October 29, 2003
Television - "Marquee Moon"
I picked up the new Rhino remaster of "Marquee Moon" by Television. This is an amazing disc. For those of you unfamiliar with the band, they emerged from the same mid-70's scene as Talking Heads, Blondie, and the Ramones, but they had something the other three didn't - chops.
This is a tremendous GUITAR album, but it's also a BASS and DRUM album, too. The playing just explodes out of your speakers. The title track is an extended piece combining the flavors of the Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, Todd Rundgren, and a Steely Dan-esque bridge, into something quite unique.
Now I'm a huge Heads fan, and admit to liking the occasional Blondie or Ramones album, but "Marquee Moon" slaps you upside the head upon listening. All four guys play extremely tight jazz-infused punk, and if you can get past Tom Verlaine's vocal style (?), the album will grow on you. The new Rhino edition contains bonus tracks, as do the other two Television remasters that Rhino has issued. The sound quality is also noticeably improved over other versions of the album that I've heard.
I'd tell you to go buy it, but I got the only copy in Chattanooga. Trust me, I looked.
Posted by colrus at October 29, 2003 09:45 AM | TrackBackThe Ramones didn't have chops?!? I mean, dont' get me wrong, I fully plan on checkin' out Television per your suggestion.
But I'm guessing you're not ditchin' the bands you mentioned, only pointing out that they weren't hard-core guitar wailers. I can see how that's the case for Blondie & The Talking Heads, and I'll hafta checkout Television to see how they stand against the Ramones.
Posted by: JosiahQ at October 29, 2003 09:49 AMThe Ramones were VERY tight, VERY entertaining, and VERY good, but as far as PLAYING A GUITAR is concerned, there is no comparison. The Ramones had a very simple, distinct style - with HEAVY pop infusion. Television was all over the place. That's probably why they self-destructed. That, and the hating each other's guts...which is ALWAYS good for creativity...
Posted by: bill colrus at October 29, 2003 09:52 AM