McCarthy - The Well of Loneliness EP, 1987
Picture the scene in the UK indie world, circa '87: The ALMIGHTY SMITHS had just broke up. This record made me think McCarthy were going to take over the title of "The next Smiths" and we'd all be happy ever after. But it didn't quite turn out that way, and instead, this record was the best thing the band ever did. Yes, up there in the left-hand corner of the back sleeve, you'll see Tim Gane from Stereolab. But what have Stereolab really got to do with THIS slice of mid-80's guitar-based, indiepop perfection? Nothing. This is a record I never get tired of. Ever. I'd gladly play it 1500 more times.
And especially that "Antiamericancretin" song that is so anti-US. Let me say that as a teenager, that was my anglophile wet dream. I always wanted music from the UK to keep its own identity, like this record, and that song was my rallying cry. I didn't want US influence to intrude on what was essentially gorgeous, untainted UK art. But of course, eventually, it did...
I'd love to hear from anyone who might appreciate this record.
6 comments:
Wow, this EP is amazing! It actually reminds me of Lansing-Dreiden, and their new band Violens. It might be all the reverb on the vocals. Please upload more if you have it! Thanks!!!
I'm glad you like it. I don't know Lansing-Dreiden or Violens. I'll work on getting some more McCarthy up. I have two more 12"es and I'm not even sure how much of this made it to CD.
You should check them out. It also kind of reminds me of My Bloody Valentine's 'Ecstasy and Wine' and even earlier like 'paint a rainbow.' I'd be really psyched to hear more, whenever you feel like it of course. Thanks again.
Thanks so much for posting the sleeve and making the EP available. You can never be entirely sure with Malcolm Eden, but I suspect that with ‘Antiamericancretin’, he was actually having a go at nationalist Brits who were ignorantly dismissive of American culture in its entirety.
Thanks for your comment! It had never occured to me that he could be poking fun in that way, but it does seem quite possible.
Still one of my fave McCarthy records too, for all kinds of reasons. And I see Pantry has already commented on the fact that Antiamericancretin was actually intended as a dig at blinkered UK nationalism. The thing with a lot (most?!) of Malcolm Eden's lyrics was that they were written from different character's points of view, and often put forward a case opposite to what he personally believed. This one is a perfect case in point.
Post a Comment