The Durutti Column-LC(1981)(Discussion Thread)

[GravitySlips]

Originally Posted by djchameleon

Does all post-punk sound like this?

I also have another question, why are they trying to hold onto the label "punk"? Maybe I need to venture over into the punk education thread but I completely understand why Jackhammer said he wouldn't consider these guys punk.

They don't really sound much like any other post-punk band. The closest I can really think of is Felt - both have the dreamy guitar lines and soft vocals.

I think the only reason The Durutti Column are tied in with punk in any way is that when they emerged in England, it just after the whole "'77 punk" had kinda died out (to my knowledge). That, coupled with the fact that they were a pretty unconventional band for their time, was probably why they were labelled post-punk. Also, they were on Factory Records for a while - which was obviously well known for Joy Division and other post-punk artists.

Whatever you wish to label them - I'm a big fan. The Return of the Durutti Column is my favourite of their records, however this one is also fantastic.

[djchameleon]

Originally Posted by GravitySlips

They don't really sound much like any other post-punk band. The closest I can really think of is Felt - both have the dreamy guitar lines and soft vocals.

I think the only reason The Durutti Column are tied in with punk in any way is that when they emerged in England, it just after the whole "'77 punk" had kinda died out (to my knowledge). That, coupled with the fact that they were a pretty unconventional band for their time, was probably why they were labelled post-punk. Also, they were on Factory Records for a while - which was obviously well known for Joy Division and other post-punk artists.

Whatever you wish to label them - I'm a big fan. The Return of the Durutti Column is my favourite of their records, however this one is also fantastic.

oh ok. Now I understand.

I'm going to check out the return album.

I want to hear some other post punk artists...who would you recommend that I check out?

[dankrsta]

Great stuff!!! How come I didn't know about this band before? These guys have a huge discography and are apparently still active. Actually I just read the line up was always changing and that this band can be seen as one man project. The most interesting thing for me is that Blaine Reininger of Tuxedomoon was at one point a part of the line up.

Anyway I listened to this a few times and I absolutely love it. Well, this doesn't have that much similarities with typical post-punk let alone punk. It's very ambient foreshadowing both post-rock and more dreamy, ambient shoegaze, but without the noise. On the other hand it reminds me of some Brian Eno songs, more specifically from 'Another Green World' and 'Before and After Science'. Obviously The Durutti Column are more guitar driven, it's just the ambient atmosphere and tranquil sprawling sounds that I find very similar. Oh and the vocal too, but it also has that distant, remote quality that is usually found in post-punk bands. So it's art rock actually. I don't use this term very often, only when I can't quite place something, like this band.

Every song here is very good. One of my favorites 'Sketch for Dawn I', the opening track, reminds me of the earlier New Order. Like I said, the vocals and bass lines are elements that connect this album to its time the most. All the other stuff, floating guitar lines, instrumentally oriented tracks, creating of layered textures, ambiance etc, are taking cues from the near past (Eno) and shooting to the future. Favorite song is hands down 'Never Known'. Excellent album! I'm going to check more stuff from this band. I'm really curious to hear how they developed.

Originally Posted by GravitySlips

The Return of the Durutti Column is my favourite of their records, however this one is also fantastic.

I'm gonna get that one next

[TockTockTock]

Oh crap... I forgot about this. I even voted for it.

[djchameleon]

Originally Posted by Jack Pat

Oh crap... I forgot about this. I even voted for it.

well get to listening to it and review it so we can move on

[TockTockTock]

Originally Posted by djchameleon

well get to listening to it and review it so we can move on

You should be able to move on without me. Album clubs don't really work that way... but I'll listen to it as soon as possible.

[djchameleon]

Originally Posted by Jack Pat

You should be able to move on without me. Album clubs don't really work that way... but I'll listen to it as soon as possible.

I know they don't work that way but that's how James is running this one.

[TockTockTock]

Voted 'good,' although I was more inclined to vote 'average.' I didn't really find it particularly fascinating. I was all hyped up thinking this was going to be some experimental/post-punk masterpiece. To me, it just sounds like a lo-fi band that barely touches the realm of post-punk (if touching it at all). The echo effects they used for some of the instruments (such as in the guitar and piano) was interesting, but it lost its appeal after having listened to several tracks. It soon became monotonous and boring.

I sound snobby for saying all of this, but this is how I felt when listening to this album. I even gave it a second and third listen to see if anything changed (it didn't). Maybe I'm discrediting this album and not seeing its brilliance?