If you loved Marquee Moon and then were turned off by Adventure (or even if you liked them both, as I do), then Television is a very pleasant surprise, coming out some 14 years after Adventure. As the modesty behind the eponymous title suggests, this album is less adventurous than the previous two, but not much. There is greater variety in the pacing of the songs, but you can’t get away from the fact that Verlaine’s singing often seems to be tinged with wistful regret. The guitar playing is superb, of course, and very precise, and occasionally electrifying. For me, the only two down moments are The Rocket and Mars, where the songs are weak but are rescued by the band’s musicianship.
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After years following a solo career Tom Verlaine finally got back together with Television to record this gem of an album. With the usual formula of harsh guitar sounds the band have managed to ensure that they sound as fresh as ever. Highlights include the wonderful No Glamour for Willi and Call Mr Lee where the interplay of guitars is at its best. Quite why the band split up after this is was a mystery and thier return to the UK earlier this year was long awaited. If you liked the earlier Television albums this will come as a welcome addition to your collection.
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The greatest compliment I can pay this album is that it moves seemlessly on from Adventure as the band’s third studio album. It doesn’t sound in the least lame, like many albums released after a break of some 14 years after the band’s peak. If you like Television you will like this album.
If you have never heard anything by Television or any of Verlaine’s solo albums then in my opinion you are missing out on one of the best bands to come out of the New Wave scene in the late 70s. But don’t be fooled by the tag “New Wave” & think “punk”. This is intelligent rock and Verlaine is a talented guitar player.
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A small masterpiece,
If you loved Marquee Moon and then were turned off by Adventure (or even if you liked them both, as I do), then Television is a very pleasant surprise, coming out some 14 years after Adventure. As the modesty behind the eponymous title suggests, this album is less adventurous than the previous two, but not much. There is greater variety in the pacing of the songs, but you can’t get away from the fact that Verlaine’s singing often seems to be tinged with wistful regret. The guitar playing is superb, of course, and very precise, and occasionally electrifying. For me, the only two down moments are The Rocket and Mars, where the songs are weak but are rescued by the band’s musicianship.
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|Excellent reminder of a great band,
After years following a solo career Tom Verlaine finally got back together with Television to record this gem of an album. With the usual formula of harsh guitar sounds the band have managed to ensure that they sound as fresh as ever. Highlights include the wonderful No Glamour for Willi and Call Mr Lee where the interplay of guitars is at its best. Quite why the band split up after this is was a mystery and thier return to the UK earlier this year was long awaited. If you liked the earlier Television albums this will come as a welcome addition to your collection.
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|Could have been recorded in 1979,
The greatest compliment I can pay this album is that it moves seemlessly on from Adventure as the band’s third studio album. It doesn’t sound in the least lame, like many albums released after a break of some 14 years after the band’s peak. If you like Television you will like this album.
If you have never heard anything by Television or any of Verlaine’s solo albums then in my opinion you are missing out on one of the best bands to come out of the New Wave scene in the late 70s. But don’t be fooled by the tag “New Wave” & think “punk”. This is intelligent rock and Verlaine is a talented guitar player.
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