Tom Verlaine - Profile
by Jon Rogers
published: 16 / 4 / 2006

intro
After a 14 year absence from recording former Television frontman Tom Verlaine has released two albums at once, 'Songs and Other Things' and 'Around'. Jon Rogers examines both CDs
Typical. You wait 14-years for a new Tom Verlaine album to turn up when, just like buses, two come along at the same time. The last time the former frontman of acclaimed New York punk outfit Television released an album was back in 1992 with his entirely instrumental 'Warm and Cool' and the last time he committed vocals to a record was 1990's 'The Wonder'. While there's little here on both albums that stands up in the face of 'Marquee Moon' (admittedly very few albums do) it's warming to have Verlaine back and on remarkable form - even if at times things get a little messy. On tracks like 'The Earth Is in the Sky' and 'Heavenly Charm' on 'Songs and Other Things' Verlaine's brittle but robust vocals accompany some wonderous guitar touches that hark back to Television classics such as 'Venus de Milo'. Here he makes the songwriting process seem so effortless and simple. What made Verlaine stand out from his peers was his actual ability and desire to actually play his guitar and on songs like '"The Day On You', 'Orbit' and 'Nice Actress' that ability is on full display. At times though it all goes out of focus. 'Shingaling' is little more than an idea scribbled on a napkin and in need of working up into something more substantial. The instrumental album 'Around' ploughs a similar field to the previous 'Warm and Cool'. Here the mood, for most of the time, is more subdued and reflective than 'Songs and Other Things' and gives full expression to Verlaine's intricate guitar playing. The setting starts off with the meditative 'The O of Adore' an ambient, cinematic piece as if watching the sun rise in an Arizona desert. And while the overall element of tranquillity is there, there's also the hint throughout of some disturbing Lynchian darkness coming up just around the corner. And there's a bash at some Caribbean calypso on 'Meteor Beach'. The ties with Verlaine's past with Television and that band's role in the CBGB's scene is still present. Television bassist Fred Smith and drummer Billy Ficca lend hand across both albums while Patti Smith's drummer Jay Dee Daugherty helps out on 'Songs and Other Things'. Unfortunately, there's no sight of Richard Lloyd.
Band Links:-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_VerlainePicture Gallery:-


features |
Ten Songs That Made Me Love... (2023) |
![]() |
In ‘Ten Songs That Made Me Love…’ Mark Rowland reflects on his favourite ten songs by Tom Verlaine with Television and in his solo work. |
most viewed articles
current edition
Spear Of Destiny - InterviewRobert Forster - Interview
Fiona Hutchings - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Carl Ewens - David Bowie 1964 to 1982 On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Brian Wilson - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Chris Wade - Interview
Pistol Daisys - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Credits - ARC, Liverpool, 17/5.2025
Nils Petter Molvaer - El Molino, Barcelona, 24/4/2025
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBarrie Barlow - Interview
Boomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
Manic Street Preachers - (Gig of a Lifetime) Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, December 1999
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Serge Gainsbourg - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
most viewed reviews
current edition
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a CircleGarbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Vinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Little Simz - Lotus
John McKay - Sixes and #Sevens
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
HAIM - I Quit
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
Eddie Chacon - Lay Low
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart