Robyn Hitchcock - Element of Light

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by 1970, Jan 22, 2014.

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  1. 1970

    1970 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Oregon USA
    Vinyl:
    Glass Fish
    Relativity

    CD:
    Glass Fish
    Midnight
    Rhino
    Sequel
    Yep Roc


    Can we sort out the different pressings and discs? My Inner Collector wants them all. This morning I located the Glass Fish vinyl and to my surprise discovered I have no CD version. So I just ordered both the Glass Fish and Midnight CDs. But how do these compare to the others? And did I miss any in the above list?

    Thanks.


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  2. Guy E

    Guy E Senior Member

    Location:
    Antalya, Turkey
    Arguably his very finest album, but who's keeping score?

    I have the original Glass Fish vinyl and three of the CD versions; Midnight (I think), Rhino and YepRoc. There are worthwhile bonus tracks; The Black Crow Knows, The Crawling, The Leopard, Tell Me About Your Drugs and others.

    The Rhino and YepRoc discs are fairly "loud" but I wasn't tuned-into The Loudness Wars when I bought the Rhino and it didn't bother me too much. I haven't listened to the YepRoc with much focus... it was part of the box set.

    I dearly love this album.
     
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  3. Guy E

    Guy E Senior Member

    Location:
    Antalya, Turkey
    I haven't re-synced my iPod since August when our main PC crashed and I've been taking a self-imposed break from interactive digital music hobbying. But right before that happened I uploaded most of Robyn Hitchcock's music and I've been enjoying it a lot.

    There have been multiple reissues of his catalog through the years. I suspect that the Glass Fish and Midnight CD's you ordered will sound very similar; later versions will be louder and brighter. When I was futzing with his music on iTunes I was frustrated by the output levels and varying SQ when trying to marry earlier digital masters with bonus tracks from later CD's.
     
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  4. 1970

    1970 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Oregon USA
    Yes, as far as CDs, I thought it best to at least start out with the earlier versions, if not just stick with them entirely. I personally don't care for "louder/brighter." That incites my tinnitus! :laugh:

    I wonder if the Relativity vinyl differs greatly from the Glass Fish. That would be good to know.

    .
     
  5. EasterEverywhere

    EasterEverywhere Forum Resident

    Location:
    Albuquerque
    One of his best,but I had no idea there were so many different pressings.Original US Relativity was always good enough for me.
     
  6. Squealy

    Squealy Forum Hall Of Fame

    Location:
    Vancouver
    I didn't realize there were so many covers!

    Which cover goes with which release(s)?
     
  7. eeglug

    eeglug Senior Member

    Location:
    Chicago, IL, USA
    FWIW, I have the Glass Fish cd (DR14) and it's decent sounding to me (although I have no other version to compare to). The cover is the one on the far right.
     
  8. Craig Torso

    Craig Torso Active Member

    Location:
    Kettering,OH
    There is also a Yep Roc vinyl pressing. It sounds comparable with the Relativity pressing, though perhaps a bit brighter.
     
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  9. Pavol Stromcek

    Pavol Stromcek Senior Member

    Location:
    SF Bay Area
    I wasn't aware of the multiple covers either. I've always had the Relativity, and it sounds fine to me. I agree that it's one of Hitchcock's very best albums.
     
  10. dlemaudit

    dlemaudit Forum Resident

    Location:
    France, Paris area
    i have the original Glass Fish LP and accompanying Maxi single ( with the great Tell me about your drugs ) and the Yep Roc cd
    its a fantastic album but still , " Fegmania " remains my favorite Robyn's album
     
  11. HiFi Guy 008

    HiFi Guy 008 Forum Resident

    Location:
    New England
    I've got the Yep Roc cd remaster. Sounds ok to me. Comes in one of those mini lp sleeves, with no inner cd sleeve, but a cool booklet.

    I prefer Fegmania! also. Especially the song My Wife And My Dead Wife. Not as morbid or nasty as it sounds.

    I saw Robin in a film recently. I think it was on PBS, about a girl just getting out of rehab as her sister is getting married.
    Rachael Getting Married. Starring Anne Hathaway.
    The family hires Robin to play at the reception.
    Pretty cool.
     
  12. HiFi Guy 008

    HiFi Guy 008 Forum Resident

    Location:
    New England
    Bumping this thread.
    So what are some favorites from Element of Light?
     
  13. bRETT

    bRETT Senior Member

    Location:
    Boston MA
    "Somewhere Apart" is the classic of this album.
     
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  14. HiFi Guy 008

    HiFi Guy 008 Forum Resident

    Location:
    New England
    Thanks, I'm going to play this tonight so I'm looking for more opinions.
     
  15. Ben Adams

    Ben Adams Forum Resident

    Location:
    Phoenix, AZ, USA
    "Bass," "Lady Waters and the Hooded One."
     
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  16. mshare

    mshare Forum Resident

  17. Dok

    Dok Senior Member

    Seconded, though all of it is great
     
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  18. HiFi Guy 008

    HiFi Guy 008 Forum Resident

    Location:
    New England
    Thanks for all these excellent posts.

    I'm at Somewhere Apart. Sounds very Lennon.

    Just curious - what do you think about Ted, Woody and Junior?
    I didn't get it at first. I like it - I've never heard a song about this. Way before his time. Is Robin bi?

    Oh, and I remember a dj playing this on the radio. He was very coy about it.

    Reading these posts has helped me get into this cd. Up to Bass now. I recognize it. It was played on the radio back in the 80's. I'm really enjoying it.

    More opinions please.
     
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2014
  19. AlienRendel

    AlienRendel Senior Member

    Location:
    Chicago, il
    I think "Airscape" is Robyn's most beautiful song.
     
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  20. 1970

    1970 Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Oregon USA
    Every song on this album is an absolute gem. To me a real turning point for Hitchcock. Look what followed after Element of Light: Globe Of Frogs, Queen Elvis, Eye, Perspex Island. I'm a fan of Robyn's entire output, but that run of albums alone is a force of nature.

    The Glass Fish CD does sound great, by the way. Better than I had hoped.

    .
     
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  21. bRETT

    bRETT Senior Member

    Location:
    Boston MA
    Doubt it, he's always had female partners. Think he just wanted to write a supportive song in a quirky Robyn way.
     
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  22. Mister Keith

    Mister Keith Chillin'

    If you were a priest, winchester, bass, airscape, raymond chandler evening are the highlights for me. My thoughts turn to this album on a cool spring day. Dunno why.
     
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  23. HiFi Guy 008

    HiFi Guy 008 Forum Resident

    Location:
    New England
    Yes.
     
  24. Kubricker

    Kubricker Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow…

    Location:
    Atlanta
    He's been in a few of Jonathan Demme's films since STOREFRONT HITCHCOCK.
     
  25. Pavol Stromcek

    Pavol Stromcek Senior Member

    Location:
    SF Bay Area
    :righton:
     
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