•
Rating: This, at least for me, unknown London band, which borrows its name from the French football team of the same name, was founded by a duo of friends active in the British musical world (as DJs and journalists). They are later joined by the attractive (just for a change) Sarah Cracknell, relegated in this debut album still to a mere collaborator (though singing in most of the tracks), but then becoming a permanent member, soon becoming, in fact, a figure of reference for the public (for whatever reasons). The album was released in 1991 and, though not strictly fitting in the genre, you can tell that in Great Britain we are at the dawn of the trip-hop explosion (it's the same year as Blue Lines), as sophisticated but catchy and enchanting electronic sounds reign supreme, with a predominance of nocturnal and intimate sounds, although far from the darkness of the darker and more crepuscular Massive Attack or Portishead.
We indeed move in decidedly more carefree fields, in a mix between indie-pop, electronics (acid house, dub, dance...) and chill out, for an album that doesn't scratch and may therefore seem less impactful to some, but also very enjoyable in its flirtatious lightness and refined accessibility. What the band does is essentially provide a summary (for the general public?) of the various sounds of the era, giving us a colorful fresco, musical and not, of London twenty years ago. This patchwork/collage spirit, made of citations and tributes (suitable, after all, with the works of the two founders) is also felt from the use of clips taken from films inserted between one track and another. Although probably not too well-known to the Italian public and not as revolutionary as some other contemporaries of theirs, the album nonetheless gained good acclaim among enthusiasts, elevating it to a cult album.
Even today, the album has not lost anything in terms of appeal and immediacy, and for lovers of less brainy and more tuneful electronics, it will provide material for several hours of pleasant listening.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 This Is Radio Etienne (00:43)
Il n'y a pas grand monde ce soir, deux mille spectateurs environ. À toute à l'heure.
Inter football, France football. Une emission du Service des Sports présenté par Jacques Vendroux.
Inter football, France football. Présenté en direct du stade de Saint Ouen—que.... non, Saint Étienne!
02 Only Love Can Break Your Heart (04:30)
When you were young
And on your own
How did it feel to be alone
I was always thinking
Of games that I was playing
Trying to make the best of my time
But only love can break your heart
Try to be sure right from the start
Yes, only love can break your heart
But if your world should fall apart...
I have a friend I've never seen
He hides his head inside a dream
Someone should call him
And see if he can come out
Try to lose the down that he's found
But only love can break your heart
Try to be sure right from the start
Yes, only love can break your heart
But if your world should fall apart...
04 Carnt Sleep (04:44)
You know the hurt's so deep
That I can't sleep or eat
And what I'm hoping for
Is to feel your kisses sweet
If we could just talk
Things might be a little more clear
I really need the chance
To explain the way I feel
I can't sleep (can't sleep)
Thinking of you constantly
I can't sleep (can't sleep)
Wishing you were here with me
I can't sleep (can't sleep)
(Where are you, baby)
When I get home from work
Sit down and watch TV
The night falls
Just like a bad dream
I can't sleep (can't sleep)
Thinking of you constantly
I can't sleep (can't sleep)
Wishing you were here with me
I can't sleep (can't sleep)
(Where are you, baby)
I can't sleep (can't sleep)
Thinking of you constantly
I can't sleep (can't sleep)
Wishing you were here with me
I can't sleep (can't sleep)
(Where are you, baby)
06 Spring (03:44)
Dry your eyes, boy
There's no need to be sad
Forget about yesterday and the bad times that you've had
You've loved and lost, and now you're feeling so blue
But can't you see it's me who really loves you
''With the love I've got you'll forget about her
And find it easy
To live without her''
It's only springtime,
Ooh, you're too young to say you're through with love
It's only springtime,
and I'll be different boy
I promise you
I swear to you
Once more you tell me
About her new friend
You say your heart's
Been broken again
How many times
Have you looked into my eyes
Don't you realise we're two of a kind
''With the love I've got you'll forget about her
And find it easy
To live without her''
It's only springtime
Hey, you're too young to say you're through with love
It's only springtime
And I'll be different
I'll be different
I swear to you
I've been watching
All your love affairs
Three years now
Don't you think I care
How many times
Have you looked into my eyes
Don't you realise we're two of a kind
It's only springtime
You're too young to say you're through, love
It's only springtime
And I'll be different,
I'll be different, boy, yeah
It's only springtime,
You're too young to say you're through, love
Through with love
It's only springtime
I promise you
I swear you
Ooh, I promise you
It's only springtime
Ooh, ooh...
It's only springtime...
08 Stoned to Say the Least (07:41)
[intro sample:]
"Anyway, let's get on - are you ready? Finger, you put your finger on the thing, that's it, right... let's have a look at today's Countdown conundrum!"
[The track is an instrumental]
09 Nothing Can Stop Us (04:20)
[Annoucement sample:]
"Thankyou, every - come on, give her a proper Liverpool hand, you can do better than that!
And now ladies and gentlemen, what you've been waiting for:"
[sung:] I've come a long way. /
[spoken:] I've come a long, long way since the day you walked into my life.
[sung:] You walked into my life. /
[spoken:] You smoothed out all the rough edges with your sweet love and devotion.
[sung:] I was tired, / in love like a fool. /
[spoken:] I was tired of living the life of a fool, I was wondering where I'd gone wrong.
[sung:] But I know / it's gonna work out fine. /
[spoken:] But I know it's gonna work out fine, when I see that look in your eyes.
[sung:] Yeah! /
I've never felt so good, / I've never felt so strong, /
Nothing can stop us now! (no no, no no)
[sung:] I've heard some people say. /
[spoken:] Yeah, nothing can stop us now. I've heard people say that a man who needs a woman is weak,
[sung:] So wrong, oh so wrong. /
[spoken:] but they're so wrong, because nobody can hide from love.
[sung:] Do, do you want to know? /
[spoken:] Do you want to know, do you want to know something else that's true?
[sung:] It's true, it's true, the touch of your hand, oh. /
[spoken:] Just the touch of your hand, and I know we can make it.
[sung:]
I've never felt so good, / I've never felt so strong, /
Nothing can stop us now! /
I've never felt so strong, / I've never felt so good, /
Nothing can stop us now! [whispered:] (nothing! nothing!...)
11 London Belongs to Me (03:57)
Took a tube to Camden Town,
Walked down Parkway, and settled down
in the shade of a willow tree,
someone hovering over me
Close my eyes,
breathe out slowly.
Today the sunshine (sunshine) loves me only
To the sound of the World of Twist
you leant over, and gave me a kiss.
It's too warm to even hold hands,
but that won't stop us from making plans.
Close our eyes,
breathe out slowly.
Today London (London) loves us only.
Do you ever wonder where we've been?
Do you ever wonder where we're going?
Just close your eyes.
Just close your eyes.
Just close your eyes (close your eyes),
and breathe out slowly (breath out slowly).
Tonight the world (the world) loves you only.
Just close your eyes.
Just close your eyes.
Just close your eyes.
Just close your eyes.
12 Like the Swallow (07:39)
She's like the swallow that flies so high
She's like the river that never runs dry
She's like the sunshine on the lee shore
I love my love and love is no more
Its out of wild roses she made a bed
A stony pillow for her head
She laid her down no word she spoke
Until this fair maid's heart was broke
Shes like the swallow that flies so high
Shes like the river that never runs dry
Shes like the sunshine on the lee shore
I love my love and love is no more
I love my love and love is no more.
13 Dilworth's Theme (00:40)
Oh babe, I know you've gone.
I won't be sad alone
'cause the song that you left me
has the sweetest refrain.
La, lalala
lala lala.
Lala lala, lala lala,
lala lala.
Loading comments slowly
