In my humble opinion Rattlesnakes is one of the truly great albums of the last 30 years or so. I still remember the first time I heard that wonderful guitar solo on Forest Fire and feeling one of those wow moments you get when you know you have heard something special. The music on the album is beautifully arranged with some outstanding melodies alongside Cole's unique literary style of songwriting. The album was not scared to wear its heart on its sleeve with the influence of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Lou Reed throughout while still sounding contemporary alongside their musical peers such as The Smiths. There is always an element of self-mocking wit amongst Cole's smart, observational lyrics which elevate his songwriting to the top tier. Rattlesnakes represents the best of Lloyd Cole from the divine opener, Perfect Skin to the sublime album closer, Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken? It is a masterpiece of clever, ironic lyrics with some tremendous interplay between a band that had barely been together for 2 years.
I once saw the album described as a companion piece to Blood On The Tracks and that is not too far from the mark. Lloyd Cole has released some wonderful music over the last 30 years but Rattlesnakes is still for me his finest hour and still sounds fresh and contains some of my favourite lyrical couplets.
She's got cheekbones like geometry and eyes like sin
And she's sexually enlightened by cosmopolitan
I believe in love, I'll believe in anything
that's gonna get me what I want and get me off my knees
then we'll burn your house down, don't it feel so good
there's a forest fire every time we get together
Oh must you tell me all your secrets,
When it's hard enough to love you knowing nothing?
You must be reading my mind ... only last night I was listening toRattlesnakes and also Present Arms. All the right boxes being ticked mate!!
ReplyDeletealso on the old ipod this week.... Blancmange (new lp), cornershop, new lucinda williams a stunner and those dancing days.
Keepon keepin on!
I was 15 when Rattlesnakes came out, it was a big album for me in my musical education and still sounds as good today. Present Arms and Signing Off are easily two of the best reggae albums around. Looking forward to the Lucinda Williams album, from what I've read it sounds like a major return to form.
ReplyDeleteA great moment in a great career. One of our most underrated songwriters. Nice article.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anon.
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