Adventure [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Television

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 23, 2003)
• Original Release Date: September 23, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B0000AI45Q
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #35,924 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Glory

2. Days

3. Foxhole

4. Careful

5. Carried Away

6. Fire

7. Ain't That Nothin'

8. Dream's Dream

9. Adventure [*]

10. Ain't That Nothin' [Single Version][*]

11. Glory [Early Version][*]

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Remastered digipak reissue for the band's 2nd album originally released in 1978, includes 3 bonus tracks 'Adventure' (previously unissued), 'Ain't That Nothin' (single version) & 'Glory' (early version). Elektra. 2003.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Let the Guitar Sound, June 29, 2004

By	Omer Belsky (Haifa, Israel) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Television's 1978 sophomore attempt has suffered from a double disadvantage in the eyes of critics, fans, and history. First, it has a production that does it something of a disservice - it somehow doesn't catch the grandeur, the magic of the songs. You miss the danger and the glory that these songs should, but don't quite, radiate. The other disadvantage is simpler: It's a follow up for one of the greatest albums in Rock history - 1977's Marquee Moon.

Yet this is quite a shame, because Adventure is, in its own small way, something very close to masterpiece. Like its predecessor, Adventure relies on the masterful songwriting of Tom Verlaine, whose prowess in that department has often been overshadowed by his genius hands at the fret.

Some of Verlaine's songs have been covered by Artists who brought out the pop-rock genius in them. But television always shies away from that; even at its catchiest, it maintains a cutting edge, a unique sound and music making ethic which make Verlaine's music a connoisseur's art.

The connoisseur has much to love in this release, one of the best in Verlaine's career. Opening with 'Glory', one of Verlaine's most rewarding rock'n'roll moments, a song which could have fitted nicely in Marquee Moon (It is only the only track off 'Adventure' which Television presently perform on a regular basis). We get a sing-along, but one which is remote nonetheless. If you can appreciate it, you'll love it, but it'll take a poppier cover for the uninitiated to appreciate the beauty in it.

As a lyricist, Verlaine is both profound and whimsical, his song often sound like the more poetic of Dylan's songs, but with a weirder sense of humor. See the lyrics of the epic closer 'Dream's Dream':

The elevator called me up.
She said you better start making sense.
The stone was bleeding, whirling in the waltz.
I went to see her majesty. The court had no suspense.
She said, "Dream dreams the dreamer."
I said it's not my fault.

The focus on Verlaine tends to turn you away from the genius of the rest of the band, but this is by no mean's a one man show. Although clearly led by Verlaine, the interplay between Verlaine and second guitarist Richard Lloyd is legendary. Although he's hardly the revolutionary guitarist that Verlaine is, Lloyd is a superb player and Television's sound rests to a great extent on his ability to complement Verlaine's playing. As one who has seen them live, I can testify that it is often Lloyd's leads and riffs over Verlaine's chords that turn a great band into magicmakers.

The Rhythm section, although less noticeable then Verlaine and Lloyd, is also fantastic. It may seem to be merely staying out of the way, but rather it is a perfect, subtle combination, as you can notice in Bill Ficca's drumming on "Dream's Dream" and "Ain't that Nothin'". Fred Smith's bass lines don't draw much attention, but he's a great bassist, and works so well with Verlaine as to be the only member of Television to have followed Verlaine into his solo career.

From great rockers like "Glory", "Foxhole" and "Ain't It Nothin'", through slower tunes like "Days", and into near ballads such as "Carried Away", Adventure reeks of class. Closer 'The Dream's Dream" is a great epic, slow but tuneful, with those guitars you just die for.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Adventure in the land of Television, November 14, 2003

By	Wayne Klein "If at first the idea is not absu... (My Little Blue Window, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

Adventure has never gotten the respect of Marque Moon. Perhaps its because it builds on the model of the first album and the songwriting is a bit more refined and polished. The British press have reassessed Adventure and decided it was superior album to the debut. They're very different albums but then again, who am I to argue with the Brits?

Verlaine's singing is more confident and less self-conscious and the playing show the band in synch. Lloyd and Verlaine's guitar interplay is every bit as inventive as the debut. Adventure is the result of a band playing together over a longer period of time and a songwriter finding the best voice for his band to express themselves.

Adventure is fleshed out with the title track, Ain't That Nothing (both the single and the rehearsal) and an early version of Glory. All these tracks (with the exception of the single version of Ain't That Nothing)are interesting to contrast with the more complete final versions. It's like watching a great master paint. While you get an idea of what the final painting will look like, you don't get the complete picture until the paint has finally dried.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars take a chance, August 26, 2005

By	L. L. Rice (boston,ma) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I had originally picked up Marquee Moon and couldn't stop listening to it. My thirst for more Television music brought me to Adventure which seems to be black or white to most fans.
Love it, or hate it. Not much middle ground here.
I was disappointed upon first listen because its not MM part II. The production is different. The guitars on MM are more in-your-face but on Adventure they are more refined, brought into the mix more. It took me a little while to digest. I kept spinning it and started to really get into it.
On Adventure the songs that really struck a cord with me were the softer entries "Days, Careful, Carried Away." The passion that pushes MM to such great heights is here in a song like "The Fire." The epic song is again presented in "The Dream's Dream." "Glory" is an infectious feel good pop song and "Ain't that Nothin'" is a hook laden gem with a really satisfying guitar riff coming out of the solo.
Another thing to consider when listening to this record is where MM had the benefit of having the songs fully fleshed out live before the album was recorded, Adventure was made up of mostly brand new, untested material. Some of which was written in the studio.
I would put Adventure on even footing with Marquee Moon. If you really loved MM and are interested in checking this out, give it more than a few spins in your CD player. Some of the best and most enduring music doesn't hit you the first time you hear it but grows on you over time.