iirc Stuart had the original played on the radio, and loved the muffled sound of his tape recording so much that he put it on the LP instead of the original
― mfktz (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 14 December 2018 22:21 (five years ago) link
The lo-fidelity is important too, every one of my formative musical memories had tape hiss, mostly from being taped from Peel or whatever. Muffled vocals to reflect confusion and uncertainty total xp
― Jonathan Hellion Mumble, Friday, 14 December 2018 22:23 (five years ago) link
13 point increment! Counts as a major uptick here. :)
http://i67.tinypic.com/20ha7fd.jpg
24. Nobody's Empire From Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance (2015)Original promo videoPoints: 348 Votes: 18 #1 Votes: 1
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Friday, 14 December 2018 22:40 (five years ago) link
great song
― big crime for a SPECIAL WHATEVER (voodoo chili), Friday, 14 December 2018 23:01 (five years ago) link
My number one, really snuck up over the past few years in my estimation. The narrative arc helps make this zing, but it’s Murdoch’s best vocal which makes it so great.
― Dan Worsley, Friday, 14 December 2018 23:05 (five years ago) link
To be honest, every time I hear the opening instrumental passage it strikes me as a bit stiff and Coldplay-ish, but by the final verse it's the most ridiculously affecting thing in the whole world ever.
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Friday, 14 December 2018 23:05 (five years ago) link
never have been sure exactly what this song is about, but with every listen it seems more like a work of genius. wish I had put it higher on my ballot
― Dan S, Friday, 14 December 2018 23:06 (five years ago) link
Apparently at least partially inspired by Murdoch's emergence from chronic illness.
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Friday, 14 December 2018 23:14 (five years ago) link
ok that makes sense, at least one verse almost sounds like an out of body experience during surgery
― Dan S, Friday, 14 December 2018 23:20 (five years ago) link
Someone on the nomination thread said it was about being saved iirc.
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Friday, 14 December 2018 23:21 (five years ago) link
Oh I meant to say when "I Could Be Dreaming" came up, lyrical (sorta)quotation from this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIgv4Tvx3V0
Always a minor joy noticing shit like this in the pre Genius etc days
― Jonathan Hellion Mumble, Friday, 14 December 2018 23:41 (five years ago) link
“nobody’s empire” is the best belle and sebastian song
guess i can stop hoping “play for today” or “the cat with the cream” will place
― jolene club remix (BradNelson), Friday, 14 December 2018 23:47 (five years ago) link
http://i68.tinypic.com/lzj20.jpg
23. The Loneliness of a Middle Distance Runner From Jonathan David (2001)TV performance, Apocalypse Tube, 1999Points: 365Votes: 20#1 Votes: 0
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Friday, 14 December 2018 23:54 (five years ago) link
toooo loooow, my no. 2
― devvvine, Saturday, 15 December 2018 00:11 (five years ago) link
'everything is possible' is my take-away from this song
the Jonathan David EP is one of my favorites, this song included
― Dan S, Saturday, 15 December 2018 00:15 (five years ago) link
Toooo low indeed. My #3.
― enochroot, Saturday, 15 December 2018 00:16 (five years ago) link
been obsessed with that live clip for years, such a beautiful performance
― devvvine, Saturday, 15 December 2018 00:19 (five years ago) link
Excellent poll so far!
Wow Beautiful is crazy low. Woah Piazza.. i thought that was a lock for maybe even Number 1 just goes to show ya.How had i forgotten Ease Your Feet Into The Sea was so great.. baffling. Great to see a recent track (Nobody's Empire) being so lauded. I'm guessing that's the last we'll see from the last couple of albums.
Wish i could've voted just didn't have time.
― piscesx, Saturday, 15 December 2018 00:21 (five years ago) link
Can't understand why this was relegated to a B-side. It's miles better than the flip side.
― enochroot, Saturday, 15 December 2018 00:23 (five years ago) link
yes, Beautiful and Piazza both I thought would be much higher! not really disappointed though, so many great ones have placed and are yet to come
xp Middle Distance Runner link doesn't work for me, blocked by youtube for some reason
― Dan S, Saturday, 15 December 2018 00:27 (five years ago) link
The content is blocked in the US.
― enochroot, Saturday, 15 December 2018 00:30 (five years ago) link
are you meaning the vinyl, enochroot? if you're referring to the A-side being jonathan david, I disagree
― Dan S, Saturday, 15 December 2018 00:32 (five years ago) link
Comparable levels of greatness by my reckoning, with "Carriage Clock" not all that far behind.
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Saturday, 15 December 2018 00:38 (five years ago) link
it's the same vid from the ballot thread: https://tubeunblock.com/watch?v=w_nlGHj8lKY
― devvvine, Saturday, 15 December 2018 00:38 (five years ago) link
Yes, was referring to Jonathan David... to each his own, I suppose, that song is to busy for me.
― enochroot, Saturday, 15 December 2018 00:40 (five years ago) link
I get it about JD
xp thanks devvvine!
will be interesting to see what shows up from here on out
― Dan S, Saturday, 15 December 2018 00:43 (five years ago) link
http://i64.tinypic.com/k9ay5h.jpg
22. Expectations From Tigermilk (1996)Live at Barrowlands (again)Points: 380 Votes: 24#1 Votes: 0
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Saturday, 15 December 2018 00:46 (five years ago) link
the lyrics to this are so amazing
― Dan S, Saturday, 15 December 2018 00:52 (five years ago) link
this is a great song but i kinda find it inseparable from the also great 'she's losing it'
― devvvine, Saturday, 15 December 2018 00:52 (five years ago) link
The Model was my #1. It's one of those songs I have to play like 3 times in a row every time I hear it because of the head-spinning density of the lyrics and the gorgeousness of the arrangement.
The Model is amazing. That rush of words reminds me of that story about how Dylan thought nuclear war was coming so he just took all the stanzas he'd jotted down intended as starting points for various songs and just threw them all into A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall before it was too late.
This is a great comparison. Lyrically it's kind of a one-off for Murdoch, though The State I Am In has a similar oblique surreal logic to it.
Also, Elec Renaissance way too low :(
― J. Sam, Saturday, 15 December 2018 00:59 (five years ago) link
"Middle Distance Runner" is one of those songs that feels familiar even though I only heard it for the first time last week. Really beautiful song that I probably put too low on my ballot
Can't believe we haven't seen a Sinister song yet! I guess the album results hinted at this, but there's only one song on there that I think is average; the rest very good to great. Wonder if every song will place
― Vinnie, Saturday, 15 December 2018 01:02 (five years ago) link
Glad to see "Nobody's Empire", I had that at #5 I think. Voted for "Play for Today" too, but I doubt that'd be higher.
― erasingclouds, Saturday, 15 December 2018 01:02 (five years ago) link
Hoping Play For Today makes it somehow. It was in my top 10.
― J. Sam, Saturday, 15 December 2018 01:05 (five years ago) link
A slide from this morning's motivational band talk. pic.twitter.com/NHYtWMfzPF— stuart murdoch (@nee_massey) December 14, 2018
― J. Sam, Saturday, 15 December 2018 01:07 (five years ago) link
lol
― Dan S, Saturday, 15 December 2018 01:08 (five years ago) link
First track with TWO first place votes!
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21. Your Cover's Blown From Books (2004)Promo video for the Miaoux Miaoux remixPoints: 398 Votes: 20, including 1 vote for the Miaoux Miaoux remix.#1 Votes: 2
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Saturday, 15 December 2018 01:23 (five years ago) link
legendary
― J. Sam, Saturday, 15 December 2018 01:28 (five years ago) link
So that just leaves the top 20. I'll give it a rest for now.
I'm interested in opinions on the best time to roll out the remainder (including the ideal time of day for Euro and American folk) Weekends on ILM are usually too quiet, no?
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Saturday, 15 December 2018 01:51 (five years ago) link
For stats fans:
Rank Title Pts Votes #1s60 I Don't Love Anyone 156 11 059 If You Find Yourself Caught in Love 157 9 058 I Want the World to Stop 158 11 057 The Blues Are Still Blue 168 13 056 I Fought in a War 177 13 055 Put the Book Back on the Shelf/Songs for Children 178 12 154 I Know Where the Summer Goes 179 13 053 Beautiful 181 10 052 Ease Your Feet in the Sea 187 11 151 Is It Wicked Not to Care 206 12 050 Dress Up in You 209 10 049 I Didn't See It Coming 216 13 148 Jonathan David 221 12 047 Photo Jenny 228 16 046 There's Too Much Love 238 15 044= It Could Have Been a Brilliant Career 244 15 044= I'm Waking Up to Us 244 18 043 Another Sunny Day 248 12 042 My Wandering Days Are Over 257 16 041 Seymour Stein 258 14 040 Piazza, New York Catcher 271 18 039 We Rule the School 276 21 037= String Bean Jean 283 17 037= The Rollercoaster Ride 283 18 036 You're Just a Baby 285 17 135 Funny Little Frog 287 14 134 Le Pastie de la Bourgeoisie 292 20 133 A Century of Fakers 293 15 132 Step Into My Office, Baby 297 16 031 Wrapped Up in Books 300 21 030 Women's Realm 305 21 029 Don't Leave the Light on Baby 310 17 028 The Model 322 19 127 I Could Be Dreaming 324 16 126 A Summer Wasting 327 15 025 Electronic Renaissance 335 23 024 Nobody's Empire 348 18 123 The Loneliness of a Middle Distance Runner 365 20 022 Expectations 380 24 021 Your Cover's Blown 398 20 2
60 I Don't Love Anyone 156 11 059 If You Find Yourself Caught in Love 157 9 058 I Want the World to Stop 158 11 057 The Blues Are Still Blue 168 13 056 I Fought in a War 177 13 055 Put the Book Back on the Shelf/Songs for Children 178 12 154 I Know Where the Summer Goes 179 13 053 Beautiful 181 10 052 Ease Your Feet in the Sea 187 11 151 Is It Wicked Not to Care 206 12 050 Dress Up in You 209 10 049 I Didn't See It Coming 216 13 148 Jonathan David 221 12 047 Photo Jenny 228 16 046 There's Too Much Love 238 15 044= It Could Have Been a Brilliant Career 244 15 044= I'm Waking Up to Us 244 18 043 Another Sunny Day 248 12 042 My Wandering Days Are Over 257 16 041 Seymour Stein 258 14 040 Piazza, New York Catcher 271 18 039 We Rule the School 276 21 037= String Bean Jean 283 17 037= The Rollercoaster Ride 283 18 036 You're Just a Baby 285 17 135 Funny Little Frog 287 14 134 Le Pastie de la Bourgeoisie 292 20 133 A Century of Fakers 293 15 132 Step Into My Office, Baby 297 16 031 Wrapped Up in Books 300 21 030 Women's Realm 305 21 029 Don't Leave the Light on Baby 310 17 028 The Model 322 19 127 I Could Be Dreaming 324 16 126 A Summer Wasting 327 15 025 Electronic Renaissance 335 23 024 Nobody's Empire 348 18 123 The Loneliness of a Middle Distance Runner 365 20 022 Expectations 380 24 021 Your Cover's Blown 398 20 2
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Saturday, 15 December 2018 01:53 (five years ago) link
I vote for Monday, working hours EST, since that's when I'm most online.
BTW, thanks for running this poll, Nag... this is the most fun I've had on ILM since I joined.
― enochroot, Saturday, 15 December 2018 02:01 (five years ago) link
Weekend rollouts are best earlier in the reveals, and then only for about 5 entries a day.
― Infidels, Like Dylan In The Eighties (C. Grisso/McCain), Saturday, 15 December 2018 02:04 (five years ago) link
I'm on Pacific Time, but realize most of the interest may be in other time zones. Thanks Nag
― Dan S, Saturday, 15 December 2018 02:07 (five years ago) link
Every single one of my polls have run into Saturday and both New Order and Steely Dan went into a Sunday. I'm on the West Coast and usually started around 10 AM on the weekends. People want to see who wins so Weekends for polls doesn't really hurt them. Most people don't want to wait on results.
Great job you are doing Nag!
― Bee OK, Saturday, 15 December 2018 02:14 (five years ago) link
wow there's some surprises in that last batch - thought Your Cover's Blown was probably a lock for top 10. Nobody's Empire is decent but there's this awkward disconnect between the opening riff and the verse for me that doesn't quite work, so I'm really shocked it showed up so high and above things like Electronic Renaissance and I Could Be Dreaming which are some of their very best to me. it does have a nice build but it being the consensus late career pick over I Didn't See It Coming?
― ufo, Saturday, 15 December 2018 02:54 (five years ago) link
"Your Cover's Blown" is just a ludicrous accomplishment. it was in my top 5
― resident hack (Simon H.), Saturday, 15 December 2018 03:04 (five years ago) link
Nothing yet has been on half the ballots I think!
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Saturday, 15 December 2018 03:28 (five years ago) link
I believe 12 or 13 of my 30 votes have placed. not bad!
― resident hack (Simon H.), Saturday, 15 December 2018 03:42 (five years ago) link
HOLY SHIT
I was gonna do that thing where you guess the top 3, but figured that would be annoying so I didn't. But I would have had Expectations at 2 or 3!! To my ears it's one of their crowning achievements, and I know I've talked with others who say the same. This is blowing my mind.
Electronic Rennaissance is in my personal top 3 but I know I'm weird about that one.
― rip van wanko, Saturday, 15 December 2018 04:41 (five years ago) link
I think "ER" was my #3. Any song vaguely approximating New Order's "Procession" deserves such a ranking. And "Expectations" was somewhere in my top ten.
I've been surprised generally by the relative lack of popularity of Tigermilk, as an album, and of its constituent tracks, in relation to IYFS. Half a lifetime ago they felt like twin statements of approximately equal standing. Feels like a gulf has opened up between them while I was inattentive. (Or I could have just misjudged the situation in first place, my own preference being for the earlier record. LOL)
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Saturday, 15 December 2018 06:29 (five years ago) link
I wonder if it has something to do with the timing of its wider release.
My first exposure to B&S was IYFS, then TBWTAS, then the 3 EPs, and then Tigermilk only after all of those
― Dan S, Saturday, 15 December 2018 06:52 (five years ago) link