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Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. Don't You Love Me No More? |
| 2. Old |
| 3. What You Doin' With Me? |
| 4. It's Called A Heart |
| 5. Grey's The New Blonde |
| 6. He Ain't Good Enough For You |
| 7. The Idiot |
| 8. The Sacred Scrolls Of Pop |
| 9. Did I Fight In The Punk Wars For This? |
| 10. No To The Logo |
| 11. It's What You Leave Behind |
| 12. Goodbye Mr. Lee (...And Thanks) |
Product Description
Album Description
Don't You Love Me No More? is the lead track and is a song that anyone whose ever slaved their hearts out for the corporate machine, only to be given a big fat kick in the teeth, will find is their new anthem. Elsewhere you'll hear a beautifully ragged Nashville-influenced backing to more biting wit and wisdom on all manner of subjects close to our hearts like Grey's the New Blonde, Old and - tackling the changing face of `the biz' - Did I Fight in The Punk Wars For This? and The Sacred Scrolls of Pop. But is this music for grumpy old men? "No!" Henry disagrees, "I'm just trying to write scruffy pop songs of pith, wit and poignancy...with the emphasis on scruffy," (referring to the fact that he played almost everything on the album himself).
In September 2007 meets song-writer Tom Gilbert....armed with inspiration from the Rough Trade "Songwriter" series, & a boxset of The Kinks first 10 albums, and abiding by the "Nashville rules" of 3 hour writing sessions for each song, the duo come up with "Old" and "Did I Fight in the Punk Wars for This?" and Henry is bullied by Tom into singing for the first time since 1981, whence they realise they have (much more by accident than by design) created something a bit special....more writing sessions follow ...the songs just flow out...11 songs in 5 sessions, .including " Grey's the New Blonde", "The Sacred Scrolls of Pop" and "r.e.d.u.n.d.a.n.t (Don't you love me no more)"....
Produced, recorded and performed almost entirely by Henry in his home studio (with odd guest performances from friends who can really play, sent over the `net) the album has very much been done with a D.I.Y ethic (1977?), songs being thrown down with more attention to feel & honesty than technical ability & perfection.
About the Artist
After 30 years in the music business - and with a credit list longer than both your arms - Henry Priestman is finally releasing his debut solo album! The Chronicles of Modern Life is the sound of a man who's seen the music world explode from punk (he supported the Sex Pistols in 1977) through to pop (three million albums with The Christians; a top five single for Mark Owen) through to the digital age (soundtracks for James Bond/Xbox; sessions with Sarah Cracknell and Ricky Maymi of Brian Jonestown Massacre) and still has something worth singing about.
Henry Priestman's "got form," his "previous" including Yachts (described in Gene Sculatti's The Catalog of Cool as "Cole Porter Punk"!), Bette Bright (alongside Glen Matlock and Suggs), It's Immaterial, The Christians (writing all songs on their 1987 triple-platinum debut), sharing a mic and a number one single with Paul McCartney. To say nothing of a roll call of sessions for fellow North West luminaries including Lightening Seeds, Johnny Marr, Ian McCulloch, Pete Wylie, Ian McNabb and Echo & The Bunnymen, plus vocals on Jools Holland/Tom Jones' 2004 CD.
In the run up to this very long-awaited debut solo album, Henry recently played his debut solo gigs: in May he supported 10cc at London's 02 Arena and in July supported Jools Holland at the 10,000-seater Liverpool Echo Arena! Chronicles... is also a homecoming to Stiff Records who released Henry's first ever single - and his first ever composition - Suffice to Say by aforementioned indie pioneers Yachts more than 30 years ago. October 1977 to be precise! But don't let it make you feel old...
Stiff Records sign Henry as a solo artist (30 years after he last graced the label with Yachts), and the final piece of the jigsaw is now in place: "It feels like coming home"
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Does the world need another grumpy middle-aged man singing about how modern life is rubbish? When the songwriter is as good as Henry Priestman, the answer is definitely "Yes".
Priestman's ability to marry catchy tunes with savage but witty lyrics is in evidence right from opening track and first single "Don't You Love Me No More?" - with its singalong R-E-D-U-N-D-A-N-T chorus it may be the first great credit crunch song. In a similar vein are songs like "No to the Logo", "Did I fight in the Punk Wars for this?" and my personal favourite "It's called a Heart", a stinging attack on management-speak.
But apart from the cynicism is a strong romantic thread, typified by songs like "Grey is the New Blonde" and "What You Doin' with Me?". And for all old New Wave fans (if that's not a contradiction) is a hidden reworking of "Suffice To Say".
Comparisons are often odious, but if you're a fan of Ray Davies, Nick Lowe, The Beautiful South or Edwyn Collins you'll find much to enjoy here.
Priestman's ability to marry catchy tunes with savage but witty lyrics is in evidence right from opening track and first single "Don't You Love Me No More?" - with its singalong R-E-D-U-N-D-A-N-T chorus it may be the first great credit crunch song. In a similar vein are songs like "No to the Logo", "Did I fight in the Punk Wars for this?" and my personal favourite "It's called a Heart", a stinging attack on management-speak.
But apart from the cynicism is a strong romantic thread, typified by songs like "Grey is the New Blonde" and "What You Doin' with Me?". And for all old New Wave fans (if that's not a contradiction) is a hidden reworking of "Suffice To Say".
Comparisons are often odious, but if you're a fan of Ray Davies, Nick Lowe, The Beautiful South or Edwyn Collins you'll find much to enjoy here.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this album a few days ago and haven't been able to stop playing it. Seriously. I have a small pile of albums which I haven't listened to and yet I keep on deciding to repeat play Henry Priestman's album instead, it's that good. Like a songwriting cross between Ray Davies and Malcolm Middleton with slightly Jaggeresque vocals, "The Chronicles Of Modern Life" is a brilliantly written, captivating listen which comments on and, more than often, protests against all of the trappings of contemporary life, such as redundancy (Don't You Love Me No More), getting old (Old, Grey's The New Blonde), relationships (What You Doin' With Me, He Ain't Good Enough For You) and corporate, homogenous life (No To The Logo, It's Called A Heart). Although the lyrical theme of this release is slightly world weary and cynical, the subjects are tackled with humour, wit and a knowing wisdom, so it is never anything other than an uplifting and yet bittersweet listen. The music is excellent as well, each toe-tapping song having a brilliant melodic hook and the style being indie/alternative rock with a slight country edge from time to time.
Born in 1955 in Hull, Priestman has been in the music business since the late 70's and has worked as a session musician, songwriter and record producer for other artists as well as being a member of The Christians, so it is fair to say that his debut album has been a long time coming, but it has been well worth waiting for. This is virtually a one-man album, with Henry playing all of the instruments himself, with a few exceptions on selected tracks and, with its warm, accessible feel, is a real joy to listen to from beginning to end. Although I'm sure that anybody could derive great enjoyment from this album, I think it will strike a chord with the over-30s and those with experience of many of the ups and downs life can dish out. It will also especially appeal to those with a bit of an anti-establishment attitude, with numerous caustic observations about the sheep who follow the flock.
Henry Priestman, together with his co-writer Tom Gilbert, has made an exceptional album and, without a doubt, one of the best you will hear this year. I only hope that we won't have to wait another thirty years for a follow-up! Highly recommended.
Born in 1955 in Hull, Priestman has been in the music business since the late 70's and has worked as a session musician, songwriter and record producer for other artists as well as being a member of The Christians, so it is fair to say that his debut album has been a long time coming, but it has been well worth waiting for. This is virtually a one-man album, with Henry playing all of the instruments himself, with a few exceptions on selected tracks and, with its warm, accessible feel, is a real joy to listen to from beginning to end. Although I'm sure that anybody could derive great enjoyment from this album, I think it will strike a chord with the over-30s and those with experience of many of the ups and downs life can dish out. It will also especially appeal to those with a bit of an anti-establishment attitude, with numerous caustic observations about the sheep who follow the flock.
Henry Priestman, together with his co-writer Tom Gilbert, has made an exceptional album and, without a doubt, one of the best you will hear this year. I only hope that we won't have to wait another thirty years for a follow-up! Highly recommended.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The Chronicles Of Modern Life
My wife gave me this amazing CD for my birthday. Henry Priestman is new to me and I wasn't sure what to expect. The tracks are so meaningful, Henry must have been inside my head when he wrote them. It's now a favourite for listening to in the car. I can't recommend this CD more highly and have told my wife she can choose all my new music from now on.
My wife gave me this amazing CD for my birthday. Henry Priestman is new to me and I wasn't sure what to expect. The tracks are so meaningful, Henry must have been inside my head when he wrote them. It's now a favourite for listening to in the car. I can't recommend this CD more highly and have told my wife she can choose all my new music from now on.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not the Real Thing...
BEWARE, this CD is not the real thing, not the same as the original CD, of the same name, also by Henry priestman. BIG DISAPPOINTMENT. Read more
Published 15 months ago by NC Books
Lyrical genius!
Saw the man himself in Hebden Bridge last Saturday and bought the album there and it's been on my car CD player ever since. Read more
Published on 20 April 2010 by A. Booth
Pure Brilliance
Whilst living in Liverpool a few years ago we used to play football with lads out of the Christians and Echo and the Bunnymen. Read more
Published on 25 Oct 2009 by M. R. Leech
A Classic!!
Sort of Ray Davies meets Nick Lowe meets Neil Hannon meets Donovan meets your favourite British Songwriter. Read more
Published on 30 Aug 2009 by Gadgeteer
The Chronicles of Modern Life
As per the other reviews here this is a really good CD. I love it.
Published on 9 July 2009 by Michael OReilly
Thought provoking Priestman
This is one of the most thought provoking albums i've heard in years. the musicianship is top drawer and the songs make me feel good because i know there is someone out there who... Read more
Published on 5 July 2009 by S. A. Yendell
Absolutely Brilliant
I bought this album about 6 weeks ago after hearing one song on the radio. It's one of the best albums I have ever bought. I can't recommend it enough. Read more
Published on 5 Jun 2009 by H. Smith
Chronicles of life
We bought this Album after hearing a track on radio 2. We were amazed at the bitterness the writer seems to feel about life. Read more
Published on 16 May 2009 by L. Buckner
Superb
Brilliant lyrics with a balance of satire and pathos. Of great appeal to those of us who can still hack it but are becoming a bit frayed round the edges. Read more
Published on 13 May 2009 by John Meadows
A reflection of our times
A brilliant CD by a singer 'discovered' at the age of 54; with a balding head and a John Lennon cap he is uncomfortable with his new found fame. Read more
Published on 13 May 2009 by Brian Parsons
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