Thursday, April 28, 2016

ABCs of My Vinyl Collection (Letter B, Part 23)

I liked just about everything Bristol's the Brilliant Corners put out from 1985 through 1988, and why not? Some have argued the music didn't live up to the fantastic covers and other art work. You can decide that for yourself, but I vehemently disagree. Ah, the jangle, the hooks, the trumpet! The string of consecutive singles that included "Brian Rix," Delilah Sands" and "Teenage" were their peak, and the 1988 album 'Somebody Up There Likes Me' should be on the shelf of every UK indie-pop fan.

Today's pick was the single that succeeded the three above and the song that was a walk up to 1989 long player 'Joy Ride.' There was an ever so slight change in sound that would become even more apparent with the 1990 album 'Hooked.' It happened to many jangle bands about that time. I didn't come along for the band's shift to what some have described as shoegaze. In fact, this 7" of "Why Do You Have To Go Out With Him When You Could Go Out With Me" is as far as I went. There are several reasons for choosing this one:

1. I have already featured "Brian Rix," Delilah Sands" and "Teenage" in the past.
2. This is my favorite cover, barely beating out "Delilah Sands."
3. There is a killer fuzzy guitar solo that reminds me of Another Sunny Day's "You Should All Be Murdered."
4. That beautiful voice you hear harmonizing with David Woodward is the one and only Amelia Fletcher.
5. The length of the 7" is perfect. The version on 'Joy Ride" goes on just a bit.

I hope you like it. Yes, this is the longest title to ever appear on this blog.

"Why Do You Have To Go Out With Him When You Could Go Out With Me"

7 comments:

Echorich said...

Nope, no way to go wrong here. It the depths of the 80s desert years, there were some compelling oases (wow that IS how you pluralize oasis!) of music. Brilliant Corners' patch of paradise in this barren wasteland was lush and wild.

George said...

Splendid song Brian, I'd forgotten about this band. There's a Brilliant Corners compilation album in the music room, not sure if it's still available. Have you heard their single I Love It I Lost It? The 12" version is something like 8 minutes long; the compilation album has a shortened version. Did I mention that today's song is splendid?

Dirk said...

Great band! I have their 'Growing Up Absurd' mini LP and the 'Meet Me On Tuesday' 12" and 'B. Rix' on some compilation album, but I have no idea if the stuff they put out after that is any good. Will have to find out, right?

Brian said...

Dirk, Sounds like you have lots of good Brilliant Corners. Cherry Red cobbled together Growing Up Absurd, What's in a Word and the Fruit Machine EP onto one disc in '09 that's pretty wonderful. I can't claim to have 'Absurd' on vinyl. So, I'm green with envy.

George, Not sure which comp you have. There are three of them that I know of. Thinking you might have Creamy Stuff which is just exellent... and available on vinyl, I might add. I Love It I Lost It is from Hooked, and that's when I stopped buying. I'll give it another listen since you seem to like it. Great to hear you like this song!

Echorich, I seem to recall you were a fan when I chose Delilah Sands on my '80s UK indie pop countdown a couple of years ago. I have a feeling there aren't many of us on this side of the pond. Glad to know you're out there.

George said...

Showing my ignorance there Brian! It is Creamy Stuff that I have, on vinyl.

JC said...

Yup!!! Thumbs up from me.

JC said...

Just realised that the only version I have is from the album.

Any chance of firing over this 7" version??

Thanks again