Off The Airwaves, On The Stereo: Mark Radcliffe's Favourite LPs | Page 3 of 14 | The Quietus

Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

2. TelevisionMarquee Moon

I remember buying this in Comet, the electric retailer in Bolton. So many big life events begin in very dull ways. I was with a mate of mine called Steve, and it was pissing down. But as soon as I got home, I played it, and I was somewhere else. I still listen to it quite regularly – it’s an extraordinary record. I mean, the way it starts, then listen to ‘Venus’: it sounds like they’re all playing lead, like a string quartet. It seems to be music that exists entirely in its own space. And so much music coming out of that time in New York, that had such an incredible creative crackle, none it was like our punk at all. Well, maybe The Ramones were a little, but few punk bands were as good as The Ramones. And Blondie were some sort of power pop, but they were so many other things too. Then Television were impenetrable, unfathomable, constantly making me think, what are those words about? And what does it mean? Saying that, it saddens me that their career started so majestically then it just petered out. This record sounded like the start of something very new. 


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