tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624282421125812337.post6879394555549966255..comments2024-03-27T21:46:11.188+01:00Comments on Die or D.I.Y.?: Spherical Objects - "Past and Parcel" (Object Music OBJ001) 1978Jonny Zchivagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09859740264284241032noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624282421125812337.post-82617551370258332032020-06-18T03:42:18.728+02:002020-06-18T03:42:18.728+02:00“Didn’t really like this record” . . You have abso...“Didn’t really like this record” . . You have absolutely got to be kidding! The musicianship on this LP was almost as astounding as the “Live at The Witch Trials”-period Fall. Roger Hilton was no Karl Burns to be certain, but well more than competent than you give him credit for; he and Fred Burrows proved a formidable rhythm section, and Duncan Prestbury’s keyboards were superb pop pablum that fit the material like a glove. Take into account the fact that John Bisset-Smith was only 17(!!) on Past and Parcel (and was just coming into his own; I was astonished with how far his style had progressed on the more superior “Elliptical Optimism” just one year later) and, that said, this only leaves Solamar’s intelligently constructed lyrics to be waxed upon (not to be outdone by his eclectic vocal style) as each song moved seamlessly to the next. I have Past and Parcel and Elliptical Optimism on both vinyl and reissued CD format (which i play often so as not to defile the vinyl) and cherish them more than one could ever know. Think of all of the bands that came out of Manchester and released material between 1977 and 1980, the sheer breadth and scope of the music, not to mention extremely intelligent and bitingly incisive lead vocalists, I’m gobsmacked 40 years later. If I had to narrow it down to my fave 5 Manchester bands from that time period (and a LOT of bands will be disappointed/disapproving), I’d have to go with The Smiths, The Fall (Witch Trials-period only), Joy Division, Magazine and, yes, Spherical Objects. There is no debate to be had here, it's just my keen ear for music that still sounds refreshing some 40+ years on along with extremely intelligent/intellectually pleasing lyrical content by the bye. But “didn’t really like this record”? All I can say is that the Objects deserve to be held in at least as high esteem as the 4 other bands mentioned. Criminally underrated and sorely missed.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09085081288092311076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8624282421125812337.post-10955037948525746572014-03-22T20:53:49.949+01:002014-03-22T20:53:49.949+01:00Didn't really like this record, but You Can Be...Didn't really like this record, but You Can Become was a great song.Vote4cakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03617677327521754874noreply@blogger.com