Almost sixty years in this b*tch and I believe I know what I like.
“Radiohead Are Back”, proclaims the post over yonder ->, but for this clanker Radiohead will only truly be BACK!! when they produce another record that sounds a bit like The Bends.
Now, as much as I quite enjoyed their last few adventurous outings – the dubby, atmospheric, meandering side of Etienne was so crucial to so much of their best work: on Fox Base Alpha f’rinstance – in my heart I’ve always wanted them to take another stab at a Tales From Turnpike House-style collection of full-on pop songs.
Be wistful, by all means. Weary, even. But give me Sarah singing* lovely chorus after lovely chorus one more time.
Recent-ish single Glad was just the sort of thing to set my pulse racing. But surely, I thought, it was too much to hope Ver ‘Tienne would go into the studio with an assemblage of pop-minded collaborators to give me an album full of sunny summer pop to be released, naturally, in gloomy September?
Well, if you’re soft like me, you will be cheered by the grooves of fresh release International
Alas, Its release comes with the news that it is to be – frownyface emoji – their last record.
So tough to hear, but I, for one, am glad they went out with a POP!
(*And, maybe, Nick Hayward too)
https://heavenlyrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/saint-etienne-international
Music!
(Glad)
More music!
(Fade)
I’ve just got back from Resident Music in Brighton where they were in conversation. Unfortunately the sound was piss poor so I missed some of it. I have, however, got a bright orange vinyl copy of the new album which I will investigate tomorrow. Sadly, I wasn’t prepared to wait for an hour or more to get it signed.
They were on Front Row last week. One tune and a bit of interview.
Last album yes, but not the end of the band – they’re going to continue with gigs.
There seems to be a trend starting, of established niche bands/artists giving up making records and just concentrating on performing.
It’s just too expensive to produce a well-recorded album that’s properly packaged and promoted. The financial return just isn’t enough.
I’ve often wondered where Bob Stanley gets the time. He writes massive music history books, compiles albums for Ace (amongst others), hosts a radio show, makes films, tours as a pop star, and probably does other things I can’t remember.
I have a day job and can manage one hour of radio about every two months. No books, no films, no pop star career…
Been listening to the new album all weekend and yep, happy to confirm it’s a tuneful poppy banger of an album, akin to Tales From Turnpike House (my fav) or Words And Music. Great to see them going out on a high.
Completely agree with the original post, it’s just what I wanted in an album from the Et, whereas I couldn’t get on with the last couple, despite trying.
Hard copy arriving in the post this week and looking forward to it. Bob Stanley’s curatorship of pop on Ace Records is also an ongoing marvel: anyone else heard Chip Shop Pop?
I don’t often buy vinyl so don’t know if this is the new normal but there was no download code in my copy.