Starting in 1985, I had such a love affair with these guys, the only thing which I could compare it to at the time was the Smiths. Of course, I met my wife in 1986 and the rest, as they say, is history. But even though I have all of their albums (except this year's) on vinyl, I'm listening to the CD collection "Cigarettes & Carrot Juice" (courtesy of Brother Hal), and it brings back such memories.

Listening to these incredible early CDs and reading the reviews of the brand-new CVB brings me to an obvious conclusion. Most of the reviewers respect CVB and believe that their new album is GOOD (no reviews below 70 yet), but they don't actually have a clue how good it is because they aren't exactly sure what to make of the early stuff. (They know that it too is good, but maybe it's just not THAT good.)

The first three albums were battling it out with the Smiths for best albums of the year for me in 1985 and 1986. The latter year was particularly perplexing since CVB put out two albums and they both seemed like they could be the year's best!

This year's album is so overpoweringly intense, beautiful and spot-on concerning the situation of our world that it has to qualify as the greatest CVB ever. Of course, the fact that some of the world's greatest musicians have only gotten better makes total sense to me. Hey, if CVB is Greek to you, try to check them out, or maybe we can arrange a "free trial." Remember, not all bowling alleys look the same and adopting a skinhead could change your life! Just be careful when you sleep next to plastic or lick a stranger's knees!

Later, Most-Gatorish Gators.

I can only reiterate mark's heartfelt endorsement of the CVB legacy. If you don't know them, you should. There are lots of places to start...this years New Roman Times would be a fine point, but the reasonably-priced Cigarettes and Carrot Juice box, featuring the early (pre-major label) records and a live disc is a good way to get to the roots of this band, a weird bastard offspring of ska, Eastern European folk, college rock, and the Grateful Dead.

By the way...if all of this CVB talk is really Greek to you, you might know one the progeny of Camper was the substantially more popular group, Cracker. Camper singer David Lowery is also the singer/songwriter for Cracker. While Cracker isn't quite as self-consciously eclectic as Camper, there are certainly similarities. If you like Cracker, you should at least TRY Camper.

To end, as mark did, with some Camper wisdom, remember that there are good guys and there are bad guys, there are crooks and criminals, there are doctors and there are lawyers, and then there are folks like you and me. So, just get high with the radio on...just relax and sing a song.

I didn't even realize this thread existed, until Eric mentioned it in the "Best of 2006" section. I think Camper Van Beethoven were great. Sure, they were a bit too snarky at times, but by the point they released Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart and Key Lime Pie, they had refined their sound into a special combination of European folk and indie rock, acordians and jutting guitars.

"Tanya" and "Life is Grand," from Revolutionary Sweethart, are marvelous, sweeping songs. Even their snarky tendencies aren't so bad, as current fans of The Decemberists would concede.

Didn't even know this thread existed until now. I'm always willing to give out some props for CVB, and Cracker for that matter, (very underrated).
'Key Lime Pie' has got to be one of my favorite records from the 80's, and "All Her Favorite Fruit" is one of the best songs ever in my opinion.
On a side note, they're pretty cool guys too. They played in my town, (Flagstaff, AZ) a couple years back, just before 'New Roman Times' came out. They did an in-store at the local record shop, and spent a lot of time talking to fanboys such as myself. I even got my copy of 'Telephone Free Landslide Victory' signed by all of them.
After the actual show they just came out and hung out with the audience. Cool guys.

I realize I am responding to a 8 mth old thread, but I just wanted to declare my love of Camper Van.
I still listen to them. Unique. Not quite unique, or really unique. Unique as it should be accurately used: one of a kind.

Well, you just went up to a 9 outta 10 in my book, no questions asked. At least yet.

quote:

Originally posted by Ishmaelscoffin:
I realize I am responding to a 8 mth old thread, but I just wanted to declare my love of Camper Van.
I still listen to them. Unique. Not quite unique, or really unique. Unique as it should be accurately used: one of a kind.

99% of music fans immediatedly think of "Take the Skinheads Bowling" when you mention CVB, but Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart is a lost classic. "Eye of Fatima (both parts)" are amazing, "She Devines Water", "Turquoise Jewelry", "One of these Days". They're all great songs, and there are many more on the album.

Yes oh my brothers in the church of CVB.
Our Beloved was the album that got me into the band.
Found a review in Rolling Stone and cldn't believe my ears when I heard it.

quote:

Originally posted by Ishmaelscoffin:
Yes oh my brothers in the church of CVB.
Our Beloved was the album that got me into the band.
Found a review in Rolling Stone and cldn't believe my ears when I heard it.

Didn't believe the review being bad, or was the review good and led you to checking it out and then didn't believe the album was so good?

I'd believe it if you told me Rolling Stone gave it 2 stars or something absurd. Hopefully, they got it right and led you to a great find.

Sorry, to make clear:
The Rolling Stone review was very positive..this was when the mag was good; writers like James Henke , Anthony DeCurtis and Mikal Gilmore strode across the review section, providing thoughtful informed essays.
And when I actually heard the album, I cldn't believe how great and unusual the band were.
They were unlike anything I had ever heard..I must have been about 21.