Caroline and Jeff dive into the ether (or something) with My Bloody Valentine! Put the kids to bed, it gets a little blue. And Caroline gets combative.
I don't know if it's just me, it seems like none of the archive.org episode links have been working for a week or so. This prevents downloading episodes on iTunes, and seems to affect the embedded player too.
My Bloody Valentine were never on my radar in the late 80s/90s, and I was someone who was aware and listening to alternative/indie stuff at that time. They slipped through the cracks for me. I didn't hear "Loveless" until six years ago. My feelings it are about the same as your's. I like a lot, but don't love it. Somewhat impressive guitar sonics aside, it's hardly without precedent. I hear a blend of "Psychocandy" and early Cocteau Twins. To me, "m b v" sounds like disc 2 of a "Loveless" reissue (outtakes and b-sides), and if I listen to it with that in mind, it's not bad.
I've always considered Isn't Anything to be far better than Loveless. The primary reason is because the songs are better - You Never Should, You're Still in a Dream, Lose My Breath, Suisfine, etc. I appreciate they're not the most buskable, verse/chorus/middle 8 classic arrangement jobs ever written - but to my ears they have far more memorable parts than most of Loveless (Soon not withstanding).
But - maybe more importantly - Isn't Anything has so much more character. Attitude. Personality. Loveless is the well-dressed kid that never says much to anyone. Isn't Anything talks to everyone - doesn't always make much sense, but makes up for it with enthusiasm and effort.
Also - and this needs to be emphasised - Isn't Anything has a rhythm section. Animal from the muppets on drums and an actual living breathing person playing the bass - a person who's enjoyed JJ Burnel, Hooky, Dee Dee etc. etc. Whereas Loveless has no rhythm section to speak of, really. Just this woefully monochromatic metronomic meh.
I think all I'm really trying to say is you don't have to be some try-hard deliberately awkward dingus to think Loveless is a bit pants compared to Isn't Anything. The latter has loads more experimental guitar stuff happening. It's basically more innovative. In a lot of ways. So I think almost by any useful criterion Isn't Anything can make a stronger claim than a lot of people think. True, it sounds like a bag of ramshackle shite - that snare for instance. Makes Grant Hart sound John Bonham. But it's not a record you have to slave over before the quality comes through.
I don't know if it's just me, it seems like none of the archive.org episode links have been working for a week or so. This prevents downloading episodes on iTunes, and seems to affect the embedded player too.
ReplyDeletesorry to hear that! i can't figure out what the issue is, i don't think anybody else has had it.
ReplyDeleteMy Bloody Valentine were never on my radar in the late 80s/90s, and I was someone who was aware and listening to alternative/indie stuff at that time. They slipped through the cracks for me. I didn't hear "Loveless" until six years ago. My feelings it are about the same as your's. I like a lot, but don't love it. Somewhat impressive guitar sonics aside, it's hardly without precedent. I hear a blend of "Psychocandy" and early Cocteau Twins. To me, "m b v" sounds like disc 2 of a "Loveless" reissue (outtakes and b-sides), and if I listen to it with that in mind, it's not bad.
ReplyDeleteI've always considered Isn't Anything to be far better than Loveless. The primary reason is because the songs are better - You Never Should, You're Still in a Dream, Lose My Breath, Suisfine, etc. I appreciate they're not the most buskable, verse/chorus/middle 8 classic arrangement jobs ever written - but to my ears they have far more memorable parts than most of Loveless (Soon not withstanding).
ReplyDeleteBut - maybe more importantly - Isn't Anything has so much more character. Attitude. Personality. Loveless is the well-dressed kid that never says much to anyone. Isn't Anything talks to everyone - doesn't always make much sense, but makes up for it with enthusiasm and effort.
Also - and this needs to be emphasised - Isn't Anything has a rhythm section. Animal from the muppets on drums and an actual living breathing person playing the bass - a person who's enjoyed JJ Burnel, Hooky, Dee Dee etc. etc. Whereas Loveless has no rhythm section to speak of, really. Just this woefully monochromatic metronomic meh.
I think all I'm really trying to say is you don't have to be some try-hard deliberately awkward dingus to think Loveless is a bit pants compared to Isn't Anything. The latter has loads more experimental guitar stuff happening. It's basically more innovative. In a lot of ways. So I think almost by any useful criterion Isn't Anything can make a stronger claim than a lot of people think. True, it sounds like a bag of ramshackle shite - that snare for instance. Makes Grant Hart sound John Bonham. But it's not a record you have to slave over before the quality comes through.
nice
ReplyDelete