For the first seven years of this blog, I never brought up Emily. I must be making up for lost time because this is the third time in the past eight months, including the passing mention on the post I did just before leaving for Scotland. Emily had a relatively quiet run from 1987 to 1989 and is best known for the four-song "Irony" EP, the 50th release by Creation. Through the years, I have grown to believe there might have been a better record. In 1989, the band briefly joined Esurient Communications, the short-lived label founded by Kevin Pearce from the legendary Hungry Beat fanzine. If Esurient rings a bell, then you were most likely an indie kid really into Jasmine Minks, the Claim or Hellfire Sermons.
Emily's contribution to the label was the "Stumble" 7". The song begins with the soft acoustic sound fans had come to expect, but before long, there is a keyboard, bold percussion and... a flute! There's saxophone too. Yikes! Could have been (and should have been) a disaster, but the dramatic build and tension it creates completely works. Ollie Jackson's vocal delivery contributes to the success of the the song in the same way Lawrence's voice is such a factor in the best songs by Felt. The single can go for $50 or more, but the always dependable German label Firestation resurrected the song on a brilliant double-album retrospective last year. Highly recommended.
"Stumble"
8 comments:
This is a band of whom I know absolutely nothing. And this is rather splendidly strange.
Hope the jetlag isn't too much of a drag.
Since I didn't adapt at all while over there, nearly no jetlag at all. Almost more sleep last night than the past five nights combined. Will drop you an email later today. Found something in my suitcase I believe is yours.
As JC says, splendidly bonkers. So glad that you had a good time up North - and apparently even met a couple of your heroes into the bargain! I look forward to reading all about your close encounters.
Never heard of this lot, but this song is one that may find its way into one of the Downloads volumes. What have you taken from JC? A pair of his underpants? Nasal-hair trimmer?
Nothing quite so interesting, George, but we may have played a couple at the train station on Sunday in order to get the family fare.
Good to hear from you Swede. Feel like it has been forever. Bonkers, indeed. When that sax kicks in, makes me think they might have been Bowie fans. Has a little Soul Love sax to it. Too much credit, I know.
New to me too. I like it a lot.
I love Stumble! I knew them from the Creation EP and they fit right in with the label at the time, but Stumble just goes places you wouldn't expect a band that jangles to go. As for that aforementioned EP, I really loved What The Fool Said. I have to give out some love for Stumble's b-side Rachel as well. That sax (or is it an oboe) shows up again and it's just lovely.
I like Rachel almost as much as Stumble. Just a great single all around. Glad you know this one, Echorich. May have to visit Emily again later in the year.
Post a Comment