Backbone - 2nd impressions!

[I Ain't Complaining]

So, the album has been out almost 3 months! (Doesn't time fly)!

What do you think of it now? Have you listened to it a lot, are you still listening to it?

What do you not like/would you have preferred they'd done differently?

If it is Quo's last last album, how do you feel about BB being the last album? Would you like this lineup to do another album before they retire?

And finally, where does this album sit for you amongst all Quo's albums at this moment in time?

Or anything else you want to talk about in relation to Backbone....go for it!

[I Ain't Complaining]

I for one still love the album. I probably like it even more now than when it was first released. It is right up there with the best stuff the post 85 lineups have done, and as good or better (imo) than a lot of the 1977-84 albums. I'm still listening to it in the car most days.

Will comment in more depth later. I'm interested to hear what everyone else thinks. If you haven't given it a good chance yet....I recommend that you do.

[johns]

I like it more now than when I first played it.
I still play it regularly
There isn't really anything I don;t like on it apart from the start of Crazy, Crazy.
Possibly another song with Richie's vocals and also one with Rhino's or Andy's.
If it's the band's last then it is a fine ending to the Quo legacy.
I'd love another album by this line up.
I think in a couple of years time I'd be in a better position to place it in the all time list. However for now it's nudging my Top 5

[Isaac Ryan]

I have listened to it a lot, it's still in my car cd player.
Still not skipping any tracks, I would maybe have made it a 12 track album and included the brilliant Face The Music.
It would be a great last album but I for one would love there to be another.

[mortified]

I'm probably a little less enthusiastic than most on here about it. 

My second impression - or continuing impression - is that it is a good album but some way short of a great one. There isn't a track I don't like on it (including Crazy Crazy) but equally there isn't a stand-out unmissable song either, with only the first two tracks giving me that sense of anticipation and clamouring for more.  

I suppose I should be grateful. Not disliking a single track on an album would be good enough for me with any other artist. But this is isn't any other artist. This is Quo.

There are some outstanding moments within many of the individual songs but I find a lot of them long on catchiness but short on variety and substance. 

Just as an aside, I was watching that Prince Andrew interview the other day and immediately into my head popped I See You're In Some Trouble    And like many of the songs on this album at various times in the past couple of months, it's stayed there ever since. 

Maybe that's the whole point and I've missed it completely.

In terms of it's place in Quo's discography, it's sort of in the middle I think. Maybe round about the 12th to 15th mark. I'd have preferred slightly longer musical interludes here and there and probably some longer outros. But I'm old fashioned that way. I fully appreciate that's SO last millennium   

Do I want another one? Absolutely. Is it a fitting legacy to leave us with if it's their last? I'm much less certain about that. 

[snakelady]

For once I more or less agree with mortified apart from that first two songs line - I do love WFAW, LL and FTM. And yes, the songs have been going round in my head since I first heard them. I could try approach it from a logical POV - come up with reasons like lack of variety or more instrumental bits - only I'm not sure that's it.

It is a very good album no doubt, just not one I'd say I love. And music is about emotions, can't be explained really ..

I'm not sure either where I'd rank it among Quo albums.

Do I want more ? That's a resounding YESSS ! I always want more from this band, can't help it.
But about this legacy thing - I prefer not to think about a time when the band is no more .. Don't think a single album can be named their legacy anyway. That has to be their complete oeuvre - and they sure can be proud of that !

[johns]

Snakelady and Mortified would you say its a kind of Never To Late sort of album then? I've always thought that was a good solid Quo album without being an absolute classic.

[craydarr]

Will write a more detailed answer when I get chance, one question for me is:

Do you not think our opinions may change when we hear some of it live as well, Fran has said he wants to play 5 songs from the album. That may change our opinion on some songs.

[mortified]

Nov 21, 2019 9:45:08 GMT johns said:

Snakelady and Mortified would you say its a kind of Never To Late sort of album then? I've always thought that was a good solid Quo album without being an absolute classic.

There is a possible element of that. For me anyway. I thought at the time Never Too Late was a notch or two down from Just Supposin' but still a good album. I still think that. Like Backbone there's nothing particularly wrong with any of the songs and, like Backbone, there are a couple of blinders on it. 

Just my views, you understand. Many people will think differently. 

I appreciate it's analyse time again  because there's a new album and someone like Francis would simply say "look, enjoy it or don't but making comparisons is pointless". But that's what people do. Compare the present to the past, especially as the sun begins to set    We have numerous points of reference so we can.

I also think we're giving it a right good crack of the whip and letting it run rather than just saying it's the best/worst Quo album ever. But there is a general feeling of 'middling' in a lot of the comments about it. That it's good but it just lacks some indefinable spark. 

craydarr , having 5 new songs in the set probably won't change my opinion of it. I'm not sure how many of the tracks will fit in a live setting. Cut Me Some Slack is a given; it's got shake yer dandruff written all over it. The rest, how shall I put it, lend themselves a bit less to audience participation. Stand and listen material. 

[snakelady]

Nov 21, 2019 9:45:08 GMT johns said:

Snakelady and Mortified would you say its a kind of Never To Late sort of album then? I've always thought that was a good solid Quo album without being an absolute classic.

Nope, for me it's much better ! I'm one of those though, who think every album that followed WYW throughout the 80s was well below par and I never listen to any apart from Ain't Complaining. But that is something different - good, but not really Quo, if you know what I mean ? There's no difference for me either between line-ups .. drugs probably played a major role in the drop of quality in the 80s. Once Francis got his act together again we got RTYD - still one of my favourite Quo albums and yes, better than BB. 

craydarr - as one of those who've already heard two new songs live I can say I absolutely loved both ! Yes, the audience participation wasn't quite as good as during the rest, but that was to be expected. Most fans knew most lyrics from the rest of the tunes. It shouldn't discourage the band though - the performance was great and when the songs are allowed to stay, the audience is going to love them as well soon. Only yesterday did I watch a live version on yt and it had me stunned just how good the band was. Francis' singing was simply perfect, no different to the album. How many bands manage to perform live at such a high standard ? So bring on more new songs - they're a breath of fresh air !

And with the old ones, what about a bit of a rotation ( ) again ? Take out Rain, Softer Ride, Beginning Of The End .. and even ROLD and DD. Give us Paper Plane, 4500x (RTYD version), Dirty Water, even ASS&W .. instead and nobody's going to moan !

[mortified]

Nov 21, 2019 17:23:38 GMT snakelady said:

Nov 21, 2019 9:45:08 GMT johns said:

Snakelady and Mortified would you say its a kind of Never To Late sort of album then? I've always thought that was a good solid Quo album without being an absolute classic.

And with the old ones, what about a bit of a rotation ( ) again ? Take out Rain, Softer Ride, Beginning Of The End .. and even ROLD and DD. Give us Paper Plane, 4500x (RTYD version), Dirty Water, even ASS&W .. instead and nobody's going to moan !

I tend to agree with that. And the inclusion of April, Spring, Summer & Wednesdays would be rather marvellous. I thought it was the highlight of the FF set. But I don't suppose that'll happen. 

I'm pretty sure Rain and Down Down will remain in the set for ever more. Certainly the latter. 

But I guess this is all a different discussion that will no doubt gather pace towards the end of next year 

[dai]

I've stopped listening to it recently, I've had the new ELO one on Spotify for the last couple of weeks instead.
I hope there's another one in the band, they could definitely improve on BB even though it's pretty good imho.

[snakelady]

Ok, here's one comparison I can make:
I prefer We Talk Too Much over Backbone (although I still don't skip a song as opposed to two on WTTM)

[mortified]

Dec 1, 2019 6:44:24 GMT snakelady said:

Ok, here's one comparison I can make:
I prefer We Talk Too Much over Backbone (although I still don't skip a song as opposed to two on WTTM)

I'm sorry, but that's a criminal offence under some of the more strict regimes. My house being one of them. I'd have to put you out into the street   

[sutekh]

I've listened to Backbone a few times and my overall impression is that it is mediocre. It is in the same ballpark as the much maligned Thirsty Work for me. Melodic but one dimensional songs that lack rock feel and dynamics.

To me it is much more akin to a Francis Rossi solo record. Rather twee and irritating pop melodies and lyrics dominate with exceptions like CMSS. I was actually expecting something rockier than what it turned out to be.

For me, the litmus test is can I hear a song working well in the live context and this record is too bland in that respect.

[johns]

Dec 1, 2019 18:15:35 GMT sutekh said:

I've listened to Backbone a few times and my overall impression is that it is mediocre. It is in the same ballpark as the much maligned Thirsty Work for me. Melodic but one dimensional songs that lack rock feel and dynamics.

To me it is much more akin to a Francis Rossi solo record. Rather twee and irritating pop melodies and lyrics dominate with exceptions like CMSS. I was actually expecting something rockier than what it turned out to be.

For me, the litmus test is can I hear a song working well in the live context and this record is too bland in that respect.

We already know Liberty Lane and Cut Me Some Slack work live.

[snakelady]

Dec 1, 2019 20:02:20 GMT johns said:

Dec 1, 2019 18:15:35 GMT sutekh said:

I've listened to Backbone a few times and my overall impression is that it is mediocre. It is in the same ballpark as the much maligned Thirsty Work for me. Melodic but one dimensional songs that lack rock feel and dynamics.

To me it is much more akin to a Francis Rossi solo record. Rather twee and irritating pop melodies and lyrics dominate with exceptions like CMSS. I was actually expecting something rockier than what it turned out to be.

For me, the litmus test is can I hear a song working well in the live context and this record is too bland in that respect.

We already know Liberty Lane and Cut Me Some Slack work live.

They sure do ! Hadn't felt that excited and happy at a gig for a long time .. 

[Deleted]

I’m still loving the album and still play it most days.

I believe they should build on this and carry on for a while yet.

I’d be more than happy to hear as many of the songs live as possible, although that’s probably asking too much.

[mortified]

Dec 1, 2019 18:15:35 GMT sutekh said:

I've listened to Backbone a few times and my overall impression is that it is mediocre.... Melodic but one dimensional songs that lack rock feel and dynamics.

I wouldn't call it mediocre because I do like it but I agree that most of the songs are largely melodic and fairly one dimensional. Each track zips along and then heads quickly on to the next. Although every one is certainly catchy. If catchy's your thing. 

Personally, I think that's the direction of the band now in the 21st century. Limited though time may be. But it's miles better than Thirsty Work simply by virtue of the arrangement of each song.

I think the absence of Rick might actually be a factor, although I never thought it would be. It was certainly a factor with Thirsty Work in that his occasionally more brooding compositions weren't there to break up the lightness of the material that ended up being on offer. Even on Bula Quo, Rick's songs had a slightly harder, darker edge to them. We'll ignore Mystery Island and call it a generalisation 

It's a rock album but certainly more AOR than R&B. If we want to pigeon hole it 

[Deleted]

I do get the one dimensional thing, but it floats my boat.

[whoaskedyou]

Played it a few times now at home. I like it but I do think people have got a bit carried away. We must not forget with have been subjected to Bula and The Acoustic stuff prior to this so I think any form of half decent Quo after that would have been well received to be honest.

So let us go back to QPQ or Under The Influence or TPAOY etc..i am not sure it is any better than those in reality....all reasonable albums.

A slightly heavier Thirsty Work to my ears..no bad thing as I actually like Thirsty Work as a different new Quo trying not to be Old Quo at the time.

Would love to play it in the car on CD but due to hard times I am currently driving an old Nissan Primera 1996 which just has a tape player lol.

I think it would sound even better driving around but hey ho we cannot have everything in life.

Peace and Love to all plus a little bit of cutting of slack towards others as we head towards Christmas.

[snakelady]

Dec 5, 2019 15:33:24 GMT whoaskedyou said:

Played it a few times now at home. I like it but I do think people have got a bit carried away. We must not forget with have been subjected to Bula and The Acoustic stuff prior to this so I think any form of half decent Quo after that would have been well received to be honest.

So let us go back to QPQ or Under The Influence or TPAOY etc..i am not sure it is any better than those in reality....all reasonable albums.

A slightly heavier Thirsty Work to my ears..no bad thing as I actually like Thirsty Work as a different new Quo trying not to be Old Quo at the time.

Would love to play it in the car on CD but due to hard times I am currently driving an old Nissan Primera 1996 which just has a tape player lol.

I think it would sound even better driving around but hey ho we cannot have everything in life.

Peace and Love to all plus a little bit of cutting of slack towards others as we head towards Christmas.

Wow ! Wish I still had one ! (a tape player I mean, not the Nissan ) Still got most of my old cassettes from the mid-70s onwards but no player for them .

And yep, the anticipation may have played a role in the positive reactions Backbone received - and I do like Bula Quo and A1. We were just starved for a proper rock album though. Now can we have more and longer instrumental bits on the next one please - now that would be perfect.

Have three CDs in the car at the moment - Backbone, Andy's and Francis/Hannah's solo albums. While Andy's tunes just don't do anything for me, Backbone is great music to drive to and the album flies by, but for overall quality and diversity I prefer We Talk Too Much. 

[craydarr]

I still really like the album, but what I have done with this album as apposed to other new albums, it to deliberately play it a lot less and hopefully keep it fresh for me. It certainly stops me from skipping tracks.

I don’t think it’s the best thing they’ve ever done but it is a good album taking into account band members ages and the stage of their career they are in.

I would have preferred the production to be a little more rough round the edges, but then other albums also fit into that category.

[pressbutton]

I've got Backbone in my car currently, I play it from time to time but not all the time. I like to mix my drive time music up a bit, before Christmas I had a CD of excerpts from Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals, and played it in the car whilst a colleague and I were driving back from Godalming to Winchester. This included me (and her) singing along to Memory, Don't Cry for me Argentina, and others. I don't usually sing in the car when I have colleagues in it but this time I did!!!

[snakelady]

Jan 3, 2020 13:25:40 GMT pressbutton said:

I've got Backbone in my car currently, I play it from time to time but not all the time. I like to mix my drive time music up a bit, before Christmas I had a CD of excerpts from Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals, and played it in the car whilst a colleague and I were driving back from Godalming to Winchester. This included me (and her) singing along to Memory, Don't Cry for me Argentina, and others. I don't usually sing in the car when I have colleagues in it but this time I did!!!

Don't Cry for me Argentina is a lovely tune, but singing along to it is just impossible for me as my voice is much too deep for it.
I do sing along to Francis as I've got the exact same vocal range than him - although my keeping to melody or pitch is less than perfect shall we say   .
So I never sing along when strangers are present. The family has got to endure me though. I'm very good at remembering lyrics ! 

I still have Backbone in the car too, same as We Talk Too Much - I very seldom exchange the car CDs - and I still prefer the latter. Backbone just doesn't grab me the way it should though and I still don't know why that is .. Maybe time to replace it with something else ? Your talking about musicals makes me want to listen to Hair again.