I learned about Bristol, England's pictureframes through Monorail Music. They sent out an email announcing a signed CD containing both of the bands EPs on one CD. The Monorail page was written by Stephen Pastel.
I like how he works his comparisons in more subtly and gracefully than I do: "If I had to describe it I’d say it’s absolutely gorgeous outsider folk music connecting in different ways to Molly Linen, Syd Barrett, Crescent, Tony, Caro & John." I'd add in Snails. And, according to Stephen Pastel, Gideon Coe at BBC6 has given the band ample support.
Unfortunately, the first run of CDs is sold out, but I'd be surprised if there's not a repress of some sort. This CD looks like it was self-released.
*I am a music prof (predominantly classical vocalist), and I LOVE listening to Cillian’s music choices! That being said, sometimes I won’t like a song simply because of a vocalist (it’s a professional hazard - sorry!) 👩🏫
** The following are my own observations/opinions. We may not agree, and that’s ok! That’s what makes music fun! 😊
*** I wouldn’t say I’m well-versed in Cillian’s music preferences, but I do enjoy them (for the most part). I always wind up adding to my own playlists after listening to Cillian’s recommendations.
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First of all, thank you so much for your patience as I compiled my thoughts! It’s a busy week at work and there’s been a lot of things happening in my family. I appreciate y’all being willing to wait!
And finally, my thoughts on episode 3:
🎵Set 1 (Midnight in a Perfect World - Sister Midnight)
Midnight in a Perfect World: whoaaaa. This is so ethereal and gorgeous and techno but not. Love! 😍
I already like this episode better than last week’s 😂😅
Side note: as crazy as this week has been, this song is perfect right now. The insistent background and bass are steady enough for the irregularities above it. Somehow it’s calming/therapeutic.
Sister Midnight: a classic. While Iggy has never been a favorite of mine, I appreciate this groove!
🎤Talking break
His poor dog! 😂😅 🐕
Ah, finally a mention of Bowie! Shocked it took him this long!
MAMA CASS!!!!!
That horrible moment when you realize you’re almost the same age as Mama Cass when she died 😥😢
🎵Set 2 (Didn’t Wanna Have To Do It - Sinatra Drive Breakdown)
Didn’t Wanna: omg this is so beautiful. She died so young, but DANG. Her voice was so gorgeous! And this song!!! Omg!!! Again, love! 😍 ✨favorite song of this episode✨
I’m definitely assigning this to a student sometime soon 😂 🤫
Summer Rain: ooh, saxophone! 🎷 this started cool as a sax solo, but then it became a bitonal (2 keys at once) performance piece! Niiiiiice! Massive respect. I like how sometimes the 2 lines fit, and then sometimes they really don’t.
Dreaming in Another Language: I am loving the bass and background lines! So fun! And I’m not sure why, but this reminds me of “Rain” by the Beatles? I’ll let you know if I ever pin down why it reminds me of that song 😅
The distortion at the end DEFINITELY sounds Beatles - but like ‘68 not ‘66 ish.
Sinatra: much more rock n roll! This is not what I expect when I see “Sinatra” in the title 😂😂😂 I definitely hear a “breakdown,” but it’s also a pleasant surprise how chill the vocal line is against everything else.
🎤Talking break
Oooohhhh a reading!
Fun fact: I do introduce Wendy Carlos to my students when we discuss electronic music.
I need this book.
🎵Set 3 (The Shining - It Takes a Muscle)
The Shining Main Theme: so if you recognize the tune at the beginning, that’s the theme for the Dies Irae (part of the Requiem). Very famous tune and tons of composers quote it (although there are other settings of the Dies Irae text). The early electronic/synthesized sound is not my favorite timbre in the world, but still, this is a big moment in music history.
Side note: I’m a wimp and can’t do scary stuff. I’ve never seen The Shining. Or 28 Days Later. I had to watch A Quiet Place 2 with the sound turned off. 😅
It Takes a Muscle: this techno islander vibe is amazing! 😎
🎤Talking Break
Yay! Covers!
I do not know what French movie this could be. 🤷♀️
🎵Set 4 (Camille - Recat)
Camille: the beginning reminds me of Adele? Why?? This is nothing like Adele! 😅 but I do find the sample intriguing! I’m like “ooh… what are they saying??? Sounds dramatic!!” And more than that, I think it highlights the musical qualities of speech. Even when you don’t know what’s going on, there’s so much still communicated. That’s part of why music works! It’s a fascinating line of study!
Side note: Leonard Bernstein’s lecture series The Unanswered Question explores the above-mentioned speech qualities within music. They’re on YouTube
Intellijel Bell: the beginning sounds like a phone ringing, and I was a little confused when it switched to this song 😅 I guess that’s why “bell” is in the title? But another good example of composers/artists using “sound samples” as music. 👍
Recat: oooh! A nice pace changer! And if you haven’t figured it out by now, I LOVE me some complex rhythms! 😍 now this also has a lot of “headphone sound effects,” where you get that whoosh effect as the sound “travels” from 1 ear to the other. It’s a cool technique, even though it leaves my ears super confused 😂
🎤Talking Break
Tone and atmosphere: yes you can discuss them, but it’s a skill, for sure. I teach a whole class on writing about music.
2020 - only he could make that year sound good.
More whispers
The confusing Yorkshire mystery man!
Dude, actually loving Yorkshire man’s story today! 😂👍
🎵Set 5 (The Prickle-Holly Bush - Only Love Can Break Your Heart)
The Prickle-Holly Bush: once again, I am professionally (and personally) SO INTERESTED in folk music! Love this song! It’s got amazing harmonies, and the vocal production is so humble. It’s hard to describe, but it’s gorgeous. It’s a wonderful reminder that this is music of the people, closely tied to local culture, and ANYONE can join in, regardless of training.
Ok, rant over. Maybe. 😅
Only Love Can Break Your Heart: I feel like this is a “music whiplash” moment going from 1 song to the next 😅 Very pop, and I do like the lyrics.
🎤Talking Break
Ah! This guy was in No No (loved that song)!
🎵Set 6 (Alive Ain’t Always Living - I Saw)
Alive: I like this vocal line/rap. It just teeters in the edge of spoken/sung. Maybe you could call it sprechstimme, but it doesn’t seem to do this justice.
I Saw: whoa. Again, a strong juxtaposition! Very aggressive beginning paired with a chill main vocal line. But I think it’s got some strong lyrics, which is definitely a Cillian thing. But I will say the “brush your teeth, wash your face” section is hilarious! 😂
🎤Talking Break
Young Fathers record comment: boys to grown men. Wow. A great concept!
“When did it come out? I’m not quite sure”
🎵Set 7 (People Are Pissed)
People Are Pissed: this sounds like it belongs in a musical. I could easily see this being performed on stage, but it’s also got these atmospheric movie score qualities. The sudden pauses are a major appeal in this song. But what’s with the video game sounds?? 😂😂😂
🎤Talking Break
Ok but I’m actually ok with him making a “cover version” ident because all his idents have me ROLLING. 😂
🎵Set 8 (Inner City Blues)
Inner City Blues: YES this groove is so smooth. 😎 I really like this! Gil Scott-Heron’s got a loooooovely timbre to his voice. It’s like he’s a crooner. 💯 and the lyrics are amazing, as is the saxophone and other instruments used here! Phew! This is one heck of a song!
🎤Talking Break
Ask a reasonable question!
“Eminently reasonable question”
Of course he’s reading more Claire Keegan
I love how he gets so distracted while presenting 😂
Ooh! Archive material!
🎵Set 9 (King Harvest)
King Harvest: ooh, that Hammond organ! And he’s got some fun belt technique!
Side note: is it a coincidence that Cillian chose a song mentioning a union? 🤔
🎤Talking Break
Ok, but him forgetting to mention something is soooooo relatable to me this week! 😂😂😂
“If you can think of something reasonable to ask”
NINAAAAAAA!!!!!
🎵Set 10 (Mississippi)
Mississippi: I love Nina. While I think Ella Fitzgerald has the most beautiful jazz voice, Nina (and Billie Holiday) are tied for the best storytellers (at least in my book). Anyway. THIS SONG. There are so many powerful songs from the Civil Rights Era (and the decades prior), and this is one of them!
Side note: Nina is a FABULOUS pianist! If you haven’t seen this clip of her from the Ed Sullivan show, you should! She freaking improvised counterpoint!!!! 🙀🙀🙀 I am OBSESSED.
🎤 Talking Break
“See what I mean? She’s kinda untouchable” - yep. She really is!
🎵Set 11(Hard Drive - Mrs. Robinson)
Hard Drive: this is what “living in the present” means 😂. Nah, I like this.
Mrs. Robinson: YES!!!! You better believe I had a hardcore singalong while listening to this 😂😂😂😂
🎤Talking Break
I love when you hear a cover before the original. No particular reason. Just do!
🎵Set 12 (Big Black Mariah)
Big Black Mariah: very bluesy! Specifically country blues. 💙
🎤Talking Break
Noooo it’s the end!!!
“Thanks a mil”
“Miraculously they all seem to be in the same key”
I’ve never heard “saxophonist” said “sax OFF an ist” 😂
“Mind yourselves”
🎵Set 13 (Electric Ballad - Goodnight World)
Electric Ballad: I love the contrary motion and imitation in the lines! The electronic sounds are a bit strange to me, but it’s early days for electronic music, so of course they’re playing with their new toys.
The Lighthouse I: ah, it’s like the horns from tugboats or ships passing! Cool!!! And the hums are a neat effect as well.
Side note: I thought at first it was a bunch of hearings of Concert A, like the instruments were tuning, so I was a bit confused 😅 but I checked and it was a D, not an A. 🤷♀️
Goodnight World: omg it’s Goodnight Moon but not!!! 🙀🙀🙀🙀
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Thanks so much for reading!!! Share and comment if you want 😊
My favourite song from the upcoming @officialmoz album #lowinhighschool so far. 🙏🏽💜 "Home... is it just a word or is it something you carry within you?" he asks in the song. Actually he had answered this question when I interviewed him a couple of years ago by saying, "Your real home is your body –not your house or your apartment!" 👏🏼👏🏼 You can read the full interview on my blog: http://www.veganlogic.net/2014/11/morrissey-your-real-home-is-your-body.html ___________________ #morrissey #moz #mozarmy #homeisaquestionmark #music #home #bbc6 #live #maidavale #song #lyrics
