***PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT*** On the basis that it will no doubt be woefully underpromoted when it is released, I though I'd tell the list about the reissue of Associates' landmark album, "Sulk" on Monday 19th June. (Probably "today", depending on when you read this) More astute members of the list will recognise the name Alan Rankine as being instrumental in the early rise of Belle & Sebastian's career, and his involvement in the Stow music course. Alan was also, in the early 80's, the musical genuis behind post-punk band Associates first two albums. Along with fellow Scot Billy Mackenzie (vocals.lyrics), they made one of the most incredible albums ever made. Belle & Sebastian have, in the past, covered "Partyfearstwo" when playing live, which was the lead single off the album. Also, "William It Was Really Nothing" by The Smiths, is widely regarded as being about Billy, who Morriseey was quite taken with. Anyway, to give you an idea about the album I'll quote from the Melody Maker's Paul Lester, in his liner notes from "The Radio One Sessions" album. They describe the music more eloquently than I could: "Associates were described by one magazine as "the most modern ban of the 80s", and with good reason. Their astonishing music had no basis in the grubby old roots of rock'n'roll, soaring high above th grit and bluster of Chuck Berry or the blues. No, Associates drew on pre-rock traditions and non-rock genres to create a startlingly different kind of noise, one that people with superattuned ears will still be trying to make sense of in the year 2004. Imagine the soundtrack to your wildest dreams, postpunk, krautrock, the blue mood ballads of Frank Sinartra, the caberet historonics of pre-war Germany, Kraftwerk's electronic travelogues, the epic sweep of John Barry's film themes, the motorik torch songs of Bowie's Berlin Trilogy, the digital romance of Giorgio Moroder/ Donna Summer ... Associates too all these and raised them several powers .... Nothing, however, could have prepared us for 'Sulk', Associates second LP. The exquisite turquoises and mauves of the sleeve offered some idea of the impossibly lush and lavish, exotic and extravagant new sound Mackenzie and Rankine, together with producer Mike Hedges, achieved on this shatteringly innovative record. 'Sulk' is arguably the least influenced album of all time - it has few, if any precedents - and one of the least influential: nobody, save prince on 'If I was Your Girlfriend' or Bjork on 'Venus as a Boy', has been able to rival its emotionally overwrought (compliment) 'out of this world' music." Well, I hope that will rouse the interest of at least one of you. I can't say this is the sort of music that you will automaticly like if you like B&S - in all honesty it's pretty hard to get a handle on, and I HATED it the first time I heard it. But it's worth the effort, and if anyone is interested in Scottish poost-punk pop, then 'Sulk' is an album you MUST own. Goodnight kids, Lawrence Mikkelsen http://www.akn.quik.co.nz/mikelsen/aboutme +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the undead Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail sinister@missprint.org. To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to majordomo@missprint.org. WWW: http://www.missprint.org/sinister +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "tech-heads and students" +-+ +-+ "the cardie wearing biscuit nibbling belle & sebastian list" +-+ +-+ "sinsietr is a bit freaky" - stuart david, looper +-+ +-+ "pasty-faced vegan geeks... and we LOST!" - NME April 2000 +-+ +-+ "peculiarly deranged fanbase" "frighteningly named +-+ +-+ Sinister List organisation" - NME May 2000 +-+ +----------------------------------------------------------------------+