A really wonderful album, one that is truly odd, left-field, and quirky without any sounding at all labored. Just weird folks making weird music, for other weird folks. Although one notable point, and perhaps the one labored (yet ingeniously shrewd) touches on the album, is the fact that nearly every song ends in a protracted instrumental, beat-happy jam -- to allow DJs to mix any of the album's songs live. Clever.
Fascinating, Michael. That calculated mix-ready contruction - is that something you've seen the artists comment on before, or is that your interpretation? Certainly there was no way of knowing at the time that they'd be played in clubs twenty years later, or that a major pop star (Mariah Carey) would sample one of their tunes and score an international hit with it.
It's my own analysis. And while I don't think they could have foreseen the longevity of their club success (and certainly not the Carey sample), dance clubs and party DJs were an important channel for getting music out at that time, especially for music that might not fit neatly onto the radio -- and especially for music as hip-swaying and fun as that on this record.
I love thsi album. I still play it all the time!
ReplyDeleteI love it too! Sadly, I only own it on vinyl, and haven't listened to it in years. Maybe since our co-denizen days.
ReplyDeleteA really wonderful album, one that is truly odd, left-field, and quirky without any sounding at all labored. Just weird folks making weird music, for other weird folks. Although one notable point, and perhaps the one labored (yet ingeniously shrewd) touches on the album, is the fact that nearly every song ends in a protracted instrumental, beat-happy jam -- to allow DJs to mix any of the album's songs live. Clever.
ReplyDeleteFascinating, Michael. That calculated mix-ready contruction - is that something you've seen the artists comment on before, or is that your interpretation? Certainly there was no way of knowing at the time that they'd be played in clubs twenty years later, or that a major pop star (Mariah Carey) would sample one of their tunes and score an international hit with it.
ReplyDeleteIt's my own analysis. And while I don't think they could have foreseen the longevity of their club success (and certainly not the Carey sample), dance clubs and party DJs were an important channel for getting music out at that time, especially for music that might not fit neatly onto the radio -- and especially for music as hip-swaying and fun as that on this record.
ReplyDelete