JULIAN COPE OG OOP '84 LP WORLD SHUT YOUR MOUTH

JULIAN COPE WORLD SHUT YOUR MOUTH LPCategory / Style / Moods: Rock Alternative Pop/ Rock, Post-Punk, Dance-Rock, Space Rock, Rock & Roll, Psychedelic, Pop/Rock, Lo-Fi, Indie Rock, Dream Pop, Britpop11.77 / 2007-10-09 S asocc1984 MERCURY US LPTITLE: WORLD SHUT YOUR MOUTHARTIST: JULIAN COPECONDITIONCOVER: VG GOLD PROMO STAMP PSOCVINYL: VG+ OR BETTERClick here for info on grading and abbreviationsOUT OF PRINT ORIGINAL PRESS DJClick the pix for a better view TRACKS: Disc: 1 1.Bandy's First JumpCope 2.Metranil VavinCope 3.StrasbourgCope 4.Elegant ChaosCope 5.QuizmasterCope 6.Kolly Kibber's BirthdayCope 7.Sunshine PlayroomCope 8.Head Hang LowCope 9.PussyfaceCope 10.Greatness and PerfectionCope 11.Lunatic and FireCope 12.PistolCope Review by Ned Raggett Retreating from the collapse of the Teardrop Explodes to his hometown of Tamworth, Cope produced his first solo effort with help from producer Steve Lovell on guitar and fellow Teardrop Gary Dwyer on drums. The result is a surprisingly vibrant, rich album that shows Cope easily moving on from his group days while retaining his unique powerful and natural gifts for singing and songwriting. If there's something about the sound of World that suggests its early-'80s recording dates -- Dwyer's drums sound like Steve Lillywhite's been after them at points! -- Cope's own particular, heavily psych-into-pop-inspired goals aren't lost in it. Some of his songs are so inspired that one just has to wonder how in the world they didn't end up as hits somewhere. "An Elegant Chaos" is a great example, an at-once cryptic and fascinating lyric peppered with just enough knowing irony ("Here comes the part where I break down and cry") and a synth-string-touched crunch given a breezy pace. Top it off with Cope's singing and the result is simply genius. Two songs from the final Teardrops sessions, "Metranil Vavin," an homage to a Russian poet, and "Pussyface" get enthusiastic run-throughs here. "Metranil Vavin" in particular is a kick, shifting from garagey crunch and energy to a show tune chorus at the drop of a hat, while sitar from Lovell and concluding oboe from Kate St. John, who plays on many other cuts, add even more pastoral trippiness. Further strong cuts include "Kolly Kibber's Birthday," with a fast rhythm machine and keyboard drones leading the way; the quirky string/brass surge of "Sunshine Playroom"; and the upbeat "Greatness and Perfection." Throughout World, Cope demonstrates why he's one of the best, most unaffected singers in rock around, his vocals carrying sweep and passion without sounding like he's trying to impress himself or others. This exquisite piece of retro music history is a vinyl sound recording (not a CD). Please visit the A Sound Deal store for similar items and information on grading and shipping. Add me to your favorites for red hot sales bulletins and sneak previews of upcoming products. Combine Items to Save $$$! Click here to check the store for more!©A Sound Deal