Seems it's been a lot longer than I thought since I last posted about Tubelord. I figured there had been at least something last year, but it seems there wasn't. Nothing, apparently, since the Azerrad 7" about 18 months ago. Nothing, then, since the band split up. The band's final gig on New Year's Eve at the end of 2012 was one of the most emotionally confusing days of my life - the crowd and setlist were absolutely sublime but the thought of it being the last ever Tubelord gig just hurt. The final two songs, safe to say, were seen through pretty damp eyes.
So, skip onwards a year to this past December and (a month or so after a subtle hint via twitter made me way too excited), everyone's favourite label Big Scary Monsters announced a vinyl-only pressing of the band's first two singles on one lovely 12". I must say, I'd thought it was going to be a repressing of Our First American Friends so this was very pleasant. At the same time, some old t-shirt designs were reprinted so the long-standing omission of Tubelord in my wardrobe (via being the most generic size ever, gents medium) is NO MORE. Thanks again Kev. Now, for the record itself.
Pretty subdued cover all told but UGH, THOSE SETLISTS. Such great songs. I suppose this cover, with its plain font and large expanse of white space, feels a little like a funeral booklet (do they have a specific name?) and I kind of like that, especially if it's deliberate. Also, that title. As well as being very appropriate for Tubelord, it makes me think of thekidswhopoptodaywillrocktomorrow. We're already onto a winner.
Nice little insert about the release. The bit at the bottom about them forming "a bond for life" with a support band is particularly nice, and I think is about Tall Ships. I'm guessing this since they are probably the only band I know of that are from Falmouth and the two bands are certainly friends - James who was in Tubelord has since joined the band, and they played a covers set at the final Tubelord gig (with Toby Hayes, formerly of Meet Me In St. Louis. Seriously). After that set, they joined the crowd which resulted in the rather surreal moment of lead singer Ric leaning on my shoulder to scream along to the end of Your Bed Is Kind Of Frightening. Have I mentioned this gig enough yet? Probably not.
The inner sleeve is so nice it deserves two photos. It's a lovely collage of band photos, gig photos and artwork. Lots of feelings.
So here's the record itself. In this photo (especially if you're seeing it on a small screen), it looks plain black. Maybe even a little dusty. Let's take a closer look though...
YES. Silver glittery vinyl for a silver glittery band. BSM knocking it out of the park when it comes to coloured records yet again. Limited to 300, how it hasn't sold out yet is beyond me.
We've got 8 tracks on here. Half ended up on Our First American Friends, half stayed as B-sides only. All are amazing. It's a testament to the strength of Tubelord's back catalogue that only one of these eight didn't make it into that final setlist (which, for the record, was Synthesize and was sorely missed by me), and picking a favourite would be difficult were it not for the presence of Night Of The Pencils. Even though it's a rougher version of the song, it only takes the opening riff for a rainbow of emotions to erupt from my heart - as anyone who saw me either weeping through the entire of it at that final gig or screaming it at the best person for me to sing Tubelord to apart from the band themselves when Tall Ships (who else?) played it at the silent disco at ArcTanGent back in August. It's 4 minutes of absolute perfection, the most incredible song from a band who excelled in making incredible songs. I still miss you, Tubelord, and I don't see that stopping any time soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment