Artist: The Walker Brothers
Album: Nite Flights
Release: 1978
Label: Mercury
Tracklist:
1. Shutout
2. Fat Mama Kick
3. Nite Flights
4. The Electrician
5. Death Of Romance
6. Den Haague
7. Rhythms Of Vision
8. Child Of Flames
9. Disciples Of Death
10. Fury And The Fire
Known to many mothers, fathers, and lonely record store clerks as blue-eyed soul brothers from the U.K. playing baroque pop, the Walker Brothers (not brothers, not Walkers, not British) faded from popular memory rather quickly after a few hits so old and so forgotten that the language cannot be spoken by mere humans. Then, in 1978, eons after anyone still cared about them, the band reunited (not for the first time, apparently) for this fucked-up creation, Nite Flights.
Why is it a fucked-up creation? The answer is not so much the actual, individual songs themselves, so much as the juxtaposition of the songwriting quality of the brilliant Scott Walker's side and the marginally talented other brothers (what are their names???). The A-side, which is comprised of the first four tracks, is the real reason to listen to this. Each one is amazing and actually improves upon its predecessor.
No one should be surprised that Scott Walker's side is incredible. Despite the disposable pop he made with his "brothers," he already had four incredible albums under his belt with many more to come. For the uninitiated, Scott's esoteric words punctuate the weird and foreboding nature of his voice, which matches his experimental compositions perfectly. Scott's efforts culminate in the last two and best tracks: the title track and "The Electrician." Despite hiding behind an optimistic façade of its propulsive bassline, "Nite Flights" possesses an apocalyptic groove, which is intensified by its shimmering, yet cold synths and Scott's ever-effecting vocals. How can one follow up a song of this quality? Easy: write one of the best songs ever.
Straight-up, "The Electrician" is one of the most haunting and beautiful songs ever recorded. Walker's cryptic lyrics cut the deepest on this track. The song possesses an incredible droning electronic intro, followed by the emotional outburst to end all emotional outbursts. As soon as one thinks it's over, a string-laden coda follows for a few minutes, ending back on the droning synths and refrain of "Baby it's slow/When lights turn low." It's heartbreaking not only because of its content, but also because of what's to come: mediocre photocopies of Scott's songwriting style.
To be honest, I wanted to reevaluate the popular opinion of this release and claim that it's not just an incredible EP with lame bonus tracks, but it's really hard. Still, I wouldn't say the other brothers' songs are bad. That's not really the case, they're just kind of forgettable. Also, it's interesting to note how the song titles become more grim, yet the music lacks the horror of Scott's songs; Death, fire, and fury are constant themes in the titles, yet the songs are fairly standard. The perfect example is "Death of Romance," which despite its title, is essentially just Dad-Rock. Still, even though the sax doesn't work like it does on "Fat Mama Kick," I still enjoy it.
In the end, the whole album should be listened to all the way through at least once, but I'm not about to be offended if none of you get past Scott's side. Shit ain't mine.
Download Here
-Adam
Album: Nite Flights
Release: 1978
Label: Mercury
Tracklist:
1. Shutout
2. Fat Mama Kick
3. Nite Flights
4. The Electrician
5. Death Of Romance
6. Den Haague
7. Rhythms Of Vision
8. Child Of Flames
9. Disciples Of Death
10. Fury And The Fire
Known to many mothers, fathers, and lonely record store clerks as blue-eyed soul brothers from the U.K. playing baroque pop, the Walker Brothers (not brothers, not Walkers, not British) faded from popular memory rather quickly after a few hits so old and so forgotten that the language cannot be spoken by mere humans. Then, in 1978, eons after anyone still cared about them, the band reunited (not for the first time, apparently) for this fucked-up creation, Nite Flights.
Why is it a fucked-up creation? The answer is not so much the actual, individual songs themselves, so much as the juxtaposition of the songwriting quality of the brilliant Scott Walker's side and the marginally talented other brothers (what are their names???). The A-side, which is comprised of the first four tracks, is the real reason to listen to this. Each one is amazing and actually improves upon its predecessor.
No one should be surprised that Scott Walker's side is incredible. Despite the disposable pop he made with his "brothers," he already had four incredible albums under his belt with many more to come. For the uninitiated, Scott's esoteric words punctuate the weird and foreboding nature of his voice, which matches his experimental compositions perfectly. Scott's efforts culminate in the last two and best tracks: the title track and "The Electrician." Despite hiding behind an optimistic façade of its propulsive bassline, "Nite Flights" possesses an apocalyptic groove, which is intensified by its shimmering, yet cold synths and Scott's ever-effecting vocals. How can one follow up a song of this quality? Easy: write one of the best songs ever.
Straight-up, "The Electrician" is one of the most haunting and beautiful songs ever recorded. Walker's cryptic lyrics cut the deepest on this track. The song possesses an incredible droning electronic intro, followed by the emotional outburst to end all emotional outbursts. As soon as one thinks it's over, a string-laden coda follows for a few minutes, ending back on the droning synths and refrain of "Baby it's slow/When lights turn low." It's heartbreaking not only because of its content, but also because of what's to come: mediocre photocopies of Scott's songwriting style.
To be honest, I wanted to reevaluate the popular opinion of this release and claim that it's not just an incredible EP with lame bonus tracks, but it's really hard. Still, I wouldn't say the other brothers' songs are bad. That's not really the case, they're just kind of forgettable. Also, it's interesting to note how the song titles become more grim, yet the music lacks the horror of Scott's songs; Death, fire, and fury are constant themes in the titles, yet the songs are fairly standard. The perfect example is "Death of Romance," which despite its title, is essentially just Dad-Rock. Still, even though the sax doesn't work like it does on "Fat Mama Kick," I still enjoy it.
In the end, the whole album should be listened to all the way through at least once, but I'm not about to be offended if none of you get past Scott's side. Shit ain't mine.
Download Here
-Adam
9 comments:
more walker brothers & scott walker albums please. i have scott 1-3. anything you could find would be great.
try scott walker - the drift, i've listened to it in a friends car. an aural nightmare
The Drift is one of the few records that is actually upsetting for me to listen to.
you hyped up trend hopping faggot.
hahaha post more, evander!
-Adam
thank you!
Thanks man.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH !! THIS IS BEAUTIFUL !!
This is a rare CD to purchase now...
Mega thanks !!!
thanks for this its a surprise!
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