Steve Mason: Boys Outside

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TheWarmth
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Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by TheWarmth »

There's a review on Pitchfork today. I'm pretty curious about this.

http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14231-boys-outside/
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by runcible »

The free download was excellent. If the rest of the album is as good I'll be well happy. Spzretent - you got one yet? I know what a Betas fan you are...
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by MODLAB »

I really like it.


M
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by spzretent »

runcible wrote:The free download was excellent. If the rest of the album is as good I'll be well happy. Spzretent - you got one yet? I know what a Betas fan you are...
I ordered it on Record Store Day thinking it was one of the early realeases. I should have it this week sometime. Really looking forward to it. I've heard a few songs that are both excellent.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by MODLAB »

Really annoys me how biased Pitchfork are with Steve Mason. The Aliens stuff is as good yet they really
give them shit reviews.

M


PS: The album has a slight (in a good way) Sade feel.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by spzretent »

I sort understand people not "getting" the Aliens. Too retro, too kitschy, not Beta Band enough, I guess the big payoff is to those who did "get" them. They were one of the best live shows I have seen in the past decade. And there might have been 30 people at the show.
I rarely read Pitchfork reviews. I never even realized they reviewed Luna since there was no US release.
What I have heard from the Steve Mason Lp sound more palatable to Beta Band fans. The King Biscuit Time stuff had its moments.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by cantona »

You can listen to the album here: http://drownedinsound.com/news/4139724- ... ys-outside


some of it sounds like Talk Talk. I really like it.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by norrin radd »

i bought this album at the weekend and its fucking quality, Stevey boy came through on this, recommended, it kinda reminds me of hot shots 2
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by runcible »

MODLAB wrote: PS: The album has a slight (in a good way) Sade feel.
I have to say that this has put me right off!
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by TheWarmth »

I don't really understand the Sade comparison, although I'm not familiar with anything she has done aside from the big hits and I can't think of any of them aside from "Smooth Operator" right now. Anyway, I think this album is fantastic. I listened to the whole thing this morning. It definitely exceeded my expectations. I'd say it's stronger than Hot Shots 2.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by spzretent »

I too have listened to the whole LP and at first blush I am completely underwhelmed. The best two tracks are the ones I had heard previously. Lets see what repeated listening does to my first impression.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by TheWarmth »

I think this record has much stronger melodies that most of the Beta Band material, and I own most of their output. I like the concise arrangements and the songs don't meander too much, as they did often with the Betas.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by runcible »

I went right off the Betas after I saw them live and thought they were largely awful. The Three EPs is a magnificent collection and I still play it loads but the first album was very poor in my opinion. I like the 2 King Biscuit Time EPs I have and then got interested in The Aliens when I kept reading such great things. I think both Aliens albums are vastly superior to all Betas albums I have heard (I don't count Three EPs as it's a compilation). 'If the Beta Band had made a decent album it would sound like this' is how Astronomy For Dogs and Luna are described by people I know. Having said all that the Steve Mason track 'All Come Down' is excellent, but I'm hesitant to buy the album. Can't work out the Lone Pigeon album I bought either.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by spzretent »

I too think the both Aliens records are better than this Lp and any Beta's save the 3 EP's.
Perhaps i'll warm up to Boys Outside once I get my LP.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by niamhm »

For me the Beta`s career was very frustrating ,hoped on board with The 3 Amigos ep ,and was astonished ,so anticipated what they would do next and while the 3 eps was good it was filling in the background ,it was the prospect of their debut album that had me salivating ..god it was so frustrating ,apart from a few tracks ( You Are To Beautiful in particular) ,I don`t think they reached the highs of Amigos again ,certainly not the conventionally enjoyable Hot Shots or Heroes album which seemed to confirm that their times was over ,and I would be very surprised If anybody connected to that band reaches ,creates something so strange and addictive again,which is kinda sad ,can I say I saw them 5/6 times and live thought they were only less than wonderful one time which was over sold and I turned up a tad late so not really their fault, loved the multi instrument swopping around and loose jamming style they took.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by spzretent »

Have you heard either Aliens release?
Its pretty obvious Steve Mason held back Tthe Aliens and vice versa. I think both have released some great stuff post Betas. More like fully realizing their creative ideas on their own.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by niamhm »

Yeah I have Astronomy ,and its good ,psychedelic pop music ,but it seems sort of lightweight compared to the Betas stuff I rate most, can`t comment on Steve Mason`s new one as I haven`t heard it ,will try and hear it.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by spzretent »

If you find the Aliens lightweight you will no doubt find the Steve Mason even lighterweight. But it works on a few tracks pretty well.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by TheWarmth »

I listened to the Alien's Luna quite a few times. I thought it had some brilliant moments, but a lot of the songs lacked focus and there was a bit too much goofiness going on for me. However, I could see them making an album that really blows my mind. The Mason album is completely different. I don't think it makes much sense to compare the two.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by runcible »

I thought Luna was too quirky on first listen but after about 3 plays I was hooked and remain so to this day. Astronomy For Dogs was more instant though.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by MODLAB »

More on all the albums later as for i'm enjoying German Fathers Day.... National holiday here... Well sorta...

No you cannot compare The Aliens to Steve Mason's new album... Way different and also all the others.
The Aliens achieve probably one of the best old Floyd song structures with their own sound. (LOVE IT).

Steve Mason is smoother, hence the Sade feel. It;s like smooth operator...

Anyway, back to dinner...

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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by spzretent »

I can compare whatever I want.
Especially since the Beta Band split in two halves and these are the records the two halves came up with. I think its totally justifiable. Maybe only in my own mind but thats all that matters(to me).
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by MODLAB »

spzretent wrote:I can compare whatever I want.
Especially since the Beta Band split in two halves and these are the records the two halves came up with. I think its totally justifiable. Maybe only in my own mind but thats all that matters(to me).

You took it out of context... oh well...of course you can...just that they have gone their separate ways and have different sounds.

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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by spzretent »

I just look at it very simply.
I just look at the Beta Band family tree.
Steve Mason and The Aliens were the Beta Band.
They split and these are the records that came out in the Betas wake.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by MODLAB »

nevermind.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by niamhm »

Can I say I followed the link in this thread ,and listened to the Steve Mason album twice last night ,and its brilliant ,really good ,definitley gonna pick it up ,Gotta say if it wasn`t for this thread Iwould probably have ignored it due to the .. erratic nature of Steve Mason`s solo career so far ,but it sounds really focused ,polished in a good way ,reminds me of Hot Shots as someone already said ,listening to Astronomy For Dogs as I type and its good maybe not quite as light weight I said earlier ,more middle weight but def. enjoyable ,have to check out Luna sometime ,be interesting to sse if Mason takes this album on the road.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by spzretent »

Luna is fantastic. But give it a couple of listens. It may not grab you right off the bat.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by Noddy »

Got this album on advance vinyl. Am not enjoying it, just something about it doesnt seem right. Hopefully its a grower.
Re. The Aliens, I personally think Luna is the one of the best things in the last 10 years, and Blue Mantle (last tune) is one of the greatest songs i have ever heard, absolutely stunning. So much going on in that album too, Gordon Anderson is a genius, very modest fellas too.
Heres hoping to an album next year, as they have taken this year off.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by jack white »

this is a nice wee record but maybe coulda done with a couple more sprawling epics. still there's a run of great songs in the second half on the album. a nice little treat.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by runcible »

I had a chance to hear the Steve Mason album over the weekend. I already had All Come Down which is a fantastic track. Bar a couple of good songs I found the album rather dull with not enough going on. The first few tracks just sounded like different versions of the same song. I need to hear it more but I was sitting there hoping something would leap out - a couple of moments did but not enough. I'm hoping it's a grower...
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by TheWarmth »

There's a really well-written review of this albumon Dusted today: http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/5796

I had no idea that Mason was so troubled.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by spzretent »

Listening to this right now.
Man, that Beta Band tree can do no wrong in my book.
Beta Band, Aliens, Steve Mason, Lone Pigeon, Django Django..... did i miss anything?
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by moop »

spzretent wrote:Listening to this right now.
Man, that Beta Band tree can do no wrong in my book.
Beta Band, Aliens, Steve Mason, Lone Pigeon, Django Django..... did i miss anything?
Agreed! I'm assuming you know steve's mason's stuff under the king biscuit time/black affair monikers?
I'm not so keen on black affair but KBT is awesome..
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by spzretent »

I knew I forgot something.
King Biscuit Time. Black Affair I didn't like very much.
I will always try anything associated with these guys. They have an amazing track record.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by moop »

if you haven't heard it, the king biscuit time breezeblock set it great fun.
i saw steve mason do a dub/reggae type dj set at last year's bestival and it was a highlight of the entire festival.

oh and i guess King Creosote has to count as part of the family too. His stuff is definitely worth checking out, and his album with jon hopkins is incredible.

what a talented bunch! here's hoping for something new from them soon.

here's one of my favourite things they ever did:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e6bBIyIKsI
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by TheWarmth »

I'm pretty sure I saw a post on Mason's Facebook page that he was in the middle of recording a new album, but I just went to look for it and I can't even find his FB page now. Maybe he deleted the whole thing. I'm still curious about that dub album he put out.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by jpbowman »

spzretent wrote:Listening to this right now.
Man, that Beta Band tree can do no wrong in my book.
Beta Band, Aliens, Steve Mason, Lone Pigeon, Django Django..... did i miss anything?
The bassist had a project under the name of The General & Duchess Collins, it's not great.
TheWarmth wrote:I'm pretty sure I saw a post on Mason's Facebook page that he was in the middle of recording a new album, but I just went to look for it and I can't even find his FB page now. Maybe he deleted the whole thing. I'm still curious about that dub album he put out.
Steve Mason is a big Tweeter, just 45 minutes ago he wrote this..."A few people been asking what the hell im doing. Well its week 3 of recording. Start mixing next week. Its HUGE. " https://twitter.com/SteveMasonKBT
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by spzretent »

jpbowman wrote:
spzretent wrote: Steve Mason is a big Tweeter, just 45 minutes ago he wrote this..."A few people been asking what the hell im doing. Well its week 3 of recording. Start mixing next week. Its HUGE. " https://twitter.com/SteveMasonKBT
:D
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by sunray »

TheWarmth wrote: I'm still curious about that dub album he put out.
Pretty good deal on Amazon UK at the moment, Double cd of Boys/Ghosts outside for a fiver: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boys-Outside-St ... 241&sr=1-1

Having never heard either album I just ordered myself a copy.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by norrin radd »

anyone know where we can get a link to the kbt breezeblock sesh ? Unity !!!!
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by spzretent »

Do Brothers In Sound count? Not sure if they are related by anything other than Regal.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by TheWarmth »

FB post by Mason: Album is done! Recorded/Mixed the lot. 10 songs plus about 6 or 7 little bits to go in between the songs. Now have to bolt the whole thing together and see if it works. Hopefully going for a March release with a lead track ( or single as we used to call the) in February. I will be back among you soon. Watch yer backs
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by Shinesalight »

Just picked up Boys Outside on E-Bay for a fiver :D 8) :-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321001864661? ... 1497.l2649
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by spzretent »

Money well spent Ads.
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by moop »

TheWarmth wrote:FB post by Mason: Album is done! Recorded/Mixed the lot. 10 songs plus about 6 or 7 little bits to go in between the songs. Now have to bolt the whole thing together and see if it works. Hopefully going for a March release with a lead track ( or single as we used to call the) in February. I will be back among you soon. Watch yer backs
Really looking forward to this. I like his description of it as sounding HUGE, esp since a lot of boys outside was more restrained and introverted. Seems like quite a few (presumably) great albums on the way next year.. (just noticed a new Eels record is due in february!)
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by spzretent »

Here is a little something for your Saturday.
http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog= ... um=twitter
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Re: Steve Mason: Boys Outside

Post by moop »

norrin radd wrote:anyone know where we can get a link to the kbt breezeblock sesh ? Unity !!!!
http://www.sendspace.com/file/msmncp
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