A couple of things were waiting for me in the mailbox today, and the import version of the new Saint Etienne CD, "Tales From Turnpike House", was one of 'em!

As far as I know, this album hasn't hit the states yet, so I'm very happy to finally get my mitts on a copy.

I'm about halfway through now, and it sounds like the best bits of "Tiger Bay" and "Good Humor". Very pleasant, very Beach Boys/Bacharach, very melodic. Apparently, it's a bit of a concept album about the lives of various people in a house in England during the morning hours. That's what I get from it anyway, coupled with what little I've read about it. So far, everything's really enjoyable - not too obtuse, no little soundbyte segues (not a fan of those anyway) - just good pop music.

Haven't heard the bonus disc of "kid appropriate music" yet - even without it, this album would make me just as happy. St.Et. fans won't be disappointed!

*OH* - I just listened to the bonus disc all the way through, and I daresay it's almost - maybe even just plain - better than the actual album. Lullabies Saint Etienne style, complete with cooing Sarah Cracknell vocals and club beats. Yum.

You beat me on this one

I think I'll receive it next Monday or Tuesday on time for birthday

PANDURITO said:

you will really like it. i hope you got the version with the bonus e.p. - i enjoyed the album, but i was bopping around my apartment to the e.p.

Anxiety said:

That's the one I ordered

THAT'S IT.


I'm off to order it RIGHT NOW!

endorphin74 said:

AND.....





it's ordered

endorphin74 said:

you will *SO* love it.

i've liked each st. etienne album a little less since "good humor" (which i love) - i didn't like "finisterre" at all - i was feeling a little cautious abou this one...but i'm very pleasantly surprised. it's them doing what they do best, and doing it in the way that made ya love 'em to begin with.

Anxiety said:

I can't wait!

ps- thanks for the tip for ordering it!

Listening now Loving it

It's been at the Post Office since Friday. Apparently the regular postman is on summer holidays and the substitute couldn't find my address so today I got a notice to go and fetch it

At least this time they didn't lose it..

I can't stay angry with this music

i've been playing the album lots and lots over the weekend. what a great feeling to be enthusiastic about a new saint etienne CD again.

if it´s anything like the wonderful "good humor"
then I am gonna get me a copy of their new cd NOWWWWW!

mine has been shipped!

endorphin74 said:

whee! mine is on heavy rotation on my mp3 player.

Anxiety said:

So, if I loved 'Finisterre' (which I did) does that mean I won't like the new album?

sextonseven said:

I hope not! I loved that album as well.

endorphin74 said:

Okay, I just listened to the new album for the first time. It's good. I was a little wary at first because the first two tracks didn't move me, but it kicks in after that. I'll listen to it once more today focusing more on the lyrics and the overall album theme, but just listening to the music, I really like it--not as much as 'Finisterre' yet, but that could change soon.

I didn't get the double disc with the lullabies.

sextonseven said:

well, did you like 'tiger bay' or 'good humor'? i think it's more in the tradition of those albums, though i can see a progression from 'finisterre' too.

by the way, is anyone gonna pick up the 'finisterre' DVD? i'm a little confused as to what it's supposed to be all about....

Anxiety said:

what's this??

endorphin74 said:

there's a DVD coming out (i don't think it's available domestically in the U.S.) called "saint etienne presents FINISTERRE" - it's not a live DVD or a video compilation as far as i know - it's a documentary, though it's not about saint etienne - but the soundtrack is all st.et. music. it sounds intriguing, huh?

i also saw that there's a "smash the system" DVD of all their music videos that i SO wish would be released for US DVD players!!! i still have to make do with my bootleg VHS of "too young to die: the videos".

Anxiety said:

I think I've only seen a few of their videos...I'd love for them to officially release a compilation over here....

endorphin74 said:

My Mac is setup for PAL DVDs (like my 'We've Got A Fuzzbox And We're Gonna Use It' video collection), but it's more fun to watch videos on a real TV screen hooked up to the stereo.

My first introduction to St. Etienne was from the singles Only Love Can Break Your Heart and Nothing Can Stop Us Now. I liked the original songs and the remixes and a few other cuts I can't recall. Eventually, I lost track of them altogether. I want to rediscover them but don't know where to start. Any recommendations?

JackieBlue said:

I only recently got into them and am currently going through their back catalog (what is still available anyway) in chronological order.

JackieBlue said:

You could do the chronological thing as Sexton said. Especially since you like the first singles already. Then Foxbase Alpha is a perfect place to start.

If you are the sort who likes compilations to introduce you to a band, they do have some really good ones. I prefer "Smash The System- Singles And More." It's a 2 disc compilation and very nicely includes about all of their highlights. It could be a primer to their sounds to help you decide which albums proper to get. Of course, it's an import, but it's well worth tracking down. Other than that, the recent U.S. compilation ("Travel Edition") is about as good as you can get for a one disc compilation...

Thanks for the responses, guys. I'll look for those compilations!

ps....still waiting for my copy to arrive

I HAVE MY CD!!!! I JUST PUT IT ON!!!