On to the top ten then! Here's a track with the opposite journey to WY&LG - it hovered around the top 30, then the top 20, then finally broke into the top ten with the last few ballots.
― Portrait Of A Dissolvi Ng Drea M (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 3 June 2022 17:09 (one year ago) link
https://i.imgur.com/M71KR7I.jpg
10. Man Is Not A BirdFrom Haha Sound, 2003Audio at YouTubeBonus beat: Drum cover by Roddy Bailey436 Points, 18 Votes, 1 First Place Vote
'Man Is Not A Bird' echoes 'Pendulum' rhythmically but the vocals are less urgent, more sullen and melancholic - just as haunting overall - stevem (blueski), Aug 14, 2003
didn't realize this one was such a fan favorite, but glad it is. my #6. kind of the ur-broadcast song imo, the one i think of first when i think of the broadcast sound.
― in places all over the world, real stuff be happening (voodoo chili), Friday, 3 June 2022 17:13 (one year ago) link
this was my #1, I love the drums and echoey bell effects
― Muad'Doob (Moodles), Friday, 3 June 2022 17:26 (one year ago) link
What a gorgeous song, so deeply melancholy. Broadcast weren't really a "groove" band, but that one is an exception; the beat seems to nod to both James Brown's "Cold Sweat" and the outro to "Strawberry Fields Forever."
― J. Sam, Friday, 3 June 2022 17:31 (one year ago) link
Finding the video for the next one yielded a quote I just had to share.
― Portrait Of A Dissolvi Ng Drea M (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 3 June 2022 17:43 (one year ago) link
https://i.imgur.com/ImDMvjv.jpg
9. Black CatFrom Tender Buttons, 2005Trish Keenan directed version of Black Cat on Youtube*437 Points, 17 Votes, 3 First Place Votes
* "A little backstory for fans of this song... Trish, who I was friends with for many years, used to come to my house during the day when I was out at work to write songs. My cat, Corky, is very shy, and at first he would just poke his head round the door of the room where she was sitting, and then run away. As the day went on, curiosity would overcome him and he would finally try and make friends with her. Hence, the lyrics of the chorus. We filmed some of the vid at my house and I appear in the vid for about 2 seconds. What a thrill and an honour for me and Corky xxx" - ellenmeilee on youtube
― Portrait Of A Dissolvi Ng Drea M (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 3 June 2022 17:44 (one year ago) link
My #1, I find the abrasive vertiginous synth and guitar so unsettling, the vocal so serene and detached, every second a pure thrill. And somehow their most “pop” moment.
― assert (matttkkkk), Friday, 3 June 2022 17:50 (one year ago) link
Man Is Not a Bird my #4 and yes I want to listen to the beat forever like I want to listen to Corporeal forever. I admire their concision, each track as long as it needs to be & no indulgence or fat; but fuck I would have liked them to knock out one or two hypnotic 20 minute epics in the studio.
― woof, Friday, 3 June 2022 17:56 (one year ago) link
i don't know if it's still the case, but i remember appreciating that the Black Cat bar/club in Washington DC had Tender Buttons on their jukebox.
― Western® with Bacon Flavor, Friday, 3 June 2022 17:56 (one year ago) link
Other thoughts - I find Colour Me In nearer disturbing or uncomfortable than mawkish - like a few of their other tracks you look at it one way, it's sweet, you walk round and squint and there's something unsettling. The passivity/greyness until the addressee starts on or colludes in colouring, the slippery way it both seems a love-metaphor and a monologue by a sketchbook page or abstract idea or as-yet-unlistened-to album… the voice holds it together perfectly, never feels an either/or to me. Also, I hate everything that sounds a bit like circus music and yet I love this (and lunch hour pops) so I don't know how the hell they managed that.
― woof, Friday, 3 June 2022 17:59 (one year ago) link
Until Then was my Number 1 pick. So strange and pretty. I actually thought Corporeal would take this poll. I've been off all along I think. Papercuts also very high in my poll. Great stuff. Bring on more surprises I guess!
― kraudive, Friday, 3 June 2022 18:02 (one year ago) link
XXXXXXP - I love that YT comment on the Black Cat video
― Maresn3st, Friday, 3 June 2022 18:07 (one year ago) link
Yeah, my assumptions were off too - I thought Michael a Grammar was surely top 5 - maybe their clearest pop moment & how can anyone resist "come on - your father was a teddy boy'? So no clue here but enjoying everything.
― woof, Friday, 3 June 2022 18:09 (one year ago) link
I just love picturing her sitting there writing songs and this black cat nervously approaching her, and her making up this song to sing to it.
― Portrait Of A Dissolvi Ng Drea M (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 3 June 2022 18:11 (one year ago) link
https://i.imgur.com/gJCRyMM.jpg
8. Tears In The Typing PoolFrom Tender Buttons, 2005Fan-made video by Wonder Muddle on YouTube445 Points, 19 Votes, 1 First Place Vote
Love stereolab but not sure anything they’ve done is as resonant as something like tears in the typing pool for me - mind how you go (Ross), Jun 21, 2018
― Portrait Of A Dissolvi Ng Drea M (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 3 June 2022 18:16 (one year ago) link
josh az (2011nostalgia) at 12:34 3 Jun 22Top 20 gonna be nothing but straight up classicsTears in the Typing Pool top 3 let’s gooooo
― Portrait Of A Dissolvi Ng Drea M (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 3 June 2022 18:26 (one year ago) link
absolutely love black cat, and the youtube story makes it even better
voted for 'tears' in my ranked section too
― in places all over the world, real stuff be happening (voodoo chili), Friday, 3 June 2022 18:34 (one year ago) link
During this 2-3 month obsession I've been playing a lot of Broadcast in the house, & Tears… is the one track that's got a 'who's this?' from each of my stepkids as they've caught it. Seems to have special power over the non- or not-yet-fans.
― woof, Friday, 3 June 2022 18:39 (one year ago) link
The Mellotron is gorgeous
― assert (matttkkkk), Friday, 3 June 2022 18:45 (one year ago) link
https://i.imgur.com/aSDUZB7.jpg
7. Before We BeginFrom Haha Sound, 2003Fan-made video by Narcissus Weeps on YouTube466 Points, 20 Votes
Dear Warp, please release Broadcast's 'Before We Begin' as a single. Actually it's too late now it would've been a perfect September release and I have a video idea in my head and everything. Dammit. - stevem (blueski), Nov 3, 2003
― Portrait Of A Dissolvi Ng Drea M (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 3 June 2022 18:50 (one year ago) link
This is the most amazing song and I regret not making it my number one.
― woof, Friday, 3 June 2022 18:52 (one year ago) link
It all has happened, is happening and will happen.
― woof, Friday, 3 June 2022 18:54 (one year ago) link
damn missed so much of the rollout - had to make Black Cat my #1, I've probably played it more than anything else
― nashwan, Friday, 3 June 2022 18:57 (one year ago) link
I blame this thread for my insomnia last night. I woke up with the synth line from "Goodbye Girls" playing over and over in my mind. Was up for hours!!!
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Friday, 3 June 2022 19:04 (one year ago) link
"Before We Begin" a perfect song, though they do have at least ten perfect songs.
― Portrait Of A Dissolvi Ng Drea M (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 3 June 2022 19:06 (one year ago) link
Tears in the Typing Pool is surely the #1 broadcast song title. (and top 10 of all time)
― enochroot, Friday, 3 June 2022 19:14 (one year ago) link
https://i.imgur.com/5Xnv90p.jpg
6. The Book LoversFrom The Book Lovers EP, 1996, Compiled on Work And Non Work, 1997.Fan-made video by Karl Taul on YouTube506 Points, 21 Votes, 1 First Place Vote
The Book Lovers is still the one for me. I just realised it's almost exactly 20 years since I first heard it on the John Peel show. Incredible song - Kitchen Person, Dec 7, 2016
― Portrait Of A Dissolvi Ng Drea M (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 3 June 2022 19:21 (one year ago) link
8. Tears In The Typing PoolFrom Tender Buttons, 2005
If I'm counting right, this will be the highest-rated Tender Buttons track. (Pretty sure everything else has already placed besides "Minus 3".) Interesting that 7 other tracks placed higher though TB was the top-rated overall album.
― sctttnnnt (pgwp), Friday, 3 June 2022 19:25 (one year ago) link
I'd assumed that Tender Buttons would be my favourite Broadcast album until I realised just how few of its tracks I'd actually placed on my ballot.
Haha Sound is the album that I always underrate for some reason, right up until the moment that I actually re-listen to it.
― Portsmouth Bubblejet, Friday, 3 June 2022 19:41 (one year ago) link
I’m gonna call “Come On Let’s Go” for #1
― assert (matttkkkk), Friday, 3 June 2022 19:47 (one year ago) link
Any predictions for the top five?
― Portrait Of A Dissolvi Ng Drea M (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 3 June 2022 19:48 (one year ago) link
my #3 and my #2, in succession. i couldn't in good faith pick besides my #1 as my #1, but if i knew that "before we begin" wouldn't get a top vote, i would've thrown it one. completely magical song.
― in places all over the world, real stuff be happening (voodoo chili), Friday, 3 June 2022 19:50 (one year ago) link
so the salt will spill againthrow it over your shoulder
― in places all over the world, real stuff be happening (voodoo chili), Friday, 3 June 2022 19:51 (one year ago) link
Well I’ve not seen “Pendulum”, “Echo’s Answer”or “Unchanging Window” yet. Or “ Ominous Cloud”. So those are my guesses.
― assert (matttkkkk), Friday, 3 June 2022 19:52 (one year ago) link
That salt line is my favourite too
― assert (matttkkkk), Friday, 3 June 2022 19:53 (one year ago) link
This next one is going to be difficult to post, let's see if there are any errors in the bb code.
― Portrait Of A Dissolvi Ng Drea M (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 3 June 2022 20:00 (one year ago) link
https://i.imgur.com/zHhK1F6.jpg
5. Unchanging Window / Chord SimpleUnchanging Window from The Noise Made By People, 2000Unchanging Window / Chord Simple from Extended Play Two, 2000Audio for Unchanging Window / Chord Simple on YoutubeFan-made video for Unchanging Window by Wonder Muddle on YouTube526 Points, 18 Votes, 3 First Place Votes(331 Points, 11 Votes, 2 First Place Votes for EP version)(195 Points, 7 Votes, 1 First Place Vote for TNMBP version)
The version of "Unchanging Window (Chord Simple)" from EP2 is probably my favourite Broadcast track ever. - Ross, Dec 6, 2016
nice, it all worked!
― Portrait Of A Dissolvi Ng Drea M (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 3 June 2022 20:01 (one year ago) link
Damn, I'm way too busy at work to follow this beautiful thread. Just catching up and every single song so far is too low.
I was the number one vote for The Book Lovers. One of the best songs of all time.
I'm guessing Echo's Answer at one with Come On Let's Go in second place.
― kitchen person, Friday, 3 June 2022 20:03 (one year ago) link
my #1. glad to see the EP version got more votes because that outro elevates the song to a completely different level.
― Western® with Bacon Flavor, Friday, 3 June 2022 20:09 (one year ago) link
"The Book Lovers" wouldn't have been too out of place on a Cardigans album
― enochroot, Friday, 3 June 2022 20:09 (one year ago) link
It's happy hour on Friday which means I'm having some beers in the typing pool.
Sorry this is my first thread comment.
― Chris L, Friday, 3 June 2022 20:33 (one year ago) link
Welcome to the thread, Chris
― Portrait Of A Dissolvi Ng Drea M (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 3 June 2022 20:39 (one year ago) link
https://i.imgur.com/QDa4LxK.jpg
4. PendulumFrom Pendulum Ep, 2003 and Haha Sound, 2003Fan-made video by Sergio Bga on YouTube563 Points, 19 Votes
for the love of god, listen to "Pendulum" from the last album if you don't know it already. That is the song that made me a cultish Broadcast worshipper, and has the HUGE CLATTERY DRUMS missing from Tender Buttons. Yes, all of them. On just the one song. - telephone thing, Dec 12, 2005
Unchanging Window is good, but I'm surprised it is so well loved
― Muad'Doob (Moodles), Friday, 3 June 2022 20:43 (one year ago) link
It's unlikely, but I've got my fingers crossed for "Ominous Cloud" at #1...
― J. Sam, Friday, 3 June 2022 20:46 (one year ago) link
beers in the typing pool
Same, cheers!
― J. Sam, Friday, 3 June 2022 20:50 (one year ago) link
(cheers in the typing pool)
― J. Sam, Friday, 3 June 2022 20:51 (one year ago) link
Number three coming up, and it's my #1 vote.
― Portrait Of A Dissolvi Ng Drea M (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Friday, 3 June 2022 21:06 (one year ago) link