See I go to buy these reissues only to find...they're not out yet!
― Subway to Idaho (Bimble), Saturday, 20 June 2009 18:47 (fourteen years ago) link
for those interested, i have dropped the unedited version : here
― mark e, Monday, 29 June 2009 12:54 (fourteen years ago) link
he's back with a new 3 track EP and surprisingly it's great, they could all fit nicely onto 'The Flat Earth' http://open.spotify.com/album/1fOaX3yhWhigpi3SEChkG0
― Cluster the boots (Billy Dods), Sunday, 10 April 2011 17:38 (twelve years ago) link
Is there a release date on the new album yet?
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Sunday, 10 April 2011 18:31 (twelve years ago) link
It was "set for early 2011" but now I'm hearing it's going to come out in the summer. I'm not at all surprised if it turns out to be good, he only really made one album that wasn't good, and he wasn't even really trying on that one (Aliens Ate My Buick). I'm guessing that it's going to be very similar to the Flat Earth. I always thought that many of the songs he wrote sort of went beyond his years so now that he's 50 I expect really good things out of him.
― frogbs, Tuesday, 12 April 2011 15:59 (twelve years ago) link
I was playing this new EP last night. Agreed, it's surprisingly good.
― mike t-diva, Tuesday, 12 April 2011 16:02 (twelve years ago) link
New online game to coincide with the upcoming album: A Map of the Floating City. You float around the ocean, trying to trade found objects with other players, and when you complete a set, you win an mp3. So far I've only gotten "She Blinded Me With Science" (yay?), but I think if you stick with it, you eventually start winning new tracks.
(Warning: This is one of the nerdiest, steampunkiest things ever. That said, if you want to help a sister out, email me and I'll send you an invite. I think I get points or something.)
― lindseykai, Saturday, 25 June 2011 05:58 (twelve years ago) link
The new album just came out, apparently. Haven't heard it yet but AV Club gives it a B+.
― frogbs, Tuesday, 25 October 2011 16:51 (twelve years ago) link
I was watching videos last night from when he first showed up. What an awesome look he had going on. Part of me kind of wishes the smoky eye look was a standard thing dudes could do if they wanted.
― fried chicken makes Alex cry, who'd vote for such a wimpy guy? (Abbbottt), Tuesday, 25 October 2011 19:23 (twelve years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj_yFpL6uoE&feature=relmfu
srsly all-time look! so beautiful!
― fried chicken makes Alex cry, who'd vote for such a wimpy guy? (Abbbottt), Tuesday, 25 October 2011 19:25 (twelve years ago) link
The new album is surprisingly good, aside from a few duds (Thomas does Americana = dud). His songwriting is still really strong.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Tuesday, 25 October 2011 21:34 (twelve years ago) link
put off getting new album cos of that bloody track about frogs.
the video was so naff ..
tell me it works in the flow of the album better than standalone !?
― mark e, Tuesday, 25 October 2011 21:36 (twelve years ago) link
It does a bit, but still not enough to keep from skipping it.
The rest of the album is much, much better than that track. Check this:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfDnd5LdHBo
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Tuesday, 25 October 2011 21:43 (twelve years ago) link
yeah thats much better - in fact this has been getting airplay on 6music .. he was also on the mark radcliffe show this afternoon, but i missed most of the interview..
― mark e, Tuesday, 25 October 2011 21:49 (twelve years ago) link
album arrived yesterday - after an initial listen I can say that it's got a really great sound to it, and you can tell that he labored over everything on it. reminds me a lot of The Flat Earth (its a bit longer, but still), there's really no compromise on here at all, and besides that track posted above there's really nothing electronic on it.
― frogbs, Thursday, 27 October 2011 13:19 (twelve years ago) link
This album is terrific, apart from lol@dumbMerkins track 'Froglickers'. The production as you'd expect is top notch, makes me wonder why he hasn't produced more artists.
― The multi-talented F.R. David (Billy Dods), Thursday, 27 October 2011 13:24 (twelve years ago) link
i'm going to succumb aren't i ! now i just have to decide if i want the 2 cd edition with instrumental versions ..
― mark e, Thursday, 27 October 2011 19:32 (twelve years ago) link
The production as you'd expect is top notch, makes me wonder why he hasn't produced more artists.
no kidding - definitely the best sounding album I've heard this year. I remember reading his blog where he has a big entry on how to give certain elements power without messing with the peaks too much and how to avoid sounding like everything else modern, its all pretty evident here
― frogbs, Thursday, 27 October 2011 19:43 (twelve years ago) link
Anyone go for the 2cd version? There's a few unique tracks after the (pointless) instrumentals.
I'm really enjoying it overall. Sometimes I feel like an old bastard always stumping for aging favorites but when they deliver it makes up for all the mediocre indie rock I'm exposed to.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Friday, 4 November 2011 20:18 (twelve years ago) link
i held back due to it being £20.normally early doors ltd editions are a couple of quid more than the std edition, not double.also, i used my weekly allowance on elvis instead.
― mark e, Friday, 4 November 2011 22:23 (twelve years ago) link
on a bus from Merida to Cancun I listened to "Map of the Floating City" on repeat. it's surprisingly good, especially after the first few tracks. hope it's not the last we hear from him.
― frogbs, Monday, 9 September 2013 19:01 (ten years ago) link
well, he's touring new material over the next few weeks ..
see rundown/interview @ tQ ..
― mark e, Monday, 9 September 2013 19:29 (ten years ago) link
I don't know if everyone else is already familiar with this, but I heard it for the first time today and it's my new favourite thing, something about the combination between the jittery, anxious feel of the music, even with the lyrics removed, and then the authoritative, equanimous but still robust character of Angela Rippon's voice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYw5_UoQd74
― soref, Monday, 14 May 2018 17:38 (five years ago) link
Yeah, that was one of two tracks (along with "Liepzig") that were originally on the American version. The 2009 CD/DVD reissue collects everything and then some. Still love this album and find it incredibly evocative.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Monday, 14 May 2018 18:54 (five years ago) link
yea that 2009 version is incredible. but I don't think this is the original "Urges". this is so strange. great find!
― frogbs, Monday, 14 May 2018 18:56 (five years ago) link
My first instinct was someone made a goofy mash-up but it's legit!
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Monday, 14 May 2018 22:57 (five years ago) link
listening to the flat earth for the first time…. this has to be the best album ever
― ivy., Wednesday, 16 August 2023 23:29 (seven months ago) link
Side A definitely brings it. Who knew he could write songs like that?
― frogbs, Wednesday, 16 August 2023 23:39 (seven months ago) link
But "Flying North" is king.
Metal bird dip wing of fireWhose airlanes comb dark EarthThe poles are tethers we were born inOn the brink of a whole new dealOn the floor of a Pan Am barI'm staring right into the lightAnd I'm drawn in like a mothAnd I'm flying North again...
― immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Wednesday, 16 August 2023 23:40 (seven months ago) link