Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 330
Date: Tuesday, 7 December 1999
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 330
Tuesday, 7 December 1999
Today's Topics:
millenium plans, etc.
Aw heck!
The millenial can o' worms
Half Ass Cargill
guns and the American way
RE: peas 'n cheese
colin's songs & fave moments
God and Ringo the Metronome
It's All Over Now
Some Worthless Comments
Re: Headspace
A bunch of stuff nobody but me cares about, but here it is anyway
Pure Pop Heaven
drugs and alcohol
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Hey, leave Jackie alone.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <19991206173302.9108.qmail@web2103.mail.yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 09:33:02 -0800 (PST) From: Tyler Hewitt <tahewitt@yahoo.com> Subject: millenium plans, etc. Jim Smart asked: And, if I may be so bold as to offer a new thread, how about top ten albums of the nineties? Iain from Australia beat you to that one-he compiled everyone's lists for a Chalkhills best of the 90's. If you ask really nicely I'm sure he'd send you a copy. I see you agree with me about 'Wounded Horse'. It sounds like another post-devorce song to me, from a guy who says (in the Homespun notes) that he tried NOT to write a divorce song. Guess what Andy? you've written at least two. May O'Mahoney asks: Are YOU tired of the Milleneum? I'm curious to know what you Chalkies are going to be doing that night. I havent the slightest idea. I tend to keep New Years eve pretty low key. New Years parties tend to prematurely ejaculate at midnight, then no one feels like partying any more. Also, I don't want to be on the roads driving with a bunch of drunks. I have a friend who always spends New Years quietly drinking sake with a small group of friends. I like that tradition, but I havent picked it up myself. I do know one thing for sure-I will definately NOT be doing the Milly dance on New Years Eve! (Chicago-area chalkers will know what I'm talking about here. can't beleive our tax dollars were actually used to invent the stupidest dance I have ever seen to go along with a commissioned song that's about the most inane thing I've ever heard!)
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19991206174139.13228.qmail@web2903.mail.yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 09:41:39 -0800 (PST) From: nross <PhoenixYellowRose@rocketmail.com> Subject: Aw heck! In response to: John Hedge's recent post: Subject: D&W vector art, and those pesky Message-ID's Date: Sat, 4 Dec 1999 19:07:57 -0600 >snip< >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Oh, and I hope no one was fooled by this: >Message-ID: <386591970.944287667315.JavaMail.root@web05.pub01> >Date: Sat, 4 Dec 1999 01:07:47 -0500 (EST) >From: Jeremy Cargill <musician@publicist.com> >Subject: Thank God! >Thank God the Satanas thing is over! Or is it? Nice try, Brian/Satanas/etc.! Just a tip: Next time you post to Chalkhills with a different e-mail address, try sending it via a different server -- you won't get exactly the same message ID's that way. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Ah! We've been fooled... The Devil was Andy all along! -My favorite XTC moments? 1. all of Dear God. 2. "Well I don't know how to write a big hit song..." from Mayor of Simpleton. Hmm.. have to think of more. -Nicole ===== Nicole's internet music station: http://www.imagineradio.com/mymusiclisten.asp?name=phoenixyellowrose
------------------------------ Message-ID: <C1D2BBBA6310D2118B5500805FA7AF3F01DFDC89@xch-mes-04.msc.az.boeing.com> From: "Johnson, Tom" <Thomas.Johnson@ARZ.Boeing.com> Subject: The millenial can o' worms Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 09:58:13 -0700 >Since we're so tired of the Milleneum, what does one do in the face of >such apathy? Are YOU tired of the Milleneum? I'm curious to know what >you Chalkies are going to be doing that night. (You can post me >privately if you like. You can also post me privately to call me a c#nt >for even bringing it up, too.) What do you think our favorite band is >going to be doing? *chisk* (the sound of the can o' worms opening . . . ) I plan on sitting at home. Nothing exciting, but probably the safest and sanest thing you can do. Really, think about it. How many people - scratch that - FREAKS out there think the world is going to end because of the Y2K bug? Okay, not a HUGE amount, but enough that, were a number of them to decide to end their lives and take a few others down with 'em, to be worried about. Whatever the case may be, there's sure to be more than your fair share of idiots out that night, moreso than on any other New Year's, almost guaranteed. So the best bet is to cozy up in front of the electric fire (read: TV) and greet the new year with a healthy dose of Dick Clark and your favorite beverage (which will be soda for me - call me a dork, but I don't drink, by choice.) Are *you* Y2K compliant? (XTC content: anyone have any idea what the artwork for AV2 will look like? Based on AV1 or completely different?) Tom Electronic Work Instructions Web-owner, Manufacturing Engineering Homepage <http://nt-mes-08.msc.az.boeing.com/engineer/me/home.html>
------------------------------ Message-ID: <4782AD6ADDBDD2119B570008C75DD5C12DBB77@mgmtm02.parliament.uk> From: Lawson Dominic <LawsonD@parliament.uk> Subject: Half Ass Cargill Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 17:54:55 -0000 >>Thank God the Satanas thing is over! Or is it? None of you are letting it end. What I find funny with the whole thing is all you morons who participated in the arguments! Yeah, hilarious wasn't it? Almost as hilarious as contributing reams of desperately unfunny, badly conceived pseudo-prankery to a discussion forum dedicated to a band for whom "you" obviously have no real enthusiasm or appreciation. I'm sure I get on people's tits quite a lot (and not just on Chalkhills) but even I wouldn't repeat a bad joke over and over again until people's ears are bleeding....oh, and as I am presumably one of the "morons", I'm intrigued to know how it felt to have "your" arse kicked repeatedly on the list? Having singularly failed to respond to any of the points made by Chalkhillians, other than to flesh out "your" oh-so-chuckleworthy persona, one can only assume that "you" are a moron too.... >>I sat here reading post after post you while you guys instigated and tried to out-articulate each other while sweating buckets of Testosterone filled sweat. That's a curious interpretation. All I saw (and, indeed, contributed to) was a series of successful, and occasionally witty, put-downs aimed at a bear of very little brain who was either (a) pulling the weakest scam in the history of weak scams or (b) making a somewhat pitiful bid for some attention. Not breast-fed as a child, I presume? >>Sure, I found his posts ridicules and his name quite irritating. And his spelling was shit on a stick as well....how strange "you" didn't notice! Ridicules indeed......Jesus wept!!! >>Itgives me faith that the people out there who have not yet found the lord are still looking. Otherwise they would not be calling his name! Oh fuck off. >>Nice try, Brian/Satanas/etc.! Just a tip: Next time you post to Chalkhills with a different e-mail address, try sending it via a different server -- you won't get exactly the same message ID's that way. Well quite. "Sadly" I think he's blown it though.....whatever "it" is in this instance (after all, has ANYONE got a clue why Mr Skull-Full-Of-Poop would wish to waste everyone's time in this way?)....and that retard-with-a-crayon style does tend to jump out from the screen somewhat.... >>But just remember, big guy - if you really ARE an XTC fan, you're still OK by me! Of course he's not an XTC fan! Pah! Gary Glitter fan, more like. >>You're wrong. And you're a grotequely ugly freak. Ah-ha! Brass Eye fans in the house!!!! I salute you all! F*cknut and, it has to be said, Arse-Candle. >>Try listening to Mummer and turning your brain on before you post. I think you'll find that "Wonderland" sounds a lot better if your brain is turned off (and you ears for that matter), but thanks for the tip! (as the prostitute said to the leper) >>Your faith is more a willful ignorance and denial of the direct, clear and unambiguous message of the song: "It's just somebody's unholy hoax." Where's the freaking ambiguity in that? Don Parker - I love you! In a purely platonic way, of course, but the love is for real, man. It has always amazed me that anyone could mis-interpret "Dear God", and lots of other XTC songs for that matter, but apparently it's actually possible to wander past "the bleeding obvious" - if you whistle loud enough you can drown it out altogether.......boy in blue!!! Ha ha ha!!! Sorry, that was a bit triumphalist.....snigger. >>These songs though are enough to make an atheist's heart burst with joy, sort of a Chicken Soup for the Atheist Soul. Mmmmm.....please sir, can I have some more? This Cliff Richard gruel leaves a nasty taste in the mouth (I mean, HAVE YOU HEARD THAT SONG??? AAAARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!) and let's face it, The Devil has all the best tunes. Well, all the best riffs anyway.... And finally, my favourite XTC moment.... The guitar solo in "Complicated Game".....it has to be!!!! All the wrong notes, not necessarily in the right order and there you have it - GENIUS!!!! Salut! Dom "LEADER! LEADER! LEADER!" Lawson
------------------------------ Message-ID: <384BFC0F.C85@realtime.com> Date: Mon, 06 Dec 1999 12:10:23 -0600 From: chris vreeland <vreecave@realtime.com> Organization: Vreeland Graphics Subject: guns and the American way >From John Lerfald: >post more of your refreshing observations! Thanks, Sir, I will. (with a tip of the hat to ya) --looking up from slightly ajar manhole cover-- "Is he gone yet? is it safe to come out?" Ooooh boy, two of my favorite subjects- Melt Rush Limbaugh! (sorry) MTG is THE song that did it for me, as I have stated here before, but that post was concerning bass playing, and I didn't get into the politics of unfettered gun-ownership at that point. Of course, the great thing about xTc is that there's some pretty good, insightful lyrics that go along with all that bass playing too, giving me at least a twofold reason to consider them my favorite band. (WARNING! DIGRESSION!...When I was young, I labeled XTc my "favorite band" without much thought, because I just needed a name to plug into the much-asked question: "Oh, you're a musician, huh? What's your favorite band?" Over the years, though, no other artist has seriously challenged them in my opinion, and the reasons for considering them such grew from the simple need for a pat answer to a love and reverence for the unmatched artistry they have presented to the world. Their art has grown with me, and in many ways paralleled my own maturation into adulthood, beginning with the angst and idealism of the "angry young men" and growing through love, disillusionment, parenthood, hope, more disillusionment, divorce, and now in their oldage, wistful remembrance. Andy Partridge's eloquence has given voice to emotions and ponderings that I was unable to articulate, and he has challenged me to think and act in ways I might have not considered otherwise. All set to some amazing music. END DIGRESSION) The overt political statement in Melt the Guns succeeds in ways that XtC'S other overt political statements have occasionally missed the mark (War Dance comes to mind, though I don't detest it- it's just an over-generalization). I'm as freedom-loving as the next guy, and I don't think it's possible to legislate guns out of existence, but is our "right" a tad expensive when you consider all the dead children, spouses and acquaintances who would be with us today if it hadn't been for an "accident" or moment of "heated passion" which someone later regrets? Sure, guns don't kill people, but they sure make it tons easier, as you really have to put some effort into bludgeoning or stabbing someone in a visceral way that guns don't require. Just squeeze gently, and someone dies. I grew up in the middle of America's gun culture- at times during my youth there were over a dozen weapons of various calibers in my house, and I learned to shoot at a very young age. I was raised by a man with great hostility towards society, and government in particular, who thought that armed insurrection was a viable alternative to the Vietnam war. I never subscribed to his political views, although for years I believed in "parity," i.e. if all my neighbors are armed to the teeth and half-crazed on cocaine every weekend, then I should be armed too, in order to protect myself- that is until I had to wrestle a loaded .357 from the hands of my suicidal girlfriend, about ten years ago. As soon as I had her in good hands, I drove that gun to the pawn shop, and never picked it up. Since then, I have peaceably taken my chances. This is the point where I must enter the constitutional debate. Obviously, freedom from tyranny was foremost in the minds of the men who wrote the American constitution. Also obvious is that the first ten amendments to said constitution were meant to augment and ensure that freedom. However, in 1789, a musket was scarcely more dangerous than a sword, and I have to ask- haven't the other nine amendments safeguarded us from oppression somewhat handily without the need to resort to armed insurrection for 210 years, now? I believe a well educated populace which votes and takes part in its democracy is a much more useful check against tyranny that a bunch of drunk rednecks armed to the teeth with uzis. Does the proliferation of guns not in fact impose another form of tyranny unintended by the framers? I'd like to live free from the fear that your child will accidentally shoot mine while they are playing at your house. I'd like to live free from the fear that if I make a mistake driving my car that you will not shoot me on impulse because you've had a bad day already. I'd like to be able to count on a public education for my children in schools where they don't have to consider who among them is armed and dangerous. However, Legal precedent over the recent course of 2nd amendment cases leads one to believe that its repeal or revision is unlikely. In fact, the courts have bolstered the pro-gun lobby's arguments that the "well regulated militia" is the subordinate clause of the amendment. It will most likely stand for years to come. In this environment, I am still left with personal choice, and hopefully the power of persuasion. I chose to live non-violently; that is in a weapon-free home. I believe an outraged but non-violent citizenry can accomplish much, when bolstered by the rule of law. It's not easy being tear gassed, but ultimately, non violence has prevailed whenever it has been persistently employed. Look back upon last week's events in Seattle. The politicians there know their jobs are at stake over their mishandling of the protests, and the WTO tucked its tail and went home in disarray. Martin Luther King, jr. was killed with a gun, but the civil rights movement went on, anyway. The precedents for non-violence in America are many, and the precedents for armed insurrection as a means for redress of grievance are few. (The Civil War, anybody? The Symbionese Liberation Army?) I'll end it there. Feel free to chat amongst yourselves, however, or to rebut, as is your right. (I'd like to hear from citizens of other democracys where gun ownership is strictly controlled. Do the Brits on this list feel at risk of tyranny? What sort of "rights" do you have in Australia?.) Consider mine melted, Chris Vreeland
------------------------------ Message-ID: <130CB597E04ED211B2A400104B93AAC47DF78D@ESCORP1> From: "Wiencek, Dan" <dwiencek@crateandbarrel.com> Subject: RE: peas 'n cheese Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 12:12:50 -0600 Newcomer Alec (welcome aboard) wrote: > I've liked the Chalkhills lists I've been getting! It's great to see a > list that's so dedicated to actual opinions about the actual band and > their actual music. Don't get used to it. ;-) > It seems like Terry's dismissed a lot by Andy and maybe Colin, too. At > least the handy dandy, spicy little bite-sized quotes I always see > writers use when painting the Chambers picture (out of context, no > doubt). Personally, I've found Partridge's one-note appraisals of Terry Chambers to be simplistic, bordering on insulting. While giving him ample credit for his musical contribution, Andy has never otherwise bothered to describe Chambers as anything other than a loutish drunkard. Reading Paul C's interview with Terry a couple years ago (check the Little Lighthouse site), I was surprised by how interesting and erudite he was, how much thought he had evidently given to the path popular music had taken since he left it; I then wondered why I was surprised, and realized Andy's comments had prepared me for a one-dimensional sensation-monger, not the fully rounded individual he is. So, while I don't know Chambers (or Andy, or Colin, yadda yadda, usual disclaimers apply), I think Andy has done him a disservice. Of course, Andy may well have considered someone capable of breaking into a chip shop and whizzing into a tub of spuds to be beyond his understanding anyway, and so decided that subtle characterization wouldn't really be worth his while. > I think XTC has suffered, for lack of a better word for it, in the > rhythm department since Terry left. Andy or Dave Lord or whoever it was > did a good job with "Big Express" drums-wise but they're a little hard > to take, robotics, in an XTC context. I usually take the opposite view in this debate. It's true that Terry was an important part of XTC's "fingerprint," in that his style was tremendously distinctive and gave XTC's records a sound that was unique to them. But what starts out as distinctive can become limiting in the long run, and Terry's driving, super-emphatic style could (I might even say would) have ended up sounding dated had he stuck with the band. More to the point, though, Andy's songwriting was moving too far away from that style of recordmaking. Had Chambers not left during Mummer, he probably would have soon after; the only way he could have stayed (leaving personal considerations out for the moment) was if he radically altered his style, in which case it wouldn't *really* have been Terry, would it? I think XTC have had some outstanding drumming on their post-touring records, and in particular I think Dave Mattacks is a fantastic drummer, the best of XTC's latter-day career. His work on Nonsuch brims over with wit and personality, without straying too far from Terry's bash-'em-out spirit of old. (I've long nursed the theory that the entire drum part to Peter Pumpkinhead is an homage to Terry; it always makes me smile to hear Mattacks wallop out that simple 4-square beat, as though he were the first guy ever to have come up with it ... very Terry.) I was let down when I heard Mattacks wasn't drumming on AV2 ... is there a reason why that is? I thought he was a dead lock and next thing I know, someone unknown to me is playing drums on XTC's new record, including "We're All Light," a fantastic song which cries out for the Mattacks touch and which, I am convinced, could be a respectable hit if presented correctly. We can only hope. That's more than enough blather for now ... welcome to the list. Dan
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 06 Dec 1999 10:42:32 -0800 Subject: colin's songs & fave moments From: Daniel Duncan <dan@creditland.com> Message-ID: <B4714398.103%dan@creditland.com> i was listening to 'white music' last night (something i almost never do). today my favorite song is colin's 'cross-wires.' someone raised the point recently about colin's incredible growth as songwriter since the early days. it's true! compare the embarrassing, typically slap-dash new wave 'do what you do,' with the nillson-esque 'frivolous tonight' and mark this man's progress in songcraft. * --------------------------------------------- partial list of favorite xtc moments, in no particular order: - the segue from 'that wave' into 'then she appeared'. - this is <bass sliiiiiide>!, yeah-yeah! (the break in 'this is pop') - the beach boys groove in the dukes' 'pale and precious' - the ooo-woo-ooo background vocals in 'season cycle' there's more that i can't think of right now. really, it's all just one big fantastic moment. * --------------------------------------------- i can't think of any xtc songs that have a country flavor about them, but on saturday did a bluegrass arrangement of 'earn enough for us' and it really worked! everything's buzz buzz everything's beep beep, dan
------------------------------ Message-ID: <000301bf4022$3f7a2b20$371017d4@smj> From: "Stephen Jackson" <smj@zen.co.uk> Subject: God and Ringo the Metronome Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 19:35:18 -0000 Don wrote... Wonderland One day you will break out of your spell And some day you will want me for your own And I'll say welcome to reality Caught in your superficial, nonexistent, fairy-story, wonderland Xtc lyrics and religion? You might have been spot on elsewhere, but I don't see the lyric to "Wonderland" having any religious connection...It's obviously about a woman who spends time in high-flying social circles, rather like the character in "Wait 'til your Boat Goes Down" As I drummer, I was interested in reading another poster's comments about Ringo and Terry. That solo on side 2 of "Abbey Road" may be spot on time, but it's still bloody embarrasing...What's more, if Ringo had such a metronomic sense of timing, as the poster suggested, why the hell didn't he employ it in "Drive my Car" (Cue yer cd up folks, and listen to that drummer drift from 1 min 19 secs to 1 min 23 secs)...metronome, indeed! Steve. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ No room to move, no room for doubt.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <D9E6CEC7734AD111BCF70090273C5D674B6A87@user8.chemonics.net> From: Todd Bernhardt <TBernhardt@Chemonics.net> Subject: It's All Over Now Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 15:38:13 -0500 Hi: Good catch, John Hedges and eddie st. martin! But then John has to go ruin it with: >Personally, I'd get a hushmail.com account. They're practically untraceable!< D'oh! Great -- now, with each issue, we all get to play find the lunatic. And that's getting increasingly difficult lately... >From "Chauncy" Gardner: >Steve Oleson brought up a good point below, and I wanted to add that architecture's structure, from a design and construction point of view, is the same as music's construction. Mozart is a good composer to highlight. The penultimate point is, that they both have rest periods and accentuated reliefs, but both also contain *tension and release.*< Hmm, interesting. What's the *ultimate point*? > It is a subconcious relationship to negative and positive space, but you don't really know it, unless a docent, which I am, calls attention to this characteristic of the space.< Which is why I recently hired a live-in docent. Everyone should have one! Chris, responding to Chris: >>You've been listening to too much of your wife's goddamn Air Supply, >>and the excess oxygen has obviously gone to your brain! Now, on to the >>main subject of this post... >The other Chris, you have a hell of a memory, I'll give you that. Not really. Your wife's love of Air Supply is legendary. (John, don't you think it's time to add it to the FAQ?) And on that big, fat idiot: > As an occasional listener to Rush, I've heard "Generals And Majors" on his show on occasion too, as well as several songs from Utopia's last three albums in the early to mid-80's. It would be misleading to call Rush a libertarian, though. He's a libertarian only when it's convenient for him, like most people. Sort of like his approach to the truth, eh? And what did he play from Utopia? "Swing to the Right"? And thanks for letting me know where "most people" stand in their politics. Actually, I'm a libertarian only when it's really inconvenient for me. I think it shows my commitment more. Okay, enough of this brouhaha (hahaha). Time for XTContent: Some time ago, I brought up what I thought was an Ironic Thing: that Dave Gregory had toured (and slept) with Aimee Mann during her "I'm With Stupid" tour. Geddit? Well, several people on the list, including our esteemed moderator, corrected me and let me know that Dave had in fact toured with her on the "Whatever" tour. Cowed, I slinked back to my corner and concentrated on compiling instrument lists until I realized that, given the confessional nature of Ms. Mann's lyrics, perhaps it's even worse that "I'm With Stupid" was released _after_ her Dalliance with Dave. Now, I used to think that it is irresponsible to speculate about our heroes, but until AV2 is released, I think idol gossip is all we have to hold on to. So, which song on "I'm With Stupid" is about Dave? (Don't bitch if you don't have the album ... you should.) Think of it -- Sex! Betrayal! Rock and roll! Vicious rumors and groundless hypotheses that Dave might feel compelled to counter, allowing us to find out if he's secretly reading the digest! Sex!! I think it's "All Over Now." Why? Well, it's got four -- count 'em -- great guitar solos, and Dave's a great guitarist. It also quotes lyrics from "Superball" and Dave is probably a super... well, you get the idea. If you don't, Amanda does. I might be wrong. I probably am. But who cares? What say you, fellow (and female) Chalkies? --Todd "When's that Jon Brion album coming out?" Bernhardt
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19991206210627.73574.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Nathan Mulac DeHoff" <xornom@hotmail.com> Subject: Some Worthless Comments Date: Mon, 06 Dec 1999 21:06:27 GMT I've been lurking on this list for a few weeks now, and I thought I'd make a post, introducing myself and giving some worthless comments. First, let me state that I've never lost a logical argument. No, I'm just kidding. Seriously, though, I'm 22 years old and American. I was only introduced to XTC last year, and it looks like I picked a good time, what with the band's recent comeback. How did I learn about XTC? I'm glad you asked. I guess my first musical interest was humourous stuff. My first musical obsession was "Weird Al" Yankovic, and he's still a favourite of mine. Once I entered college, I started looking into the works of some other bands. I think I basically discovered XTC through They Might Be Giants (probably my absolute favourite band). You're probably aware of Their song "XTC Vs. Adam Ant," which I actually see as a fairly weak effort as far as the Johns are concerned, but it did bring the name of XTC into my consciousness. I learned a little more about the band, and, about halfway through my sophomore year, I decided to knuckle down (love his skin) and buy Upsy Daisy Assortment. It was an odd assortment of songs, some of which I loved, and others that I didn't care for all that much. I did eventually invest in the rest of the XTC catalogue, though, and I now have all of the "main" XTC albums, as well as Rag and Bone Buffet and Testimonial Dinner. I bought Apple Venus Volume 1 on the day it was released, but I still don't have Homespun. I might end up buying it someday, but the stores in which I've looked all seem to sell it for the same price as Apple Venus. The demos are essentially unfinished products, so it really seems to me that they shouldn't cost as much as the finished ones. Oh, well. >I've liked the Chalkhills lists I've been getting! It's great to see a >list that's so dedicated to actual opinions about the actual band and >their actual music. So you don't like discussion of the Dukes, since they're not an actual band? >I have to agree with what Iain Murray wrote about Terry Chambers. XTC, >as a band, is up there with the best from any era during "Black Sea" and >"Settlement" and a lot of the success in the sound of those songs from >this period comes from chemistry between the individuals and Terry's >sense of drum. I have to admit that I don't always pay that much attention to any one particular instrument, but there have definitely been some major changes since Terry left. Really, the band hasn't done all that much percussion-intensive work in the post-Terry era (certainly nothing along the lines of Black Sea, which really gave Terry a chance to shine). >Speaking of XTC's day-glo eras, I also miss the madcap noodlings of >Barry from time to time. The change in the band's sound from the Barry era to the Dave one is even greater than the change from Terry to post-Terry. I've read that the band (especially Andy) consciously tried to get away from the keyboard-intensive sound of the first two albums (which was enjoyable and energetic, if nothing else). >It will be interesting, now that Gregory's gone, to hear what Colin and >Andy will create. Especially when you consider that Apple Venus Volume 2 is supposed to be a more electric rock style of album, which probably would mean some intense electric guitar (and drums, for that matter). >At any rate, here are some good CDs I thought Chalkhillers might enjoy: >Camper Van Beethoven - Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart, Key Lime Pie I bought these two, along with their first album, Telephone Free Landslide Victory, earlier this year. It's a shame that only these three are still in print; the band has a great sound, and I would have liked to hear some of their other stuff. >But maybe we can take this in a new direction, I mean why do we always >focus so much on Dear God? Perhaps a better overall picture can be had >by reviewing the lyrics from some other XTC songs: > >Scissor Man >If you refuse to believe he exist >You won't be frightened when you find out you're on his list. Well, the Scissor Man isn't God, but there is a bit of the same kind of mentality in some religions. The "be good or go to Hell" kind of thought bears some resemblance to "be good or the Scissor Man will get you." I'm not saying that all religious people are this way, but there does seem to be an element of fear in several religions. >Travels in Nihilon >We've seen no Jesus come and gone. Well, that song is more about the punk movement than about religion, isn't it? >Deliver Us from the Elements >Oh Lord deliver us from the elements >We at your mercy and your reverence >Oh Lord deliver us from the elements >We've no defense we are impotent >(Yes, a very different sentiment here, but left in as a gesture of >unbias.) It's also a Colin song, rather than an Andy one. I know Andy is an atheist, but does anyone know what Colin's religious beliefs are? >This World Over >Will you tell them about that far off and mythical land, >Where a child to the virgin came. >Will you tell them that the reason why we murdered >Everything upon the surface of the world >So we can stand right up and say we did it in His name? Seems to me to be emphasizing the hypocrisy >Merely a Man >I had no message and the message >was, we're all Jesus, Buddha, and the Wizard of Oz! >I'm all religious figures rolled into one, Gaddafy Duck propelled >from Jimmy Swaggart's tommy gun. >With logic and love we'll have power >enough to raise consciousness up and for lifting humanity higher! >We should chase superstition and fear from >our hearts if we're going to survive and take levels of sanity higher! I like the sentiment of this song, because I like to believe that no one person is naturally "better" than another; they're all just people. Of course, some religions wouldn't support this; for instance, according to Christians, Jesus is supposedly better than the rest of us. Okay. I suppose that's enough for now. Nathan
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Message-Id: <4.2.0.58.19991206125516.00c223f0@worden.electric.net>
Date: Mon, 06 Dec 1999 12:58:31 -0800
From: David Hathaway <davidh@electric.net>
Subject: Re: Headspace
>"astronauts & heretics":
>
>does anyone else like this album, too? or even, are their other dolby fans
>amongst us?
>
>it is a shame he's too wrapped up in running headspace to even think about
>making a new record. according to "the flat earth" website (the url eludes
>me at the moment), he has no desire to record any more music for release
>under his own name. that's too bad, as i thought that, with each album, he
>was getting better and better, but alas...
Agreed entirely (says a delurking poster).
A tremendously talented songwriter who appears to be too caught up in his
tech company to make more music, but, to each his own, as long as he is
happy. Astronauts was a brilliant album for the most part, despite a few
spotty bits and Aliens still makes me smile.
XTC content...
I can't wait for Volume II and I still adore AV1
David Hathaway davidh@electric.net
The Electric Mail Company +1 (604) 482-1111
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------------------------------ From: fheaney@erols.com Message-ID: <005201bf402f$3c7367e0$92e47ad1@default> Subject: A bunch of stuff nobody but me cares about, but here it is anyway Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 16:16:36 -0500 May wrote: > *Ben Folds Five - The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner Oh, crap, that's one I left off my list. It's so hard to keep track of things that weren't released in the past two or three months. I forgot about the latest from Electronic as well...but maybe I can shunt that and the Scritti Politti to the year 2000 list since they haven't been officially released on this side of the pond yet anyway. > I like Elvis Costello. I especially like Elvis Costello's "King of > America" album. One of my favorite Elvis songs is, "Stranger In The > House". Can you guess which two topics I'm combining? Elvis vs. Joe and country music. Do I win? As for the Elvis vs. Joe thing, it's no contest anymore...and "Blaze of Glory" is Joe's last good album, in my opinion (anything even vaguely memorable -- and there was precious little of that -- on "Laughter and Lust" was screwed up by a dippy track sequence), and his concert from the Blaze of Glory tour was probably the best rock concert I've ever attended (but I missed the Costello/Nieve concert, idiot that I am, so I can't compare). David Oh, re "Astronauts and Heretics" > does anyone else like this album, too? or even, are their other dolby fans > amongst us? I like it better than "Aliens Ate My Buick", but it's still a big step down from his first two albums. Not bad, though. Semi-XTC content: Just got my "Adventure Club" CD with "Blue Beret" on it...it's sort of endearing and annoying at the same time to hear Andy's voice crack when he tries for the high notes. Highlights of the album are the two Lilac Time songs, though. -- Francis "Feed the yak! Feed the yak some...toast!" -- The Lounge Lizards
------------------------------ Message-ID: <01BF4012.B96D4BC0@qrvl209-74-60ppp41.epix.net> From: Tim Schreyer <schreyer@epix.net> Subject: Pure Pop Heaven Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 17:52:01 -0500 > >>One more thing: > >>Say it aint so, Iain! I really like Big World a lot! > >>Most of the songs are pretty good, the only misfire is > >>the lame recording process involved. Laughter & Lust > >>is a better example of a misfire, IMHO. > > Sorry. I haven't heard "Laughter And Lust" as yet, probably because I've > never heard anyone say anything good about it. "Big World" sounds a bit > flabby to me - I think it would have been more listenable (at least, to > my one good ear) as a single album rather than an album-and-a-half. Good God! You've never heard anyone say anything good about "Laughter & Lust"?!? It has to be Joe's most under-rated album! If you believe in "Pop" as a craft, this album is craftsmanship to the extreme. I've always been stunned it didn't fare better and I always assumed Joe Jackson fans liked it! I mean it's different from "I'm the Man" but so is "Night Music". My Joe Jackson fan friends hereabouts are also XTC fan converts and "Laughter & Lust" is on all our lists of great pop albums. Tim -- schreyer@epix.net
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1999 15:09:27 -0800 (PST) From: Benjamin Lukoff <blukoff@alvord.com> Subject: drugs and alcohol Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.3.96.991206150543.14802A-100000@locutus.alvord.com> "Diamond" <arnos@nantucket.net> wrote: > I really agree with your post in the last chalkhills. I, too, don't > drink, and, I must say, I am probably one of only five kids in my high > school who don't drink. (although there are only 300 kids in my school, > so...) I really have always thought that anyone who needs to take > anything, be it drugs, alcohol, whatever, just to be happy really aren't > trying very hard. I especially feel this way with with drugs. The A couple of questions: Why do you especially feel this way with drugs? What makes a drunk more acceptable than a pothead? Also, fine, I agree with you...if you *need* drugs or alcohol to be happy you have a problem. But you're ignoring the vast majority of people who are recreational users of both, who can get along perfectly fine without a toke or a drink but enjoy one occasionally. What about them? > hippies who took drugs to "expand thier conciousness," I feel were > actually doing more harm then anything. I see it as a limiting factor, > and a sign that one is week if they have to take drugs to understand > things better. A truley strong person (mentally) Doesn't need drugs to > understand things. They should be able to handle things in thier life > without the aid of "concious-expanding materials." Then again, those > drugs DID influence some great music...Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds Not to mention Rubber Soul, Revolver, Pet Sounds, etc. But does that justify it? Again, not everyone taking drugs is doing it to "expand their consciousness"! It's not all hippies and addicts, you know. Ben Lukoff
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #5-330 *******************************
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