More by luck than judgement here's the Wilder poll

THE GREAT THE GREAT DOMINIONS

No contest. "The Great Dominions" every time.

Even though I started this poll, I'm having a lot of problems picking my favourite track. I've been playing the album again a lot this weekend and am picking up on little production details I'd never noticed before, and trying to not let that distract me from the songs themselves. I may well end up with "The great dominions" as it's a superb closer to a superb second side, but then... "The culture bunker", y'know? God, this is tough.

Beautiful record all the way through. SO good that it makes it difficut to choose a high point. But...since I have to I'll go with "Passionate Friend."

I've taken my time about this, played it most of the week, and made my decision. Probably the same decision I would have made a week ago, actually, but I had to be sure.

Too close to call, especially side two, which is pretty much perfect.

seven views of jerusaleemmmm...... (chicka pom chika pom .. pom .. )

Shame Cope never put "Christ Vs Warhol" on the album.

Didn't that go onto the "shag" 3rd album?

Not quite sure where "Christ vs Warhol" would fit into the album. I always got the impression Cope knew about the art of b-sides, certainly the Teardrops ones were always slightly off kilter and worked well in that way against the overt popness of the a-sides. Certainly anyone flipping "Reward" to hear more of the same would be in for a shock.

"Strange House In The Snow" with Cope scraping away on violin - incredible.

"C vs W" was the B-side of "Passionate Friend" but doesn't even appear on the CD version which includes all of the other B-sides of the period as well as "You Disappear From View," "Suffocate" etc.

Ah right, with you... yeah I don't know why he waited until "The greatest hit" comp to issue "C vs W" (and the "Suffocate" strings version), it would have easily fitted onto the end of the "Wilder" reissue.

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

the album works very well as a whole. nice colors. I like Cope's idea of slightly twisted pop and ballads.

I thought this poll was going to be about Alec Wilder.

Love this whole record, but "Seven Views of Jerusalem" is and will always be the sentimental favorite for me here. Last minute of this song = my favorite weird cluster of sound in all the JC oeuvre.

don't know why he waited

Not his choice innit?

More by luck than judgement perhaps. I voted for 'Falling Down Around Me' - I love that song. Also 'Bent Out of Shape'. If either had been released as a single instead of 'Colours Fly Away'? I remember this album got a royal panning at the time, which was puzzling.

zipped in just in time and voted for "dominions", which i think will be an easy win.

it's an album i don't know nearly well enough, this. i have a strange relationship with it. i think we need to spend more time together.

It was panned at the time. That put me off from buying it for years, but when I did I was most pleasantly surprised at how good it is. It's not quite as immediate as the first. Nothing hits like Treason or Reward, but everything on here eventually earworms its way into your brain. I don't know, maybe it was too psych influenced for the era or too hyped by the weeklies. I can't remember what the English press was chasing at the time, but they sure missed this.

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

you hear the muddy versions of these songs on the Psychedelic Sessions bootleg? not too shabby

I can't remember what the English press was chasing at the time, but they sure missed this.

Blue Rondo A La Turk.

http://www.ultra-pop.org/images/cover/wilder_stride.jpg

Surprised by the results here. I expected "Great dominions" to win easily, but it seems that there are many favourites and it was a close thing in the end. Side two wins, I suppose.