Slapp Happy Acnalbasac Noom

[Progbear]

It's got Faust as "backing band" and comes across a bit rawer 'round the edges, and IMO the overtly direct production suits the music a bit better as well. The original CM is excellent, but you'll probably want to hear AN of you dig that one.

I way, way prefer AN, and not just because I discovered the songs that way. I don’t mind the slicker instrumental arrangements on the Virgin re-recording, but it’s clear to me they asked Dagmar to tone down her singing, and a lot of the character of the tunes is lost as a result. And don’t even get me started on the absolute desecration of “Mister Rainbow.” AN was originally released in the early 80s under the title Slapp Happy or Slapp Happy, with different cover art, but I’ve never seen that version. The CD I bought to upgrade my vinyl has a few bonus tracks; they’re decent except for “Everybody’s Slimmin’,” which gets my vote as Worst Thing Ever Released Under The Slapp Happy Name.

[Udi Koomran]

they’re decent except for “Everybody’s Slimmin’,” which gets my vote as Worst Thing Ever Released Under The Slapp Happy Name.

oh I was just listening to this Everybody’s Slimmin
I adore this

"Some go slimming in swimming pools
And some stay slim in slums"

[Onomatopoeic]

The first version didn't come out until the very early 80s, iirc.

1980. On ReR.

Acnalbasac Noom
∀ɔuɐlqɐsɐɔ Nooɯ

[Zeuhlmate]

Hmmm...

I dont really get this (just heard the whole thing on the tube).

What is so great about it ?

I love Ça va though.

[Udi Koomran]

Hmmm... What is so great about it ?.

Well...
I did actually try to explain that at the beginning of this thread

[Zeuhlmate]

I know - I wasnt criticising.

[Steve F.]

The CD I bought to upgrade my vinyl has a few bonus tracks; they’re decent except for “Everybody’s Slimmin’,” which gets my vote as Worst Thing Ever Released Under The Slapp Happy Name.

a. I think the bonus tracks are fantastic. All of them. I like them as much as the 'real album' and in the case of "Messages", I like it possibly the best of all the tracks. c'est la vie.

b. Everybody's Slimmin' is one of the funniest songs ever written lyrically and Dagmar's delivery is perfect. Sometimes, when I know no one is watching, I shake my yama yama like I'm humping a ghost.

double c'est la vie.

[mogrooves]

I love Ça va though.

As good a "comeback" album as any.

[Scrotum Scissor]

What is so great about it?

The level of the songwriting, pure and simple. The pair of Blegvad/Moore were aspiring avant-Newmans/Zevons of a peculiarly twisted, timeless European brand at this stage.

[Progbear]

Hmmm...

I dont really get this (just heard the whole thing on the tube).

What is so great about it ?

Maybe you need to give it more time. I remember buying Acnalbasac Noom for the Henry Cow connection. My first thought was, “What’s the big deal? It’s pop music! Slightly quirky pop music with odd vocals and unusual lyrical content, but pop music just the same.”

A month later I couldn’t get the tunes out of my head. It’s a remarkably insidious album. And “Slow Moon’s Rose” is ravishingly beautiful. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

[Zeuhlmate]

You are probably right.
That phenomenom occurs regularily.