"When she sang about a boy
Kurt Cobain
I thought what a shame it wasn't about
Tom Verlaine"
from "When She Sang About Angels" by Forster/McLennan from The Go-Betweens album The Friends of Rachel Worth
Kurt Cobain
I thought what a shame it wasn't about
Tom Verlaine"
from "When She Sang About Angels" by Forster/McLennan from The Go-Betweens album The Friends of Rachel Worth
And thus we have another link from an album featured last year to an album featured this year in the "Album Night" series (the other was John Cale writing and performing on the Velvet Underground's White Light/White Heat and then producing, arranging and performing on Nico's Desertshore). The link this time is of course the mention of Tom Verlaine of Television.
But don't worry if you didn't know Tom Verlaine was the songwriter, singer and one of two guitarists in Television. To be honest, up until a few months ago, I never heard this album, Marquee Moon. Even more than that, I had never even heard OF the album, or the band for that matter. Well, better late then never, as the saying goes...
This 1977 debut release by Television is deceptively a bit of an enigma. In some ways it's punk, but in other ways more melodic than what is generally considered punk. The ten minute-plus title track is long but doesn't feel drawn out (and apparently the live version generally went much longer). The first reaction might be to say that the sound of the band is not unique yet the more you listen the more you realize everything from the solos to the guitar tones are indeed unique. And don't forget Verlaine's distinct vocals.
But as always, we'll be better served listening to the album and discussing it than by me simply writing about it. I invite you to join me on Wednesday, March 18th at 9pm EDT to listen to Marquee Moon by Television. Turn off the television and tune into Television! See you on the 18th!
But don't worry if you didn't know Tom Verlaine was the songwriter, singer and one of two guitarists in Television. To be honest, up until a few months ago, I never heard this album, Marquee Moon. Even more than that, I had never even heard OF the album, or the band for that matter. Well, better late then never, as the saying goes...
This 1977 debut release by Television is deceptively a bit of an enigma. In some ways it's punk, but in other ways more melodic than what is generally considered punk. The ten minute-plus title track is long but doesn't feel drawn out (and apparently the live version generally went much longer). The first reaction might be to say that the sound of the band is not unique yet the more you listen the more you realize everything from the solos to the guitar tones are indeed unique. And don't forget Verlaine's distinct vocals.
But as always, we'll be better served listening to the album and discussing it than by me simply writing about it. I invite you to join me on Wednesday, March 18th at 9pm EDT to listen to Marquee Moon by Television. Turn off the television and tune into Television! See you on the 18th!