Jun 21, 2007
(Out)spoken
Photo credit: Rockstro
Somewhere in between vocal and instrumental music there is music that simply uses spoken word. Often they tell a complete story – whether or not in some sort of poetry art form – or they simply use spoken word for sound effects. With music that includes singing you can sort of drift away with the sounds and melodies without ever paying real attention to the lyrics. But when there are only spoken words you can no longer escape from the meaning of those words. They are simply too upfront and outspoken to ignore. That is what makes this kind of music interesting to me.
As I said, spoken word is a form of literary art, but apart from the first track I’m not going in that direction with this list. That is far beyond my scope. Instead I tried to compile a playlist of songs from the more regular musical scenery that embraces spoken word in one way or another.
- Deathprod – 6:15
Reference Frequencies (Rune Grammofon, 2004) - Tindersticks – My sister
Tindersticks (II) (Polygram, 1995) - The Clientele – Losing Haringey
Strange Geometry (Merge, 2005) - Laurie Anderson – O Superman
Big Science (Warner, 1982) - Alessandro Bosetti – Exposé #11
Exposé (Die Schachtel, 2007) - The Books – Venice
Lost And Safe (Tomlab, 2005) - The Golden Palominos – Victim
Dead Inside (Restless, 1996) - Handsome Boy Modeling School – Look At This Face
So … How’s Your Girl? (Tommy Boy, 1999) - Xiu Xiu – Support Our Troops (Black Angels OH)
Fabulous Muscles (5 Rue Christine, 2004)
Thank you Sarah for your help on this post.
Nice n_n
However, 6:15 has been recorded in 2001, not 2004 (cf 4CDs Box Set’s Booklet). But it’s not important.
Thanks! That track was indeed recorded in 2001, but not released until 2004 as far as I know. Great box set isn’t it? It’s like I have one of those “2001: A Space Odyssey” black monoliths standing between my other records. Very cool. :-)
Alright, the Golden Palominos. Thanks!
Another great spoken word (sort of) track is Kate Bush’s ‘Organic Acid’. The mp3 I have is a really bad quality, but it’s still an amazing song.
Also check the recoil album ‘Liquid’, a collaboration between ex-depeche mode Alan Wilder and spoken word artists Samantha Coerbell and Nicole Blackman as well as some Diamanda Galas thrown in the mix. Nicole Blackman acid reflections are the highlights of course, she’s also the vocalist for the whole ‘dead inside’ album, I remember buying that one when I was 17, the music overall wasn’t very appealing but for the most part the words tell a story in a very affecting, raw and remarkable way. Don’t know what she’s been up to after these collaborations.
Nice post! “My sister” is one of my favourite songs.
Another talking piece that I like, Piss Factory by Patti Smith