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?
You can guess the band – but you can’t win unless you also get the album correct…
“With the rhythm section asleep, the music unadventurous and the overall mood devoid of any real lightness or spontaneity, the task of turning (album title) back from the brink is inevitably down to the lyrics and the singing thereof. Only very rarely do either impress.”
“Rhythm section asleep”
Is it Brian Eno – Ambient 1: Music for Airports?
Ah, but after saying “no clues” he inadvertently gave a clue with the phrase “you can guess the band.” So almost certainly not Brian Eno. Nor Iggy Pop, Stevie Nicks, Brian Adams, Eric Clapton, Peter Gabriel, Harry Styles, Kylie, Billy Joel, Van Morrison or Barbara Streisand. I’ve also ruled out Madonna, Elton, Bo Diddley, Johnny Cash and Frank Sinatra. Am still thinking about who else I can rule out.
I can’t rule out Coldplay. But I don’t know the names of any of their albums.
That would be a supergroup. Though I’ve never heard of Brian Adams – is he the roadie? (I’m going to one-two you).
I know Brian Eno isn’t a band, but I think you and fitter’s toke both know I wasn’t testing the quiz with the respect it deserves, unlike Mr Digit.
Brian Adams is the plumber who fitted my washing machine. As said, I’ve ruled him out.
Who else to rule out?
The Meters?
Hedwig & The Angry Inch?
Tune-Yards?
Miley Cyrus?
Acre Bilk?
I’ve never heard of The Meters. Looking them up on my computer’s internet I see their fourth album, Cabbage Alley, is described by some as unadventurous musically. Critics bemoan its lack of lightness and spontaneity and describe the bassist and drummer as dormant. And it seems that only occasionally are the lyrics and singing any good. So yes, I think we can rule them out.
I’ll have you know The Meters are brilliant. Even on their 8th album.
H’mm: that was careless of me – bit of a giveaway, really…
Paul Young – No Parlez
it must come up one day
…but it is not this day…
Oasis – What’s The Story Morning Glory?
Television – Adventure
Pink Floyd – The Wall
A slightly harsh judgement on Adventure there, Diddley: but yes, NME might have been cloth-eared enough to come to that conclusion – especially if they were still in thrall to Marquee Moon!
More that I recall the review in which someone, it may have been Max Bell, thought it was a bad name for the album as it was hardly adventurous. I don’t remember anything else about the review though. It was definitely wrong because it’s a fine record.
Rallying round to the cause of Adventure, as I do every time it’s mentioned. Sedater (not sedated) and less overblown than its predecesor which, from what I recall, fades away rapidly after the title track. Resonant, chiming interplay between the two lead guitars.
Roxy Music – Flesh + Blood?
Rolling Stones – Black and Blue?
I’m startled that you think the rhythm section were asleep on this album – the rhythm section were the best thing on the record!
Ha! Good point. True 🙂
Nirvana – Nevermind
A Walk Across The Rooftops – The Blue Nile. The NME have cloth ears.
“Back from the brink” sounds as if they were close to the edge?
I’ll take a shot in the dark and say Mirage by Fleetwood Mac. That’s all I’ve got.
If that’s the right answer, I agree with NME. Very bland, boring album.
I was going to say Time by Fleetwood Mac.
Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here
Never good for these to drag on for too long – so we’ll have the Big Reveal at around 18:00 BST…
Are you still ruling people out, @Gary?
Totally. I’ve got a list of 437 artistes I’ve ruled out so far. I’m unsure whether or not to include Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Adam & The Ants and Echo & The Bunnymen though. Whether they count as individuals (ie. can’t be them) or bands (ie. could be them) is my current dilemma.
“bands (ie. could be them)”
Is it ‘Belfast Gypsies”?
I’ll go for Strangeways Here We Come by the Smiths.
Tarkus ELP
The big reveal:
Writer was Ian McDonald, reviewing in the NME, 06/12/1975
Album was Northern Lights – Southern Cross by The Band
No winners this time, so the ten bob postal order remains in my safe.
I was never going to guess that. 😒
Maybe if I’d capitalised the clue in the OP…
Hmm.
I was so clueless on this one I didn’t bother taking a punt at it. Does the ten bob roll over to the next one and why isn’t the prize a speedboat or a fortnight’s self-catering at Cozy Meadows caravan park in sunny Prestatyn?
Why indeed?
TBH, with so many Dylan fans around here, I just assumed that one or two might also have a few Band albums beyond the first two…
Well. The terms ‘lightness’ and, maybe, ‘spontaneity ‘ are not ones I’d normally associate with The Band. Their music is generally heavy and well organised.
Ah, yes: but then, the reviewer wrote that the album was devoid of lightness and spontaneity…
…as though that was unusual for them.