Interactive Poll: Whatever Floats Your Boat

George:  Gillan & Glover “Clouds & Rain”  Starts with some rain and thunder sounds, then keys enter and Ian goes right into the vocal.  Guitar and bass and some choir-y vocals behind the verses.  Really clear and clean production here.  Love the way the bass and guitar work together also.  Synthy lead supplied by Mr. Glover.  Nice song, would suit very well in concert for contrast to their more rocking styles.  Mark Eitzel “Southend on Sea”  Drums, guitar and horns begin this one, with syncopated timing.  Vocalist is a bit sing-songy/talky, not a problem for me, just a description.  Good storytelling of sitting by the promenade and watching everyone go by and at the same time examining a flailing (yes flailing) relationship.

Lewian:  Mice Parade “Waterslide”  Ooooooh, pretty tinkly-sparkly sounds start the piece and some really juxtaposing guitar lines as pretty complex drums find their way in the door.  Vibes are added, this all works extremely well, building with a choral sort of vocal line with lots of effect on it.  Some thundery sounds and whirring almost accordion sounds mix in with the vibes accenting here and there.  Guitars stand alone and it gets a little drone-ish, adding in strumming raga-ish guitar, too.  Stops abruptly, with footsteps leaving the aural room.  Thomas Dolby “One of Our Submarines”  Electronic whale/underwater songs begin this one with sonic whoops and bubbles.  Then the full 80s drum sound and lots of keyboard weee-aaaaaa-eeee-weees.  Very clear vocals here, with that sort of detached 80’s sound.  Harmonizing vocally with the guitarist, watery-warbly lead effects on the guitar.  I like the feeling it evokes in me, it’s very space-sounding, which also makes me think of deep ocean, another place we know so little about in comparison with what there appears to be to learn yet.