Heartland

Ouch. Rocky Mountains in Canada. Probably a very beautiful place but indeed rather far away.

_emma_ wrote:Ouch. Rocky Mountains in Canada. Probably a very beautiful place but indeed rather far away.

Far indeed.

Besides, we are in avalanche conditions right now...which adds a certain complexity to any desire I may have to go down to the valley, get to the city, and hop a plane to catch one of the February gigs.

But, yes, it is the kind of beauty and makes one grateful to be alive.

In keeping with the tread; I found the songs on The Sisters of Mercy website. Since the band has posted them for personal downloading...I am going to do it with a clear conscience.

Thank you to everyone who responded!

I hope the band realizes that they have very nice, loyal, long-term fans.

You should all be appreciated.

I'm afraid I don't fall into that category. I watched some of their videos on YouTube last night...and, well, ...I fell over laughing. I don't know who was in charge of those productions. But, some of them are ludicrous.

By the way, happy Burns Night to all who are celebrating.

It gets pretty rowdy in these parts.

Thanks again for all your help.

Cheers!

Edmogirl wrote: I watched some of their videos on YouTube last night...and, well, ...I fell over laughing. I don't know who was in charge of those productions. But, some of them are ludicrous.

Pleased to hear ... ...

You mean the 80s videos? Pure class!

Edmogirl wrote:

theparadox2010 wrote:you seem to know about the band, and you'll know all the reasons why they've not put anything out

Actually, I don't really know anything about it. I doubt if I will take the time to find out.

It sounds rather complex.

I will check out the band's website for the songs they sanction to be free traded.

Frankly, I have never downoaded free music because I consider it a form of theft.

Mr. Eldritch's position on this matter is highly unusual. I don't know why he is not interested in protecting his interests. Perhaps he is not capable of it. Many artists are easily taken advantage of (personal observation after watching my sister's opera singing career).

I am glad I purchased a t-shirt suggested in a previous post...but it feels wrong to offer such a pathetic form of financial compensation.

Anyway, thank you to all who responded!

is lazy, I'll get me coat

Sita wrote:You mean the 80s videos? Pure class!

Perhaps I see them through a different lens than you. I am a new fan of the band and so these images don't evoke any memories for me. Obviously there was some kind of scene, sensibility, and sub-culture about which I know nothing.

I found the video for 'More' rather perplexing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDuW3NvjqJY

It is a visceral piece of music. But, I don't understand the aesthetic.

The band look great...but what is up with those women breaking through the fence in Mardi Gras masks and Gaultier fetish lingere?

They appear to attack Mr. Eldritch and somehow impale him on (what I can only describe as) their 'death tits'. One is left with the impression that he is left gravely injured.

The video for 'Lucretia My Reflection' features a very intense (and I think brilliant) performance from Mr. Eldritch. But, the woman with the mountain gorilla on her head keeps striking poses in (what appears to be) an attempt to convey emotion..but fails miserably.

Clearly a lot of effort went in to putting her look together. The final scene on the beach is astounding. One can clearly see that the metric volume of her lid surpasses that of entire human bodies. Remarkable.

Then I moved on the 'This Corrosion' video. Perhaps it was the grubby urchin popping out of the rusted oil barrell...or the dentist chair they managed to salvage from the apocalypse....

...but i found the aesthetic of the video to be a pastiche of Mad Max:Thunderdome, The Addams Family, and a drive-through car wash. It was rather disheartening.

In my opinion, there is a disconnect between the intelligence and skill that went into the songs...and these videos which appear cheesy and self-indulgent to my eyes.

Of course, this is only my opinion.

I don't identify myself as a Goth. If I am going to spend an hour on my hair, I'd rather make it look like Rita Hayworth's in 'Gilda'. That is just my preferred aesthetic.


That said, the music is brilliant and complex and the lyrics are insightful. I like all of the (clever) allusions.

So, I am happy to remain a new fan of The Sisters of Mercy.

you are taking the p*ss, yeah?

I guess I am being facetious in the sense that I am trying to be amusing...but this is my honest reaction to the The Sisters of Mercy videos I watched on YouTube.

No, Edmogirl, I'd say you've got it about right. As David St. Hubbins once remarked, "It's such a fine line between stupid, and clever." The videos recognize that line and deliberately choose the stupid side of it.

All I know about Alberta is that I really like Corb Lund, and he's from there.

Edmogirl wrote:I guess I am being facetious in the sense that I am trying to be amusing...but this is my honest reaction to the The Sisters of Mercy videos I watched on YouTube.

the problem here is you actually listen to/watch the band!

Edmogirl wrote:...some of them are ludicrous.

Bombastic stupidity is the intended effect.

Maybe you had to be there at the time, or maybe you just need to see them in a different light, but they definitely did their job very well, and caught a lot of attention when originally released. What more could you ask of from a video?

the woman with the mountain gorilla on her head

Patsy

Try Dominion next.

BillyBadBreaks wrote:

Edmogirl wrote:I guess I am being facetious in the sense that I am trying to be amusing...but this is my honest reaction to the The Sisters of Mercy videos I watched on YouTube.

the problem here is you actually listen to/watch the band!

What else am I supposed to do with them?

...wait....Good Lord!....back up!!...

I nearly fell right in to that trap!

You are a tricky fellow Billy. I'm going to have to watch you

mh wrote:

Edmogirl wrote:...some of them are ludicrous.

Bombastic stupidity is the intended effect.

Maybe you had to be there at the time, or maybe you just need to see them in a different light, but they definitely did their job very well, and caught a lot of attention when originally released. What more could you ask of from a video?

the woman with the mountain gorilla on her head

Patsy

Try Dominion next.

Alright.

I will go on to YouTube and watch 'Dominion'.

But, I feel a bit of trepidation.

I feel like the new kid a school who is told to try the cafeteria pudding...just so the older kids can have a laugh.

Over to YouTube...

Edmogirl wrote:I feel like the new kid a school who is told to try the cafeteria pudding...just so the older kids can have a laugh.

Well for what it's worth I genuinely do think it's a great video, and the best of the lot from that time. But maybe I'm a weird person who likes disgusting cafeteria pudding? I don't think so...

Black Planet is the best from the FALAA era by the way; the rest are pish.

welcome!
as someones wrote before DON'T BUT BOOTLEGS - i give wankers earn money that they don't deserve.

do you have some kind of agenda here Edmogirl because I still feel like you're pulling our chain?

they're fuckin' music videos made in the 80s, WTF do you expect?

Edmogirl wrote: ...They appear to attack Mr. Eldritch and somehow impale him on (what I can only describe as) their 'death tits'. One is left with the impression that he is left gravely injured...

... the woman with the mountain gorilla on her head ...

...there is a disconnect between the intelligence and skill that went into the songs...

Remarkable how clear and in depth some of your thoughts are
Welcome to Heartland
A fresh look and a humorous style that i like
I could never get my mind to the mountain gorilla, brilliant full of humor parallelism

Try Dominion next.

Well, I just watched it. First of all, it is a great song.

Mr. Eldritch's white linen, colonial style suit is very attractive and he has cleverly concealed a sword within his walking stick in case the Bedouin turn nasty.
It is always a good idea to prepare for various contingencies. Especially since he looks a bit infirm. Perhaps he is in Petra to buy a potion that will restore his health and vigour.

The woman with enormous hair is quite a good horeswoman...so now I rather like her.

(I ride too.)

Although, while she was chauffering Mr. Eldritch around, I couldn't help but notice that her black talons had ripped through the tips of her gloves...which makes her look like she is about to undergo her monthly transition into a she-wolf.

There are many little visual touches that are obviously intended to be ironic (Mr. Eldritch's folded hands reflected in his ever-present sunglasses; to toast he makes to us (his audience)).

All in all...an enjoyable video.

But, I think I still prefer the music on its own

To me all of Edmogirl's observations about the videos sound very accurate, and still, I love them, especially for crossing that line

PS - "mountain gorilla" I always found her a bit irritating, I mean way way back then, and I was very surprised more recently to see interviews with her on Youtube where she is a perfectly nice person, friendly spoken and all.

James Blast wrote:do you have some kind of agenda here Edmogirl because I still feel like you're pulling our chain?

they're fuckin' music videos made in the 80s, WTF do you expect?

No, I am not pulling your chain. I am sharing my sincere and honest reactions to the videos.

I am not judging the videos in terms of their position in the 'video as an art/commercial form' timelline. So, from my perspective, when they were made is irrelevant.

I am judging them in comparison to the music...and I think there is a substantial disconnect between the intelligence and insight in the songs and the ludicrous and narrow appeal of the videos.

I think the music is outstanding and it surprises me that they don't have wider appeal and recognition.

You're not really supposed to over-analyze them. Sometimes it's nothing more than a bit of gonzo fun with some stylish visual elements tacked on, sometimes it's the world's best excuse for a trip to Jordan at the record company's expense, and sometimes it's a razor-sharp but still oh-so-very-tongue-in-cheek play on the watcher's emotions (try 1959 next).

.[/quote]
Bombastic stupidity is the intended effect.

Maybe you had to be there at the time, or maybe you just need to see them in a different light, but they definitely did their job very well, and caught a lot of attention when originally released. What more could you ask of from a video?

[quote]

Fair enough. I was not there at the time nor do I have the same cultural frame of reference.

I'm just sharing what I see from my perspective.

Clearly, as a new fan, I am in the minority.

Edmogirl wrote:I feel like the new kid a school who is told to try the cafeteria pudding...just so the older kids can have a laugh.

If so, they would have asked you to listen to You Could Be The One, aka YCBTO.

mh wrote:You're not really supposed to over-analyze them. Sometimes it's nothing more than a bit of gonzo fun with some stylish visual elements tacked on, sometimes it's the world's best excuse for a trip to Jordan at the record company's expense, and sometimes it's a razor-sharp but still oh-so-very-tongue-in-cheek play on the watcher's emotions (try 1959 next).

1959...will do