.......I did buy the album it came from insteadI first heard this on a compilation CD put together for me by Jacques the Kipper some five years ago. He didn't tell me who the track was by....but in these days of lyrics sites galore across the internet, I soon found out. And the of course I wanted to find out more about The Dears.
They're from Canada - Montreal to be more precise. They were formed as long ago as 1995 but it took five years before their debut record was recorded and released. In 2003, the LP No Cities Left was released to critical acclaim and became a real slow-burner, thanks to the band touring it across North America and Europe. The copy I have in my possession is the 2005 re-release which saw four tracks from an EP added to it. Further albums, Gang Of Losers and Missiles have since been released in 2006 and 2008.
The Dears have what can best be described as a changing line-up with as many ex-members as there are current members. But lead singer and main songwriter Murray Lightburn has been a constant.
I have to say that I first heard this my first thought was that Damon Albarn was singing a duet with some up and coming unknown vocalist - turns out it is Murray and the other mainstay of the band over the years - Natalia Yanchak.
This is a storming bit of music. Epic in its ambition, it pulls it off quite brilliantly. It's the sort of thing Marc Almond has been trying do all his solo career - and reminiscent of long forgotten Brit band My Life Story who were featured on these pages a while back:-
mp3 : The Dears - 22 : The Death Of All The Romance
As you all know, my preference is only to post the singles and accompanying b-sides on TVV, but I was inspired to feature this after stumbling across the equally brilliant promo:-
Go on. Admit it. You were crying your eyes out at the end.........and not for the first time at an animated movie either I bet.
7 comments:
A belter of a tune JC, indeed. And a cracking video too - hadn't seen this before now. I have to say though, since 'No Cities Left', they have disappointed me a little. They've a new album out next year though so hopefully it'll be a return to form (hey, if Interpol can do it, any band can). 'Omega Dog' is growing on me a lot.
it was all new to me jc but i thought it was good thanks again for the continuing education,
son of the rock
No Cities Left was amazing, so in a sense I don't really worry about liking their recent material less.
I'm mildly surprised to see you being all into this, JC. You do realise it was released well after 1988 don't you?
This is an absolute cracker.... I heard on the radio, TV, in the pub or somewhere and had to track it down eventually finding what sounds like the same version as you (the Aussie tour edition). I remember seeing them perform this on the Jonathan Ross show and was just blown away... Quality choice.
As you know, I love this. Hadn't seen the video though. Sniff.
A bit embarrassing when you're sitting in work....
"You and I are a gang of losers" was a nice track
I think No Cities left is great - saw the Dears in 2006. Check out the great Morrisey/Every Day is like Sunday rip off 'Lost in the plot' one for another post?
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