Lambchop FLOTUS

Posted by: Bruce Woodhouse on 08 November 2016

Here is an interesting thing. Lambchop (the former country band) embrace electronics and vocoder sounds in a sort of lounge meets Four Tet/James Blake mash up and produce....something rather wonderful I think.

It is intriguing and rich, despite the electronics very warm and subtle. Although sonically different reminds me of 'Is A Woman' in terms of being quite dense, bit strange and very much a complete suite of songs rather than a collection of individual tracks. The 18 min closing track (Hustle, clip below) is really quite something and the most radically different (bit of Krautrock almost) but has really hooked my attention.

I think there is more to appreciate with careful listening, maybe need headphones to really get all the nuances.

Having been slightly alarmed by the descriptions of this album before release It might be the best thing they have done. Just don't expect it to be 'Nixon' !

http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/22498-flotus/

Other people got it yet? Thoughts?

Bruce

Posted on: 09 November 2016 by Nick Lees

Just got the download  -  it sounds a peach, different, yes, but very good all the same.

Posted on: 09 November 2016 by Bruce Woodhouse

Let me know what you think. Took me a few goes to get it, now my wife and I are respectively fighting over playing this and Leonard Cohen 'You Want It Darker' (which is also brilliant actually)

Bruce

Posted on: 09 November 2016 by KRM

My first reaction was it's terrible. Auto tune abuse nasty drum machine. The family moaned too. Perhaps it's a grower? The best albums are.

Keith

Posted on: 09 November 2016 by naimsake

Always fascinating the chop... genius.

Posted on: 09 November 2016 by KRM

I'll give it another go. Ironically, I listened to the Dylan 1966 live album last night so I should probably keep my mind open :-)

Posted on: 09 November 2016 by Nick Lees
Bruce Woodhouse posted:

Let me know what you think. Took me a few goes to get it, now my wife and I are respectively fighting over playing this and Leonard Cohen 'You Want It Darker' (which is also brilliant actually)

Bruce

I've re-listened to it and it's grown. Again, different, but still a Lambchop album.

Posted on: 10 November 2016 by T38.45

I'm a big Lambchop fan but this is not my cup ....Thriller, What another man spills, Nixon...or How I Quit Smoking - great records! But this one is too much for me:-)

Posted on: 10 November 2016 by Cdb

I have this on vinyl but have only listened once. I don't mind the electronic element of the music but I am a little dismayed by the vocoder(?) treatment of Kurt's voice. Anyhow I think Lambchop/Kurt are generally magnificent (although I don't think they were ever a 'country' band) and will be listening some more before I decide. 

Clive

Posted on: 12 November 2016 by Premmyboy

I have had a first listen and really like it. I think with a few more plays it may turn out to be one of my favourites of the year.

Posted on: 14 November 2016 by Bruce Woodhouse

Yup, definitely in my top three for 2016, and normally I hate  vocoder treatments. It just seems to work by adding a layer of strangeness here rather than irritating me as it usually does. Not overused either

Bruce

Posted on: 14 November 2016 by wenger2015

Needs a listen or three....as has been said it's possibly a grower...

Posted on: 15 November 2016 by Gianluigi Mazzorana

Imho Bruce try and get some Lali Puna's or Notwist or Barbara Morgenstern....

Posted on: 15 November 2016 by GraemeH

I like it but then 'Is a Woman' has always been my favourite...saw them on that tour and had a chat with Kurt at the end about how they compose...brilliant night.

G

Posted on: 16 November 2016 by Bruce Woodhouse
Gianluigi Mazzorana posted:

Imho Bruce try and get some Lali Puna's or Notwist or Barbara Morgenstern....

All new to me. Will investigate. Thanks