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In Reply to: New stuff posted by Sordidman on April 19, 2005 at 12:22:35:
Just listening to The Power Out for the who-knows-how-many-times today and even after a year, I'm still amazed at how accomplished this band sounds under the direction of Steve Albini. It's a little hard to describe just exactly what the appeal is, but it's got boatloads of it, whatever it is. One of those albums that doesn't really knock me out with anything in particular, but one that I always seem to be in the mood to hear. They do go through a few styles, but usually retain some of that Velvet Underground rhythm sound like the Feelies. And more recently, Life Without Buildings. Electrelane mixes in some of the sound that I love about Blonde Redhead too. Gives it a little bit of a fractured sound. Some very cool influences. Another thing that really impresses me about it is the mastering. Most of the CDs you buy nowadays, even the indie stuff that doesn't really have a chance at mainstream radio play, is just horribly compressed, with nearly zero dynamic range. Average level almost the same as peak. But this Electrelane disc is great. Just the direct opposite. You really have to crank up the volume, just like in the "old days". Average levels come out in the 50% to 60% range with peaks up above 90% when you analyze it. Lots of dynamic range. Recorded by Steve Albini and mastered at Abbey Road by Steve Rooke, two of the good guys. What a great team. Hats off and kudos to all involved on this one.So fast forward a year and they have a new bass player and a new album called Axes that will be released on either May 9th or 10th (depending where you live) so thought I'd give them another mention here. Recorded over Christmas with Albini again. Mostly live in the studio. Sounds like it'll be great! Top position on my wishlist. More info at http://www.beggars.com/us/electrelane/. Also nice to see that Music Direct and Acoustic Sounds both have the 2-LP set listed for preorder. At least the audiophile crowd gets it :-)
Follow Ups:
Strange stuff.....Very well recorded though. I was falling asleep while it was on, on the bedroom system: (no indication of the quality of the music).
This might be something that I might really like. My first impression is favorable, but they sound like one of those bands that takes a bunch of listens. You're right, the recording quality is excellent.
is this the real me, or a mere facsimile?
Yeah, it did take a few listens to really get to me. Most of my favorites are that way. I assume you got the one I talked about, The Power Out . Heather Phares has a really nice review of it at AMG and picks up on another touchstone of their sound in the eclectic English band Pram, kind of a second cousin to Stereolab. She's probably my favorite reviewer at AMG as we share a lot of the same taste in music. You could probably even add a mention of Laika, but only because they're moving around in that same circle, not so much because Electrelane sounds like them. Although there might be a little overlap when they move away from the guitar dominated sound. Love a lot of those strange English electro-organic rock bands.I'm definitely anxious to hear the new one in a couple weeks.
They fell down a hole IMO. Their first record, almost forcibly made, - was brilliant. Genius Geeks, old beyond their years, letting out a tone of pain for therapy.Then Peter Buck got involved. (Caveat: I HATE Peter Buck, a pompous and pretentious ass and a wretched guitar player for his band's stature: ruined REM). Then, the Feelies became an REM/Lou Reed cross of serious "musically acceptable" guitar band, and lost all of their pathos.
Their A&M release was step further away from originality: sad.Sorry for the tangent, (can you tell that I became disappointed by so much Feelies potential, - or what I perceive as such)? - I'll check out the Power Out.
Thanks for the tip.
is this the real me, or a mere facsimile?
The way I've heard the story; without Buck, the Feelies would have died on the vine after only releasing Crazy Rhythms. That would have been a shame. Remember it was 6 years between their first and second albums. Apparently, and maybe this story is advanced by Buck's publicist, it was at his urging that they reform and go back in the studio, and he funded the recording of "The Good Earth", which I think is a fine album that is somewhat under-appreciated. I like all their albums, but obviously CR is the acknowledged masterpiece, but the rest of their catalogue deserves respect as well, with or without Buck's involvement, especially, as our randy primate friend mentions; "It's Only Life" which is also a first rate album . Plus, Thanks to Peter Buck, I did get to see them open for R.E.M. and they were fantastic. So give Peter Buck credit for good taste at least, if not skill in the producers chair.
was a good record, - stepping away though from the tension and immediacy, and angst that made Crazy Rhythms so wonderful.Only Life, - was a watered down Lou Reed extrapalation of The Good Earth, - like REM, - endlessly repeating themselves: in this case for a major label, - A&M. Granted, this is only my opinion. But given the HUGE repetitive weaknesses in REM, - caused largely by Peter Buck's inability to play and be creative with this instrument, - the Feelies became another REM and SHOULD'VE died on the vine after the Good Earth.
I interviewed the Feelies (Mike)? rhythm guitarist for KUSF shortly after the release of "only life," - sadly the A&M rep refused to leave the room, - killing all pointed questions and the interview. I don't agree that "only life" was even a "good" record. Not only was it a washed down "the good earth," - but a poorly written record, with nothing new to offer superceding "the good earth."
Mike had said that Crazy Rhythms got made only due to the money and behest of a friend. The Good Earth got made and assisted due to the support of Peter Buck, - and that's good. But he also contributed to the REM-izing of the band, - which isn't, - IMO.
IMO, - Michael Stipe is a saint for standing loyal to that wank Peter Buck.....
is this the real me, or a mere facsimile?
To blame Buck for what you see as the weaknesses of "It's Only Life" seems a bit of a stretch, since I don't think he had anything to do with that album. Obviously I disagree on your take on the album and that's fine, kind of nice actually to not read the usual Feelies company line. But I do think that you give Buck a little too much credit for influencing the band's sound. They certainly still had that superb 2-guitar interplay throughout their career, they did lose a bassist before "It's Only Life", which may have had an influence on the watering of their sound, as you perceive it. They also lost their original, (and very good), drummer, Anton Fier, after Crazy Rhythms, and I agree that they never recaptured the edge that they had on that album, evident in songs like Fa-Ce-La. Curious on your take on their final album "Time for a Witness", it's generally dismissed as their weakest, but I like it, as it rocks quite a bit harder than either "The Good Earth" and "It's Only Life", it might be the closest in spirit to Crazy Rhythms.
Perhaps they had gone down the road of the major label, moreso than any Peter Buck influence. When I was speaking to the rhythm guitar player in private, - he was guarded. And, - perhaps they were all thinking that if they were going to bother to be a band, they needed to write some more commercial things.. or their lead guitar player/singer changed a bit. This was all around the time when Husker Du and the Meat Puppets were having some trouble too.Don't want to carry the PB thing too far... He is an acquaintance of a good friend who has spent some time with him and some of his opinions carry over to me....
Cheers, ELT..
is this the real me, or a mere facsimile?
I don't think Peter Buck was on that third one, was he? I love the Lou Reed sound they get on that one. Beautiful recording and production too. Sure, Crazy Rhythms will always be the best, but I'd hate to miss Only Life. Lots of good music being made today along those same lines. One of my favorite periods for music with that first Feelies album. So many more, as my good Wire loving buddy below, Ex Lion Tamer, certainly knows for sure.No real love or hate for Peter Buck, but I do love the Walkabouts Satisfied Mind , and he was a big part of that album. And I do really like some of those early REM albums too, but I'd agree that Peter Buck probably isn't the reason.
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