Review:

on 2011-05-07 CharlesMartel Said:

The mid-seventies were a hot time for the New York music scene. Centred around the club CBGBs a number of bands were to emerge and wide the wave of punk which swept across the UK from around 1977. It is perhaps not surprising that Blondie should have had most commercial success, with their catchy pop songs and peroxide blonde singer with the gorgeous pouting lips. Yet of all the bands who emerged out of that scene it was perhaps Television who promised the most and, in the end, delivered the least. With two lead guitarists who were not merely competent but decidedly proficient, Television were a world away from the three chord thrash of bands like the Ramones who, whatever their other qualities, were not on a par.

Television's debut album, "Marquee Moon" has always been held up as a modern classic and, in many people's view, is regarded as one of the best albums of all time. Well, I can hardly disagree with that. The title track is outstanding and in all the ways it has been described, as a true moment in rock and roll history. The problem is that it makes all the other tracks seem weak in comparison. In fact, when you listen to them, they are not weak at all. "Venus" has some great lyrics; "Guiding Light" has some great guitar hooks; and "See No Evil" has some good jangly guitar work. Take away "Marquee Moon" and you have a solid album. Not the best album of 1977, but a good, solid first effort. Put the title track back in, you have excellence which deserves the place in the musical pantheon to which it has often been assigned by critics and fans alike.

The only musical downside is Tom Verlaine's voice. Nasal, high pitched and seemingly slightly off key, it is a particular kind of New York drawl which would not be out of place in a Bugs Bunny cartoon. No doubt though, it was influential - Sonic Youth, Smashing Pumpkins all seem to have borrowed elements from it. One thing is clear though, it is an essential component to the music. A better vocalist would have ruined the effect. Place Verlaine in a different type of band and it wouldn't work at all.

In truth, the addition of the bonus tracks on this remastered reissue does not add that much. The alternate versions are interesting enough without offering any great new insights while the untitled instrumental is pretty awful.

I presume it was the year of its release, but this has been seen as part of the punk movement. If ever there was a miscategorisation of music, Television, along with Talking Heads, being categorised as punks was surely it. Television were too good and too thoughtful to be a punk band. I guess it demonstrates the futility of trying to label things because this fits no labels. It has a unique sound, even today, which marks it out as something truly original. Second, the music was all written in a minor key and relied on sharp edges to sustain. This is closer to the Gang of Four than the Clash and it would make more sense to see Television as a prototype of post-punk rather than anything else. Then there is the ability of the musicians. They obviously knew more than three chords and were capable of putting together tracks of wonderful complexity and virtuosity, so they could hardly be classed in the same bracket as the punks.

However, when all is said and done, it deserves it status as a classic.
Rating: 8/10

on 2008-05-03 Macavennie Said:

A classic indeed. i never tire of hearing those 2 guitars duelling throughout the title track. and Friction is addictive too! tremendous
Rating: 9/10

Review:

on 2007-11-21 tsadik Said:

After listening to Tom Verlaine solo work and Richard Hell and the voidoids, I think the inspiration came from richard hell, he ROCKS! Brilliantly satirical lyrics.
Rating: 10/10