Calenture
The Triffids
1987
Album Summary
Calenture is the fourth studio album by Australian rock group The Triffids, it was released in November 1987 and saw them explore themes of insanity, deception and rootlessness—the title refers to a fever suffered by sailors during long hot voyages. It reached No. 32 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart. In November 1987, it reached No. 24 on the Swedish Albums Chart, in May 1988 it peaked at No. 25 on the New Zealand Albums Chart. The album spawned three singles, "Bury Me Deep in Love" (1987), "Trick of the Light" and "Holy Water" (both in 1988). The latter track was recorded with American producer Craig Leon. In 2007 Calenture was re-released as a 2× CD with five bonus tracks on the first disc and twelve tracks on the second disc, mostly rehearsal or studio demos of the original album tracks. In February it appeared on the Belgium Albums Chart Top 60.
WikipediaWhat a load of shite. It's like they were 6th form students asked to do an impression of an 80s Christian rock band at Eurovision. I started finding it funny though due to how bad it was, like they can't have been serious. I suppose I can't give it 1 star, because I did take some enjoyment from it, but absolutely not in the way they intended.
Was there a typo that resulted in this album getting on the list? I fail to see any aspect of this one that merits it being in a list of 1001 albums I must hear. The whole thing feels over thought and way over produced. Given the pay counts (or lack thereof) on Spotify, I get the feeling that I'm not the only one this hasn't connected with. I wonder how many of those plays are purely generated from this site recommending the album. The worst part was that track had so much reverb and chorus on it that I was effectively forced to listen to every song multiple times at once. It was like each track was actually multiple instances of the song being played; each instance's timing slightly offset from the next. I could only get through track 6 (Open for You) before I had to call it.
Calenture is a misleading album. It opens with a pillowy, power pop ballad that belongs more in the opening montage of a Disney movie about some orphaned animal adopted into an interspecial family than it does the opener of a post-punk Australian outfit's LP. However, as the album progresses, cracks appear in the facade of this simple, straightforward, sickeningly sweet pop. “Kelly’s Blues” is peppered with indecipherable lyrics that sound like the scrawlings of a maniac in love with his hostage; “A Trick of the Light” reinforces this image of mania by recounting the story of a man who sees some lost love, perhaps, but it also hints at something much darker (with lyrics like “I was beating on her Iike an anvil…With that same old panic caught on her face”); “Unmade Love” seems to narrate scorned love gone wrong; and on and on. Suddenly, “Bury Me Deep in Love” sounds more like a warning covered over by its pillowy instrumentals. It isn’t just the story being narrated by the band that chips away at the album’s first impression. The sudden shift to the dark, uneasy instrumentation in “Unmade Love”; the strings that linger off-kilter in the background of “Blinder By the Hour” are almost anxious-making; the pulsing percussion of “Vagabond Holes” paired with the McComb’s vocal performance produces a song that feels desperate (although I wish both the vocals and the instrumentals in the chorus were less polished, rougher like they are in the verses of the song); the title track is an incredible punctuation of the album. My biggest complaint is the closer. The album overstays its welcome with “Save What You Can”. Not that it is a bad song (although I don’t think it is a particularly good song), but it ruins what would have been an amazing closer with the title track. The album can also drag in some places. I find my attention begins to wander when I listen to songs like “Hometown Farewell Kiss”, “Open For You”, and “Holy Water”. I also think “Jerdacuttup Man” lasts a beat longer than I wish it did (although I really love most of the song). I would give it a 7/10. It would almost certainly be a higher rating if the album ended with Calenture, but it probably wouldn’t be too much higher of a rating.
This is clearly a band built around the singer, David McComb. He has has an interesting voice, a bit like Lloyd Cole on the mellower songs and like fellow-Aussie Nick Cave when he gets wound up. The melodies do grow on you, but overall, the song-writing isn't that strong and the arrangements are pretty straight forward.
what? who? why? WTF is this? If anyone recommends the Tiffids to you, tell them to fuck off.
i hate it so much it's hard to continue listening. It's like christian rock, but somehow cheesier. It sounds like it should be on a kids show, like Romper Room or Barney, with kids sitting around singing about being nice to each other.
McComb's explosive rage at the finale of \"Vagabond Holes\" should have been the Triffids' last gasp, an unsettling blast of scarred emotions that isn't easy to shake off.
Discovered this album a few years after it was released and it was the first Triffids album for me. Not sure if that is why I like it the most (the other Triffids albums are also great) but apart from the so-so production, this is a 5* album in every other aspect, introspective guitar rock that sounds very Australian, David McComb was one of the best singer-songwriters ever.
I thought about giving this four stars and then thought 'I'm only not giving it five BECAUSE of Bury Me Deep In Love' which is really punishing them for Neighbours. So, for the songs, the playing, the vocals. 5 stars. A high-water mark of eighties Australian music.
I listened to this one twice, entranced by its odd allure. Stand-out/favorite track: 'Jerdacuttup Man'
Man, this is good. Shades of Nick Cave and even The The. Lush, theatrical chamber-pop with real scale and depth of imagination.
When I first started this album I was a little disappointed. They are a very good band. They had a nice 80s feel, some good majestic choir, organ, bells, synths... so many elements that appeal to me. But the songs weren't grabbing me. I was ready to give this the lowest score of the week. As I listened further I'm not sure if the songs improved our my ear adjusted, but I started warming up to the band. After the halfway point I was enjoying this significantly more. Immediately after finishing I gave it a second listen and found myself singing along. I needed a couple of listens to this album to really appreciate it. Now I love it as a new addition to my 80s collection!
Blew me away. I think I enjoyed every single song. You can hear so many bands from before and after them, production and variation was excellent
Actually a pretty good album, no song stands out but overall very enjoyable
Really like this. Part Cult, Alarm, Prefab, Hot house all together. My 80' in a nutshell - simpler times and music.
Always hard to judge exactly how good an album is while I'm doing homework, but this one seemed quite good
A little weird, the songs almost felt too disjoint to be an album? It was good and groovy if a bit aggressively 80s, and they had nice voices. A solid 4 stars.
***to be read in the voice of Harry Redknapp*** The triffic Triffids. They do seem to have sparked some controversy in the Spackers judging panel, do the Triffids. Harry Redknapp also caused controversy by successfully swerving tax evasion charges by claiming he had secret bank accounts in his dog's name because he couldn't read. So there you go.
Classic 80s rock/pop, so you know I'm gonna love it. A little long, but the songs I saved were very very good, even if I wouldn't come back to the entire album Saved: Bury My Deep in Love, Blinder By T!he Hour, Jerdacuttup Man
I reviewed this already so I'm not going to write a lot. favorite songs are jerdacuttop man and calenture. Good album.
I’m intrigued by this album. It combines 80s elements of power pop, folk music, country music, and new wave. It is more conventional than most new wave artists and can be quite symphonic.
Most of the songs felt familiar even though it's my first time listening to this album.
Quite liked this album. Tone was somewhat dark but very melodic. Singer has a great vocal tone. Reminded me of a more bluesy Bowie.
Very jangle-pop uk 80s, some of the songs sound like Echo & the Bunnymen, or The Smiths, or Deaon Blue, or The Associates, or even Inxs. Wasn't expecting much, but really enjoyed it, and will listen to it again. One thing though - Spotify has the (very) extended version, with more than twice as many songs, some of them demos/outtakes.
Un disco muy raro, de esos que no sé bien cómo llegaron a esta lista. Musicalmente me gustó; de hecho creo que de los discos de la época ochentera que nos han tocado, es el que más me ha gustado. Como si fueran lo bueno de The Smiths, pero sin la voz espantosa de Morrisey. Mi único problema fue lo largo. Y encima hay un disco que trae también los ensayos y se vuelve infinito.
mitt nya favorit album. älskar verkligen gubbar som rockar sockorna av mej
Not heard of this band before but enjoyed this, any song with loud "Huhs" all the way through screams 80's and I love it.
-"Kelly's Blues" comes in heavy. It's also got a sweet bass line. Then the scream and bridge jam are totally awesome -"A Trick of the Light" is clearly a rip off of "Trick Of The Light" by The Who -"Holy Water" is a catchy track with quite cool instrumentation -"Vagabond Holes" is just a solid, catchy tune. Nice upbeat drums and simple lyrics seemed to make it stand out -Overall solid enough. Probably a low-mid tier 4. If more songs had a little more oomph like "Kelly's Blues" it could have been higher
Wasn't sure what I was expecting, but it probably wasn't this. So this album seems to be a mix between a much tamer version of contemporary darkwave and oldschool folk rock songwriting. While the album seemed unexciting at first, it started growing on me after a while. It's definitely a rounded up 4 for me, rather than a solid one. But I enjoyed it more than the last few 3's.
No, me neither? Not even in these listings of 'Best Australian Bands of all time' that run out at 8. But yet this is lovely pleasing blues gentle rock, and I rather enjoyed it.
Yet another band I have not come across before. For some reason I thought it would be 60s psychedelia. Definitely od the 80s, but that's not a problem. Like it a lot.
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Bury me deep in love, Open for you, Vagabond holes
I totally get why everyone seems to hate this but I was IN THE POCKET for it the whole time. I loved this! Heck yeah. Triffidshead 4 life. Reminded me a lot of the underappreciated Irish Band "A House", so maybe that's why I dug it.
PREFS : Bury Me Deep in Love, Kelly's Blues, Trick of the Light, Hometown Farewell Kiss, Open for You, Holy Water, Jerdacuttup Man, Save What You Can MOINS PREF : Unmade Love
It reminds me of Edward scissor hands especially the song jerdacuttup man. I really liked the album especially the sounds on it. Didn’t love all of the love songs as they were a bit cheesy. Overall it was a win and grew on me as I listened. Low 4
This is a very interesting album. I am not exactly sure what to think of it. I certainly hear the Nick Cave influences in this album, I also hear a bit of Scott Walker at times. I do really enjoy it, but like when I got my first Scott Walker album on the list, I just have a hard time actually digesting it. I think it will get a 4 from me today and a revisit at a later date. Pretty good album.
Some potential here, but didn’t catch me on the first listen. Might be worth a revisit!
Vagabond Holes was a great song, everything else just kind of blends together. not bad , just down the middle rock
This is a fine record and everything, but almost everything else I've heard by then has been better.
This is a band that hasn't quite determined their sound. Could be Pop or rock or, what I'm going to call, Australian country.
Wow, a band I've never heard of! this album was pretty good, not great, but I enjoyed it, as it kinda felt like a mix of New Order, The Smiths, and every 80's rock band music. I don't know if i'll ever add these songs to my go-to playlists, i'd have to listen to it again a few times, but this was very enjoyable!
New band for me! Massively produced late 80's Aussie rock. Best Tracks: Bury Me Deep In Love, A Trick of the Light, Save What You Can
Easy listening. Inoffensive. Just what I needed at the time. Wouldn't listen to it again.
Had genuinely never heard of them before. First track was super catchy. Reminded me of a “less sad” Cure
Some of these songs sounded like, 40% familiar but I'm pretty sure I haven't heard them before.
Hab noch nie von der Band gehört, aber das Album war cool. Irgendwie was besonderes aber auch nicht...
Meh. Not bad but didn't love it. I picked Bury me deep in love as my fave track, seems to be the most popular also.
Pretty good lyrically and has a cool feel for a late 80s album, but nothing that’s going to stick with me forever.
De bänga ja gjorde annat medans ja lyssna dock så de ble automatisk trea. Ja lyssna btw gårdagens album men ja klicka imisstag did not listen. Ganska friged up
This didn't really mesh with my tastes. But a distinctive voice and lyrically interesting.
47. Calenture - The Triffids 29 tracks. Never heard of them. Just a shit, softer, more melancholy INXS seems a tad harsh, but it's what I keep coming back to. It's not rubbish at all, far from it. It just lacks..... something. Something significant. 3/5
Suenan muy agradable, aunque creo que rayan en lo soso. Los coros son muy buenos en general, pegajosos y fáciles de repetir y cantar a la par, aunque creo que esto no salva a la mayoría de las canciones (e.g. Vagabond Holes). La parte fuerte del disco el segundo tercio (Unmade, Open, Holy, Blinder). Las letras tristes están bien pero creo que se queda a punto de ser un gran disco. Sólido 3. Songs: Unmade Love, Blinder by the Hour, Calenture
3.5 Rock muy pop ochentero de ese que realmente como que no es mi máximo. Sin embargo tengo que aceptar bastante, bastante bien hecho, más interesante de lo que parecía al inicio, líricamente si bien la temática no es como que super novedosa sí están bien hechas las canciones. Creo que la palabra que le pondría a su sonido es "meticuloso" se siente hecho con mucho cuidado, muchos detalles... al grado que siento que es un disco sobreproducido en varios puntos y se empieza a inflar más allá de lo aconsejable. A pesar de esos detalles y de no ser un género del que sea muy fanático, muy decente disco. Quizá no entienda del todo su inclusión en la lista pero a diferencia de otros que han tocado que tampoco entiendo su inclusión al menos la experienca de escucharlo valió la pena. Casi olvido que también debia mencionar... dentro de esa sobrepdorucción... también como que le podía cortar unas 4-5 canciones de las 17 y mucho mejor hubiera quedado.
Very 80s but a pleasant listen. Some of the hooks made for solid pop songs. Kinda forgettable, with no real standouts, but a decent listen nonetheless.
Yet another example of an album that should get more stars, but because of the Remastered-full-of-crap album version, it doesn't get what it deserves. The original album has 12 songs. It is an awesome album... But when you listen to 29 songs from a double album... with 3 versions of the same song, then it becomes boring and stale...
There was some good writing on this album but sonically it didn't do it for me
Jangle pop that sounds very much of its time, and specifically inspired by The Smiths, between the jangle, extensive synths, and chambered vocals and instruments. Optimistic tone, with further inspiration from folk, country, and sophisti-pop (hear that easy listening brass). It's solid, some highlights, but nothing outstanding.
Decent album, no idea about The Triffids before it popped up, but a heavily 80s-pop rock sounding album
Very inconsistent. There's something great about variety in an album of its done well. This one could've stayed a little focused in style.
Nothing overly interesting or ambitious in this one. Songs are all ok but nothing to memorable.
It's a real shame - the music and the songs on this album are good, but not great. It's expertly arranged and played, but it somehow misses the spark of true greatness. I guess I wanted to like this album more than I ended up doing. 3/5