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Post by Chippa on Apr 19, 2015 8:32:25 GMT
Do you like your pop jangly? Do you like massive harmonies, and melodies that melt in your ears like candy on a hot Summer day? Then you might enjoy Teenage Fanclub and their 1997 album Songs From Northern Britain.
I've posted each song, individually, since the only playlist on YouTube has one song that can't be played in the US, for some bizarre reason. So here you go...in order..
1."Start Again"
2. "Ain't That Enough" 3. "Can't Feel My Soul"
4. "I Don't Want Control of You"
5. "Planets"
6. "It's a Bad World"
7. "Take the Long Way Round"
8. "Winter"
9. "I Don't Care"
10. "Mount Everest"
11. "Your Love Is the Place Where I Come From"
12. "Speed of Light"
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Post by jrmugz on Apr 19, 2015 11:12:37 GMT
Never heard of them, but sounds intriguing! Will give them a good listen this week and let you know my thoughts! Looking very forward to it!
Jim
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Post by queenofthehours on Apr 19, 2015 14:19:26 GMT
Like Cast, another band I remember from years ago and haven't heard much of since. I sometimes wonder if I'd have bought this album if I'd had any money at 14.
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Post by 88keys on Apr 19, 2015 21:02:40 GMT
I'm a fan of power pop, so I can't wait to dig into this.
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Post by jrmugz on Apr 20, 2015 20:27:01 GMT
OK, below is my review of Teenage Fanclub's "Songs From Northern Britain" CD. 01. "Start Again"- Nice harmonies, great pop song. Was waiting to hear "I have my boo-ooks and my poetry to protect me. ..." :-) 02. "Ain't That Enough" - Very nice jangly harmonic song, will this style be the same the whole CD? 03. "Can't Feel My Soul" - Great title for a song; like the unique effect on the chorus, a good way to do something different than the previous 2. 04. "I Don't Want Control of You" - Like the nice Irish slant to this one. Not bad. Actually reminds me of some Mellencamp stuff at points. 05. "Planets" - Seems like I'm hearing a very good song, that seems like it may be unnecessarily being held hostage by the drums and harmony formula too much? 06. "It's a Bad World" - Snore-a bore-a self-destroyer, as Ray Davies may describe it, for all it's pop sensibilities. 07. "Take the Long Way Round" - I like this one, gives a nice peaceful easy feeling. One of the best so far. 08. "Winter" - Another good song, and am glad to finally hear one without harmonies through the whole song. Good melodic verse and chorus. 09. "I Don't Care" - Really enjoy the chords on this one. Like the guitar effect with the chorus. 10. "Mount Everest" - Hearing some "Last Dance for Mary Jane" Tom Petty action in this one. Sounds good. 11. "Your Love Is the Place Where I Come From" - Nice song with some unique verbiage in the chorus. Like it! 12. "Speed of Light" - A solid closer with a more electric tinge. Pretty good! Like the picking in the guitar rhythm a lot. I have to admit, I was actually disappointed when there were no more songs left, so that must be a good sign that I was genuinely enjoying this one. And I start the rating at 4 when I do these, then deduce or add to it as the CD progresses, and this one kept going up a point here and a point there. Star Rating: 4.4 out of 5 Prime Cuts: "I Don't Want Control of You", "Start Again", "Take the Long Way Round", "Your Love Is the Place Where I Come From", "Speed of Light" Bottom Line: Nice easygoing light 60s pop to process the current dynamics in one's life with. Thanks for introducing me, and probably some others, to a new band, Chippa; they sound good. If they have any other good stuff you would highly recommend us checking out as well, just let us know! Got you marked down for late June for another CD of the Week; will keep you posted a day or two before, in case you forget! Jim
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Post by 88keys on Apr 20, 2015 20:59:19 GMT
What a beautiful, melodic bunch of songs! The shimmering guitars and layers of harmonies remind me a lot of some Jeff Lynne productions, especially on Tom Petty’s songs.
Among the other influences I hear on this album, are The Byrds, Matthew Sweet, Crosby, Stills and Nash, ‘Revolver’-era Beatles, and “California sound” bands like The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac.
Favorite moments—the guitar/chiming keyboard combination that opens ‘Start Again’. The (snyth?) horns on ‘I Don’t Want Control Of You’. The irresistible chorus of ‘Ain’t That Enough’. The abrupt start of ‘Winter’. The gorgeous, analog synth break in ‘Planets’.
Best songs (in order)… Winter: Start Again: Planets: I Don’t Want Control Of You: Ain’t That Enough: Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From : Take The Long Way ‘Round.
I think this record is a buyer and keeper. I’m gonna find it on vinyl, if I can!
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Post by nickheynes on Apr 21, 2015 8:50:41 GMT
Ohh I'm looking forward to this one . They're a band that for some reason passed me by. Will have a listen at work tonight and post my review asap
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Post by Chippa on Apr 21, 2015 17:11:10 GMT
Great input, so far.
Jmugz,I never really noticed the similarity between Start Again, and I Am A Rock, until you mentioned it. Good ear!
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Post by unomusette on Apr 25, 2015 20:52:04 GMT
Start Again - Jangly is the word, and in the same vein as Pugwash which is certainly not a bad thing. Anyone who likes ELO would enjoy this, it's a nice, laid back opener. Ain't That Enough - This one is very Byrds-esque to my ears and has a proper Summer of Love vibe. As Chippa said, a good background to a sunny summer's day. Can't Feel My Soul - Interesting guitar effect but sounding a lot like what's come before. I Don't Want Control of You - Can't beat a birdsong opening, and the '60's feel just keeps coming. Planets - Nice strings, makes a change from jangliness. Not too long either, as with all the songs on this album. Proper pop. It's a Bad World - Lots of sound layers going on here, and a bit meatier than the previous songs. Good one. Take the Long Way Round - Back to the usual sound, but why change a winning formula? Winter - A slight Snow Patrol vibe came through on the earlier songs, but more pronounced for me on this one. Or is it just the title? This band does bring to mind lots of others including Tom Petty who is very Byrds-alike himself. I Don't Care - Nice harmonies and I like the fuller sound on this one. Mount Everest - Ponderous opening as befits a monolith title. The whole thing does plod a bit for me and it's a mite too long, but it does have a good bit of fuzzy guitar with plinky piano backing. Your Love Is the Place Where I Come From - Didn't grab me particularly, bit of a filler after hearing all the previous songs. I blame my unfamiliar ear (might get some cream for that) Speed of Light - More substance to this one, nice solid track to finish with. Leaves you feeling you've been listening to something worthwhile. Mr Musette is very much into Redd Kross who I think came out at around the same time as Teenage Fanclub and had a similar vibe, and there was also Jellyfish who were in the same mould. I think Teenage Fanclub were the most successful at the time, and there will always be a place for happy, laid back jangly pop like this - if a band can do it well why not bring it back? To the uninitiated like me it does all sound similar but it's a good similar if you know what I mean. And it's never too long until the next song. As Chippa said, it suits a certain kind of sunny, lazy day perfectly; I'd give it 6 out of 10, thanks for sharing
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Post by Chippa on Apr 26, 2015 1:55:48 GMT
Great reviews, all. Not much I can add, really. Teenage Fanclub are a great band, who never really got as big as they deserved.
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Post by queenofthehours on Apr 27, 2015 20:20:08 GMT
1. Start Again – Great opener. Very nice to hear – if feels a long time since I heard a guitar band. Some good rhythm guitar and electric. 2. Ain't That Enough – My favourite part is the ascending guitar. Very Beatles-y! Interesting drums and is that a xylophone?
3. Can't Feel My Soul – No my favourite but it chugs along nicely. A bit like early Snow Patrol.
4. I Don't Want Control of You – I remember this coming out as a single I think. I liked it quite a lot. Lovely melody.
5. Planets – Thunderclap Newman – that’s what this reminds me of. Nice tune, sounds perfect for a sunny music festival. Lovely strings.
6. It's a Bad World – Another great Beatles-y track. The guitar is reminiscent of Rubber Soul era to my ears.
7. Take the Long Way Round – I love the intro, so much guitar! Those were the days. Lovely harmonies.
8. Winter – I like this track – Beatles-y again. My favourite bit is the guitar melody which reminds me of another band that I can’t put my finger on right now.
9. I Don't Care – Maybe my least favourite but it’s still good – I like the effects.
10. Mount Everest – This sounds different to other tracks on the album – I like it a lot.
11. Your Love Is the Place Where I Come From – Lovely jangly track.
12. Speed of Light – A lovely jangly-pop Byrds-type song to close.
I'm glad I heard this album. I never got around to paying much attention to TF when they were big, though I wanted to. My general impression of them, after a gap of many years, is that they sound like a folky-Beatles!
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