Non Metal Now Listening

[Mooncat]

Been listening to a bit of Bruce Springsteen since he played Edmonton the other night. He famously converts non-fans into fans with the quality of his live shows but I have to admit I still wouldn't consider myself a fan. His music has a real samey quality, and I find the whole blue collar everyman thing a bit hokey. That said, it was an excellent show and the way he powers through it at 75 is super impressive.

His best songs are the ones that actually do have a discernible hook or melody (which are also the ones that are by far his biggest hits) and when he played a string of those in the final hour it was the best part of the night. Glad I saw him as it's generally considered a bucket list show, though not sure I'd go again.

[astfgyl]

Been listening to a bit of Bruce Springsteen since he played Edmonton the other night. He famously converts non-fans into fans with the quality of his live shows but I have to admit I still wouldn't consider myself a fan. His music has a real samey quality, and I find the whole blue collar everyman thing a bit hokey. That said, it was an excellent show and the way he powers through it at 75 is super impressive.

His best songs are the ones that actually do have a discernible hook or melody (which are also the ones that are by far his biggest hits) and when he played a string of those in the final hour it was the best part of the night. Glad I saw him as it's generally considered a bucket list show, though not sure I'd go again.

Did you ever listen to his Nebraska album? It's the only one I like tbh but now you mention it, there's a fair bit of the blue collar everyman in that too, it's just presented in a far bleaker fashion than anything else I've heard him get up to

[Carnage]

The Cure: Show Of A Lost World

Jesus you just want to fall into it.

[StoutAndAle]

I think it's his real name. Always though the same about the Beato playing drums for Carnivore, like could there be a better drummer name?

The drummer from X is named D.J. Bonebrake.

He's the only member of the band that didn't change his name.

[Mooncat]

Been listening to a bit of Bruce Springsteen since he played Edmonton the other night. He famously converts non-fans into fans with the quality of his live shows but I have to admit I still wouldn't consider myself a fan. His music has a real samey quality, and I find the whole blue collar everyman thing a bit hokey. That said, it was an excellent show and the way he powers through it at 75 is super impressive.

His best songs are the ones that actually do have a discernible hook or melody (which are also the ones that are by far his biggest hits) and when he played a string of those in the final hour it was the best part of the night. Glad I saw him as it's generally considered a bucket list show, though not sure I'd go again.

Did you ever listen to his Nebraska album? It's the only one I like tbh but now you mention it, there's a fair bit of the blue collar everyman in that too, it's just presented in a far bleaker fashion than anything else I've heard him get up to

I've heard that Nebraska is the one to try if you're not a fan of his usual stuff, I'll give it a go. The whole middle America bleak blue collar thing is making me think of Fargo for some reason 

[101_North]

For anyone that likes earlier Genesis the Steve Hackett Genesis revisit live albums are well worth checking out. The band is absolutely superb. Seen him a fair few times touring the Genesis stuff and it's a stunning show. Great to see these older tracks given a new lease of life.

https://youtu.be/bFgdvFnAVX0
https://youtu.be/5hDktUIzoQo
https://youtu.be/oIcTis6KgJY

[Ducky]

Belinda Carlisle - The Best of Belinda, Volume 1.

This is some peak 80s/early 90s pop shit right here 

[Carnage]

An early crush of mine, heaven is indeed a place on earth. I remember being incensed when that was knocked off no. 1. T'pau, now there's '80s cheese for ya.

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

J.C. Satàn - Faraway Land

One of the cooler venues here in Bordeaux (Krakatoa) is closing for a full refurb job until 2026 so they had a 'farewell for now' style concert Thursday night with these local legends (who I'd never listened to) headlining. They put on an amazing show so I grabbed this LP from the merch stall after. Noisy, grungey, punky, poppy, somewhere between Bleach era Nirvana and mid-career Beatles but with twin male and female vocals. I'm sure it sounds much more similar to a load of stuff I simply don't know but I'd say a few of ye on here would be into it anyway, some may even have heard of them before.

[StoutAndAle]

I've heard that Nebraska is the one to try if you're not a fan of his usual stuff, I'll give it a go. The whole middle America bleak blue collar thing is making me think of Fargo for some reason 

I grew up listening to Bruce Springsteen - my oul fella is a superfan who dragged himself plus his young children (and sometimes his adult children) around parts of America or Europe to see several shows on every tour. I think that he's great - but not in a second coming of Christ way like a lot of his fans do.

(That being said - when The Boss played in Cork a few months ago my dad said "I'm not paying €150 to see a fella as old as myself sing about the trials of the working man and stand in the pissing rain.")

Anyway... I always felt that a lot of what he's about gets lost in the bombastic, overblown stuff - although, to be fair, Springsteen didn't really start down that road until over a decade into his career. To quote himself "I became a pop star at 35 years old, what was happening?!".

"Nebraska" is an incredible record. It's dark, bleak, sparse and - given the fact that he was just about the biggest rock star on the planet after "The River" tour - absolutely not what fans, Columbia records or his management were expecting. It's the kind of record that could only come from locking yourself away in your house and doing it all yourself.

He was influenced by Alan Vega and Martin Rev of Suicide, they used to hang out in the '70s when they were both sharing a studio - the thought of that is bizarre. Jon Landau (Springsteen's manager) used to try and keep him away from Vega cos they'd be off smoking fags together. 

Every album after his first two (which are great in their own way - a Bob Dylan/Van Morrisson hybrid) and up to "Born In The USA" has a dark heart, he retreats back into the darkness on his very next record, "Tunnel Of Love", and then dips in and out for the rest of his career - "The Ghost Of Tom Joad" being another particular highlight.

Listen to the original version of "Born In The USA" (which was written for the "Nebraska" album) it's a far different song - not one that you'd use to get pumped up to before going out on a Saturday evening.

"Deliver Me From Nowhere" by Warren Zanes is a great book about "Nebraska" if you're interested in exploring further.

The new Steven Hyden book "There Was Nothing You Could Do" is supposed to be really great too, I haven't read that one - but I bought it forthe old man for Christmas.

[StoutAndAle]

J.C. Satàn - Faraway Land

One of the cooler venues here in Bordeaux (Krakatoa) is closing for a full refurb job until 2026 so they had a 'farewell for now' style concert Thursday night with these local legends (who I'd never listened to) headlining. They put on an amazing show so I grabbed this LP from the merch stall after. Noisy, grungey, punky, poppy, somewhere between Bleach era Nirvana and mid-career Beatles but with twin male and female vocals. I'm sure it sounds much more similar to a load of stuff I simply don't know but I'd say a few of ye on here would be into it anyway, some may even have heard of them before.

I have "Centaur Desire" on here at the minute. I like it, reminds me of the earlier White Stripes records where they let loose.

As an aside - I didn't know that you lived in Bordeaux (then again - why would I?). I was there a few weeks back and would have asked you for recommendations.

I had a great time there - some fantastic restaurants, bars and galleries. Everyone was nice and friendly. None of the indifference that I experienced in Paris on the several times that I've visited.

[open face surgery]

Just listened to most of Nebraska there. Not for me, there's just fuck all happening, but I could get a Suicide buzz from Johnny 99 and State Trooper. Wasn't expecting that.

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

J.C. Satàn - Faraway Land

One of the cooler venues here in Bordeaux (Krakatoa) is closing for a full refurb job until 2026 so they had a 'farewell for now' style concert Thursday night with these local legends (who I'd never listened to) headlining. They put on an amazing show so I grabbed this LP from the merch stall after. Noisy, grungey, punky, poppy, somewhere between Bleach era Nirvana and mid-career Beatles but with twin male and female vocals. I'm sure it sounds much more similar to a load of stuff I simply don't know but I'd say a few of ye on here would be into it anyway, some may even have heard of them before.

I have "Centaur Desire" on here at the minute. I like it, reminds me of the earlier White Stripes records where they let loose.

As an aside - I didn't know that you lived in Bordeaux (then again - why would I?). I was there a few weeks back and would have asked you for recommendations.

I had a great time there - some fantastic restaurants, bars and galleries. Everyone was nice and friendly. None of the indifference that I experienced in Paris on the several times that I've visited.

Cool, yeah Bordeaux's a good place to live, been here almost 9 years now. Paris was obviously much better for gigs and, on the whole, I had a better social life there, but for the day-to-day Bordeaux is far more agréable. Especially for an ageing fogey haha

[Carnage]

Øxn: Cyrm

Serious album, crushing in places. Love Henry is apocalyptic.

[Ducky]

Tears For Fears - "Songs from the Big Chair".

One of the best albums of the 1980s in any genre.