Comsat Angels

[Grunch]

The Chameleons were not exactly writing songs that had mass appeal, but IMO, they are light years better than U2 ever was. The Chameleons wrote songs that are phenomenal and had a powerful, and melodic sound, yet never made it big commercially like U2. Then again, they never made a bad record either. Hands down, for me, I'd give up an entire U2 collection before parting with any of my Chameleons material. Like Comsat Angels, they remained in the shadows, though they had a huge underground following, and for some reason U2 struck it big, certainly not because they were better. That is just my opinion, but I would put The Chameleons up against anyone and they'd win in my book.

[Frank_Chickens]

[quote][i]Originally posted by tomfin2000[/i]
Bingo...and I consider myself a Comsat Angels fan.

Now why bands like Endgames, Fashion, Cook Da Books, and The Pookah Makes 3, all of which were making VERY catchy and VERY commercial records didn't make it is totally beyond me.
[/quote]

Fashion in a way did make it over here though not through their singles. "Fabrique" was a top 10 selling album here in the UK.

Although Endgames did release some very catchy singles which ought of done a lot better, their albums weren't up to much. Contains too much filler to be of any consequence.

Pooka Makes 3 was certainly a missed oppurtunity, the general public's loss is our gain.


--

"As chairman of the Cradle of Filth fanclub I'm the most insensitive man in Britain, but even I can see there's tension there"

[tileboy]

I'm also a Cs angels fan.I have Land on vinyl and would love to find it on cd somehow. I saw them in Boston in the mid eighties backing up shriekback.It must have been when Chasing shadows was out,Wfnx gave the cutting edge some moderate airplay. They also played the remixed version of Independence day,so I guess they were't completly ignored in the u.s. I also recomend their 1993 cd My minds eye.
I heard they put out a few more cd's in the 90's does anyone have any info or opinion on any these?

[eight6]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Frank_Chickens[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by tomfin2000[/i]

Pooka Makes 3 was certainly a missed oppurtunity, the general public's loss is our gain.


--

"As chairman of the Cradle of Filth fanclub I'm the most insensitive man in Britain, but even I can see there's tension there"

[/quote]

Everytime I hear Love Can't Be Far, I feel like walking out of the movie theater, even if I'm not in one. It just sounds like it could be played over the closing credits of a movie. Don't get me wrong...I like the song...

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/dbince/eight.gif"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/dbince/number6.gif">

[hubcity]

[quote][i]Originally posted by tomfin2000[/i]
Now why bands like Endgames, Fashion, Cook Da Books, and The Pookah Makes 3, all of which were making VERY catchy and VERY commercial records didn't make it is totally beyond me.
[/quote]

In my opinion, American record labels were trying to do two things:

- Make money with the bands they already had signed, rather than stretch out and embrace anything new...and

- Phase out acceptance of the single as a viable music format.

And now what's wrong with American record labels?

- They're trying to make money by signing new bands that sound like bands they've already signed, rather than stretch out and embrace anything new...and

- Stifle acceptance of Internet distribution, partly because it has resurrected the idea of the single, which they successfully phased out by the '90's...

Meet the new boss...



-Sean
Altrok Radio
Streaming on your computer anytime, at <a href="">http://www.altrokradio.com</a>
Fridays at 10PM on your FM radio, at <a href="http://90.5thenight.org">90.5 The Night</a>

[DayGloJo]

[quote][i]Originally posted by SomebodySomewhere[/i]
<br>In the U.S.? Well, the usual reasons. No promotion... U.K.-only releases... MTV wouldn't touch their videos... the word "Comsat"... etc., etc.

"I'm Falling" was the first track of theirs I heard, and I think it could have been a modest hit here had it gotten the chance.
[/quote]

DING! DING! DING! Johnny, tell Somebody what they've won!

I've always beleived that airplay on MTV could make or break a new wave band, especially since commerical radio markets back then wouldn't touch most bands like Comsat Angels. Living in a city that didn't have a an alternative rock station or even a decent college station, clubs and MTV were our only venue for alternative music.

My sister went to cleege outside of Rochester, NY and was able to pick up the Toronto stations. My ONLY exposure to Comsat Angels was a handful of tunes ("Falling" and "Day One") that she included on a tape made from CFNY broadcasts.

DayGloJo



NWO: way more fun than data modelling.

[tomfin2000]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Frank_Chickens[/i]Fashion in a way did make it over here though not through their singles. "Fabrique" was a top 10 selling album here in the UK.

Although Endgames did release some very catchy singles which ought of done a lot better, their albums weren't up to much. Contains too much filler to be of any consequence.[/quote]

I didn't realize that Fabrique sold well in the UK. At least there's some justice in the world.

Then again, maybe there isn't, because finding out that Dee Harris left Fashion to work on Limahl's first solo album and play guitar in his backing band was downright painful. At least you wouldn't catch Steven Fellows doing something like that!

As for Endgames, I thought "Building Beauty" was a great album, but I just heard "Natural" (the follow-up) from front to back for the first time a few days ago and it was pretty weak.

[tomfin2000]

[quote][i]Originally posted by SomebodySomewhere[/i]
<br>"I'm Falling" was the first track of theirs I heard, and I think it could have been a modest hit here had it gotten the chance.
[/quote]

"I'm Falling" is one of my favorite Comsat Angels tracks. Putting them together with James Mtume (of "Juicy Fruit" fame) turned out to be a much better idea than putting the Human League together with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

Of course that track also sums up the whole irony of having a discussion about why the Comsat Angels didn't make it. Steven Fellows never liked that track, and he especially hated the remix because someone had overdubbed additional guitars (NOT played by Fellows) on it.

Based on everything I've read, the band was miserable during their time with Jive. In fact, they've practically disowned "Land" and "7 Day Weekend" and have referred to "Chasing Shadows" as their "fourth album" on several occassions.

[n/a5]

[quote][i]Originally posted by hubcity[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by tomfin2000[/i]
Now why bands like Endgames, Fashion, Cook Da Books, and The Pookah Makes 3, all of which were making VERY catchy and VERY commercial records didn't make it is totally beyond me.
[/quote]

In my opinion, American record labels were trying to do two things:

- Make money with the bands they already had signed, rather than stretch out and embrace anything new...and

- Phase out acceptance of the single as a viable music format.

And now what's wrong with American record labels?

- They're trying to make money by signing new bands that sound like bands they've already signed, rather than stretch out and embrace anything new...and

- Stifle acceptance of Internet distribution, partly because it has resurrected the idea of the single, which they successfully phased out by the '90's...

Meet the new boss...



-Sean
Altrok Radio
Streaming on your computer anytime, at <a href="">http://www.altrokradio.com</a>
Fridays at 10PM on your FM radio, at <a href="http://90.5thenight.org">90.5 The Night</a>
[/quote]




WOW! Exactly what I have been saying for awhile now! We are living in a time very like that of the 80's. But who will fill the the gap? We had a breakthrough of sorts in that there was an alternative to the crap they were feeding us but today? Is "Next Wave" up to the fight? I am not sure....I like the songs and the style but it is a bit retro and everyone says that as if it is a bad thing....I dig it (thanks NATE!) but it hasn't broken through.

[Barmy]

Once again, I ask--Why do people feel the need to post lengthy quotes. It makes a thread unreadable. If there is a sentence of particular note, fine, quote it. But if you are just replying to someone, just REPLY. Most threads in NWO only have 10-30 replies at most so normally there is NO NEED WHATSOEVER to quote something that appears a few posts above.

[Frank_Chickens]

You've got a point Barmy, but be prepared to be slated for stating the obvious.


--

"As chairman of the Cradle of Filth fanclub I'm the most insensitive man in Britain, but even I can see there's tension there"

[Barmy]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Frank_Chickens[/i]
<br>You've got a point Barmy, but be prepared to be slated for stating the obvious.


--

"As chairman of the Cradle of Filth fanclub I'm the most insensitive man in Britain, but even I can see there's tension there"

[/quote]

Maybe the "reply with quote" option should be disabled?

Don't slate me!!!

[Frau_Blucher]

What's the problem? As long as someone's talking music - for a refreshing change - I'll take the little sins over the big ones. Some noob is more worried about that than this nice thread itself?! Choose your battles, sheesh.

[Frank_Chickens]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Blir[/i]
<br>What's the problem? As long as someone's talking music - for a refreshing change - I'll take the little sins over the big ones. Some noob is more worried about that than this nice thread itself?! Choose your battles, sheesh.
[/quote]

That's the way to encourage new people to stay, Blir! [;)]


--

"As chairman of the Cradle of Filth fanclub I'm the most insensitive man in Britain, but even I can see there's tension there"

[Bitter Almonds]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Frank_Chickens[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by Blir[/i]
<br>What's the problem? As long as someone's talking music - for a refreshing change - I'll take the little sins over the big ones. Some noob is more worried about that than this nice thread itself?! Choose your battles, sheesh.
[/quote]

That's the way to encourage new people to stay, Blir! [;)][/quote]

Either way, I suppose. Whenever I quote, it's usually because it's directed at that/those member(s) specifically, but I've been known to quote just to "see how it looks after quoting 10 or 20 times"[:D]

Now, if y'all excuse me, I'm gonna have another listen at "You Move Me"'s extended version from the [i]Hardest Hits[/i] compilation[8D]