The High Llamas: C or D?

i like stereolab for the synths, bass, drums, horns, strings, disco, more synths, vocals, guitar, probably in that order, but at least all at once
i can see now that 'lab had the tunes and rhyhtms, while o'hagan provided plenty of atmosphere. since there's only so much from the 'lab and i dunno, maybe that's it anyway, which would be very sad as i think they were going in a great new direction, having somewhat jettisoned the guitar rock or at least made it sound like something other than guitar rock, the tragic forced exit of some of the bubble-vocals would make for an interesting album made more of semi-instrumentals i reckon.

anyway i can hear all those noises on this later llamas record, and if the songs themselves make me think of paul mccartney, with all the best intentions and hand-picked band etc. etc., this makes me think that the greatest music from these guys does still boil down to the mandatory good harmonic tune, so i think the llamas-lab axis should continue, with all those noises included. maybe a new band, tripartite songwriting.

Just bought Beet, Maize & Corn. Just finished listening and it seems like I just put it on. Beautifully done background music. Emphasis on background. To give it some credit, I think it would make for great baby-making music. It evokes springtime to a T.

If O'Hagan brings a small orchestra with him, I'll gladly hop along and see the Llamas when/if they come to town. I saw them many years tour for "Hawaii", and it was absolutely amazing. Later, I saw them tour for "Cold and Bouncy" and it was... well, not amazing.

*Highly recommended*.

definitely a favorite disc of mine.

utterly classic
search: almost everything, *especially* Buzzle Bee, think S O'Hagen was the 2nd best thing that ever happened to Stereolab,(John McEntire being the 1st- wrong wrong wrong)
destroy: Gideon Gaye

and the student has become the teacher - Brian who?
-said for effect

this i agree with, Sean's arrangement work is by far is greatest strength, and he's feckin good at it. Buzzle Bee is no more or less dull than most of the HLs stuff.

Has anyone here heard the Musical Wheel thing that Sean O'Hagan put together with some French artist? The soundtrack for La Vie D'Artiste last year was excellent, so I imagine this is just as inspired/interesting:

http://www.jpmuller.be/musical-painting/

It's probably a D&L thing but Cold & Bouncy has bullied its way into my very being. I accept that I have little/no taste but bugger it.

I've always loved Buzzle Bee.

new one: Talahomi Way, out 4/19/11.

Classic.

Sean O'Hagan is a genius IMO. Creates worlds with his music. It's not so much about the songwriting to me.

yeah, the albums are wonderful sonic journeys -- dunno if o'hagen has written a ton of great "songs", but he's a master at (like you say) creating little worlds.

I view him in the tradition of like Penguin Cafe Orchestra. It's music that takes you away, gliding over the sea, wandering through snow valleys. Just really strikes the right chord with me, plus he does great work for other bands.

I think when he has written actual "songs," he's done a great job. "Put Yourself Down" on the first High Llamas album is something I go back to often and I think Can Cladders could be considered the most song-oriented album he's done since the early days. I enjoyed that one immensely.

Psyched for this even though I thought Can Cladders wasn't as good as it could have been.

i thought can cladders deserved a little more attention than it got. my fave is still gideon gaye, but i don't think they've made a bad album yet.

Anyone check out the latest soundtrack, the Copacabana OST with Tim Gane? I enjoyed it. Pretty insubstantial and sounds about what you'd expect it to sound like, but I'm fond of that niche so it's been one I come back to.

Album art for the new one is on here: http://stereogum.com/tag/the-high-llamas/

i'd like to hear that sdtk, but haven't gotten around to it.
in case anyone's interested i interviewed o'hagan around the time of can cladders: http://www.junkmedia.org/index.php?i=1997

I have a major soft spot for '90s High Llamas albums, but I feel like everything they've done in the past decade has suffered from diminishing returns. As a fan, I'll still listen to the new album, but I guess I just don't expect anything from them anymore.

Fantastic news. Excited. Love everything they've done.

http://cdn.pitchfork.com/media/dc469.jpg

Love the art.

I always find with the Llamas that their albums sound a much of a muchness until I've had them on a few times, and then suddenly it clicks and it becomes as essential as anyone else they've ever done. I've never understood the "lift muzak" accusation.

I think "Sailing Bells" and "Honeytrap" off Can Cladders might be my two favourite tracks of theirs. Perfect music to walk home to on a summer evening.

this owns

i like this but am still not entirely sure what to make of it, it's wild

it is equally irritating and compelling?

It's oddly the most personal album Sean's made. Some of the lyrics are actually about feelings & thoughts. Granted, I read a couple interviews for added context, particularly this one - https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/2024/03/30/sean-ohagan-that-lovely-beautiful-humanity-i-had-with-cathal-coughlan-in-those-later-years-was-amazing/

I really like it.

Best HL album since Gideon Gaye. I'm surprised by how much I'm liking this and I generally hate autotune but the Bonnie Prince Billy tracks are really effective. "Sisters Friends" has really grown on me too. He seems to have finally shaken off his Beach Boys obsession (although traces are still there of course). Sounds contemporary but still with enough avant pop leanings and nifty chord changes to make it distinctively O'Hagan.

I just caught up with this radio show on Mixcloud from 8th April. Features Sean & Livvy O’Hagan live in session, an unreleased Livvy solo track and an extended interview with both. Really interesting discussions, and the session includes a cover of Tyler, The Creator’s “See You Again”. Starts about 35-40 minutes in, and lasts for nearly an hour:
https://www.mixcloud.com/sohoradio/barkino-125-sean-ohagan-livvy-ohagan-in-session-08042024/

mentioned above, but the Drag City represses are now available for pre order: https://www.dragcity.com/products/the-highest-llama-bundle

first time for Santa Barbara on LP

I feel like I've been, the hungriest man in the woooooooorld, for sooooo long

Every call from you Lord 🎵
Every man in song 🎵

I got my new records this week. Gosh, Sean O'Hagan is still just the dreamiest man in music as far as I'm concerned.

Santa Barbara is my favorite record in the world right now.

It's good.