Date: Sat, 11 Oct 1997 12:14:03 -0400 From: Srilank@AOL.COM Subject: Re: thislisty/4AD related soundtrack query anyone who hasn't bought the simon raymonde solo on bella union yet, but is contemplating dropping the $20+ on it somewhere - I *strongly* recommend not doing so. Where to start? o.k. the music is cliched for one - if you're thinking that recent Cocteau is old ground, this sounds like the rejected b-sides for that 2nd u.k. cd single...only not as interesting. Oh, it's nice enough I suppose, floaty cut and paste Guthrie-by-numbers melodies - only happier and more boring. The trite lyrics is another bone of contention. I wish I could give you the textbook example here, but I'm afraid to place the cd back in the player. Instead, I'll give you some song titles; "If I knew myself", "worship me", "It's a family thing" and on and on. While I do like his voice, his reading from the Fraser book on "how to get in touch w/ your feelings and your innermost being in 5 easy steps" lyricism is just too much. Date: Sun, 12 Oct 1997 00:38:47 -0700 From: Jon Subject: Re: Cocteaus news > In Nov. AP Mag, noticed some news on cocteau projects: > > They have launched label, Bella Union, which will release Simon's solo CD in > UK. Simon and Robin are working on this venture. Liz has moved to Bristol > and is working with Massive Attack. Robin is producing Guy Chadwick from > House of Love fame and Simon is overseeing posthumous release from Billy > Mackenzie of Associates. I have had this CD for about two weeks, but admittedly have not made it all the way thru it yet. My first impression was CT meets Felt. The song that Liz sings on is short, and here vocals don't come in until close to the end. I will make an effort to toss it on the CD-rom while surfing this week. I have been listening to too many other great things, sorry. Anyone else here have their own review or op on the S. Raymonde CD? I am surprised that not more on it has been discussed, is it that scarce or just not that worthy of discussion? Jon Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 23:47:19 -0500 From: Jeremy L Orr Subject: Re: it's a Simon thing ---from Jeff Keibel: > I'm not hating Simon Raymonde's solo album but it does > have a M.O.R. feel; to it. Perhaps it's one to grow on??? I haven't heard the whole album yet, but while out today with a friend, friend picked up BELLA 2, a copy of the double A-side single from SR's album. A is "It's a Family Thing", and AA is "In My Place". I thought $8.50 a little steep for two songs, even if one is exclusive to the single (and I think that they're both on the album, though if I'm mistaken, I'd like to know)...but oh well, it's his money. I tried to talk him out of it, but at the same time, I was hot to hear what it sounded like. I really like Simon's voice - he sort of reminds me of a breathier Bernard Sumner. But the songs are very bland pop and the lyrics to the first song are pretty cheesy (the AA track is a cover). And he REALLY needs to lay off the piano. I don't know...I guess I was expecting a solo effort by Mr Raymonde to be a somewhat esoteric affair, but then again, I'm sure that expection is probably part of what he's hoping to dispel with this record. After two listens, "It's a Family Thing" sounds like a much more lushly-arranged New Order single, and "In My Place" sounds like recent Wolfgang Press with a better vocalist. Mind you, it's not *bad*...it's just that who needs more slightly funky VH1-ready pop? Not me. Luckily for the Cocteau Twins, though, they have a large base of fans that will snatch up anything that any of them touch, and love it unconditionally, no matter how lame it is. ---Jeremy Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 09:41:54 -0400 From: Michael Borum Subject: Re: it's a Simon thing >> I'm not hating Simon Raymonde's solo album but it does >> have a M.O.R. feel; to it. Perhaps it's one to grow on??? It has certainly grown on ME. I'm one of those folks who love the Cocteaus to a fault, and almost always love whatever they touch -- as Jeremy implied. But I must admit that, upon first listen, the LP left me feeling unfulfilled. I wasn't blown away like I normally am when I listen to Cocteau Twins material for the first time. But after a couple more listens, I got more into it and was able to differentiate Simon's solo approach from what must obviously be Robin's influences on the Cocteau Twins' music. Granted, "Blame Someone Else" is not a candidate for Album of the Year, but it is LOVELY and even Simon refers to it as "self-indulgent" -- so don't expect groundbreaking material. ... So far, the tunes I enjoy the most are "It's a Family Thing", "Love Undone" (which I'm betting is his perspective on the Robin and Liz thing), "Seven Days", "In My Place", "Muscle and Want" and "Worship Me". Robin plays guitar on "Muscle and Want" (and it therefore is the most Cocteauesque song on the album), and Liz sings backup on "Worship Me". Liz's boyfriend Damon Reece from Spiritualized plays drums on "Worship Me". My official recommendation is to buy it -- if for no other reason than to support Bella Union. If you order it from the Cocteau Twins online store (the Digital Parking Lot), you'll get the CD in the mail in a matter of a few days with a personalized post card. Go to http://www.bellaunion.com. Mike iceblink@tiac.net Date: Sun, 2 Nov 1997 02:01:24 -0600 From: Kagin Lee Subject: Garlands, live Anyway, the record from simon raymonde is okay, i've been listening to it for a couple weeks but i wouldn't be surprised if i put it on the shelf and don't get it back out for a year or two. The vocals are pretty annoying with him doubling an octave higher more than half the time. Sure it gives a sort of illusion that he's got a rich voice but only for a few seconds, it's nothing like hearing a real singer with a well- trained voice.