| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Arm Arm Arm |
Posted - 03/05/2007 : 19:59:50
I think so...
I was driving around listening to the Catholics bootleg from the Beta Bar (I think?) when Bullet comes on. As I listen to Scott thunder his way into the song, the thought occurs to me: Bullet is the quintessential Catholics song; the one tune that effectively summarizes (as much as any one single song can summarize any body of music) Frank's time with the Catholics.
Bullet has the trademark unique lyrical content that melds both epic (talk of the Revolution, friends from outerspace, Valhalla) and personal (father leaving his son the guns) as well as a sound that walks the line between rock and country. The music simultaneously points to the earlier Catholic albums (more rock) and the later (more country). And it was all recorded in one take, which again is a vital component of the Catholics.
As Heartbreaker is to Zep or Satisfaction/Jumping Jack Flash to the Stones, Bullet is to the Catholics.
In my opinion, at this moment in time...
cheers,
arm arm arm |
| 29 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| coastline |
Posted - 03/22/2007 : 15:24:31
quote:
Originally posted by johnnyribcage
Just my thoughts, they'll probably change in a week or two anyway
That's Frank Black fandom in a nutshell right there.
Grand Marnier and a pocketful of speed. We did it all day until we started to bleed. |
| johnnyribcage |
Posted - 03/22/2007 : 15:08:16
This is tough, mainly due to the extreme shift in the band's overall sound and style from the first album to Tears. Any question like this is totally subjective, but for the early years I'd say I Switched You. If not that, then maybe I Gotta Move or Western Star. I Switched You to me is the most powerful Catholics tune, plus it's just funky as hell, and whenever I want to introduce someone new to the band I usually play this one first or second. Maybe not "quintessential" but certianly "essential" as it squeezes most of the great Catholics tricks into one song - country, rock, great solos, great lyrics, and totally raw. The softer side isn't represented here, but that didn't really come out as much till DITS.
As for the later years, I'd say Massif Central pretty much sums it up for me. It's got the FB signature beginning, middle, and end with different but complimentary themes. It's got some falsetto in there, a little screaming, some old fashioned Black declamatory shouting, and like much of their work, kind of defies catagorization.
As for Bullet, it's for sure one of my favs, and also one I play for newcomers, although the lyrics about the call from Valhalla throw people sometimes.
Just my thoughts, they'll probably change in a week or two anyway |
| wwgt |
Posted - 03/22/2007 : 14:04:30
It's plausible , as bullett really is a wonderfull composition..
I would freak out If I was riding down the road and heard someone rocking this gem out , how coool would that be!!!!!!
So Yes I conccur ...Bullett to FB& C"s, as red is to wine
Space is gonna do me good |
| benji |
Posted - 03/13/2007 : 14:17:23
well technically it isn't, obviously, but i wasn't restricting myself to catholics songs.
but i spose you could say it's the Frank Black Experience equivalent of the Frank Black & The Catholics' Bullet.
all i can say, thank god for polio! brian |
| pixiestu |
Posted - 03/13/2007 : 14:02:34
I suppose, if you count it as a Catholics song.
"The arc of triumph" |
| benji |
Posted - 03/13/2007 : 13:51:06
i'd have to say that freedom rock runs a pretty close second to bullet in this contest....
all i can say, thank god for polio! brian |
| trobrianders |
Posted - 03/13/2007 : 12:30:43
quote:
Originally posted by ScottP
Live Bullet will turn your brain into shit. It's featured on one of the podcasts.
Yeah Bullet live is a real rush. The podcast instrumental version rocks.
_______________
Ed is the hoo hoo |
| junkmale |
Posted - 03/12/2007 : 01:28:44
Bullet is an absolute classic and St Francis Dam is a great song to play. I think Massiff Centrale is a pretty good archetype of a Catholics song.
And all that because sharks Twenty-five people kill every year. All that because sharks from time to time are made the teeth. All that I always knew it by reading the Telegram of Brest. All that I will always know it when I read the Telegram of Brest
|
| benji |
Posted - 03/12/2007 : 00:27:37
i think the album version of bullet is nowhere near as good as the live versions.
album = nothing special
live = outstanding
all i can say, thank god for polio! brian |
| yingguoguizi |
Posted - 03/11/2007 : 18:45:53
"All my ghosts" for me, Although it's difficult to say. The Catholics Era, seems to have distinct parts. I mean compare the first Catholics album to Show Me Your Tears |
| ScottP |
Posted - 03/11/2007 : 12:28:30
Live Bullet will turn your brain into shit. It's featured on one of the podcasts. |
| mr.biscuitdoughhead |
Posted - 03/11/2007 : 08:49:27
I don't like Bullet as much as I did when I first heard it. I mostly skip over it.
I could never pick one song but I'd say All My Ghosts is pretty close.
"Am I the one you're thinking of
when the sun goes down into the water...?" |
| floop |
Posted - 03/10/2007 : 20:50:12
quote:
Originally posted by trobrianders
Bullet's one of my favourites but their debut has always sounded the most Catholic to me. So I'd say All My Ghosts quintessentially.
_______________
Ed is the hoo hoo
i agree. All My Ghosts
jamming good with Weird and Gilly |
| ScottP |
Posted - 03/10/2007 : 20:44:40
Oh, the Catholics era. I will forever refer to my 30's as such.
Yeah, Bullet or St. Francis for sure. TMWWTL gets a nod as a fave of mine. One of the brightest pop songs ever written. |
| pixiestu |
Posted - 03/10/2007 : 09:46:37
All My Ghosts is just brilliant. Absolutely perfect. Definitely another essential Catholics song. I'm not sure it sums up the Catholics better than other songs could do, but it's my favourite FB song.
"The arc of triumph" |
| Neptune |
Posted - 03/10/2007 : 09:42:37
Not for me either. I've never quite been able to dig Bullet in the way so many others seem to.
Don't know if there is a "quintessential" Catholics song...All My Ghosts or Manitoba sounded closer to me... |
| Luis Bunuel |
Posted - 03/10/2007 : 00:49:06
Nah, not for me. I think either "Manitoba" maybe, possibly "21 Reasons" or even "St. Francis Damn Disaster" are probably the songs I would play for someone to best represent his work with the Catholics. God, I don't know though.  |
| mrgrieves1971 |
Posted - 03/09/2007 : 14:45:52
quote:
Originally posted by coastline
I think this thread is about the most characteristic FB&theC song, not the best or the one that sticks out the most. I think Arm Arm Arm is right about "Bullet," right down to the weird intro with the pre-song banter. (Who's the drummer he's referring to in that intro, anyhow?)
I thought he was talking about Neil Peart of Rush. Did I read that somehwere? No? |
| trobrianders |
Posted - 03/09/2007 : 14:24:41
Bullet's one of my favourites but their debut has always sounded the most Catholic to me. So I'd say All My Ghosts quintessentially.
_______________
Ed is the hoo hoo |
| pixiestu |
Posted - 03/06/2007 : 11:47:06
I've always thought of Bullet as an essential Catholics song. It's not my absolute favourite, but it does have a distinctive Catholics style to it.
"The arc of triumph" |
| Frog in the Sand |
Posted - 03/06/2007 : 11:44:51
quote:
Originally posted by coastline
Hmmm. I was mostly referring to a post that has since disappeared. Can't remember whose it was. Frog In The Sand, maybe.
Indeed. As you noticed, I was totally off-topic.
-----
BLACKOLERO le only Frank Black / Pixies site 100% in français |
| coastline |
Posted - 03/06/2007 : 11:37:16
Hmmm. I was mostly referring to a post that has since disappeared. Can't remember whose it was. Frog In The Sand, maybe.
 Please pardon me, for these my wrongs. |
| billgoodman |
Posted - 03/06/2007 : 11:18:13
quote:
Originally posted by coastline
I think this thread is about the most characteristic FB&theC song, not the best or the one that sticks out the most. I think Arm Arm Arm is right about "Bullet," right down to the weird intro with the pre-song banter. (Who's the drummer he's referring to in that intro, anyhow?)
Please pardon me, for these my wrongs.
ok, let me put it this way then
it sticks out the most AND is the most characteristic
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God save the Noisies |
| Born to Lose |
Posted - 03/06/2007 : 10:58:41
I think I was vague in my original post but I was agreeing with the original post. |
| coastline |
Posted - 03/06/2007 : 10:22:53
I think this thread is about the most characteristic FB&theC song, not the best or the one that sticks out the most. I think Arm Arm Arm is right about "Bullet," right down to the weird intro with the pre-song banter. (Who's the drummer he's referring to in that intro, anyhow?)
Please pardon me, for these my wrongs. |
| billgoodman |
Posted - 03/06/2007 : 09:21:32
bullet is the song that seems to jump out
don't know why exactly
it doesn't have
a great chorus or many hooks like lot's of songs on his last catholics records
still a stand out track for me
---------------------------
God save the Noisies |
| Grotesque |
Posted - 03/06/2007 : 07:13:50
quote:
Originally posted by Born to Lose
I was just thinking the same. It has everything in it that made the Catholics so great.
Agree. Black Letter Days is a dark gem. And bullet is not so typical of the catholics. On the same record DITS, "If it takes all night" sounds much more catholics. You know, that hard rocking amercicana feeling. |
| Born to Lose |
Posted - 03/06/2007 : 05:26:02
I was just thinking the same. It has everything in it that made the Catholics so great. |
| two reelers |
Posted - 03/06/2007 : 01:02:50
no
IMO, *perhaps* BLD is the most quintessential catholics record (or post lyle workman catholics record). but to narrow them down to one song, no.
of course, DITS is somehow more versatile. but BLD has more power, has just so many good songs, and everyone of the catholics can show off. or so.
I joined the cult of Souled American / 'cause they are a damn' fine band |
