Sir Mustapha
Group: Musicians
Posts: 2802
Joined: April 2003 |
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Posted: June 02 2008, 09:05 |
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Quote (Alan D @ June 02 2008, 08:48) | Ah! The universe is restored to normality again, at last, and after a period of being amazingly reasonable (i.e. saying things I agree with), you've switched back into absurdity mode again, Sir M. It feels like the storm returning after the lull; or the sudden blare when you switch the TV on, believing the volume control was turned down, only to discover it was full on after all. |
So that explains why I feel so... normal today!
Quote | I think I might describe much of TB2 as 'joyful' rather than 'happy' - though I suspect we all have different associations with those words; certainly it has many piercing bitter-sweet moments (including that sense of yearning that nightspore refers to) but it sounds to me as though you're completely missing them Sir M. That aspect of TB2 is crucial, I think. |
Before I go on, it's wise to explain that the "Prozac" aspect of the album is not the sole reason why I dislike the album. I'd probably like it if the arrangement and production (and some of the melodies) were different; after all, I'm one of those who believes the "emotions" of a song are strictly and exclusively in the mind of the listener, so there. But what bugs me anyway is that, yes, though there are those moments when the album becomes a bit frowny, there's always, always something to revert it back away into Wonderland as if nothing ever happened. Tubular Bells is constantly moving through different moods and places so you never know where you're going next, and when it seems it's going somewhere safe, it pulls the rug under your feet all over again.
As for Tubular Bells II, I recall that, for instance, the guitar solo in Maya Gold is cut short by those blood-curlingly atrocious voices, Tattoo needs no descriptions, Sunjammer is turned into a sort of happy little jig or something... Only the moment when the whole world comes crashing down just before Red Dawn, I believe, is what sort of leaves you hanging. So, yes, I can only count 1 moment; and I won't be mean enough to dock it off in compensation for The Bell.
Again, I remind you that those things only became a severe complaint when I realised, by listening to the early stages, that the album wasn't initially intended to be like that. At least part of it.
Also, I did listen to the album again last week, so it's as fresh in my mind as it could ever be. I can't help it: Tubular Bells II, III, The Songs of Distant Earth - my distaste for those albums is clear and resolute. I gave them multiple chances, in very distinct times. At least my opinions are mature now...
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