Classic Album Review: MARQUEE MOON

Artist: Television

Genre: Art Punk, Art Rock

Released: February 8, 1977

Producer: Andy Johns, Tom Verlaine

Label: Elektra

Key Tracks: See No Evil, Venus, Marquee Moon, Guiding Light, Torn Curtain

Punk has never been one of the more "artistic" or "sophisticated" genres to ever come forth. I mean, a few chords and an aggressive attitude isn't the most creative and satisfying experience. Now that's obviously quite an oversimplification on my part and I certainly enjoy the Sex Pistols and Ramones.

Obviously a band like The Clash would evolve past their early punk beginnings to create bigger and better things. What if you could create that tension and personality with dazzling guitar work, jazz-like drumming with thought-provoking and poetic lyrics? I present to you: Marquee Moon.

Television was one of the many notable artists to emerge from the New York Punk/New Wave music scene. Talking Heads, Ramones, Blondie, Patti Smith, you name it. By the mid 70s they were gaining interest from various record labels. In fact in late 1974, Television worked with Roxy Music alum Brian Eno to produce four songs, however, frontman Tom Verlaine did not approve of the sound he had created for the band. They would eventually sign with Elektra Records in August 1976 and began recording Marquee Moon soon after, finishing by the end of September. Tom Verlaine was adamant that he would self-produce the album, but Elektra wanted at least a "well known" recording engineer to assist him. He enlisted Andy Johns, who was chief engineer and mixer for The Rolling Stones' album "Goats Head Soup".

I think I've covered what I need to by this point, so let's dive into the music of "Marquee Moon". I'm going to be quite honest, this will be pretty difficult to put into words as this album is a very "alien" experience. (An incredible one, though) In punk spirit it starts off with an energetic and rhythmic three chord rocker, "See

Review by Alex shaffner

No Evil". I feel like I’m going to say this repeatedly in this review, but the guitar and drum work is simply dazzling on this one. I couldn’t imagine playing this live, let alone recording it in a studio. “I SEE NO”. Not much else to say other than this is an excellent rock & roll opener. “Venus", hits you instantly. (Well, probably because the song starts into the main riff instantly, but you get my point.) An anthemic track, the guitars bubble, soar, glide, twist, turn, start, stop, and who knows what else. If you want instant gratification, this is your tune. And it’s not shallow in the slightest. This song might cause an epiphany for you, I’m not exaggerating. And I haven’t even mentioned the drumming. I simply love how the drums and cymbals crash and roll. It’s like some kind of marching band interpretation. On vocals, Tom sounds sad but reassured. Seems like a romance that didn’t work out. But perhaps it was for the better. I just love this track to the absolute maximum.

Eventually we get to the album's centerpiece (and masterpiece), "Marquee Moon". This long, epic, artistic and nearly eleven minute adventure has so much tension and mystery behind it. You can just feel it. The guitars are struck with such weight, the bass bounces with such warmth, and the drums are hit with such aggression yet precision and touch; it really is an unbelievable experience. At about the 4:27 mark, the song lets the foot off the pedal so to speak and for approximately four minutes builds and builds and builds until eventually it releases (get ready for some hyperbole) into what’s arguably the single most beautiful sound humanity has ever produced in a song. The glittering, otherworldly guitars just sparkle like some kind of fantasy, and somehow it feels sad, like I want to comfort it and never let go. It feels as though the song is over at that point, but guess what! It's not! It continues on and ends with a fading piano, marking the end of this particular journey.

“Elevation”, which is great, is yet another surreal and alien experience. It has the typical album’s attributes of brilliant guitar work, a strong personality, weighty instrumentation and cryptic lyrics but what really surprised me was what the guitar riff was. Now, when you listen to it for the first time, you’ll recognize it imme- diately. I feel like not saying what it closely resembles to surprise you but I’m doing an insightful review here so I guess I’ll keep talking. The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ song “Californication” (or its main riff) is a pretty big rip of “Elevation”. No two ways about it. “Marquee Moon” was of course heavily inspirational and influential on Post-Punk/Alternative music and specifically on various individuals like R.E.M’s Michael Stipe, U2’s The Edge, Echo & The Bunnymen’s Will Sergeant and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ John Frusciante. Seems like Mr. Frusciante took that inspiration a little too far. But hey, I won’t hate him for it and won’t be a hypocrite as I love other “rip-off” songs. (See Killing Joke’s “Eighties” vs. Nirvana’s “Come As You Are” and Laura Branigan’s “Gloria” vs. Pulp’s “Disco 2000”)

“Guiding Light” is such a sweet and uplifting song and is “Art” music without out a doubt. Trust me, this is no lightweight affair. The intricate yet simple guitar and piano playing are just stunning and later in the track you can here some beautiful organ work. I can just effortlessly move my hands and fingers around to the song. (Yes, I really do this) Like the title track it features captivating and glittering guitar bits that are so ever exciting. I didn’t think vocal melodies and chord progressions could exist like this. Often underrated and overlooked, “Guiding Light” is certainly a highlight for me. "Torn Curtain" is a brilliant album closer. The slithering, almost tribal-like guitar riff of the main verse is so tantalizing. Then the chorus, where Tom Verlaine and backing members shout out words of pure anguish and sadness. “Tears, Tears, Tears” and “years I've seen before/tears I've never shed." I won’t blame you if you tear up even a little bit. Not just the vocalists, but the guitars sound like they themselves are crying out near the end of the track, letting out everything the band and its instruments have.

I've often wondered the true meaning of this song. All over the album, Tom Verlaine likes to play around with lyrics, much like Bob Dylan before him. I will take a guess and say this is about his (or someone else’s) childhood. To me, it seems like Tom is talking about an abusive father towards his mother after perhaps they get into an argument. “when beauty meets abuse” In my mind I can literally picture a curtain being torn in a house where this abuse or fighting takes place. Very powerful stuff. Again, I’m not totally sure, but that is my interpretation. And when music AND lyrics are this incredible, it provides an amazing experience. Though not absolutely necessary, I usually think more highly of an album when its closer is an album highlight.

I feel the two weakest songs on here are “Friction” and “Prove It”. Their groove, personality and rhythm aren’t simply as strong, captivating, breathtaking and memorable as the other six. They still have impressive instrumental work of course and are certainly well above average and are absolutely worth your time. Remember I said weakest, not worst. Hell, I might be underrating them! (You thought I was going to really badmouth a song on here?) In the end, what impresses me the most about this record is how calculated it is, yet it sounds so loose and “human”. How can a rock band of four guys (along with help from mixers, engineers, and producers of course) capture such brilliance, complexity and depth in a record and for lack of a better phrase, just flat out nail it? Blows my mind every single time. I often wonder what REALLY draws me so much to this album outside of what I’ve already talked about. Like I’ve said, there are many cryptic lyrics, so more often than not, I’m not completely sure about the “true” meaning of the songs. To me, it gives off a strange atmosphere and conveys a weird and funny place that seems very inviting, in a place I want to live. (but only after my lease is up on my apartment)

Their 1978 follow-up “Adventure” is kind of an oxymoron considering it saw them retreat from the personality and uniqueness of “Marquee Moon” in favor of something more conventional and less ambitious. It’s still a solid record, so give that a listen as well. So, how about it, why not take a stroll underneath the Marquee Moon? This case is closed.

Record Rating: 10/10

1970s Album Rank: #1

All-Time Album Rank: #3