Review #107: Marquee Moon, Television
#107: Marquee Moon, Television
Because I’ve read a lot of books about seventies punk, I’ve listened to most of Television’s music. I was excited for Television to be on the list, but was massively disappointed that Richard Hell & the Voidoids weren’t! I love the album Blank Generation so much.
Richard Hell was actually in Television for a little while, until lead singer Tom Verlaine kicked him out for being drunk all the time. Tom Verlaine also dated Patti Smith, which is fun.
I think Television is the best ’70s punk band by far, even better than the Velvet Underground. They have all the things you love about ’70s punk — strangled screaming, sparse scratchy guitars, ten-minute guitar solos — but they never make it feel like you’re being tortured.
FAVORITE SONGS:
“See No Evil” — That’s a bold song title for a band that had a guitarist called Richard Hell in it.
“Venus” — He’s got a divisive voice but I kinda think he sounds like a male Patti Smith.
“Friction” — What a delicious guitar part.
“Marquee Moon” — This song is a masterpiece. I wish ten-minute-long guitar solos were still in vogue. Tom Verlaine told Melody Maker that this song used to have 20 verses, which makes so much sense. I would love to actually read all 20 verses.
“Guiding Light” — Wow, for a second I thought that this was “I Can Feel A Hot One” by Manchester Orchestra.
“Prove It” — This case is CLOSED!
LEAST FAVORITE SONGS:
“Elevation” — Okay, his voice is a little grating here.
“Torn Curtain” — Plods on for just a tiny bit too long.
IS RS FULL OF IT?
Like I said, I wish that Marquee Moon’s sister album Blank Generation was included as well. It was released the same year and everything! I belong to the — generation and/ I can take it or leave it each time!
But no, in this case RS isn’t full of it.
