Suede have a new album out, Autofiction. They describe it as their punk album, which I think it stretching things a little but it is a faster, heavier sound than most of the output from their Indian summer. What I can tell you is that it continues their strong run of new albums and, for my money, might just be their best Bernard-less album. But that's not what I want to talk about.
Instead, let's focus on track one, side one, the excellent She Still Leads Me On; in my view, this is the best song on the album, helped in no small part by an invasive earworm of a guitar part, a deceptively simple motif that grabs you and doesn't let go - see what you think.
Of course, that guitar line is so catchy, it's almost like I've known it for ever. And in a way, I have - well, for 40-odd years anyway. Because whilst it's not exactly the same, there's certainly enough there to remind me of this...
What do you think? Or am I hearing things that aren't there? Either way, two bustin' songs, as Amusements Minor would say.
Oh yes, I can hear it too.
ReplyDeleteI haven't bought Autofiction yet but it's sounding good to my ears so far. A friend was just telling Mr SDS this morning about seeing them recently, and confirmed what I had hoped, that they were still very good live (and friendly, as he met them afterwards at the signing table) - bet you're looking forward to the gig next year.
I really am looking forward to it. I would say you should come too, but it's already sold out!
DeleteTwo bustin' songs indeed. The really early New Order stuff is my favourite period to be honest, an unfashionable thing to admit I know, but there it is. I've only ever seen Suede once, at The Roundhouse on the Coming Up tour in 1996. Again, perhaps controversially, Coming Up is far and away my favourite Suede album and they were magnificent that night, even though the venue was like an ice box. I'd love to see them again, but it sounds like I've missed the boat!
ReplyDeleteAh, I'm completely with you on the early New Order. Have to admit, I pre-ordered the Suede album specifically to get access to the tour pre-sale. Haven't seen them live since the first album...
DeleteYou and RD both - on the same day! Which means I can recycle my comment!
ReplyDeleteJury's still out at Top Ten Towers, but I've only listened to it once so far. In the car. With the volume turned up very loud. Which was good... but I was struggling to hear the lyrics a lot. Not sure if they've mixed Brett lower than usual or if my ears are getting even worse...
No idea about the guitar line either.
I think it's a fuller sounding Suede, for want of a better phrase, so Brett's vocals may be a bit less front and centre.
DeleteI concur - She Still Leads Me On is a classic in waiting. And the whole album is none too shabby
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just?
DeleteI 'acquired' the album last week but haven't listened to it yet. Tempted to go to see them.
ReplyDeleteOh, I think you should.
DeleteI was instantly reminded of the intro to Buck Rogers by Feeder. Just waiting to hear that "he's got a brand new car...."
ReplyDeleteOh yes! I hadn't thought of that, but now you've said it ... yes! "...It's got a CD player!"
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