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Just got this from my radio station. Jeezus, you all need to hear this. Fuse aspects of Mission of Burma(especially the first track on this album), Fugazi, and the less-annoying bits of Drive Like Jehu, and you'll get this album.

"National Hum" and "On To You" outta be the breakout hits of the summer.

I wish the drummer hadn't fucked up his hand; i want these guys to come thru detroit.

― Kingfish (Kingfish), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 13:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Hurrah for Three Gut!

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 14:22 (twenty-two years ago)

They're one of the really great live bands I've seen in the past few years -- very much in the rock and roll sense (you know, "true believer" philosophy and all). I've seen them a lot, too, and I still do every time they come to NY.

I've heard the hand injury's not so awful -- they may well be coming to Detroit soon. Alas, they faile to make it to New York.

― Hurlothrumbo (hurlothrumbo), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 14:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Hurrah for Three Gut!
And the Cons are only like the third or fourth best act on Three Gut.

― Horace Mann (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 14:50 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't agree with that, but it may just be a matter of taste. I find some of the others a little limp both on record and live. I love the Jim Guthrie album art more than I can say, though.

― Hurlothrumbo (hurlothrumbo), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 14:59 (twenty-two years ago)

I really like Royal City and Gentleman Reg. Yeah, it's completely a matter of taste.

― Horace Mann (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 15:03 (twenty-two years ago)

oh, and that other band, the young kids who play busted up country. what's their name again? damn damn damn.

― Horace Mann (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 15:03 (twenty-two years ago)

Cuff the Duke

― Bruce Urquhart (Bruce Urquhart), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 15:29 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah. I like them pretty good too.

― Horace Mann (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 15:30 (twenty-two years ago)

I've ordered a copy of the Constantines. Hoping it's arrived today.
They seem to be doing a west coast/U.S. tour until the end of September, so they won't be cruising through these parts until the fall, which is disappointing. i haven't seen them live in a long, long time.

― Bruce Urquhart (Bruce Urquhart), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 15:33 (twenty-two years ago)

they will be in SK like Sept 6 or something.

― Horace Mann (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 15:34 (twenty-two years ago)

Sept. 5 Saskatoon and then down to Regina for the 6th, then off to Alberta.

― Bruce Urquhart (Bruce Urquhart), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 15:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Last time I saw them live was at Lee's Palace when I missed the last train home after seeing More Plastic (or was it Creeping Nobodies) open, so I went back and saw The Constatines and then found a student bar and watched Engerland bow out of the World Cup before going back to the office and falling asleep in the "soccer mom" chair I won at an office party to kick off that night.
Sleeping at the office is not fun.

I like Royal City for different reasons (including a great Magnetic Fields cover) but the other two don't hold a candle live.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 16:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Do the Constantines still HAVE a connection with Three Gut? I thought this one was on Sub Pop now, like the single was. It's officially out next tuesday, which means I probably won't be hearing it until then. I have high hopes though!

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 18:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Three Gut still has 'em in Canada.

― Horace Mann (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 18:55 (twenty-two years ago)

the packaging for the new album has the Three Gut logo..

― Kingfish (Kingfish), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 21:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Sept. 5 Saskatoon...

I'll try to be there. Shine a Light is absolutely amazing. That lone riff in the middle of "Nighttime/Anytime (It's Alright)" gives me chills.

― Adrien Begrand, Tuesday, 12 August 2003 21:14 (twenty-two years ago)

buzzzzz...

― Vek (vek), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 02:58 (twenty-two years ago)

I will second Mr. Bo's comments re: the Cons. They do what they do so simply yet so forcefully that it's a wonder they haven't yet broken through.

― mosurock (mosurock), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 05:43 (twenty-two years ago)

less-annoying bits of Drive Like Jehu

Does not compute!

― Ricardo (RickyT), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 20:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Do you or don't you?

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 14 August 2003 13:22 (twenty-two years ago)

Sorry, had to get that out of the system.

They do what they do so simply yet so forcefully that it's a wonder they haven't yet broken through.

Jesus, give them some time. They haven't been around that long, 3 years or so. Three Gut taught me that Lee's Palace sells red wine.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 14 August 2003 13:29 (twenty-two years ago)

I agree with Noodles. So far, they've had one album and an EP on a very small Canadian independent label. Well they deserve it, I'm actually surprised the band has manage to achieve its present profile so quickly.

― Bruce Urquhart (Bruce Urquhart), Thursday, 14 August 2003 16:20 (twenty-two years ago)

So, I got Shine A Light the other day. Saviors of rock? Sure, why the hell not. But I'd be really interested in knowing if the singer actually likes and consciously apes Bruce Springsteen. The resemblance is uncanny.

Also: will someone please tell me what 80s anthem "Young Lions" rips off? It's been driving me batty all week.

― Nick Mirov (nick), Thursday, 21 August 2003 20:39 (twenty-two years ago)

I know Bry. Next time I see him, I'll ask him.

― Bruce Urquhart (Bruce Urquhart), Thursday, 21 August 2003 21:26 (twenty-two years ago)

two months pass...

I still don't get this Bruce Sprintsteen connection.
Saw them open for GBV and they are still getting better which is scary.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Monday, 17 November 2003 15:20 (twenty-two years ago)

It's actually Mannfred Mann, people always get them confused because Springsteen wrote their biggest hit "Blinded by the Light" but the Cons have always been quite clear in their adulation for Manford Man.

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Monday, 17 November 2003 15:24 (twenty-two years ago)

And your real answer is?

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Monday, 17 November 2003 15:26 (twenty-two years ago)

the Springsteen thing is overplayed. G7 kept using the BS on Greg MacPherson (whose last album is awesome) when it was really a lot more like New York-era Lou Reed (only good-ha!).
I think Springsteen has become this catch-all reference for unironic and non-immediately-self-referential rock-rock.

― Huckleberry Mann (Horace Mann), Monday, 17 November 2003 15:29 (twenty-two years ago)

one month passes...

Just got this one and I have to say it frigging rocks. Is their earlier stuff worth pursuing? This is top notch shit.

― Jim Reckling (Jim Reckling), Monday, 29 December 2003 22:23 (twenty-two years ago)

yes

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Monday, 29 December 2003 22:49 (twenty-two years ago)

(bandwagon) i've never heard the springsteen thing either.

shine a light is my favorite record this year. the first album is just about as good & slightly more clever (whatever you make of that). really great guys too. didn't have my size t-shirt at the stand before the show so the singer actually ran out to the van to look for another one before i could stop him.

― andrew s, Monday, 29 December 2003 23:00 (twenty-two years ago)

BTW: They only have one full album out prior. Very much worth seeming them live.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Monday, 29 December 2003 23:02 (twenty-two years ago)

OTM Noodles -- this band is so great live, it's fuckin' scary...

― yetimike (McGonigal), Monday, 29 December 2003 23:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Can I Get A Witness!

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Tuesday, 30 December 2003 00:27 (twenty-two years ago)

http://suicidesqueeze.net/images/constantinesstreet.jpg

(photo from the 2nd-most-talked-about-show at sxsw 2002...)

― yetimike (McGonigal), Tuesday, 30 December 2003 00:42 (twenty-two years ago)

How can you not think the guy sounds like Springsteen? Very soulful overall, like a less annoying, more interesting Make-Up. Also, maybe its just me, but I don't really hear any Mission of Burma. But then who does sound like Mission of Burma?

― christhamrin (christhamrin), Tuesday, 30 December 2003 10:17 (twenty-two years ago)

I hear his voice *way* more as a Phil Lynott-y thing than some Springsteen-ish schtick, myself. I'm always surprised they don't get compared to Thin Lizzy, but then I guess not that many folks are listening to Thin Lizzy these days, which is a shame...

― yetimike (McGonigal), Tuesday, 30 December 2003 10:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Roy Owens Jr. + The Constantines are just about the only Great trad-rock bands going right now, tho I think Shine a Light is a "let's push things forward" misstep in comparison to their flawless S/T debut.

― Chris Ott (Chris Ott), Tuesday, 30 December 2003 15:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Canadians don't actually seem to listen or care that much about Springsteen, maybe thats the problem I'm having understanding the comparisons.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Tuesday, 30 December 2003 17:02 (twenty-two years ago)

(americans not listening to or caring that much about canadians joke suppressed)

on topic, nighttime b/w tank commander came out as a single but i haven't seen it on any lists, which i guess just proves that the world is a cold & uncaring place. although i prefer "shine a light" to nighttime i guess, with tank commander in a league of its own.

― andrew s, Tuesday, 30 December 2003 19:50 (twenty-two years ago)

I got that. Has a good Talking Heads cover too. "Thanks for sending me an angel" or something...

― christhamrin (christhamrin), Tuesday, 30 December 2003 20:15 (twenty-two years ago)

that would be the cover.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Tuesday, 30 December 2003 20:29 (twenty-two years ago)

two weeks pass...

I can't stop playing this album. My boss just tried to ask me a question and I barely even heard him 'cause I was busy playing "Young Lions" over and over in my head.

― J-rock (Julien Sandiford), Thursday, 15 January 2004 08:05 (twenty-two years ago)

two months pass...

im horribly late on this thread [back off! im a newcomer to ILM] but ill join the "constantines are incredible" gang night time, anytime.

on a hot august night over three years ago, i wound up seeing the cons play at the khyber. i didnt know who they were but they sold me on that performance. since then i have been a superfan.

i think people will hear the springsteen affectations much better on their first, self-titled release [available from three gut] and clearly on "young lions" [from shine a light]. of course, maybe its just because im from new jersey, so im programmed to hear that stuff.

― maria tessa sciarrino (theoreticalgirl), Sunday, 4 April 2004 00:45 (twenty-one years ago)

four months pass...

Finally got around to picking up the boys first S/T cd. It recently got a domestic release on Sub Pop. As much as I like Shine A Light I like the first one better.

― Jim Reckling (Jim Reckling), Saturday, 21 August 2004 00:23 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't think Lambke's two songs near the end of the first album hold up very well. "Hyacinth Blues" and "St. You" bring the album to an early climax, and it doesn't really build up steam again until "Little Instruments" at the end. Great album, though.

― abegrand, Saturday, 21 August 2004 02:58 (twenty-one years ago)

i feel like SAL has more of a thematic cohesiveness than the S/T but both are equally solid records.

im glad the S/T came out on sub pop though because i was getting worried about my 3GR version [which is the original packaging that dallas made] becoming too banged up.

springsteen connection: its in brys voice. unless they start cranking out the saxaphones and bells for the next record... which is likely because ive noticed there are 3GR releases that have sax in them: jim guthrie's "now more than ever", sea snakes "clear as day, the darkest tools" [out in september] and the cons "good bye baby and amen" -- all in very traditional fashion [no james chances sqawking here!]. if this is the start of a trend, i say keep it coming.

― maria tessa sciarrino (theoreticalgirl), Saturday, 21 August 2004 10:49 (twenty-one years ago)

eight years pass...

what happened to this band? shine a light is a great album

― congratulations (n/a), Wednesday, 29 May 2013 21:31 (twelve years ago)

Splitsville. Some of the follow-up projects are great, though: Bry Webb's solo album, <I>Provider</i>, and the newer various records by Baby Eagle.

― sean gramophone, Wednesday, 29 May 2013 21:57 (twelve years ago)

Co-sign on Provider - what a great record. Might be too downcast for the avg Constantines fan, mind.

― Simon H., Wednesday, 29 May 2013 22:26 (twelve years ago)

not heard this album in years ..

time to revisit as i think i will appreciate it more now that upon its release.

― mark e, Wednesday, 29 May 2013 22:38 (twelve years ago)

I didn't know about the solo album. Tracking down ASAP

― Walter Galt, Wednesday, 29 May 2013 22:56 (twelve years ago)

I've not listened to 'Provider' much since it came out but "Undertaker" is a lovely song. First heard it on the radio when my alarm went off one morning, which was a nice surprise.

― michaellambert, Wednesday, 29 May 2013 23:15 (twelve years ago)

eight months pass...

They're reuniting. http://theconstantines.wordpress.com

― Murgatroid, Friday, 14 February 2014 17:28 (twelve years ago)

eight years pass...

Man, their first couple of albums rule

― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 10 November 2022 01:01 (three years ago)

Yes. It is known.

― FRAUDULENT STEAKS (The Cursed Return of the Dastardly Thermo Thinwall), Thursday, 10 November 2022 01:49 (three years ago)

otm

― mookieproof, Thursday, 10 November 2022 02:09 (three years ago)

Shine a Light is a perfect album, every second of which is burned into my brain (lucky for me since an ex has the CD)

Unfortunately so is the contemporary Pitchfork review that talked about them saving rock music from... well, if you know you know D:

― My name is Mike Cyclops. I work for (bernard snowy), Thursday, 10 November 2022 03:05 (three years ago)

got curious by your comment, so I searched and I think Pitchfork removed the review, but here's the archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20150101182634/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/1589-shine-a-light/

pretty horrible, even by the general ugliness of some of those earlier pitchfork reviews.

― fpsa, Thursday, 10 November 2022 04:03 (three years ago)

chris ott as ever covering himself in glory

― call all destroyer, Thursday, 10 November 2022 04:11 (three years ago)

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The Constantines -- _Shine a Light_

Can I Get A Witness!