Over the weekend I've been listening to Augie March's new album, Moo You Bloody Choir, and I've decided that I quite like it.
The problem, I think, is that it has the wrong title. Moo, You Bloody Choir is actually a title I quite like. It's quirky, odd, memorable. Unfortunately, it also suggests a quirky, odd, off beat album, caught somewhere between punk and self effacing alternate pop, but the album is actually none of these things. It's a gentle, melodic thing, caught somewhere between Art of Fighting's albums and Mercury Rev's latest, Secret Migration. It is true that the lyrics 'moo, you bloody choir', appear within one of the songs, and in 'The Honey Month', they work well--
Beneath the revving of a car
the evensong of the abattoir...
Moo, you bloody choir,
moo and lo, lo and moan.
Moo, you huddled choir,
moo and lo
how the night arrives with a blow.
--But, like I said, as a title for the album, it's not quite right. Maybe 'The Cold Acre' or 'Just Passing Through' would have worked better, been stronger, suggested the album more fully, but who is to say. Still, the album itself, which counts more than any kind of title, is very cool, very chilled, and perfect for those quiet evenings when you need something to drift round you. I've not heard the previous two (?) Augie March albums, but on the strength of this, I think I'll check them out. Still, this I recommend to people, yes I do.
The problem, I think, is that it has the wrong title. Moo, You Bloody Choir is actually a title I quite like. It's quirky, odd, memorable. Unfortunately, it also suggests a quirky, odd, off beat album, caught somewhere between punk and self effacing alternate pop, but the album is actually none of these things. It's a gentle, melodic thing, caught somewhere between Art of Fighting's albums and Mercury Rev's latest, Secret Migration. It is true that the lyrics 'moo, you bloody choir', appear within one of the songs, and in 'The Honey Month', they work well--
Beneath the revving of a car
the evensong of the abattoir...
Moo, you bloody choir,
moo and lo, lo and moan.
Moo, you huddled choir,
moo and lo
how the night arrives with a blow.
--But, like I said, as a title for the album, it's not quite right. Maybe 'The Cold Acre' or 'Just Passing Through' would have worked better, been stronger, suggested the album more fully, but who is to say. Still, the album itself, which counts more than any kind of title, is very cool, very chilled, and perfect for those quiet evenings when you need something to drift round you. I've not heard the previous two (?) Augie March albums, but on the strength of this, I think I'll check them out. Still, this I recommend to people, yes I do.
- Notes:Augie March - Stranger Strange
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scarlet_arts : (no subject) [+3] - ataxi : (no subject) [+1]
- ex_benpayne119 : (no subject) [+1]
- (Anonymous) : Another vote for the back catalogue [+0]
- (Anonymous) : Augie March [+0]
Comments
It's funny though, because the people whose musical tastes I most admire are all in on this Augie March secret. I feel like the only kid not invited to the party, y'know?
Cheers Ben, you're way more affordable than a therapist.
anyhow, before this album, i was definately on the what am i missing ship. i just figure i hadn't given them enough time.
i should start charging you. if i can figure out what it is i'm helping you with, i will, with big fat dollar signs ;)
Can you help?
The new album somehow makes the last two seem two dimensional by comparison - at least for now while the tracks are still becoming familiar. How the guys manage to create this stuff without coming across as pretentious is remarkable :)
Well, anyway, my original point was going to be that the first two albums are well worth the effort - they took me a little while to really get into, but I've never looked back. The early "Waltz" and "Thanks for the Memes" EPs are also worthwhile if you get into the albums, and they're still fairly easy to find.