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I began listening to "Adventure" when I started to love "Marquee Moon." It didn't impress me much at first, sure, some songs were nice, but not like those from the first album. Then now, the revelation. It's been so evident that, in truth, Adventure was no less than their masterpiece that I was stunned. I know, it's a debatable position. It's obvious that the album I re-evaluated so quickly was released in the wake of a milestone, but there's something in it that holds the tone of the firstborn. It's a compact work, as brief as it is expressive. All the ingredients of "Marquee Moon" are present: Verlaine's voice fused with the acidic tones of his guitar with almost Middle Eastern riffs, contradicting the classicism of the second guitar. It's an underrated album, in the shadow of its older brother. But this is not justified, because there's not a song that's out of place, they are all beautiful, from beginning to end. They form a supreme harmony in their succession. And then there's the lyrics. They are poems, true poems.
Psychedelia doesn't have to be an obscene sound incomprehensible to the human ear, an acoustic depravity, a violence. It can penetrate the human soul much more easily, in a sweeter way, as Television did with their first two albums. They conquered mine. After every listen, I am afflicted by a sense of fully human lightness. Their music squints your eyes so that you see only beautiful things, that is, those worth looking at. After half an hour of Television, I feel like I do after reading 'The Stranger.' Tom Verlaine is Mersault who is in prison, above Algiers, from where he sees the sea, captivated by the vision of the setting sun.
Foxhole is nothing short of angry. Carried Away is compelling. Ain't That Nothing is detached. The Fire is mystical. And so on. Every song from the first album mirrors one from the second, but they never form a fixed pair. The impressions these melodies generate are changeable with each listen. It's no coincidence that when I indulge in "Adventure" or "Marquee Moon," it always feels like I'm hearing them for the first time.
So, have the courage to embark on this Adventure, with dear old Tom.
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
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 pana
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.
"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.
