Chosen By: Paul
Comments -
Paul: I've gone on about how I like albums with a variety of styles on them - maybe it started with Autogeddon. We start with blues, go a bit punky at times, quieten down now and then, rock out in other places and there are various other genres before finishing with some space rock.
Also, Cope's mood swings through angry, sad, self-deprecating, confused, upbeat but mostly angry. And I like it! The main targets for his ire are the environmental damages caused by car culture and 'greedheads' (possibly his term for the music industry). At the same time he doesn't mind taking a pop at himself for having a go at cars and yet needing one to "get around" and he's having fun and loving his life in Paranormal in the West Country part two.
It's hard to pick a favourite track. I love I Gotta Walk but then often find myself singing Ain't But the One Way. Ultimately it doesn't matter. This is the arch-drude at the top of his game. A glorious, shining ⭐
Dean: He's like a puppy on a leash that Julian Cope. Divining here and there, tangling with stray genres. Frolicking, all attempts at following historic established preconceptions ignored. Very much enjoying this walk and amused at his virtuose dexterity.
And, there is even a reference to cars, which is genuinely coincidental, or so it seems. Autogeddon seems like a thin disguise for a very casual political stance. However, I enjoyed it, irreverent and fun. I'd never rub a dog's nose in an innocent piss puddle.
Stu: This LP then, starts off with the pollution message of gas guzzlers and makes for a Mad Max landscape which becomes the second track. Songs with guns and shooting quickly follow! I love I gotta Walk, starts with some George Best weddoes guitar and goes full Iggy! It’s here that the LP takes a dip for me. I can engage with some of his lyrics, but musically it falls a little flat for me. Paranormal makes me smile as I can picture him wandering around the Avebury Stones in his military gear and boots. It finishes off with some fizz! All together a reasonable listen but nothing to get excited about!! I’m heading back now to Reynard The Fox 🦊
Ben: I like the melodies but the whole thing lacks colour, life and positivity for me. As Stu mentions there is lots of talk of guns and dying at the beginning of the record. It just seems a bit too whiney and depressing, and lacking the energy or colour to provide a counterpoint. I want to like it but it’s too gloomy. Paranormal is quite fun, but even that is taking joy from pissing people off (driving on the far side of slow). The whole narrative is that he is unhappy at the state of the world and his response is to whinge and take potshots rather than offer any solutions or positive suggestions - he’s tried nothing and he’s all out of ideas.
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