Day 159: Well it's a marvellous night for moondance...

Album 508/1031

Van Morrison - Moondance (1970)

Side one No. Title Length 1. "And It Stoned Me" 4:30 2. "Moondance" 4:35 3. "Crazy Love" 2:34 4. "Caravan" 4:57 5. "Into the Mystic" 3:25 Side two No. Title Length 1. "Come Running" 2:30 2. "These Dreams of You" 3:50 3. "Brand New Day" 5:09 4. "Everyone" 3:31 5. "Glad Tidings" 3:13

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moondance

Golf's verdict: This household has a deep aversion to Van the Man. I've struggled and failed to appreciate Astral Weeks numerous times over the years (as detailed earlier on this blog), but found this a little more accessible and - to my surprise - actually quite enjoyable to listen to.

Maire's verdict: I just can't stand his voice. 'Moondance' was the only track I'd listen to again at a push.

Album 509/1031

Barry Adamson - Oedipus Schmoedipus (1996)

	Title/Composer	Performer	Time
1	Set the Controls for the Heart of the Pelvis	Barry Adamson	5:39
	Barry Adamson / Jarvis Cocker
2	Something Wicked This Way Comes	Barry Adamson	4:33
	Barry Adamson
3	The Vibes Ain't Nothin' But the Vibes	Barry Adamson	4:48
	Barry Adamson
4	It's Business as Usual	Barry Adamson	4:29
	Barry Adamson / Carla Bozlavich / John Napier
5	Miles	Barry Adamson	5:30
	Miles Davis / Sly Dunbar / Bill Laswell / Robbie Shakespeare
6	Dirty Barry	Barry Adamson	7:30
	Barry Adamson
7	In a Moment of Clarity	Barry Adamson	4:14
	Barry Adamson
8	Achieved in the Valley of Dolls	Barry Adamson	4:27
	Barry Adamson / Billy Mackenzie
9	Vermillion Kisses	Barry Adamson	3:02
	Barry Adamson
10	The Big Bamboozle	Barry Adamson	3:37
	Barry Adamson
11	State of Contraction	Barry Adamson	1:38
	Barry Adamson
12	The Sweetest Embrace	Barry Adamson	4:49
	Barry Adamson / Nick Cave	feat: Nick Cave
13	Set the Controls Again	Barry Adamson	1:34
	Barry Adamson

Golf's verdict: Like his other albums, this leans towards the cinematic soundtrack almost throughout. There are a number of vocal tracks, with guests including Jarvis Cocker, Billy MacKenzie and Nick Cave, that sit nicely between tracks that are either accurate tributes or pastiches of Miles Davis and John Barry. Give him the next Bond theme to do!

Maire's verdict: Despite this being basically jazz I actually really liked some of the tracks. Maybe having Jarvis Cocker and Nick Cave as guests helped. 'Miles' and 'Dirty Barry', on the other hand, I could have done without.

Album 510/1031

Chvrches - The Bones of What You Believe (2013)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Mother We Share"	3:12
2.	"We Sink"	3:34
3.	"Gun"	3:53
4.	"Tether"	4:46
5.	"Lies"	3:41
6.	"Under the Tide"	4:32
7.	"Recover"	3:45
8.	"Night Sky"	3:51
9.	"Science/Visions"	3:58
10.	"Lungs"	3:02
11.	"By the Throat"	4:09
12.	"You Caught the Light"	5:37
Total length:		48:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bones_of_What_You_Believe

Golf's verdict: Relative newcomers, but with a sound that summons up (pleasant) memories of all sorts of '80s new wave electronica. Liked it a lot.


Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Absolutely loved it. Surprised I haven't listened to them before.

Album 511/1031

Dexy's Midnight Runners - Searching For The Young Soul Rebels (1980)

Side One
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Burn It Down"	Kevin Rowland	4:21
2.	"Tell Me When My Light Turns Green"	Rowland	3:46
3.	"The Teams That Meet in Caffs"	Kevin Archer	4:08
4.	"I'm Just Looking"	Rowland, Geoffrey Blythe, Peter Saunders	4:41
5.	"Geno"	Rowland, Archer	3:31

Side Two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
6.	"Seven Days Too Long"	J.R. Bailey, Vernon Harrell	2:43
7.	"I Couldn't Help It If I Tried"	Rowland, Jim Paterson	4:14
8.	"Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply"	Rowland, Saunders	2:59
9.	"Keep It"	Archer, Blythe	3:59
10.	"Love Part One"	Rowland	1:12
11.	"There, There, My Dear"	Rowland, Archer	3:31

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Searching_for_the_Young_Soul_Rebels


Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! Maire and I don't agree on Dexys. They are a real favourite of mine and this debut is full of absolute stormers. 'Geno' is the obvious pick, but 'Burn It Down' and 'There, There, My Dear' are its equal. A storming cover of 'Seven Days Too Long' too. 



Maire's verdict: The best thing I can say about this album is that at least it doesn't have 'Come On Eileen' as a track.

Album 512/1031

Steely Dan - Countdown to Ecstacy (1973)

All songs written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen.

Side one

1. "Bodhisattva" – 5:18
2. "Razor Boy" – 3:11
3. "The Boston Rag" – 5:40
4. "Your Gold Teeth" – 7:02

Side two

5. "Show Biz Kids" – 5:26
6. "My Old School" – 5:48
7. "Pearl of the Quarter" – 3:50
8. "King of the World" – 5:04

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countdown_to_Ecstasy

Golf's verdict: In my own private hell, instead of the rich and varied mix of music available to suit every mood and preference, there would instead be only this sort of insipid lounge jazz. Genuinely horrible.



Maire's verdict: I can confirm that listening to this is not a countdown to ecstasy. It's incredibly boring actually and the jazz elements irritated me.


Album 513/1031

Super Furry Animals - Rings Around the World (2000)

All tracks written by Super Furry Animals, except "[A] Touch Sensitive" which contains a sample of "Ann" by Dave Alexander, Ron Asheton, Scott Asheton and Iggy Pop.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Alternate Route to Vulcan Street"	4:31
2.	"Sidewalk Serfer Girl"	4:01
3.	"(Drawing) Rings Around the World"	3:29
4.	"It's Not the End of the World?"	3:25
5.	"Receptacle for the Respectable"	4:32
6.	"[A] Touch Sensitive" (Instrumental)	3:07
7.	"Shoot Doris Day"	3:38
8.	"Miniature" (Instrumental)	0:40
9.	"No Sympathy"	6:57
10.	"Juxtapozed with U"	3:08
11.	"Presidential Suite"	5:24
12.	"Run! Christian, Run!"	7:20
13.	"Fragile Happiness"	2:35

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rings_Around_the_World

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! A band that can put more variety and creativity into their 5th album than Steely Dan managed in their entire career (which, incidentally, saw them release only 9 albums in 45 years vs 9 in 13 for the Super Furries!)  



Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! A band I'm happy enough to listen to but I never actively put their music on. Based on this album that will be changing. Loved it.