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Product Description
CD Description
Hard to believe now, but Teenage Fanclub first attracted critical attention for a record far removed from the sparkling power pop on which their fame largely rests â with its gloriously sloppy and sludgy sound, their debut album A Catholic Education instead prefigures the emergence of grunge, its viscous melodies and squalling guitars owing far more to Neil Young than Big Star. With not one but two songs dubbed "Heavy Metal," it's pretty obvious where A Catholic Education is coming from; the title track (also here in duplicate) is a surprisingly snarky attack on the church (at least for a band not exactly renowned for its political agenda), while the great "Everybody's Fool" is a merciless scenester put-down without any of the gentle sarcasm that characterizes similarly themed efforts like Bandwagonesque's "Metal Baby." Regardless, for all its glaring differences in attitude and approach, there's no mistaking the effortless melodicism that remains the hallmark of all Teenage Fanclub records â in particular, the opening "Everything Flows," for all its meandering abrasiveness, is still as good as anything the band ever recorded, and that's saying something.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
On the one hand it is shocking that Teenage Fanclub have never been a commercial hit, but then again there are not many Scottish guitar bands who can lay claim to releasing more than 5 albums. Here lies the enigma that is Teenage Fanclub. The legacy they will leave behind contains moments of melody as pure as you will ever here - and yet they have stuck doggedly to a sound and style which has cemented them as 'also - rans' commercially.
A Catholic Education is in many ways a seminal album as it was the first time the band managed to tame the raw guitar sound of their first work with the harmonies which have become their trademark. The album bursts out of the stereo and continues at a roaring pace. The production is un-polished but you can see the crystals of songwriting talent which would emerge in their next, and most well known album, bandwagonesque.
For all your Fannies out there, and you either are you arent!, a Catholic Education is the missing piece of the jigsaw. The album is a rough diamond of potential and promise. It is the 'talent spotters' Teenage Fanclub album. This where they were allowed to experiment, make mistakes and eventuall hit on the formula which would shape the sound for the next decade.
This album will take you back as well as forward, and after a few listens your education will be complete.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
There are many who would have this as a stepping stone to future greatness, but for me Teenage Fanclub were already there. The rough-hewn guitar sound and comparatively primitive mix gives the songs edge and mystery. There is less attempt to emulate their heroes and more focus on feel and energy. But the greatest plus is the songs. With the greatest respect to Messrs. Love and McGinlay, both fine songwriters, it's no coincidence that this great recording is also mainly comprised of songs written by Norman Blake (or, as he's mysteriously credited, 'Morman Blake'), one of the greatest word/tunesmiths of this or any era.The title track fizzes along in both incarnations like a firework whilst 'Everything Flows' possesses one of the most beautiful choruses ever written. To conclude this album you get one of the most joyously vitriolic putdown songs ever, 'Everybody's Fool', with the unrepeatable chorus. Some might argue you should go for another title if you're new to Teenage Fanclub, but I disagree; this superb record contains the very essence of the group and as such is a worthwhile purchase whether you're a fan, a novice or, as Dave Nice would say, just love guitar-based rock in general. Let us rock.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Jesus Christ - I cant believe theres only 3 reviews of this album and the last one was 5+ years ago.
Everything Flows - feel the infinite beauty of it.
Eternal Light - possibly the best guitar solo of all time.
The rest is better than great but if thats not enough for you dont buy it.
Its your loss.
Speechless.
Everything Flows - feel the infinite beauty of it.
Eternal Light - possibly the best guitar solo of all time.
The rest is better than great but if thats not enough for you dont buy it.
Its your loss.
Speechless.
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