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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. The Chad Who Loved Me | |||
| 2. Mansun's Only Love Song | |||
| 3. Taxloss | |||
| 4. You Who Do You Hate | |||
| 5. Stripper Vicar | |||
| 6. Wide Open Space | |||
See all 11 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Egg Shaped Fred (Alternate Version) | |||
| 2. Ski Jump Nose | |||
| 3. Lemonade Secret Drinker | |||
| 4. Thief (Includes 'Secret Track') | |||
| 5. Take It Easy Chicken | |||
| 6. Drastic Sturgeon | |||
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See all 20 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 3 | |||
| 1. She Makes My Nose Bleed (Acoustic) | |||
| 2. The Holy Blood And The Holy Grail | |||
| 3. Live Open Space | |||
| 4. Drastic Sturgeon (Live) | |||
| 5. Grey Lantern | |||
| 6. Impending Collapse Of It All | |||
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See all 18 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
Review
The second wave of Britpop introduced various bands of dubious merit–Rialto, Symposium, the truly wretched Gay Dad–but Mansun were one of its genuine successes.
They were a rum bunch, though: Chester lads with a thing for the more cerebral end of post-punk (Magazine), a whole heap of Bowie and Prince and a disarming tendency to wander into the great proggy beyond. 1997 debut Attack of the Grey Lantern was even trumpeted as that most progressive of indulgences–the concept album. One in which singer Paul Draper, in the guise of superhero The Grey Lantern, exorcised the inhabitants of a small English village from their life of wanton depravity. It was all done with tongue firmly wedged in cheek of course, Mansun's opulent pop songs making merry with the likes of Penelope Cheapskate, Albert Taxloss, Dark Mavis and a lusty vicar with an S&M obsession.
The songs themselves were guitar-driven with a playful, experimental edge. The band's use of orchestral strings, ambient noise and sideways lyrics led to them becoming leading players in what the British music press somewhat unconvincingly called New Grave (alongside supposedly similar moodists Placebo and Radiohead). The Chad Who Loved Me has more than a hint of Ride's Leave Them All Behind, while Disgusting carries traces of late-80s Tears for Fears in its bold ambition. Draper could certainly write killer singles. Taxloss was a near-perfect conflation of The Beatles and the Stones, borrowing from Taxman and We Love You respectively. Wide Open Space was blissful pop with a soaring solo from guitarist Dominic Chad, soon adopted by the clubland massive thanks to Paul Oakenfold's dance remix.
This reissue includes two extra discs of alternative, acoustic and live takes. Take It Easy Chicken and Moronica are indicative of the Mansun's vivid spirit, as is Skin Up Pin Up, whereby they run amok like the snotty younger brothers of The Charlatans. The original album knocked Blur off the top bunk of the LP charts for a time, with Radiohead proclaiming it "a real musical achievement". Thirteen years on, you can still see their point. --Rob Hughes
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CD Description
Formed in 1995 by Paul Draper (vocals, guitars and piano), Mansun comprised of Dominic Chad (lead guitar, piano), Stove King (bass), and Andie Rathbone (drums).
Attack Of The Grey Lantern was the band's debut album produced by Mark Stent and Paul Draper. Originally released in 1997, amid a fanfare of media expectation, it spawned four hit singles "Stripper Vicar" (no. 19), "Wide Open Space" (no. 15), "She Makes My Nose Bleed" (no. 9) and "Taxlo$$" (no. 15). The album was a success, remaining in the UK album chart for 19 weeks and peaking at number one; knocking off Blur's self titled album in the process.
This three CD collector's edition consists of the original album remastered, with two bonus discs full of pre-album E.P.'s ("Take It Easy, Chicken", "Skin Up Pin Up"), alternative, acoustic and live versions; b-sides ("Rebel Without A Quilt", "Flourella", "The Duchess", and many more), and Draper's co-write with Magazine's Howard Devoto, "Everyone Must Win". Extensive sleeve notes written by the lead singer are also featured, as is a remix of "(I'm In A) Wide Open Space" by Greg Downey.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A must for any Mansun fan,
By
This review is from: Attack Of The Grey Lantern [3CD] (Audio CD)
I`ve been a Mansun fan for years now. Even though they ended years ago and on a bad note with an incredably weak album they still had a few fantastic years. This really does the first part of the Mansun story some justice. Every Mansun fan knows that their B-sides were just as good as the A-sides were, the only other band that i know of thats like that is Blur. The Paul Draper notes are a pleasent read and the booklet inside is nicely put together. The Re-mastering unfortuently isn`t that great but it didn`t really need it to be honest, I`m not even sure if the B-sides have been remastered? The acuoustic tracks are ok, but nothing amazing. But overall a really good package well worth getting just to remind yourself how good they really were when they were in control of their music. Interesting to see if they do this to Six.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Most to Gain,
By
This review is from: Attack Of The Grey Lantern [3CD] (Audio CD)
I've had this album on tape for many years and was looking for a good excuse to buy it on CD and this is a really great package! The original album, to those who don't already know, was a bit of a landmark in British indie music. From the sweeping string section on 'The Chad Who Loved Me' (a nod to James Bond and their lead guitarist) through the wonderful indie/Beatles/club music of 'Taxloss' it's an absorbing listen that intrigues and impresses at the same time as never taking itself too seriously (just listen to 'Egg Shaped Fred').
However, I imagine most will want to know if it's worth parting with a bit more money to get the two extra discs that come with this version. In short, yes it most certainly is. Mansun, as others have pointed out, knew their way around a quality b-side. The b-sides (EP tracks), like with many a great band, serve to show the bands musical progress. From the punky/cheeky 'Take It Easy Chicken' and the (almost) Oasis sounding 'Ski Jump Nose' to the shimmering guitars and paranoia present on 'Things Keep Falling Off Buildings'- Mansun knew what they were doin'. Paul Draper describes 'Flourella' as "Led Zeppelin with loops. Led Zooplin" in the liner notes, which comes close to describing the unhinged genius of this track. Paul also reveals that he swore never to write a love song (spare from the obvious- 'Mansuns Only Love Song') so the songs topics/lyrics are always interesting. Personal favourite 'No One Knows Us' seems to be about an imaginary friend called Scruffy ("Me and Scruffy , we float above the crowd. Scuffy's birthday, balloons are all around"). Another highlight is the track they co-wrote with Howard Devoto of Magazine, the drunken, propulsive 'Everyone Must Win'. Oh, and 'Closed For Business' and 'The Worlds Still Open', both from the same EP, are just awesome- huge, Bowie-esque pop songs! The acoustic versions scattered through the two bonus discs are also pretty great and in the case of 'The Impending Collapse Of It All' surpass the original... Mansun went on to release the insanely brilliant 'Six' album (which is pretty different from '...Lantern' but well worth a look!), followed by the strangely under-par 'Little Kix' then called it a day- a fantastically underrated band (even though this album did go to the number one spot back in the day!). Smashing stuff! If you like fellow outsiders Magazine and The Teardrop Explodes and aren't familiar with Mansun then this is an ideal introduction...
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
superb package,
By jane holiday (uk) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Attack Of The Grey Lantern [3CD] (Audio CD)
Brilliant cd package from Mansun. I have all these recordings but spread over tapes, 7" and single CD's. These cd's are destined for the car so that I can play them continually. Insightful and interesting notes by Paul Draper make this a great addition to my Mansun collection. Amazon always delivers with efficiency so I was never worried about a prompt delivery.
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