Your opinion, please: 366-band, 411 track 1981 box set

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This looks amazing; is it too late to get on the waiting list for this worthy project?

If so, then more the fool me.

Stephen X (Stephen X), Friday, 22 April 2005 23:10 (eighteen years ago) link

Not to set a fire here so late in the game, but I haven't had a chance to check in on this for a while, so I sill simply say that in my opinion, Bimble's comments (sorry, don't know you fella, so don't take it personally) are extremely ungrateful. I guess I see this as a labor of love, so be happy you recieved it at all. Please be grateful and be quiet.

Sorry, just had to get that off my chest.

John Justen (johnjusten), Friday, 22 April 2005 23:38 (eighteen years ago) link

Geez Loueez Am I too late to get in on this? good god

hanan, Saturday, 23 April 2005 07:55 (eighteen years ago) link

Is it just my imagination, or is the common theme running through the "FIRE" disc a sort of reggae/dub-derived rhythmic feeling?

o. nate (onate), Saturday, 23 April 2005 17:12 (eighteen years ago) link

thanks IM, still working my way through this but its solid gold so far!

zappi (joni), Saturday, 23 April 2005 17:14 (eighteen years ago) link

Zappi ---

Glad to hear it! Hope it stays so!


O. Nate ---

That very well could be, though I didn't consciously think of it in those terms. It's obviously one of the less genre-oriented, more general feel-oriented mixes. For me, it was just about "the beat," in a different way somehow than the 'Feet' mix. But I suppose you could say that a large percentage of "post-punk" was influenced by reggae/dub (and to my ears, African musics, and funk obviously, and Can, and Kraftwerk, and VU, and . . . . . .).

In any case, as I'm rather obsessed with rhythm, the 'Fire' disc is definitely one of my personal faves.

I.M. (I.M.), Saturday, 23 April 2005 18:06 (eighteen years ago) link

And just for the record, Ned is the same age as I am.

Look, can I be left out of this, please? FWIW, Bimble, I think you've acted very poorly here, as I'm sure I've indicated.

-- Ned Raggett (ne...), April 17th, 2005.

The only reason I mentioned Ned at all was because of this quote from I.M. from upthread:

You spoke to me in the most condescending tones, in your aged wisdom and insight; while every guy who really has insight, like Ned or Simon and everyone else, has been supportive and helpful.

My point was: I do not think I spoke to you in a condescending tone, and I would like to understand what this "insight" is that Ned "or Simon and everyone else" can offer about the year of 1981. I mean, if Ned and I are the same age, I find it hard to believe he could offer some special "insight" that I couldn't. However, if I am wrong, and he has been blessed with some special divine powers beyond his years I would honestly like to understand what this "insight" is.

As for what I can make out of Bimble's complaint, I guess I just don't subscribe to his notion that the people who contacte me first about the set are per se those who will enjoy it "most".

Exactly when did I ever say this?

The Silent Disco of Glastonbury (Bimble...), Sunday, 24 April 2005 05:18 (eighteen years ago) link

Perhaps I should rephrase my earlier "Please be grateful, and be quiet" in more clear, dulcet tones.

Please stop chipping away at what is inherently a selfless act of I.M. sharing his personal project, and shut the fuck up.

Honestly, let your petty greivances sit for a minute. I don't have the newest briefcase version. I can get it if I want. So can you.

If you feel so slighted by the new version of the briefcase disc, I will be glad to send you money via paypal to reimburse your investment if you promise not to continue whining and derailing this thread. It's worth the money to stop what I consider to be a collosal waste of my time. You can contact me at the below address...I would gladly spend the $13 and get back to the matter at hand.

John Justen (johnjusten), Sunday, 24 April 2005 09:35 (eighteen years ago) link

Bimble, just relax, ok? You first accuse me of fetishising the idea of being essentially old enough to have "been there," and then you propose that Reynolds et. can't have a greater insight into the cultural significance of this music than you because they're aren't old enough to have "been there". So which of us is placing inordinate importance on age? I'm still not sure what your complaint is.

What are "these things" that you care about for which I'm showing blatant disregard? That's where I'm getting the impression that you think there are those who "deserve" this set more or who will enjoy it more, as I took to be the basis of your very first complaint when you thought you were deep in the queue due to email malfunction. As I've stated before, my "ideal" audience for the set was the kid who knows little but has the potential for passion--not collector scum like you and me. But I decided the only equitable and manageable approach to distributing this mix was first-come-first-serve, a rule I've broken only rarely, once being for you.

I have a feeling Reynolds has avoided being "overly general" in 570 pages worth of investigation. Whereas I probably would be wasting my time if I actually attempted to explicate the cultural relevance of any of this music---I haven't done the research, and I'm not a writer.

I can understand that you don't think it's fair that those who ask for the set at a later date get *more* music---but that's why I offered to send everyone who wants it the recently added stuff. If you really have a problem with the inclusion of the Ski Patrol track I got from you, I'll remove it. That should redress the practical complaints I've been able to discern. You've called me both an egotist and overly self-depricating; I'm pretty certain I'm neither. I know what I know--and I know enough to see how much I don't know. Beyond that, let's just agree to disagree, ok? As far as I'm aware, you're the only person who is "unhappy". At least, let's work this out via a private exchange, if we must.

I.M. (I.M.), Sunday, 24 April 2005 14:53 (eighteen years ago) link

That wouldn't be any fun

A Viking of Some Note (Andrew Thames), Sunday, 24 April 2005 14:57 (eighteen years ago) link

Hahaha -- my joke about Simon Reynolds providing proper "liner-notish liner notes" for the 1981 set has come true, even if he didn't know it. Obviously, the key is that they can't be 570 pages long and give away *all* the stories (like his proper book):

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0,13887,1464368,00.html


That's about exactly what I had in mind but knew I couldn't pull off.

I.M. (I.M.), Sunday, 24 April 2005 17:33 (eighteen years ago) link

here's yr liner notes:

http://members.aol.com/blissout/postpunk.htm

Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Sunday, 24 April 2005 19:12 (eighteen years ago) link

Dan ---

Doesn't seem to be up anymore, but yeah, when I read that "primer" was when I realised Simon's book was something to look forward to.

I.M. (I.M.), Sunday, 24 April 2005 19:15 (eighteen years ago) link

It's up, I opened up the page just now.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 24 April 2005 19:16 (eighteen years ago) link

Nowadays, though, you mostly have the opposite problem: bands where the sonic substance might be pretty undeniable, the musical taste informing it impeccable, but there's no Great Idea behind the enterprise. And without that, what is it really worth? (There's more than enough "good music" out there to listen to, stockpiled in the megastores). Post-punk was a time when there was so much electricity in the air that even the era's unrealised experiments and failed pretentiousness seem more suggestive, and more cherishable, than the present's perfected product.

That pretty much sums up my curmudgeony stance, at least re: current pop/rock/electronic-dance fare.

I "linked" to that essay in the 'READ' bit of the booklet. Good stuff.

I.M. (I.M.), Sunday, 24 April 2005 19:23 (eighteen years ago) link

my likewise curmudgeony stance is perhaps a bit more optomistic, which states that the "Great Idea" behind today's enterprises is that it's enough to simply not completely suck, that while there's plenty of stockpiled music in the stores, it's enough to go to a small rock show and see a band that is actually exciting, rare as that is.

Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Sunday, 24 April 2005 19:39 (eighteen years ago) link

Just posting to say that if you recieved the mailing dated 18 March notifying you that a copy was available for you, and have not as yet contacted me, I'll be placing you back in the waiting list tomorrow (25 April). I'm not sure whom this applies to yet, because it will take some effort to figure it out--but basically it boils down to that I can't guarantee I'll have a copy available for you immediately. I just can't leave 100+ people hanging for so long. Hope this is fair.

I.M. (I.M.), Monday, 25 April 2005 13:42 (eighteen years ago) link

Also, those who recieved the "ready to ship" email of the 31 March (unfortunately mistitled "31 April") and have not as yet contacted me, I'll need to stop guaranteeing you a copy around the beginning of May, just to keep moving on. Thanks.

I.M. (I.M.), Monday, 25 April 2005 13:51 (eighteen years ago) link

So a question I've been curious to ask, especially since I've been talking to a few of the people who actually own/made bits of the music included: has anyone been inspired to buy any records via the 1981 set? I know a lot of it isn't in print, but a good measure of it is on small labels.

That was a hope of mine--not to satisfy an appetite by to incite it--toward the one form of consumerism I've never had a moments guilt over.

Any major finds for anyone? Any suggestions for "links" in the buy or read sections for possible future editions?

I.M. (I.M.), Tuesday, 26 April 2005 05:00 (eighteen years ago) link

Sent out another 20 today, mostly ILMers.

I.M. (I.M.), Thursday, 28 April 2005 01:41 (eighteen years ago) link

its lovely IM - got it a couple of days ago. scratching my head over the prince and black uhuru songs though! nicely surprised (as an aussie) to find the limp and slugfuckers.

mullygrubbr (bulbs), Thursday, 28 April 2005 02:08 (eighteen years ago) link

How in the hell do I get this stuff you are making? Send me prices and any info you got. I have to have this stuff.

Max

Max Murdoc, Thursday, 28 April 2005 22:17 (eighteen years ago) link

Mully---

The Black Uhuru I wasn't sure about and didn't initially include, because while it's great, it definitely seems to me to basically be straight reggae, as opposed to reggae-inflected post-punk. Still, a few people suggested I include it, so once I found room, I figured why not.

I included the Prince because even though he's usually considered to have more to do with "proper" funk and pop, the sonic connection seems obvious to me (though it does risk begging the question, why not just include a lot of other supposedly "straight" funk. . .). The sound of prince in that era is right between Worrell and Human League, so it makes sense to me.

Glad you dig it : )


Max ---

drop me a line at the email below and I'll put you on the waiting list.

I.M. (I.M.), Thursday, 28 April 2005 22:53 (eighteen years ago) link

Just posting to say that if you recieved the mailing dated 18 March notifying you that a copy was available for you, and have not as yet contacted me

Arrgh - didn't think I need to contact you. Will sort out my PayPal thing tonight. Sorry - personal life got in the way.

Alba (Alba), Friday, 29 April 2005 07:28 (eighteen years ago) link

the black uhuru does fit strangely ian. it - and more importantly for me the earlier sensimilla - were big NME records of the time. and for me - floppy fringed orange juice fan back then - evoke memories of walking into a small specialist reggae shop crowded with rastas who seemed 7 foot tall for my first reggae purchase (unless you count the copy of kaya i bought fer me sisters birthday 4 years earlier)

mullygrubbr (bulbs), Friday, 29 April 2005 08:16 (eighteen years ago) link

i never discovered prince for a couple of years.

mullygrubbr (bulbs), Friday, 29 April 2005 08:44 (eighteen years ago) link

Wouild like to add to the chorus of approval, great stuff, you have set a standard

mentalist (mentalist), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 10:21 (eighteen years ago) link

seven months pass...
Just a quick note that this easily made my 2005 Top 10. I.M., thank you again.

mike a, Tuesday, 20 December 2005 15:55 (eighteen years ago) link

Yeah!

p.s. Does the bad brains track really cut short like that?

mark grout (mark grout), Tuesday, 20 December 2005 16:00 (eighteen years ago) link


is the guy who's making/ made this doing 1982, 9183 and 1984. i'd die happy i think if he does.

piscesboy, Tuesday, 20 December 2005 16:02 (eighteen years ago) link

Mike A --

Thanks, man. Copies straggled out as early as Nov. 2004, but most were in 2005. With any luck, someday in 2006 there'll be more. I've still got the list--but it's grown to over 250 names, and besides being too busy and too poor to get out ahead on material costs, I just got a little daunted.

Mark --

Not sure I know what you mean. Hopefully there wasn't a defect in the pressing. I doubt I would've edited a Bad Brains track. . .

Piscesboy --

I had plans to do 1982 or 1979, but real life caught up with me. I think a fellow here started up a 1979, but I think real life caught up with him, too. I've been sitting on a 3rd edition of '81 that's got 460 bands, 480 tracks, but haven't been able to do anything with it. If you do a search for "soundslike1981" on myspace.com, you might come across the smaller mixes I post there.

I.M. (I.M.), Tuesday, 20 December 2005 18:57 (eighteen years ago) link

Haha "pressing"--you know what I meant.

I.M. (I.M.), Tuesday, 20 December 2005 18:58 (eighteen years ago) link

This placed on my albums list for Pazz/Jop.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 20 December 2005 19:11 (eighteen years ago) link

1982! 1982!

piscesboy, Tuesday, 20 December 2005 19:26 (eighteen years ago) link

Goddamn. I missed this the first time around. Is there a way to get ahold of it now? (Feel free to email me payment details...)

js (honestengine), Tuesday, 20 December 2005 19:34 (eighteen years ago) link

five months pass...
It would be great if I.M., if he's still around, could post his actual tracklist somewhere, especially if he's not producing copies. The links at the top of this thread are all dead.

pleased to mitya (mitya), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 08:12 (seventeen years ago) link

Ah, wonderful box. It's in my car.

I'm not typing in the contents here tho.

mark grout (mark grout), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 08:37 (seventeen years ago) link

Found it myself on the interwebs, after a bit of searching: http://www.woebot.com/images/dsns/1981.txt

pleased to mitya (mitya), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 08:55 (seventeen years ago) link

http://www.woebot.com/images/dsns/no_parlez.jpg
.. just like when it got released!

mark grout (mark grout), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 09:02 (seventeen years ago) link

The box sits in a prominent place in the kitchen and i walk past it every day and nod. and listen to it sometimes. thanks again IM.

jergins (jergins), Wednesday, 14 June 2006 19:18 (seventeen years ago) link

nine months pass...
Dug this box up again for my travels this week.

It's still the finest box set based around the music of 1981 ever!

Mark G, Saturday, 31 March 2007 00:53 (seventeen years ago) link

I wonder if I.M. ever hangs around this place anymore...I've corresponded with him a few times on email about a month ago (I went crazy over Diagram Brothers, and he's like the only person I know who is into them), but that's it. Actually there was someone on the recent XTC thread that made me think it might be him but it was a different screen name...*shrugs*

Bimble, Saturday, 31 March 2007 01:31 (seventeen years ago) link

Needs more Oi!

This track listing is very good though, I can't think of much I'd add to it.

Apart from maybe Razors In The Night by Blitz.

Colonel Poo, Saturday, 31 March 2007 01:37 (seventeen years ago) link

six years pass...

spotify playlist please

cozen, Sunday, 29 September 2013 19:46 (ten years ago) link

one year passes...

This thread is one of the "most read", don't you know?

Mark G, Wednesday, 14 January 2015 16:15 (nine years ago) link

two years pass...

https://musicophilia.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/1979_ice.jpg

Coming soon. . .

Soundslike, Wednesday, 30 August 2017 23:04 (six years ago) link

Oh hello.

Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 30 August 2017 23:18 (six years ago) link

*drools*

Ⓓⓡ. (Johnny Fever), Thursday, 31 August 2017 00:08 (six years ago) link

The year of my birth! Excited for this.

tylerw, Thursday, 31 August 2017 02:11 (six years ago) link

Then it turns out it's a headfake and it's 366 bad bootleg remixes of a certain Smashing Pumpkins song.

Ned Raggett, Thursday, 31 August 2017 02:25 (six years ago) link


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