Track Listing

1. See No Evil
2. Venus
3. Friction
4. Marquee Moon
5. Elevation
6. Guiding Light
7. Prove It
8. Torn Curtain

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3769 in Music
• Released on: 1999-12-23
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

CD Description
New York's 1970s punk was markedly different to that of Britain. Rather than reject the past, American groups deconstructed its forms and rebuilt them with recourse to the music'sstrengths. Television's leader, Tom Verlaine, professed admiration for Moby Grape and the folk rock of early Fairport Convention. Elements of the latter appear on this album's title track, which offers a thrilling instrumental break, builtupon a modal scale. Verlaine's shimmering guitar style provides the set's focus, but his angular compositions are always enthralling. A sense of brooding mystery envelops the proceedings, and Marquee Moon retains its standing as one of theera's pivotal releases.

Customer Reviews

genius beyond compare
Plausibly the best album ever made, from the spiky powerchord intro of 'see no evil' to the epic, operatic leviathan that is 'torn curtain', this album contains not a single bad track. spiky, jangly guitar lines, rumbling bass, some of the best drumming in contempory music and tom verlaine's strangled vocal all serve to drive the songs along in an edgy and yet decidedly enjoyable way. It also contains venus, a song which is, in my opinion, an example of that rare commodity- an infallibly perfect pop song.

essential stuff

One day this will be recognised
I grew up with, and thought I liked, the so called "Dinosaur" bands such as Led Zepellin, Yes, Pink Floyd and the like. About the time of leaving school and going to University there was a lot of talk about punk and we all shrugged it off as being beneath our contempt. I then actually heard "Teenage Depression" by Eddie and the Hot Rods and thought that it actually wasn't too bad, and not that different really.

I then sat down one night to watch "The Old Grey" full of the usual west coast middle of the road rubbish with the odd decent track. .....and then they played "Elevation".

I immediately realised that what I thought I liked was bland grey and empty. I suddenly thought Jimmy Page can't play a note, or at least if he can play, he can't make it talk.

The album itself is not easy to get into. But at some point you will realise that this is the greatest album ever released.

"Venus" is a classic and my ten year old son loves it. "Marquee Moon" is just wonderful. "Torn Curtain" is so hard to listen, almost a suicide note, but is touched with genius all the same.

The playing throughout is world class. I can't believe that Billy Ficca had to become a waiter to make ends meet. Has there ever been a more accomplished or inventive a drummer. Fred Smith's base was indispensable and anchored the music. Richard Lloyd is the most seriously overlooked guitarist in History. Tom Verlaine is GOD.

By the way there is not a single guitar solo on the album. The guitar just takes the place of the lead vocals in the centre of most tracks.

I still play this album regularly (and I mean REGULARLY) after 25 years or so, and it never seems to age (unlike myself unfortunately).

It certainly sounds more modern than anything current (with the noble exception of The Strokes)

I still convince myself that this album will be rediscovered, and Tom Verlaine will get the rich praise he deserves.

The other reviewers are WRONG
This is a SIX STAR album, without a doubt. The line "Broadway looked so mediaeval, it seemed to flap like little pages" in "Venus"... enigmatic, poetic, humorous, disturbing.... I have known and loved this album for 23 years, and even in dreadful middle age (mine!) it still has the power to enchant and entrance. Rock music at the height of its powers.