45 replies · 1,598 views
I really do think Barney has some talent in getting his feelings and emotions across in lyrics. Chance? Maybe here and there but I do think the guy is capable of some good stuff straight from the heart. Definately!
Just listen to Technique, True Faith, 1963 even BLT. I'm just thinking of the good ones here.
James Thomas wrote: Should have locked him in a cellar (and fed him pins).
A few amusing tales towards the end of this Steven Hague article
Interesting article - thanks! Worth wading through all the techie stuff at the beginning...
and I had to look up 'sibilant'. My ex used to do that - really really annoying! :)
delilah wrote:
James Thomas wrote: Should have locked him in a cellar (and fed him pins).
A few amusing tales towards the end of this Steven Hague article
Interesting article - thanks! Worth wading through all the techie stuff at the beginning...
and I had to look up 'sibilant'. My ex used to do that - really really annoying! :)
Everyone does it, some people have the full on Sylvester the cat thing happening naturally, but anyone miked up wrong will do it....Barney actually suffers it fairly badly...I have a couple of bootlegs where either it's not their engineer, or he's shitfaced, or his De-esser's fooked and he's no spare compressor and EQ to do it the old fashioned way....but all you can hear from Bernard is they horrendous rasping sounds on any sibillant. Barney does however almost always sing slightly accross the mic to avoid plosives (P! s), so he HAS learned something over the years.
"one two one two" is such a stupid thing to check mics with....you'll get a far better idea of a problem before you get the band off their arses, if you say "pants pants testicles testicles soapytitwank" (the last one's just for offense you understand....but it DOES test clarity :D )
Steve Campbell wrote:
delilah wrote:
James Thomas wrote: Should have locked him in a cellar (and fed him pins).
A few amusing tales towards the end of this Steven Hague article
Interesting article - thanks! Worth wading through all the techie stuff at the beginning...
and I had to look up 'sibilant'. My ex used to do that - really really annoying! :)
Everyone does it, some people have the full on Sylvester the cat thing happening naturally, but anyone miked up wrong will do it....Barney actually suffers it fairly badly...I have a couple of bootlegs where either it's not their engineer, or he's shitfaced, or his De-esser's fooked and he's no spare compressor and EQ to do it the old fashioned way....but all you can hear from Bernard is they horrendous rasping sounds on any sibillant. Barney does however almost always sing slightly accross the mic to avoid plosives (P! s), so he HAS learned something over the years.
"one two one two" is such a stupid thing to check mics with....you'll get a far better idea of a problem before you get the band off their arses, if you say "pants pants testicles testicles soapytitwank" (the last one's just for offense you understand....but it DOES test clarity :D )
Well thanks for clearing that one up then, Steve :\ohwell:
He is a legend! End of. There is something in the lyrics that is special. I just know that when i listen to NO, it hits the soul.
I've always been able to relate much more to Barney's lyrics than Ians. Post-Republic they seem to have gone downhill, but on Technique there are some great lines. True Faith sums up my entire attitude towards going out and partying...
digital mike binoche wrote: He was great during the PERNOD YEARS
Not so great during his Prozac period...
Nonetheless, the guy has Godlike Genius (official) so I haven't had reason to complain much down the years (although Dracula's Castle is best forgotten).
Bernards lyrics work well when they take a back seat and dont detract from the music... he has said that was the point of his lyrics for years... but since the Prozac/Electronic period he has fancied himself a songwriter, of which is most certainly not... when the music is gushing, euphoric and wonderful then a few offhand remarks make it all the more so... but offhand remarks dont make a novel and unfortunately he has tried to bend what little talent he has in that area a little too far in recent years...
I think its a combination of the music being less wonderful and his lyrics being more worked over and labored... the combo hasnt been a terribly successful one of late...
Ajw
oh dear god, he's back.....
p.s. yeah, i agree actually... i think he puts too much sober thought into the lyrics since 1993....
they were much better when they came from the air into his trippy antennaes in the 80s....
AJ Wells wrote: Bernards lyrics work well when they take a back seat and dont detract from the music... he has said that was the point of his lyrics for years... but since the Prozac/Electronic period he has fancied himself a songwriter, of which is most certainly not... when the music is gushing, euphoric and wonderful then a few offhand remarks make it all the more so... but offhand remarks dont make a novel and unfortunately he has tried to bend what little talent he has in that area a little too far in recent years...
I think its a combination of the music being less wonderful and his lyrics being more worked over and labored... the combo hasnt been a terribly successful one of late...
Ajw
seriously are you just trying to piss us off?
Hey kids its nice to be remembered in such warm ways... I did take leave of opining some time ago, but its so hard to give up isnt it? Anyone reading this has nothing better to do either...
For those who dont know, I'm an ancient relic who grew up with the band and has forgotten more little tidits and juicy factory lore than most of you will ever know... for those unfamiliar, years of my wisdom is available via a goognews search under ajwells and assorted headings... and as luck would have it, I havent yet gotten a life even at the ripe age of 44 as I still want to believe that this band has some interesting work in front of them... although as time ticks off I realize that is primarily wishful thinking on my part... but isnt the essence of being a popfan being a wishful thinker?
For those who think I post out of spite or hate, leave that at the door... I have enjoyed the company of the band over the years and their best moments have been many of mine... I return from time to time out of hope, not hate, and I do sincerely hope that some of the music for Control lives up to my idea of what this band could be... which is all that any of us ask isnt it? The problem is many popfans is that they just dont ask enough from their experiences... and so they wind up getting exactly that... the only reason that we have to put up with something like WFTSC is that we put up with it... but we can ask for and hopefully get more out of our listening experiences... but we have to learn how to ask properly first...
Ajw
Barney's lyrics are 80% great and 20% clangersville; His clangers clang more than the average writer, but his great bits are greater than those who would have us believe what greatness really is...
AJ Wells wrote: but we can ask for and hopefully get more out of our listening experiences... but we have to learn how to ask properly first...
Ajw
So should we be sending the bands management emails asking for a bit better next time round?
Wasim wrote:
AJ Wells wrote: but we can ask for and hopefully get more out of our listening experiences... but we have to learn how to ask properly first...
Ajw
So should we be sending the bands management emails asking for a bit better next time round?
No just ignore what they do if its not up to par, enjoy music that is out there that IS touched by the thing that you may have liked about NO in the past and see if they come around... its amazing what being booed and then ignored can do for a band... they were booed off the stage supporting the Buzzcocks and then recorded Atmosphere... perhaps a little less respect would make them raise their game a bit... or maybe not
Ajw
