Dark Matters - Second Thoughts

[StanInBlack]

Also, it's Mojo Magazine - a magazine that has its finger on the pulse so much it's got The Rolling Stones on the cover this month. Again.

So, I finally got around to checking out Mojo Magazine's albums of the year and was for the most part pretty unsurprised at what I saw. Even though he's at this stage a vintage act, it's great to see Paul Weller's most recent album at #6 as it pretty much continues the winning, creative streak that he's been on for well over a decade now. Also, totally unsurprised to see The Coral there at #7 - while it's a good record (and probably their best for a long time) - they are a band that seem completely aimed at Mojo Magazine's dadrock oriented readership. Also good to see the Manic Street Preachers at #16 with The Ultra Vivid Lament, yet another vintage act that is turning out some surprisingly very good records at such a late stage in their career. Gruff Rhys' Seeking New Gods just about makes it into the list at #74 - while his best album for a while, I still wouldn't rank it as up there with his "career best" records although I'd take it over Dark Matters any day of the week.

Weirdly, it's in the 20-35 range where they feel the need to slot in a whole bunch of quite unremarkable records. Anyone who could possibly get through the latest Teenage Fanclub album (Endless Arcade, in there at #23) without either falling asleep or switching it off after the first couple of tracks deserves a medal for enduring something so utterly, tediously dull. Field Music's Flat White Moon at #29 is one of the weakest albums they've made to date, and there's no way on Earth that McCartney III is in the Top 100 best records released this year, let alone ranked at #32 like the staff at Mojo see fit to place it here. And of course, Dark Matters in at #35 - and we all know how I feel about that one.

Of course, when it comes to the newer artists, Mojo seem utterly clueless as to where to rank them. The general consensus is that Wolf Alice's Blue Weekend, Squid's Bright Green Field and ESPECIALLY Black Midi's Cavalcade are three of the best records released this year (a consensus that I happen to agree with) yet here they all nestle in the 36-70 range, with Dry Cleaning's New Long Leg (while a very good record, not as good as the three aforementioned records) coming in at #15. Black Country New Road's For the First Time which is another of my favourite records released this year is in at #14 (and perhaps should be in the Top 10) and the amazing CHVRCHES album is absent entirely but I wouldn't expect Mojo Magazine to be all over that band anyway.

[unbroken69]

Hadn't played it for a about ten days, been busy and that.
Put it on today and played it about five times. It's an incredible album. Not just a collection of songs, but a cohesive artistic project. For me it's the best post Hugh album, and I know many will disagree but I think it's their best since La Folie.

[jason]

I need to remove it from my car stereo. I'm playing it far too much! I think I'll replace it with Norfolk Coast or Suite XVI for a bit.

[Jake]

Hadn't played it for a about ten days, been busy and that.
Put it on today and played it about five times. It's an incredible album. Not just a collection of songs, but a cohesive artistic project. For me it's the best post Hugh album, and I know many will disagree but I think it's their best since La Folie.

Hello Unbroken 69, I definitely disagree with you on best since La Folie, but hello all the same, it’s been a while

[unbroken69]

Hadn't played it for a about ten days, been busy and that.
Put it on today and played it about five times. It's an incredible album. Not just a collection of songs, but a cohesive artistic project. For me it's the best post Hugh album, and I know many will disagree but I think it's their best since La Folie.

Hello Unbroken 69, I definitely disagree with you on best since La Folie, but hello all the same, it’s been a while

Alright buddy, how are you? Yeah not been around these parts for a while, just came on last week to see if folk were still here.

Good to see the forums still on the go, given all the activity on the likes of Facebook.

Yeah we can all disagree on our faves, but I really love Dark Matters. I find some of the later MK I albums a little tinny, some great songs spoilt by poor production.

I love all the albums since Norfolk Coast, just think Dark Matters is the pick of the bunch, but who knows I might think differently in year's time.

Are you going to any of the gigs coming up?

[Jake]

Alright buddy, how are you? Yeah not been around these parts for a while, just came on last week to see if folk were still here.

Good to see the forums still on the go, given all the activity on the likes of Facebook.

Yeah we can all disagree on our faves, but I really love Dark Matters. I find some of the later MK I albums a little tinny, some great songs spoilt by poor production.

I love all the albums since Norfolk Coast, just think Dark Matters is the pick of the bunch, but who knows I might think differently in year's time.

Are you going to any of the gigs coming up?

Hey,


Ticking over mate, hope you’re well. I’m still not on Facebook but given all the negative exposure there’s been, no great loss, even if one is sort of persona non grata in the modern world without it.

I hadn’t been coming to the Forum much for years, but then with Dave passing away, obviously very sad, I started to drift back here, it’s very quiet compared to the past and I assume that’s because of Facebook, but there’s still some very lively discussions.

I’m torn over Dark Matters, I like Dave’s bits, some of JJs vocals, but I haven’t warmed to Baz’s vocals after all these years, as for some of the lyrics…. But I’m glad it’s got people talking and if others love it, I certainly don’t begrudge that.

I don’t have tickets for any of the shows, haven’t been to a stranglers gig since that one at the Roundhouse on the Giants tour. There’s probably more chance of Britain rejoining the EU than my seeing a stranglers gig again, but you never know mate, cheers good to see you here again

[unbroken69]

Alright buddy, how are you? Yeah not been around these parts for a while, just came on last week to see if folk were still here.

Good to see the forums still on the go, given all the activity on the likes of Facebook.

Yeah we can all disagree on our faves, but I really love Dark Matters. I find some of the later MK I albums a little tinny, some great songs spoilt by poor production.

I love all the albums since Norfolk Coast, just think Dark Matters is the pick of the bunch, but who knows I might think differently in year's time.

Are you going to any of the gigs coming up?

Hey,


Ticking over mate, hope you’re well. I’m still not on Facebook but given all the negative exposure there’s been, no great loss, even if one is sort of persona non grata in the modern world without it.

I hadn’t been coming to the Forum much for years, but then with Dave passing away, obviously very sad, I started to drift back here, it’s very quiet compared to the past and I assume that’s because of Facebook, but there’s still some very lively discussions.

I’m torn over Dark Matters, I like Dave’s bits, some of JJs vocals, but I haven’t warmed to Baz’s vocals after all these years, as for some of the lyrics…. But I’m glad it’s got people talking and if others love it, I certainly don’t begrudge that.

I don’t have tickets for any of the shows, haven’t been to a stranglers gig since that one at the Roundhouse on the Giants tour. There’s probably more chance of Britain rejoining the EU than my seeing a stranglers gig again, but you never know mate, cheers good to see you here again

I love Baz live, he rarely hits a bum note. Don't mind his vocals, on the softer songs he sounds really good. He doesn't seem to have penned much of the lyrics on this one though, probably had an artistic meltdown after '15 Steps'.

I have tickets for a few a shows this time, decided to miss the London dates and do a few around England. They're also doing Belfast in September, so I'll head back for that one. I'll not bother with the Hugh acoustic one in April though, never really warmed to his acoustic shows.

Could well be the last time the Stranglers play, they may well close the book at the end of next year.

Good catching up with you mate.

[Jake]

I love Baz live, he rarely hits a bum note. Don't mind his vocals, on the softer songs he sounds really good. He doesn't seem to have penned much of the lyrics on this one though, probably had an artistic meltdown after '15 Steps'.

I have tickets for a few a shows this time, decided to miss the London dates and do a few around England. They're also doing Belfast in September, so I'll head back for that one. I'll not bother with the Hugh acoustic one in April though, never really warmed to his acoustic shows.

Could well be the last time the Stranglers play, they may well close the book at the end of next year.

Good catching up with you mate.

You too mister

It’s a somewhat controversial opinion, but vaguely a consensus too, personally I hope they’re not going to drag it out too long, but of course it’s their band, their decision, though as some argue it’s also maybe being egged on by a money making management machine, as long as there’s cash to be made, etc.

Speaking to a couple of people who like the stranglers and are not on the forum, they weren’t impressed by the notion of the stranglers continuing without Dave. I don’t reckon it’s for me, but never say never I guess.

I haven’t seen Hugh live in ages either, but did rather like the couple of his acoustic shows I went to.

You take care fella, good to hear from you

[unbroken69]

I love Baz live, he rarely hits a bum note. Don't mind his vocals, on the softer songs he sounds really good. He doesn't seem to have penned much of the lyrics on this one though, probably had an artistic meltdown after '15 Steps'.

I have tickets for a few a shows this time, decided to miss the London dates and do a few around England. They're also doing Belfast in September, so I'll head back for that one. I'll not bother with the Hugh acoustic one in April though, never really warmed to his acoustic shows.

Could well be the last time the Stranglers play, they may well close the book at the end of next year.

Good catching up with you mate.

You too mister

It’s a somewhat controversial opinion, but vaguely a consensus too, personally I hope they’re not going to drag it out too long, but of course it’s their band, their decision, though as some argue it’s also maybe being egged on by a money making management machine, as long as there’s cash to be made, etc.

Speaking to a couple of people who like the stranglers and are not on the forum, they weren’t impressed by the notion of the stranglers continuing without Dave. I don’t reckon it’s for me, but never say never I guess.

I haven’t seen Hugh live in ages either, but did rather like the couple of his acoustic shows I went to.

You take care fella, good to hear from you

Yeah, I think when all the live commitments are honoured they may well call it a day. It was to be the final full tour. Now it takes a more poignant twist, as it'll essentially be in honour of Dave.

Speak soon dude.

[Greatkudu]

I listened last night, first time for a while and really enjoyed it, it stands alone as a fine album, pointless to compare to others, you either like or dislike. Lt Kudu.

[Josh]

I listened last night, first time for a while and really enjoyed it, it stands alone as a fine album, pointless to compare to others, you either like or dislike. Lt Kudu.

Agreed.

[Jon the Impaler]

Two months in and my opinion hasn't altered .Overall I like it , still not liking Lines , Breathe or Down though .Lines is pretty pointless to me and I think would have been better putting something a bit longer and some musical substance ,anyway it's bloody accoustic . I still think there are 6 worthwhile songs . Not listening that much now , probably once a week at best , skipping tracks listed , Dave and If Something .