A current hit on the charts is called "Am I Wrong", by Nico and Vinz.
Today's album is not by that Nico.
Last winter we did the Best Debut Album tournament, won by "The Velvet Underground and Nico". That's the Nico we mean. Her 1974 album was called The End.
Earlier in the tournament, we had an album by Roxy Music. Significantly, it was their first album without their stellar keyboardist, Brian Peter George St.John leBaptiste deLaSalle Eno. He made two albums in 1974, Here Come the Warm Jets, his debut, which you'll be hearing in the next round, and his second album,
Earlier in the tournament, we had an album by Roxy Music. Significantly, it was their first album without their stellar keyboardist, Brian Peter George St.John leBaptiste deLaSalle Eno.
Great tournament, Listmeister! Loving your witty synopses to introduce the albums. Just a heads up that Country Life was actually Roxy's second album without Eno. Stranded which came out in 1973 was the first. It's awesome as well, and I highly recommend it. Peace!
Just for the record, in case anything should happen to me as I try to figure this particular matchup out, here's what was playing as an internal loop in my inner dialog chamber: fuck me
Could be useful data for future generations of neuroscientists in order to help people avoid these sorts of dangerous situations where a critical mental overload is not only possible but quite likely.
meccaleccaVoice of ReasonProfile The Land of Enchantment
God this is unfair. Two of my favorite records of the entire decade. And hell, Eno even plays on this Nico album. This is the 2nd tournament where my John Cale related pick gets pitted against Eno in the first round.
I can't say enough good things about Taking Tiger Mountain. It may be my second favorite Eno album of 1974, but the first is way up on my overall chart. He's got a band here that includes Phil Manzanera and Robert Wyatt. Surprisingly no Fripp.
The End also features an appearance by guitar wiz Manzanera, as well as Eno and Cale.
The End never gets the love of her previous works for some strange reason. It's still weird Nico singing haunted fairytales in a dark disturbing setting. On this record, the harmonium remains the musical focal point, but female backing vocals, Eno's subtle carnival synths and Cale's unlimited contributions provide The End with an atmosphere unlike any of her other albums.
"You Forget to Answer" is an ode to former lover Jim Morrison following his death.
Nico, easily. Never could get into Eno's first two unfortunately. _________________ 2021 in full effect. Come drop me some recs. Y'all know what I like.
I really like Warm Jets, but Tiger Mountain does nothing for me. Eno's dry vocal style combines with the repetitive arrangements to sound very robotic, at least to my ears. While The End is nowhere near my favorite Nico record, it still takes this one by storm.
Well, I really love Desertshore and Chelsea Girls, but this and The Marble Index have always felt a hell of a lot weaker. I seem to like everything Eno's done, but I stayed away from his '74 stuff because I wasn't into what I'd heard. I decided to give Taking Tiger Mountain a listen today and was pleasantly surprised, so voting for it. Though if it had been Nico's best against Eno's best (Desertshore v.s. Music for Airports), this would be a much tougher matchup for sure. _________________
I've never been able to get into Nico. She's the only thing I don't like about the Velvet's debut. Her voice irritates me probably in the same way Neil Young's voice irritates everybody else. I do love the instrumentation, but that's mostly provided by John Cale (and Brian Eno to a lesser extent). I just don't get her.
Brian Eno, on the other hand, is an artist that I've been meaning to dig deeper into for a while. Only familiar with Music for Airports and Another Green World, both of which I love dearly. After listening to this, I need to expedite my Brian Eno consumption. Just great, forward thinking post-Beatles pop.
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