Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
Rattlesnakes
(Polydor, 1984)
(Polydor, 1984)
As literate as Morrissey, but with a rock sound influenced by American groups like Love, the Byrds and the (obligatory) later Velvet's and early solo Lou, 'Rattlesnakes', the debut by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions still sounds fresh. Cole formed the band whilst studying English Lit. and Philosophy at the University of Glasgow, and he wasn't afraid to show his book smarts in his lyrics, causing some derision from critics at the time who felt it was just "name dropping", but fuck that... Cole's lyrical "name drops" are incredibly evocative, allowing him to create complex believable characters with just a few deft turns of phrase and cultural illusions, and much like Morrissey's lyrics, they provide a pretty good reading and viewing list for any suburban teenager looking for a way to connect to something a bit deeper and more emotionally resonant than their usual pop and rock diet ever could.
Rattlesnakes - Live, Top of the Pops (29-12-1984)
Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken - Live (11-03-1985)
and finally, the irresistible Traceyanne Campbell...
Camera Obscura 'Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken'
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