Any St Etienne fans?

[gjkendall]

One of my favourite albums, has to be the brilliant Tiger Bay by St Etienne!

Oddly, for me as I tend to go mad (being a completist), I do not own any of their other albums...

So I dived in and bought Tales From Turnpike House (2cd version) for a fiver from Amazon!

Is Tiger Bay typical of St Etiennes sound?
Is it worth picking up all their albums? (If so, what are the best ones to pick up first?)

Is the lovely Sarah Cracknell still the lead singer?

[evilsly]

pick up 'too young to die' the singles collection

it's just perfect.

[Johnny Vodka]

Best pop act of the 90s!

I don't know if they've ever made a *truly* satisfying album, but "So Tough" is probably their best. I'd probably pick up one of their singles collections if I were you. I have "Too Young To Die", but they seem to have released a few more which have just added tracks. :suspect: Their earliest stuff is the best, especially their cover of "Only Love Can Break Your Heart".

[gjkendall]

I think I have that best of...It came with a bonus disc of remixes (i think the cover had the lovely sarah sitting crosslegged against a white backdrop)

[djrigby]

There's no such thing as a typical Saint Etienne album!

Get the 2 disc version of "Smash The System" as a great intro to their whole career (or "Travel Edition" on Import). It's better than "Too Young To Die".

Then I'd get these: "So Tough" (early classic stuff), "Finisterre" (ahead of it's time overlooked electro influenced pop) and "Good Humour" (great songs but claustrophobic production).

Round it off with "Casino Classics" for some great remixes.

And go to their website and get the "Nice Price" CD - demos and unreleased stuff from the whole career.

[Johnny Vodka]

They also sneaked out a 'rave' tune under a different name. Can't remember the title off the top of my head.

[gjkendall]

There's no such thing as a typical Saint Etienne album!

Get the 2 disc version of "Smash The System" as a great intro to their whole career (or "Travel Edition" on Import). It's better than "Too Young To Die".

Then I'd get these: "So Tough" (early classic stuff), "Finisterre" (ahead of it's time overlooked electro influenced pop) and "Good Humour" (great songs but claustrophobic production).

Round it off with "Casino Classics" for some great remixes.

And go to their website and get the "Nice Price" CD - demos and unreleased stuff from the whole career.

Disc one of the casinao classics, is the same as the bonus disc I got with too young to die!

[djrigby]

Disc one of the casinao classics, is the same as the bonus disc I got with too young to die!

Indeed it is! But it was a limited edition, and "due to popular demand" it was bundled with the second disc of new mixes to make up "Casino Classics".

[Johnny Vodka]

Disc one of the casinao classics, is the same as the bonus disc I got with too young to die!

Is that right? I've never actually noticed. :suspect:

[Bearhorn]

The music of Saint Etienne is probably one of my favourite things in the whole wide world! They evoke all that is cool and beautiful about pop and express it perfectly through the delightful Sarah Cracknell's voice which is so lovely, so silky smooth that it is like angels rubbing honey on your soul. It is music which you put on when you throw a house party and suddenly the room is full of sexy, slinky women and modish men - it brings out the best in all of us.

Agree with others who have suggested picking up Smash the System an essential compilation of their earlier songs (quite a few of which are from Tiger Bay which is arguably their defining album) which includes the fabulous 'You're In A Bad Way' and arguably the coolest dance tune of the 90s 'He's On The Phone' - it's a more extensive collection and hence supersedes 'Too Young To Die'.

I have Tales From Turnpike House too, I always smile when I listen to 'Milk Bottle Symphony' :)

Good Humor is another outstanding album, from the brilliant and vindictive 'Sylvie', through the soaring chorus of 'Mr Donut' to the chilled out laziness of 'Dutch TV', it is one of my favourite St Etienne albums. It is notable too (for me at least) for the brilliant introduction by Douglas Coupland where he perfectly describes the Saint Etienne sound as 'both utterly metropolitan and effortlessly clean. It is the sound of love without blame, and hope without conditions.'

[jaminb]

great band, nice to see I'm not the only one who appreciated them.

[Art Vanderlay]

Is there any more news on their album of music for kids they were planning? I really like the preview tracks on the bonus disc that came with Turnpike House.

So Tough was their peak for me - I have a signed copy :dork:
Then Foxbase Alpha and Tiger Bay.

I have all their albums, but chunks of the more recent stuff leave me a bit cold.

[infernalaffairs]

So Tough was their peak for me - I have a signed copy :dork:


Me too. :clap:

[gjkendall]

Have given Turnpike Road a good few listens...LOVE IT!!!!!

[Johnny Vodka]

Yup, their last album was unexpectedly good. I probably wouldn't have bothered sampling it if I hadn't got it for free, but I think it made my top ten albums of that year on CD Times.

[gjkendall]

"Lets buy a pig or a hen"

[AndyH]

Good nod to "He's on the Phone" and "You're in a Bad Way" above.

I don't have enough St Etienne in my collection, so cheers for starting this thread - I might go shopping as a result!

[Mr M0by]

They also sneaked out a 'rave' tune under a different name. Can't remember the title off the top of my head.

It was the track they did with Paul van Dyk, 'Tell Me Why (The Riddle)'. It was basically the usual van Dyk offering with Sarahs vocals a la Deleriums 'Silence' with Sarah McLachlan. Very good it was too.

Saint Etienne were/are such a great group. I think the first track of there's that i recall hearing was 'Youre in a bad way' in 93.... though i do have Cola Boys '7 ways to love' on cassette single from 91 tucked away in my loft somewhere and the Cracknell version on a C90 or something. :D

[Johnny Vodka]

It was the track they did with Paul van Dyk, 'Tell Me Why (The Riddle)'. It was basically the usual van Dyk offering with Sarahs vocals a la Deleriums 'Silence' with Sarah McLachlan. Very good it was too.



There was that one... but that was too late to be a rave tune.

Track I'm thinking of is "7 Ways to Love" by Cola Boy. (Just looked it up!)

[Mr M0by]

There was that one... but that was too late to be a rave tune.

I just thought you were mixing up your genres. ;) I mentioned 7 ways to Love above but to be honest i hadn't heard it in about 15 years (just found a sample via google) and could only remember the rather serene vocal.

[Johnny Vodka]

I mentioned 7 ways to Love above but to be honest i hadn't heard it in about 15 years (just found a sample via google) and could only remember the rather serene vocal.

Apologies. I didn't notice.

[RomerojpgX]

Good nod to "He's on the Phone" and "You're in a Bad Way" above.

"He's on the Phone" now that brings back memories, that was the first time I paid any attention to them I remember that track more than anything else and hell just got most their albums and listened to them last week at work, very nice music, some tracks are a little samey, but to be honest its great chill out music and some of the tracks across the albums are fantstic.

[Johnny Vodka]

I'd say "He's on the Phone" isn't one of their better tunes.

[RomerojpgX]

Maybe not :) but it was the first song I probibly ever heard, I have vague memries of a sexy video too, as I was a young un back then :D

[Bearhorn]

sexy video too, as I was a young un back then :D

If you want a sexy Saint Etienne video have a look at the bizarre video to 'Hug My Soul' which featured a young Sarah Cracknell :luv: looking absolutely delicious dancing with a big bear :?:

[davey1970]

i like burnt out car most i think, plus the singles off tiger bay - smash the system had a few singles reworked which annoyed me unfortunately, but is a good comp.

[Mr M0by]

If you want a sexy Saint Etienne video have a look at the bizarre video to 'Hug My Soul' which featured a young Sarah Cracknell :luv: looking absolutely delicious dancing with a big bear :?:

Ahh... So that explains your username.

[njc]

Just looking through the song list for Foxbase Alpha conjures up all sorts of great memories of my first year at university, especially the summer. Great album (once you skip past a couple of the fillers) and, for me at least, memories of a great year.

[gjkendall]

Just read that their albums are going to be remastered and reissued this year! RESULT!

Sounds like they will be 2 disc affairs, with remixes and rarities.

Now, can anyone help me source a reasonably priced original copy of Boxette please...completely missed this and am somewhat desperate to hear this 4cd set!

[Drysolder]

+1 for the Saint Etienne love. Although if I had to pick one song it would be 'Who do you think you are?' which has Sarah and Debsy Wykes on the vocals.

And you can't deny the poppers-o-clock Motiv8 remix of 'He's on the Phone'.

The current single (Method of Modern Love) is an absolute blinder too!

[gjkendall]

+1 for the Saint Etienne love. Although if I had to pick one song it would be 'Who do you think you are?' which has Sarah and Debsy Wykes on the vocals.

And you can't deny the poppers-o-clock Motiv8 remix of 'He's on the Phone'.

The current single (Method of Modern Love) is an absolute blinder too!

I forgot to add, they will be doing 3 dates where they will be performing FBA live in its entirety!

Methods of Modern Love is on the 2009 pressing of the 3 disc London Conversations...it is not on any other release (nor the 2008 pressing)

[gjkendall]

Well pleased...just bought a brand new Boxette, only cost me £27.50 delivered!

Anyone else buy Boxette?

[Drysolder]

Methods of Modern Love is on the 2009 pressing of the 3 disc London Conversations...it is not on any other release (nor the 2008 pressing)

Yep, but it's out as a single in its own right.

[gjkendall]

Yep, but it's out as a single in its own right.

Sorry, I did only mean albums...:doh:

[Drysolder]

Sorry, I did only mean albums...:doh:

Lol. Will have to dig out my original Too Young To Die 2-disc.

[gjkendall]

Lol. Will have to dig out my original Too Young To Die 2-disc.

I did that the other day!

[gjkendall]

Well, I have hit the jackpot (of sorts)...

I fired off a hopeful email to Heavenly asking about Boxette and it's availability...Saint Etienne's manager sent me a mail back and said he would ask Pete if he had any sets left and get back in touch.

Few weeks later, he did indeed get back to me and said yes, he had one and would let me have it for the £25 they were originally selling it for (they seem to be ranging from £40 to a mind boggling £200 on ebay)

I now have Boxette #2454 in my hands and am just about to put it onto my mp3 player.

I am well pleased!

[gjkendall]

Just bought London Conversations (2cd/1dvd) from HMV for £8.99...it was the only copy at that price the others were £18.99. RESULT!

[gjkendall]

Information on the remasters! £17.99 each!!!!!!:nuts:

Tracklistings from the deluxe re-releases of "Foxbase alpha" and "Continental" (out May 11) http://www.recordstore.co.uk/saintetienne/

"Foxbase Alpha":
Originally released in 1991 it was nominated for the inaugural Mercury Music Prize and is now cited as one of the classic albums of the era. The album is home to the timeless 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart' and 'Nothing Can Stop Us'.

The album has now been remastered with a second disc featuring b-sides, mixes and five previously unreleased tracks. The album is luxuriously packaged in the Universal Deluxe Edition style and comes with a booklet packed with brand new sleevenotes, images and memorabilia.

Tracklisting

Disc One

1. This Is Radio Etienne
2. Only Love Can Break Your Heart
3. Wilson
4. Carnt Sleep
5. Girl VII
6. Spring
7. She's The One
8. Stoned To Say The Least
9. Nothing Can Stop Us
10. Etienne Gonna Die
11. London Belongs To Me
12. Like The Swallow
13. Dilworth's Theme

Disc Two

1. Kiss And Make Up
2. Filthy
3. Chase HQ
4. Sally Space
5. The Reckoning
6. Speedwell
7. Parliament Hill
8. People Get Real
9. Sweet Pea
10. Winter In America
11. Fake 88
12. Studio Kinda Filthy
13. Kiss And Make Up (12" Version)
14. Sky's Dead

"Continental":
Continental was a Japanese only compilation of Saint Etienne's non-album singles, cover versions and new material that was recorded in 1996-97 inbetween working on other projects.

The album, which features 'He's On The Phone', their biggest ever hit single, now receives it's first ever release outside of Japan and has been remastered and expanded to 2 discs, including 4 previously unreleased tracks.

The release is packaged in the luxurious Deluxe Edition style and comes with a booklet packed with brand new sleevenotes, images and memorabilia.

Tracklisting

Disc One

1. Shad Thames
2. Burnt Out Car (Balearico)
3. Sometimes In Winter
4. Winter Melody
5. Public Information Film
6. The Process
7. He's On The Phone
8. Stormtrooper In Drag
9. Star
10. Down By The Sea
11. The Sea (PFM Mix, Early Fade)
12. Lonesome
13. Angel (Broadcast Mix)

Disc Two

1. Accident
2. Is It True
3. Where Did Our Love Go (Demo)
4. Groveley Road
5. How I Learned To Love The Bomb
6. Postal Interlude
7. Can't Stop Now
8. Under Her Spell
9. Saturday
10. Suburban Autumn Lieutenant
11. We Could Have It All (Demo)
12. Lover Plays The Bass
13. Home (Demo)
14. Burnt Out Car (Demo)

[gjkendall]

A couple more remasters have been released, but another new release is about to come out.

Fox Base Beta (a Richard X remix album)...the samples on their Myspace site sound very nice!

[dunkrag]

Anyone gone for the Deluxe Edition of Foxbase Alpha?

https://secure.easyanswer.net/subbuteo/
Looks well funky? :D :nuts:

[gjkendall]

Anyone gone for the Deluxe Edition of Foxbase Alpha?

https://secure.easyanswer.net/subbuteo/
Looks well funky? :D :nuts:

If I had not not bought the standard 2disc remastered version!

[Philc]

"Cigarette, cup of tea, a bun?"

Great album that! Love Hobart Paving and You're in a bad way. The songs of my youth and adolescence.

Filthy has got to be one of the coolest tunes ever.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/68d_wfuXcX4&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/68d_wfuXcX4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Got it on vinyl still and most of their other early work including their great cover of Only love can break your heart.

[gjkendall]

So did anyone else order the Foxbase Beta? First time I have ordered through the fan club and have heard horror stories, but I logged on at 7-30am and ordered very quickly and easily!

Should be shipped mid October!

[iainoco]

So did anyone else order the Foxbase Beta? First time I have ordered through the fan club and have heard horror stories, but I logged on at 7-30am and ordered very quickly and easily!

Should be shipped mid October!

Sounds phenomenal :notworthy Ordered now :)

[Brunodog]

Really enjoying the rerelease of Fox Base Alpha, particularly "carnt sleep", I have really fell in love with this song again.

[mikegray]

Don't know if it was fans or a PR thing, but these girls were in the crowd at Summer Sundae

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/m_g_gray/3824578048/" title="Saint Etienne by m_g_gray, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2544/3824578048_231caac924.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Saint Etienne" /></a>

[DM]

Always found them a bit too twee. Girls music. ;)

[gjkendall]

Always found them a bit too twee. Girls music. ;)

:lol:

[akira9000]

Don't know if it was fans or a PR thing, but these girls were in the crowd at Summer Sundae

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/m_g_gray/3824578048/" title="Saint Etienne by m_g_gray, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2544/3824578048_231caac924.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Saint Etienne" /></a>

now that takes me back to some pretty "happy" times in the 90s :D

[gjkendall]

If anyone on here comes across the 4 track promo for Fox Base Beta Club Mixes, I would be very happy to take it off your hands for a fair price...I can imagine the one on ebay is going to go up to something obscene!

[iainoco]

Foxbase Beta must be despatching soon :brickwall I'm so impatient :lol:

[gjkendall]

Foxbase Beta must be despatching soon :brickwall I'm so impatient :lol:


I got confirmation that my copy shipped yesterday!:clap:

[Johnny Vodka]

DM has no taste... Best pop group of the 90s, though admittedly I don't listen to them much now.

Ooops. I already said that. :D

[DM]

Best pop music of the 90's came from Pulp I'm afraid. For the record, my taste in music isn't that far removed from yours.

[Mr Majestik]

I've kind of liked the idea of St Etienne more than the actual tunes they've produced.
Mixing modern dance with Nancy Sinarttra type 60's pop's a pretty ace idea but alas Bob Stanley was no Lee Hazlewood in the song writing dept.


(That said i do have a lot of time for Fox base alpha.)

[Johnny Vodka]

Best pop music of the 90's came from Pulp I'm afraid. For the record, my taste in music isn't that far removed from yours.

Pulp had one great album - His 'n' Hers - then became way too heavy-handed and commercial. There's something too obvious about Disco 2000 and Common People. I wouldn't say Saint Etienne have made one particular album I adore (the one with You're In A Bad Way on it probably comes closest), but their singles output has been great and I think they are genuinely underrated. Only Love Can Break Your Heart is probably my favourite "summer" song.

[davecarter]

Pulp had one great album - His 'n' Hers - then became way too heavy-handed and commercial. There's something too obvious about Disco 2000 and Common People. I wouldn't say Saint Etienne have made one particular album I adore (the one with You're In A Bad Way on it probably comes closest), but their singles output has been great and I think they are genuinely underrated. Only Love Can Break Your Heart is probably my favourite "summer" song.


His n Hers is indeed an amazing Album,

So Tough is my favourite SE album, Hobart Paving and Avenue alone are things of Beauty

[DM]

Only Love Can Break Your Heart is probably my favourite "summer" song.

it's a cover :lol:
Common People is pop at it's finest (and they wrote it)

[gjkendall]

Well, my copy of Foxbase Beta was here when I got home...number 183!!!!

Just going to give it a quick blast!

[Johnny Vodka]

it's a cover :lol:

I know. And it's also one of the best covers ever, probably the best actually.

[douglasb]

I know. And it's also one of the best covers ever, probably the best actually.

Here's a 'Kick Me' sign we made earlier ... :wave:

[iainoco]

I got confirmation that my copy shipped yesterday!:clap:

Got my email today too :clap:

[iainoco]

Arrived today and had a quick listen, impressed so far. It's still Foxbase Alpha but with a shiny disco suit on :clap: Richard X has done himself proud :notworthy

[gjkendall]

Tiger Bay and Finisterre are the next two albums to get the Deluxe treatment.

Finisterre has a Super Deluxe version, this is limited to 1000 pieces and also has the dvd included. (I think this is a fan club exculsive)

I have pre-ordered both...

[RomerojpgX]

Whats on the DVD? Music Vids? Live Stuff? :)

[robbie99]

Its the film that was made to go with the album, avalible seperatly here - DVD (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=8&url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0009RRSZO/thedvdforums-21)

[RomerojpgX]

Thanks :) never even knew that was out.

Mind you the DVD edition is also on the Universal site, so no need to be in any fanclub etc.. :)

http://store.universal-music.co.uk/restofworld/Artists/Saint-Etienne/icat/saintetienne

the Universal site sometimes does signed CD's as well for albums and they dont ussually charge more for them over the non signed editions, so you never know keep your eyes peeled, as they ussually sell out very quickly indeed and are very limited. One to keep your eyes on mind you :) I have had a few signed CD's at no real extra cost the last few months.

[gjkendall]

Only just noticed that Tiger Bay has the band members on the sleeve...I have had the album since 1994 and it's only now I notice!

Loving these reissues!

[gjkendall]

An exclusive Christmas CD has just gone up for pre-order...

http://xmas-shop.saintetienne.com/index.asp

Got my order in...went for the £16 version.

Anyone here going to buy the £150 personalised song?

[rhog]

FYI: They are supporting Scissor Sisters at the Brighton Centre on the 2nd of December. Just had my tickets confirmed :)

[Scottola]

An exclusive Christmas CD has just gone up for pre-order...

http://xmas-shop.saintetienne.com/index.asp

Got my order in...went for the £16 version.

Anyone here going to buy the £150 personalised song?

I might get the CD, you can never have enough St Etienne songs, however, I don't think I could quite manage the personalised track. It must be great if you're a huge Etienne fan and can afford it.

Anyway I married Sarah Cracknell in a track on her solo album, well so she sung anyway ;) Just remembered the lyrics, it was just an engagement!

A while ago Bob from the band was trying to get hold the Now That's What I Call Music CDs via their Myspace page, I swapped some of my brother's CDs (He'll never know!) with him for a little bonus EP signed by him with a little message. I've never gone in for signed stuff before, but it did give me buzz having a chat with him and getting the CD.

[Johnny Vodka]

So what was the Saint Etienne Xmas album like then? Any good?

[ian turner]

Surely someone should be waxing lyrical about their Christmas gigs.

[Johnny Vodka]

Their London one got a good review in The Guardian - sounds like they were playing lots of hits and 90s material.

[orac]

heard bits and pieces over the last 20 years. With this mflow easter deal I got Tales of Turnpike House (deluxe) and Good Humor (deluxe). Really like both of them, and I have Tiger Bay to listen to. Is it essential to get the deluxe versions of older albums? I prefer to hear the original album than go too mad on all the extra tracks.

I see they are playing the Camden Crawl on 30th April.

[Art Vanderlay]

heard bits and pieces over the last 20 years. With this mflow easter deal I got Tales of Turnpike House (deluxe) and Good Humor (deluxe). Really like both of them, and I have Tiger Bay to listen to. Is it essential to get the deluxe versions of older albums? I prefer to hear the original album than go too mad on all the extra tracks.

You have a treat coming, as Foxbase Alpha and So Tough are their two best albums IMHO.

So Tough Deluxe is well worth getting, as there are a few 'single only' releases in their that are worth having (Join Our Club, Who Do You Think You Are, I'm Too Sexy) and a lot of the b-sides from that era are good too.

Not sure about the Foxbase Alpha Deluxe. But Foxbase Beta is well worth getting as well if you find that you like Alpha, though it may not be so effective if you don't know Alpha inside out.

[orac]

I have all the studio albums now (well got Foxbase Beta, rather than Alpha) and sorry, but So Tough is the worst album IMO, just could not get into it and I didn't like Finisterre either. Other wise I like all the other albums, I think in order of preference:

Tales of Turnpike House
Good Humor
Tiger Bay
Sound of Water
Foxbase Beta