Nightingales - Out Of True
by Jon Rogers
published: 30 / 9 / 2006
Label:
Iron Man Records
Format: CD
intro
Angst-ridden, but disappointing first new album in over 20 years from Birmingham post-punks, the Nightingales
To be a fan of Birmingham’s the Nightingales you have to have the patience of a saint. It was 20 years since the band last released an album. Twenty years! Christ, many a band has split up and reformed in that time. Even communism was just about alive and kicking then and New Labour hadn’t even been thought up. My Bloody Valentine was more productive than that. The big question though is was it worth the wait? The answer undoubtedly is no. 'Out of True' sounds little more than a collection of outtakes and B-sides that didn’t deserve to be taken out of the vaults. Back in their day, Robert Lloyd and company epitomised the state of independence that had arisen in the post-punk milieu.and took their cue from the likes of Pere Ubu and Magazine. Much of it was, effectively “antipop” and mined a similar area to the Fall. While Mark E Smith catalogued life in Manchester, the Nightingales did a similar thing with Birmingham. And they’re still doing it 20 years later. Now, though, all that post-punk angst just looks rather silly coming from balding, middle-aged men. They rail against the corporate ethos in 'Company Man' but they look they’ve spent the last 20 years studying spreadsheet and profit and loss accounts much more than chord sequences. The real problem is that this album not only could have been made 20 years ago but should have. The Nightingales haven’t moved on since 'Hysterics' was released in 1983. There is was glimmer of hope though. The Raincoats’ Gina Birch joins the band to duet on the wonderful 'Black Country' which is all laid-back and blissed-out as it meanders along. One out of fourteen though isn’t a good track record.
Track Listing:-
1 Born Again In Birmingham2 The Chorus Is The Title
3 Carry On Up The Ante
4 Hard Up (Buffering 87% Completed)
5 Taking Away The Stigma Of Free School Dinners
6 Company Man
7 Uk Randy Mom Epidemic
8 Fifty Fifty
9 Lets Think About Living
10 Black Country
11 Good Boy
12 Workshy Wonderkind
13 Rocket Pool Via Rough Hills
14 There's A New World Just Opening For Me
Band Links:-
http://thenightingales.org.uk/https://www.facebook.com/thenightingalesuk
https://twitter.com/_nightingales
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nightingales
Have a Listen:-
interviews |
Interview (2012) |
John Clarkson speaks to Robert Lloyd of Birmingham-based punk/alternative band The Nightingales about their recently released latest album 'No Love Lost' |
photography |
Photoscapes (2014) |
Bill Gray takes photographs of Birmingham-based punk/alternative band the Nightingales at a show in Glasgow |
soundcloud
reviews |
Become Not Becoming (2017) |
Abrasive but adventurous new 10-inch vinyl EP from Birmingham post-punk act the Nightingales |
Mind Over Matter (2015) |
For Fuck’s Sake (2014) |
No Love Lost (2012) |
Insult to Injury (2009) |
Good Old Country Way (2005) |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Flaming Stars - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Kula Shaker - Natural MagickIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for Bread
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Inutili - A Love Supreme
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Ty Segall - Three Bells
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