A classic of its time

Soon we'll have news of the (first; CD) reissue of Nobody's Perfect as part of the 'Parabolically Yours' book set. To be getting on with, how about a nice review from the one place that 'PY' will definitely not be available from!

  One of Manchester's Finest

By Chulsk - 10 Jan. 2014

Never tire of listening to this album. Faultless "pop" album, oozes musical pleasure. Mike Finney's vocal would see off any X-Factor wannabe with ease; strong, unique & full of expression. The production is of it's day, but the underlying strength of the tracks is undeniable, each one brilliant, all of them varied. The album works as a whole, not a single duff/filler track... a few magnificent stand out songs, I'd let the listener work out for themselves which they are.

I've followed loads of Manchester bands over the years... from the industrial noise & dark poetry of Joy Division to the breezy, inward looking, laugh out loud Smiths and all manner of different Mancunian music. This album is right up there with the very best of them, and yet has been almost criminally overlooked. I believe it will one day be recognised not just one of Manchester's finest, but as a classic of it's time, which stands the test of time.

Sweet pop music doesn't get much better.

Dark horses

Not long to go now until definitive news of the 'Parabolically Yours' book set. A cornerstone of this set, will be, of course, the terrific 1980 debut album on Island. 'Nobody's Perfect' (not 'The Distractions'!) was reviewed by Mike Nicholls in Record Mirror on 3rd May 1980, and here's what he had to say (4/5 stars).

THE DISTRACTIONS: 'The Distractions' (Island 1LPS 9604)

LOVE - OR lack of it - is in the air and joining the likes of The Undertones, with songs about girls and more girls, are the irresistible Distractions, a group who only recently have been collecting the pundits they've been worthy of these past three years.

Habituees of their live performances may initially be shaken by the powerful production gloss, but overall there are no worries.

For the uninitiated, The Distractions incorporate a wide range of influences from fifties innocence through classic sixties pop to late seventies experimentalism, but this is no Nick Lowe hack job.

Studio mentors Phil Chapman and John Astley (whose track record includes Clapton, Armatrading and 'Who's Next') have seen to that and blended the ingredients with Cordon Bleu delicacy. Proof of the pudding is in the inspired difference between the two types of songs: The simple yet subtle "pop" tunes and more fully blown production numbers which emphasise what dark horses the band are.

Into the appealing first category go such titles as 'Waiting For Lorraine', a heartfelt affair whose hard luck angle comes with guitars growling in sympathy with Mike Finney's excellent moaning vocals. The lyrics are as succinct as some of those from Pete Shelley, particularly the conclusion which is an absolute killer. 

Another definitive song is the new single, Eden Kane's 'Boys Cry' which seems custom-built for Finney and which rather than being given a too-clever-by-half nouveau treatment, sounds more vintage than ever with Alec's drums high in the Spectorish mix.

'Nothing' is a new, improved version of their 'You're Not Going Out Dressed Like That' oldie but one or two others are below par. The ideas are there but songs like 'Paracetamol Paralysis' and hitherto personal stage fave 'Still It Doesn't Ring' don't go anywhere further than their fine tunes and hooks.

Maybe I'm expecting too much, or just plain spoilt by some of the more realised hi-tech epics like 'Sick And Tired'. Opening with a synthesiser motif lifted straight from Kraftwerk, The Distractions metamorphosise into a different band with tears substituted by anger.

'Stuck In A Fantasy' features more good guitar from the boys, Perrin and Wright, but the twin pieces de resistance are 'Leave You To Dream' and 'Looking For A Ghost'. With Finney at his most note-perfect and some gently rising keyboards and Platters-style harmonies, both are near blueprints for what sophisticated pop music should be all about: direct, classy and with undeniable quality that makes it memorable yet unpredictable. The Distractions are stalking up to that goal and have the potential to define the post-teen pulse. A confident first album, not flawless, but fab nonetheless.

+  +  +  +  

MIKE NICHOLLS

(c) Mike Nicholls, Record Mirror, 1980.

Parabolically nearly Yours

Over on the essential Super Deluxe Edition, the Chris Wood 'Evening Blue' piece has generated plenty of interest. Not least also from Distractions fans who have been wondering about 'Parabolically Yours'. Well, Neil Storey from HiddenMasters stepped in and has let a few titbits slip...

Some good news for you – The Distractions' 'Parabolically Yours' is next! There was a brief-lived plan in November last that we’d try to issue both that and The Chris Wood book set around about the same time but, it just became way too complicated – so that got knocked that on the head. Just too bonkers to try and do both together. 

The Distractions book set is planned now for mid-October. Book element more or less done, the music yet to be mastered. And, like there is with Chris’s, there are a few more surprises in there than people are probably expecting!

The Distractions book set will be a slimmer volume [than the 200+ page Chris Wood book], book size is approx 96pp – still vinyl sized like all HiddenMasters editions are... and we’re aiming for it be around the £65 mark. Don’t hold me to that, that's the plan.

(c) Superdeluxeedition.

So, it's fair to say that after a false start last time, the 'Parabolically Yours' set will soon be reality. And, it will be something of similar quality, comprehensiveness and size to the wonderful Jess Roden Anthology and the forthcoming Chris Wood book set. Roll on October, but well before then, pre-ordering via Digital Stores, book set content and track listings will be announced. For the latest, check back here, on HiddenMasters, on Facebook and on Twitter.

(c) Eddie Graham.

(c) Eddie Graham.

Next up...

The big news from HiddenMasters is that their latest project is coming to fruition, which means next up is the slightly-longer-than-anticipated Distractions 'Parabolically Yours' set (as you know, time goes by rather slowly).

You can get a feel of the general quality of book-set that you can look forward to with this preview of the Chris Wood 'Evening Blue' set. Pre-ordering for this set starts tomorrow (10th February) and the set is launched on 24th June in collaboration with Caroline International.

Hidden Masters presents… Chris Wood – Evening Blue – 200+ page hardback book-set + 180 gsm vinyl + 4 CDs. – First release in new worldwide distribution deal with Caroline International. 

Pre-ordering news

Chris Wood page at HiddenMasters

Chris Wood Facebook

Appealing Distractions

Here's a nice little review of The Distractions at Rock Garden in London, that we've just come across. Keep an eye out on here for big news soon of not only of the forthcoming third Distractions album which was recorded last year. but also of the rather eagerly-awaited 'Parabolically Yours' definitive set...

DISTRACTIONS' Adrian Wright

THE DISTRACTIONS

Rock Garden, London

IF YOU'VE always had a soft spot for the Flamin' Groovies but got miffed 'cos they hardly ever tour, then transfer that affection for The Distractions forthwith.

They've been chugging along for about three years now and despite occasional outbursts of good press, still have to resort to playing tarted up fall-out shelters whenever this end of the M1. It would be OK if the house PA wasn't so shit, but then tolerating the appalling noise that characterised the first few minutes is part of the appeal of The Distractions.

Like The Grooves, they always manage to shamble through the set in the end, finishing at a peak which makes earlier grievances quite forgettable.

Guitarist Adrian Wright might have more hair than Cyril Jordan, but his mirrored shades are a great sop to stagemanship, even if the latter is mainly monopolised by Mike Finney. 

Dressed in a white summer jacket and black shoes, he still looks like one of the more unlikely vocalists around, but his voice and presence are a unique part of the band's personality. With t'other guitarist, Steve Perrin, he writes most of the songs, the majority of which are familiar to these ears and sound better all the time.

'Paracetamol Paralysis' is dedicated to one of the Island Press officers who is out "watching The Jags", while 'Waiting For Lorraine' was one of about six tunes that would make ideal chart material.

Much-needed Distractions

Here's a few much-needed distractions while we await the news that we've all been waiting for on the 'Parabolically Yours' set...

From Totally Wired: Post-Punk Interviews and Overviews by Simon Reynolds:

 

(c) Google Books, 2015.

There was a band called The Distractions, an extraordinary group - 'Time Goes By So Slow' was a great record. Some of these groups were almost like dreams, it's almost like they didn't quite exist.

(c) Amazon.

On the Piccadilly Records page for the excellent Manicured Noise reissue, 'Northern Stories 1978-1980' (Caroline True Records), an old Paul Morley quote from the NME:

“Factory have expressed an interest in The Distractions, The Negatives and current musicians’ favourites, Manicured Noise. (Ask Vic Goddard, the Banshees; Wire what they think of M Noise. Politely of course”. 

 (Paul Morley, NME Dec 1978)

Everything But The Girl's Ben Watt revealed that The Distractions records which Tracey Thorn bought him influenced his debut album, 'North Marine Drive':

"...The hectic tempo of a couple of the tracks was a direct influence of meeting Tracey [Thorn]; she played me pop bands new to me like The Distractions and Orange Juice."

Tiger Lounge gig

Some more photos of the wonderful set from Mike, Alex and company at the Tiger Lounge last month. Thanks go to Wendy Clark for these.