Bill Callahan – Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle
Sadly, This album leaves me feeling nothing at all. Nothing positive, nothing negative, just nothing. None of it sticks, none of it offends, I can’t remember a single song on the thing, even after listening to it over a dozen times. I don’t even have the faintest idea what to write in this review.
Callahan’s lyrics are always beautifully penned, and although the music fails to make any impact whatsoever, the stories are still lovely to listen to, steeped in the slow pace and unhurried luxuriance embodied in the arrangements. Late Smog had bite, though, even if it was no more than a spooky sort of simmering tension. What made Callahan’s solo debut Woke on a Whaleheart so nice to listen to was that this was replaced with an infectious cheerfulness – not exactly exuberance of course, this is Bill Callahan after all – which was an absolute pleasure as well as something of a surprise.
This album falls down by embracing the worst of both worlds. It’s as inoffensive as Whaleheart whilst also losing some of that carefree air to it, making it sound a little like a toothless Smog. It’s not terrible, of course. There are some lovely tunes on this album, a couple of which I have posted below, but it has made not an ounce of emotional impact on me, I’m afraid, and I sincerely doubt that having written this review I will be likely to ever listen to it again.
Bill Callahan – Too Many Birds
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Bill Callahan – All Thoughts are Prey to Some Beast
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I read that first time as “a toothless snog“.
“Put your teeth back in, Gran, you’re slobbering everywhere!”
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Jesus. You hard hearted monster. I thought this album purred along quite dreamily.
Nice background music for snogging your granny, eh, DC?
Me too, but I meant it as a criticism. I can see how the same thing might be a compliment, but it just never captured my imagination at all. And I did try – I’ve listened to it loads and loads.
I love it. Got it last week and it’s the best thing I’ve heard in ages. I had no idea who he or smog we’re either…just thought it did all the good things Lambchop try and do much better.
Raspberries to you Mr Toad,
Jim
Yeah, you old Toad, you; pfft & double pfft.
By the by Toad, (cos I can’t seem to get you on twatter or fuckbook these days – nose/grindstone/boss talk?), I’ve booked studio time this Monday for Sons Of Noel & Adrian. I was going to do it in conjunction with the group/magazine I mentioned before but, as they’ve been pissing me about & not answering emails, responding far too slowly, or turning down far too many of the bands I’ve put their way for sessions (Celebrity Chimp for one), I’m doing it out of my own pocket.
Wait? You’re on Twitter Matthew?
Dun Dun Duuuuuuuuun…
I am on Twitter, but I am finding it both tedious and pointless. I may get there eventually, but for now it seems a little annoying.
Not blown away by album, but it does remind me of Lambchop, particularly circa ‘Nixon’ (or have I not understood and this is a Lambchop album that ‘proper’ Lamchop fans don’t like) ; )
But yeah, was hoping for something of the bite of ‘Dress Sexy At My Funeral’ or ‘Strayed’ which
I didn’t hear here.
What annoyed me intensely was that the promotional copy of the album I was sent had motor horns and beeps scattered throughout the album – not between songs, which might have been one thing – but across songs which meant that I ended up buying the album just to listen to it. I’d always thought one of the perks of reviewing albums was that a) you got to keep the album and b) You were trusted that you weren’t going to be putting it on the net. Times are obviously changing…
I tried Twitter for about a fortnight. Thoroughly lost interest.
i love twitter……..
Ed – me too, but I just downloaded it from a torrent site. Fuck ‘em if they’re going to play silly buggers.
I’m on Facebook, and I have email.
Struggling to see the point of Twitter.
i love twitter….
Ed/Toad: the beeps & horns thing was a little odd, but given that pretty much most new releases are now leaked because of advance copies getting into the hands of rogue reviewers & the like I can see the point of sabotaging someone’s ill gotten enjoyment.
Ben: yes, he is on Twitter but he uses it all wrong (like I do, but I’m getting better), like it’s a floaty chatbox or something. In reality it is an effective marketing tool (if, I say I say, boy, if it’s used properly).
I can’t be arsed using it properly though, because it’s dull as shit and becomes a massive chore. I thought enjoyment was the point of social networking. If it’s just a marketing schtick then I’d agree with you, although I still doubt I could be arsed doing it properly.
Twitter:
The ideal feature of the 21st century, where lives are sterile and without drive and feeling. But now you can share/inflict that on your friends!
Boo!
i love twitter….
This is my most listened to record of the year so far. Surprised. Thought it would be too lush and maybe Smog-lite, w/ Bill C on autopilot. How nice to find it full of killer moments and subtle invention.