I have gained the travel bug in the last few years and have had the chance to discover many new and ...
I have gained the travel bug in the last few years and have had the chance to discover many new and wonderfull places. Some I have already written about and the others no doubt I will get round to them at some point.
I enjoy many forms of music and...
Member since:03.08.2000
Reviews:86
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Alternative is a collection of B sides and other tracks that were not included in the Boys main albums.
For a normal band this would be the sound of brains snoring and half hearted efforts. But, this in fact reminds us that the Boys are, of course, one of the best things British pop has ever given us. Many of the tracks here are worthy of A side status for the Boys themselves and other artists will sit back in sheer envy for the quality and inventiveness shown.
At well over two hours, Alternative will take dedication to listen through in one sitting. Critics have always had it that the boys are formulaic or, even worse, vapid. This is decisive proof to the contrary. For every tune that ostensibly thumps along in a orgy of hedonism, there is something wistful about headmasters and funny uncles.
The first CD is full of glitzy, throbbing, high energy tunes powered by the Boys’ characteristically inhuman tempos and rhythms. One of the great strengths of this music is its riotous, unashamed artificiality and this is what makes In The Night, Paninaro and I Want A Dog. That and Tennant’s gauchely deadpan lyrics, heard to best effect in Was That What It Was? ‘You go to a club, you think that I’ll be there! I don’t though, ‘cos I’m not a member”.
The second half of the collection has the real gems though. Euroboy and Music For Boys, apocalyptic Wagnerian hardcore both, tell us more about gay club culture than a hundred well intentioned TV programmes. There are tunes, too, which one suspects would have been Number 1 for several months, notably It Must Be Obvious, Too Many People and Bet She’s Not Your Girlfriend. And there is, arguably, the best thing they have ever done, We All Feel Better In The Dark, lavishly cinematic.
There are a couple of weaknesses though, some sacrificies should have been made too keep the quality up - The Sound Of The Atom Splitting is one in particular.
But overall, Alternative really is absolutely fabulous.
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Good opinion, enjoyed reading it and I agree with what you say, except that 'The sound of the atom splitting' is a downer. The experimental element is quite exciting and very ahead of its time.
Disc 1 In The Night A Man Could Get Arrested That's My Impression Was That What It Was? ... more
Paninaro Jack The Lad You Know Where You Went Wrong A New Life I Want A Dog Do I Have To? I Get Excited Don Juan The Sound Of The Atom Splitting One Of The Crowd Yo...
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