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Rating:
Before reviewing "Adventure" by Television, it is necessary to make some preliminary remarks, especially useful for those who are not familiar with the record and the band. This album is the follow-up to "Marquee Moon", which enjoys enormous admiration from enthusiasts of the New Wave scene and is a cult favorite of mine (as well as many other DeBaser users, as I have happily noted). It is also necessary to say that it is foolish to continuously seek a forced comparison with this. Can the quality of one album depend on that of another? It might also be helpful to explain that Television are children of the Velvet Underground: how can you not recognize that typical New York sound? And if it's true that in comparison Television loses in innovation, it can also be said that they enjoy far superior technical skills.
The album is played impeccably. The guitars of Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd, sometimes whining and hysterical, sometimes soft and sweet, perfectly communicate with each other and with the drumming by Billy Ficca, all supported by the present bass of Richard Smith. The singing is entrusted to the shrill voice of Tom Verlaine, difficult not to recognize from the first listen. The choruses, however, are the work of Lloyd and Smith. All the tracks are written by Tom, except for Days, written by Verlaine-Lloyd.
The album, with its essential cover featuring the four in a red frame bearing the band's name and the album, opens with Glory, a pop-rock song entirely based on a rather simple but effective riff. It is followed by "Days", which, despite a more elaborate guitar riff, softens the tones even further, almost forming a beautiful lullaby. In stark contrast, after its end, the hard rock riff of "Foxhole" kicks in, the album's second single (the other was "Days"). This song is definitely more violent than the previous ones, with the unleashed guitars expressing all the virtuosity of their owners. The subsequent "Careful" softens the tones again and shows a Verlaine in great form even on keyboards, as well as an excellent Ficca. "Carried Away" closes, with great sweetness, the first side of the vinyl.
A psychedelic arpeggio opens "The Fire", one of the best compositions on the record, where Verlaine's voice wonderfully pampers the listener before gifting us yet another incredible solo. "Ain't That Nothing", with its lighter and more carefree riff, offers us a march that culminates with the lead voice alternating with the chorus, a not new solution by the American band. As usual, the final part is dominated by the intertwining of the two guitars. The last track of the album is "The Dream's Dream", where the music is incredibly cohesive, with melodies summarizing the sweet atmospheres this album has offered us.
All things considered, one could say that "Adventure" is a gem at least as far as its genre is concerned (whether it be pop rock, new wave, or post punk) and regarding its era (1977), in which many of the historic English bands were on the decline.
P.S. In the deluxe version of the album, you'll find the title track of the album (great keyboard in the final part), as well as alternative versions of "Glory" and "Ain't That Nothing", which don't offer substantial differences, except for some more acidic and sharper guitar sounds.
Rating 4 out of 5, to be conservative.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Glory (03:11)
I was out stumbling in the rain staring at your lips so red
You said, "Blah, blah, blah you got a pillow stuck in my head"
How could I argue with a mirror
She looked at me. Yes, I hear her.
When I see the glory, I ain't gotta worry
She said, "There's a halo on that truck, won't you please get it for me?"
I said, "Of course my little swan, if ever and ever you adore me."
She got mad. She said, "you're too steep."
She put on her boxing gloves and went to sleep -
When I see the glory...
02 Days (03:14)
Up on the high, high hills-with my floating friend-
Watchin' all the silver-no one can ever spend.
I feel the touch of her hand and all it will erase:
these footprints I followed tho they followed my every pace-
Days, be more than all we have.
No matter how much I cross the same stream.
I'm standing up on these bridges that are standing in a dream.
03 Foxhole (04:48)
Soldier boy stands at full salute.
He wants your orders to execute.
Send him out-'neath the screaming red lights
In a narrow ditch for the funny fights.
Foxhole, foxhole too much danger.
Where's my gaurdian angle?-oh no
You show me the war, I don't know what for.
You show me the war, but the war's such a bore.
In the line of duty, in he line of fire
A heartless heart is my proper attire.
The flashing sword has neen explored
The perfect slice-perfect slice of life.
I feel the sheels hit-Moonlight web
Goodbye arms, and so long, head.
No more danger
Hello guardian angle.
Pin me down, go ahead it's a cinch.
You pin me down, you'll feel the pinch
as trained for fights
Foxhole, foxhole
Foxhole, foxhole.
04 Careful (03:18)
I jump outta bed and pull down the shade
I used to have such sweet dreams-now it's more like an air raid.
I see the opposition clear-I see them stare
I don't care-it doesn't matter to me-I never think about it
Slip out of myself like a shadow and somersault thru walls
I can't tell, it's really so odd
Is this spring or fall? Your wine is just sour grapes
Pour me a glass anytime I'm not there
Careful Careful
I'm not bitter I just get so sore
I need that girl more and more
Cuz when she whispers in my ear it gets so hard
It gets so hard to get out of bed
It's more than I can do.
If someone must work today , let it be you.
All this confusion hit me like a dare but I don't care.
05 Carried Away (05:10)
Last night I drifted down to the docks
The water...glittering and black.
The snow fell lightly and disappeared.
I felt the old ropes go slack.
I thought I'd dissolve when the beacon revolved.
I just get so carried away.
Once I had a shiip, yes I had a map
I had the wind like a tree has sap
I sank into these banks of clay
I get carried
Those rooms were freezing and always dark but where we were never mattered
Your head was golden
There was lightning in your arms and then the glass shattered.
It was noon at midnight.
The day that never ends-
The lamp it whispers and makes amends-everything was more than I took it for.
I got carried away.
06 The Fire (05:56)
Storms all that summer we lived in the wind, out in some room in the wind,
Your hands they were folded. You knew no demands.
My tongue it clattered like tin. My eyes repeat. They take my seat.
Your eyes they say you resigned from the heat.
We leaned in the cold, holding our breath, watching the corners turn corners.
Coins on the table, the cards in the air, the face at the window kept smiling.
Storms all that winter we stayed locked away.
Waiting. Watching. Falling.
End of the street. Horizon retreats.
You ran with it. I wish I could.
Sleep is not sleep. My eyes repeat.
You take the voltage that watches you weep.
You caught the voice. I listen close.
All I heard was the echos.
Praise emptiness.
Her rose-colored dress.
Her circling motions.
Praise emptiness.
Everything scattered, nothing was missed.
We took our house in the fire.
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By dissipatio_hg
It's been so evident that, in truth, Adventure was no less than their masterpiece that I was stunned.
After every listen, I am afflicted by a sense of fully human lightness.
