― Daniel (dancity), Tuesday, 9 September 2003 21:46 (twenty years ago) link
― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 9 September 2003 22:19 (twenty years ago) link
I always wanted to get hold of the tapes of the material Sean O'Hagen was arranging for Brian Wilson and Andy Paley, has anyone ever heard these tracks (or knows where I can get them from?)
― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Wednesday, 10 September 2003 00:54 (twenty years ago) link
Chew: if you don't have the Paley/Wilson demos, email off board & I'll see what I can do. Patchy, but moments of greatness.
― harveyw (harveyw), Wednesday, 10 September 2003 11:49 (twenty years ago) link
― Tad (llamasfur), Thursday, 11 September 2003 05:37 (twenty years ago) link
i like stereolab for the synths, bass, drums, horns, strings, disco, more synths, vocals, guitar, probably in that order, but at least all at oncei 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.
― george gosset (gegoss), Thursday, 18 September 2003 19:58 (twenty years ago) link
― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 18 September 2003 20:37 (twenty years ago) link
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.
― Francis Watlington (Francis Watlington), Saturday, 25 October 2003 16:51 (twenty years ago) link
― Francis Watlington (Francis Watlington), Saturday, 25 October 2003 16:54 (twenty years ago) link
― darren (darren), Sunday, 26 October 2003 19:54 (twenty years ago) link
― jaymc (jaymc), Friday, 23 January 2004 20:33 (twenty years ago) link
― dean! (deangulberry), Friday, 23 January 2004 21:10 (twenty years ago) link
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.
― donut bitch (donut), Friday, 23 January 2004 21:16 (twenty years ago) link
― wuperetta, Saturday, 24 January 2004 00:23 (twenty years ago) link
*Highly recommended*.
― Tom May (Tom May), Wednesday, 28 January 2004 01:32 (twenty years ago) link
― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 28 January 2004 01:38 (twenty years ago) link
― Tom May (Tom May), Wednesday, 28 January 2004 01:41 (twenty years ago) link
― Eisbär (llamasfur), Wednesday, 28 January 2004 01:42 (twenty years ago) link
― Tom May (Tom May), Wednesday, 28 January 2004 02:11 (twenty years ago) link
― Naive Teen Idol (Naive Teen Idol), Saturday, 16 October 2004 02:37 (nineteen years ago) link
― retort pouch (retort pouch), Saturday, 16 October 2004 02:55 (nineteen years ago) link
― retort pouch (retort pouch), Saturday, 16 October 2004 03:02 (nineteen years ago) link
― Naive Teen Idol (Naive Teen Idol), Saturday, 16 October 2004 03:06 (nineteen years ago) link
― retort pouch (retort pouch), Saturday, 16 October 2004 03:17 (nineteen years ago) link
definitely a favorite disc of mine.
― reo, Saturday, 16 October 2004 03:32 (nineteen years ago) link
― god of rock, Saturday, 16 October 2004 04:22 (nineteen years ago) link
utterly classicsearch: 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
― tremendoid, Saturday, 16 October 2004 04:27 (nineteen years ago) link
― hstencil (hstencil), Saturday, 16 October 2004 04:28 (nineteen years ago) link
― tremendoid, Saturday, 16 October 2004 04:45 (nineteen years ago) link
― jaymc, Saturday, 16 October 2004 07:21 (nineteen years ago) link
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.
― the surface noise (slight return) (electricsound), Saturday, 16 October 2004 07:26 (nineteen years ago) link
― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Saturday, 16 October 2004 15:28 (nineteen years ago) link
― god of rock, Saturday, 16 October 2004 17:02 (nineteen years ago) link
― Naive Teen Idol (Naive Teen Idol), Saturday, 16 October 2004 19:19 (nineteen years ago) link
― bangelo (bangelo), Thursday, 25 January 2007 22:35 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tyler W (tylerw), Thursday, 25 January 2007 23:18 (seventeen years ago) link
― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 25 January 2007 23:33 (seventeen years ago) link
― Tyler W (tylerw), Thursday, 25 January 2007 23:40 (seventeen years ago) link
― zeus, Tuesday, 6 March 2007 14:07 (seventeen years ago) link
― jaymc, Tuesday, 6 March 2007 14:26 (seventeen years ago) link
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/
― teflon monkey, Monday, 23 June 2008 20:39 (fifteen years ago) link
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.
― TS: Toad of Toad Hall v Wobbie of Wobbies World (Autumn Almanac), Friday, 22 October 2010 11:58 (thirteen years ago) link
I've always loved Buzzle Bee.
― corey, Friday, 22 October 2010 14:07 (thirteen years ago) link
new one: Talahomi Way, out 4/19/11.
― tylerw, Wednesday, 26 January 2011 18:19 (thirteen years ago) link
Classic.
Sean O'Hagan is a genius IMO. Creates worlds with his music. It's not so much about the songwriting to me.
― mjqjazzjbar (teflon monkey), Wednesday, 26 January 2011 18:32 (thirteen years ago) link
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.
― tylerw, Wednesday, 26 January 2011 18:39 (thirteen years ago) link
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.
― mjqjazzjbar (teflon monkey), Wednesday, 26 January 2011 18:42 (thirteen years ago) link
Psyched for this even though I thought Can Cladders wasn't as good as it could have been.
― Moodles, Wednesday, 26 January 2011 18:45 (thirteen years ago) link
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.
― tylerw, Wednesday, 26 January 2011 18:46 (thirteen years ago) link
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/
― mjqjazzjbar (teflon monkey), Wednesday, 26 January 2011 18:49 (thirteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ktv4ATNdGyU
Enjoying this lesser known Sean O' album today. It's so nice. He makes very good sounds.
― afriendlypioneer, Friday, 1 December 2023 17:10 (three months ago) link
wow what the hell is "hey panda" (in a good way). the only reference point i have for this is like, lambchop's this (is what i wanted to tell you) (which i adore). it's not as good as that but i'm very intrigued
― ufo, Saturday, 2 December 2023 02:04 (three months ago) link
He did a song with his daughter a couple years ago that foreshadowed this new direction. I really dig it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF1X_N4wraY
― afriendlypioneer, Saturday, 2 December 2023 17:41 (three months ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNWxJWAlrtM
― afriendlypioneer, Friday, 19 January 2024 14:59 (two months ago) link
\m/
― reggie (qualmsley), Friday, 19 January 2024 17:22 (two months ago) link
new Cabane record is up on Bandcamp and flying out (vinyl only). self-released again, so may be one pressing of 500 like the first (thought they did do CDrs).
https://cabanemusic.bandcamp.com/album/br-l-e
― bulb after bulb, Thursday, 25 January 2024 23:41 (two months ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YekklReDLPI
I love it.
― afriendlypioneer, Friday, 23 February 2024 11:55 (one month ago) link
It’s so good. A repeat listen since the first upload. Just lovely in every way.
― afriendlypioneer, Saturday, 24 February 2024 18:25 (one month ago) link
The High Llamas in conversation and playing a few tunes from Hey Panda + signing LPs and CDs at Rough Trade East on 3rd April. Ticket price includes the album in the physical format of your choice. Tickets on sale now via DICE.
Hint from Sean on Instagram of some proper live dates later on.
― Jeff W, Monday, 26 February 2024 12:25 (one month ago) link
9/10 in Uncut.
Haven't seen the Llamas get such a high score from the press in a long while.
Though they're all 9/10s to me.
― afriendlypioneer, Thursday, 7 March 2024 18:30 (three weeks ago) link
Looks like Drag City is about to re-issue the Llamas back-catalog, beginning with Hawaii.
― afriendlypioneer, Tuesday, 12 March 2024 14:48 (two weeks ago) link
Actually, I think beginning with Gideon Gaye. I keep forgetting about Gideon Gaye, which is also an excellent album.
― afriendlypioneer, Tuesday, 12 March 2024 14:52 (two weeks ago) link
― afriendlypioneer
This is great news. I've been hoping they would do this for years.
― kitchen person, Tuesday, 12 March 2024 15:14 (two weeks ago) link
I am so hyped for the new album. All the reviews I'm reading make it sound very interesting.
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 27 March 2024 17:19 (yesterday) link
With a title track that references Sean O'Hagan's obsession with a carrot eating panda he watched on TikTok during lockdown, it's clear The High Llamas are leaning into mass culture on this one. 2016's 'Here Come the Rattling Trees' was still indebted to the '60s pop and exotica that had shaped the band's entire output up to that point, but here they sound driven by a different beat. O'Hagan's voice is often distorted by AutoTune - on 'The Water Moves' he sounds like a sunnier Rainy Miller, and on 'La Masse' he croons over an interpolation of the Super Mario theme - and his accompaniments are bright, breezy and unashamedly electronic. There's still a trace of exotica, of course ('The Grade' is a great blend of cruise-liner pop and contemporary R&B), but The High Llamas have evolved.'How the Best Was Won', a duet with Bonnie "Prince" Billy, is probably the most striking deviation. Anchored by a skittering trap beat (really), the track comes off like Jeremih singing country in the style of blue-eyed soul, with a chorus that might be the theme from a children's song. It's not even the only Will Oldham collaboration either; the fabled folk revivalist crops up again on 'Hungriest Man', a cybernetic Dylan-alike that's best compared with Bon Iver's quirkiest cottage rap. It's all good fun, and when it works, 'Hey Panda' is effortlessly charming: 'Sisters Friends', a collaboration with Blackpool-born singer-songwriter 'Sisters Friends' sounds like Steely Dan jamming with T-Pain, if you can imagine it.
'How the Best Was Won', a duet with Bonnie "Prince" Billy, is probably the most striking deviation. Anchored by a skittering trap beat (really), the track comes off like Jeremih singing country in the style of blue-eyed soul, with a chorus that might be the theme from a children's song. It's not even the only Will Oldham collaboration either; the fabled folk revivalist crops up again on 'Hungriest Man', a cybernetic Dylan-alike that's best compared with Bon Iver's quirkiest cottage rap. It's all good fun, and when it works, 'Hey Panda' is effortlessly charming: 'Sisters Friends', a collaboration with Blackpool-born singer-songwriter 'Sisters Friends' sounds like Steely Dan jamming with T-Pain, if you can imagine it.
https://boomkat.com/products/hey-panda
Isn't "when it works" Boomkat code for "buy something else"?
― djh, Wednesday, 27 March 2024 21:31 (yesterday) link
There’s other positive blurbs out there, just liked the way they described it.
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 27 March 2024 21:40 (yesterday) link