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Post by petea on Jul 19, 2019 16:44:22 GMT
It is interesting going back to this album. I'd forgotten how centre balanced and closed the soundstage is on many of the tracks (almost claustrophobic, especially on "Cowboys"). I often play the "Roseland Live" album, but less so the studio albums. As to the crackles, I've always thought of them more as texture as they cut in and out - for example, on "Undenied" - in a similar way to what Matmos added to some of Björk's work, and they add to the sense of intensity / claustrophobia here I think. And I find that Beth Gibbons' vocal delivery matches the feel of the music well due to her almost tortured intensity. Overall the album has great coherence musically I think partly due to several repeated tonal shifts / progressions plus the scratching and some of the beats.
As I wrote earlier, I was already a fan of Portishead and this has proved a useful chance to listen to the album again, but more critically. Thanks, Martin.
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Post by MartinT on Jul 19, 2019 16:48:19 GMT
Thanks for that, Pete. I agree with some of your points, especially the downbeat sense of melancholy and the intensity of both the music and Gibbon's vocal delivery.
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Post by petea on Jul 19, 2019 16:57:47 GMT
Which don't you agree with it, out of interest?
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Post by John on Jul 19, 2019 17:12:27 GMT
I quite liked the first album but avoided the other albums
To be honest listening now it's a mixed bag like it in places and bores me in other places Nothing stands out like Glory Box
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Post by MartinT on Jul 19, 2019 22:29:43 GMT
Which don't you agree with it, out of interest? I don't really like the crackles. I do tune them out but I don't see the need for them to be there. |
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Post by MartinT on Jul 19, 2019 22:32:34 GMT
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Post by brettj on Jul 26, 2019 10:27:18 GMT
My first foray into actually listening to an 'Album Choice.'
This is pretty good late night Friday listening. Very laid back.
It does remind me of a Bond movie, as mentioned.
Have got this, but never really listened to it.
Like the tracks with less digital effects.
Never heard of a band having their second album self titled before.
A keeper...
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Post by MartinT on Jul 26, 2019 12:20:31 GMT
Thanks for listening, Brett.
Feel free to go back over the archives and comment/rate any previous Album Choice.
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Post by julesd68 on Jul 26, 2019 20:53:32 GMT
I was expecting this album to be somewhat dreck but was most pleasantly surprised.
I'm having to listen to it on my mobile, so not exactly a hi-fidelity experience. Vocals are most excellent indeed with such a range to them; I particularly like the delivery on 'Seven Months' which at times reminds me of the great Shirley Bassey. Rather enjoyed the 60's and James Bond vibe; funnily enough 'Only You' features an Inspector Clouseau sample! I'm also hearing a heavy 50's American sci-fi / lounge vibe in the mix. I love the DJ scratching on 'Over' and 'Only You' being an old-school hip-hop dude.
On the downside I feel it all somehow merges into one long soundtrack, at the moment I don't find the songs very memorable in themselves but that's probably lack of familiarity. Feels a little dated now as 'trip-hop' seems very much an early 90's thing to me. Not sure it is something I would sit down to listen to, but would enjoy it in the background. I have however saved it in spoti for a listen on the system and am looking forward to a blast.
3/5 for me now, but this could 'ride up with wear' as Mr Humphries used to say ...
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 30, 2019 16:14:11 GMT
Having sampled some years ago I was apprehensive ...
Can listen to it but would rather have something on I really like playing
2/5 from moi
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2019 10:19:39 GMT
I really wanted to like this as I am a big fan of the album Dummy, but for some reason her voice grates a lot more on this album, and the overall album/tunes don't mesh into my liking. Has to be a 2/5 disappointingly.
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Post by ChrisB on Aug 10, 2019 15:45:45 GMT
Oh no, this really isn't for me, sorry.
The treatment of the vocals is awful to my ears. The closed in soundstage that Pete described really gets on my nerves and I often listen in mono!
I quite liked the first section of 'Over' until the song changed gear. That's about the best I have to offer, I'm afraid.
1 point!
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Post by MartinT on Aug 10, 2019 15:58:22 GMT
Thanks for listening to it, Chris. I know her voice and the sound treatment are very Marmite, and I don't really understand what about it that I love, but I have listened to this album over the years and it just gets under my skin.
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Post by ChrisB on Aug 10, 2019 16:09:02 GMT
I know how some albums can do that to you. I like FZ, after all!
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