Idaho Music - Message Board

Recommendations

RE: Red House Painters | from GregJan 16 2002 - 21:55

Ed is right - there are as many different opinions of RHP as there are fans of them - if you like what you've heard, I'm sure any of their albums will do, Andy. Fuck our little ramblings.

RE: Red House Painters | from Seth HowardJan 16 2002 - 15:47

Chris - Don't get me wrong about the "cheese" comment.

I think what's often great about RHP/Kozelek is the awkwardness and surface corniness of some of the material. Kozelek isn't overly concerned with writing "cool" songs, and I really like that. Many of the songs are powerful because of how frighteningly plain-spoken the lyrics are. Some of his stuff just doesn't do it for me. That's all.

I've only seen RHP live once (this year), and they were kind of a snooze, but I've seen Kozelek live twice, and it was a hoot both times.

RE: Red House Painters | from eraserheadJan 16 2002 - 12:34

And don't forget Cher.

RE: Red House Painters | from ChrisJan 16 2002 - 11:08

I think Greg's got it about right -
Ocean Beach is shorter, more to the
point, and it has that damn "Summer Dress"
song, surely one of the best things
Mark's yet committed to tape.

I think Old Ramon is pretty great,
too; I don't hear the "cheese" that
Seth described. Just more songs that
at first glimpse sound like a trad
love ballad, then turn out to be in
praise of his cat or a cardboard box,
whatever.

This is a band you either get or you don't.
However, even a non-fan would have to admit
that it's an original approach: Take an obsessive
adherence to "rules" concerning your writing,
arrangements, and production (you get a sense
of that just from RHP's CD packages), then
contradict that beautifully with drawn-out,
emotionally overwrought performances. That's
especially true of the trashy pop songs
he covers with such reverence (for thheir feel,
more than their original melodies).

Those who knock RHP would do the same to Nick Drake
or Martin Phillips.

RE: Red House Painters | from EdJan 16 2002 - 07:25

Too many critics. Just blindly pick a cd out of there bin and judge it for yourself.

RE: Red House Painters | from drunk adamJan 15 2002 - 20:28

Too much slaggin' of RHP going on here. They are not boring live. Mark's voice is amazing, and the band always plays up to the melody, bucking the usual "rock the song out live" trend. If you want a show go see Kiss forcrisake. fuck.

RE: Red House Painters | from GregJan 15 2002 - 15:41

Must say the Ocean Beach record is under-estimated here. I think it's their best and is a great "starters" RHP record, as it feels more like a traditional album, i.e. not 80 minutes long like most their others. Some pretty accessible stuff, and some of their best songs - Summer Dress, Drop, San Geronimo.
So don't listen to Michel to "stay away from RHP", but I must say stay away from their live shows, as they are one of the boring-est bands live.

RE: Red House Painters | from DaveJan 12 2002 - 21:44

Definitely the rollercoaster album.
It's the best CD I own - or at
least in the top 3. Amazing. Let
it grow on you, blob-style.

RE: Red House Painters | from DannyJan 12 2002 - 11:15

Duh.. I meant "buy" not "by". Dunce.

RE: Red House Painters | from DannyJan 12 2002 - 04:09

My advice? By everything up to 1996, and avoid everything after. Especially those very poor solo AC/DC covers CDs... Old Ramon has its moments, admittedly, but best stick to anything with 4AD stamped on the spine.

It has to be Down Colorful Hill, or the second album "rollercoaster".

RE: Red House Painters | from MarkJan 11 2002 - 19:38

I'd recommend either Songs for a Blue Guitar or the self-titled album with the rollercoaster on the front. But I have to agree with Adam that there is no "good all the way through" RHP album. The closest thing is the Shock Me e.p., which is excellent.

RE: Red House Painters | from adamJan 11 2002 - 17:25

Rollercoaster is a good starting point. Represents the band at their best (my opinion), has some of their best songs. Keep in mind their is no "good all the way through" RHP records except their first e.p, "down colorful hill".

The Retrospective would be a good place to start, but only gives you 4AD stuff.

RE: Red House Painters | from michelJan 11 2002 - 17:21

stay far from rhp

RE: Red House Painters | from Seth HowardJan 11 2002 - 13:18

I actually like "Songs for a Blue Guitar" best. It's along the same lines as "Old Ramon" without so much cheese.

The Retrospective compilation is pretty good if you just want a good cross section of the 4AD stuff though.

As far as the 4AD albums themselves go, "Down Colorful Hill" is my favorite.

RE: Red House Painters | from RyanJan 11 2002 - 10:46

Well I think that you should buy the album called: "(I)".
And, if you want to expand on that, you can get "Retrospective" which is a double disc ($17 on CDNOW)on which Mark Kozelek spills his musical mind. He also does different versions of songs from "(I)" which I know you will enjoy. Good Luck!

Recommendations | from AndyJan 11 2002 - 09:30

Can anyone recommend a red house painters release for someone who has heard only a few songs and liked them. I need a starting point.

Thanks,

Andy.