Between fronting the Psychedelic Furs and Love Spit Love, Richard Butler hasnt really had time to record a solo album, but hes been threatening one for years. Finally, hes gotten around to it, and the most surprising bit is that, despite his decidedly recognizable voice, most of the material isnt immediately reminiscent of either band. Most of the songs were composed on acoustic guitar, but, with the assistance of co-writer / producer Jon Carin (Pink Floyd, Pete Townshend, Bryan Ferry), the bare bone tracks have been built up and surrounded by soundscapes which are lush but airy, sounding almost ambient at times. Selecting lead track Good Days Bad Days as first single was a wise move, if one Butler had to insist on. (Koch preferred Broken Aeroplanes, a.k.a. the song most similar in style to Butlers earlier work.) Its almost a shame that its taken him until the fourth decade of his career he started in the 70s, you know for Butler to record this disc, yet it was almost a necessity; tracks like Breathe, Milk, and Second to Second are the work of a man whos done his time in the trenches and can finally sit back, relax, and record at his own paceand the result is remarkable.
--Will Harris
Sounds Like
HERE'S THE RICHARD BUTLER TRACK LISTING:
1) Good Days, Bad Days
2) California
3) Breathe
4) Satellites
5) Broken Aeroplanes
6) Milk
7) Nothing's Wrong
8) Second To Second
9) Last Monkey
10) Sentimental Airlines
11) Maybe Someday
With a voice called one of the most distinctive and recognizable in rock history, Richard Butler burst upon the scene in 1978 as lead singer and predominant songwriter of The Psychedelic Furs. Throughout their legendary 26-year history, The Furs earned a reputation as one of the most iconic forces to come out of the 80s post-punk, new wave era. The band charted big hits with "Love My Way," "Pretty In Pink," "Heaven," and "The Ghost In You," in all releasing seven studio albums on Columbia Records and spawning several compilations. The band continues to tour extensively and is planning to release its first new studio album in over a decade sometime next year.
Through it all, Butlers distinctive baritone became one of the 80s musical high points, often managing to be both introspective and aloof at the same time. It was quirky and darkly cynical faire that expressed the detachment of the times and the struggle of a new generation to find its place in the turbulent headwaters of what would later become the dawn of Information Age. Gaining fame as part of MTVs first wave of video artists, Butler led us through a time when the stale musical paradigms of the past were forever cast aside and replaced by the new rock of an angrier and faster world.
In 1994, Butler took a break from the Furs to form a new band called Love Spit Love. With a fresh new outlook, he met the challenge of connecting to a post-grunge music audience. The group recorded two successful albums and spawned a top ten Alternative radio hit with Am I Wrong. While with Love Spit Love, Butler recorded a highly acclaimed cover version of the classic Smiths song How Soon Is Now? Butlers version has been featured as the title song of the WBs smash hit series Charmed for the past seven seasons. Meanwhile, life continued on, and with the birth of his daughter in 1997, the artist who was once described as a wiser Johnny Rotten and an edgier David Bowie decided to concentrate on being a parent.
Most recently, Butler began collaborating with Jon Carin, an accomplished musician who has worked with Pink Floyd, Pete Townshend and Bryan Ferry. The result is a collection of songs thats an incredible melding of Butlers incisive lyrics and signature voice awash in Carins mysteriously captivating musical landscape. Butler says, "I've experienced quite a bit the last few years, both good and bad. Its changed me tremendously. These songs reflect all of it and because of that, they're some of the most personal and important songs I've ever done."
I heard a little rumor that there would be some new music this year...AND that you were having a Painting Exhibition very soon in Miami at the Kevin Bruk Gallery. April 11, 2009 - June 11, 2009. All of which makes me very happy. S xoxo
hello Richard!! it was in 1980..my friends had bought your first album; i've listen to it for years..and now it's still on my mind..i'm waiting for your new creations!! i wish you the best!!
Hi Richard, These are Great songs. This is an Excellent New Release. This Material sounds like you did things your own way and it is a Real Richard Butler solo Album and it is Excellent. You and Jon Carin are a Magical Mixture. You guys did a Great Job. There are so many Elegant Elements I could comment on, but this is a blog so I will stop. Cheers, Barris Jahn
Hi Richard, Hope you had a great new year. Have you had any more song ideas lately? My wife and I have enjoyed your music over the years,GREAT TUNES! It would be great if you could come to Sioux Falls South Dakota for an art exibit, would like to see some of your work. Cheers.
Waaay back when, I wasn't sure that gravelly-voice of yours would hold up past 1982, but wow, you fooled me with this album. Going to buy it in the a.m. BTW I did really, really, enjoyed your first LoveSpitLove released (and enjoyed moreso that I saw good gigs in thesmaller venues because others are too late!)
Hi Richard! Fans since 81- Your photo and painting are nice. i'm imagining you in a conceptual surrealist film with a preposterous cast : John Malkovich,Barry Andrews,David Sylvian,Byrne,Bowie,Nina Hagen,David Lynch,John Waters,Shogu Tokumaru,Todd Rundgren,Herbie Hancock,Val Denham,Gary Numan...on and on-- silly of me,yet what a film that would be!! wishing you all the best-P
Hello Hello. I hope everything is welly well with ya. I dig the stage pic. Naturally, spill your lyrics at your will. I'll listen my brother. Take care
