Taking Sides: Kirsty MacColl's Electric Landlady vs. the Butthole Surfers' Electriclarryland

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Which?

― Andy, Wednesday, 14 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Kirsty all the way. "Walking Down Madison" beats the pants off "Pepper," as far as rap songs by people who shouldn't be doing rap songs are considered.

― Andy, Wednesday, 14 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

in full, complete agreement here

― M. Matos, Wednesday, 14 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

i haven't heard the kirsty maccoll record but i'm sure it can't be any worse than electriclarryland. nebbed out aussie guy on acton high street 8.30am "you british you're so fucking apathetic! your government killed kirsty maccoll and none of you want to know! she was killed by your own government and you don't care! someone has to stand up! someone has to do something you're all so fucking apathetic!" the old people on their way to the day centre were quite bamboozled, needless to say.

― bob snoom, Wednesday, 14 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

three years pass...

Revive: Just found "Walking down Madison" on an mix tape compiled in winter '91 - forgot what a ripping tune it is. One of the best things Johnny Marr's done post-Smiths. Kirsty sounds hip and above it all. What a shame she's dead.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 14 May 2005 23:21 (twenty years ago)

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 14 May 2005 23:23 (twenty years ago)

"Walking Down Madison" beats the pants off "Pepper," as far as rap songs by people who shouldn't be doing rap songs are considered.

Andy really put it best here. The former song is *just* dancing on the edge of being too forced in the 'hey I am like so hip and urban here in the city' sense but still works. (For a horrifying example of being far too over the edge in comparison, I bequeath you Glenn Frey's ridiculous "You Belong in the City." Please take it out and shoot it.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 14 May 2005 23:25 (twenty years ago)

Ned, I saw Glenn Frey perform his hit (he even played the smarm-sax solo on a synthesizer!) during the Eagles last tour (I was reviewing the show; settle down).

As for "Madison" - it's better than alright. The midsong rap may be unnecessary, but the guitar tracks cook.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 14 May 2005 23:34 (twenty years ago)

I really really really love Electric Landlady, and I don't think it gets anywhere near the attention it deserves.

― The Silent Disco of Glastonbury (Bimble...), Sunday, 15 May 2005 00:46 (twenty years ago)

The story J. Marr related in that BBC Kirsty doc was that he sent her the song just to get her feedback, and she sent it back with a completed vocal!

― Josh in Chicago (Josh in Chicago), Sunday, 15 May 2005 01:04 (twenty years ago)

three years pass...

"Walking Down Madison" -- still hella underrated. A large part of its effectiveness rests in her distance: she really sounds like someone who has no business trolling down back alleys, yet is suitably creeped out.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Sunday, 25 January 2009 02:53 (seventeen years ago)

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