Hold Back The Cavalry

 

iLIKETRAINS – Elegies To Lessons Learnt (Beggar’s Banquet, 2007)

I’ve been putting this one off for a while (it was actually the third of my Avalanche purchases) but not because I don’t like the record (I do) but because I’m not quite sure quite how to convey that.

Overall iLIKETRAINS’s approach is quite highly stylised – lyrical vignettes, which in truth are pretty vague but are intended to be about historical incidents. The lyrics are delivered in a mannered fashion over music which presumably is regarded (by people who know better than I do) as post-rock. And it’s the music that draws me in – at their best iLT make a glorious noise and are quite epic at times (see the 9 minute plus ‘Spencer Perceval’ for proof) but with passages of real beauty as well – LP closer ‘Death Is The End’ in particular is just … haunting.

The vocals themselves are more of an acquired taste. The weird thing is that, given the subject matter of the songs, their almost cadaverous delivery lends them an air of historical accuracy as if the singer was actually present at the events in question. I know that sounds ridiculous but it is a surprisingly effective technique.

Despite rarely revving up above midtempo ‘Elegies’ is a really good LP but I rather suspect that if you’ve heard them before, my recommendation isn’t going to change anyone’s minds. However if you haven’t heard them before give the following track a chance:

iLIKETRAINS – We Go Hunting (from ‘Elegies To Lessons Learnt’) [Buy it]

As ever, if you like the song, please support the artist by buying the album and going to see them live.

Photo credit

Look A Little Closer

The Woodentops – The BBC Sessions (Renascent, 2007)

At the same time as purchasing the Teardrop Explodes ‘Peel Sessions Plus’ LP, I also bought the Woodentops’ ‘The BBC Sessions’ again from the wonderful Avalanche in Edinburgh.

To a large extent this is a record which illustrates the truism of Peel sessions being rawer, live takes on bands’ songs. On some of the earlier sessions there’s a sense that the band were still finding their feet, not surprisingly given that Rolo’s sleeve notes relate the fact that the first Peel session, only booked because the Smiths pulled out, was the band’s first taste of recording – ever.

Some of these early versions sound untutored and not a patch on the versions which ended up on the early singles. But the further in you get, the more you can hear the band’s confidence growing. Whilst the stuff off the debut LP has a pleasing edgy quality the session approach doesn’t hide the fact that Bob Sargeant’s production may have added a glossy sheen but underneath there always had been some gorgeous pop tunes.

Perhaps of most interest though is the later material from the second LP’ Woodenfoot Cops On The Highway’ which was ultimately sunk underneath a stultifying production. The versions here zip with life and it’s to one of these that I turn to illustrate the disc:

The Woodentops – Wheels Turning (from ‘The BBC Sessions’)

In some ways the LP is flawed because, as mentioned above, the versions of the early singles simply aren’t as focussed as their recorded versions. But finding a record that genuinely reflects the band’s best work isn’t that easy particularly since there isn’t a best of available at the moment which includes those classic early singles. But for fans at least this is a fascinating document.

You can buy the LP from the wonderful Renascent’s online store from here.

The Woodentops play 2 dates at London, The Water Rats on 10th and 11th December (tickets). New songs are promised.

Malcolm X-mas #1 (2)

It seems the bookies have slashed the odds on Malcolm Middleton’s Xmas single reaching the Xmas Number 1 from 1,000-1 to 500-1. Is this due to the Pop Cop’s inspirational support? (from which this post’s title is nicked) Or the support of the highly influential Mr Toad? Or even the trans-Atlantic assistance from Your Moment of Zen? It could even be down to the previously declared allegiance of 17 Seconds and/or the Vinyl Villain. Or maybe, just maybe, even this?

It genuinely doesn’t matter – what is important is that the snowball is rolling and getting larger. Please let me know of other support in blogland below. As the song goes, there’s an army around the country (and beyond).

If you haven’t heard the song (unlikely, I know) then pop over to Malcspace. But make sure that you buy the song when it becomes available as a download on 17th December. Here’s where we hope that ‘We’re All Going To Die” will end up over the Festive period.

Catlow – Number One (from ‘Kiss The World’) [Buy it]

Here’s One I Prepared Earlier

This so far has been a week dominated by work so this is likely to be the only post until the weekend.

Sometimes there are albums that are so accessible that you just like them from the outset. ‘Technology Won’t Save Us’ by Sophia is one such album.

Despite the fact that Sophia have something of an established back catalogue, my first introduction to them was as support to Malcolm Middleton (make him Xmas Number 1!) back in March. It was a slightly bewildering introduction since there were 2 supports, one male and one female solo artists, called Spohia and Strike The Colours. Confusingly, Sophia was the bloke!

The bloke is Robin Proper-Sheppard and that night he managed to win the audience over not just with his songs but by his personality. However it’s taken me this long to check out his work and this LP, which dates from the end of last year. It’s excellent.

Robin’s vocals remind me of Robert Foprster of the Go-Betweens and at times the music is reminiscent of that band. But the LP finishes with a harsh metallic instrumental, not something the GBs were renowned for. And there are two other instrumentals on the record, the title track building from an acoustic intro reminiscent of Julian Cope’s more pastoral moments to something very post-rock.

The songs with vocals are fine things as well from acoustic depressive ballads to more up tempo almost AOR pop songs. You can see why Malcom Middleton would see a kindred spirit in Mr Proper-Sheppard.

Anyhow probably a year after the hip young things will have recommended this, then I would suggest you check it out. Here’s a song to whet you appetite:

Sophia – Lost (She Believed In Angels) (from ‘Technology Won’t Save Us’).

If you like the song please buy the record – here would be one option.

Progress/Reform

Another celebrity posting popped up on the site the other day with the frankly exciting news that a That Petrol Emotion reformation is on the cards. Given the origins of this blog’s name, it’s not really something I could ignore! It will be interesting to see how complete the reformation is going to be in terms of personnel but I suspect that the O’Neills, if so minded, would be able to fit in TPE duties around Undertones commitments.

I saw the Petrols on a good few occasions – in Dundee, Newcastle, Falkirk and Glasgow (in at least 4 different venues). They were always a great live act, so look out for TPE dates in 2008.

The TPE reformation was a tad more probable than one by My Bloody Valentine but that is already confirmed with dates announced for June/July. Unfortunately the Glasgow date is an important family occasion so I won’t be there but I remember seeing MBV open for the Pixies in 1988 then again 18 months or so later as part of the Mary Chain’s ‘Rollercoaster’ package tour. My God, they were loud!

A track from each band:

That Petrol Emotion – It’s A Good Thing (from ‘Manic Pop Thrill’)

My Bloody Valentine – Soon (from ‘Loveless’)

Buy both albums here.

Finger On The Pin

The first of my Avalanche purchases last week is the Teardrop Explodes’ ‘Peel Sessions Plus’. The CD pretty much does what it says in the tin, namely collecting the band’s John Peel sessions with a handful of other tracks.

Peel sessions were, of course, important in breaking bands and tended to feature rawer versions of songs than appeared on official releases as well as rarities. This generalisation may be sweeping but it certainly applies to this release which manages to cover many of the band’s highpoints.

So if you’re looking for ‘Reward’ and ‘When I Dream’ you’ll find versions of them here. However they may not be quite as you remember them because this LP’s real value lies in its different approach to the songs. Unlike some similar LPs, these aren’t just live run-throughs of the tracks in the studio; some of the versions here are quite different in arrangement to their eventual recorded incarnations.

This is particularly true of the later material. The ‘Wilder’ era tracks sound more in tune with the Teardrops’ earlier work than the, for my money, rather stilted versions which eventually appeared on the album. I’d certainly have preferred it if ‘Culture Bunker’ had sounded more like this on record whilst ‘You Disappear From View’ is radically different from the single version.

In terms of curiosity value, there are also a couple of songs I’d not heard before (‘Buchanan’ and ‘Log Cabin’) as well as a cover of Wah! Heat’s ‘Better Scream’ (which mutates into the chorus of Shalamar’s ‘Make That Move’ and a bit of ‘Screaming Secrets’). Like I said, oddities!

Given that, on reflection, the early Teardrop Explodes are probably still my favourite period in Julian Cope’s career this is a great document of that era not least because it is one which also manages to throw new light on the songs. Despite the fact that the Teardrops’ back catalogue and oddities have been well mined in the past this still comes highly recommended.

From the LP:

The Teardrop Explodes – Culture Bunker (from ‘Peel Sessions Plus’)

Buy the LP here or, preferably, in your local independent record shop.

An interview with the Teardrops from 1980.