above us only sky

above us only sky
CONNEMARA

Monday, 23 May 2011

EVEN SERPENTS SHINE.......THE ONLY ONES.............

All that glitters may not be gold, but this album is a mother lode. This is The Only Ones at their peak. A shame it's only available on import, but it's worth it if you want to hear lyrics that seem swiped from Baudeliere and guitar playing that will send you into orbit. Unlike much from their era (1977-1981), their songs have aged well & they wisely eschewed any production techniques that would mark their sound as dated.

"From here To Eternity" takes it's title of course from the film classic, but begins far from the moonlit shores of Hawaii with, "I see a woman with death in her eyes/but I don't have the strength to pray". What follows is a constant barrage of great pop hooks, soaring solos, & frontman Peter Perrett's oddly infectious laconic whine. Each succeeding song is a guided tour through the dark side of romance, before leaving you "Miles From Nowhere". The last song, "Instrumental" is just that, till Perrett's ghostly voice chimes in at the end with, "Hey dear, you're just intrumental" .

A vengeful, haunting, beautiful record. Like the band itself, it's too often overlooked.

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desert island discs

  • unknown pleasures....joy division
  • the bends....radiohead
  • ten....pearl jam
  • revolver....the beatles
  • marquee moon....television
  • led zeppelin ll....led zeppelin
  • forever changes....love
  • exile on main street....the rolling stones
  • dub housing....pere ubu
  • are you experienced....the jimi hendrix experience