ODD OBSSESSION
My sister has this theory that all men are autistic. Not properly autistic you understand but a bit autistic in a way that manifests itself in obsessions about sports statistics, alphabetised book collections and whether the best way from A to B is up the M47 or you'd be better off on the A469 and then the B265. From this it is a short hop, skip and a jump to anoraks and trainspotting (both literal and metaphorical, as applied to music).
Even D, she who loves music and clubbing couldn't understand how Ex and I could spend hours with glazed expressions poring over racks of 12"s in record shops, searching for 'that' tune. Or the sheer pleasure in having a key tune that the other did not. Whether this remix was better than that remix. Where was that missing Weatherall remix in my collection.
Oddly enough, I can rationalise all of that (don't ask me how, I just can). The bit even I can't rationalise is a tendency to obsess over tunes that didn't deserve it. This is the story of one. I was in a record hand shop twenty years ago, looking through the promos (they have the greatest thrill factor) when I saw a 10" promo. By the way, why are 10" promos better than 12" promos but not as good as 7" promos? I digress. I had never heard of Crazyhead but it had a diamond shape on the front and was on the same label as Jesus Jones. I don't know why the diamond was important but I bought it.
There is nothing like the thrill of returning home on the train with a new tune. The expectation. The excitement. On getting it home, I rushed in and played it. And...it was nothing special. But I played it some more the next day, not wanting to believe that I'd wasted my money. In the end, I started to quite like it. And then I liked it a lot. And then, I played nothing else for days.
But why? It had some chiming guitars like REM. Only not as good. It had a really rocking loud feel. Only, it was, in truth, sadly a bit lumpen. It had a big singalong chorus. But I don't like lyrics. And repetition of the title, a classic chorus does not make. Nevertheless, I played it regularly and still do to this day. It has never lost its allure. But I never bought or sought out anything else by Crazyhead. I know nothing about them. And have no wish to. I nearly did for this post. But it would spoil everything. So, I haven't.
Why am I telling you this? Becuase I was in a charity shop the other day and saw the 12" promo of Time Has Taken Its Toll On You. I was drawn to it like an obsession. But I put it back. Which was good. But it still found its way home wth me. I've no idea how.
mp3 : Crazyhead - Time Has Taken Its Toll On You
http://www.myspace.com/crazyheaduk
Ctel, 24 October 2010
6 comments:
Lovely piece CTel.
Must be a 'side of the brain' thing.
Men take great delight in comparing directions. The option of the B3920 through Little Eckington should not be discounted.
I asked a woman yesterday if she'd like directions to York from my house. I was all ready, gagging to give her the full 'past the Horse n Trumpet, 2nd left at the library ...' when she declared, 'Don't bother. I have SatNav - I've no time for knowing the route'.
I rarely see women in record shops flicking thru' the dusty plastic. (I don't mean the HMVs of this world - which are DVD, Games and clothes emporiums these days).
I yearn for the meaty juicy gatefold sleeve, with it's info, and lyrics and hidden messages like, 'Thanks to Biffo for the cornish pastie incident' etc.
'Owning' a disposable mp3, which can be obtained (or deleted) with the pressing of a forefinger whilst sat in your underpants, takes away the tangible joy and wrings it out like a dishcloth.
Lots of love.
Agree, a brilliant piece of writing this. X marks the spot, and it is usually found when looking for Xiu Xiu deleted 7" pink-vinyl on the Absolutely Kosher label in that record store no one else goes to any more.
As for Crazyhead. All I knew about them was a song called 'Baby Turpentine'. Um. Aye. Pass...
I don't see anything wrong with your behavior Ctel, all perfectly normal if you ask me. It's not like your hunting a huge fucking white whale or something.
I have to admit that I now have 6 copies of Age Of Chance's Kiss as every time I see it in a second hand shop at a criminally cheap price I just can't seem to leave it there. The same thing with copies of Upside Down, 4 at the moment. I think that maybe I should stop,
A great story Ctel. Your sister is spot on with her analysis of men. It's typical of collectors whether music or train numbers and in many ways reassuring.
X
Nail hit squarely on the head here! It is impossible to truly explain the music search obsession...you might equate it to hunting and exploration on some levels! As for the mentioned obsession Crazyhead - I have one word - GREBO!!!! It's that short, very short, lived sound that brought us Gaye Bykers on Acid, Batfish Boys and even Pop Will Eat Itself! Actually I always thought Crazyhead were a bit more rock the way The Cult were a bit more metal than Goth in the end. Oh and I have 3 versions of "Time Has Taken It's Toll On You."
My wife's best friend has the same theory about men and autism. it's diffiuclt to argue against it when she's putting the theory forward sitting in front of your ordered record collection.
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