Thursday, January 15, 2015

By George! Here's the High Llamas

George is Mr. Relevant today. The chap behind Jim McLean's Rabbit inspired Drew's post at Across the Kitchen Table, and he got me to clear the cobwebs from a section of my record collection too. Last week, his mention of Fatima Mansions instantly got me thinking about another Microdisney offshoot, the High Llamas.

I discovered Sean O'Hagan's band in 1996 with the release of 'Hawaii.' This was an incredibly busy period in my life. I had recently moved to Washington, D.C., and work seemed to suck every ounce of energy out of me. There wasn't much time for music, and I lost touch with the entire scene for a few years. I should probably add that I didn't really mind. I found (and still find) it to be a dismal era. I hated nearly everything I heard. Belle and Sebastian, Komeda and the Sugarplastic are a few bright spots that come to mind, but I really reverted to the music I had listened to when I raided my mother's records at age 10... stuff like the Kinks, the Zombies and, especially, the Beach Boys. In 1996, I found a well-done bootleg of 'SMiLE' at a wonderful hole-in-the-wall shop in New York called Midnight Records. I attempted to sound in the know with an employee that seemed to be a fellow follower of Brian Wilson. I asked if he knew about Wondermints, an up-and-coming L.A. band that was influenced by the Beach Boys. He countered with the High Llamas. They were a complete mystery to me... for a few minutes, anyway. I picked up 'Hawaii' as soon as I got back to D.C., and so began a love affair that has spanned about a dozen albums.

It's one thing to be influenced, but this is derivative, critics of the High Llamas opine. There is a lot of Wilson there, to be sure. More so on 'Hawaii' than on the band's other albums. I especially hear the 'Pet Sounds'-era instrumentals "Trombone Dixie" and "Let's Go Away For Awhile," the banjo-heavy "Cabinessence" from 'SMiLE' and the meandering bossa nova of "Busy Doin' Nothin'" from 'Friends.' The thing is, there is so much more than just the Wilson aesthetic, and that's why I argue it's not derivative. You can pick out the electronic sounds of Stereolab and the easy pop of Burt Bacharach, among others. In later albums, like 'Beet, Maize & Corn,' O'Hagan goes downright baroque. I remember when Pitchfork reviewed it (Wow, has it been 12 years already?) they said it could have been played faithfully in 1850. That doesn't sound like a carbon copy of the Beach Boys to me. A singles band they are not. The albums should be heard as a whole to be truly appreciated, but here's a little taste for George and the rest who may be new to the High Llamas.

Sparkle Up and Ill-Fitting Suits (from 'Hawaii')
The Click and the Fizz (from 'Beet, Maize & Corn')

11 comments:

george said...

Hi Brian, thanks for th emention. Derivative or influence? I'm not sure it really matters if the music is good. Sparkle is similar to the last track on Pet Sounds, no bad thing.And Suits....it's infuriatingly me, reminding me of something else...
Cheers, Brian, you've introduced to me tosome more good music.

Uncle E said...

Hi Brian

Thanks for giving a little love to the High Llamas! I have not been a fan as long as you (discovered sometime in the early '00's, I think), but I'm making up for lost time! A happy side affect was that they made me look more deeply into the late '60's/early '70's Beach Boys catalog, and I found a whole new appreciation for albums like Surf's Up, Sunflower, Friends and 20/20. In addition to the other influences you mention, some of the late '50's and early '60's composers like Esquivel (you know, space age bachelor pad stuff, exotica, etc) are fairly apparant as well, in my opinion.

The Swede said...

It's been a very long time since I heard the High Llamas - these three tunes sound great. A quick look at Wikipedia tells me that I'm way out of the loop as regards Mr O'Hagan's work. Time to do a little catching up.

Scott said...

One of the best albums of '96. Yes there is a lot of Brian Wilson influence on the album but there is so much more than that.

Brian said...

George, E, Swede and Scott,
This is such a pleasant surprise. Sometimes you post material you know will be loved... this was not one of those moments for me. I hit the publish button with the expectation of hearing nothing... or nothing good. Great to know my pals share my affinity for the High Llamas. Makes my day.

Brian said...

E,
Every album you named is wonderful. I like more Beach Boys than most, I imagine, but I have a particular love of just about everything from side two of Beach Boys Today! through Surf's Up. I like the additional influence you named too. Well done.

Swede,
I don't know when you stopped buying High Llamas, but I can give you some recommendations if needed. I like almost all of the albums, but some are better than others.

Uncle E said...

I really need to pick up their newest one. Can you offer some thoughts on Talihomi Way? Oh, and a special mention regarding those fantastic album covers! Wonderful!

Uncle E said...

Talahomi Way, that is. :)

Brian said...

E,
Talahomi Way was a grower for me. I remember Drag City releasing the song Fly Baby Fly as a download prior to the release. I wasn't all that enamored with it, didn't like the vocals, but I bought the album out of pure reflex. High Llamas, after all. I think it's probably the least influenced by Wilson of the entire discography. Lots of strings and vibes... very little of the electronic side this time. Much more like Beet, Maze and Corn than Hawaii or Cold and Bouncy. Not sure how many albums you have. At the end of the day, you will probably want it, but it may not be the next one you need. Go give the song Berry Adams a listen. I'm sure it's on youtube. My personal favorite from this lot. Oh, and Fly Baby Fly turned out to be wonderful too. Hope this helps.

Uncle E said...

I'm pretty sure I own everything but the debut, and this. It does help, Brian. Thanks ,

Brian said...

E, Oh, then you are ready for this album. Go get it.