Recommendation #2: Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy)

One of the greats, here! Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) is the second solo Brain Eno album released on Island in 1974. After Eno left Roxy Music in the early 70s, he released a flurry of fantastic solo and collaborative albums where he began exploring music with a new sense of freedom and inspiration. Most notably are the albums 'No Pussyfooting' (1973) with Robert Fripp and his first solo release, Here Come the Warm Jets (1974). Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) though was by some way the most consistent and fully realised release from this early period of his career.

The opening track 'Burning Airlines Give You So Much More' sets up the tone of the album perfectly, providing an introduction to the interesting poly-rhythms and manipulated guitar sounds that continue to play a central role in the music throughout. In fact, the 'groove' in this album as a whole is excellent, and with a quick glance at the liner notes it is clear why this is the case! Robert Wyatt features on most of the album, as well as Phil Collins who plays drums on 'Mother Whale Eyeless'. The album maintains a high intensity right up until the last farewell, 'Taking Tiger Mountain', a wistful and reflective outro that draws the listener into an almost trance-like state. On a slightly different note, The cover art for Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) is another brilliant feature of the album, and perfectly reflects the art-rock music that lies within.

Overall though, there is not much to not like in this release, even for the most casual of listeners, and is the ideal place to start for an Eno introduction. It won't be long before this album becomes a staple in your musical diet, believe me. Cheers, Will.

Show Preview (12/03/13)

'Sup guys! Just another quick heads-up for the show scheduled tomorrow. The main topic for discussion will be psychedelia. Specifically, early psychedelia around the '66-'68 time frame. If that interests you, tune in from 6 pm and let me know your thoughts. Cheers! Will.

Show Preview (05/03/13)

What's good, everyone? A new episode of You Can't Play That On Radio Anymore! is going live tonight, featuring all the best pop from the days of the LP. The show will be split into two halves: pre- and post-1970, separating the psych from the glam essentially. See you at 6pm!

Recommendation #1: Peggy Suicide

As a break from mundane report writing, I thought I'd pen a quick recommendation of an album I'm currently digging: Julian Cope's Peggy Suicide, released in 1991 on Island. Upon listening to this album for the first time last week, my initial feelings were that of disappointment - I was expecting something more, something with clear creativity and originality. But, with more listens, the infectious nature of this music eventually made me realise that the music is in fact all those things! This is not an album you can listen to in a cursory fashion and expect to understand it immediately (at least, not for me anyway) and this was the mistake I made at first, daunted by the sheer length of the double album.

The message on this album is dense and complicated, being delivered with aggression, sadness and frustration in response to political and philosophical matters. Upon reading the inside of the gatefold LP sleeve, I found that 'Peggy Suicide' is in fact a personification of mother earth, which lays down the foundation for the concept of this album. As of yet however, I am no where near even beginning to understand Julian's overall statement for this album, and I imagine many more intense listenings will be required before this is the case!

The sound of this album is somewhat indescribable - though no through lack of distinctness! If I was forced to put a label on it, to me, it sounds like a mix of Syd Barrett/Todd Rundgren/Stone Roses (and something else I can't quite put my finger on). Genre-wise, I would describe it as somewhere between folk rock and psychedelia, though with a relatively modern (90's) interpretation on these ideas. Overall, it is clear that Julian is a true music enthusiast, as well as musician, if not through knowledge of the books he's put out, then through the seamless blending of sounds on this album - truly a superb effort in my opinion!

Show Preview (26/02/13)

Hello! Next Tuesdays show will be focusing on solo artists, showcasing a few of the albums I've picked up recently on CD and LP as well as some stuff dotted about my iTunes library. Fans of Todd Rundgren, Julian Cope and Syd Barrett TUNE IN!

This Album BLEW MY MIND: A Wizard, A True Star

As of 14th February 2013, I am listening to this album for the first time (about 90% of the way through as of writing this). My first impression is that it is bloody amazing. The constant stream of 1-2 minute songs (at least, for the first 8 songs) reminds me of a format similar to that of 'We're Only In It For The Money' by the Mothers of Invention, and with equally inventive and outlandish content! The influence of psychedelics is clear on this album, which, if nothing else, removed all barriers Todd may have previously had to sound. Each song seems to be in a genre of its own, creating a weirdly eclectic mix of motifs which ruthlessly move from one style to another with no word of warning. And yet, this is what binds the pieces of music together and makes the album so distinct! I don't know how my perceptions of this album will change with time, but for the moment anyway, it couldn't sound any sweeter.

Recent Finds: Jan 2013

A few finds from Berwick Street during the month
of January (and beginning of February). 

YMO - Solid State Survivor
Fripp and Eno - (No Pussyfooting)
Frank Zappa - The Grand Wazoo
Parliament - Mothership Connection
The Moody Blues - On the Threshold of a Dream
The Smiths - The Queen is Dead

The Smiths - Meat is Murder

Talking Heads - Remain in Light

John Coltrane - A Love Supreme

Funkadelic - Cosmic Slop