Date: Thu, 19 Sep 1996 01:29:19 -0700 From: Jeff Keibel (redshift@INTERLOG.COM) Subject: Re: The end of 4AD as we know it. Elvia M. Tarango wrote: > ...so long 4AD. I give them another year and blink, gone in the wind. A > record company that once was. While some folks like Elvia are assuming the worst it may be worth while to step back and digest the 1996 release schedule thus far. As I've said before, 4AD is still challenging our ears these days and possibly, even more so now than ten years ago. The diversity that flows from this label shows a willingness to explore different sounds and genres - sounds people seem to be quick to close their ears (and their minds) to. 4AD is one of the most open-mindedly diverse labels around, as 1996's slate of releases demonstrates... LUSH's "Lovelife" is a great pop album. Musically more accessable than earlier works, Lush has produced an album that really deserves to be heard. As far as I'm concerned, LUSH stll "has it" and "Lovelife" was an explosive way for the band and 4AD to start off the new year. "Inliction" from scheer is a sadly overlooked album. Combine Audrey Gallagher's beautiful voice with the melodic rock sounds and you have one of 4AD's most memorable debuts. I'm looking forward to album number 2. DEAD CAN DANCE released "Spiritchaser" this summer and musically it falls as far from LUSH and scheer's styles as you can get. All this from one label! Combined with a sell-out multi-country tour, Lisa and Brendan once again have shown another layer in their ongoing musical evolution. "Stars On E.S.P." from HIS NAME IS ALIVE marks Warren and friend's fourth official 4AD album and arguably their best if not most musically diverse. The songs on this album display a underlying confidence and explore many different styles which makes for a very interesting listening experience. HEIDI BERRY returns with "Miracle", her new 4AD album. HEIDI BERRY travels yet another set of musical roads that differ from the rest of the roster and with this third album for the label she has unleashed a nine track collection of songs that feature her superb voice and beautiful songs full of emotion, truth and beauty. "Excerpts From A Love Circus" from LISA GERMANO explores yet even more varied sounds and words from this extremely talented artist. Lisa's songs speak volumes to women and men alike. Her unique delivery catches the listener's attention and with "Love Circus", has provided a very memorable release well worth searching out. Kristin Hersh and her THROWING MUSES return with "Limbo", a powerful followup to last year's "University" album. Never a fan of taking the easy path to making records, Kristin, Bernard and David have released yet another in a long line of THROWING MUSES classics. Yet to come from 4AD are releases from THE PALADINS, GUS GUS, TARNATION, TANYA DONELLY and MOJAVE 3 among others that promise to provide just as many different and unique musical styles and genres. 4AD is in an ongoing evolution of change. The bands and sounds that originate from the label will always vary from each other and provide unique, memorable and genuine listening experiences. Jeff Keibel Toronto, ON CANADA redshift@interlog.com Date: Thu, 19 Sep 1996 14:18:26 EDT From: Dez (100702.123@COMPUSERVE.COM) Subject: The old chestnut Traffic gets slow, so out comes the old debate about 4AD 'losing it'. Some people never could grasp the concept of change. The label is nearly 17 years old, or in other words has existed for a third of post-war history. This is the same period of time it took from the blues to evolve from southern rural folk songs to loud guitar bands - for jazz to grow from big bands to hard bop and for rock to go from Elvis to ELP. That is a lot of change. And all through that time people have been glancing behind with rose-tinted spectacles, hankering for the old days. 4AD puts out music relevant to 1996 and 97, not 1985 - if they did that, then they really would die (and deservedly too). It may not be all good, or all to everyone's taste, but at least they avoid endlessly recycling their past. For that alone, the world should be grateful. - Dez Date: Sat, 9 Nov 1996 14:17:06 -0500 From: Aaron Hill (Fan4AD@AOL.COM) Subject: Death of 4ad? In a message dated 96-11-09 12:41:55 EST, you write: << On the never-ending "Death of 4AD" thread -- "excerpts from a Love Circus" was *very* nice, so if 4AD is, in fact, dead, then rigor mortis hasn't set in quite yet.) >> You make a very good point. All the people complaining have not pointed out great records this year--Lush, Mojave 3, His Name is Alive, Heidi Berry, and of course Dead Can Dance. I like every record emmensely from each band. I even like Scheer alot (does anyone remember Trompe le Monde?) And also the new Gus Gus is wonderful. One bad album does not kill a label unless everyone wants 4ad dead. I don't. As a whole, their new bands are great (Tarnation being one of my favorites). I think 4ad is still very alive and kicking. Date: Sun, 24 Nov 1996 23:46:08 -0800 From: einexile the meek (einexile@netcom.com) Subject: a great big FUCK YOU from 4AD Well, I finally got around to hearing The Paladins today. You see, somehow a copy ended up in the used bin so I figured what the hell, it's 4AD, you know it's gotta be the best. Anyway, cutting edge stuff, that. The best beer drinking music I've heard from drunk asshole jocks since the last porno I watched. In all fairness to the band, they are very good for what they are: a Type Of Music....and they very likely had no idea who or what 4AD once was, nor what it may still have almost represented to foolish people like myself. I'd have trouble harboring bad feelings toward them, but as for 4AD, they can go straight to hell. This is beyond any insult I have encountered in my memory, and I am through with that label. Right back atcha, assholes. If Mojave haven't been kicked off the label by the end of the year for pilfering company stationery, maybe I can get someone on ambient or pure-impure to make me a tape of their new "we're not Slowdive" country and western album. It's been a good three years or so, minus a few temperamental types (you know who you are), but I *really* don't belong on this list anymore...and quite frankly niether do most of you. Respect to those here with loyalty deeper and broader than my own, and those with stronger stomachs. And merry Christmas in advance, in case this list is still seeing any traffic at all by then. Me, I have to get the hell out of here before I stop believing in God. Goodnight and unsubscribe. :( Drop me a line sometime. einexile the meek - enemy of the people