View Full Version : Brett Anderson
What a terrific listen. Voice is on top form, totally polished and better than anything the Tears have done.
morantic
25-02-2007, 16:50
Got sent a copy of the album yesterday for review (cdtimes) and couldn't agree more, the album is very good, a real return to form with some heartfelt, sensitive songs and some great arrangements. Very good stuff indeed.
What a terrific listen. Voice is on top form, totally polished and better than anything the Tears have done.
The last bit would have been true if he'd released 60 minutes of him singing in the bath. God they were awful.
KeyserSoze
25-02-2007, 18:09
So what happened to the Tears?
thomasc1982
25-02-2007, 18:16
So what happened to the Tears?
Indefinate hiatus i think is the official word
ie split up :)
Johnny Vodka
25-02-2007, 19:18
Have heard the single once and was a bit :shrug: . Would really love him to come up with something amazing again as I adore the 1st two Suede albums...
gravesend46
26-02-2007, 09:51
Have to agree with Johnny. Thought it was all a bit 'meh', and this from someone who thought he could do no wrong... he can do a fantastic slow song, but felt these were devoid of what the slower Suede songs had going for them.
Mr Majestik
26-02-2007, 11:13
Is he still singing about chasing dragons on council estates?
manicstreetpreachers
02-03-2007, 11:51
Gigs on sale now....
Bristol University (May 1)
Manchester Academy 2 (2)
Glasgow QMU (4)
Wolves Wulfrun (5)
Newcastle University (6)
Cambridge Junction (8)
London Shepherd's Bush Empire (9)
Looking forward to this album, think the single is a beauty!
The Tears and Suede's final album for that matter were both rubbish. But I thought the Tears was just a way of clearing a tax bill? I could be wrong...
Mr Majestik
02-03-2007, 17:43
New album gets 1/5 in Q.
morantic
02-03-2007, 18:20
1/5, thats ridiculous - so according to them has no merit whatsoever. What argument did they put across as to why it deserved such a low score?
They did this last year with the new Soulwax album, just unbelievable really.
Mr Majestik
02-03-2007, 18:22
Don't know only scaned through it in Tesco's.
morantic
02-03-2007, 18:26
No worries - i just hope they have a very good argument to give it a score like that, I mean, there are some albums obviously that are total crap and deserve such a score, but having heard the Anderson album I really can't see how it can have no redeeming features whatsoever. Whilst it won't be to everyone's taste is deserves more than that sort of contempt. So does he, for that matter.
Johnny Vodka
02-03-2007, 18:26
New album gets 1/5 in Q.
That could be a good thing, though. :D
The Knife's Silent Shout only got 1 star, yet it was one of last year's most interesting albums and much better than all the usual rubbish Q rates so highly.
morantic
02-03-2007, 18:34
You are probably right actually Johnny, its not worth getting annoyed about it as its more indicative of Q than of the albums reviewed.
I've gave this a listen, and i think it's got some great tracks on it.
A return to form
I like that Q didn't like it. They only seem to like so called 'fashionable' bands. Look at the Arcade Fire review.. Didn't they give the first (better) album a mid score?
LouBarlow
02-03-2007, 18:55
Q have always been cock-smokers.
They have a live keane track as one of their top 50 downloads of the month.
Case closed.
mikegray
02-03-2007, 19:10
Sayeth Q
"These have been sour times for Britpop avatar Brett Anderson. Suede are missing in action; his father recently died. Cue ballads, melodramatic strings and overwrought lyrics about witchy women for his first solo album, as Anderson rather blatantly heads for the Richard Ashcroft / Radio 2 market. Opener and single Love Is Dead sets the tone of tastefully produced, hammy self-pity. The maudlin narcissism reaches its nadir on the orchestral waltz The More We Possess The Less We Own Of Ourselves, an anti-consumerism rant so laughably banal it would drive the most committed eco-warrior into retail therapy. This is hollow, pretentious and eeply dull music."
eeply? Is that a q'ism or your typo Mike?
Nasty review that.
Johnny Vodka
02-03-2007, 19:42
I like that Q didn't like it. They only seem to like so called 'fashionable' bands. Look at the Arcade Fire review.. Didn't they give the first (better) album a mid score?
I dunno if I'd call stuff that Q likes 'fashionable' generally. Are Razorlight, Keane and RHCP 'fashionable' exactly? Who cares, anyway? :p
mikegray
02-03-2007, 19:53
eeply? Is that a q'ism or your typo Mike?
Nasty review that.
My typo. If you want typechecking, buy the magazine. :p
I dunno if I'd call stuff that Q likes 'fashionable' generally. Are Razorlight, Keane and RHCP 'fashionable' exactly? Who cares, anyway? :p
V festival anyone? They are fashionable in those circles....
My typo. If you want typechecking, buy the magazine. :p
Not likely, cheers though, I genuinely thought it was a cut and paste.
Sayeth Q
"These have been sour times for Britpop avatar Brett Anderson. Suede are missing in action; his father recently died. Cue ballads, melodramatic strings and overwrought lyrics about witchy women for his first solo album, as Anderson rather blatantly heads for the Richard Ashcroft / Radio 2 market. Opener and single Love Is Dead sets the tone of tastefully produced, hammy self-pity. The maudlin narcissism reaches its nadir on the orchestral waltz The More We Possess The Less We Own Of Ourselves, an anti-consumerism rant so laughably banal it would drive the most committed eco-warrior into retail therapy. This is hollow, pretentious and eeply dull music."
I'm sold !
Not heard a note but it's enough on a wine-influenced Friday night to drive an old Suede fan to to hand plastic over. As DM says, nasty and cruel to a juvenile degree. I'm apalled by that piece. The writer is throwing around arbitary damnation with no reference to either impassioned or measured argument or justification. Utter *****.
Johnny Vodka
02-03-2007, 23:17
I'm sold !
Not heard a note but it's enough on a wine-influenced Friday night to drive an old Suede fan to to hand plastic over. As DM says, nasty and cruel to a juvenile degree. I'm apalled by that piece. The writer is throwing around arbitary damnation with no reference to either impassioned or measured argument or justification. Utter *****.
I dunno. It's legitimate critical writing; it's obviously only meant to fill a couple of column inches and be concise. If something is described as a bit "Richard Ashcroft" or "Radio 2", I know what the reviewer is getting at. I just hope it's not the truth. Having said that, of Brett's work, it's only the first two Suede albums I ever feel the need to go back to. Wasn't interested in the Tears at all. I still can't believe it's only 1 star, though. ;)
I'd never, ever trust a lone reviewer to tell me what to listen to. In this day and age that's just bone ******* idle.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=116673669
Johnny Vodka
02-03-2007, 23:27
I'd never, ever trust a lone reviewer to tell me what to listen to. In this day and age that's just bone ******* idle.
True. But I have priorities. :p I heard the single once and I wasn't too keen. I'd be amazed if the album is as good as early Suede (which isn't to say it's crap... I must sound like I'm contradicting myself. :D ) Right now, I have a pile of CDs up to my knees... well, my ankles... almost... and have to listen to them first. :)
Might get round to Brett's MySpace in time. ;)
morantic
02-03-2007, 23:29
What the songs on the album most reminded me of were the b-sides to Stay Together - more relaxed than your average Suede song, the music a bit softer and more melody. To say something is "radio 2" is hardly an insult in this day an age (a bigger insult would be to say it was a bit "Q"), but to compare it to Richard Ashcroft is just plain wrong, there is a huge gulf between those two. And to mention his dad's passing and not the actually rather touching song to him on the album, thats just nasty writing.
Johnny Vodka
02-03-2007, 23:35
To say something is "radio 2" is hardly an insult in this day an age (a bigger insult would be to say it was a bit "Q"),
Radio 2 and Q seem to occupy similar ground these days from what I gather. Both are very safe and mainstream (while wanting to give the impression they're down with the kids).
I dunno. It's legitimate critical writing; it's obviously only meant to fill a couple of column inches and be concise. If something is described as a bit "Richard Ashcroft" or "Radio 2", I know what the reviewer is getting at. I just hope it's not the truth. Having said that, of Brett's work, it's only the first two Suede albums I ever feel the need to go back to. Wasn't interested in the Tears at all. I still can't believe it's only 1 star, though. ;)
Respect your views, JV, but very much beg to differ. Look at those last two sentences. This is back-handed, uber-dismissive indulgence. It doesn't matter particularly that he clearly isn't a fan, but he appears to have sharpened his quill in advance. So what is he giving his audience here, what does the reader gain or learn ? That it's crap ? Nah. Not good enough, Mr Q Writer. Defend your argument or, at the very least, entertain me.
Johnny Vodka
03-03-2007, 08:02
Respect your views, JV, but very much beg to differ. Look at those last two sentences. This is back-handed, uber-dismissive indulgence. It doesn't matter particularly that he clearly isn't a fan, but he appears to have sharpened his quill in advance. So what is he giving his audience here, what does the reader gain or learn ? That it's crap ? Nah. Not good enough, Mr Q Writer. Defend your argument or, at the very least, entertain me.
I think the problem with traditional media (i.e. papers and magazines) is each review can only take up so much space, so opinions are truncated. Q writers have the right to their dodgy views. No doubt many people agree with them. I just find it's not very well aligned with my own thoughts on music.
1 star should only be used in very extreme circumstances. I'm not sure that I've ever handed out 1 or 2 out of 10 on CD Times. Maybe to Il Divo? I can't remember. ;)
gravesend46
03-03-2007, 22:49
I'm not sure that I've ever handed out 1 or 2 out of 10 on CD Times. ;)
My solo debut is in the post Mr Vodka... :lol:
Q use 1-5 don't they?
Even if that may make it nearly 2 :p It's a total **** ish review..
anastasia
06-03-2007, 23:12
Have to say, I'm not impressed with the album - it's beter than the Tears music, but it's just not quite what it should be. I've been a Suede fan for years, and I'll still buy this (as I have done with everything else - gotta keep the collection up) but it's nowhere near as good as I'd hoped. I'm not sayng it's bad, I'm just saying that I thought he would've been able to do so much better. I think he's moving along the right lines now, but none of the songs stood out to me. I guess it might take a few listens before I get into it.
thomasc1982
06-03-2007, 23:49
Just got back from his gig at Bush Hall
Really enjoyed it - thought the new stuff all sounded good (first time heard it). Nice to hear bits of "old rubbish" in there too :)
mikegray
07-03-2007, 17:38
Word slagged the album off too in a fairly major way.
fadeaway53
08-04-2007, 11:37
Iit's only the first two Suede albums I ever feel the need to go back to.
Never understand why its only the first two albums that get the praise; am I the only one who thinks Sci-FI Lullabies is Suede's best work?
Anyway, still unsure whether to get the solo album and there are some very mixed reviews here. Any further thoughts a few weeks on?
Johnny Vodka
08-04-2007, 12:59
Never understand why its only the first two albums that get the praise; am I the only one who thinks Sci-FI Lullabies is Suede's best work?
That's a b-sides compilation, isn't it? IIRC, the first CD is excellent, but the second one isn't as good.
anastasia
08-04-2007, 13:29
Yeah, it's a b-sides compilation. The b-sides from the first couple of albums were amazing. Some of the b-sides from Coming Up were pretty good (Another No One is a fantastic song, and just the sort of thing I was hoping for from the Brett solo album.) Most weren't great though (Jumble Sale Mums, for example!)
I haven't given this album another listen yet, so I'll do that this week. I think it's such a shame as I'm sure he can do so much better.
Johnny Vodka
08-04-2007, 20:16
I haven't given this album another listen yet, so I'll do that this week. I think it's such a shame as I'm sure he can do so much better.
The Tears were pretty rubbish, though (as was BB's solo material). Some things just work in a certain combination at a certain time.
anastasia
08-04-2007, 21:10
No, no, I won't believe it. The magic will be back sometime!
fadeaway53
08-04-2007, 21:35
About the same time Brett makes it up with Bernard Butler I'm guessing.
Mr Majestik
08-04-2007, 22:41
About the same time Brett makes it up with Bernard Butler I'm guessing.
You didn't hear the tears album then?
fadeaway53
09-04-2007, 06:00
You didn't hear the tears album then?
No, was that both of them back together then? :eek:
No, was that both of them back together then? :eek:
Yes - and I thought it was great on the whole actually.
Here Come The Tears (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007ZATIQ/thedvdforums-21)
thomasc1982
10-04-2007, 10:13
Just thought I would add my 2cents...
I really like the new album. For me it is the best thing brett has done since Coming Up. The Tears album should have been great, but sounded like a load of left over demos to me.
LiviLion
10-04-2007, 16:15
Might risk this and buy it.
Of course, nothing could ever top 'The Asphalt World' which is one of the best songs ever IMO.
LL
I really like this album as well - bitterly disappointed about The Tears being a big Suede fan. but the new Brett Anderson album is quite good... if not quite up to the Dog Man Star/Coming Up quality...
Anyone know what Bernard Butler's up to these days?
Anyone know what Bernard Butler's up to these days?
Gonna answer my own question, as I read it in a magazine today... he's collaborating with Bert Jansch & Beth Orton at the moment - they have a new show (http://www.manchesterinternationalfestival.com/festival-events/gold-event.aspx?id=69876) this summer in Manchester...
Brett Anderson - Live In London, limited 2CD set available here: http://www.concertlive.co.uk/order.aspx#BrettAnderson
Second disc is mostly Suede stuff (whew!). Tracklisting here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brett_Anderson_Live_in_London
£3 for postage and packing (a flimsy jiffy) - ouch!
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