You might not know the name Barry Adamson, but if you're a KEXP listener you've likely heard him - if not any of his excellent solo work, then as a member of bands such as Magazine and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. (Those are, in fact, the two things that anybody knows about Adamson, as one of the DJ comments below will make clear.) In 1989, Adamson was a once and future Bad Seed (he recently rejoined the band to play and tour on the 2013 album Push the Sky Away) who had just released his first solo LP, a soundtrack for a movie that didn't exist. Since that time, Adamson has created many more cinematic musical soundscapes, some of which even had movies to go with them! (He made some vital contributions to the wonderful Lost Highway soundtrack, one of the few soundtrack albums I own.)
Albums like this are the perfect argument for why stations like KEXP (then KCMU) are and always have been so important, especially in the pre-internet era. Can you imagine this record coming into a commercial radio station and anyone having any idea what to do with it? "So, it's a soundtrack? For what movie? No movie? Who sings on it? Oh, it's mostly instrumental, but Diamanda Galas makes an appearance?" I'm so glad this passionate group of folks was there to listen to this record, write all over it, play it on their shows, make penis references, and draw giant H's on it.
"When I try to insert the record into my enlarged nasal cavity - it hurts. Do I have a problem? zzzz -Skillit""Try pulling your head out of the '60s & try some real mind expanding music you skillit head you!"
"I'd like to see this guy's dreams - excuse me - night mares. Aahhh... No I wouldn't. This guy has listened to a lot of Stravinsky in his day. (Anyone liking this should listen to Stravinsky conducting his 'Rite of Spring.') This is what - jazz/movie score/golden era musical music, on the border of being classical. Nola described it best. [Not sure who Nola is. One of these reviewers?] A very interesting album."
"Beauty and power and depression - listen here... other artists here include: Rowland S. Howard & Diamanda Galas."
"He's the original bass player from Magazine & used to be in the Bad Seeds."
"I think this is 'far out.' I can't wait to go pick up a copy so I can go listen to it at the cemetery. Maybe I'm disturbed but this really sounds a lot like what goes on in my head."
"Stunning! Bizarre. H. [This H is a huge, stretched-out drawing of an H.] PS - I think Arthur would like this record."
"A fine balance between imitation & beauty."
"One hell of a fine LP!"
"Rah."
"When I read the title 'Swinging Detective' I remembered that in old movies detectives were referred to as 'Dicks.' Just a thought."
Sometimes a record excites you so much that you lose your critical and verbal faculties, and all you can do is jump up and down and shout "Woooooo-hooooo!" - or perhaps control your muscles just enough to write "Wooooooo-hooooo!" on a little sticker and slap it on said record. Executive Slacks' Nau…
My Dad Is Dead is one of those band names that might just sound like a one-liner or an attempt to grab your attention, but in the case of Mark Edwards's solo recording project, legend has it that the music on this debut LP was in fact created in direct response to the loss of his father. With so mu…
