― Nick, Monday, 4 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
I mean, now they can.
― mark s, Monday, 4 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
― Richard Tunnicliffe, Monday, 4 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
― sundar subramanian, Monday, 4 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
Thank goodness for Tom Ewing.
― the pinefox, Sunday, 10 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
― Tim, Tuesday, 12 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
― Andrew L, Tuesday, 12 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
― the pinefox, Tuesday, 12 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
― Stevo, Tuesday, 12 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
― Andrew L, Wednesday, 11 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
― the pinefox, Wednesday, 11 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
― joe joyner, Saturday, 25 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
― the pinefox, Sunday, 26 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link
Lloyd Cole is still great because he wrote incredible lyrics (somehow not as shmaltzy as Morrissey, and much more inventive - and quite frankly, I'm tired of the comparison.) Rattlesnakes was an amazing debut, but the longer I listen, the better "Bad Vibes" stands up. I'm never immediately happy with any of Lloyd's releases - it always takes repeated listenings.
Classic.
― Dave, Tuesday, 2 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
But your point re. the way some of Lloyd's records take time to work is absolutely right, and I have rarely seen it recognized. (Best examples: Weird On Me, Love Story.)
― the pinefox, Wednesday, 3 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
Most artists try a different approach to their music at some point in their career (David Bowie springs to mind as the ultimate “reinventor”, then Madonna – or what about Elvis Costello with his Country and Western). Lloyd ventured into some “orchestrated” tracks in “Don’t get Weird…”, however the consistent lyrical content remained. I don’t know if all his songs are autobiographical, but I assume large proportions are. When you listen to them you can easily find references that reflect what goes on in life. Listen to Forest Fire, 2CV (so the room was really green, not blue, put it down to artistic license), Why I love Country Music, My Bag (didn’t everyone try something at sometime?), Jennifer, Loveless, To the Lions, Mister Wrong, Unhappy Song, Tried to Rock (most certainly autobiographical). I have no idea what he went through before/during “Don’t get Weird…”, but how many people can’t relate to the lyrics in tracks like “Half of Everything”? I admit, I didn’t find this album immediately accessible – but after a number of listens it became a regular on the CD player (and still is).
Lloyd’s most recent offering with the Negatives reaffirms my faith in him as a great songwriter – “What’s wrong with this Picture” is so apt (I’m now one of those 30 somethings mentioned earlier, teaching, married, children etc.etc.).
I’ve been listening to Lloyd’s music since 1984, and still do so on an almost daily basis. Sometimes you listen to music for the rhythm of “feel”, sometimes for the words, sometimes for the delivery, or perhaps because it captures certain snippets of life….Lloyd does it all. To paraphrase him (from the time of “Mainstream, I think), some of his songs are great, the others are just brilliant.
No doubt, an absolute CLASSIC!
― Graham, Sunday, 7 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― the pinefox, Monday, 8 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Graham, Wednesday, 10 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― the pinefox, Friday, 2 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
2001 Collected Recordings: Box set includes the new titles "Etc.." & "Plastic Wood", the UK version of "Lloyd Cole & The Negatives" (including "Artificial Tears") and exclusive bonus CD "Loaded" recorded live in New York. Country: UK. Release Date: 5-Nov-01.
Etc.., 14 track 2001 album is more laid-back & acoustic than the last release. Guest guitarist is Richard Hell & The Voidoids founder- member Robert Quine. Country: UK. Release Date: 5-Nov-01.
Plastic Wood, 18-track collection of solo instrumental recordings, many inspired by movies or the work of Brian Eno. Recorded in New York over a 2-year period. Country: UK. Release Date: 5-Nov-01.
Source: Siren Disc Siren Disc - Future Releases
― DJ Martian, Friday, 2 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― youn, Friday, 2 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
RE the exchange between pinefox and Andrew L above - I have a bootleg CD recorded in '84 at Le Palace, which is good sounding show, and shows a couple of songs to still be in the writing stages...presumably Rattlesnakes was soon to be recorded. Oddly enough, they do a cover of the song Glory twice - opening and closing the show with it. Huh. But that's all I've seen, of that ilk.
― Scott, Friday, 9 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
Lloyd's response, "I'm psyched that Alice Cooper knows who I am."
(great show too.)
― Dave225, Monday, 12 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Dave225, Friday, 30 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― youn, Sunday, 9 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
LC is brilliant, haunting, witty, charming, pretentious, goofy, multi- layered, intellectual, honest, and has very much continued to reflect my feelings about, and experiences with, life and love. (Hmmm. Sounds like a description of Shakespeare.) What more can we ask of any artist?
By the way, if anyone knows where I might find Easy Pieces on cd please let me know. I can't find it anywhere!!!
steph
― steph, Wednesday, 2 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
Pinefox! Back! She said she was married!
― Tom, Wednesday, 2 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― mark s, Wednesday, 2 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 2 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
I only have the old vinyl, but bought a second copy a few months back and (I think) immediately gave it away. (Didn't I? I can't remember much these days.)
There used to be a 2-for-1 tape of Rattlesnakes and Easy Pieces. (This is Peter Miller territory. Stories about teenage Buxton impend.)
All this is framed, of course, by the fact that Easy Pieces, while good by most standards, is one of the worst Lloyd Cole records ever. Probably only Bad Vibes and Plastic Wood, in their different ways, are worse.
― the pinefox, Thursday, 3 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Dave225, Thursday, 3 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
But side 2 really tumbles. 'Too Much of a Good Thing' possibly = LC's worst ever LP track. 'Fall Together' is a bit of a folly that hardly manages to improve on 'Come Together'. 'Wr Wrong' is very good; esp the acoustic solo. 'Seen The Future' is fun I guess but not much more. 'Can't Get Arrested' is a pretty lame way to limp out.
I'm being too harsh - I've played this LP a LOT over 8 years, and that only on a poor tape copy. But I just don't think it stands up vs the others. It's underwritten, after the (magnificent) first track; maybe that's the basic problem.
― Mark, Thursday, 3 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― youn, Tuesday, 8 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Dave225, Tuesday, 8 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Kristopher John, Friday, 22 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― powertonevolume, Saturday, 23 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
**The Negatives -- C- (too much studio polish)** **Etc. -- A (excellent... back to folk roots)** **Loaded -- F+ (horrible recording quality and lackluster performances)** **Plastic Wood -- B (ambient electronics; he's no Eno, but it's rather pleasant)**
― Tim DiGravina, Saturday, 23 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-two years ago) link
― Polaroid, Wednesday, 27 November 2002 00:07 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Mark (MarkR), Wednesday, 27 November 2002 00:40 (twenty-one years ago) link
― the pinefox, Wednesday, 27 November 2002 21:33 (twenty-one years ago) link
― polaroid, Monday, 24 March 2003 00:42 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Gatinha (rwillmsen), Monday, 24 March 2003 01:57 (twenty-one years ago) link
THAT WAS NEVER ON THAT ALBUM ARGH! FIERCE PANCAKE IS BRILLIANT ALBUM ARGH! HOW MUCH IS THE FISH ETC WAS erm a single way before that etc etc and annoying because defining band for hewry masses ect blather.
Ex Palais Schaumburg bloke produce. Future musical saw man on bass. Beautiful record it is. Buy Fierce Pancake now everybody. Flann O', es. This is a DP
― OleM (OleM), Monday, 12 May 2003 19:28 (twenty-one years ago) link
― the pinefox, Friday, 20 June 2003 15:50 (twenty-one years ago) link
"I have news, for a change.
I can now announce (sorry to be so hush hush before) that in October this year Lloyd Cole and the Commotions will be briefly reforming to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our debut album 'rattlesnakes'.
So far we have booked Oct 12th - Glasgow Barrowlands (Ticketweb)AndOct 15th - London Hammersmith Apollo (Ticketmaster)
We will quite possibly (and hopefully) be adding a few more shows in other major cities, but I cannot guarantee this.
We will be the original line up playing only songs from our 3 albums,b-sides and maybe some of the cover versions we used to play. No LC solo material.
Hope some of you can make it, it should be fun.
Universal will be releasing a 'deluxe edition' of the album and we arecurrently at work selecting tracks for the bonus CD, these will include:Beautiful City (the only track from the rattlesnakes session not to beincluded on the disc - I'm sure you will agree with the decision if and when you hear it)Are you ready to be heartbroken? (original unreleased indi single b-side)Jesus Said (from P Hardiman produced session post rattlesnakes, pre Easy Pieces)All original b-sides, including Glory (Television song)Selected BBC session recordingsLive tracks from the period (each Commotion will choose a favourite song)Demos for P Skin and F Fire
Hopefully it will be something worth having, the CD will be properlyremastered and there will be no surround sound crap.
Finally, thanks to all those who came to the January/February shows.
Yours
LC
― dave225 (Dave225), Tuesday, 10 February 2004 12:58 (twenty years ago) link
surely not!personally, the first song i heard was 'brand new friend', and then 'lost weekend'. i was young, and foolish and discovered him via top of the pops. hell, there are worse ways to find someone.
i'd be interested to hear WHY you think it is his worst album. it tails off towards the end rather, but i never found his albums completely consistent. and, comparatively, its free of the 'look at the size of my intellect' literary references which, while amusing in isolation, do tend to get a little wearing after a while.
also, its the album where he had a bit of fun, allowed himself to flirt wholeheartedly with pop, stopped trying to be so clever for a few minutes and just projected his feelings without too many twists and tics and knowing smiles. and i think that's why its the only one of his albums that i love, rather than merely admire.
as for the rest of this thread...so, some lloyd cole sounds a little of its time, shall we say.. but thank god it was there at its time. the opening chords of 'brand new friend' still make my heart jump a little, and, if lloyd postured a little in the 80s, he wasn't exactly on his own, was he? 'i love country music', my favourite, paints the opposite picture - completely honest: bedsitter sordidness, television and cheap spanish wine - as effective in its own way as 'gene' by the smiths or 'bedsitter' by soft cell. perhaps more effective for me, now, because it does so without being needlessly maudlin. 'gene' is a great song, but it depresses the fuck out of me. (i know lots of you are going to disagree) '...country music' still makes me smile.
so, then... C-L-A-S-S-I-C..... for easy pieces, rattlesnakes and admitting he'll never match leonard cohen (can anyone?) but that's just my opinion. its no more, or less, valid than yours..
and a lot of the later 90s stuff is really quite good. more reflective, more considered, far less postured - for the most part. 'bad vibes' and 'don't get weird on me' are the case against.
travis? who are they?
― hobart paving (hobart paving), Tuesday, 10 February 2004 13:30 (twenty years ago) link
there's some stuff on soundcloud too iirc?
― and that sounds like a gong-concert (La Lechera), Friday, 8 February 2013 19:17 (eleven years ago) link
it sounds good imo! cool cover, will look good on v1ny1.
― christmas candy bar (al leong), Friday, 8 February 2013 19:21 (eleven years ago) link
that's a pretty improbable pairing. lloyd cole meets electronic krautrock pioneer.
― it's the distortion, stupid! (alex in mainhattan), Friday, 8 February 2013 21:00 (eleven years ago) link
it's v pleasant from what i can tell -- http://soundcloud.com/lloydcole/sets/cole-roedelius-pre-release/
― and that sounds like a gong-concert (La Lechera), Friday, 8 February 2013 21:06 (eleven years ago) link
where is lloyd cole? doesn't he sing? the electronics are a little on the boring side, i'd say.
― it's the distortion, stupid! (alex in mainhattan), Friday, 8 February 2013 21:18 (eleven years ago) link
i dunno, those are the only tracks i've heardnot sure if he sings or plays guitar o quei like boring electronic music so it's a-ok with me
― and that sounds like a gong-concert (La Lechera), Friday, 8 February 2013 21:20 (eleven years ago) link
yeah, i liked the portion i heard.
― that's real banjo bro (Hunt3r), Friday, 8 February 2013 21:24 (eleven years ago) link
xxp he made an instrumental electronic album over a decade ago ... which led to this collaboration.
― fit and working again, Friday, 8 February 2013 22:39 (eleven years ago) link
Sweet
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/oct/08/lloyd-cole-and-the-commotions-how-we-made-rattlesnakes
― piscesx, Friday, 8 November 2019 11:19 (four years ago) link
thanks for that. rattlesnakes to this day remains one of the most amazing guitar albums of all-time without any filler. forest fire still kills especially his solo at the end. here is what i wrote about that album some time ago.
― walking towards the sun since 2007 (alex in mainhattan), Friday, 8 November 2019 22:44 (four years ago) link
Out of nowhere a couple of weeks ago I got this line and melody stuck in my head: "He looks like Marlon Brando in On The Waterfront." My (older every day) brain could not pin it down, so I just kind of walked around for a couple of days while it popped to the fore of my memory every once in a while. Finally it clicked and I realized it was Lloyd Cole and I had the lyrics wrong (but I was on the right track!).
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 9 November 2019 00:06 (four years ago) link
Great news! This Tory government can soon be replaced by another Tory Government, with an, arguably, misleading name.— Lloyd Cole (@Lloyd_Cole) January 19, 2022
― the pinefox, Wednesday, 19 January 2022 15:22 (two years ago) link
his solo?
― Mark G, Wednesday, 19 January 2022 16:55 (two years ago) link
his twitter persona makes me wish i had never followed him. i do not care what he is cooking or anything about his exercise schedule.
― Piggy Lepton (La Lechera), Wednesday, 19 January 2022 17:08 (two years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbY0BJfhB5k
Ages and names
― youn, Wednesday, 19 January 2022 17:25 (two years ago) link
This reminds me of Prefab Sprout:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oua2EArBQy0
― So who you gonna call? The martini police (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 2 March 2022 15:53 (two years ago) link
I'm pretty sure it's not the version on the album on which it was originally released, which might also be of interest. There are probably no major differences.
― youn, Wednesday, 2 March 2022 17:14 (two years ago) link
(Maybe the need for there to be an extended version is itself a bad sign, but I still love Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, and I am pretty sure the Prefab Sprout comparison was meant favorably?)
― youn, Wednesday, 2 March 2022 17:26 (two years ago) link
Dug *Standards* out tonight. Found the album during the first lockdown and, accordingly, love it unconditionally. 'Myrtle and Rose' is such a great track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-hCpAoCZak
― Shard-borne Beatles with their drowsy hums (Chinaski), Friday, 20 January 2023 22:39 (one year ago) link
She telephoned to say that she'd cut her wristsInstead she beat the walls with her fistsTil they bledRunning redRunning backAgain
― Kieth Encounter (Noodle Vague), Friday, 20 January 2023 23:31 (one year ago) link
His last few albums have been great. "Broken Record" and "Standards" are exactly what you want and expect from Lloyd, but his last one, "Guesswork", is Lloyd adding a synthy/krauty kind of album and it's fantastic. A great example of an artist stretching their style.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Friday, 20 January 2023 23:34 (one year ago) link
Those lyrics are great. xp
― lord of the rongs (anagram), Saturday, 21 January 2023 00:31 (one year ago) link
Agree with all the above.
― the pinefox, Saturday, 21 January 2023 10:40 (one year ago) link
Him talking about Limmy absolutely ruined him for me.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bltQ07N6HxQ
― houdinisaid, Saturday, 21 January 2023 12:50 (one year ago) link
Lived in Glasgow for four years, taught himself Flash, he could almost have been Limmy, only he would have written a better book.
― A Drunk Man Looks At Partick Thistle (Tom D.), Saturday, 21 January 2023 13:02 (one year ago) link
https://sco.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limmy#yinthreid!
― The Gate of Angels Laundromat (James Redd and the Blecchs), Saturday, 21 January 2023 14:28 (one year ago) link
Sorry, reading Scots just makes me laugh.
― A Drunk Man Looks At Partick Thistle (Tom D.), Saturday, 21 January 2023 15:16 (one year ago) link
I'll no let that worry me.
― The Gate of Angels Laundromat (James Redd and the Blecchs), Saturday, 21 January 2023 16:29 (one year ago) link
How do we even know it is real Scots and not just the work of a Septic bairn?
― The Gate of Angels Laundromat (James Redd and the Blecchs), Saturday, 21 January 2023 17:07 (one year ago) link
It may as well be, it's like trying to resurrect Shakespearean English in the 21st century. Plus there's the horrible bigoted element of arseholes in Northern Ireland saying the Fenians have got Gaelic so we want Ulster Scots to he treated as a separate language too.
― A Drunk Man Looks At Partick Thistle (Tom D.), Saturday, 21 January 2023 22:35 (one year ago) link
"Him talking about Limmy absolutely ruined him for me."
that is the 2nd time I've listened to that R4 book show clip, and he sounds like an even bigger wanker this time.
― calzino, Saturday, 21 January 2023 23:21 (one year ago) link
OTM
― A Drunk Man Looks At Partick Thistle (Tom D.), Saturday, 21 January 2023 23:34 (one year ago) link
Seems he’s not in a good place at the moment. Hopefully he’ll get the treatment and support he needs.
https://www.lloydcole.com/time-out/
― Dan Worsley, Saturday, 27 April 2024 07:26 (five months ago) link
At least it sounds like he's got a plan to get better. I've really loved this new phase of his career, I hope he can get sorted.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Saturday, 27 April 2024 11:47 (five months ago) link
Love this tune
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPCneZ7AwdQ
― Saxophone Of Futility (Michael B), Friday, 14 June 2024 21:53 (three months ago) link