Yes, yes, this is all very old news, but gosh, how good are those first Silver Apples albums? I remember the fuss about their rediscovery that blossomed out of the whole Post Rock / Wire magazine hipsters scene back in the ‘90s but to be honest that froth of interest only made me more determined not to listen to them. So how much of an idiot was I then? Pretty damn big, but meh. And anyway, I’m actually kind of pleased I had not bothered then because it’s giving me the delight now.
And it’s all thanks to Jeffrey Lewis. I was playing his records last night again, and in particular spinning that awesome ten minute ‘history of US punk’ track. I remember a few years ago I was making mixes that kicked off with that cut, and then proceeded to follow it with just about all the songs that he name-checks and plays segments from. Somehow though even then I didn’t bother to investigate ‘Oscillations’. I am at much more of a loss to explain that particular lapse in attention though, for at the time the hipsters fuss about Silver Apples had abated somewhat, and Lewis’ take on the song made it sound like some scary acoustic guitar led space-rock Joy Division moment. Of course the original sounds very different, but somehow also the same. Pretty bloody marvellous anyway…
So I’ve been working most of today whilst listening to those late ‘60s recordings and loving every moment. Go Silver Apples!
On the subject of Jeffrey Lewis, I read somewhere in a list of upcoming shows that he was playing in Falmouth on October 19th. And then I read another list of tour dates, and the Falmouth slot was conspicuous by its absence. I’ve got my fingers crossed that he really IS venturing that far down into the South West, as it would be a rather fine start to the half term holiday. Otherwise, a quick trip to Brighton might be in order…
We've just ordered tickets for the Falmouth show - so they'd better be playing! Maybe see you there?
Posted by: Phil Wilson | September 27, 2007 at 13:52