Rickter Scale Show 186 - Minimum Vital, Anthony Phillips, Theives Kitchen

[Rick and Roll]

airing Sunday, July 13 from 8-11 PM EST and Monday, July 14 from 1-4 PM EST

I'm tiring of playing full discs, but a few more new recent pickups to play... another week or two and I'll be back to one or just a few by each band.

Minimum Vital - La Source (1993)

Danse De Voeux
La Villa Emo
Les Mondes De Miranda
Ann Dey Flor
Tabou
Ce Qui Soustient
Mystical West
La Source - Final

The Payssan brothers make some fine music - their "Sarabandes" CD is a must get. But I just picked this up on a recommendation by Lamour, and it's fantastic. More vocals than usual, and the interplay between Thierry's keys and Jean-Luc's guitar is vibrant and kinetic.

Anthony Phillips - 1984 (1981)

Prelude '84
1984 Part 1
1984 Part 2
Anthem 1984

When I first heard this many years ago, I was confused...Ant Phillips of Genesis fame on keyboards? Yes, that's him...all keys and "occasional" guitar, with Richard Scott and the ubiquious Morris Pert on percussive thingies. Some of this drags slightly, but overall it's a pleasant listen. I've had it on vinyl forever it was like my DVD's...gathering dust. Hope it brings back some memories.

Mike Oldfield - QE2 (just the song)

Playing this because I bought the CD recently, and put it on, then was addled because the songs were familiar...sure enough, after logging it on my CD list, I found out I already had it - just bought it a year or so ago. Doh! I HATE that.

Theives Kitchen - The Water Road (2008)

The Long Fianchetto
Returglas
Chameleon
Om Tare
Tacenda For You
When The Moon Is In The River Of Heaven
Plaint
The Water Road

Your installment of new music this week is a hands-down winner. As Rogor Mortis says, an early frontrunner for best of 2008. I had seen them a number of years ago at Orion - just checked, wow they opened up for DFA, March 2, 2002. They were a lot different then. There's a female vocalist, Ann Darby, who joined shortly thereafter. Phil Mercy's guitar work is ever tasteful, especially on the outstanding "Chameleon". Newer keyboardist Thomas Johnson shines throughout, and the fretless sound of Andy Bonham's bass is welcome. Since I named everyone else, Mark Robotham plays the drums! Looking at their website now...must know more.

Enjoy - next week we got some Quidam, Magenta, and some other fun stuff.