Melt Banana - Classic or Dud?

Message Bookmarked
Bookmark Removed
Not all messages are displayed: show all messages (185 of them)
Chipped Zoo is a cool track

Dominique, Thursday, 5 April 2007 20:22 (seventeen years ago) link

I wanted more longer songs (like Cell-Scape) really :/ I just want them to be HUEG though haha.

fandango, Thursday, 5 April 2007 20:39 (seventeen years ago) link

anticipating. madly.

foolishly, it took me ages to get around to buying 'cell-scape', being put off by reports of longer, poppier, more accessible songs. that just wasn't what I wanted from 'my' melt-banana. I was a twat. it is, by some distance, their greatest work.

really excited by the prospect of a new album though...

m the g, Friday, 6 April 2007 17:16 (seventeen years ago) link

that just wasn't what I wanted from 'my' melt-banana.

This almost sounds like a response to my post. I thought Cell-Scape was great aside from the crap bookending it. 25 minutes of their best material.

The only MB stuff I don't really like is a good chunk of their singles/split releases. Even post-Charlie it sounds almost all like Speak Squeak Creak leftovers. Would definitely prefer longer, poppier songs to one and a half minutes of stuff they've already mastered.

xox, Friday, 6 April 2007 21:26 (seventeen years ago) link

I wish they'd release a covers collection.

(I also REALLY wish they'd cover Folsom Prison Blues.)

shieldforyoureyes, Friday, 6 April 2007 21:36 (seventeen years ago) link

I like the bookends!

fandango, Friday, 6 April 2007 21:58 (seventeen years ago) link

my fav melt banana is the split with locust, tripped out psych hardcore.

rio natsume, Friday, 6 April 2007 22:12 (seventeen years ago) link

two weeks pass...
boomkat review (http://www.boomkat.com/item.cfm?id=32217)

"but where it comes into its own for me is when mid-way through the album the guitars and bass are dropped in favour of that most wonderful of electronic instruments, the Theremin."

koogs, Monday, 23 April 2007 11:30 (seventeen years ago) link

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!

fandango, Friday, 27 April 2007 21:07 (seventeen years ago) link

not really a pop album in the sense of 3-4 minute verse-chorus-verse constructions a la the last one... but AMAZINGLY melodic, poppy, happy & uplifting?! I was a bit worried about this but it's so so on point.

Not quite the crossover world takeover & domination I want them to make in my dreams. But still amazing. MELT-BANANA!!!

fandango, Friday, 27 April 2007 21:12 (seventeen years ago) link

just popping in to say CLASSIC 'cause I haven't yet.

sleeve, Friday, 27 April 2007 21:48 (seventeen years ago) link

This and the Marnie Stern album are having a wrestling match in my brain right about now...

fandango, Friday, 27 April 2007 21:52 (seventeen years ago) link

I think I meant a tug of war...

fandango, Friday, 27 April 2007 21:53 (seventeen years ago) link

My first experience with the band was when they were supporting Mr. Bungle back in 1995 or 1996 - I worked for the concert promoters who did the show at The Brewery in Raleigh, NC and wow, I was impressed. I have since seen them countless times and I have yet to walk away feeling anything less than exhilarated.

They make me smile.

And Agata is possibly the most underrated guitarist ever, right up there with Helios Creed (both because nobody ever rates 'em!)

NYCNative, Saturday, 28 April 2007 14:32 (seventeen years ago) link

five months pass...

on tour now!!!

17 Oct 2007 8:00 P
Wow Hall Eugene, Oregon
18 Oct 2007 8:00 P
Hell’s Kitchen Tacoma, Washington
19 Oct 2007 9:00 P
Nightlight Lounge Bellingham, Washington
20 Oct 2007 9:00 P
Badlander Missoula, Montana
21 Oct 2007 9:00 P
Zebra cocktail lounge Bozeman, Montana
22 Oct 2007 7:00 P
Imperial Inn Rapid City, South Dakota
23 Oct 2007 6:00 P
Nutty’s North Sioux Falls, South Dakota
24 Oct 2007 8:00 P
High Noon Saloon Madison, Wisconsin
25 Oct 2007 8:00 P
Cactus Club Milwaukee, Wisconsin
26 Oct 2007 6:00 P
High Dive - Champaign Champaign, Illinois
27 Oct 2007 9:00 P
2 Cents Plain St. Louis, Missouri
30 Oct 2007 7:00 P
Rhino’s Bloomington, Indiana
31 Oct 2007 9:00 P
Mac’s Bar Lansing, Michigan
1 Nov 2007 8:00 P
Magic Stick Detroit, Michigan
2 Nov 2007 8:00 P
Grog Shop Cleveland, Ohio
3 Nov 2007 7:30 P
Benedum Auditorium, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
5 Nov 2007 9:00 P
Big Orbit’s Soundlab Buffalo, New York
6 Nov 2007 9:00 P
Bug Jar Rochester, New York
7 Nov 2007 9:00 P
Smog - Bard College Red Hook, New York
8 Nov 2007 8:00 P
Middle East Downstairs Cambridge, Massachusetts
9 Nov 2007 8:00 P
Living Room Providence, Rhode Island
10 Nov 2007 7:00 P
Heirloom Arts Theatre Danbury, Connecticut
11 Nov 2007 8:00 P
Club Europa Brooklyn, New York
12 Nov 2007 7:30 P
First Unitarian Church Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
14 Nov 2007 8:00 P
Ottobar Baltimore, Maryland
15 Nov 2007 8:00 P
Satellite Ballroom Charlottesville, Virginia
16 Nov 2007 8:00 P
Milestone Charlotte, North Carolina
17 Nov 2007 9:00 P
Lenny’s Atlanta, Georgia
18 Nov 2007 8:00 P
Jack Rabbits Jacksonville, Florida
19 Nov 2007 9:00 P
Studio A Miami, Florida
20 Nov 2007 9:00 P
Back Booth Orlando, Florida
21 Nov 2007 8:00 P
Crowbar Tampa, Florida
23 Nov 2007 7:30 P
Bottle Tree Cafe Birmingham, Alabama
24 Nov 2007 8:00 P
Hi-Tone Memphis, Tennessee
25 Nov 2007 8:00 P
The End Nashville, Tennessee
27 Nov 2007 8:00 P
Parish at House Of Blues New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana
28 Nov 2007 8:00 P
Spanish Moon Baton Rouge, Louisiana
29 Nov 2007 8:00 P
Walter’s on Washington Houston, Texas
30 Nov 2007 7:00 P
White Rabbit San Antonio, Texas
1 Dec 2007 8:00 P
Jake’s Sports Cafe Lubbock, Texas
3 Dec 2007 8:00 P
Hollywood Alley/TBA Mesa, Arizona
4 Dec 2007 8:00 P
Club Congress Tucson, Arizona
5 Dec 2007 7:00 P
Epicentre San Diego, California
7 Dec 2007 8:30 P
The Independent San Francisco, California

Just got back from the Eugene show, their 1st of the tour. They covered "Heart Of Glass" and were just as great as always.

sleeve, Thursday, 18 October 2007 07:27 (sixteen years ago) link

I hope they come to Europe -- and Ireland -- again next year. I got my girlfriend into Melt-Banana, and she's love me forever if I could take her to see them live.

MacDara, Thursday, 18 October 2007 08:25 (sixteen years ago) link

three weeks pass...

anyone else seen them recently? any good?

Reatards Unite, Monday, 12 November 2007 00:39 (sixteen years ago) link

I don't think it's possible to see a Melt Banana show that isn't good.

Mackro Mackro, Monday, 12 November 2007 02:49 (sixteen years ago) link

Yeah, I saw them a week or so ago and had a good time.

31g, Monday, 12 November 2007 03:52 (sixteen years ago) link

one month passes...

What's the best album to get? I've seen them a few times over the years but never got round to buying anything. I think maybe now... it is time.

emil.y, Thursday, 13 December 2007 22:53 (sixteen years ago) link

Everyone will have a different answer, but I started with Teeny Shiny so that's what I'd recommend. It's the best mid-point between their current slicker sound and their earlier noisy stuff.

MacDara, Thursday, 13 December 2007 23:06 (sixteen years ago) link

i saw them driving in a van smiling last week!

chaki, Thursday, 13 December 2007 23:26 (sixteen years ago) link

Teeny Shiny is a fine place to start. I like Cell Scape a lot also.

sleeve, Friday, 14 December 2007 01:02 (sixteen years ago) link

My brothers' band opened for them in '96 and they floored us. I've since seen them with Fantomas, and then one of my bands chanced to support them in Missoula a few years back.

They have never disappointed me. Cell Scape is my fave, but I certainly haven't heard them all.

Nate Carson, Friday, 14 December 2007 01:54 (sixteen years ago) link

If you like Cell Scape so much, Nate, you'll love Bambi's Dilemma.

And I just remembered, they had a record on Skin Graft as well back in the mid-90s, Scratch or Stitch. Steve Albini and Jim O'Rourke both had a hand in that one.

MacDara, Friday, 14 December 2007 12:58 (sixteen years ago) link

Teeny and Cell but personally I prefer the shows.

i saw them on my birthday a year or so ago. best show EVAH.

Now I'm a mother of two and can't attend gigs (for the moment). Boo.

nathalie, Friday, 14 December 2007 13:32 (sixteen years ago) link

new one doesn't quite top Cell-Scape for me but still great... obligatory SEE THEM LIVE!! I was like O_O :O !!!

Charlie is v.good too

fandango, Friday, 14 December 2007 19:05 (sixteen years ago) link

I keep hoping this thread will be UK dates :( :(

fandango, Friday, 14 December 2007 19:06 (sixteen years ago) link

this band can really rip it up.

whatever happened to lake of dracula?

skin graft...sniff, eagle tear....

M@tt He1ges0n, Friday, 14 December 2007 19:08 (sixteen years ago) link

I am proud to say that I put out a record on Skin Graft a few years back. Such a cool label.

Lake of Dracula featured Weasel Walter who's still in Flying Luttenbachers and more...

Nate Carson, Friday, 14 December 2007 23:46 (sixteen years ago) link

five months pass...

English Leg of European Tour:

Mon 16th June 2008
* ULU - London

Tue 17th June 2008
* Brudenell Social - Leeds

Sat 21st June 2008
* Thekla - Bristol

Sun 22nd June 2008
* The Hare & Hounds - Birmingham

Mon 23rd June 2008
* Rock City - Nottingham

Wed 25th June 2008
* ULU - London

Thu 26th June 2008
* Barfly - The Gloucester - Brighton

koogs, Monday, 19 May 2008 15:23 (fifteen years ago) link

two weeks pass...

you appear to have forgotten the 24th, where they will be playing the Cambridge Barfly. see y'all there.

Just got offed, Sunday, 8 June 2008 10:28 (fifteen years ago) link

I'll be at the Dublin show on the 20th, somewhere near the front (I'd better get there early, as Crawdaddy is tiny).

MacDara, Sunday, 8 June 2008 11:02 (fifteen years ago) link

gr8 g1g. would go again.

warmsherry, Wednesday, 18 June 2008 15:53 (fifteen years ago) link

appetite = whetted

Just got offed, Wednesday, 18 June 2008 15:53 (fifteen years ago) link

off to see them...NOW.

m the g, Wednesday, 18 June 2008 18:14 (fifteen years ago) link

They were awesome in Dublin last night. Shame the support 'band' (some MySpace combo who clearly don't rehearse and treated the spot like they were playing to mates in their own living room) were so shite, though.

MacDara, Saturday, 21 June 2008 10:06 (fifteen years ago) link

> you appear to have forgotten the 24th

i just c'n'p'd them from the official website, guess it was added in meantime. myspace page does show 24 cambridge but i can't check official pages as i don't have flash on this computer and all i get is boxes full of 'download plugin'...

koogs, Saturday, 21 June 2008 16:14 (fifteen years ago) link

classic

usic, Saturday, 21 June 2008 19:32 (fifteen years ago) link

A big C.

How I managed to miss them in my home town beats me up

Fer Ark, Saturday, 21 June 2008 20:36 (fifteen years ago) link

Tonight is now at the Cambridge Soul Tree. Hope to see some of you there! I'll be the dude in a Cardiacs shirt (although I'll probably buy a M-B shirt too and wear it over the top).

Just got offed, Tuesday, 24 June 2008 14:12 (fifteen years ago) link

Anyone?

Just got offed, Tuesday, 24 June 2008 15:59 (fifteen years ago) link

OK, the playing of punk should be BANNED unless you are THIS FUCKING AWESOME. Like, the most intense thrash-pop experience imaginable. And there are only four of them. And they're all really small. And that guitarist. Oh man.

I was at the front, in the middle, moshing my tits off, as you might imagine.

Just got offed, Wednesday, 25 June 2008 01:11 (fifteen years ago) link

yay!

sleeve, Wednesday, 25 June 2008 01:18 (fifteen years ago) link

It must be added that the frontwoman is probably the hottest I've ever seen. And the bassist the smallest.

Just got offed, Wednesday, 25 June 2008 01:25 (fifteen years ago) link

Also, the song I really wanted to hear them play was their ENCORE. :D

(that being "Shield For Your Eyes, A Beast In The Well Of Your Hand")

Just got offed, Wednesday, 25 June 2008 01:26 (fifteen years ago) link

one month passes...

How come no one on the internet has found or talked about the Saturday Night Live sketch from like 2001 where Horatio Sanz was Iann Robinsonn there was a japanese band called Crush Papaya featuring Poehler and Maya and them? And they played really short loud abrasive songs and then said all quiet.. "thankyoo."

Shouldn't that be like LOL OMG Noize D00d supermeme 4 alltime? But there's no trace of it anywhere on the internet :/

Whiney G. Weingarten, Sunday, 27 July 2008 22:27 (fifteen years ago) link

nine months pass...

So I find out completely by chance they're back in Hull on Thursday. YEEEEEHAAAAAAAA :D

e.e. cummingstonite (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 9 May 2009 20:51 (fourteen years ago) link

saw these dudes in bozeman, montana (?????) and it was fucking amazing

why they played in a college town where no one's heard of them i'll never know, but i was intensely grateful----wanted to hug each one of those motherfuckers

i like to fart and i am crazy (gbx), Saturday, 9 May 2009 20:58 (fourteen years ago) link

esp the singer amirite

god she's hot

sorry for british (country matters), Saturday, 9 May 2009 21:04 (fourteen years ago) link


You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.