Heavyweight 180gm vinyl LP reissue of this 1981 album. The second Durutti Column album, originally released on Factory Records, marked the departure of producer Martin Hannett (Joy Division, Buzzcocks) and the addition of ... more »drummer Bruce Mitchell, who would remain a longtime collaborator with chief member, guitarist Vini Reilly. LC is as powerful as the debut, a fantastic collection of guitar excursions that transcend genre. This is also the first album to feature Reilly's speak-sing vocal style on a number of songs (including The Missing Boy" a tribute to the recently deceased leader of Joy Division, Ian Curtis). Another stellar album.« less
Heavyweight 180gm vinyl LP reissue of this 1981 album. The second Durutti Column album, originally released on Factory Records, marked the departure of producer Martin Hannett (Joy Division, Buzzcocks) and the addition of drummer Bruce Mitchell, who would remain a longtime collaborator with chief member, guitarist Vini Reilly. LC is as powerful as the debut, a fantastic collection of guitar excursions that transcend genre. This is also the first album to feature Reilly's speak-sing vocal style on a number of songs (including The Missing Boy" a tribute to the recently deceased leader of Joy Division, Ian Curtis). Another stellar album.
"Generally regarded as a false step, Vini Reilly's second album features vocals sung by himself. In retrospect, it's not that bad. His shy and calm singing suits the songs and it doesn't sound cheesy or unlistenable. While the debut "The return of the DC" was a collection of sketches and soundscapes, "LC" is one of Vini's most song-oriented and accessible albums. Best tracks here are the sad "Sketch for dawn I", the up-tempo "Jacqueline", and the intimate "Messidor". This CD also contains some worthwhile bonus tracks. Overall, the playful rhythms and the gorgeous guitar lines still sound timeless. Another classic album in Durutti Column's discography!"
The arrival of
Richard A Young | Ocean Springs, MS United States | 08/23/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This, with the benefit of many years hindsight, was always my favourite DC album. Perhaps watching the squirrels scuttle along the oak branches outside my dorm in time to Vinis' wandering guitar lines, wrapped in a something close enough to a song to have student meaning. Whatever. Don't have a problem with his singing because that was never really it. Perhaps this effort is slightly more robust in texture than the ethereal Return of the DC, but I think the fact that this is appreciably Vini rather than Vini plus Martin Hannet is what shades it over Return for me."
Very Good Indeed
W. Main | 08/20/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I definitely like this this one a little more than Return of, even though they're both essential if you're gonna get into Durutti Column. Bruce Mitchell's drums go with Vini's style a little better than Hannett's beats and synth experiments if you ask me. But, most importantly the music is all beautiful New Wave Manchester Jazz, a classic Factory record."
4 star album, 5 star bonus tracks
Steve | By DUNDEE Scotland | 01/26/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Vini Reilly's LC is a subtle and understated, albeit rather dark, sophomore album (it is like a counterpart to New Order's equally sombre debut album, Movement). But, in typically perverse Factory Records fashion, what makes this re-issued album really worth buying are the bonus tracks. The Martin Hannett-produced trio For Mimi, Belgian Friends, and Self-Portrait, are as close to musical perfection as you're ever likely to hear. The first of this heavenly trio sets a superbly funky jazz break (produced perfectly, of course) against Vini's languid guitar extemporising. It sounds like funked-up, mellowed-out Joy Division, if such a thing makes sense. As for Belgian Friends- it is simply sublime- the song bubbles along with beautiful, almost imperceptably subtle chord changes, and the instrumentation is exquisite- almost rapturously beautiful. Self-Portrait has yet another crisp, tight drumbeat off-set by deliciously wonky guitar treatments, while the obbligato of the keyboards adds a classical touch. The other bonus tracks are, unbelievably, almost as good, especially A Christmas for your Thoughts. They are worth the price of the album by themselves.
But what about the album itself? Well, its subtle, its moody and introspective, but despite standouts like Never Known and The Act Committed, it could have done with a sprinkling of Martin Hannett's magic dust (that is- his production skills, not his drugs!) Also, the drumming on the album proper is noticably less tight compared with the bonus tracks, which featured a brilliant funk drummer called Donald Johnston, who sadly fell out with Reilly before the album was recorded. This is a pity, because it's mouth-watering to think what the album would have sounded like with that guy on board.
It may sound perverse, but buy it for the bonus tracks, even though the album itself is pretty good as well.
"
Classic
Edgar Hernandez | 11/17/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Remembering when you first heard Vini and his guitar work is still a wonderful experience for me. I think his singing goes really well with his work in this album. Any other singer would just do no justice to the atmospheres he creates. This is tied with "the return.." as my favorite album of his though."