TGTBTQ: Merrie Land Album Thread

[Mallard No. 22]

hi, thespider - I have been playing the original TGTBTQ album for the first time in twelve years.

I think it has a slight edge over 'Merrie Land'.

[lumaka]

7.5 from Pitchfork! (S/T got 6.8)

[TracyJosh]

Very impressive. As I've said, anything above 6.5 from Pitchfork is very good.

[thespider]

hi, thespider - I have been playing the original TGTBTQ album for the first time in twelve years.

I think it has a slight edge over 'Merrie Land'.

For me, the self-titled GBQ album is a 7.5/10. The title track is one of the best things Albarn has ever done. It's phenomenal.

But yeah, it really seems to be just me that's not liking Merrie Land! The reviews are very positive and almost everyone on this forum is enjoying it. The album's bombed in the charts but record sales mean nothing these days. 900 people bought Take That's Greatest Hits on audio cassette last week.

I'm a bit gutted really, of the 22 albums Albarn has put his name across his career, I've liked almost all of it so far.

[stephen]

Hard to compare both albums in my opinion. At the moment I stick to the debut album more but that could change overtime.

[idreamofpikas]

hi, thespider - I have been playing the original TGTBTQ album for the first time in twelve years.

I think it has a slight edge over 'Merrie Land'.

For me, the self-titled GBQ album is a 7.5/10. The title track is one of the best things Albarn has ever done. It's phenomenal.

But yeah, it really seems to be just me that's not liking Merrie Land! The reviews are very positive and almost everyone on this forum is enjoying it. The album's bombed in the charts but record sales mean nothing these days. 900 people bought Take That's Greatest Hits on audio cassette last week.

I'm a bit gutted really, of the 22 albums Albarn has put his name across his career, I've liked almost all of it so far.

Is it maybe down to the overwhelming praise its got? Some music, film or literature that I'm told is great disappoints as I'm expecting to get it straight away and the longer it takes me to get (if I get it at all) usually just makes me more frustrated with it.

Unless you're going to one of gigs maybe ignore it for a few months and give it a chance later with fresh ears.

[Pavlich]

The debut is an earnest album almost trying to grab attention, and very very 2000s in terms of that Briton sound. Reminds me a lot of something like A Weekend In The City. The second one is a resignation and maturity... I dunno.

[Hooligan]

Just listened to The Imperial on YT and was surprised to find it has vocals - the version I downloaded with the code from the box set is instrumental. Any idea where I can get the full version from?

[thespider]

hi, thespider - I have been playing the original TGTBTQ album for the first time in twelve years.

I think it has a slight edge over 'Merrie Land'.

For me, the self-titled GBQ album is a 7.5/10. The title track is one of the best things Albarn has ever done. It's phenomenal.

But yeah, it really seems to be just me that's not liking Merrie Land! The reviews are very positive and almost everyone on this forum is enjoying it. The album's bombed in the charts but record sales mean nothing these days. 900 people bought Take That's Greatest Hits on audio cassette last week.

I'm a bit gutted really, of the 22 albums Albarn has put his name across his career, I've liked almost all of it so far.

Is it maybe down to the overwhelming praise its got? Some music, film or literature that I'm told is great disappoints as I'm expecting to get it straight away and the longer it takes me to get (if I get it at all) usually just makes me more frustrated with it.

Unless you're going to one of gigs maybe ignore it for a few months and give it a chance later with fresh ears.

You raise a good point, maybe it'll come to me in time. I hope so.

[Mallard No. 22]

But yeah, it really seems to be just me that's not liking Merrie Land! The reviews are very positive and almost everyone on this forum is enjoying it.

I won't 'like' an album for the sake of it, just because I am a fan of the artist as a whole.

I think 'Merrie Land' is a relaxing listen (as the original TGTB&TQ album is). Though I am not likely to remember them as all-time favourites, like I do with several Blur albums.

[stephen]

It's interesting what we will think of this album in a few years time, it could age terribly or become a cult classic.

[guidedbyvoices]

suave

[guidedbyvoices]

I've just found out about this album when YouTube randomly played them...

Loved The Truce of Twilight it's a bit of The Clash isn't it.

[tom_cas1]

It's interesting what we will think of this album in a few years time, it could age terribly or become a cult classic.

Not quite sure how it could age terribly. The production is spot on, certainly better than the debut.

[Ian_D]

Regarding the deluxe bonus tracks - noting the post that states that they only got instrumental tracks with their download - did anyone get all 4 tracks or is there some differentiation here between deluxe and super deluxe boxes?

So I bought the super deluxe version, and got 2 bonus tracks, the vocal versions. Is the vocal a part of the upgrade between the deluxe and the super deluxe versions? That’s certainly better than the set of ribbons...