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I'm sure all of us at MD are familiar with Alex Chilton as the leader of the now legendary Big Star, but I doubt many are familiar with his solo career. Now, I'm going to get this out of the way right now; if you're lookingfor the pop perfection found on any of Big Star's classic, you will not find it here. The sound of "Like Flies on Sherbert" is pure nihilism. Chilton, after enduring the soul-crushing depression documented on "Third/Sister Lovers", Chilton just gave up, sat down, and recorded some songs as fast as he could. The quality is quite cheap and the playing is very sloppy, so it's a bit hard to get into, but once you do you will find it quite gratifying. I suppose I like it so much because I identify with the way Chilton feels; nothing at all, but musically, "Like Flies on Sherbert" is still an excellent of sloppy rock'n'roll perfection
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I'm more of a Box Tops guy
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Didn't realise Chilton hasd solo material out there ! Thanks, Matt !
mtthwibrahim Wrote:I'm sure all of us at MD are familiar with Alex Chilton as the leader of the now legendary Big Star, but I doubt many are familiar with his solo career. Now, I'm going to get this out of the way right now; if you're lookingfor the pop perfection found on any of Big Star's classic, you will not find it here. The sound of "Like Flies on Sherbert" is pure nihilism. Chilton, after enduring the soul-crushing depression documented on "Third/Sister Lovers", Chilton just gave up, sat down, and recorded some songs as fast as he could. The quality is quite cheap and the playing is very sloppy, so it's a bit hard to get into, but once you do you will find it quite gratifying. I suppose I like it so much because I identify with the way Chilton feels; nothing at all, but musically, "Like Flies on Sherbert" is still an excellent of sloppy rock'n'roll perfection
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Just released in February 2012, the material you refer to is now on a disc called "Free Again: The 1970 Sessions", on Omnivore.
"The EMI Song" sounds pretty good actually, and there are some covers on the collection as well.
You can live in staunch denile and mark me as your enemy, but I'm just a voice among the throng who want a brighter destiny, and say with me, "We are the New America!" -Greg Graffin