Search - Scott Walker :: Til the Band Comes in

Fin de siècle 1970

Jo day | 10/31/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"10 original Walker-Songs, 5 covers. It's got a very fin de siècle-touch to it. It's more relaxed than Scott 4, except the opener; Joe and Time Operator are jazzy with existencial lyrics. This is kind of Scott 5. After this, Scott came back as a composer with Nite Flights 1978. I like it very much, even the sometimes very saccharin-pop covers. For me, together with Scott 3, it's the most autumn-feel album from Scott. Enjoy it."

An underrated album by Scott Walker

Robert Storm | Finland | 04/10/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I mostly agree with the other reviewer so it's no use writing it all again. But I had to write this because there's one song about which I strongly dissagree with him: "Jean the Machine". It's one of my favorites on this album. Hilarious lyrics and great music. Songs like "Thanks for Chicago Mr James", "Til the Band Comes in" and "The War Is Over" are also absolutely superb, and the cover versions aren't bad. This is a good album though not as good as Scott 4, Tilt or Scott's four songs on Nite Flights."

An interesting album - Scott is an artist first and foremost

A C SHIELDS | melbourne , australia | 03/17/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was lucky to find this album on CD at a second hand store - quite a lucky thing , as both the CD and the vinyl are hard to find now , not to mention becoming more expensive .



One of the previous reviewers has done a good job of giving listeners an idea of what is on this album . The original songs are good , for me the most affecting is 'Joe' , which describes an old man running out of friends simply by outliving them . There will always be Scott Walker lyrics that don't make much sense to anyone but him , but 'Joe' tells a story that is mostly heartbreaking .



The song 'Time Operator' is also a bit of a character study - could be the same character as 'Joe' actually , from another perspective .



The cover songs aren't as bad as people might think , let's face it , Scott has a pleasant voice and I am happy to at least listen to them before commenting . I had not heard the songs before and some of them have great lyrics . For that reason , I'm not bothered whether they are done in Vegas style arrangements . The arrangements on Scott's early records are always tasteful and individual - the 'cover versions' are mostly welcome to my ears .



The album is varied stylistically and that is always a good thing - it takes to you some different places but does not always make sense as a whole statement .



I know it will be difficult for most people to have a chance to hear it , but if you ever find it for sale , ask to hear it first . You will then know if you want to spend big money on adding it to your collection .



I hope the above has been useful to Scott fans out there ."