Scott Walker

'Tilt' and 'Climate of Hunter'. His previous solo albums, though more 'conventional' (called, imaginatively, Scott I, Scott II, Scott III and Scott IV) get progressively weirder and less 'song-based'.

Personally I think 'Drift' might be too far on the wrong side of wackiness for me, but I've got a Fopp voucher burning a hole in my pocket and I might take a punt on it.

I have read such polarised reviews of this album. I know nothing about his solo output but have been told on numerous occasions that I really should own tilt.

Sounds like the new one is worth a punt. Does it make captain beefheart sound like the Nolans?

quote:

Does it make captain beefheart sound like the Nolans?

v. funny

Yes it’s whacky and I can understand people not liking it, but it’s knocked me for six, by far the most interesting album I’ve bought in ages. It had the same effect on me as hearing Antony and the Johnsons for the first time about a year ago (totally different music though).

I’ll have to work my way back trough his oeuvre now so next on the list will be Tilt.

Thanks,
Peter

Ps; the crackling seems to get less, so maybe it’s just static

I love how Walker went from 60's pop-star heart throb, to increasingly far out dude. Rather than the well trodden path of compromise, he's done his own thing for the last thirty years.
Still have difficulty sitting all the way through Tilt though.

Anyone else taken the plunge yet? reviews appreciated.

Malky

Any album with the lyric "I'll punch a Donkey on the streets of Galway" deserves a listen in my book.

Scary, draining, discordant, shocking, abstract, self indulgent, confusing, moving, desolate, gothic.

Hard work but absolutely unique. I cannot possibly comment if you will like this album. What I can say is that I know I don't regret buying it.

If you have young children send them out for the duration of the album unless you want to be dealing with tears and nightmares - I'm not joking! Listen to the envelope of what constitutes music being firmly stretched.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Simon Matthews:
Scary, draining, discordant, shocking, abstract, self indulgent, confusing, moving, desolate, gothic.
Hard work but absolutely unique.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sounds like a ringing endorsment to me. I'm buying tomorrow.

This thread has made me very curious about Scott Walker, he gets outstanding reviews in Record Collector so I've just got to listen to something by him.

Malky - check out the 13 minute long 'Clara' - a sweet little ditty describing Mussolini's lady being tried, shot and hung upside down at the end of the war. Apparently the rumours of a Boyzone cover of this tune are unfounded.

Well, its just had its first spin, faaaaarrr out man. Its quite fascinating but the sort of fascination you'd normally reserve for a car crash. This one's going to need a lot of work but guess what? I want to listen to the whole thing again straight away.

I managed to get to listen to the The Drift over the weekend and it is very different from what I usually listen to. The Drift is an excellent album IMO even if it is not an easy listen; I didn't expect it to be.

I also heard Tilt which I wasn't familiar with either and I liked that too, but I preferred the The Drift.

Both are now on my to be ordered list.

I'm admitting defeat for the time being. Might try again later.

Just ordered Tilt and The Drift - having heard them, I just couldn't not order them. There is something unique about Scott Walker, but he doesn't exactly make it easy on himself.

I can see me ordering lots of records by him - anybody care to suggest the best Walker Brothers compilation.

ROTF, you're really jumping in at the deep end, but good luck to yer. Try Scott's 1-1V. Much more accessible but sophisticated pop genius.