Television

It's always a bad idea to release an album like "Marquee Moon" for your debut. Sort of like writing "Catch-22" as your first novel. You're doomed for life to middling reviews at best. Which is what happened to Tom Verlaine, both as leader of Television and on his many excellent solo efforts. Nonetheless, even if Television's third album isn't quite "Great," I give this recording five stars because it's a hell of a lot better than "Good." If you're drawn to this band at all, then even if you don't love it immediately it will be sure to grow on you. Lloyd and Verlaine's guitar work is as crystalline as ever, though more muted; Verlaine's voice has deepened nicely by this point; his lyrics are alternately witty, cryptic, and oddly moving; the band as a whole is ace, with a drummer in a million; and songs like Mars, 1880 or So, Call Mr. Lee, and No Glamour for Willi are outright fabulous. The band's overall musicianship, the interplay of the guitars, the phenomenal range of tones the boys can wring out of their Fenders, is so far beyond the norm it will keep you coming back for years.

A reunion album for a band that was criminally underappreciated when they launched the punk/new wave movement in the late 70's. Their towering legacy was not lost on the up and coming indie movement of the 90's which precipitated this comeback. Unfortunately, this album doesn't reach the heights of their debut and followup. That said Tom Verlaine is a giant among guitarists and a remarkably talented wordsmith. What makes this essential is the participation of Richard Lloyd whose interplay with Verlaine's guitar emphasizes his stark genius.There are many highlights, among them:1880 or So, No Glamour for Willi, Call Mr. Lee, In World and Mars, but for new converts start with Marquee Moon & Adventure.