The absolute fuck is going on here?
Actually that seems to be an alternative cover art
Not that I feel this one makes a great deal more sense but it certainly is a little better.
EDIT been listening to the album and it’s pretty decent.
Yeah, slightly better - we have those 3 balls on front, but that text font didn’t improve…
Why is that funny? They’re still great.
Because the Zutons were always seen as a knock-off Coral.
It would be like Vince from Erasure joining the Pet Shop Boys.
I don’t think so. Perhaps it depends on where you lived. As a teenager in Liverpool, The Zutons were seen as another group in an exciting local scene which, for a couple of years, felt massive.
Someone else who grew up in Liverpool in the early 00s listening to Shellac or something will probably leap in now and tell me I’m wrong. But for my friends and I, they were, if you will, a GBOL.
I apologise for the sheer number of commas in this post.
No problem.
From the Zutons’ Wikipedia page:
At first, the band had to battle comparisons to The Coral. Both bands were Merseyside bands prominent members of the Liverpool music scene, on the same record label, shared the same producer, Ian Broudie, and were good friends, with McCabe having previously written songs with James Skelly.
As I recall they had very similar instrumentation too.
They had a lead saxophonist. The Coral were more like an expanded Doors in terms of their instrumentation.
Edit: The Coral are grand tbf.
In terms of their instrumentation.
The Doors: Vocals, Guitar, Organ, Drums.
The Coral: Vocals, 2-3 Guitars, Bass, Organ, Drums.
…I knew what I meant, anyway.
Just messing mate. I think you might have just described Kula Shaker also though
I think this is it. Regardless of actual instruments in use, the use of the saxophone was distinct for The Coral and so I think the similar sound of The Zutons plus the sax is why they were perceived that way.
Whereas TONNES of bands have organ sounds so it doesn’t register.
Anyway, I accept that you have a personal connection to these bands but for the rest of us I think there is nothing particularly controversial in what I’ve said.
“The rest of us”
Speak for yourself!
Also, really can’t think of many Coral songs with a lead saxophone part. But anyway! Doesn’t really matter.
Again as a non fan I think I only ever heard a couple of songs by either that didn’t really make much impression on me.
When I refer to the rest of us I mean those of us who weren’t fans.
Don’t like either of them, don’t think they’re that similar really other than being scouse and a bit jangly.
Is that from when they hit, what 15 (?) years ago or a later assessment listening to them now?
I’ve not listened to either of them out of choice since
Not a huge fan of either band although aware of most of their big songs. Up until this thread I’ve never once thought of The Zutons as a sub-Coral knock off? They seem very different to me.
don’t remember any Coral songs with a saxophone off the top of my head tbh? also never thought the two bands sounded particularly alike or recall hearing them in the same breath myself. i forgot The Coral were even from Liverpool.
heard one of their new songs on the Rough Trade podcast earlier and it sounded alright actually, mildly post-punk guitar which i wasn’t expecting. still not going to listen to an album with that cover though. also i had She Sings The Mourning on an NME CD years ago which i quite liked. maybe the album tracks were better than the singles?
