TELEVISION - "Marquee Moon"

[MOUSEBLOOD]

There are a number of "proto" albums from the 70's that everyone should own or at least have listened to. I finally picked up a copy of the "extended" rerelease of TELEVISION's "Marquee Moon" that came out a few years ago.

The extended version includes the complete version of the title track (the original album fades out the last minute), the complete 7 minute version of "Little Johnny Jewel' plus some unreleased and alternate versions of tracks(the alternate version of "Friction" is actually pretty cool).

Verlaine and Lloyd created some of the coolest and most unique guitar interplay every. One of the reasons for this is Lloyd's skill at developing written-out solos "that had a melody and a plot... a kind of playwriting." He was also fond of the Beatles' use of double-tracked vocals and wanted to transfer it to lead guitars, "instead of using chorus or delay." So, with the solos already worked out, he adeptly double-tracked them. Verlaine had a totally contrasting style of spontaneous solos that he never played the same way twice. Their contrasting styles worked to created a trully legendary album.

[Ballrooms of Mars]

"Marquee Moon" is amazing - I haven't listened to it in so long, too long it fact. I think I'll go listen to it now, in fact. That Tom Verlaine/Richard Lloyd guitar work is so kick-ass!

I was introduced to the album by my mom, a big Television/Verlaine fan. She actually has pretty good taste in music, for a mom.

Seriously though, if you haven't heard this album, go out and get it immediately! It may not be very goth, but it is seriously awesome.