Yeah, I only very recently discovered them and started digging in, so now I have to get ALL their records (this will take some time as my wishlist is long and my funds are limited). They were associated with the American punk and hardcore bands of the 80s, which I fully understand, but their musicianship and range is much deeper I think. I saw somewhere how they were very influenced by Wire (Pink Flag, I'll just mention here, one of my favourite albums. Also got Red Barked Tree recently, from 2011, and it is immense) and you can see that in the track lengths/structures etc. Still only just edging my way in with them, can't wait to get more stuff - funds permitting.
Fair play mate – I saw him live lots in the 90s, just lost interest after sticking with several patchy albums post V&I. Then, after a hiatus, he returned with, in my opinion, dogshit like Irish Blood/English Heart and I sincerely couldn’t be arsed anymore. So in truth, I’ve not given anything of his time of day for around a decade – it might be great, but I suspect it isn’t. I moved on is probably the best way of putting it. The Smiths were first class. His solo stuff up to 94ish was also great. As a kid, he introduced me to a tonne of stuff – much more than what your average east Hull kid could normally reach pre-internet – music, books, film, art/life in general.
As said before it's impossible to choose a top 5. Some not mentioned yet I'd take to a desert island: World Party - Goodbye Jumbo Neil Young - Rust Never Sleeps Peter Gabriel - 4 or Ovo Genesis - Nursery Cryme Aimee Mann - Magnolia OST Actually Magnolia should go into the best films category too.
1 the Walkmen - bows and arrows 2 the national - alligator 3 wilco - summerteeth 4 granddaddy - the sophtware slump 5 Interpol - antics All from a similar era, so obviously not an absolute list, but the ones I play the most these days.
The albums I'm playing right now. 1 Hamilton leightheuser - I had a dream that you were mine. 2 arcade fire - funeral 3 Alabama shakes- boys and girls 4 kings of Leon- aha shake heartbreak 5 vampire weekend - vampire weekend
I havent listened to an album since **** knows when. I doubt many people do these days. There I said it.
I like Black Flag but don't own any records, just a couple of tracks on mp3. I would like My War and Slip It In - Black Coffee is ****ing brilliant.
I was listening to My War the other day funnily enough (on Spotify through Bluetooth on my car stereo...which did feel wrong on lots of levels I must admit!) By the sounds of you recent posts you'd enjoy reading the 'Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground, 1981–1991' book by Michael Azerrad. Brilliant read on some great bands
Never heard of it, I will have a look. Definitely think indie/post-punk music from the UK an US from '79 to around '86 is the stuff that resonates with me the most. I was only born in '84 so I'm picking it all up in retrospect though, as much as I can when finances allow. Come payday this month, once a couple of new releases are snapped up, I'll be looking at what I can bag Black Flag stuff for, as well as more Minutemen, Husker Du and stuff like that. There's a lot of good current stuff coming about at the moment too. I've thought at times in the past that there wasn't much music I was into, but there is, you just have to take the time to find it.
It's well worth a read. Fascinating insight regardless of you age Husker Du were superb (live and recorded) and they're one of the bands covered in the book EDIT I couldn't help reminding myself of the bands covered in the book. You'll definitely enjoy it Black Flag Minutemen Mission of Burma Minor Threat Hüsker Dü The Replacements Sonic Youth Butthole Surfers Big Black Dinosaur Jr. Fugazi Mudhoney Beat Happening
'Forever Changes' by Love is a good album, particularly the track 'Alone Again' which is a gem and a favourite of many.
Ok I find the sound quality a bit **** on YouTube, and also I tend to listen to full albums rather than odd songs If not listening to an album I have the radio on permanently at home or in the car, but usually 6 Music
I consider YouTube to be a vital scouting tool. It's a fantastic repository of stuff to do your research in, but when I decide I like something enough I will always then try to buy. They'll join the list anyway, and l'll be chuffed to own it, rather than just stream it.
