When he was still in his teens, Roddy Frame was already being compared to Elvis Costello, generally considered by critics to be one of the finest songwriters of all time. Such grand praise could place unreasonable expectations on a developing young talent and crush the creativity blooming within. However, Frame has been able to let his songwriting abilities evolve without any consideration given to the critics or commercial radio.
Frame began his career with Aztec Camera in January 1980. As Aztec Camera's vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, Frame immediately became the darling of the U.K. music press with the band's 1983 debut, High Land, Hard Rain. On tracks like "Walk Out to Winter" and "Back on Board," Frame sang poetic lyrics about love lost and found, two themes he'd revisit with an increasingly mature outlook through a number of albums. True to his punk roots, Frame abandoned Aztec Camera's jangle pop sound when it became fashionable among British new wave acts. From country to soul, Frame utilized the Aztec Camera moniker to pay homage to his influences. Indifferent to the hip tastes of his followers, Frame covered Cyndi Lauper's Top Ten ballad "True Colors" with undeniable sincerity and transformed Van Halen's heavy metal anthem "Jump" into a folksy love song. After 1995's Frestonia, Frame jettisoned the Aztec Camera name and released The North Star in 1998. The album received critical praise and this time he wasn't compared to Costello.
It's essentially a music review aggregation service, providing a constantly updated chart of critical reaction to releases, with various ways for users to personalise the chart.
We're hoping the site will be another useful way for music lovers to find new music. So if you like it, please use it and also pass on the link.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
This Weekend Max & the Tatraplan 2 x Live Friday 30 Oct 2009 Aarau Floesserplatz Saturday 31 Oct 2009 Zurich La Catrina / FREE ENTRY ! GRATIS :) cheers & bye bye Max & The Tatraplan
Hi, Thanks for adding me as a friend on myspace. I really enjoyed listening to your very evocative music. I hope that you may find time to listen to some of my material. Best wishes. Will.
Upload your music now to www.topoftheox.co.uk for a chance to win one of the biggest deals in the business. Open to all genres. Sponsored by SAE, Marshall, StarNow, Zimbalam and many other key industry names. www.topoftheox.co.uk REGISTER NOW
Online Now!
..
