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matto
= Cult of Ray =
USA
954 Posts |
 Posted - 12/15/2005 : 10:04:47
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Please don't kill me if this's been posted, baby:
http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/comp/4ad/1980-forward.shtml
Various Artists
1980 Forward: 25 Years of 4AD
[4AD; 2005]
Rating: 7.4
This could be the best-sequenced label compilation I've ever seen, and not just in the usual mixtape ebb-and-flow sense. No, the order of these tracks is practically a form of rhetoric, and it has a pretty convincing argument to make concerning 4AD's whole status as a label. No kidding: The 18-track listing for this disc had me all primed to pick on it, but something about listening through the songs, in order, makes that a whole lot harder.
The issue is that this London imprint has two sides. On one hand, it's the prime indie-world example of how a label can maintain a cohesive, reliable aesthetic. Through the end of the 1980s, 4AD's style was the sort you'd expect from a weirded-out college punk who majored in Art History so she could stare at gory Renaissance paintings and Baroque cathedrals: a mix of operatic singers, classicist ambience, gothic post-punk, hallucinatory New England college-rock, and-- above all-- great dreamy spangles of arty pop. Bauhaus, Cocteau Twins, Throwing Muses, Dead Can Dance; the feel was coherent and totally singular, from the music to Vaughn Oliver's signature album covers-- which looked, alternately, like Modernist journals and microscopic details from pre-Raphaelite oil paintings. And all of it could culminate in label head Ivo Watts-Russell's studio project, This Mortal Coil, which made a bona fide cover band of his particular tastes-- for minimalist arrangements, fancy digital keyboard pads, and the female voice.
On the other hand, 4AD is not some kind of cult. The label's catalog packs any number of releases that are remembered completely independent of any 4AD "sound"-- from the Pixies to "Pump up the Volume", and from there to a modern-day roster featuring the Mountain Goats and TV on the Radio. So when you hit that 25th anniversary and sit down to put together a retrospective, you have a decision to make: How much is this label dead, and how much is it alive? How much are you going to canonize the stuff that defined your aesthetic, and how much are you going to throw together a label sampler for the acts you're repping now? Is this going to be a treat for devotees who really want some Dif Juz and Clan of Xymox obscurities dug out of the vaults, or is it going to be a grab-bag of singles from popular backstock like Blonde Redhead and the Breeders?
And that's where the sequencing comes in. The answer probably leans toward "the latter," but something about the order of these songs makes the question feel meainingless. If there's a rhetoric built into that song order, the message is simple-- that every 4AD signing, from 1980 to the present, is part of the same aesthetic. That the Mountain Goats are as much a part of 4AD's "style" as Lush ever were. That 4AD has maybe spent the past 25 years making one giant mixtape for us, of which this is just one version.
None of that stops this from being much more of a label sampler than 4AD fans will care for. But just look at the first four tracks here. It kicks off with a brief chant from one of the label's most idiosyncratic projects-- Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares, recordings of a Bulgarian women's choir whose voices work in such close, near-dissonant Slavic intervals that the vibrations themselves seem to make you shiver. From there it's a short leap into the flowery bursts and fluttering vocals of Cocteau Twins, the band that did the most to turn 4AD style into a major force. And then: TV on the Radio's "New Health Rock", whipping up double-part falsetto rock chants in a way that suddenly seems like the natural next step. And then: The Birthday Party's grinding post-punk noir, completely of a piece with everything you just heard.
It all flows like this, thanks in part to careful representation of each artist-- not always the best-remembered track, but the one that fits the scheme. The minimalist dream-pop of His Name Is Alive leads into the fluffier dream-pop of Pale Saints. A recent acoustic Breeders track leads off to Throwing Muses and the Pixies, covering all three poles of the spindly Massachusetts indie-rock this label nurtured into fame. A full-band Mountain Goats chug leads naturally into Tarnation's arty old-country, and the goofy Gregorian new-goth of Dead Can Dance leads naturally into a spooky, minimalist album track from Blonde Redhead. Mojave 3, Belly, Red House Painters-- scanning down the list of artists makes it look like an advertisement for what's in stock at the warehouse, but listening through the offbeat song selections and their intuitive sonic links makes it sound like a mixtape of the best and most personal sort.
All of which means that I should never have called this a retrospective, right? Anyone looking for a snapshot of 4AD's signature sound would have better luck with 1987's Lonely Is an Eyesore. Anyone looking to see what 4AD is releasing now won't exactly need to hear Cocteau Twins and Wolfgang Press on this disc. Anyone looking for a real retrospective will just have to wait, one supposes, until 4AD closes up shop and does the obligatory box-- all the highlights, from This Mortal Coil's soundtrack-staple version of "Song to the Siren" to "Pump up the Volume" to, umm, "I Melt With You". For now, you are indeed looking at a form of that convenient sales-pitch, the label sampler. Only this ranks as a very well-made one: One guy picking his way through some of the songs he likes and has liked, and organizing them, mix-tape style, in a way that expresses his tastes-- and making a decent case for those tastes as a growing, changing, on-going concern, instead of some period piece from 15 years back.
-Nitsuh Abebe, December 15, 2005 |
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matto
= Cult of Ray =
USA
954 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2005 : 10:08:29
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http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BKUX2O/qid=1134669943/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-1917017-4336806?n=507846&s=music&v=glance
(January 24, 2006)
But the 4AD site says:
http://www.4ad.com/releases/1980-forward-0/
1980 Forward by
Various Artists
Released 21 November 05
1. The Bulgarian State Radio & Television Female Vocal Choir - Schopska Pesen (Diaphonic Chant)
2. Cocteau Twins - Lorelei
3. TV On The Radio - New Health Rock
4. The Birthday Party - Fears Of Gun
5. His Name Is Alive - Fossil
6. Pale Saints - Sight Of You
7. The Breeders - Off You
8. Throwing Muses - Cottonmouth
9. Pixies - Where Is My Mind?
10. The Wolfgang Press - I’m Coming Home (Mama)
11. The Mountain Goats - See America Right
12. Tarnation - Two Wrongs Won’t Make Things Right
13. Mojave 3 - In Love With A View
14. Belly - Super-Connected
15. Red House Painters - Summer Dress
16. Sybarite - Scene Of The Crime
17. Dead Can Dance - Emmeleia
18. Blonde Redhead - Magic Mountain |
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matto
= Cult of Ray =
USA
954 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2005 : 10:11:04
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| (incidentally "Schopska" is a kind of Balkan salad made from diced cucumbers, tomatoes, shredded sirenje [feta-like cheese], oil, salt and pepper, and sometimes a little hot pepper and a little pimento-stuffed olive on top) |
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Netherlands
6214 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2005 : 02:19:20
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no lisa germano? that comp sucks!
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God save the Noisies |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2006 : 10:22:27
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This review is a little bit late, but it's seems album has only just been released in the Philippines.
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife02_may17_2006
Like a monkey gone to heaven
By Mondo Castro
1980 Forward: 4AD Celebrating 25 Years/Various
The world-renowned label 4AD has been the benchmark for life-altering,
zeitgeist making music and undoubtedly shaped (and continues to shape)
popular culture as well. Ironically, the 4AD catalog does not have that strong
presence on local record store shelves. Fortunately, Peter Chan of Universal
Records occasionally remedies the situation by putting out gems from the label.
Like this one.
The compilation jumpstarts with the enigmatic ‘‘Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares
(The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices)’’ and the bone-chilling, soul enriching
“Schopska Pesen (Diaphonic Chant).” Label founder Ivo Watts-Russel stumbled
upon the women’s choir when Bauhaus front man Peter Murphy handed him a
tape that contained field recordings made over a 15-year period by
ethnomusicologist Marcel Cellier. You can’t get more avant-garde than this.
The seminal Cocteau Twins follows with “Lorelei” one of their most familiar
tracks from their definitive 1984 album Treasure. Defying categorization, their
music was dubbed by fans as ‘dream-pop”. Vocalist Liz Fraser has become one
of the most recognizable voices in the world, working with luminaries such as
Ian McCulloch, Felt and Massive Attack.
Another notable addition is a track from Brooklyn’s TV On The Radio; a band
that, to this day, remains criminally underrated. They started off as a two-piece
back in 2000. Founding member David Sitek, who produced albums for Liars and
the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, hooked up with singer/songwriter Tunde Adebimpe and
exchanged four-track recordings. Later on, their sound got a shot up the arm
with the inclusion of guitarist/vocalist Kyp Malone, drummer Jaleel Bunton, and
bassist Gerard Smith. TV On The Radio fuses an assortment of home-made
electronics, funk, rock, and incredible soul vocals. Listen to “New Health Rock”
and set yourself up for a spin.
Before the Bad Seeds, there was The Birthday Party. A raucous post-punk band
headed by the scathing Nick Cave, the band was embraced by the gothic circles
in the early ’80s; enamored more by their sinister rhythms, distorted surrealism,
and creepy front man [I’ll pick Cave over Marilyn Manson anytime] than being
associated with touring partners—Bauhaus. “Fears Of Gun” will bring back
memories of derangement and pandemonium.
Shape-shifters His Name Is Alive contributes the eerie “Fossil”, taken from the
Watts-Russell/John Fryer-mixed “ Livonia.” Released in 1990, the album
received pervasive critical-acclaim. Known to experiment with different genres,
the band led by Warren Defever; are arguably defined by “ Livonia.” Mysterious
and distinctive as they come, it is a disturbingly celestial experience adorned
with ghostly vocals.
The Pale Saints were largely ignored in the wake of the “Madchester” scene of
the late ’80s/early ’90s. Although they were appealing in the sense that they
merged the two 4AD styles; mingling harsh guitars (Pixies) with dreamlike
arrangements (Cocteau Twins). Bordering on the ‘shoegaze’ tag, The Pale
Saints are exemplified by the perfect song to ‘illustrate’ their profile—”Sight Of
You”.
The almighty Pixies, with Filipino guitarist Joey Santiago are represented by the
mind-blowing (pun unintended) “Where Is My Mind?”
The Breeders, fronted by Pixies bassist Kim Deal and briefly included Tanya
Donelly in the lineup, chip in 2002’s “Off You”. Donelly, to further confound the
uninitiated with band liaisons, also appears on this compendium under another
indie favorite—Belly with one of my favorites from the band, the charming
“Super Connected.” Furthermore, Throwing Muses, a band formed by Donelly
and yet another icon from 4AD—Kristin Hersh, tosses in “Cottonmouth.”
I could go on an on about 4AD and the other great bands on this album but you
can go ahead and log on to the label’s Web site. You can read about the bands
and check the extensive catalog. As for the worthiness of “4AD Celebrating 25
Years,” well, the abovementioned bands should be reason enough—you can’t
go wrong with those bands. Plus, the inclusion of The Wolfgang Press, Blonde
Redhead, Dead Can Dance, The Mountain Goats, Tarnation, Mojave 3, Red
House Painters and Sybarite is absolutely worth more than the price of
admission. Of course everyone will gripe that their favorites weren’t included
but, hey, you can’t have everybody under 4AD on this CD. [www.4ad.com] |
Edited by - Carl on 05/16/2006 10:25:54 |
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mcil
- FB Fan -
United Kingdom
148 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2006 : 11:12:31
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I've got that, bought just after Christmas. Good compilation. It was only like £3 as well
"Your Bone's Got a Little Machine..." |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2006 : 10:16:45
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I got it for €4.99, I think. I haven't even listened to it yet!
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jediroller
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1718 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2006 : 10:36:11
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Bought it for "Cottonmouth" alone. Such a great song.
How could I ignore your left breast, your right breast?
free music |
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jimmy
= Cult of Ray =
USA
876 Posts |
Posted - 05/17/2006 : 12:41:24
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It looks pretty good. "Cottonmouth" was a good choice. For the Pixies, I would've gone for something off "Pilgrim", but "Where Is My Mind? is OK.
"Super-Connected", though? It's tough without having heard a lot of the other tracks, but I think "King" would've been better.
Too bad there was no solo Kristin Hersh ( or Donelly).
"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." JOHN 15:14 |
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mcil
- FB Fan -
United Kingdom
148 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2006 : 04:27:32
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Super-Connected is a great song, but not as good as say Slow Dog or Seal My Fate or Feed The Tree
"Your Bone's Got a Little Machine..." |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2006 : 05:31:29
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I like Full Moon, Empty Heart. I have the CD EP of that, with covers of Are You Experienced? and It's Not Unusual!
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jimmy
= Cult of Ray =
USA
876 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2006 : 17:55:36
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Full Moon- that would've been a very good choice too ( Or Star [Full Band Version]).
Yeah, I like that CD, "Moon", Are You Experienced? is excellent, the Full Moon remixes were interesting, but not anything for repeated listenings.
I used to like getting Madonna 12" singles- the best remixes were usually the ones that didn't change the song too much & just extended it ( a really good one is the 10 minute extended remix of Open Your Heart ).
So I'm always happy when I see remixes of "rock" songs, for instance, Pixies Dig For Fire, or Throwing Muses Him Dancing.
There is a single remix of Feed the Tree but I can barely tell any difference; Gepetto is slightly different.
I have the cassette-single for Gepetto, which is cool because the B-side is the "US radio remix" of Slow Dog- it's really great, has a quick intro and fades at the end. I've been trying to find it to download it, but no luck yet.
( Also, I have no idea where it's from, but I downloaded a cool remix of the Breeders Safari. )
I love using italics.
"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." JOHN 15:14 |
Edited by - jimmy on 05/18/2006 17:57:10 |
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mcil
- FB Fan -
United Kingdom
148 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2006 : 08:09:24
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On 'Sweet Ride: The Best of Belly' theres a few alternative versions, like a live version of Dusted, a French version of a song I can't remember the name of but the Frenck is Judas Mon Ceour or something like that. Are You Experenced is on there too, hell of a Best Of.
"Your Bone's Got a Little Machine..." |
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Pixies on new 4AD comp
