Thursday, June 3rd, 2004
The 2 Of Us
Together again like chocolate and cheese, the NME brings us photographic evidence of the Brett Anderson/Bernard Butler reunion, though I’d have preferred it if the pic was more paparazzi-style – Bernard covering his face while Brett winds up to clock the photog one… But seriously, the reunion of the two creative forces behind Suede (all due respect to Mat Osman and Simon Gilbert) after splitting ten years ago is news.
While both Butler solo and Suede with Fat Richard on guitar had middling success, neither was able to reach the same dizzying heights evidenced on Suede or Dog Man Star. Anderson lost his sense of romance and Butler lost his balls. My Britpop days are pretty far behind be now, but I do still love those first two records and Butler’s playing still consistently introduces my jaw to the floor so there’s still a good deal of anticipation on my part to hear what comes out of this. I’m hoping that this collaboration is coming from both of them realizing that their best work came from being driven by each other, and not from trying to cash in on the early-90s reunion fever
Wispy Britpop practicioners The Delays are at the Mod Club July 19. Tickets on sale Saturday.
The Believer interviews John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats. From LHB.
I remember when I saw the first Starship Troopers movie in 1997, I walked out of the theatre thinking, “Man, I wish there was a sequel – I want more bug hunting!” Well seven years later, I have my wish. Straight to DVD, no less, and boasting a cast that makes the original one seem star-studded (whither Michael Ironside? Doogie Howser?). The original Heinlein novel was quite good, as was the Roughnecks CGI animated series though that was probably because it drew more from the original novel than the film. However, after reading some of the reviews of Hero Of The Federation and seeing the online trailer, it looks to be dire beyond words and I’m thinking I’d be better off just renting the DVDs of the television show.
Now you too can master the Rumsfeld fighting style! The hidden monkey hands attack is particularly insidious.
np – Suede / Sci-Fi Lullabies
6/3/04 9:28 am
Paul says:It’s just within the last year that I finally heard all the post-Butler Suede cds. I can’t believe how lifeless they became after his departure. I’m anxious to hear whatever results from this reunion.
6/3/04 9:33 am
Frank says:"Coming Up" got away with it because it had some great tunes and they probably felt like they had something to prove with Bernie gone – after that, however, they went downhill fast. "Head Music" was uninspired and what I heard off of "A New Morning" was almost offensive it was so bland. I thought Butler’s first solo album had some worthwhile moments, and the first McAlmont & Butler album had two awesome singles but "Friends & Lovers" was just boring and I didn’t hear good things about the second M&B album.
Fingers crossed for the new project.
6/3/04 10:28 am
shaunna. says:yeah, coming up was a really great singles record, and people move on was quite lovely, but after that, i lost interest. well, everything will flow was an okay single, too. have you ever seen the lost in tv dvd? they have a feature that shows the band watching through all of the videos and they walk out of the room during stay together. hehe.
brett has NOT aged gracefully at all. yikes. it’s a shame.
6/3/04 5:20 pm
solace says:man i hope the Delays come here to MN, seriously my fave album so far this year i think, or at least to come out of totally nowhere anyway.