SOUNDTRACK: TINDERSTICKS: Tindersticks [the black and white one] (1995).
This second album (often called II, but according to the band, is called Tindertsticks) continues the coolness of the first disc. But this disc seems to have a few more “singles” (or what could have been singles) on it. “A Night In” has a great slow building, string filled chorus that reaches tremendous heights. Staples’ voice sounds even better, too. A bit fuller, a bit less hesitant.
It also features the gorgeous, vibe-fueled, spoken word tale called “My Sister.” And then there’s the fantastic, monumental “Tiny Tears.” (It was featured in a Sopranos episode (Season One, Episode 12: “Isabella”) perfectly, and I was delighted to hear it. (I’m not the only one who thinks it was perfect, see here]). It begins as a quiet piece with the fantastic opening lyrics:
You’ve been lying in bed for a week now
Wondering how long it’ll take
You haven’t spoke, or looked at her in all that time
It’s the easiest line you could break
She’s been going round her business as usual
Always with that melancholy smile
But you were too busy looking into yourself
To see those tiny tears in her eyes.
And of course, it builds into a string filled melancholy ballad. Beautiful. Another great track, “Talk to Me” gets so intense as the song progresses (dissonant strings and horns cranked to ten), that it’s almost scary. This is followed by the contrite and very mellow “No More Affairs.” Oh, and then comes the stunning duet “Travelling Light” which is sheer beauty.
I also really enjoy the two instrumentals “Vertrauen II” and “Vertrauen III” for their creepy atmospherics and theremin use.
It’s another stellar collection from Tindertsicks. And another triumph of atmospheric music. And, frankly, it’s just as well that they gave this disc the same name as the first as they are practically a continuous cycle of awesomeness.
This disc was reissued with the previously hard to find “Live at the Bloomsbury Theatre 12.3.95.”
[READ: October 19, 2009] “Prosperous Friends”
This story of a disaffected married couple didn’t really appeal to me at first. The characters (especially the wife) seemed very caustic but there hadn’t been enough setup or explanation for the causticity. When they visit his old (girl?)friend, the four people have an uncomfortable meal together. I also had a but of trouble keeping the two men straight: Ted and Ben are a little too similar as names. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 