[kj] ESS

[Leigh Newton]

BTATS was, I think, their last really great album. Or, the last album of the 
classic era of KJ (1979-86). It's probably my least favourite of the first 6 
albums (no, actually, I think I like it better than Night Time). But, it's 
better than everything that's come since, including Extremities. 


One thing I love about that initial "classic" period of the band is that you've 
got like 2 or 3 different versions of the band in there. The funky, post-punk of 
the first 2 albums, the ugly/beautiful dirges of Revelations, the brutal 
synth-pop of the final 2, and then Fire Dances sort of bridging the gap between 
Revelations and Night Time. 


BTATS took the 80s synth pop thing to the extreme (moreso than Outside the Gate 
which sounds more like a bunch of songs that can't decide whether they want to 
be heavy or poppy) but it still totally sounds like Killing Joke. A cleaner 
version, to be sure, and I'm glad they don't play any of those songs anymore 
(they really wouldn't make sense in the context of their current live show). 

Leigh

--
 http://www.nightruiner.com
http://www.tstat.org
http://www.myspace.com/streetmeatmusic
http://www.myspace.com/lauderdale 




________________________________
From: Alexander Smith <vassifer at earthlink.net>
To: A list about all things Killing Joke (the band!) <gathering at misera.net>
Sent: Sat, September 18, 2010 12:43:25 PM
Subject: Re: [kj] ESS



I remember being somewhat aghast upon my first taste of BTATS (that being the 
"Adorations" single). Not only did they look vaguely Romo on the cover, but as 
Greg points out, there was a good deal of synth syrup splattered all over the 
proceedings. Still, I do think BTATS has stood well over the years.

It feels entirely strange to compare HOSANNAS with BTATS. Two different eras. 
Practically two different bands, although, I guess technically, the absence of 
Big Paul is the only difference in line-up. 

I'll take BTATS over HOSANNAS every time. The reason? There are at least actual 
SONGS on BTATS, not just extended jams sessions with Jaz bellowing over the top.

Alex in NYC



On Sep 18, 2010, at 12:02 PM, GREG SLAWSON wrote:

Yes, it usually is Alex!

>I know people don't like the production on Hossanas, but i'd rather have that 

>than they synth-drenched sugar coating on BTATS, which makes The Killers sound 

>like Motorhead.

> 

>________________________________

From: vassifer at earthlink.net

>To: gathering at misera.net

>Date: Sat, 18 Sep 2010 07:41:46 -0400

>Subject: Re: [kj] ESS

>

>

>

>

>"decent nu-metal tunes"

>

>

>Isn't that kind of an oxymoron?

>

>

>Alex in NYC

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>On Sep 18, 2010, at 12:35 AM, GREG SLAWSON wrote:

>

>I've always thought of Hossanas as the real "KJ for Beginners". It sort of 

>covers lots of the bands sounds and styles (w/the exception of their late 80s 

>New Romanic wannabe phase), with a couple of

>>decent nu-metal tunes thrown in (I think Implosion and the title track are 

>>pretty good). True, the songs are too long and many are ripoffs of older songs 

>>(Walking With Gods was the new Change, Majestic the

>>new Intravenous, Invocation the new Communion, and Lightbringer sounded like a 

>>bunch of them). But I think it's pretty representative of the band, as is the 

>>new album, which also repeats older stuff a bit. And the 2 songs everyone likes,

>>Judas and Gratitude, bring back some of the uneasy weirdness of Revelations, and 

>>with a bigger sound. I think the main weakness of both Hosannas and KJ2003 are 

>>the lack of emotional depth of some of the earlier stuff. 

>> 

>>> From: planetary at socal.rr.com

>>> To: gathering at misera.net

>>> Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:59:10 -0700

>>> Subject: Re: [kj] ESS

>>> 

>>> Alexander Smith wrote:

>>> 

>>> Listened to it on the way home from work today -- and, by george, you're 

>>>absolutely right. Better than I remembered as well.

>>> 

>>> That said, I also listened to HOSANNAS in its unwieldy entirety quite recently 

>>>too. Sadly, my impression of it has not softened with

>>> age. While I like bits of "Implosion" and "Majestic," I still think it's my 

>>>least favorite album. Better than COURTAULD TALKS , I

>>> suppose, but less intriguing than OTG (the myriad flaws of which still compel 

>>>me to re-visit).

>>> 

>>> Alex in NYC

>>> 

>>> +++++++++++

>>> 

>>> Interesting in that I've been giving Hosannas as well as Democracy listens 

>>>lately during long drives (I can't even listen to OTG)

>>> and aside from Judas Goat and Gratitude, and if anything, my attitude towards 

>>>HFTBOH has hardened. There's really nothing I can say

>>> I like about the album aside from those two tracks which aren't that great to 

>>>begin with. And every time I hear Lightbringer, I

>>> laugh - it's one of the band's goofiest songs and recalls that YouTube video of 

>>>the long haired guy pretending to be Jaz.

>>> 

>>> T.B.

>>> 

>>> _______________________________________________

>>> Gathering mailing list

>>> Gathering at misera.net

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