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VoVat
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
9168 Posts |
 Posted - 03/11/2004 : 13:25:47
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I'm not sure what's escaping you. Isn't it just a schooner from Panama?
Join the Culf of Buttoms / Correctly spelled cults are so passé. |
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Picapiedra
- FB Fan -
121 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2004 : 16:46:58
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Plus it's my sig.
-roger.
"Drug run'n on this Panamanian schooner." |
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rockmusic84
= Cult of Ray =
USA
256 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2004 : 19:09:17
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Trompe was actually in the first batch of Pixies C.D.'s I bought (the first day of my Pixies music search in local record stores, I bought "Come On Pilgrim", "Surfer Rosa", and "Trompe"). Trompe was the only one I hadn't heard much about. And what I had heard about it was pretty negative ("it's their worst, it sucks, it lacks energy", etc...). Lucky for me, I don't take what journalists, or even other fans say, too much to heart.
The fact is, Surfer Rosa and Doolittle are always going to be the albums held in highest regard. They were the albums that established the Pixies. But Bossanova and Trompe Le Monde were the albums that maintained their status as indie rock pioneers. Which is why I laugh when I see people put these 2 albums down.
If you do the math, they were actually more successful than the previous ones. Surfer Rosa only had one single (Gigantic), Doolittle had 2 (Monkey Gone to Heaven, and Here Comes Your Man), but Bossanova had 3, I believe (Velouria, Dig for Fire, and Allison), and Trompe had 3 (Planet Of Sound, Alec Eiffel, and Letter to Memphis). And didn't Trompe go gold in the U.S.? In addition to all of those accolades, Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) has said his favorite album is Trompe le Monde.
Unfortunately, I think the reason that Bossanova, Trompe, and the Pixies in general get the shitty end of the stick, is all down to peoples' tastes. ESPECIALLY in America. America is pretty much a "disposable society". We've always been that way. Whenever a good band or artist (I mean REALLY good, not just a flash in the pan, or one hit wonder) comes around, we (Americans, and others, as well) jump on the bandwagon. Everything is going great, they're releasing the types of albums we like, and then there is a change, or a series of changes. The music changes, attitudes change, and we (Americans) are left in the dust (or so we feel we are). So rather than sticking with that band or artist, and embracing those changes, and enduring the transitional period, we say, "fuck it", and move on to the "next big thing". And that, in my opinion, is what happened to the Pixies.
They were making different music. Frank was coming into his own as a songwriter, they were each getting better, and more interesting, musically. They wanted to explore different areas of their sound, and music in general. But some people in the music consuming public didn't (and to this day, still don't) care about that. They wanted another "Surfer Rosa", or "Doolittle". They wanted another "Gigantic", or "Monkey gone to Heaven". And that's why the Pixies never really got as huge as they should've over here (not saying that they weren't, and aren't huge, but if Americans weren't so crass about cultures and tastes and styles in art, they would've done even better).
The Pixies could've ridden that wave of success, and released another "Doolittle", kept using the same types of sounds and writing methods, etc.... But if they did that, they'd be a pretty fuckin' boring band. And we certainly wouldn't be here today talking about them and/or their music, and we certainly wouldn't give a shit who Frank Black was. Any band can keep reusing and recreating an old formula, but the truly great ones create NEW formulas. I for one would HATE to have the Pixies release all these albums, and they all sound like "Doolittle".
Now, in Europe, the Pixies were a huge success. Why? Because people over there embrace their groups and artists. Their cultures are more refined, and not so easily affected by the star-making machine that is the music industry. THAT'S why all the good artists go to Europe. Because they know that in America, they'll get used like a tampon and thrown in the gutter, while in Europe, they at least have a chance to be around for a while.
Think I'm just blowin' smoke out of my ass? Case in point: Lou Reed. One of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century. Wrote and played some of the most popular songs and albums. In America, he can only fill clubs and at best, theatres. But over in Europe, he can sell out arenas and ampitheatres. Why? Because over there, they don't expect him to do a reprise of "Walk on the Wild Side". They just want him to make prolific music, and put on a good show. Again, he could've gone the easy route, and just ride the wave of past successes. But if he did that, you wouldn't have GREAT albums like "Coney Island Baby", "The Bells", "The Blue Mask"(!!), "New York"(!), or "Set the Twilight Reeling". He'd just be another novelty act. And the music world DOES NOT need another one of those. There's enough of those running around now, and they call themselves musicians. "Human jukeboxes" is the correct terminology.
So what is the point of all this ranting? Other than wanting to get a few things off of my chest (PHEW!!!), I just want to say that Bossanova and Trompe le Monde may require a few listens to get the respect they deserve. In the end, they may become your favorite albums.
Of the 2, I like Trompe the most. It's worth the coin just for Eric Drew Feldman's work on "Alec Eiffel" and "Motorway to Roswell" (beautiful outro):). Frank's lyrics are brilliant AND catchy (little eiffel, little eiffel...):), Joey's guitar is the sickest, most wicked and badass you'll ever hear ("Planet of Sound", "Alec Eiffel", "Space (I Believe In)"), Dave's drumming is amazing (ESPECIALLY "The Sad Punk", "Head On") Kim's harmonies on "Alec Eiffel" and "Space (I Believe In)" are to die for, and I love it when her trademark bouncy bass beat kicks in on "U-Mass" ("the April Birds and the May Bee" line), and Frank has never sung (or screamed) better than on Trompe. If you want a good contrast, listen to his trademark roar on "Planet of Sound", his plain spoken narrative in "Subbacultcha", his shouts in "Space (I Believe In)" and "D=RXT", and his beautiful, moving croon in "Motorway to Roswell".
I also love Frank's use of words, as always, but especially on Trompe. He's very clever. It took me a little while to realize that "Jefrey - with one F took up his place, sat on a carpet and with tablas in hand he took up the chase", was reffering to Jef Feldman (he IS Jefrey with one F, and he DID play tablas on that track)! Those lyrics make me wonder if Frank made them up on the spot. Genius! (Anyone else notice in the lyric book that it reads the first "Jefrey" with one F, while the second one in the line is "Jeffrey" with 2 F's? ex.: "Jefrey - with one F - Jeffrey".)
I also think the addition of swearing in the songs makes a big difference in how the lyrics affect you. You're freaking out, and hanging on to every word in "Planet of Sound" when Frank declares, "THIS AIN'T NO FUCKIN' AROUND!!!!", you feel the pain and heartache in his voice in "Motorway to Roswell": "How did this so great/Turn so shitty in the end?", and you're bouncing along and rocking out to Frank's homage to his alma mater in "U-Mass": "Oh kiss me CUNT!/Oh kiss me COCK!" (Holy fuck, did I just turn this post into a Trompe review? Oh well, it saves me another post!):) I'll still have to do one for Bossanova, though...
Anyway, back to the original point of my message: Just because a group or artist may release a few "off" albums every now and then, or they've changed direction a bit, don't dismiss them. Because when you do, that's when they'll release that truly great album. But you won't know about it, because they'll already be somewhere else. Somewhere that they're appreciated and respected for the artist(s) they are, not the artist(s) that people want them to be. Somewhere like Europe...
It's just like that John Lennon song, "What You Got": "You don't know what you got - until you lose it". That's what happened (and STILL is happening) to many bands and artists. People realize much too late how truly great they were, and end up kicking themselves in the ass for missing them the first time around. THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PIXIES. They had a few brief hints of success, and then they were left in the cold by a culture that they helped invent. Only now are people realizing what the real deal is.
In conclusion: don't judge a book (or an album, in this case) by it's cover (or by it's reviews). Get youself a copy of Trompe if you don't have one already, and get one for your friend, too. They'll be thanking you years later.
Trompe le Monde: What's wrong with it? Not a damn thing, my friends.
Fool the World, indeed.
Join The Cult of U-MASS - IT'S EDUCATIONAL!!! |
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VoVat
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
9168 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2004 : 19:35:23
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quote:
If you do the math, they were actually more successful than the previous ones. Surfer Rosa only had one single (Gigantic), Doolittle had 2 (Monkey Gone to Heaven, and Here Comes Your Man), but Bossanova had 3, I believe (Velouria, Dig for Fire, and Allison), and Trompe had 3 (Planet Of Sound, Alec Eiffel, and Letter to Memphis).
I don't know that more singles necessarily means more hits, though.
Join the Culf of Buttoms / Correctly spelled cults are so passé. |
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rockmusic84
= Cult of Ray =
USA
256 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2004 : 21:23:07
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That's true, VoVat, but if anything, it showed they were gaining momentum.
Join The Cult of U-MASS - IT'S EDUCATIONAL!!! |
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jackelope
- FB Fan -
22 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2004 : 02:27:25
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It's only in the last year or so that I've come to realize "The Sad Punk" is my favorite song ever. That's it; there's no topping it. I love the rest of the album (and I'm currently in the middle of shooting a zero-budget indie film called "Grope for Luna"), but that song takes it to the hoop every single time, after probably 1,000 listenings.
TLM was the second Pixies album I heard, and now, after buying and loving all of them, I still think it's my favorite. The title track is, as a friend pointed out to me recently, the greatest song ever recorded to listen to while driving REALLY F%@#ING FAST. |
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Thiago
- FB Fan -
Brazil
73 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2004 : 06:47:24
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| Best album ever |
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yarbles
= Cult of Ray =
USA
635 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2004 : 08:47:11
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Are you sure it was kim singing back up vocals on alec eiffel?
Those always sounded like frank to me.
(which makes the music video even more awkward - kim lip sync-ing to franks' voice...)
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VoVat
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
9168 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2004 : 12:02:33
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I heard somewhere that the first song on TLM (in terms of track running order, not necessarily in terms of recording order) on which Kim sings is "Palace Of The Brine," which, if true, would mean it probably is Frank singing on "Alec Eiffel."
Join the Culf of Buttoms / Correctly spelled cults are so passé. |
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The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2004 : 12:17:20
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It just seems like the backing vocals on Alec Eiffel contain her voice quality though.
I'm a fsh with no i's. |
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VoVat
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
9168 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2004 : 15:19:31
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Is it possible they aren't playing that many TLM (or Bossanova, for that matter) songs because they rely more on instruments that they don't have access to at the live shows? I think they brought Eric Drew Feldman with them on the original Trompe tour, and he's apparently not touring with them now. The earlier songs might just be the ones that translate better to live performances.
I'd certainly love to hear more Bossnova and TLM songs at a concert. But there's no indication that the Pixies will be coming to my area, anyway, so the matter is largely academic for me.
I've reached 1000 posts / So I'm too cool to be in a cult. |
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NimrodsSon
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1938 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2004 : 15:54:59
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quote:
Originally posted by LoganZ
Christ, I'm thinking of sneaking a little Casio keyboard into the show just so I can fill in the parts that are missing on songs like "The Navajo Know", etc. Seriously! It's not like they're going to just worldtour like this every damn year! If you want to hear this shit this time out, then I'd suggest you get a seat near my section. If anyone's willing to smuggle a whole theremin in up their ass, I'll pay for your ticket (but you'll have to play that theremin yourself, see).
I'll take you up on that offer. I can smuggle in my theremin (although I don't know about sticking it up my ass) and play it during Velouria -- the only problem is I can't play it very well -- if you buy me tickets to one of the shows.
Anyways, on a more serious note, Trompe is BY FARmy favorite Pixies album and in my opinion there is not a single weak song on it
ˇViva los Católicos! |
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klikger
= Cult of Ray =
693 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2004 : 23:34:15
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| I love it too. Nothing wrong with it at all. I wish they had Eric along so that they'd play more stuff from it on the current tour. |
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marinade
- FB Fan -
United Kingdom
10 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2004 : 03:30:42
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Hello!
Trompe Le Monde is also my favourite Pixies album. It reminds me of the 1970's hand-held Tomy Pocketeer ball-bearing game, Steeplechase.
This makes perfect sense.
Bossanova has dated the most in terms of its production. |
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marinade
- FB Fan -
United Kingdom
10 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2004 : 04:35:26
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quote:
Originally posted by LoganZ
Could you post a picture of this contraption?
Er, yes. There should be one here:
http://www.gyruss.demon.co.uk/ian/pocketeers/graphics/pock10.jpg
It's bright and plastic and has intricate little tunnels and bridges. That's how I see TLM.
Thanks for the warmest of welcomes. |
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marinade
- FB Fan -
United Kingdom
10 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2004 : 09:02:02
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quote:
Originally posted by LoganZ
Didn't see it was your first post. Sorry bout that, I tend to swear more in this thread.
No fuckin' probs. |
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VoVat
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
9168 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2004 : 12:51:22
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Yeah, I had one of those Steeplechase games at one point. I hadn't heard TLM at the time, though, so I never connected the two.
I've reached 1000 posts / So I'm too cool to be in a cult. |
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Spiral~Daisy
- FB Fan -
Canada
62 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2004 : 13:07:01
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| Its my favorite album. Always has been. Nothing wrong with it in my mind. |
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The Passion Of El Diablo
= Cult of Ray =
258 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2004 : 21:28:50
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| I'm a contrarian. That's why I have always liked TROMPE. Now that I see that other people like it so much, I think I might switch faves to BOSSA. |
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George42
- FB Fan -
USA
188 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2004 : 09:26:33
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Trompe is great. i would much rather hear Alec, Motorway, Bird Dream (live or the recorded version) than Nimrod's Son, Ed is Dead, or Dead.
I'm a humble guy with healthy desire |
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IceCream
= Quote Accumulator =
USA
1850 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2004 : 00:26:00
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quote:
Originally posted by The Calistanian
Trompe le Monde has such a raw feel to it.
It was like they felt they overproduced Bossanova, and got as stripped down as you could get for Trompe le Monde.
I really don't agree - Motorway To Roswell is very dense and complex. The accoustic guitar sounds really smooth and compressed (and awesome), and there are all the keyboards and piano and stuff. Bird Dream has some very smooth keyborads. I actually think it's their least stripped-down album. |
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LUTINS
- FB Fan -
France
182 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2004 : 01:06:18
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Maybe in 2005, the pixies will make a bossanova-trompelemonde tour...
union pour la promotion de la propulsion photonique pixienne |
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sloy
- FB Fan -
France
93 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2004 : 03:38:15
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me I think that trompe le monde is the "real"first frank black solo album
it's my opinion
sloy |
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Black Tear
- FB Fan -
Peru
9 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2004 : 23:58:36
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| Definitely Trompe Le Monde is not the best Pixies album for me, but it´s really really good. Letter to Menphis, Bird Dream of the Olympus Mons, Alec Eiffiel, great songs. But my favorites are U-mass and Motorway to Roswell, awesome. |
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klikger
= Cult of Ray =
693 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2004 : 00:27:52
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| I love Trompe and there's nothing wrong with it, IMO. |
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woodworm
- FB Fan -
USA
94 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2004 : 07:47:06
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| the real reason this album isnt as good to me as the others, is one the song writing. the lyrics just arent as catchy and interesting overall. i guess its personal taste. yes there is energy on the record but some spark is lacking. you dont hear a band anymore, and kim's vocals are all but washed out in the back ground. would be interesting to have this record remastered.... |
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la muneca
- FB Fan -
United Kingdom
36 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2004 : 10:06:16
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there's nothing wrong with it, it's just that the majority of people prefer surfer rosa or doolittle because they're the ones that established them as an amazing band.
i don't get why so many people seem to dislike Space (I believe in), that's one of my favourites from trompe! JEFREY! WITH ONE F! JEFREY! :D |
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woodworm
- FB Fan -
USA
94 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2004 : 15:50:53
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| i think space is a fine track |
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shineoftheever
> Teenager of the Year <
Canada
4307 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2004 : 15:52:17
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You forgot the "e"!!!
"Signatures are for sissies" |
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shineoftheever
> Teenager of the Year <
Canada
4307 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2004 : 15:53:11
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yarbles that is.
"Signatures are for sissies" |
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pushing pushing
- FB Fan -
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2004 : 13:49:09
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| there´s nothing wrong with trompe, it´s by far the best album ever made |
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fudd
= Cult of Ray =
664 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2004 : 14:07:16
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quote:
Originally posted by jackelope
The title track is, as a friend pointed out to me recently, the greatest song ever recorded to listen to while driving REALLY F%@#ING FAST.
Still around, jackelope? I have to differ. This honor belongs to Running on the Rocks by Shriekback.
Trompe: an onslaught of sound second only to Surfer Rosa.
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Tromp Le Monde : What's wrong with it?
