I don't think there is any synth on Venus. It sounds to me as Tom (who is doing the solo) is holding off the attack on the first notes and I know there are pedals to allow you to take off the attack of a guitar note. The tone is the same as the rest of the guitar solo. You can easily tell Tom's solos vs Richard's solos as Richard's were melodic and mapped out where Tom is more meandering, jazzy and build up as if Tom sort of figures out where the solo is going as he plays. The big influence that they had was that rarely are the two guitars playing chords (except in places where Tom needs to sing) and the two guitars (as you said) play off each other both in the fragments they are playing and also rhythmically with the drums and bass holding down a very tight pattern underneath. There is a lot of air in their songs and they are planned out well. Television had been around (Neon Boys before that) for 4 or 5 years before they made their album so they had a lot of songs to choose from and they had worked out the songs prior to going into the studio. In fact, Tom's first eponymous solo album had several unrecorded Television songs on it since they had only done Marquee Moon and Adventure prior.
A top 10 album of all time for me and the best of '77,which is a loaded year. Influenced by the likes of King Crimson/Quicksilver Messenger Service and influencing The Strokes,Thin White Rope,Dream Syndicate and Wipers, it is so unique,no guitar rock album sounds like it. Billy Ficca ,drummer,is the secret weapon. Only Exile on Main Street is definitively better for me.
One of the best album ever released in 1977 and that's crazy considering Never Mind the Bullocks, Rumours and Bowie's Low and "Heroes" came out that year (amongst other classic albums). All time classic album.
I love this album. Its follow-up is no slouch either. This might sound obscure, but the opening guitar in Cardigans song Lovefool sounds awfully similar to the guitar opening on Elevation
I knew I subscribed to you for a good reason. I love this album, especially the title track, Friction, Venus, and Prove it. My favorite recording of them is actually Live at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco . This was a radio broadcast later made available. It’s the first thing I heard from the band. A friend had taped it and played it for me one night in 1980 when I was in a very suggestible state. I also highly recommend the second album.
I heard Adventure before I heard Marquee Moon. Once I heard the first two tracks on Marquee Moon, I finally got what Television were doing. I now love that album as much as you do. And I've become very fond of their second album, which really is underrated. It has a stark, minimal beauty in contrast to the more aggressive assault of the first album. Enjoyed watching your review of this album. Thanks for this, Daniel. I'll check you out again.
You nailed it, a beautiful record and really unique. As you point out, all the guitars are clean but still pretty intense! Title track puts me in a trance!
I've always had a hard time with this being classified as punk. I just feel these four guys were too talented to be put into the punk genre. Once they ditched Richard Hell, the whole punk thing went out the door with him. Although at the time, anyone with short hair was suspect, it would be closer to new wave than punk I think. If I was forced to pick 10 favorite albums, this would be one of them. I owned it on 8 track when it came out and still have it on vinyl. But here in the states I obtained a CD remaster from 2003 that adds on a few bonus tracks including Little Johnny Jewel Pts 1&2 that was only ever issued on 45. Richard Lloyd's Strat doing that single coil bridge pickup rhythm is worth the price of admission alone. As far as bands that sound as if they were influenced by these guys, I have to include the Cars as well as early Talking Heads. I also think the first two Pretenders albums have that influence too. This was the album musicians salivate over and rightly so they probably influenced more than we can list. Great pick Daniel! Everyone deserves this album in their life!
To have someone comment on such a hidden gem is fantastic. Thanks for that. What about do a review of their second album Adventure which is equally stunning though again criminally overlooked by most. Also their third album which is hard to get should get a re-release!
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Thank you for the free lesson in rock education, sincerely a 21 year old girl 🤘
Verlaine produced most of that album while Andy Johns was passed out drunk.
I don't think there is any synth on Venus. It sounds to me as Tom (who is doing the solo) is holding off the attack on the first notes and I know there are pedals to allow you to take off the attack of a guitar note. The tone is the same as the rest of the guitar solo. You can easily tell Tom's solos vs Richard's solos as Richard's were melodic and mapped out where Tom is more meandering, jazzy and build up as if Tom sort of figures out where the solo is going as he plays. The big influence that they had was that rarely are the two guitars playing chords (except in places where Tom needs to sing) and the two guitars (as you said) play off each other both in the fragments they are playing and also rhythmically with the drums and bass holding down a very tight pattern underneath. There is a lot of air in their songs and they are planned out well. Television had been around (Neon Boys before that) for 4 or 5 years before they made their album so they had a lot of songs to choose from and they had worked out the songs prior to going into the studio. In fact, Tom's first eponymous solo album had several unrecorded Television songs on it since they had only done Marquee Moon and Adventure prior.
A top 10 album of all time for me and the best of '77,which is a loaded year. Influenced by the likes of King Crimson/Quicksilver Messenger Service and influencing The Strokes,Thin White Rope,Dream Syndicate and Wipers, it is so unique,no guitar rock album sounds like it. Billy Ficca ,drummer,is the secret weapon. Only Exile on Main Street is definitively better for me.
One of the best album ever released in 1977 and that's crazy considering Never Mind the Bullocks, Rumours and Bowie's Low and "Heroes" came out that year (amongst other classic albums). All time classic album.
best album of the 70's🤩
I love this album. Its follow-up is no slouch either. This might sound obscure, but the opening guitar in Cardigans song Lovefool sounds awfully similar to the guitar opening on Elevation
I knew I subscribed to you for a good reason. I love this album, especially the title track, Friction, Venus, and Prove it. My favorite recording of them is actually Live at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco . This was a radio broadcast later made available. It’s the first thing I heard from the band. A friend had taped it and played it for me one night in 1980 when I was in a very suggestible state. I also highly recommend the second album.
Agreed, Adventure is almost as good as Marquee Moon.
I heard Adventure before I heard Marquee Moon. Once I heard the first two tracks on Marquee Moon, I finally got what Television were doing. I now love that album as much as you do. And I've become very fond of their second album, which really is underrated. It has a stark, minimal beauty in contrast to the more aggressive assault of the first album. Enjoyed watching your review of this album. Thanks for this, Daniel. I'll check you out again.
Thank you!
You nailed it, a beautiful record and really unique. As you point out, all the guitars are clean but still pretty intense! Title track puts me in a trance!
Most of the albums you’ve talked about are ones I’ve never heard of, I’ve been missing out on a lot of great music. 😅👍
I've always had a hard time with this being classified as punk. I just feel these four guys were too talented to be put into the punk genre. Once they ditched Richard Hell, the whole punk thing went out the door with him. Although at the time, anyone with short hair was suspect, it would be closer to new wave than punk I think. If I was forced to pick 10 favorite albums, this would be one of them. I owned it on 8 track when it came out and still have it on vinyl. But here in the states I obtained a CD remaster from 2003 that adds on a few bonus tracks including Little Johnny Jewel Pts 1&2 that was only ever issued on 45. Richard Lloyd's Strat doing that single coil bridge pickup rhythm is worth the price of admission alone. As far as bands that sound as if they were influenced by these guys, I have to include the Cars as well as early Talking Heads. I also think the first two Pretenders albums have that influence too. This was the album musicians salivate over and rightly so they probably influenced more than we can list. Great pick Daniel! Everyone deserves this album in their life!
Thanks!
To have someone comment on such a hidden gem is fantastic. Thanks for that. What about do a review of their second album Adventure which is equally stunning though again criminally overlooked by most. Also their third album which is hard to get should get a re-release!
I still need a copy of the 3rd album!