer" <B_Mills@email.msn.com> Subject: xtc Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 18:44:32 -0000 Message-ID: <03c624848180139CPIMSSMTPU03@email.msn.com> Hi not a lot broken apart from a british fans heart When you've been into xtc since 78 as I have ,it's a bit dissapointing to see no promotional stuff of Apple Venus in the UK. I've waited for this album for years now and we don't even get a single released here. It wont tarnish my enthusiasm for the band , but when people ask "who's your fave band?" .You get blank looks. I just wish they didn't take the hump with us brits so much., and do something for the few here. They're too good to just ignore us. Thanks for reading Andy Rimmer Southport Merseyside
------------------------------
Message-Id: <3.0.2.32.19990301135245.006bd39c@mail.interlog.com>
Date: Mon, 01 Mar 1999 13:52:45 -0500
From: David Oh <davidoh@interlog.com>
Subject: apple venus review
the following was in saturday's [feb. 27] toronto star arts section, under
pop recordings. (spelling & factual errors are submitted as printed in the
original. please don't flame me, ok?)
[ http://chalkhills.org/articles/AppleVenus.html#ts990227 ]
so there you are, another great review for andy & colin. now let's hope
that some people, who would otherwise not, do buy it. i've made a pact with
a few friends; "buy the album & listen carefully. if you don't like it
after giving it a serious listen, i'll buy it back from you at full price.
taxes & all. keep the receipt as proof, but i'm betting you won't need it".
i'm having a problem with the album, tho... it seems i can't get past
"greenman", i have to hear it all over again! it may take some time for the
full picture to be seen by me... i keep going back to the beginning before
i've even finished listening to all of it... help!
davidoh
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.2.32.19990301140439.006bd39c@mail.interlog.com> Date: Mon, 01 Mar 1999 14:04:39 -0500 From: David Oh <davidoh@interlog.com> Subject: meeting with andy yep, it happened! on saturday, feb. 27, 1999, tower records, toronto, i, along with about 300-400 other chalkurians, spend approximately 3 hour in the presence of greatness, otherwise known as andy partridge. he was tremendously entertaining, warm, funny, charming, informal, animated, accommodating, gracious, etc, etc... there were so many great moments that afternoon that to list them all would take up far too much bandwidth in this digest, so i will (try to) summarize here & continue to fill in the details at a later date. i took a tape recorder with me & i taped (most of) it (i'll explain later). needless to say, i had one of the greatest, most memorable afternoons of my life, & not all of it was because of andy. the company in which i spent the time were unbelievably friendly, too. so many people, so much warmth! i even scored a little treasure from that day... my wife, kathy, & i arrived at tower at around noon, checked out the lay of the land first, then went for a coffee. at around 12:45, we returned to tower & noticed many more had arrived by then. at 1pm, i went to the pre-arrange meeting point to find jennifer, ted & ed; my fellow chalkmarks. actually, i had to have a pee & went right past them. ted noticed that i was walking with a cane, we made eye contact & well, we both knew... after washing my hands, the 4 of us went to tower to find kathy. by then, the place was filling up. intros all around & then it was time to display our personal treasures we brought for andy to sign. jennifer had the coolest 7" single of "the meeting place"; clear vinyl in a clear plastic sleeve with the hand/chimney printed on the sleeve. i have the 12" with a regular cardboard sleeve & the same hand/chimney, but i had never seen such a cool specimin. i had my "black sea" tour program along with the 2 books and the "trans-blast" box. other people had neat stuff too, like the 3-d ep, the go+ ep, various formats of all the singles, copies of "25 o'clock" & "psonic psunspot". a few local celebrities happened to show up, too. brad & ben from the crash test dummies were there & were very approachable, except for the media. a photograher want a picture of brad, but he refused, saying this was andy's day, not his. cool. also, jason plumb of the band the waltons popped in too. as an aside, i'm so proud of myself; i managed to make andy laugh very hard, not once, but twice! by the time andy arrived, the whole bottom floor of tower was packed! i put the tape machine into record mode as cheers & applause filled the room. andy was truly humbled. his first question was, "have you been waiting long?", to which i shouted out, "yeah, 7 years!" he laughed & awarded me the "golden dildo award". i made a gesture to indicate i wanted a really big one & everyone was laughing. cool! the other big laugh from him was from one of the questions i asked him, one he wasn't expecting. more later... edge 102 dj alan cross asked a few (standard) questions & andy answered them all with his usual wit & some very funny anecdotes. after about 10 minutes, i looked down at the tape machine & suddenly turned white as i could feel the blood drain from my face; the tape wasn't moving! the stoopid fucking pause was still on! aaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i really wanted to tape the whole thing, then transcribe it so that those who could be there would be able to read about it. i would've posted it to both john at chalkhills & to mark strijbos at the little lighthouse, but i'm missing the first part of it. i humbly apologize to all, i'm such a dummy sometimes. after the q & a from alan cross, a mic was available for the audience to ask questions. i went 3rd & asked three questions, the last one eliciting the big laugh from andy. once the questions were done, the signing started. andy signed everything! from concert tickets to concert programs, all disc formats right up to a guitar (a black ovation) to a snowboard! he also posed for photos with whomever wanted them. he was so cool! after it was all over, about 12 of us chalkmarks went to a pub (british, of course) for a few pints & some great conversations. kathy, who only has a passing interest in music, nevermind being a fanatic like i am, thoroughly enjoyed herself, getting caught up in the atmosphere & excitment. god love her, she even schmoozed with the record rep & fenangled me an apple venus promo poster, which andy doodled on & signed. there were 4 of these posters, each one with a single letter (x, t, c, of course) & the last had an apple. dr. john got the "x", i got the "t" & joe the teacher got the "c". andy personalize each one & when we went to the pub, we proudly displayed the signs, in the correct order! that's about all i should write about for now, but there is sooooo much more that happened. once i get the tape transcribed, i'll have more details. i have to give thanks & acknowledgement to the following people: tower record staff; for getting me a stool to sit on & for accommodating my physical disability. i sat right next to the small stage, about 6 feet from andy. alan cross; for some advice he gave me before hand. jennifer; what a sweetheart you are! here's a hug & a wink! ted; we didn't get much chance to talk, but thanks for recognizing me. big ed; who epitomizes the expression "still water run deep". very deep, indeed. a quiet chap, but when he spoke, you understood! dr. john & wife allison; thanks for keeping kathy company while i was otherwise engaged. joe the teacher; great talking with you & thanks for the support here on chalkhills. peter from "the little express"; i will be contacting him (he's not on the net) about some rare items i'm very interested in. he also has (many) contacts & will be getting a (full) copy of the interview session, which he says he will forward a copy to me. in the meantime, i'll transcribe what i've got so that when i get the tape from peter, i'll only have a little more to transcribe. peace & xtc davidoh
------------------------------
From: JIM_HINCHMAN@hp-roseville-om3.om.hp.com
Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 12:12:26 -0800
Message-Id: <H0001b0b0de56329@MHS>
Subject: In The Wings
Greetings all!
I have been standing on the sidelines for years and think I have
posted once. Seems appropriate I speak up now, with AV1 and all..
Upon first listening, I thought "Hey, some real nice stuff", but
wasn't too overwhelmed with anything. Then put it on later that day,
and it started to hit me.
River Of Orchids- I've played the CD about 12 times now. This one
seemed adventerous, to say the least. But by the
you get the three rounds of offset vocals and
trumpets doing rounds at the end, it's like hearing
old Todd Rundgren. LOVE IT!
I'd Like That- "Sunflower"!!! AHHHH! Sounds like heaven. Don't like
"kissing glue" part though. A little corny...
Easter Parade- This snuck up on me. Love it now.
Knights...- In the same vein as Dear Prudence, to some degree. Very
haunting and beautiful at the same time.
Frivilous- Sort of Dukes sounding. Love it. "Hairy backs" had me
laughing outloud as I drove down the lane.
Green Man- Exotic sounds from the East. Great arrangement.
Your Dictionary- Intense, personal, very moving. I can almost feel
his pain.
Fruit Nut- I just cannot get behind this one. Good intentions but just
too, I don't know, fruity? "Not that there's anything wrong
with that"!
Harvest Festival- Will probably get flamed for this. But it kinda
bores me. Just don't get the point of it, not yet
anyway.
The Last Balloon- It IS very Chalkhills like as someone else said
earlier. Floating sensation.
Overall, well worth the wait. Only thing is, I want more NOW!!
Now that Virgin is in the past, maybe we can see a new disc per year
for a while? One can only hope.
By the way, any other Northern California people lurking in here!!
Near Sacramento?
Jim
------------------------------ Message-ID: <C23446C9A1FDD01182C100805F9ADEBF486CA7@TORONTO2> From: Ed Dalkowski <EDalkows@JetForm.com> Subject: Andy's No-Show On MuchMusic Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 15:20:55 -0500 On Thursday evening I checked the MuchMusic site and noticed the word "cancelled" appearing above the information on Andy's appearance. Unfortunately, it was too late to post this information. A reply to a message I sent to MuchMusic stated that the visit was cancelled because Andy could not get there in time. On a positive note, right after Saturday's appearance here in Toronto, Andy was off to tape something for The New Music, which appears on CityTV and...MuchMusic. Ed
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36DAF88A.3714@bellatlantic.net> Date: Mon, 01 Mar 1999 15:31:12 -0500 From: John Irvine <jirvine@bellatlantic.net> Subject: Chimin' in Hey; just got the new xtc record. Not bad. Liked the twatic cover art. Dug the audacity of River o' Orchids, but I can't see myself humming it any time soon. I too find Your Dictionary a bit ham handed, and if you've got seven years to write two songs, I'd think you could do better, Colin. Harvest Festival, I Can't Own Her, I'd Like That, and Easter Theatre are keepers. Very nice. I may also like Balloon once I figure what the hell it's about. I'd also like to see Prince of Orange surface; 'twas easily my fave rave demo, showing Andy to be still capable of using rhythm in an interesting, non-stuntish way. Maybe AV2 will be more in this vein. I also bought Cornelius' phantasma CD. I forget who recommended it from this list, but you were hot-damn right: they're a-burstin with creativity in a wide range of styles. Go buy it now. It's orange and white. Those who wanted Mommyheads tapes, they're in the mail. And for those who rate the Mommyheads; Adam's new outfit Adam Elk has a new CD called Labello coming March 23. There be info at www.waysandmeans.com. I haven't heard it yet so I can't tell ya nuthin 'bout it. John Irvine "If there's been a way to build it, there'll be a way to destroy it", (those without a stereolab lyric in their tag line just ain't cool.)
------------------------------ Message-ID: <697A4CA51395D111A658AA00040058069D9FEF@NT6> From: "Wiencek, Dan" <wiencek@aaos.org> Subject: AV review, sort of Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 15:32:41 -0600 The All-Music (http://allmusic.com) guide recently updated their XTC discography to include Apple Venus, which they award 4.5 stars out of 5. However, there's no text to the review. All-Music allows readers to compose reviews for the albums; an intrepid soul who wished to do so can find it at this link. http://allmusic.com/cg/x.exe?p=amg&sql=A397171 BTW, I already wrote to inform them that their bio is out of date, what with Dave's departure and all, but so far it hasn't been updated. Dan
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36DB1330.6F03@monmouth.com> Date: Mon, 01 Mar 1999 17:22:41 -0500 From: Ross Dickinson <rdickinson@monmouth.com> Organization: Respectable Street Subject: Demos and The Odyssey I haven't seen any requests for demos(except for the one for AV1 demos) here just yet, and didn't see it covered in the posting FAQ, so I'm not too sure if I can ask this. But I'm just wondering if anyone can help me out in finding XTC demos(I don't have *any*). On another note, I'm doing an audio soundtrack project with The Odyssey for English. Basically what I'm doing is taking a bunch of songs that could relate to "The Lotus Eaters" chapter and mixing clips of the songs together. I've already got a good idea of what I'm doing, but if anyone wants to suggest some XTC songs to use in it, I'm all ears(Take note, I don't own White Music, Go 2, Drums & Wires or Mummer just yet.) -Ross -- * -------------------------------------->Parody Central http://www.monmouth.com/~rdickinson/ With 200+ Songs and Growing! ------>Albums I Bought Lately That You Should Buy Too XTC - Apple Venus
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