It's not always time for a strummed acoustic guitar and a pretty voice. Generally, I think, it's best to avoid such stuff. So, why then is this song (strummed 12-string and perspicuous voice) any different?
For many of us, when we fall in love, we convince ourselves that the love that came before was somehow less real, so that we can justify the current love as of a higher order, more meaningful.
"Soon there'll be another, to tell you I was just a lie."
Buckley captures (correct me if I'm wrong) a universal moment of recognition in a dying love relationship. That moment when we have to gather up and justify our feelings. Why has this been so important? Have I been as important to her as she has been to me? Does the fact that the feeling fades diminish or invalidate it?
We want the simply strummed, slightly phased guitar and crystal voice because we want to see through it to that moment in our life, when, still in love, we realized that we soon would not be, and feeling ridiculous, hoped that our feelings were not insignificant or impermanent. That maybe there was some way to hold on. [Buy]
***
Chalk full of huge guitar talent, Television were like The Yardbirds of the CBGB?s scene.
Three things I love about this song:
1) The production - Everything Verlaine (Television?s frontman, guitarist and co-producer, as well as Arthur Rimbaud?s lover (?)) sings lingers just a moment and then evaporates into the heavy background (tightly distorted guitars, crisp drums, tubby bass).
2) The solo - It starts off like a quarter-speed Lou Reed subway solo and then turns lyrical. The band lays back, probably with nods of understated appreciation.
3) The length - Sure, I like a song that leaves you wanting more as much as the next guy. But "Marquee Moon" leaves you just as you don?t want any more, but before you?re bored. It has an indulgent length. The band knows they're on to something good and they don?t want to let it go. At one point the song stops and maybe the drummer gets up and the guitarists undo their straps, but then they look at each other, and they smile. The drummer sits down and starts playing. The guitars converse, the bass agrees.
I agree. [Buy]
***
I?ve survived my first week. Barely. Sean clearly has a strong constitution and I am weak. But, fuck, it?s been fun. Any general comments? Words of advice?
Posted by Jordan at September 24, 2004 10:03 PMI absolutely love the flavour you're giving this site, Jordan! So far, none of the tracks you've shared have been "new" to me, but they've all been favourites. Today's post is no exception. In fact, I think I enjoyed it the most out of this week's offerings! Keep up the good work, and I hope we'll be reading your thoughts on today's new music before too long!
Posted by Paul at September 24, 2004 10:24 PMyeah jordie, i real like the flavor u added here too. i mean sean is great, but the way u describe the songs is nice and fresh. yr a great writer... shit i want more NEW HUMOR!!! or whatever comedy routine u working on... but definitely really enjoy the way u describe the tunes... but as long as you're here you need to introduce the people to the KUBELKA!!!
Posted by su at September 25, 2004 4:13 AMgo rimbaud, and go tom verlaine.
Posted by adam at September 25, 2004 9:13 AMMarquee Moon = One of the best songs ever put on vinyl.
Some great songs this week, thanks for that.
I like the fact you're posting tracks you obviously love and aren't too concerned with what's new and so called cool.... which makes you Cooler in my book.
Keep it up.
Simon
X
Always great to see Buckley Sr. make an appearance. & coupled with Television, you make quite the duo.
Posted by DeSandro at September 25, 2004 11:39 AMhey I am enjoying this very much - this has become my most favorite mp3 site and not just for the songs but for the words + the songs. two thumbs up.
Posted by tony at September 25, 2004 1:46 PMKeep up the good work !
Posted by Alex at September 25, 2004 6:11 PMi wasn't around enough to get attatched to the former writer, but... i love the way you described buckley's once i was. it really echoed the way i've always thought about the song.
Posted by Anonymous at September 25, 2004 7:09 PMThank you for posting Tim Buckley. What a beautiful song.
Posted by Debby at September 26, 2004 12:49 AMLike the way you write!
Posted by Beroerd at September 26, 2004 4:37 AMI think you are doing an excellent job. You should give yourself more credit!
Posted by Jason at September 26, 2004 10:54 AMjordan: enjoying reading your insights into some of my favorite tracks and looking forward to what's coming next - some Charlie Ives perhaps? and naturally I have to agree with that su character...
Posted by peax at September 26, 2004 1:47 PMway to go Jordan.
excellent picks and excellent first week.
only (?) to go
-bmr
Posted by bmr at September 26, 2004 5:10 PMThe big solo in the middle of "Marquee Moon" is also one of the most brilliantly architectured solos ever, so great that it might even excuse my making "architecture" into a verb. I mean, if you sit way the hell back, it's basically just one long, elaborated ride up the D major scale (a fact its ending hammers home). But as is often the case, the simplest tricks are the best - and so, the almost ridiculously easy expedient of building tension on upward ascent pays off big here, because they know exactly when to build and when to tear down. Oh, and that doesn't even get to the impossible, searingly beautiful little bit afterwards, with the piano and the little-bird guitar...
Posted by 2fs at September 26, 2004 10:39 PMGo on Jordan, you're doing great! After Sean's future-more-than-indie indie, it's nice that you share all those little known fantastic classics.
I knew and loved those songs, but your description alone is making me see things in a new light. Everyone, buy those fine albums!
I'll tell Sean when I see him today!
Montreal was great Sean! Thanks for the vegetarian restaurant recommendations! And I just want to say that Marquee Moon is one of the greatest non-jam/jammy songs ever and the lyrics are good. Amazing.
Posted by tina at September 27, 2004 9:49 AMDon't have much more to add to what the others have said...if this first week is an indication of what things are going to be like, I'm in for the long haul.
(Though you may want to take a quick rest to recharge up if the burnout's starting to hit - I know that all too well from working on my site :))
Posted by jamie at September 27, 2004 1:13 PMhooray! you're doing great, love the selections, love your words
thanks much!
Posted by rb at September 27, 2004 2:16 PMThank you all very much for the kind words.
Mathew - How are Sean and Julian? Did they seem in good spirits?
Darren - I would expect more of you than this shameless self promotion.
Posted by Jordan at September 27, 2004 4:47 PMHiya!
Julian and I are v. good - but Matthew won't see us till tomorrow I don't think. Visited at a hoppin' bar tonight with Phil G and other motley fun friendly folk. delicious cocktails in the rather daunting big city.
brighton was lovely with its seashore and pebbles; we were there just before the big Labour conference hit. our hosts were kind indeed - we drank much wine and were merry.
brighton is attached to another city, called "hove". i laughed every time i heard someone say it, thinking of jay-z.
j-dog, you're doing an outstanding job - as all who have preceded me seem to agree. reading has been a delight; i just wish i could listen to the songs!
talk to you soon,
s
and it will begin playing. All songs are also available to download: just right-click the link and choose 'Save as...'
