Customer Reviews

Precollection

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Ignore all negative reviews of this album. Critics seem to misunderstand this band often. Heasley's musical vision can't be pinned down on any particular lilys album, except possibly this one. I really hear elements of the early and later period lilys. I'd say on the third listen things started clicking. Think along the lines of syd barrett collaborating with my bloody valentine and you sort of get the picture. I saw him perform most of these songs solo acoustic a month ago and it was fantastic. This could easily be the best album I buy this year. And if you haven't bought pig lib either, pick it up. Stephen Malkmus and Kurt Heasley would do well to go on tour together. Buy it new, support this artist. He is one of the funniest and most charming people I have met. I never write reviews, but this album must be heard!

OK, I've got tons of records & LOVE good pop music, but somehow, I've never been turned on to the Lilys. Why hasn't someone forced them down my throat!? Actually, Precollection was bought for me by a rabid Lilys fan who swore I'd thank him later - which I've now done about 20 times. I've since delved in to The 3 Way & Better Can't...(both EXCELLENT!) & I understand the disappontment of some long-time fans but I'm glad I heard Precollection first. While the other records have a more immediate kick, the comparibly mellow Precollection is the first one where people may have to struggle for reference points. Not 60's, not shoegazey, not particularly modern OR retro sounding - just Kurt Heasly music. These songs subtly worm their way in to your brain - marvel as structures that aren't immediately clear become positively anthemic with some patience. The third listen really did it for me - I hate that there are a few people who've dismissed it after the first spin. Peresvere folks! On certain days, I've had this entire record stuck in my head & I still can't put my finger on exactly why it's so great. Is this even helpful?! I guess all I really wanted to say is that without all the massive expectation, I was able to freely digest this record & it's my favorite of the year so far. I keep coming back to it. It's got a soul & mystique that sets it apart from most of today's disposable pop music.

I remember the Onion AV club's review of this album mentioning something about how the songs require double digit listens to sink in. Not only is this true, but I'm finding that the album reveals itself over double digit months. I got the album when it came out, nearly three years ago, and tried to love it but couldn't quite figure it out.

"Will My Lord Be Gardening" and "Catherine (Let A Positive Stream...)" were immediate favorites, but while much of the rest of the album intrigued me, I wasn't sold. Now, the songs are all familiar to me, as they've entered my random iTunes queue over the past few years. On occasion, I listen to the album all the way through, and each time is more rewarding than the last.

Now, after a considerable time living with Precollection, I've come to love it. Not merely out of familiarity, but because it's great. Truly great (except for Melusina).

"Something something something something something isn't there."

This is an absorbing album from a songwriter of rare originality. It may not be immediately comprehensible or appealing to some at first listen, but repeated hearings will bring rewards to those who persevere. Kurt Heasley's influeces/inspirations are apparent (lots of good British pop sounds from the sixties to the nineties)but he molds them into a unique sound that is more than the sum of its parts. The song structures are unpredictable (check out twisty and meandering "Mystery School Assembly"), and even the more straight-ahead pop tunes such as "Squares" and "Perception Room" contain musical suprises. The lyrics abound in baroque, stream of consciousness imagery and clever wordplay. And it all still manages to stay catchy! Every track is different and worth savoring individually; the unifying element is the somewhat murky, dark production which gives the album a melancholy vibe, even on the more uptempo tracks. These complex, layered song arrangements could have benefited from clearer, less drum-heavy production, but this is still one of the most under-rated releases of 2003. A must-have for fans of inventive pop music!

Not the record I was expecting. When Heasley unveiled what was reported to be the new band lineup in 2000 on the 'Selected' recordings, I thought..promising, very promsing. Even though the centerpiece of that record was a re-recording of an older track, it was such an explosive little production, it left me wanting more. Imagine my surprise three years later with the arrival of 'Precollections'. The music is terrific, of course. Any time Mr. Heasley pulls together a full length, he is going to bring along his brimming sack of ideas. How then to explain the lack of spark on this one? I have no gripe with the production, it suits the material. If I do have a problem, it's with the pervading lackluster tone of 'Pre'. Indeed it wouldn't surprise to hear of Heasley's recent treatment for depression. Following the manic heights of the Elektra/Sire recordings, these tracks seem to file in, sedated and shuffling from the beginning. Though the best material is dazzling, it isn't very well served by the overall package. 'Will My Lord..' is truly a gem, though 'Squares', channels Julian Cope and 'Mystery School..' is a dead ringer for Wire. 'Dunes' has been getting alot of play around here, irresistible. Not a man for half measures, Heasley has scrapped Lilys mach 1 for the present and more power to him.
Oh..I also didn't think 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots' was that great, although I love the Lips. Sorry.

If you've been following the Lily's career than you are aware that they (like the worlds greatest bands) do not repeat themselves (see Blur/Think Tank). And no work of substance should be understood or digested in one listen- I took The 3 Way in small doses for months before I loved it entirely. Fact is I've grown to love Eccsame the Photon Band over - years. If you want immediate gratification I suggest Train or Matchbox 20.

read the first review far below...it's true, this album takes a bit of listening until one truly warms up to it. song # 3 (will my lord be gardening) is easy to love, but then try delving into song #6 (catherine) and #'s 9 and 10 (dunes and 365). you'll find after a few listens you love the taste of this new lilys flavor. in our happy meal culture we forget that sometimes it's best to savor a 10 course meal comprised of new delicacies instead. and that's just what you get with precollection.

I predict a lot of people will feel burned by this album because it doesn't sound like their last couple. Lilys have the habit of changing their sound everyone once in a while, and this is never easy on fans, at least not the fairweather variety. I too was hoping for more of The 3 Way's sound (a very delicious & ecclectic variety of orchestrated pop). But listening to this a few times I think it was probably time for Kurt to move on.

The production is a little less clear than in "the Michael Deming years" but it isn't bad at all. The songs are fairly strong, with some stronger than others. "Will My Lord be Gardening" is a charmer. "Meditations on Speed" is hilariously freewheeling & reminiscent of Velvet Underground. "Squares" reminds us that few people can write songs so oddly structured & make them sound so memorable.

Overall, what I like about this disc is that it is very unpretentious & honest... Kurt not bowing to either critics or fans... riffing on his new family-life & picking out the beauty or oddness along the way.

Just, you know, don't get too used to this one either.

This may be the best Lilys album, but for reasons far different than those that made THE 3-WAY, BETTER CAN'T MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER and SERVICES (FOR THE SOON TO BE DEPARTED) keepers. Here the pervading tone is a kind of hopeful mourning, sort of the feeling you get as you're shaking the sad memories of a dead relative, and just learning to appreciate the happy ones. Heasley still has a remarkable way of turning a phrase, too. "The young and dancing you," "I've been away from water too long" "Still I think the best of you (even the worst will do)" "See it for yourself, you can reason!"

The arrangements here take some getting used to. It's throughout a 4-piece electric record, but the whole thing is tethered to a pervasive, prodigious, leading edge plucking style of acoustic guitarplay (emphasis on "play") by main-man Heasley and the occaisional Manzarekian keyboard excursion. Result is a whole different sound than the self-critiquing retro posturing of the past records. This is new music in the best sense of the phrase.

Let's just say there's a lot here to love. You should know this album is a real 'grower,' too. The first listen, especially coming off THE 3-WAY, is a jarring experience, but seriously, give it five more spins. After that, expect to have this CD locked onto your changer through Labor Day. It's the most emotionally fulfilling and musically adventurous CD I've heard this year.

If you have yet to hear this band, at any stage, I highly suggest you do! For me, Lilys are the Velvet Underground of my generation, due to their lack of public recognition! They don't sound like VU, but their mark on rock music is, and will one day be looked on as an indie phenomenon!

The new album "Precollection" took four years for Kurt Heasley and CO. to conceive, experiment, and explode! This is unlike any of Lilys previous musical formations, but true appreciators and fans will be absolutely blown away. This is by far their most accessible and versatile sound to-date, and defies any relation to past acts! This stigma has followed Lilys for years, with many critics claiming they rip-off some of the greatest musical acts, such as My Bloody Valentine or The Kinks!

"Precollection" is definetly one of my favorite Lilys albums, but is by no means my favorite! "The 3-Way," "Services","Better Can't Make Your Life Better," and "Eccsame the Photon Band" are without a doubt their best records! But this album is definetly a Lilys classic effort, with some of my all-time favorite songs, such as "Mystery School Assembly," "Will My Lord Be Gardening," and "Perception Room." The best song on the album is the fantastic rock freakout of "Meditations on Speed."

This album is worth every penny! For true Lilys fans it is essential! For newcomers to the world of Kurt Heasley, this is a very accessible record and a good starting point the phenomenon that is Lilys!