A Walk Across the Rooftops is really cool. I think "Stay" was my favorite track, along with the first two. The production really does sound modern, except for that very '80s snare reverb. I love how the bass drives the more upbeat songs especially. I was not at all surprised to read that they were a big influence on The 1975.
I love this record and somedays prefer it to Hats, but they're both knockouts. The bass tone in the title track is so gnarly. This band always kind of sounds like proto-Arcade Fire to me in the best possible way, like if that band was way more into lowkey new-wave adjacent stuff than grandiose indie rock. I also feel like A Walk Across the Rooftops is the daytime record to Hats' night.
Second time round on Hats now, ive come back for The Downtown Lights. What an ending! Im surprised all the girls i dated who loved the smiths didnt show me this.
Crazy how much life they extract out of each instrument on this Blue Nile record. Excellent production. Going to take it for a drive tomorrow to see if I can click with the songs a little more.
I listened to A Walk Across the Rooftops yesterday. Echoing others who have said this sounds like an album that could've been made today. Really enjoyed their sound, especially the prominent bass. The vocalist's delivery (and really the performance of the whole band) feels so confident, it's hard to believe this is a debut record. It sounds like something a road-worn band would put out in the mid-to-late stages of their career. I can definitely hear how this band influenced those who came after. "Tinseltown" was a clear standout, but I also really dug "Stay," "Heatwave," and "Automobile Noise." Great record!
this thread is so great because it’s exposing us all to music we might never had heard without it. I can’t say how much I appreciate that. thanks for making this thread, @Aaron Mook
so glad folks are enjoying it! let's give @cshadows2887 the rest of the day if we don't have something by tomorrow, we can move right down the line!
I’m going to go with one of my pet recommendations I’ve been trying to get people to listen to for years: Smokey Robinson and The Miracles - What Love Has…Joined Together Maybe the most lushly romantic album I’ve ever heard. Just blissful as hell
been following this thread. i really loved the blue nile album. can't believe i've never listened to them before!
Also thanks Spo for picking Blue Nile. When I took it off the shelf, it had dust on it and I was embarrassed
Oh extra note: The album ends with “And I Love Her”. On Spotify there are two bonus tracks that aren’t labeled as such.