The thing about updating some of these old links and revisting the music is that you will invariably stumble across some moments you'd forgotten about, and how good they actually are when you experience them again later. As I write this it's been almost 7 years since Open'er Festival, and some of the songs that were aired regularly then have since moonwalked offstage into into Editors' very own "Waiting Room of Doom". They may return (like Distance or Open Your Arms do on occasion) or they may disappear forever (like Banging Heads or Find Yourself a Safe Place). You just never know.
The setlist at Open'er has Bird of Prey, Nothing, Honesty and The Phone Book which all went on to adopt a much lower profile in later years. The single thread that ties them is that they were products of an extremely difficult birth, as they occupied a time in the band when they were effectively reconstructing themselves into a different entity from the wreckage of Editors 1. It meant that some of the material on the fouth Editors album that should have received more appreciation became unwillingly tied to the controversies that accompanied them, and that's something you can only get a handle on that now with time and distance from the events. All the distractions of exiting and arriving personnel meant that there was a focus shift in favour of drama rather than the substance of the art on offer. These are good songs, you just have to break the context and situations they were anchored to in order to hear it.
I always enjoy listening to The Phone Book because there's this really soft air of quiet resignation abut it. I wonder how much it was shaped by the events prior to TWOYL being recorded or whether those lyrics and sentiments were already intact at the time of recording? I have no idea when The Phone Book was actually written. I do have a recording statement from Russell issued in 2011, where he actually names the working titles of 3 songs they were working on at the time that ended up on Editors' 4th album. They were Sugar, The Weight of Your Love (later shortened to The Weight) and Formaldehyde and they wouldn't be released for another 2 years. Russell's words also arrived while Mr Urbanowicz was still an Editor so it's entirely possible that The Phone Book was written then or even sometime prior to that. Oh, the ambiguity.
Back to what's in this post. There's the full set in video and mp3 form, as well as some bonus material that will tick all the necessary boxes for those of you with a penchant for Mr Williams (and his blue suit), and also for hearing Mr Lay swear. Oh, and if you want another blast of Open'er goodness, you can check out their 2008 performance here. Enjoy the music ;)
stream it here
MP3s
Sugar - download here
A Ton of Love - download here
Smokers - download here
Munich - download here
Bones - download here
An End Has a Start - download here
Bird of Prey - download here
Formaldehyde - download here
Two Hearted Spider - download here
Bullets - download here
The Racing Rats - download here
The Phone Book - download here
In This Light and on This Evening - download here
Eat Raw Meat = Blood Drool - download here
Nothing - download here
Honesty - download here
Papillon - download here
All in a zip - download here
Bonus Material
Stepping out from behind his keyboards, ladies and gentlemen this is Mr Williams on the mic. This is a transcript for a playlist he did for the WIMP website (which has since closed down), where he selected some of his favourite tunes and then gave reason why he picked them. Here's what he chose:-
Air: Mer Du Japon – I was travelling back from Tokyo when I made this playlist and it seemed like a great place to start.
David Bowie: It’s No Game Pt.2 – My favourite Bowie record changes a lot but at the moment it’s Scary Monsters. I think this is a brilliant closer.
The dB’s: Black and White – The dB’s are a total hidden gem from the early 80′s. Really catchy, energetic, jangle guitars.
Wilco: Solitaire – Always been a fan of this band and Jeff Tweedys voice and lyrics. This is one of my favourites from the Wilco album and at the time it was released the lyrical content in this song really spoke to me.
Gary Numan: Metal – As soon as that opening synth starts I’m nodding. When the beat, bass and polymoog start I’m in heaven. This track really takes me somewhere else, it still feels futuristic even now.
Genesis: Tonight Tonight Tonight - I’ve only just started to do the Genesis back catalog properly. I’m a big Gabriel fan so eventually it was going to happen. This awesome Collins penned track is an insane roller coaster of a song – so many twists and turns.
Wang Chung: Dance Hall Days – Wang Chung would be considered a guilty pleasure in most peoples eyes but I LOVE WANG CHUNG! Great 80′s pop songs, wicked sounds and ridiculous lyrics. I also love a good sax solo.
Miike Snow: Black Tin Box – Probably the darkest moment from the new Miike Snow record. Great production and a lovely feature from fellow Swede Lykke Li.
Gorrillaz: Some Kind Of Nature – Lou Reed and Damon Albarn – what else needs to be said?
Iggy Pop: Night Clubbing – I really like «The Idiot» and this my favourite track from that record. Sleazy, seductive and sexy!
Flight Facilities: Clair De Lune – I first heard this track through a friend sending me the video, which is a brilliant piece of art in its own right, directed by Dave Ma. I fell in love with the track as well, very hypnotising.
Kate Bush: Watching You Without Me – My favourite track from the legendary «Hounds Of Love» record.
Matthew Dear: Her Fantasy – This track makes me want to jump on a plane to New York and slam Manhattans on a rooftop till the sun comes up.
Prince: Take Me With U - I’ve seen «Purple Rain» far more times than it’s worth. I still enjoy it despite the terrible acting and story line but its the music and performances that bring me back time and time again. This one features Prince riding around a lake on his purple motorbike. Classic.
Scott Walker: Sleepwalkers Women – Like Hypnagogia Scott Walker can induce strange surreal moods and feelings within me. He has a special gift.
And if you want to watch the small ident video Mr Williams did with Ed for the above then you can download it with this link:-
Step back. Editors' 24 hour party people, Mr Lay and Mr Williams are in the area, people. The next clip is from WP.TV and sees Ed exercising his smooth and sarcastic diplomatic side, particularly when he's expressing his love of doing interviews (work those media people, sir. Work 'em!). He also possesses a potty mouth that may even rival that of his front-man. Well, almost... Check it out:-
brought to you with lots and lots of lemming-love :) x
