(review from Wilson & Alroy's Record Reviews)
Television (1992)
This might be the most remarkable reunion record ever made. Less remarkable when you consider Verlaine's string of critically acclaimed records and his unwavering adherence to Television's sound; but it's still obvious that his bandmates have inspired his songwriting here. The performances are phenomenal, with Lloyd contributing some extraordinary leads (the atmospheric "Rhyme"), Verlaine rising to his challenge, and even Ficca's drumming sounding creative and utterly authentic. There's one track after another that would have fit in perfectly on Marquee Moon: a bunch of ultra-cool, mid-tempo New Wave rockers ("1880 or so"; "No Glamour For Willi"; "This Tune"); the ecstatic, driving "Shane, she wrote this"; "In World," with a danceable funk groove; the swinging, almost tribal "Beauty Trip"; and especially the brilliant, angst-ridden "Call Mr. Lee." It doesn't always work: the live-in-the-studio energy translates into spacey jamming on "The Rocket." But more often it pushes them into exciting, avant garde histrionics that are held down by ringing, trance-like guitar hooks ("Mars"). Anyone who likes anything that Verlaine does should track this down.
My opinion: excellent album!
Download here (320 kbps):
http://www.mediafire.com/?7zt91z9xzwi
