(TV) In Defense of Cover

["Casey, Leo J" <Leo.J.Casey@Volpe.dot.gov>]

>I think Cover fans should skip this particular rant I am about to go on!

>Oh, and when the guitar does arrive it sounds out of place or cheesily
>recorded.

Despite its 1984-era keyboards, mediocre production, and vocal sibilance, 
it's the songs and guitar that matter. (see Robert Palmer, NY Times)

   http://www.marquee.demon.co.uk/artics.htm 
"Displays of heroic guitar prowess would be out of place on a record like 
this, but Mr. Verlaine's tapestry of interwoven guitar motifs is equally 
enthralling in its more introspective way. "

Also: 
"Five Miles of You," with its bittersweet tension between ambivalence 
and desire, is maybe the most beautiful of all Verlaine's love songs; 
and the segue between the last verse: 
("Walking out in the wind and light / Before me I see only you / 
Walking out in the wind and light / Into the mystery of you") and the final 
choruses, where Verlaine's guitar and voice well up out of the rhythm track,

is one of the most transcendent moments in postpunk pop music. 
--Monica Kendrick 1996-

>I don't understand why people like that record - I'm into Tom Verlaine
because 
>he is a kickin' guitar player,..

Obviously, to each his own, but IMHO one of the attractions of Verlaine's
music is 
its variety. He's not a one-dimensional songwriter or guitar player.
'Cover' was  
a natural continuation of his less frenetic, guitar rave-up
compositions/playing as 
"Days", "Last Night", "Without A Word", "Marie Marie", "Postcard From
Waterloo", 
etc., [or even the later to come "The Scientist Writes A Letter", and
"Prayer"]. 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: tv-owner@obbard.com [mailto:tv-owner@obbard.com]On Behalf Of Billy
Ancell
Sent: Monday, November 15, 2004 11:51 AM
To: tv@obbard.com
Subject: Re: (TV) "Cry Mercy Judge" -- was Keenan's picks


I think Cover fans should skip this particular rant I
am about to go on!

Cover doesn't have a weak track? It is the only
Verlaine album that I never, ever listen to for
enjoyment.  I think it is dated-sounding and
uninspired - "Five Miles of You" is the best one on it
- and when I first heard that tune on "The Miller's
Tale" I thought it was shoddy on its own. I apologise
to anyone who finds my opinion misguided - this is
what makes music so fun!

Flashlight sounds dated as well - but play any average
non-Verlaine-obsessed rock fan those two
records....I've done it 3-4 times now (played all the
records to friends who are big music fans) and
everyone dislikes the "rubbish one with all the
synths". I don't think it is a question of depth or
familiarity breeding understanding. Everytime I hear
it I cringe. 

I remember someone on the list said "Swim" was their
favourite tune on this album, and posted a
near-climactic appraisal of it - I went home and put
it on, convinced I had missed something. It was as
tosh as ever.

I don't understand why people like that record - I'm
into Tom Verlaine because he is a kickin' guitar
player, so I was very surprised to buy one of his
albums and find it saturated with cheesy reverb,
horrid drum sounds and limp-wristed synths breathing
their infernal electronic whine. Oh, and when the
guitar does arrive it sounds out of place or cheesily
recorded. Or both.

The Wonder handled synths well - they sound pleasing
and appropriate, and the drums sound dynamic and
natural.  Conversely that is why I don't like Cover,
it sounds too robotic and stripped of feeling.

I think in twenty years time people would be able to
chronologically place the sound of Cover quite
precisely on first listen - Flashlight would be harder
to pin down.

Been buying lots of records recently - got the first
proper Meat Puppets LP the other day - dearie me,
those were angry boys. Got Das Damen's "Jupiter Eye"
as well which was so-so apart from one tune called
Raindance which I thought was ace twin guitar-y
fodder. Got Grant Hart's "Good news for Modern Man"
which was surprisingly good, and "The Last Dog and
Pony Show" by Bob Mould, which ranks in rock history
as the most predictable sounding album ever. Anyone
heard the new one ("Modulate?")

Bilbicus

=====



		
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