Non Metal Now Listening

[Ducky]

Helium - The Magic City

Great indie album from 97 with heavy prog influences.

Mary Timony can do no wrong. Everything she touches if gold. Love "The Dirt of Luck" in particular (and how Sonic Youth straight up stoke the riff to "Skeleton").

[astfgyl]

I only know her from the Team Sleep album

[Yung Led Zeppelin]

Been on a massive country kick lately off the back of working live sound for people playing these, generally great songs, pretty sprawling and varied genre-wise across "Americana" way beyond the shite that dominates the midlands here.

Also revisited Smashing Pumpkins after years, mainly Siamese Dream. What a fucking flawless album. How animated and driving the rhythm is, topped with amazing leads (I think Billy Corgan is genuinely overlooked as an all-time great guitarist).

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

I'm not a fan of the Smashing Pumpkins, but I do love Siamese Dream, with Soma being my all-time favourite track by them.

[Eoin McLove]

Siamese Dream is a feckin great album.

[Ducky]

Yeah hands down their best record, with "Quiet" being my personal highlight. Plus, Jimmy Chamberlain is such a fucking talent.

[Ducky]

I only know her from the Team Sleep album

I've only ever heard that in passing 

If you're interested, go chronological - Autoclave (they only did two EPs, and you can get them on a self-titled collection. I've seen them described as "math rock", but note they're indie, rather any form of heavy), Helium, her solo stuff (the album "Ex Hex" is really good), Wild Flag (kinda modern Riot Grrrllll, it's alright), Ex Hex (pop-punk band, the debut album "Rips" is particular good).

[Ducky]

[ochoill]

Dunno where else to put it but the Duran Duran version of Lay Lady Lay is lethal.  I don't particularly like the original anyway and held the Ministry version to best instance, but this is great: https://youtu.be/5SnGWIE49HI?si=SrAtngvu8YdhMpDc

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

Never heard that before. It has a certain appeal, in the same way that Ordinary World has a certain appeal. While also being totally naff, to use the lingo of the era 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqIACCH20JU

[ochoill]

Never heard that before. It has a certain appeal, in the same way that Ordinary World has a certain appeal. While also being totally naff, to use the lingo of the era 

I absolutely get that, and also love Ordinary World

Not a band I'd give much go to outside of the singles, though I enjoy most of those.  That cover is probably the only album track I heard of them!

Double edit:  Ordinary World is A-Ha worship and as good as it is, there is no need for it when the entirety of "Scoundrel Days" exists.  One of the best pop albums ever written.

Triple Edit:  I am still listening to Duran Duran now though

[Ducky]

Ah, so Duran Duran is part of my musical DNA. My older brother's favourite band since before I was even born, I've heard those albums hundreds of times. "Rio" is one of my all-time favourite records (and I'd probably take it over both "Songs From The Big Chair" and "Violator"). I remember buying my CD copy of it in HMV at the same time as Deicide's debut and getting a funny look They've a sophisticated pop sound on it, it's quite a dark record at times, and the rhythm section is tight-as-fuck. This would be my perfect pop album (plus it has one of the iconic album sleeves).

"A View To A Kill" is my favourite Bond theme too.

The band was kinda imploding when they released "The Wedding Album" (the one "Ordinary World" is from). Held together at the time mostly by Warren Cucurullo - he had previously played in Missing Persons and with Frank Zappa). So the fact that there's anything passable from this period is a miracle.

I like their cover of Zeppelin's "Thank You".

And they're responsible for my favourite ever b-side as well;

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

Speaking of A-Ha, The Living Daylights is a pretty decent Bond theme too. Though doesn't touch A View To A Kill.

[Ducky]

Think A-Ha were chosen as they were "close" to Duran Duran in sound and popularity, and it was another collaboration with John Barry.

The versions used in the film and the one A-Ha stuck on Stay On These Roads are pretty different too (much prefer the one used in the film).

[StoutAndAle]

One of my favourite music industry sliding-door factoids is that EMI/Capitol had enough cash to push one of their lower-tier UK New Wave bands in the USA.

They decided that the budget would be spent on promoting Gang Of Four - videos, TV spots, tour, etc.

However Andy Gill would not play ball with the executive - culminating in Gill openly insulting the EMI/Capitol suit...

... who then used all the money to push his second choice - Duran Duran.