If you have to pick absolutely only one to start with, I'd actually go with Strange Free World, if only because once you realize how great that is, The Death of Cool then gives you the joy of listening to something even better. ;-)
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 28 August 2002 18:51 (twenty-one years ago) link
― gareth (gareth), Wednesday, 28 August 2002 20:06 (twenty-one years ago) link
― keith, Wednesday, 28 August 2002 22:33 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Winkelmann, Thursday, 29 August 2002 09:07 (twenty-one years ago) link
Just picked up the new KoD compilation, Capsule: The Best of KOD: 1988-94 which features a smattering of tracks and a bonus disc of demos, live tracks, acoustic tracks and remixes.
Theirs is really kinda a tragic story when you think about it. Four great albums, none of them big sellers. Still, the music here is strikingly emotive, and Julian Swales on guitar at his peak was really the perfect fusion of Dave Gedge and Robin Guthrie.
My favorite track off The Death of Cool, the gorgeously simple "Smiling" is criminally absent here.
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 26 April 2003 09:54 (twenty years ago) link
― Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Saturday, 26 April 2003 11:43 (twenty years ago) link
A bonus disc, eh? Time for me to seek this out. :-)
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 26 April 2003 14:35 (twenty years ago) link
― keith (keithmcl), Saturday, 26 April 2003 15:37 (twenty years ago) link
― Andrew Norman, Saturday, 26 April 2003 18:25 (twenty years ago) link
― donut bitch (donut), Saturday, 26 April 2003 22:54 (twenty years ago) link
― Paul (scifisoul), Sunday, 27 April 2003 00:26 (twenty years ago) link
This is such a great post. I stared at it for like five minutes.
I actually looked for this today and couldn't find it, which actively pissed me off. I was also looking for the new Mensen album, and couldn't find that, so I'm just going to assume Tower Records is conspiring against me.
― Ally (mlescaut), Sunday, 27 April 2003 02:58 (twenty years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 27 April 2003 03:02 (twenty years ago) link
― xnelio (xnelio), Sunday, 27 April 2003 03:06 (twenty years ago) link
― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Sunday, 27 April 2003 06:07 (twenty years ago) link
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Sunday, 27 April 2003 14:41 (twenty years ago) link
― Paul (scifisoul), Sunday, 27 April 2003 15:35 (twenty years ago) link
― Ally (mlescaut), Sunday, 27 April 2003 17:25 (twenty years ago) link
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Sunday, 27 April 2003 18:35 (twenty years ago) link
― Paul (scifisoul), Sunday, 27 April 2003 18:50 (twenty years ago) link
Oh, and Tower has now COMPLETELY REMOVED any sign of the existance of KoD, much less a compilation.
I have nothing else to complain about from Tower/Kazaa for today. Thank you for listening.
― Ally (mlescaut), Sunday, 27 April 2003 20:23 (twenty years ago) link
― Kitchens Of Distinction -- S&D//POO/C or D?, Sunday, 27 April 2003 20:24 (twenty years ago) link
― Ally (mlescaut), Sunday, 27 April 2003 20:25 (twenty years ago) link
They do that alot, and it really bugs the shizzat outta me. According to Tower, there never was a Cop Shoot Cop. Bastids!
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Sunday, 27 April 2003 20:53 (twenty years ago) link
― Ally (mlescaut), Sunday, 27 April 2003 22:03 (twenty years ago) link
― jess (dubplatestyle), Sunday, 27 April 2003 22:03 (twenty years ago) link
There's a new one on 23rd and 6th Ave. Southeast corner.
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 28 April 2003 02:23 (twenty years ago) link
― justin s., Monday, 28 April 2003 06:12 (twenty years ago) link
― Andrew Norman, Monday, 28 April 2003 11:15 (twenty years ago) link
West Village. Go to Record Runner and Rebel Rebel.
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 28 April 2003 11:18 (twenty years ago) link
― donut bitch (donut), Monday, 28 April 2003 15:54 (twenty years ago) link
― jess (dubplatestyle), Monday, 28 April 2003 15:56 (twenty years ago) link
― Ally (mlescaut), Monday, 28 April 2003 16:05 (twenty years ago) link
Thanks very much for the cd Mr Ned. I are very happy. While looking for the tracklisting I was made even happier by the fact there is reissues & box set action happening. Now I must search out the finer indie stores in the area for such things.
― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 22 May 2003 16:46 (twenty years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 22 May 2003 22:00 (twenty years ago) link
― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Friday, 23 May 2003 13:11 (twenty years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 23 May 2003 15:14 (twenty years ago) link
― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Friday, 23 May 2003 19:02 (twenty years ago) link
They left out their greatest B-sides! "White Horses" and "Spacedolphins"... :(
― donut bitch (donut), Friday, 23 May 2003 19:08 (twenty years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 23 May 2003 21:52 (twenty years ago) link
― Velveteen Bingo (Chris V), Wednesday, 11 August 2004 16:48 (nineteen years ago) link
― Velveteen Bingo (Chris V), Wednesday, 11 August 2004 16:49 (nineteen years ago) link
Was thinking about them today myself.
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 11 August 2004 16:53 (nineteen years ago) link
― Velveteen Bingo (Chris V), Wednesday, 11 August 2004 17:22 (nineteen years ago) link
― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Wednesday, 11 August 2004 17:46 (nineteen years ago) link
I shall make what arrangements I can, Mr. V.
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 11 August 2004 18:01 (nineteen years ago) link
― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Wednesday, 11 August 2004 19:15 (nineteen years ago) link
In haplessly furrowing my brow, thinking of what to cover for an impending selection for The New Yorker's "Nightlife" section, I couldn't help noticing that uber-meh nightclub, Satalia (37 W.26th street) is playing host to an act dubbed FRUIT on July 21. Could this be that same Fruit that Patrick of the KoD started? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 28 June 2005 17:04 (eighteen years ago) link
Jebus. Did I really say that?
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 28 June 2005 17:06 (eighteen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 28 June 2005 17:08 (eighteen years ago) link
Well now this is interesting -- according to recent posts on Patrick Fitzgerald's website:
http://stephenheroband.wordpress.com/
He and Julian Swales are working on a new album, and it looks like they're thinking about reviving the Kitchens of Distinction name for it if a Facebook comment was any indication. Perhaps not, we'll have to see. Here's the most recent blogpost:
Very close to mixing now. 10 new songs recorded with Julian playing guitar and me playing guitar and singing and there’s bass and strings and drums and flutes and oboes and trumpets and tambourines and weird samples and swearing and not swearing and songs that sound old and songs that sound nothing like what we’ve done before and a soprano’s ahhs and the kitchen sink.Now what to call the thing and in what format to release it?
Now what to call the thing and in what format to release it?
― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 16 September 2012 16:08 (eleven years ago) link
Wow.
― Sick Mouthy (Scik Mouthy), Sunday, 16 September 2012 16:11 (eleven years ago) link
God, what it would be to have some of that old Kitchens magic back; was listening to them on the long drive back from Cromer to Manchester yesterday, with the sun shining and distant wind farms spinning they sounded better than ever. I don't remember enough about the original split to know if there was any acrimony which might have prevented Dan's involvement with this? From the blog it looks like it's been a slow germination of work with Julian again anyway. Pretty exciting tbh :)
― that mustardless plate (Bill A), Sunday, 16 September 2012 16:44 (eleven years ago) link
Reformation-ah! Dan Goodwin joins.
― Supposed Former ILM Lurker (WeWantMiles), Monday, 19 November 2012 10:08 (eleven years ago) link
Great news... I don't expect it to completely sound like the Kitchens, but this is very promising..
― Talcum Mucker, Monday, 19 November 2012 10:29 (eleven years ago) link
We have some news:
https://www.facebook.com/events/444166695621895/permalink/534977803207450/
we are delighted to announce that the fifth KITCHENS OF DISTINCTION recording will be released later this year through the 3 LOOP MUSIC label so please head over to their Facebook page to hear all the latest about the band's new home. If you have any questions about the release - the format/s, the release date, merchandise, etc - then please direct them to the lovely folks over there from now on. It's hoped to be a Digital/CD/Vinyl release, with a possible September/October release date, and a full merchandise range but you'll hear all the finer details from the record label as and when they have them. Julian has expressed a desire to not play live and the health of yours truly is, as most of you know, often too fragile to make any firm commitments so no more questions about live shows please but if we are lucky enough to get any radio sessions then you will be the first to know.
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 22 April 2013 19:07 (ten years ago) link
very excited about this....
― Stop the tape I got spittle all over my moustache. (Talcum Mucker), Wednesday, 1 May 2013 08:34 (ten years ago) link
I've been playing them a ton the past month; in fact, I sometimes find myself in a mood where they are the only band I want to listen to. Can't wait to get new material from them. Too bad no live shows, but it's unlikely they would have come stateside anyway I'm guessing.
― Vinnie, Wednesday, 1 May 2013 13:04 (ten years ago) link
Roll on the autumn! Shame that they won't be touring, but clearly very good reasons for them not to be out on the road; I'd be surprised if they don't get some radio session offers, can imagine at least a couple of shows on 6 Music would snap them up for these.
― that mustardless plate (Bill A), Thursday, 2 May 2013 07:27 (ten years ago) link
What's wrong with Patrick?
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Thursday, 2 May 2013 11:19 (ten years ago) link
Release date for album September 30
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 15 July 2013 16:59 (ten years ago) link
...and still no title for it?
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Monday, 15 July 2013 17:56 (ten years ago) link
no live trio tho
http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2013/07/22/kitchens-of-distinction-new-album-stream-sample/
― playwright Greg Marlowe, secretly in love with Mary (Dr Morbius), Monday, 22 July 2013 14:19 (ten years ago) link
Yeah, Julian's been saying for a while touring ain't his thing anymore. Patrick and Dan are up for it, though, and there's been talk of getting in a replacement guitarist with Julian's blessing. Still, though...
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 22 July 2013 14:33 (ten years ago) link
So Lamacq's about to play a new track, I think:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0072lb2
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 31 July 2013 16:30 (ten years ago) link
BTW, new album cover:
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1004501_10151765594030733_25070520_n.jpg
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 31 July 2013 16:34 (ten years ago) link
ew, what the heck is that font
― trippin' on brostep beats (NickB), Wednesday, 31 July 2013 16:42 (ten years ago) link
God that Arctic Monkeys song just now was a dirge.
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 31 July 2013 16:44 (ten years ago) link
Okay, about to be broadcast.
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 31 July 2013 16:46 (ten years ago) link
Very Bowie-esque, comes off a bit Suede-ish really
― trippin' on brostep beats (NickB), Wednesday, 31 July 2013 16:52 (ten years ago) link
Indeed! Reminded me of "Sand on Fire." And apparently intentionally Bowieish given the lyrics and the paraphrase from Patrick that Lamacq gave.
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 31 July 2013 16:53 (ten years ago) link
I heard that, just as I was typing that post!
― trippin' on brostep beats (NickB), Wednesday, 31 July 2013 16:59 (ten years ago) link
Given it a few listens since yesterday, it feels so good to just have them back together again. Def feeling the Bowie/Suede vibe and especially love the final "staring at the record sleeves..." part. CD preordered :)
― that mustardless plate (Bill A), Thursday, 1 August 2013 10:47 (ten years ago) link
Is the song still available to hear somewhere? Didn't see anything obvious on the BBC website but I realize it might be in one of the episodes.
― Vinnie, Thursday, 1 August 2013 13:12 (ten years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUZkLO-gReI
― trippin' on brostep beats (NickB), Thursday, 1 August 2013 13:14 (ten years ago) link
danke
― Vinnie, Thursday, 1 August 2013 13:18 (ten years ago) link
Interesting direction for them to take, but definitely has some of that old magic. I could listen to those guitar lines in the bridge for hours. Can't wait for a high-quality version of this track and the rest of the album!
― Vinnie, Tuesday, 6 August 2013 12:58 (ten years ago) link
Okay, excellent new interview at the Quietus:
http://thequietus.com/articles/13414-kitchens-of-distinction-interview
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 23 September 2013 15:39 (ten years ago) link
Another lovely Wyndham Wallace feature.
― djh, Monday, 23 September 2013 17:48 (ten years ago) link
And a very nicely detailed playlist from Patrick here
http://www.3loopmusic.com/patrick-fitzgeralds-exclusive-playlist/
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 2 October 2013 21:24 (ten years ago) link
^ The Bitter Springs' "Ken"
― djh, Thursday, 3 October 2013 21:18 (ten years ago) link
thoughts on the record? i dunno how much is warm nostalgia fuzzy feelings but i dig so far.
― adam, Wednesday, 16 October 2013 19:41 (ten years ago) link
It's very good indeed -- sorry, thought I had posted on it here already. Very much a maturer band lyrically/sonically but it's still undeniably them, and the fact that they come roaring out of the gate with the first song is a good thing.
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 16 October 2013 19:43 (ten years ago) link
I've been giving Folly a few listens this week and am a bit on the fence so far, but I often take a while to really appreciate things. Definitely a few standouts, including "Oak Tree" and "Extravagance" but the one that really gives me the old-school KoD neck prickles is "I Wish It Would Snow", absolutely gorgeous.
― that mustardless plate (Bill A), Friday, 18 October 2013 08:57 (ten years ago) link
Just a heads up, KOD will be playing a live in-studio set at KEXP tomorrow night 9pm Pacific. Stream it online.
― van smack, Wednesday, 6 November 2013 04:26 (ten years ago) link
Indeed!
https://www.facebook.com/events/578776285493023
http://kexp.org/events/instudio
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 6 November 2013 23:33 (ten years ago) link
The Lost Girls album finally came out! Cherry Red just released it with a bonus disc and it's damn good. Heidi Berry's vocals often bring to mind Sandy Denny and Linda Thompson and the addition of Patrick's sensibilities and early sampling / programming is very compelling.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Wednesday, 12 November 2014 20:53 (nine years ago) link
Yeah it's a fun listen.
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 12 November 2014 21:36 (nine years ago) link
Anyone get the new box set? Unfortunately it seems to be missing "White Horses" and on Love Is Hell "Prize" has skipping on it, along with booklet printing errors according to some reviewers.
It's only the One Little Indian stuff so it doesn't have some singles.
― Robert Adam Gilmour, Monday, 15 May 2017 22:46 (six years ago) link
Yeah the B-sides comp was slightly screwed up, so no "White Horses" (or "What We Really Wanted to Do," IIRC). My girlfriend, also a huge fan, ordered it -- it's nice, glitches aside, but the only tracks I didn't have were the radio sessions.
Patrick F was on the Tom Robinson show the other night -- great career-overview of an interview, well worth a listen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdfb2RIdGjI
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 15 May 2017 22:48 (six years ago) link
I'm game for everything Patrick is involved with. He's just released the second Oskar's Drum album with Yves Altana, it's very dark and heavy:
https://oskarsdrum.bandcamp.com/
The first one's very good too though not as immediate as this one. Frankly, I like these much more than the Kitchens comeback album "Folly".
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Wednesday, 31 October 2018 18:47 (five years ago) link
Patrick's announced his new Stephen Hero album out in November will be his last album.
https://patrickfitzgerald.bandcamp.com/album/deciduous-eccentric
It's a lovely listen -- he very kindly sent me an advance the other day -- and it's a striking note to wrap up his career on. Here's the video for the single:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsQeZx2dImA
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 27 September 2019 17:24 (four years ago) link
Did he give a reason for his retirement?
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Friday, 27 September 2019 17:43 (four years ago) link
Maybe he just wants to chill?
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 27 September 2019 18:06 (four years ago) link
???but he's been super chill this whole time???
― Totally different head. Totally. (Austin), Friday, 27 September 2019 20:36 (four years ago) link
I hope he's not ill! I know he's a doctor, and his new single is called "Patient Here Myself."
― henry s, Friday, 27 September 2019 20:41 (four years ago) link
I didn't get the sense from that in our exchange.
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 27 September 2019 21:09 (four years ago) link
Very obsessed with Kitchens right now. Was happy to see this revive a few days ago.
― blue light or electric light (the table is the table), Wednesday, 2 October 2019 00:25 (four years ago) link