The Charlatans -Melting Pot
has been getting regular rotations on my system.
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I love The Smiths and Morrisey solo. Bona Drag is great, and The Smiths "Strangeways Here We Come" is in regular rotation.
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As somebody very much into post-punk, Britpop, etc, I am very familiar with these bands and definitely enjoy this kind of music. I don't know what they have in common with Radiohead, though, as the OP suggested, except that they're British....
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Bought several Travis lps since they finally became available.
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OK I recognize this thread is ancient but can't help myself, as much has changed since the original writing of this.
Yesterday I went to my dealer and ended up looking at a streamer from a company called "HiFi Rose" and when I searched Rose on here this thread came up. 😀
James is far and away one of my favorite acts 1) to see live and 2) with regard to recording quality that are out there. They reformed in 2008 and had quite the renaissance since. Their records from 2008-2014 were as good as anything they had ever done. Check out the songs "I want to go home" or "Rabbit Hole" if you're not sure. If you are new to James but want an absolute banger of a pub sing along song check out "We're going to miss you".
Another Manchester band I've only recently discovered is the Chameleons. check out the track "Swamp Thing" if you've never heard it. Worth the time.
Enjoy!
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I just recently watched a live dvd of the original Stone Roses line-up...and I had to ask myself...is this the same band that recorded that remarkable debut? I heard stories that Ian Brown was flat live...and yes...I can confirm this and more...he cant sing! It is truly painful...however he(or whoever is singing) on the debut sounds pretty cool...as for Brit bands of this era here are 2 more:
The Wedding Present
Pales Saints... |
I heard a rumor today on a local radio station that the Smith's might re-unite. |
I agree, this is a lot of the stuff I was listening to back in high school in the 80s--though I think James went downhill after the first few singles, and though the Stone Roses weren't cool enough for me at the time they were on the radio...though I've since picked up the first LP. I have a lovely pink and purple swirled vinyl German-issue 12" of "William, It Was Really Nothing" b/w "How Soon Is Now?" that I've been lugging around for more than 20 years now.
I assume those of you who are big Smiths fans also like Orange Juice, the early 80s Scottish band who recently had some early recordings reissued (CD only, I think) on Domino? If not, that CD or the album "You Can't Hide Your Love Forever" are well worth getting. Also, if you like the Smiths, you could do worse than check out a new band called Voxtrot, who take the Smiths-isms even farther than Belle & Sebastian. Their recordings are far from hi-fi, especially the first 7", but the music is great. |
This thread makes me feel like home...if any of you want to spin some tunes, count me in.
When I got my first turntable, one of my first quests was to obtain all Guadalcanal Diary releases on vinyl. Then the Trip Shakespeare catalog. For the Smiths, I have Hatful of Hollow on vinyl, but all the rest (save Rank) on CD. Girl Afraid is probably my favorite. The Stone Roses first release is great. After a few drinks, I perform a great Suadehead. The Mighty Lemondrops remind me of a crush I had on this girl that went to Millard South High School in Omaha (However, it's funny I can't remember her name). Anyone spinnin' Joy Division? You really can't beat R.E.M.'s first 3 releases - Chronic Town, Murmur, and Reckoning. Steve Albini's work on "Surfer Rosa" by the Pixies is good stuff. I can't get enough Sisters of Mercy. Tell me about the vocals on "Flood II". The production for that track is phenominal. The Feelies "Only Life" is a favorite, too. Seventeen Seconds by the Cure is SOOOO underrated. How about early INXS (Shabooh Shoobah, The Swing)? I've got 2 Housemartins LPs. Peter Murphy? I could go on.
Let me guess...You all stayed up late on Sunday nights watching 120 Minutes on MTV back in the day? |
saw morrissey in the snl studio in nyc years ago....even the cast was freaking out. |
I have all that stuff from my college days in the early eighties. The The, Mighty Lemon Drops, Cocteau Twins, That Petrol Emotion, The Furs, The Stranglers, Love Tractor, The Call, Guadalacanal Diary, Screaming Blue Messiahs, Beat Farmers, The Housemartins, China Crisis, The Woodentops,The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Sisters of Mercy, etc. Wow. I think tonight it's gonna be a stroll down memory(what's left of it)lane! |
James not only has great lyrics and music, but their cd's are excellently recorded. The Smiths certainly stood out in the mid-80's with the wild morbid lyrics and voice of Morrissey, and the awesome guitaring of Johnny Marr. |
The album Laid by James is very good. It was in my top ten faves the year it was released. From start to finish not one bad track. I have various The Smiths on Vinyl but haven't listened to them lately. Liked the one Meat is Murder and the one with girlfrind in a coma. The latest Morrisey's Live is a great recording sound wise and the song selection is good to. |
Wait! There's more!
What about Starsailor, Travis, The Music, Charlattans U.K.?
I really love the sound of this type of rock. |
How Soon Is Now by the Smiths was voted Song of the DECADE for the 1990s by the listeners of WFNX, which at the time was the premier alternative (when alternative actually meant something) rock station in Boston. |
All The Smiths albums are great. Meat Is Murder is a good one. I am a big Morrissey fan. Check out "Bona Drag".
About 14 months ago I took my ex to see Morrissey at the Tabernacle here in Atlanta. Warm up guy on acoustic guitar was done. Place was packed. You could feel the electricity building-when they announced he was coming I knew I had to be at this show.
They had this thin black curtain across entire stage but you could see through it a little bit. You could make out these huge letters across the entire back of stage MORRISSEY (like on the Elvis album cover).
People had been moving on the stage for a while but you couldn't make out if they were crew or the band (curtains still closed).
Then out of nowhere you hear the unmistakeable guitar feedback intro to "How Soon Is Now" and as the curtains open and the lights come up
"I am the son, and the heir..."
Unreal! I'm talking wide eyed jaw dropping try to catch your breath WOW. If you're a Smiths fan and were there you know what I mean. I believe it was the most intense openning I've ever seen (I've been going to concerts since 72). You can not put that on a cd or dvd.
The band he toured with is tight-or at least that night they were-they sounded almost exactly like the original recordings. Except for Morrissey. The nuances of a singer songwriter that has performed his work many times. He's a good entertainer too. Talked to the audience a bit.
They ended up doing 6 or 7 Smiths songs that night (they did "There is a light that never goes out" and I am trying to remember which others they did-was anybody reading this there?). Up to that point in the tour that was the most Smiths songs they did in a show and it was the first night of the tour they did "How Soon Is Now".
Enough rambling
Jeff
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I own some of all those on vinyl. Just got done playing "Second Coming" by the Stone Roses. What a great guitar album! Cheers! |
Have recordings by Smiths and Roses but am not familiar with James. Also solo albums by Ian Brown (lead singer of SR) especially Monkey Business (check out the bass on the track entitled Ice Cold Cube) and Music of the Spheres, both great well recorded albums.
Sometimes Morrissey's voice grates on me, but Louder Than Bombs is good.
And I am a fan of Radiohead too. But right now I am listening to Wes Montgomery, just had some major dental work and I need to chill. |
Ahh yes...2nd night I've come on and didn't know what to listen too, thanks!
The Smiths...Panic, How Soon is Now?, This Charming Man
Stone Roses...Strange Love...
Great music, but I can't listen to it for a long time. Usually when I do, I listen to KoRn the next night to clear my system. |
I own some albums from the Smiths as well as James. I have yet to unpack that box since our move, as most CD's are still boxed up... as I am still setting up the stereo room... |
every smith's record is great. the 'louder than bombs' comp is also a good place to start. |
