456 - Big Star - Third/Sister Lovers

[csberry]

In 1992, I was the assistant Music Director at WVUA, Univ of Alabama's student-run station. One day a package from Rykodisc arrived. They mentioned how cool Big Star was and heaped praise on Alex Chilton. I recognized Alex's name from the Replacements' song and dove right into the albums thinking these were actually new albums from some friend or acquaintance of The Replacements. I loved the double-album CD #1 Record/Radio City upon my first listen. When I recently saw Third/Sister Lovers was on the Rolling Stone list, I couldn't recall anything about the album. I now realize why. The album is a mess.

Just a quick history note. Big Star was essentially the creation of Alex Chilton and Chris Bell. They recorded #1 Record and Chris left at some point at the beginning of the recording of Radio city. Both albums were acclaimed by critics, but Stax and Columbia both screwed the pooch big time on distribution and promotion, so the albums didn't sell. When the third album was recorded, the record label decided it wasn't commercial enough and shelved it...without a name. Over the years, the record was bootlegged in several forms and given titles such as Third (because it was their third album) and Sister Lovers (because the two remaining members were dating sisters at the time). When officially released, the record company decided to give it the name of Third/Sister Lovers.

While there are gems in this collection, it is the execution in the studio that mutes their potential brilliance. You can literally hear Alex Chilton start to lose his grasp on living during several songs; his voice wavers, he struggles with keeping on beat, and he sounds defeated. It is the fact that despite the mess of an album this is, the songwriting behind most of the songs is still strong. If recorded well and some of the 19 track trimmed, this could have been a great album. That kind of potential is nice to hear, but it isn't enough for me to honor this album so highly. I'm more saddened about the recordings than excited about what could have been.

Songs I knew I liked: Other than one listen to this album when it first came out on CD, I wasn't familiar with the songs on the album.

Songs I didn't know but now like: "O Dana" and "You Can't Have Me"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: Not compelled to listen to the album again, but definitely will actively avoid "Big Black Car," "Holocaust," and "Downs."

Comments

[holygalaga.livejournal.com]

WHAAAAAAAAAAAT? "Holocaust" is amazing! Definitely a wonderful break up song.

[csberry.livejournal.com]

Like several of the songs, I WANTED to embrace the gloom and angst. Yes, when a relationship breaks up, you are in a mess. But for me the over-the-top comparison of lost love being a holocaust and the delivery during the recording clouded over what I did like about the song. After 5 listens, I started to lose my patience with trying to like the song.