Television Album: “Marquee Moon”

'Marquee Moon' is one of those albums that not many people have heard of, but everybody with a credible music collection should own. (I also stated in my review of the original cd pressing that it should be an Amazon Essential Recording, but I guess they don't agree). Out of their CBGB contemporaries, Television stuck out like a sore thumb, even compared to the Talking Heads. While other groups were busy playing short, to-the-point punk rock, Television was mixing the immediacy of punk with the technical skills of progressive and jazz groups. The title track, 'Marquee Moon' is a ten and a half minute ascension to musical nirvana. Only the opening track 'See No Evil' has the jump-start effect of punk rock. Television were more about experimentation than punk rock. 'Marquee Moon' is one of the finest releases of the late 1970s, and among the top albums of the "New York scene."

The reissue, on the other hand, has some good parts, some great parts, and some really terrible parts. It's good to have the lyrics now, now I can understand what Tom Verlaine is singing. It's great to have the story in the booklet about the recording, and the pictures inside are great too. The remastering is eye-opening compared to the original 1990 cd pressing, as well. Very clear, well-mixed and separated. Unlike the reviewer who was against the bonus tracks, I think that having 'Little Johnny Jewel' is definitely a plus. There's no reason to complain about having tracks that have been deleted for 25 years and never released ever on cd. The alternate takes aren't all that different from the originals except for a few things, some substantial (the guitar solo in 'Marquee Moon' is very different, also the vocals during the chorus of the song are given a huge boost), and some subtle (the ending of 'See No Evil' is extended, which is pretty cool). The packaging itself looks pretty cool, and seems to be designed to replicate a vinyl sleeve, but it's very flimsy and easy to scratch up. The cardboard sleeve that holds the cd also scratched the hell out of the surface of the disc, but luckily it still plays fine. I've had this for a couple of weeks and it already looks like it's ten years old.

Rhino did an excellent job with the handling of this reissue, from the remastering, to the liner notes and addition of lyrics and pictures, and the addition of rare bonus tracks. The packaging on the other hand seems cheap, flimsy, and can possibly be damaging to the disc itself. I keep the disc in a hard plastic jewel case to avoid anymore damage. My advice would be to put the disc in a separate case after opening it, or to burn a copy of the disc to listen to after you buy it to avoid any damage to the disc that packaging may cause.

Marquee Moon is simply one of the 10 best hipster

records ever made. Mike, the owner of Subterranean

records in NYC, puts it squarely at #1. Every single song

on this record is stellar. It is Passionate, explorative,

and firmly on its own unique course. It is rich in

flavor, and defys deconstruction. Due to its quirky

uniqueness, this album is an acquired taste. Like a

sushi orgasm, or LSD. Several people that I have turned

on to this record, were unimpressed at first, only to

fall in love with it later. If you like the same old common,

derivative, unimaginative, over-produced, superstar crap,

then this record is not for you. The cadence of the guitar

lines in Venus De Milo are so beautiful, they will give you

chills. In the crescendo of the title track, Verlaine makes

his guitar sound like sea gulls. Elevation is taught, edgy,

and dripping with as much mood as a song can possibly be made

to hold. Some people do not respond to the herky-jerkiness

of Verlaines vocals, but they are well suited to the material.

The album has a bit of european flavor. Actually, one has to

describe this album in broad strokes, because there is no

artist that make sense to compare them to. Television blaze

their own trail. Marquee Moon is honestly and truly a classic

masterpiece, Television's jewel. The albums Adventure (2nd

release), Television (3rd release), and several Verlaine solo

albums, all have their moments, with an occasional great song,

but they all seriously pale to Marquee Moon. It deserves a place

in any desert island list. The true test, is that this record

is as relevant and effecting today, as it was in 77. One of

my fondest memories is having seen Television and Talking Heads

on the same bill at CBGB'S, a storm of epic proportions. Helpful

note: On first listen, do not play this record as background

music. Open your mind, relax, square off with your stereo, and

enjoy the swirls of passion, subtlety, vivid color, and

otherwise, ENJOY THE RIDE!

Marquee Moon often appears on many respectable top 50 CD lists, yet very few people have had the opprotunity to get lost within its grace. Two guitars playing totally different styles clash with the hi-hats of Billy Ficca and the bass of Fred Smith (Blondie). Tom Verlaine (Miller) delivers the crooning guitar solos while Richard Lloyd brings about the scalar runs and techinicality of the group.

Each song is a journey through heaven, hell, and everywhere in between. The dual guitars flow perfectly in each song. "See No Evil" opens the album up with an immediate array of talent. The solo blows me away each time. The way the guitars blend is just amazing. They make everything sound busy while keeping the music clean and easy to listen to. "Venus" has a killer chorus which is really just the guitar. The tone is so beautiful I feel like crying knowing I can't replicate it. "Friction" shows you the childlike humor this band has. Just like "Hard On Love" and "Love Comes In Spurts" which Television used to play when Richard Hell was the bassist, this song has a sexy type humor. After being knocked off your feet by the first three songs, you'll get kicked in the stomach by "Marquee Moon." Verlaine's voice has such a wild ache in it, I'm constantly wondering how this band didn't make it big. "Marquee Moon" shows just how different Verlaine and Lloyd play. The first solo is a conventional rock solo, descending down scales. That would be Lloyd. The second one is a slow build up into a massive climax; Verlaine's masterpiece. The guitar longs for something that is unknown, just like his singing. If you were already knocked out cold by the album, the ending of the song revives you so you can bless your ears with the rest of the CD. "Elevation" would be the first dark song on the album. For lack of a better term, it's a rainy day song. Richard Lloyd's solo is flawless. "Guiding Light" is the exact inverse of "Elevation." It's a ballad and is really a great contribution to the album. After hearing two songs which showed how diversified Television is, "Prove It" throws you back to the rock of "Friction." It's a cult favorite and once you hear it, you'll know why. "Torn Curtain" is another downer. It's and extremly dark song. After this comes the extra tracks.

The extra tracks are pretty much a novelty sans "Little Johnny Jewel." For some reason, Television never released this on an album. Anyway, when Johnny loses his senses, you better watch out. The epitome of Alternative music? I think so.

This album is, well, lanky. I'm sorry, but that word is just such a perfect word to describe the album. It's one of those things you have to hear. Do yourself and favor and drop the coporate stuff being shoved down your throat and listen to Television. One of the greatest punk bands, correction, one of the greatest bands of all time can not go without everyone hearing them at least once. If you like guitars, if you like Alt music, if you like to rock to something different yet familiar, Marquee Moon is just what you need.

Marque Moon stands as a seminal album in the new music movement of the late 70's. While not as polished as the band's second underrated album Adventure, Marque Moon does have all the right elements in place: Tom Verlaine's strangled vocals (imagine David Bryne with the hiccups and you've got an idea as to Verlaine's early vocal style); Richard Lloyd's structured unusual guitar solos (in marked contrast to Verlaine's more direct, off the cuff solos)and the solid rhythm section of Fred Smith (bass) and Billy Ficca (drums)all combine to create a unique, new sound.

Television has been lumped in with all sorts of genres (from new wave to punk)but its unique sound and Verlaine's unusual melodies simply defy convention. It's not fair to pen them in with Talking Heads, Xtc or other bands from the same era; each of these bands had a unique sound but the one thing that they had in common was combining the best of the old (adventurous songwriting and performing)with the best of the new (the energy and in-your-face brio of punk).

While Marque Moon is a seminal, important album it doesn't stand up quite as well as the band's best work the sophmore effort Adventure. Songs like Friction and See No Evil certainly deliver but there's a lack of focus here that would be evident on the band's second album (and Verlaine's many solo albums). One reviewer commented on how they couldn't see why they didn't break through to the big time. It's actually quite simple; the band's sound even when tamed was still unconventional enough to prevent them from gaining the radio exposure of the much more radio and image conscious Talking Heads or Blondie. Expecting Television to break through on the stength of this album would be akin to expecting XTC's second album to pull through simply on the extraordinary talent of the band. People were still in thrall to disco and bands that borrowed from disco, conventional rock music and the like were much more likely to break through because there was something familiar that audiences could relate to. Television borrowed from punk, new wave, rock, art rock and managed to mix it up enough to make it original and unforgettable. Unfortunately, those very qualities worked against them when it came to airplay in the United States.

Ironically enough, the UK became the true home of Television; both their first and second albums became strong sellers in the UK with adventure threatening to crack the top twenty (it only made it to the best of my recollection to a healthy # thirty). They never received the recognition in the US (beyond a strong cult following and critical opinion)they deserved until over a decade later when they reunited to make their third self titled disc.

Remastered editions with bonus tracks have become the norm now so I'm delighted to report that while the rarities are slim (it's actually a surprise to me that they were able to find as much as they did given the band's thin discography), they are important enough to be included and heard. Also, the digipak sleeve includes information on the recording of the album and a booklet with comments from the band.

'Marquee Moon' is Television's masterpiece: although only eight songs the album spans from intense punk rock ('Friction' and 'See No Evil') to some of the most beautiful songs ever heard (this goes for 'Venus', 'Guiding Light', 'Marquee Moon' and Elevation').

Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd are both fantastic guitars, especially Verlaine. He puts down some of the best guitar work ever in the epic 'Marquee Moon'. As goes for his somewhat extended vocal ability, well...it's true that he's more of a guitarist than a vocalist, but it's a bit overdone. On the glimmering 'Venus' it actually sounds fantastic. Not to be forgotten is Billy Ficca, a very talented drummer. Fred Smith is a good bass guitarist, he fills up the bottom line...I can't say that he's up there with Mani (Stone Roses/Primal Scream) for an example...

There is one thing I've considered: obviously many songs didn't make it to the complete record, 'Oh Mi Amore' for an example. I would like Elektra to rerelease 'Marquee Moon' and 'Adventure', with a few of the songs that never made it. Not that the albums needs help: 'Marquee Moon' is a fantastic album on it's own, a very dark and electric album. It pretty much sounds like the city streets at night. Listen to 'Elevation' or 'Guiding Light' and you know what I mean.