Godspeed You Black Emperor!

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I couldn't handle the extreme wank of it all.

Search: Tortoise, Disco Inferno, Trans Am, Mogwai
Destory: Godspeed You! Black Emperor (as I believe they call themselves, the fucking wankers), Sigur Ros

― Sasha (sgh), Wednesday, 8 October 2003 11:16 (twenty-two years ago)

I couldn't handle the extreme wank of it all.

Search: Tortoise, Disco Inferno, Trans Am, Mogwai, Bark Psychosis
Destory: Godspeed You! Black Emperor (as I believe they call themselves, the fucking wankers), Sigur Ros

― Sasha (sgh), Wednesday, 8 October 2003 11:17 (twenty-two years ago)

there was another Godspeed thread where I said there wasn't really enough dynamics in the band to keep me interested though slightly better than Mogwai. I think its those tapes of mad ppl ranting that give them the edge.

Henry Cow are more interesting to me but both of 'em have this dry sound.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 8 October 2003 11:19 (twenty-two years ago)

... I meant more in the sense of trying affect a worldwide proletarian revolution thru the medium of dusty-dry cerebral art rock

― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 8 October 2003 11:46 (twenty-two years ago)

... with no words

― Dadaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 8 October 2003 11:56 (twenty-two years ago)

OK, I listened twice more since I was last on the board. I like it a little better. I take back some of my previous comments. In fact, the rhythmic processes going on during the more normal parts are actually pretty similar to those of regular rock music, just done a lot slower. Some of the guitar solo bits actually remind me a little of Wish You Were Here-era Pink Floyd, and not in a bad way really. They do kind of have a simple sparse elegance in their way. (I might still agree with Colin that the sound collage parts are the best parts. I like the part at around 11:30 in track 3 with the treated voices. BTW did Radiohead sample or reference the start of that track for "Motion Picture Soundtrack"?) I like the way the guitar and violin are moving away from each other around 9:30 of track 3. The first 8 min or so of the album are classic. The 'hidden track' is cool with its drum blasts and that guitar tone. Some of the album actually feels like a really slow epic doom metal record, sort of like Neurosis doing a CBC period drama soundtrack, which isn't a bad thing necessarily. I think the only things that make it less accessible/interesting right away than a regular hard rock album are the lower energy level and the absence of a charismatic voice, which are easy to get past once you recognize them. (Maybe this is an obvious comment.) I wonder if the reason IDM and trip-hop have appealed more to me than post-rock is because I had less of an attachment to 'normal' dance or hip-hop conventions and processes to begin with. (Maybe same with modern classical.) I don't know if I'll end up rating this as high as Endtroducing but it is nice in its way.

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Wednesday, 8 October 2003 14:16 (twenty-two years ago)

i used to really like,back when i had a more limited taste in music...
then i kind of wandered off and started listening to other stuff,and forgot about them...
i saw them live about a year ago,and really enjoyed it though...
i've just put on the slow riot ep,first time i've listened to them in ages,so i'll report back when i've listened to it...

― robin (robin), Wednesday, 8 October 2003 15:15 (twenty-two years ago)

four months pass...

I just listened to all of Lift Yr Skinny Fists . . .. I actually think it's genius, at least a hundred gazillion times better than F#A#oo (which I deleted from my hard drive pretty quickly). There's much more depth in terms of texture, harmony, and rhythm and the structures and changes are less predictable. They actually get some nice grooves going in the second disc. Parts remind me of Glenn Branca and Fred Frith. The noise is handled really well. I got right into it right from the glorious opening with the horns.

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Sunday, 15 February 2004 20:54 (twenty-two years ago)

GYBE! fans are a bunch of indie pussies who hated BLACK DICE opening for them.

― Jon Williams (ex machina), Sunday, 15 February 2004 20:55 (twenty-two years ago)

who could blame them?

― Pablo Cruise (chaki), Sunday, 15 February 2004 22:31 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah black dice totally sucked when I saw them play last year.

― Elliot (Elliot), Sunday, 15 February 2004 22:42 (twenty-two years ago)

HAHA, INDIE FAGS.

― Jon Williams (ex machina), Sunday, 15 February 2004 22:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Black Dice rocked my world when they opened for Godspeed. I think I was the only one in Toronto who liked them, though.

― Barry Bruner (Barry Bruner), Sunday, 15 February 2004 23:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Hey, Barry! Do you know when the rochester to toronto ferry starts?

― Jon Williams (ex machina), Sunday, 15 February 2004 23:34 (twenty-two years ago)

There's really gonna be a Rochester-Toronto ferry?
I guess this will make it easier for Godspeed to play Rochester on their next tour? :)

― Barry Bruner (Barry Bruner), Sunday, 15 February 2004 23:38 (twenty-two years ago)

HAHAHAHA FUNNY

― Jon Williams (ex machina), Sunday, 15 February 2004 23:40 (twenty-two years ago)

one year passes...

I can't decide if Godspeed You Black Emperor is:

(1) Beautiful.
(2) Deathly boring.
(3) Funny.

― PB, Thursday, 25 August 2005 15:29 (twenty years ago)

THEY'RE ONE OF MY FAVORITE JAMBANDS!!!!!

― Suzy Creemcheese (SuzyCreemcheese), Thursday, 25 August 2005 15:45 (twenty years ago)

Do they even exist anymore, or are they called A Silver Mt. Zion now?

― PB, Thursday, 25 August 2005 16:21 (twenty years ago)

my wife called them Godspell You Black Emperor the other day. she is funny.

― ken taylrr has gone off the internet because of you (ken taylrr), Thursday, 25 August 2005 17:16 (twenty years ago)

i really hope they get back together to perform live if not to record. i found them to be enthralling in concert,would love to feel that again.

― drone/a/saur (william), Thursday, 25 August 2005 18:56 (twenty years ago)

ASMZ is a different band with some of the same members (Efrim, Sophie, Thierry).

― superultramega (superultramarinated), Thursday, 25 August 2005 19:03 (twenty years ago)

GYBE at the QMU in Glasgow is one of my fave gigs ever.

― Last Of The Famous International Pfunkboys (Kerr), Thursday, 25 August 2005 19:09 (twenty years ago)

i don't dislike them...

― latebloomer's rectal mocha latte (latebloomer), Thursday, 25 August 2005 19:12 (twenty years ago)

I have never met anyone that dislikes GYBE! Either they love them or they havn't heard of them. ...2001

ILM backlash in effect

― peepee (peepee), Thursday, 25 August 2005 19:22 (twenty years ago)

one year passes...

for those who don't get this band.....listen Lift Your Skinny Fists at a reasonably high volume with hardly any lights on while lying on the floor. it's incredible. gybe in incredible

― Chris Grasinger (gman59), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 01:37 (nineteen years ago)

I totally expected this to be a Jagger revival.

― Hoosteen (Hoosteen), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 01:38 (nineteen years ago)

it needed to be done. ive been really listening to them lately. i hope they get back in the studio as a group again. this is one of the best acts of this generation.

― gman (gman59), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 01:40 (nineteen years ago)

Ninja you crazy

― Roger Fidelity (Roger Fidelity), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 02:26 (nineteen years ago)

.edu email address..... CHECK

― UART variations (ex machina), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 02:33 (nineteen years ago)

oh man i saw these guys once. the best part was the preshow. after they had signed eveyrone's gy!be memorabilia, they allowed us all to get a photo taken with them, if we were so inclined. of course, i was inclined. and of course, my camera lens had something on it, so there's some weird light spot on the side of the picture, but i didn't even care. it was just such an awesome experience to be so close to them. the guys were all very laid back and nice, which made it hard to feel like they were any kind of celebrities. they were just people. I think that's what makes them so great.

― roger goodell (gear), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 02:40 (nineteen years ago)

gear, are you feeling ok

― UART variations (ex machina), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 02:51 (nineteen years ago)

sorry, where am i : (

― roger goodell (gear), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 02:58 (nineteen years ago)

http://indielove.vox.com/

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 03:01 (nineteen years ago)

yanqui

― bach, mozart, davis, orbital TO THREAD (Haberdager), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 03:41 (nineteen years ago)

it's a good thing jon never went to school...

― friday on the porch (lfam), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 03:47 (nineteen years ago)

re: Ned's link:

http://indielove.vox.com/library/post/love-indie-style.html

Hi, I'm Jess, and I'm a music lover to the core.

Not THE Jess?

― StanM (StanM), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 04:47 (nineteen years ago)

(it kinda looks like him with a wig)

― StanM (StanM), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 04:48 (nineteen years ago)

i refuse to be lumped together with her

― gman (gman59), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 06:41 (nineteen years ago)

Everything was cool till Yanqui and then the lack of samples made you realise how important this was to why they were so good.

― Treblekicker (treblekicker), Wednesday, 31 January 2007 10:02 (nineteen years ago)

three years pass...

Reunited.

― I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Thursday, 8 April 2010 23:07 (sixteen years ago)

http://www.atpfestival.com/assets/img/mailout/gsbanner.jpg

― I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Thursday, 8 April 2010 23:07 (sixteen years ago)

http://atpfestival.com/newsview/1004082209.php

― I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Thursday, 8 April 2010 23:08 (sixteen years ago)

oh fuck

― samosa gibreel, Thursday, 8 April 2010 23:12 (sixteen years ago)

Tix are on sale tomorrow morning, Ned Raggett.

Thank me later. <3

― I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Thursday, 8 April 2010 23:12 (sixteen years ago)

wish I had cash :(

― lllljjjj (acoleuthic), Thursday, 8 April 2010 23:16 (sixteen years ago)

Wish I had a place to stay in the UK-- oh hi dere LJ...

― I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Thursday, 8 April 2010 23:20 (sixteen years ago)

my parents will be delighted to have an ilxor in their midst

actually by then I really should have a place of my own. but this is moot because for ATP you just rent a cabin at butlins and that is your home

― lllljjjj (acoleuthic), Thursday, 8 April 2010 23:22 (sixteen years ago)

Haha Krakow IN YOUR FACE

― pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Thursday, 8 April 2010 23:22 (sixteen years ago)

:-) :-) :-)

their first picks rule too

― Jamie_ATP, Thursday, 8 April 2010 23:22 (sixteen years ago)

Skipping 419 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

I’m just assuming bad phrasing but “camp” to any of those is lazy trolling

― Western® with Bacon Flavor, Saturday, 1 March 2025 23:57 (one year ago)

I think you can assume worse than bad phrasing. This is so dumb:

There's a certain kind of band that annoys me because their angst is obviously a put-on.

― alpine static, Sunday, 2 March 2025 00:09 (one year ago)

yeah, like I almost couldn't think of three worse examples of artists who don't commit to the bit, so to speak

― Paul Ponzi, Sunday, 2 March 2025 01:14 (one year ago)

camp is always in thee eye of the buttholder, but i'd say old Low not camp, recent fuzzed-out electro Low and that latest Alan Sparhawk album, pitchin' a tent

― llurk, Sunday, 2 March 2025 01:21 (one year ago)

There's a certain kind of band that annoys me because their angst is obviously a put-on

Morrissey was right there for the taking!

― octobeard, Sunday, 2 March 2025 01:44 (one year ago)

one of the interesting things about Godspeed is how much they have reverberated through montreal's music ecosystem. the studio that members opened (Hotel 2 Tango), which so many records were made at; even more important, the venues (Casa del Popolo and Sala Rossa particularly), which are not just vital spaces for interesting musicians visiting Montreal, but which host endless local artists as they emerge and experiment... i also think there's been a roll-on effect on Godspeed's politics - their collectivism, their seriousness, their anti-celebrity - even if it is sometimes mocked here (and also understood as occasionally hypocritical theatrics; but everyone's human).

i think they're a really important band. their impact extends way beyond post-rock, to sometime local folk like lhasa de sela, suuns, wolf parade, unicorns, mac demarco, arcade fire, ought, leonard cohen, etc, but also outward to acts like julia jacklin, SANAM, vic chesnutt, matana roberts, mashrou leila, and on and on.

― sean gramophone, Sunday, 2 March 2025 02:59 (one year ago)

it's almost like they've been excellent musically and a model for maintaining one's integrity for like three decades!

― alpine static, Sunday, 2 March 2025 06:35 (one year ago)

btw anyone else feel Yanqui UXO is by far and away the worst recorded record of theirs? The abrasiveness and thinness of it always holds me back from wanting to put it on. Most of the rest of their stuff is so rich sounding and dynamic (compare Yanqui to F#A# for example)

― octobeard, Wednesday, 26 February 2025 22:14 (four days ago) bookmarkflaglink

ah, it's opposite day

― imago, Sunday, 2 March 2025 11:49 (one year ago)

everything on YUXO feels like it is melting, irradiated. one of the best sounding albums maybe ever?

― imago, Sunday, 2 March 2025 11:50 (one year ago)

to an extent where i'm really not into their other stuff nearly as much cos it doesn't sound like that

― imago, Sunday, 2 March 2025 11:51 (one year ago)

BBF3 being a weird joke about Iron Maiden singers is arguably more camp than anything from DCD or Low. See also a few of the songs titles on All Lights Fucked, and the phase 1 songs just being called after their direct influences (e.g. Gorecki, John Hughes, John Barry - later also called Song For Wanda after Efrim's dog that had died) before being given more weighty names for the final release (Moya, She Dreamt She Was A Bulldozer She Dreamt She Was A Field, 09-15-00 respectively).

Not going to argue with a band that covered the theme tune of Are You Bring Served being called camp though.

― Overtoun House windows (aldo), Sunday, 2 March 2025 11:55 (one year ago)

I'm in the "except when Mark Almond was a guest vocalist, Coil wasn't very camp" camp.

― StanM, Sunday, 2 March 2025 12:14 (one year ago)

sean otm. those montreal venues are super chill

I have no idea if the Godspeed crew were in any bands prior to their formation, but I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them were in short-lived punk or hardcore bands as teens

― ɥɯ ︵ (°□°) (mh), Sunday, 2 March 2025 14:59 (one year ago)

I think it's not so much about camp as it is a seriousness of intent which, if played badly, can tip over into absurdity. Of the four bands mentioned I would say that Low, Godspeed and DCD are all serious musicians who wear their seriousness well. Only Coil manage to make their seriousness look silly.

― bored by endless ecstasy (anagram), Sunday, 2 March 2025 15:12 (one year ago)

five months pass...

They seem to have raised the bar here

https://pitchfork.com/news/godspeed-you-black-emperor-remove-music-from-streaming-services/

― Clever Message Board User Name (Raymond Cummings), Monday, 18 August 2025 19:07 (nine months ago)

no reason given and it's other streaming services too

― she freaks, she speaks (map), Monday, 18 August 2025 20:52 (nine months ago)

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Godspeed You Black Emperor! - Classic or Dud?