Underwater Moonlight

[Insouciant Western People]

We never seem to talk about it, unless I'm not paying attention (which could well be the case).

We should talk about it though. It's a bit good. Isn't it ? I Wanna Destroy You is one of the great hateful snarls of venom and bile.

[Charlie O.]

It's pretty magnificent, alright. Probably my favorite RH creation (I Often Dream Of Trains is its only real competition, although I do like/love several others).

[Bungo the Mungo]

I always thought it was a bit spotty - about half of it is fairly forgettable. But 'Tonight', 'Kingdom Of Love', 'Queen Of Eyes' - they're terrific songs.

[Balboa]

I always thought it was a bit spotty - about half of it is fairly forgettable. But 'Tonight', 'Kingdom Of Love', 'Queen Of Eyes' - they're terrific songs.

Yeah, me too.

My favourite Hitchcock is 'Fegmania' which seems to get better over time.

[harvey k-tel]

I think the whole thing is pretty great. Nothing too weak on it, IMHO.

[Charlie O.]

Yeah, the only track on the original album I ever had mixed feelings about was the instrumental, "You'll Have To Go Sideways". The rest is ace, as are most of the outtakes.

[Magilla]

It's a stone classic.

[sloopjohnc]

I guess you didn't see the Robyn Hitchcock solo thread last week. I think it's good, but not as good as everyone thinks it is. I like Hitchcock's solo albums better.

[Balboa]

I guess you didn't see the Robyn Hitchcock solo thread last week. I think it's good, but not as good as everyone thinks it is. I like Hitchcock's solo albums better.

I guess you didn't see my post above.

[king feeb]

Yeah, the only track on the original album I ever had mixed feelings about was the instrumental, "You'll Have To Go Sideways".

But I love that one! The weird little keyboard is really great.

My only qualm is with the version of "Old Pervert" used on every version except for the original. The original version (called the "skin it back" version because Hitchcock exclaims that before the last instrumental part) is superior, but it seems to have disappeared from the CD versions. Does anyone know why?
But really, a great album and a longtime favorite. I used "I Wanna Destroy You" on my Mix Club disc last month. It's the bomb.

[sloopjohnc]

I guess you didn't see the Robyn Hitchcock solo thread last week. I think it's good, but not as good as everyone thinks it is. I like Hitchcock's solo albums better.

I guess you didn't see my post above.

[BARON CORNY DOG]

I think it's all that. I'm a pretty big Hitchcock person (not as big as some), so there's that.
A few months I carried a major obsession with the "Queen Of Eyes" --> "Underwater Moonlight" 1--2 punch for a couple of days. It was all I would listen to in the car, and at top volume. "Queen of Eyes" is obviously, unquestionably great, but I had never paid much attention to "Underwater Moonlight." But the slashing guitars! Holy shit! I freak out for it! It's such a great release . . . "Underwater moonlight, sets the body free . . . baby you and me . . ."

Though I have to say, I don't like the jivey shit they do right after that and the bass commits certain sins, which is probably what caused me to ignore the tune for lo these many years.

"Underwater moonlight, take your baby down . . . watch your baby drown . . ."
Then there's that shit where the guitars take off. Fuck man, I get excited and I don't know why. Then there's the tremolo mellow down business. What a jam. Hot damn. I never liked the fiddles, but the build up and release in the last 45 seconds kills me. "Baby you and me . . . " What a way to end a record. As with all things worth listening to, jam at top volume.

[Billy]

I Wanna Destroy You is one of the great hateful snarls of venom and bile.

You do realise it was a piss-take on all that sort of thing? Like that REM song mix-up thing that happened ...

Myself, I preferred 'I Wanna Do You' -- a fine Hitchcock song from his BB Blackberry and the Swelterettes/Worst Fears days

[you have to imagine a vast chorus of backing singers throughout the following]

I wanna do you as well as i can
And shalt thou enjoy it?
I hope so indeed, i do you for thee
And not just entirely for me!

But there was also its contender for the popularity stakes 'No Way The Reverb - Vibes', which comes across as a lost Moonlight outtake ...

And, no, I'm not making this up! Just, revelling in obscurity ... skope would be proud

[Penk!]

It is pretty spotty, as others have said, but there's stuff to enjoy even in the weaker tracks: I don't really think anything there is forgettable, though there are one or two songs I don't like. But the first two or three tracks would make for an absolutely killer album whatever came after.

[The Write Profile]

I've been playing this record a lot recently, and while I sort-of agree that it struggles to match its fiery opening ( the searing "I Wanna Destroy You", the malevolent "Kingdom of Love"), nearly every track has something in it to recommend, whether it's the big power chords of "Positive Vibration", the lurching, deadpan "I've Got the Hots" or the searing title track. I like its tight, confident production, but also the warped way Hitchcock has with a lyric, whether he's comparing love to parasite that gets under your skin, or on the point of total mania of "Insanely Jealous". And it doesn't sound dated at all, indeed, it could be released today and still have the same impact. I'm not sure whether I need any more Robyn Hitchcock in my life, but I'm pleased I have this one.

[harvey k-tel]

You should get his latest, self-titled album. There's a straight line right from UM to it.