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Steel Notes Magazine diately . I feel like not saying what it closely resembles to surprise you but I ’ m doing an insightful review here so I guess I ’ ll keep talking . The Red Hot Chili Peppers ’ song “ Californication ” ( or its main riff ) is a pretty big rip of “ Elevation ”. No two ways about it . “ Marquee Moon ” was of course heavily inspirational and influential on Post-Punk / Alternative music and specifically on various individuals like R . E . M ’ s Michael Stipe , U2 ’ s The Edge , Echo & The Bunnymen ’ s Will Sergeant and Red Hot Chili Peppers ’ John Frusciante . Seems like Mr . Frusciante took that inspiration a little too far . But hey , I won ’ t hate him for it and won ’ t be a hypocrite as I love other “ rip-off ” songs . ( See Killing Joke ’ s “ Eighties ” vs . Nirvana ’ s “ Come As You Are ” and Laura Branigan ’ s “ Gloria ” vs . Pulp ’ s “ Disco 2000 ”)
“ Guiding Light ” is such a sweet and uplifting song and is “ Art ” music without out a doubt . Trust me , this is no lightweight affair . The intricate yet simple guitar and piano playing are just stunning and later in the track you can here some beautiful organ work . I can just effortlessly move my hands and fingers around to the song . ( Yes , I really do this ) Like the title track it features captivating and glittering guitar bits that are so ever exciting . I didn ’ t think vocal melodies and chord progressions could exist like this . Often underrated and overlooked , “ Guiding Light ” is certainly a highlight for me . " Torn Curtain " is a brilliant album closer . The slithering , almost tribal-like guitar riff of the main verse is so tantalizing . Then the chorus , where Tom Verlaine and backing members shout out words of pure anguish and sadness . “ Tears , Tears , Tears ” and “ years I ' ve seen before / tears I ' ve never shed ." I won ’ t blame you if you tear up even a little bit . Not just the vocalists , but the guitars sound like they themselves are crying out near the end of the track , letting out everything the band and its instruments have .
I ' ve often wondered the true meaning of this song . All over the album , Tom Verlaine likes to play around with lyrics , much like Bob Dylan before him . I will take a guess and say this is about his ( or someone else ’ s ) childhood . To me , it seems like Tom is talking about an abusive father towards his mother after perhaps they get into an argument . “ when beauty meets abuse ” In my mind I can literally picture a curtain being torn in a house where this abuse or fighting takes place . Very powerful stuff . Again , I ’ m not totally sure , but that is my interpretation . And when music AND lyrics are this incredible , it provides an amazing experience . Though not absolutely necessary , I usually think more highly of an album when its closer is an album highlight .
I feel the two weakest songs on here are “ Friction ” and “ Prove It ”. Their groove , personality and rhythm aren ’ t simply as strong , captivating , breathtaking and memorable as the other six . They still have impressive instrumental work of course and are certainly well above average and are absolutely worth your time . Remember I said weakest , not worst . Hell , I might be underrating them ! ( You thought I was going to really badmouth a song on here ?) In the end , what impresses me the most about this record is how calculated it is , yet it sounds so loose and “ human ”. How can a rock band of four guys ( along with help from mixers , engineers , and producers of course ) capture such brilliance , complexity and depth in a record and for lack of a better phrase , just flat out nail it ? Blows my mind every single time . I often wonder what REALLY draws me so much to this album outside of what I ’ ve already talked about . Like I ’ ve said , there are many cryptic lyrics , so more often than not , I ’ m not completely sure about the “ true ” meaning of the songs . To me , it gives off a strange atmosphere and conveys a weird and funny place that seems very inviting , in a place I want to live . ( but only after my lease is up on my apartment )
Their 1978 follow-up “ Adventure ” is kind of an oxymoron considering it saw them retreat from the personality and uniqueness of “ Marquee Moon ” in favor of something more conventional and less ambitious . It ’ s still a solid record , so give that a listen as well . So , how about it , why not take a stroll underneath the Marquee Moon ? This case is closed .
Record Rating : 10 / 10 1970s Album Rank : # 1 All-Time Album Rank : # 3
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