Post by Pete70s on Apr 11, 2007 19:12:13 GMT -5
This is one of my favorite albums, and one I highly doubt anyone here will be familiar with. So I'm giving some song samples to help out.
Saint Etienne-"Good Humor" (1998, Sub Pop)
Saint Etienne are a British dance trio who have been making expiremental pop music since 1991, consisting of singer Sarah Cracknell and her partners Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs. Their only brush with mainstream success came with their 1992 cover of Neil Young's "Only Love Can Break Your Heart", which hit the Hot 100.
While I'm not much of a fan of dance music (i.e. Techno, House, electronica, etc..), I am a fan of great SONGS, and Saint Etienne write great songs above all else! Plus, "Good Humor" doesn't rely on much electronic gimmickry (as opposed to some of their other work). The album is pretty much straightforward pop music (I'm convinced that it would have done really well had it come out in the 70's). They are one of the ONLY bands I still look forward to hearing new music by, and I consider "Good Humor" to be the best album of the last 10 years (of course, the number of new albums I've heard during that time can be counted on one hand...). Eleven songs, under 45 minutes long, and EVERY song is at LEAST four stars in my book. This is the type of album that just hits you with great song after great song, leaving you more and more excited for the next! When it ends, you just want to play it all over again..
Saint Etienne are heavily influenced by a wide range of styles, especially the pop and soul music of the 60's. The melodic structures and twists are amazing. Popular music hasn't caught up yet, and probably never will.
Oh, by the way, the title "Good Humor" is a Beach Boys reference, as Brian Wilson is dressed as a Good Humor man on the gatefold cover of "Sunflower". The best learn from the best....
The tracks:
"Woodcabin"
A mellow hypnotic groove kicks off the album, with Sarah's beautiful voice setting the tone for things to come.
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001001/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_001/104-4452271-2723162
"Sylvie"
The only song on the album I'd consider to have an electronic dance beat, it's my least favorite (but I still love the song, it's just that I like the other songs just a TAD better...)
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001002/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_002/104-4452271-2723162
"Split Screen"
This was the song I initially bought this CD for. It was a staple at a Brit-Pop night I used to frequent. Very strong 70's influence here, with electric piano and horns, and a driving little number..
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001003/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_003/104-4452271-2723162
"Mr. Donut"
The slowest song on the album, with somewhat of a psychedelic Beatles vibe going on.
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001004/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_004/104-4452271-2723162
"Goodnighht Jack"
One of my four faves from the CD, Each of the first three verses are punctuated by a hypnotic flute loop. then, after the fourth verse, the temo suddenly shifts into a breathtaking coda.
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001005/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_005/104-4452271-2723162
"Lose That Girl"
The second of my four faves here, this song moves along nicely with a catchy chorus and a melotron throughout.
I love the line "On her radio she.. turned the disco down..." I don't know why, I just do...
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001006/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_006/104-4452271-2723162
"The Bad Photographer"
This is almost Bubblegum music, an upbeat catchy song loaded with hooks.
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001007/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_007/104-4452271-2723162
"Been So Long"
A bouncy little ditty with several interesting little twists. The fact that music like this doesn't sell, while Eminem sells millions is an absolute travesty...
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001008/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_008/104-4452271-2723162
"Postman"
Number 3 of my four favorites, I love the bassline during the bridge, which oddly sounds like the intro of "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)". We know how much they love Motown in Britain...
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001009/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_009/104-4452271-2723162
"Erica America"
The fourth of my favorites here. It contains lyrical references to "A Horse With No Name" and R. Dean Taylor's "Gotta See Jane". Yet another catchy chorus that will stick in your head for years.
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001010/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_010/104-4452271-2723162
"Dutch TV"
A nice, mellow yet uptempo closer that ties the album up nicely.
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001011/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_011/104-4452271-2723162
Every so often, an album comes along where you just KNEW that the artist has made their masterpiece. For my money, "Good Humor" is just that, a masterpiece! A lot of their hardcore fans don't like it, probably because it downplays the "dance music" that the group is known for. But life ain't always about booty-shaking... "Good Humor" is a true gem from start to finish.
I first got this CD for the song "Split Screen" in the summer of '99, but never listened beyond that song until 3 years later, when I (for reasons I'm still not quite sure) took the CD on my vacation in the summer of '02. I came back with a new favorite (not to mention a huge crush on Sarah!), and was hooked on it throughout that fall.
Give the samples a listen and let me know what you think..
Saint Etienne-"Good Humor" (1998, Sub Pop)
Saint Etienne are a British dance trio who have been making expiremental pop music since 1991, consisting of singer Sarah Cracknell and her partners Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs. Their only brush with mainstream success came with their 1992 cover of Neil Young's "Only Love Can Break Your Heart", which hit the Hot 100.
While I'm not much of a fan of dance music (i.e. Techno, House, electronica, etc..), I am a fan of great SONGS, and Saint Etienne write great songs above all else! Plus, "Good Humor" doesn't rely on much electronic gimmickry (as opposed to some of their other work). The album is pretty much straightforward pop music (I'm convinced that it would have done really well had it come out in the 70's). They are one of the ONLY bands I still look forward to hearing new music by, and I consider "Good Humor" to be the best album of the last 10 years (of course, the number of new albums I've heard during that time can be counted on one hand...). Eleven songs, under 45 minutes long, and EVERY song is at LEAST four stars in my book. This is the type of album that just hits you with great song after great song, leaving you more and more excited for the next! When it ends, you just want to play it all over again..
Saint Etienne are heavily influenced by a wide range of styles, especially the pop and soul music of the 60's. The melodic structures and twists are amazing. Popular music hasn't caught up yet, and probably never will.
Oh, by the way, the title "Good Humor" is a Beach Boys reference, as Brian Wilson is dressed as a Good Humor man on the gatefold cover of "Sunflower". The best learn from the best....
The tracks:
"Woodcabin"
A mellow hypnotic groove kicks off the album, with Sarah's beautiful voice setting the tone for things to come.
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001001/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_001/104-4452271-2723162
"Sylvie"
The only song on the album I'd consider to have an electronic dance beat, it's my least favorite (but I still love the song, it's just that I like the other songs just a TAD better...)
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001002/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_002/104-4452271-2723162
"Split Screen"
This was the song I initially bought this CD for. It was a staple at a Brit-Pop night I used to frequent. Very strong 70's influence here, with electric piano and horns, and a driving little number..
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001003/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_003/104-4452271-2723162
"Mr. Donut"
The slowest song on the album, with somewhat of a psychedelic Beatles vibe going on.
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001004/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_004/104-4452271-2723162
"Goodnighht Jack"
One of my four faves from the CD, Each of the first three verses are punctuated by a hypnotic flute loop. then, after the fourth verse, the temo suddenly shifts into a breathtaking coda.
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001005/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_005/104-4452271-2723162
"Lose That Girl"
The second of my four faves here, this song moves along nicely with a catchy chorus and a melotron throughout.
I love the line "On her radio she.. turned the disco down..." I don't know why, I just do...
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001006/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_006/104-4452271-2723162
"The Bad Photographer"
This is almost Bubblegum music, an upbeat catchy song loaded with hooks.
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001007/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_007/104-4452271-2723162
"Been So Long"
A bouncy little ditty with several interesting little twists. The fact that music like this doesn't sell, while Eminem sells millions is an absolute travesty...
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001008/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_008/104-4452271-2723162
"Postman"
Number 3 of my four favorites, I love the bassline during the bridge, which oddly sounds like the intro of "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)". We know how much they love Motown in Britain...
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001009/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_009/104-4452271-2723162
"Erica America"
The fourth of my favorites here. It contains lyrical references to "A Horse With No Name" and R. Dean Taylor's "Gotta See Jane". Yet another catchy chorus that will stick in your head for years.
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001010/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_010/104-4452271-2723162
"Dutch TV"
A nice, mellow yet uptempo closer that ties the album up nicely.
www.amazon.com/gp/music/wma-pop-up/B00000AGAS001011/ref=mu_sam_wma_001_011/104-4452271-2723162
Every so often, an album comes along where you just KNEW that the artist has made their masterpiece. For my money, "Good Humor" is just that, a masterpiece! A lot of their hardcore fans don't like it, probably because it downplays the "dance music" that the group is known for. But life ain't always about booty-shaking... "Good Humor" is a true gem from start to finish.
I first got this CD for the song "Split Screen" in the summer of '99, but never listened beyond that song until 3 years later, when I (for reasons I'm still not quite sure) took the CD on my vacation in the summer of '02. I came back with a new favorite (not to mention a huge crush on Sarah!), and was hooked on it throughout that fall.
Give the samples a listen and let me know what you think..
