This is a very scary thought in my mind.
So, in 'honour' of this, the last few weeks have been spent in a bit of a drunken, celebratory haze, hence the lack of presence. This came to an end last week when the painful goodbyes to my partners in crime began...
I'll get back to you on that note when I get my results in a few weeks... Eeeek...
However, curing my blues this week have been a number of things, namely goodies which have been arriving through the post, firstly:
Patrick Wolf - The Bachelor
I think by this stage my love for Mr Wolf need not be mentioned.
This album, number 982 of 2000, funded by Bandstocks arrived on my doorstep mid-week.
Investors collectively raised £100,000 through £10 shares which are being put to use by Patrick and his team in the same way an advance from a record company would be. However, unlike typical record deals, this method allows artists full creative control and eliminates restrictions which typical deals sometimes impose.
(Proof of my investment can be seen on the second page of Bandstocks credits, first name, sixth row down, 'fifitxbl' ;) )
The album was initially intended to be released as the double album 'Battle'.
'The Bachelor' firstly signifying Patrick's desperation experienced following 'The Magic Position' era, where he was under Universal's control, attempting to be made into a superpopstar, and night after night singing about happiness and emotions which were in no way reflecting his personal life at the time. 'The Conqueror' following this, telling the story of his defeat of these personal demons after he met his now-partner and found hope.
Deciding the release of a double album depicting so much might be a little too intense, it was decided the two were to be released separately.
Throughout 'The Bachelor' Wolf, along with some help from narrator Tilda Swinton, drags you along his journey of the past few years, constantly reaffirming his bachelor status, telling tales of desperation ('Who Will'), the pain of suicide ('The Sun is Often Out') and calling for a 'Revolution' (soon-to-be-single 'Hard Times'). All to the sounds of Patrick's character vocals, pianos, strings, organs and just a tad more electronics thanks to Alec Empire's collaboration. The theme up to this point is unavoidable, but with closing tracks 'Battle' and 'The Messenger', with his Tribe behind him, ready to fight, and a new found personal happiness, Patrick Wolf certifies himself, and his tribe, as a force to be reckoned with, proving the naysayers, within himself and the real world, wrong, and ultimately establishing the links to the second instalment of his 'Battle' - 'The Conqueror'.
Buy the CD, check out the artwork, listen to the album, over and over (in some sort of picturesque setting if possible), follow the story... Then get back to me and try to tell me it's not beautiful.
x
No comments:
Post a Comment