This one requires some serious deliberation.
― The Doug Walters of Crime (Tom D.), Tuesday, 20 December 2016 01:06 (seven years ago) link
Voting "When Love Breaks Down" because it's the underdog and I love love love it
"Appetite" would be so much better without the 'call and response' synth line. Always reminds me of the scene where Billy teaches Gizmo to talk
― Wimmels, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 01:12 (seven years ago) link
can we do a 4-way vote between "bonny" -> "goodbye lucille"
― josh, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 01:46 (seven years ago) link
Voting Moving the River
― calstars, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 01:54 (seven years ago) link
but I think their song about chess on Swoon is their best track
― calstars, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 01:57 (seven years ago) link
the bonus tracks kinda spoil this album for me if I forget to program them out. it's hard to believe 'The Yearning Loins' and 'Bonny' came out of the same sessions/era.
― memories of a cruller (unregistered), Tuesday, 20 December 2016 02:00 (seven years ago) link
Should also poll Steve vs Jordan
― calstars, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 02:04 (seven years ago) link
what other albums besides swoon, steve, and jordan are essential?
― calstars, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 02:11 (seven years ago) link
protest songs is great. let's change the world with music is a great lost post-jordan demo. crimson/red is great. everything else is a bit patchier/goopier
― who is extremely unqualified to review this pop album (BradNelson), Tuesday, 20 December 2016 02:19 (seven years ago) link
I feel like this is an album where just about every track will get a vote.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 02:24 (seven years ago) link
calstars -- not an album, unfortunately, but the b-sides are a must have
― Iago Galdston, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 02:25 (seven years ago) link
Protest Songs is indeed a hidden masterpiece. Of their (or rather, his) post-Jordan works, I think Crimson/Red is probably the best, at leastuntil he dies and we discover the dozens of complete albums he's stashed away
― beamish13, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 03:26 (seven years ago) link
Oh! I Trawl the Megaherz is fascinating, too-wish it was out on vinyl,or in print at all, actually
― beamish13, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 03:27 (seven years ago) link
From Langley Park to Memphis is good too though not as great as Steve or Jordan
pretty difficult to choose but Appetite was my first instinct so I went with that
― ufo, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 03:56 (seven years ago) link
When Love Breaks Down
― flappy bird, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 03:58 (seven years ago) link
oh i didn't notice this one wasn't mentioned. it's nearly as great as those two imo
― who is extremely unqualified to review this pop album (BradNelson), Tuesday, 20 December 2016 04:05 (seven years ago) link
Went with "Forgive me Faron Young/For in the morning".
― albvivertine, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 06:39 (seven years ago) link
From Langley Park to Memphis doesn't get mentioned anytime there's Sprout-talk on here. It's a great album, not a bad track on it.
I'm going to vote for "Desire As"
― An Alan Bennett Joint (Michael B), Tuesday, 20 December 2016 07:11 (seven years ago) link
voted "Appetite", because it's the one that shocks the most in its frankness. this comes through even better on the acoustic version.
for just the original recordings would vote "Goodbye Lucille #1"
― droit au butt (Euler), Tuesday, 20 December 2016 08:36 (seven years ago) link
yeah, Langley Park is great. It doesn't feel as coherent as Jordan, and some of the mystery – the cryptic elliptical compressed language, the musical unpredictability – of the first two is missing, but it's maybe his best set of wordy songs. & agree, search Protest Songs, Crimson/Red and I Trawl the Megahertz. I wasn't keen on Let's Change the World with Music, but should give it another chance. And there's a truly amazing odds & sods album that you could compile.
― woof, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 11:02 (seven years ago) link
I wasn't too keen on Crimson/Red but "The Best Jewel Thief in the World" is one of Paddy's finest tunes imo
― An Alan Bennett Joint (Michael B), Tuesday, 20 December 2016 13:01 (seven years ago) link
― josh, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 01:46 (eleven hours ago)
Yeah this is so tough.
― Gavin, Leeds, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 13:14 (seven years ago) link
Always tough but Bonny is my go to cut.
― xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 15:34 (seven years ago) link
Shame the world is ending in 2017 we'll never get to see the results of this poll.
― xyzzzz__, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 15:37 (seven years ago) link
when love breaks down
― ciderpress, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 15:40 (seven years ago) link
Just found US version of this LP (Two Wheels Good) in the dollar bin at Stereo Jack's. I haven't had time to fully digest it, but I can already tell this one's going to get played a lot. It feels like it wants to sit on the shelf somewhere between "High Land, Hard Rain" and "Don't Stand Me Down".
So far, the tracks that jump out are "Horsin' Around" and "Faron"
― enochroot, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 15:40 (seven years ago) link
For me, the two weaker albums are 'Andromeda Heights' and 'The Gunman', and the two essential ones are 'Steve McQueen' and 'Jordan'. I like 'Swoon' more than I used to, but it's just so dense that it's a tough listen at first.
― funk79, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 19:39 (seven years ago) link
^^ otm
― who is extremely unqualified to review this pop album (BradNelson), Tuesday, 20 December 2016 19:40 (seven years ago) link
― Gerald McBoing-Boing
Even Horsin' Around?
― Kitchen Person, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 19:51 (seven years ago) link
So far, the tracks that jump out are "Horsin' Around" and "Faron"― enochroot, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 15:40 (four hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― enochroot, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 15:40 (four hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― The Doug Walters of Crime (Tom D.), Tuesday, 20 December 2016 19:54 (seven years ago) link
Truly. "The King of Rock 'n' Roll" gets the unresearched 'novelty song' tag, but "I Remember That", "Nancy (Let Your Hair Down For Me)", and The Venus of the Soup Kitchen" all equal the impact of "The Golden Calf" for me.
Andromeda Heights, "The End of the Affair" is a favorite PS b-side, and "Life's a Miracle" is a lovely song, uplifting without being saccharine.
Here, really hard choice, but "Appetite" and "Desire As" are the two that randomly pop in my head often, so choosing the former.
― the body of a spider... (scampering alpaca), Tuesday, 20 December 2016 20:35 (seven years ago) link
This is a weird band for me because when I discovered them I OD'd on them so hard, and now every few years I'll play these records and that sates me for several more years. In a way, my binge was such that these songs all--without exception--sound better in my brain and memory than they do when I play them. I can't think of too many other examples of this (possibly Odessey and Oracle)
― Wimmels, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 20:38 (seven years ago) link
I feel like this is an album where just about every track will get a vote.― Gerald McBoing-BoingEven Horsin' Around?― Kitchen Person, Tuesday, December 20, 2016 2:51 PM (fifty minutes ago)
Even Horsin' Around?― Kitchen Person, Tuesday, December 20, 2016 2:51 PM (fifty minutes ago)
Guilty! I actually did vote for Horsin' Around
― enochroot, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 20:43 (seven years ago) link
Iago, what are the good b-sides? I'll hit up sseek later
― calstars, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 22:02 (seven years ago) link
I love Horsin' Around and would have voted for it if Bonny wasn't the best song ever written.
― yugi ex, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 23:08 (seven years ago) link
I always found it just doesn't fit on the album very well. It would make a charming B-side but that's about it. I still love the album as every other song is a 10/10.
― Kitchen Person, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 23:24 (seven years ago) link
I did hedge a bit when I said "just about every track". ;-)
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Tuesday, 20 December 2016 23:34 (seven years ago) link
I think the best non album tracks are the pre-Swoon stuff and the stuff from the Andromeda Heights era.
― funk79, Wednesday, 21 December 2016 00:26 (seven years ago) link
At least in NYC you hardly ever see them anymore. Is there even Pluck U anymore? I sometimes have the Buffalo Boss wings at Fulton Mall. I always get them so hot I cry
― Iago Galdston, Wednesday, 21 December 2016 00:52 (seven years ago) link
Fuck! My wings post that never happened. Sorry calstars
― Iago Galdston, Wednesday, 21 December 2016 00:53 (seven years ago) link
Ok, calstars, I moved my whole PS collection onto sseek. My user name is sekaer. There's a folder called b-sides. Also don't miss the folder KCRW 1988--great in studio solo performance (including Wichita Lineman) and interview
― Iago Galdston, Wednesday, 21 December 2016 01:09 (seven years ago) link
thank you Iago!
― calstars, Wednesday, 21 December 2016 01:33 (seven years ago) link
I sold "Andromeda Heights" but kept the singles.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Wednesday, 21 December 2016 05:15 (seven years ago) link
Spoiler alert (for those who can't wait for the May 2018 results of this one):Steve McQueen/Two Wheels Good Poll
― enochroot, Friday, 6 January 2017 17:20 (seven years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.
― System, Friday, 11 May 2018 00:01 (five years ago) link
Oh shit I missed the last poll. This is a REALLY hard one. Appetite or Desire As....
― J. Sam, Friday, 11 May 2018 00:05 (five years ago) link
"Bonnie" in a heartbeat
― X-Prince Protégé (sonnyboy), Monday, December 19, 2016 3:29 PM (one year ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― brimstead, Friday, 11 May 2018 00:10 (five years ago) link
this poll is too cruel, but I ended up voting for "Goodbye Lucille #1/Johnny Johnny"
― joshywinty (josh), Friday, 11 May 2018 00:16 (five years ago) link
This poll closes in a year and a half
― Iago Galdston, Monday, December 19, 2016 4:33 PM (one year ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
the right amount of time imo. picked goodbye lucille
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Friday, 11 May 2018 00:31 (five years ago) link
this is soooooooooooooooo hard but i just decided not to think to hard and went with appetite.
― scott seward, Friday, 11 May 2018 01:28 (five years ago) link
NO YOU WON’T!
― ACABincalifornia (voodoo chili), Tuesday, 23 June 2020 03:24 (three years ago) link
You give me Faron Young It's Four in the Morning
― Barry "Fatha" Hines (James Redd and the Blecchs), Tuesday, 23 June 2020 03:27 (three years ago) link
I've only just discovered this album but oh my god where has Bonny been my whole life???
^ me one month ago
― Vinnie, Tuesday, 23 June 2020 09:42 (three years ago) link
bonny changed my life
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Tuesday, 23 June 2020 13:45 (three years ago) link
11/10
― brimstead, Tuesday, 23 June 2020 15:30 (three years ago) link
Actually I liked "Bonny" so much it took me a while to realize the rest of the album is also very good
― Vinnie, Tuesday, 23 June 2020 15:32 (three years ago) link
^^ me too
― ACABincalifornia (voodoo chili), Tuesday, 23 June 2020 15:40 (three years ago) link
When I see that cover it reminds me how much Michael looks like the writer Graham Linehan.
― Maresn3st, Tuesday, 23 June 2020 20:13 (three years ago) link
The 2005-reissue is one of the best things in existence
― Mule, Tuesday, 23 June 2020 20:15 (three years ago) link
Recently converted to the cult of Sproutism. What a wonderful feeling.
― Van Horn Street, Friday, 4 June 2021 02:01 (two years ago) link
it's good stuff
― intern at pelican brief consulting (Simon H.), Friday, 4 June 2021 02:37 (two years ago) link
I enjoy some similar acts like Danny Wilson, but there's still something elusive in the appeal of this record for me. "Bonny" is probably my favourite.
― Halfway there but for you, Friday, 4 June 2021 03:24 (two years ago) link
For example, some of the synthesizer/sampler overdubs seem gauche and awkward, and make it hard for me to see this as a work of impeccable taste and class.
― Halfway there but for you, Friday, 4 June 2021 03:31 (two years ago) link
Took me quite a while to take to this iirc
― AP Chemirocha (James Redd and the Blecchs), Friday, 4 June 2021 04:38 (two years ago) link
idk i understand those as complaints about other ps albums but steve mcqueen is so perfectly smooth
― ufo, Friday, 4 June 2021 04:42 (two years ago) link
Yes that’s true
― AP Chemirocha (James Redd and the Blecchs), Friday, 4 June 2021 04:45 (two years ago) link
some of the synthesizer/sampler overdubs seem gauche and awkward
Maybe that's why I latched onto Swoon more easily. At least the awkwardness (bizarre 'bo-be-bo' vocal embellishments, dense lyrics, weird rhythms) was awkward in a way that didn't bring to mind many of their contemporaries. (Kinda superficial though. In the wake of that poll last year I struggle to find all that much from any part of McAloon's oeuvre that I can easily dismiss.)
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Friday, 4 June 2021 06:49 (two years ago) link
My conclusion after listening to about half their albums in the past couple years: confounding. Steve McQueen and Jordan are incredible, Langely Park very good, Swoon intriguing but too hard to get my head around, Megahertz nearly unlistenable. And all those albums have their defenders on ILM. Hard to think of a band that swings in that quality that wildly
― Vinnie, Friday, 4 June 2021 08:57 (two years ago) link
Alright, hyperbolic on that last line, but this band really does go all over the place
― Vinnie, Friday, 4 June 2021 08:59 (two years ago) link
Woah, hard disagree on Megahertz
― building a hole (NickB), Friday, 4 June 2021 09:31 (two years ago) link
megahertz is all about that title track
― ufo, Friday, 4 June 2021 09:32 (two years ago) link
title track is mesmerizing, can wreck me on the right day
― the mai tai quinn (voodoo chili), Friday, 4 June 2021 13:01 (two years ago) link
Completely agree. Hard to listen to at work, risking watering eyes.
― the body of a spider... (scampering alpaca), Friday, 4 June 2021 13:09 (two years ago) link
These days Megahertz and Swoon are my two go to PS albums...although SM and JTC are both up there too!
― yugi ex, Friday, 4 June 2021 14:47 (two years ago) link
You offer infraredInstead of sun
― The Way Dub Used to Be (James Redd and the Blecchs), Friday, 3 June 2022 20:46 (one year ago) link
My love and I, we are boxing clever
― immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Friday, 3 June 2022 21:23 (one year ago) link
This album is the best when driving singing along loudly with other people in the car less familiar.
At the time it didn't seem odd slotting PS into rotation with R.E.M. or the Cure but looking back they really stand alone. Reading Dolby's retelling of his time with the band was lovely as well, recommended.
― Psychocandy Apple Grey (Pyschocandles), Saturday, 4 June 2022 05:35 (one year ago) link
I hear you've got a new girlfriendHow's the wife taking it?
― Keep the Aspidistra TikToking (King Boy Pato), Saturday, 4 June 2022 10:56 (one year ago) link
lol very otm
― in places all over the world, real stuff be happening (voodoo chili), Saturday, 4 June 2022 13:52 (one year ago) link
acoustic steve coming to vinylhttps://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/15660
― la vie wokisme (voodoo chili), Friday, 17 February 2023 19:59 (one year ago) link
― ACABincalifornia (voodoo chili), Monday, June 22, 2020 10:24 PM (two years ago) bookmarkflaglink
― ludicrously capacious bag (voodoo chili), Friday, 31 March 2023 18:08 (one year ago) link
Ooh voodoo chili ooh
― Little Big Man Yells at Red Cloud (James Redd and the Blecchs), Friday, 31 March 2023 18:10 (one year ago) link
one of the greatest moments in musicI count the hours since you slipped awayI count the hours that I lie awakeI count the minutes and the seconds tooAll I stole and I took from you― omar little, Saturday, 12 May 2018 05:14 (five years ago) bookmarkflaglink
I count the hours since you slipped awayI count the hours that I lie awakeI count the minutes and the seconds tooAll I stole and I took from you― omar little, Saturday, 12 May 2018 05:14 (five years ago) bookmarkflaglink
― H.P, Friday, 29 September 2023 00:44 (six months ago) link
hey guess what one of Bjork's favourite songs is?
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/2YQAAOSwpaljkEg2/s-l1600.jpg
― piscesx, Friday, 29 September 2023 21:36 (six months ago) link