Blue Aeroplanes-Jacket Hangs

[lexo30]

I never thought that the Blue Aeroplanes had the potential to be as big as U2, for the very simple reason that their vocalist couldn't or wouldn't sing. Most people want songs they can sing, not poems they can recite. But they were and are a bloody great band and for my money the greatest English band of their time. And I include a lot of very famous people in that.

[godbluff68]

I agree. Gerard Langley very much stuck to his guns on how he saw the Blue Aeroplanes evolving not least the use of the 'Expressive Dancer' Wojtek Dmochowski.

I think that their drive was divergent from that of U2. The album Swagger was recently re-released and I would heartily recommend buying it.

Thanks for the comment.

[tuva001]

I hardly see how it could be possible to sing better on this album, the voice is simply flying over all these guitars wonderfully. I should precise that I'm french I that I don't really care/understand these lyrics but the power of evocation of these songs (on Swagger) is incredible.

Beatsongs was very good as well but a little bit less homogeneous. I've never seen them live (regrettably, my gosh!) but I'd like to know if Gerard Langley is able to sing so well outside a studio?

[godbluff68]

I think that you are quite right when you mention that the spoken word approach would be hard to improve upon by singing.

Patti Smith is a good example of how poetry recitation can be merged with music.

I have never seen Blue Aeroplanes live but I understand that they are still going strong so maybe it's only a matter of time.

[Anopholes1]

@lexo30 : Hmmm I don't understand why all these comparisons to U2. U2 may have had one good album, but overall they were mediocre despite their success, the Blue Aeroplanes however, pushed it further, a much more creative band. A comparison perhaps, 1000 Violins, Surreal Estate. Plus live the Blue Aeroplanes were electrifying, not forced like U2

[lexo30]

@Anopholes1 I wasn't the one who started comparing them to U2.

[uomoerrante]

Great air company

[tuva001]

One of my favourite song as well and the whole album is as good as this one!

For me they had the potential to be as famous as U2.

It's what I was thinking 20 years ago and it's still my opinion, I don't understand what happened to them.

[godbluff68]

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

It is odd how certain bands never quite 'make it'. For me, the Blue Aeroplanes remind me of The The in that they are lauded by all and sundry and yet never achieve the success or recognition they deserve.

At the time this song was released, the UK was getting into the Madchester thing and I suppose that meant that they were lost in a haze of Bez and Roses...