Musings on the byways of popular culture
by 75 Comments
Since it’s a wet weekend, here’s the latest in a series of tiny quizzes.
Here’s an extract from a review in the NME. No clues: no year, no journalist name… Which album do you think is being reviewed?
“The music here is like latter-period Brahms, with a luscious velvetiness and an erotic warmth about the melody that makes it almost too sweet and rich a fare”
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With due deference to Wheaty, his quiz is hard Hard HARD – and he’s not giving us the answers until Monday!
So here’s a Tiny Quiz which will be much easier – I’m sure it will be all wrapped up by tomorrow – or maybe even this evening!
To confound those who believe that I pick on the NME all the time, this is a review quote from the Melody Maker. No journalist name, no year – can you tell which album is being reviewed?
“(…) are distinguished by having one of the most boring lead guitarists ever to inflict his presence on a group. The group are also distinguished by having one of the most boring keyboard players ever to inflict his presence on a group. For proof, listen to (…), the extended track on this album, which contains remarkably tedious solos by all concerned…”
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As before, here’s an extract from a review in the NME. No clues: no year, no journalist name… Which album do you think is being reviewed?
“It’s all technically tight and ship-shape, as you’d expect, and will no doubt be a source of some excitement for those who get into a lather over light-fingered fretboard work and similar musicianly virtues. It’s also incredibly dull and pointless, like a film that sacrifices plot and characterisation for flashy special effects and stunts.”
by 56 Comments
After the excitement of the election – and the inevitable tension – here’s a tiny quiz, to relax the fibres and massage the cortex.
As before, here’s an extract from a review in the NME. No clues: no year, no journalist name… Which album do you think is being reviewed?
“This is not a bad album. There’s just no point in listening to (…) being anything less than brilliant. Here (…) is just drunk and boring someone in some dark cafe.”
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Here’s a variation on the Tiny Quiz, since it’s a Bank Holiday weekend. You know the Ultimate Music Guide specials which Uncut produce? One of the standard items is a “top 30” tracks, as voted for by stars, journalists, fans and personalities.
Here’s a quote from a musician, describing his or her favourite track by another musician.
Who is giving the quote? Who is the quote about? What is the track being described?
“…it has soulfulness too, but it’s mutating into something else. Listening to it now, it reminds me of something by Van der Graaf Generator. There’s prog-ness about it, but it has a real energy and drive. Christ knows what (…)’s singing about…”
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Here’s an extract from a review published in the NME. No clues: no year, no journalist name – and I’ve redacted the title. I’ve deliberately moved away from corporate snark – when you know the album, you may or may not agree with the conclusion – but you can’t deny the positivity!
Which album do you think is being reviewed?
“(…) is the ONLY contemporary rock album.”
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Here’s an extract from a review published in the NME. No clues: no year, no journalist name – and I’ve redacted three words which might give it away. Please note that the odd-looking “mediocrity” is transcribed exactly as it appeared. MOR – oho!
Which album do you think is being reviewed?
“Much as I’d like to drag (…) up from the depths of MediOcRity and say (…) has found the candy floss and bubblegum appeal of once sadly boring acts like Dollar, I’m afraid to say that (…) has missed the boat…”
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Since it’s the weekend, here’s a tiny, tiny quiz.
Here’s an extract from a review in the NME. No clues: no year, no journalist name… Which album do you think is being reviewed?
“So effortless, they sound as though they could do it sleeping, blindfolded, one hand tied behind their backs…it’s very, very boring. Their accountants will be pleased.”
