Marquee Moon

Here’s what I wrote about this album in my Top 10 Albums of All Time entry on StoryWorth: **************** The greatest guitar album ever. This will not be to everyone’s taste, but man, what an album. The title track alone is worth the price of admission, as they say. **************** Listening to it again now, it’s still an amazing disc. The guitar interplay between Verlaine and Lloyd is catchy and done so well throughout. Special kudos to Billy Ficca’s drumming.

This album is such a breath of fresh air. this is the first album on this list that i’ve had literally no preconceived notions about, and am pleasantly surprised. i hear so many bands that i listen to in here, yet i’ve never heard of this band that’s been doing it longer than anyone else, basically. i hear the cars. i hear modest mouse. i hear the cure. feels like the rosetta stone for 50 years of post punk and emo and that whole side of alternative music. i get why his voice could be off putting for people, but as an avid consumer of emo it didn’t grind on me that badly

I have been aware of the acclaim that was associated with this album, but until it popped up on this list, I never listened to it. I was blown away by how intricate the music is and how influential this was to future artists. I will be adding this to my collection. I wish I had spun this sooner, but I will be making up for lost time. 5 Stars.

This is quite the rocker! Post Glam Rock with a dash of New Wave and Punk, and you get this over the top and melodramatic epic. Most of the time, these would be criticisms, but this band pours their heart and soul into every note, and I bought it. Even though I cringed at times during Torn Curtain, these guys were all in. It works. Love it.

11/10

so fuckn good\\goated album

The random number generator is being kind to me at the moment. This is a great example of New York art rock / post punk. I love it.

Classic punk album. Loved it

has always been weirdly difficult for me to grasp and conceptualize as whole, not because its not cohesive, in fact this listen has made it clear it is Very Cohesive! but the vibrancy of the famed guitar interplay has just got so many Hues in it yaknow...its kind of aesthetically overstimulating in a way that has i think tbh subconsciously pushed me away in years previous. its like eating a cake thats just a bit too rich all by urself yaknow. still , i am basically complaining that the music is Too Good for my fragile ears, and thats not even rly entirely true anymore, this was a wonderful frequently euphoric listen...definitely an album to get lost in , whenever i have the capacity to do so

I know of this album, I've never heard it before this but I certainly have heard it's influence on guitar music of the last 20+ years. It all sounds very New York, as in it sounds like things from New York that I'm familiar with - Strokes, The Rapture, LCD Soundsystem etc. In the years of the post-punk revival scene of the early 2000s, this is the sound that was being revived. Hard not to listen to it without the lense of looking backwards and comparing to the sound of today but it's a testament to how forward looking it must have sounded at the time!

This album is fucking fantastic and you’re stupid if think otherwise

THIS is why I’m doing this 1001 generator! Brilliant album, no clue how I’ve never heard of them before

An inexplicable mashup between Dad guitar rock histrionics, punk attitude, and post-punk / new wave orchestration that somehow works spectacularly. There is no other album quite like it, including the rest of Televisions’ catalog.

The title track is one of the best songs ever, it is so far ahead of its time, and this album would have been a 4 without it. The solo section is probably the best thing to come out of the 70s punk movement. When it kicks back into the original beat gets me every time. The other songs are also good, but nowhere nearly as good as the title track. I like the call and response in songs line See No Evil and Friction. Low 5.

Easy 5. Wouldn’t feel right to give anything less.

Loved this album when I first heard it. I revisited it with a more critical ear and still love it. Works well as a total album, works well on single song level as well. Weird rhythms and fun sounds.

This comes about as close as you can to a perfect album. The guitar parts are as delicious as a full meal, but never overstuffed. Just perfectly placed notes. No skippable tracks, each one unique and solid. I read that "Marquee Moon" was done in one take, which the engineer thought was a rehearsal. Amazing. It goes to show what years of playing live and honing craft can produce.

damn, no skips

so good. I bought this in 2008iah at HPB, but never actually listened to it. Covid happened and I pulled out random albums, and this was one of them. I loved it. But I haven’t listened to it since (no idea why). You can hear so many current indie bands in this album. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.

Cativante. A faixa homônima é uma obra de arte; a guitarra, magnética; os vocais, crus.

Classic. Title track is an anthem.

Your welcome The Strokes. One of my top 5 most New York sounding albums. Tom Verlaine is missed man

I'm not sure I'll ever fully grasp this album, but I'm happy to try for the rest of time.

I love this album

4.5 - Great

8 perfect songs. unbelievably influential of everything in my taste.

Heard it

This is top 5, no questions. Not a single skip, not even on the extended edition. I remember seeing this album pop up in guitar magazines and not knowing anything about it, but eventually caved and bought the CD. Used to listen to Marquee Moon as our team pump up song for hockey games...we were a weird team.

Hell yeah. Love this album. Late 70's new york is my Marvel universe.

Marquee Moon truly defied the conventions of what rock was really up until that point. There is a ton of melted down influences on this record, from the stones to lou reed, to the potent alumni of cbgbs. Everything that came out of that scene was more or less magic. Tom's lyrics are raw, strange and thought provoking at each turn, turning motifs and phrases inside out and outside in at the same time. The centerpiece being an otherworldly poetic jam of simultaneously linear and potent freeform expression. Next level production throughout the entirety, at least from what I can tell. Marquee Moon truly is the godfather of post punk as a genre but more importantly Television took what was going on with 'underground' rock of the time and made it proggier, a bit more vulnerable and played around with the pacing of different passages- and doing so resulted in a beautiful, brooding, timeless album. It's got seemingly endless layers and it's one of those album that will never fully reveal itself. Torn Curtain is a PERFECT closer. Thats all I got.

Grew on me as it went on. Very fun album. Had never heard of the band and listened twice in a row. The title track and closer absolutely COOK

It's like this, Aja, and Rumours for best albums of the 70s. Television can't believe they're being grouped with Steely Dan fifty years later.

Punk - schmunk, Television is the best garage/indie/alternative rock band of all time and this is their best album, featuring more hooks than a coat rack and a lovely interweave of the two guitarists. mastapiece *mwah*

Surprinsingly good

Great album, and I know it will only get better the more I play it

Ein Brett

This band is the unsung hero of CBGB's and should be praised as much as their contemporaries (Talking Heads, Blondie, Ramones).

A riff so perfect An album was built on it A thematic win

Yo I already know this album is five stars. Guitar work alone. But the songs kick ass. Amazing songwriting and arranging. Okay so a favorite guitar player and bass player of mine are Steve Howe and Chris Squire of Yes. Regardless of the songs they play on, the technique, the sound, and the feel of their instruments are truly next level. Well, even with a very different sound and style, the players in Television on this album practically match Howe and Squire. They sound so good, so rich with musical understanding. In their hands, these songs are epic compositions. Must listen #133

Very happy with this album. Definitely hear that pre punk sound of the 70's. As I got through more of the album, I felt a lot of the alt bands in the 2000's had to be influenced by these guys.

So, I’ve seen this album around as a major influence for a ton of rock artists. It’s was an album I kept seeing over and over, yet never seemed to give it a listen. Now the time has finally come, and my god, why did I take so long to give it a whirl. This is a top contender for one of the best early post punk albums and maybe even one of the best rock albums of the 70’s. The production is insanely good, especially with the guitar. It sounds so raw, and yet somewhat clean. And the vibes these guys achieve are incredible, going from somewhat dark to even beautiful. There’s a fucking ballad on here and it slaps just like the rest of the album. I truly believe this is definitely worthy of a listen before kicking the bucket. Lord knows how many rock bands would have never formed if this album never happened. Favorite track: Marquee Moon Other hits: Guiding Light, Venus, See No Evil, Prove It, Elevation, Torn Curtain

Oh I love this...

Finally. Something fantastic. Their second album is quite good too!!

What an unexpected gem! I had never heard of them, but this really straddles punk and a more polished feel. The first album I've never previously heard that was like....ohhh...that's where modern music came from. Great hooks, great guitar, great lyrics. Wasn't a 100% into the voice, but it also had it's nice points. Would be a 4.5 on my personal scale.

I hear so much of my favorite current music in this album. It feels so modern and timeless for the seventies. It is some of my favorite guitar work. The title track is definitely the stand out.

I've been obsessed with this album for a few months now and so happy it got generated on a friday!! Still sounds so fresh to this day don't know how they did that but yeah!!!!!

It's one of the best rock albums of all time and you know it.

I didnt need to listen to this whole album to give it five stars...but I did anyway. Like a tuneful Lou Reed and a source of inspiration to many bands, including Elastica, this is a New York feast for the ears. Great lyrics and melodies and wonderful album.

A foundational text, a monolith, influential but never equalled.

Un des monuments de Led Zep

Classic

Outstanding. I thought this was really interesting. The guitar style’s very different. Loved it.

Your favourite band's favourite band. This has been a long time staple in my rotation. This album still sounds fresh and unique in 2025 and it's fingerprints are everywhere. I can only imagine what it must have been like in 70's NYC with Television and Talking Heads out there flipping everything on it's head. Marquee Moon is obviously well known enough to make a list such as this, but I feel Television is a criminally under rated band. Perfection.

Such a classic album!!

Marquee Moon is the debut album from Television, a rock band from New York City. The album gathered critical acclaim, but found little commercial success. The band was short-lived; they broke up after a second studio album. Over time, the album has come to be regarded as among the very best of punk albums, and among the most influential albums of 70s rock. Television used complicated rhythms and technical guitar elements - with a near-jazz sound, at times - in songs with punk's raw energy. The title track may be the most recognizable of the bunch, but they are all interesting songs from a great, under-appreciated band.

This album is just real clean, real mean. Television made some iconic & unique grooves here during a very contentious period in New York, genre-wise. To share space with the punk scene and make a clean album with no distortion and a song that is over ten minutes long is truly a give-no-fucks attitude. I've read that Tom Verlaine was even known as the "Jerry Garcia of punk" in some circles. This one occupies a real unique space and the riffs and overall guitar playing is so memorable. It's like a space inspired equally by krautrock and punk. Love it.

I love this, after a disappointing week last week I hope this is the start to more great albums.

Første gang jeg hørte det her album, jeg har nok været 17 eller 18, syntes jeg de lagde alle de gode numre i første halvdel. I dag er det en seriøs contender til mit favorit album på hele listen, det ene nummer er lige så godt som det næste og de er alle 10/10. Lowkey et af de bedste guitar albums nogensinde

Nem 5er. Sindssygt fedt guitar musik som er umuligt at smide i en genrekasse, hører det bare og tænker "hvordan fandt I på at I ville lyde sådan her??"

A tale of two sides, or so many would point out. The A side is full of punk masterpieces, with the first three tracks being infectious guitar driven bangers that are essential pop songs with a punk edge, and capping it off with a 10-minute storytelling of epic proportions that details the nightlife of New York (but honestly, any town fits) with instrumental passages that avoke a lot of different feelings and that helped a lot of people like myself get over a tough period in life in a surrounding that didn't kindly treat the artistic kind (and still doesn't). Side B is where most people find the flaws of the thing, and beside the opener it's usually regarded as the lesser part of the album. While yes, I'd agree with the sentiment, it's not that bad. It's still a lot better than most stuff that is peddled under the post-punk umbrella. Sure, Torn Curtain is typical pansy-rock that is maybe too long for it's own good, but the rest is very good. Prove It keeps the infectious edge with its guitar work, and Guiding Light has that intimacy factor that really works in its favor. But still, even with all of its flaws, this is a very nice package of punk that I'd recommend to anyone, and am very proud to own. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It was life changing in 1986, when I found a cheap cassette in the re it’d store at the mall. I studied every riff on this record. Magical.

Love this album and this band.

## In-Depth Review of *Marquee Moon* by Television Television's *Marquee Moon*, released on February 8, 1977, is widely regarded as one of the most groundbreaking albums in rock history. As the debut album of the New York-based band, it diverged from the raw simplicity of punk rock and introduced a more intricate, cerebral approach to music. Below is an in-depth analysis of its lyrics, music, production, themes, influence, and a balanced evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses. --- ## **Lyrics** Tom Verlaine's lyrics on *Marquee Moon* are poetic and impressionistic, blending urban and pastoral imagery to evoke themes of discovery, transcendence, and youthful exploration. Influenced by French poetry and Bohemian decadence, Verlaine often used puns and double entendres to create an atmospheric quality in his storytelling. For instance, "Venus" narrates a surreal experience with lines like "Broadway looks so medieval," capturing a psychedelic yet grounded sense of place[1][2]. The lyrics are rich in maritime metaphors, such as the "nice little boat made out of ocean" in "See No Evil," and references to docks and waves in "Prove It." These elements contribute to a sense of urban mythology, transforming mundane settings into legendary landscapes. Critics have noted that Verlaine's lyrical approach captures the confusion and intensity of youthful self-discovery[1][3]. While Verlaine himself admitted to not fully understanding the meaning behind some of his lyrics, their ambiguity allows listeners to project their interpretations, making the album feel both personal and universal[1]. --- ## **Music** Musically, *Marquee Moon* is a masterpiece of guitar interplay. Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd abandoned punk's power chords in favor of intricate melodies, counter-melodies, and jazz-inspired improvisation. The album features extended instrumental sections that blend precision with spontaneity. Tracks like "Marquee Moon" (clocking in at nearly 11 minutes) showcase this dynamic interplay with interlocking guitar lines and snaking solos that build tension before resolving into climactic moments[1][2]. The rhythm section—Fred Smith on bass and Billy Ficca on drums—adds a syncopated foundation that complements the guitars' complexity. This tight yet fluid interplay creates a sound that is both cerebral and visceral. Songs like "Friction" and "Elevation" highlight this balance between structure and exploration[2]. The album's pacing is also noteworthy. The first half consists of shorter, hook-driven tracks like "See No Evil" and "Venus," while the latter half delves into longer, jam-oriented compositions like "Torn Curtain." This structure provides a sense of progression and variety[1]. --- ## **Production** Produced by Tom Verlaine alongside Andy Johns (known for his work with Led Zeppelin), *Marquee Moon* achieves a clean yet raw sound. Unlike many punk albums of its era, it avoids excessive compression or effects, allowing each instrument to shine distinctly within the mix. This uncluttered production style enhances the album's clarity and highlights the technical prowess of the musicians[1][3]. Johns' experience with classic rock bands likely influenced the album's polished yet organic feel. The guitars shimmer with a natural tone that contrasts sharply with the distorted aggression typical of punk rock at the time. Even during chaotic moments, such as the climactic section of "Marquee Moon," the production maintains a sense of balance and cohesion[2]. --- ## **Themes** Thematically, *Marquee Moon* explores adolescence as a period of discovery and transformation. Its lyrics often depict moments of revelation or transcendence within urban settings—particularly Lower Manhattan—which was central to Television's identity as part of New York's CBGB scene. The album also reflects Romantic ideals through its focus on perception and emotional intensity. Songs like "Venus" capture fleeting moments of clarity or euphoria that feel almost mystical. This thematic depth sets *Marquee Moon* apart from its contemporaries in the punk scene[1][3]. --- ## **Influence** *Marquee Moon* has had an enduring impact on rock music. It is often cited as a foundational work for post-punk, new wave, and indie rock movements. Bands like Talking Heads, Sonic Youth, R.E.M., and The Strokes have all drawn inspiration from its intricate guitar work and introspective tone[1][3]. The album's emphasis on melody over aggression was revolutionary for its time. It demonstrated that punk could be intellectually stimulating without sacrificing energy or immediacy. Critics have noted that its influence can be heard in everything from angular post-punk guitar riffs to modern indie rock's emphasis on atmosphere[2][3]. --- ## **Pros** 1. **Innovative Guitar Work**: The interplay between Verlaine and Lloyd is unparalleled, blending technical skill with emotional resonance. 2. **Lyrical Depth**: Verlaine's poetic approach adds layers of meaning to each song. 3. **Uncluttered Production**: Andy Johns' production allows every instrument to shine clearly. 4. **Cohesive Themes**: The album captures a sense of youthful discovery while maintaining an urban edge. 5. **Enduring Influence**: Its impact on post-punk and indie rock cannot be overstated. --- ## **Cons** 1. **Accessibility**: The album's complexity may alienate listeners expecting straightforward punk rock. 2. **Lengthy Tracks**: Songs like "Marquee Moon" may feel indulgent to those who prefer concise compositions. 3. **Vocals**: Verlaine's voice is an acquired taste; some may find it too nasal or detached. 4. **Lack of Groove**: Compared to other punk acts like The Ramones or Blondie, Television's music lacks rhythmic immediacy. 5. **Commercial Appeal**: Despite critical acclaim, *Marquee Moon* struggled commercially in the U.S., partly due to its unconventional sound. --- ## Conclusion *Marquee Moon* is a landmark album that redefined what punk rock could be by introducing elements of art rock, jazz improvisation, and poetic lyricism. Its intricate guitar work, introspective themes, and clean production set it apart from its peers in the New York punk scene. While it may not appeal to everyone due to its complexity and lack of immediate hooks, *Marquee Moon* remains a timeless work that continues to inspire musicians across genres. Its strengths far outweigh its minor flaws, making it essential listening for anyone interested in the evolution of alternative rock.

Another blueprint album that has echoed down the decades. Polymath

One of my all time favourites. Full of character and spirit, containing a unique mix of rock songs that don't sound like anything else released before or after it. All the pieces just seem to fall in place for this album, where every member of the band delivers an interesting performance to every track. The title track might just be one of the best songs ever written, and tracks like "Venus", "See No Evil" and "Torn Curtain" also hold a special place in my rotation. A consistently artistic piece which remains impressive even to this day.

Fantastic album, an album you can easily listen to it on loop! One of the easiest 5/5 on this project ;-)

THANK GOD

Every time I listen to Marquee Moon it sounds fresh and new. Amazing that the CBGB's scene spawned artists as strong, yet as singular, as The Ramones, Blondie, Patti Smith, Talking Heads and Television. This is possibly prog-punk, the intricately weaving, spiky yet melodic guitar lines, jazz-like drumming and solid bass surrounding Tom Verlaine's unmistakable voice, and the soloing is stunning - this album has influenced so many indie and art bands, few of whom ever come close to matching this. Nor did Television really. There isn't a low point on the record but the opener, See No Evil, Prove It and, especially, the 10 minute + title track, are superbly good. As much as I love those other bands from the New York Punk scene, Marquee Moon is the pinnacle.

Großartig

Often imitated but never bettered. You can hear its continuing influence in every week's new releases.

4.5

With a bullet

Great freakin album the title track if all kinds of great! Near perfect album.. But this may only be the third time I've heard it since the late aughts. If I had discovered this in the 80s, I probably would have been all over it. (9.88) ★★★★½

NOW we're talking. This is the kind of discovery I got into the 1001 for - I've heard of them and this album, but never listened to them. GREAT album. Love the song-writing, the guitar interplay, and the proto-new wave sound. And this is a rare case where I agree with Robert Christgau (asshole critic for the Village Voice who seems to hate almost every album that made the 1001) - he picked it as his favorite album of 1977. I wouldn't go that far - a lot of great albums came out that year, including Animals, Low, and Heroes - but it definitely deserves to be ranked toward the top of a great year of music. Outstanding. Favorite tracks: See No Evil (great guitar lines), Friction (awesome rocker), Marquee Moon (what a song - favorite line: "I spoke to a man down at the tracks / and I ask him how he don't go mad / He said 'Look here, junior / Don't you be so happy / and for heaven's sake don't you be so sad'"), Elevation (love the guitars again), Torn Curtain (strong, dramatic ending - what a great album!).

Love love love this. Love the sneering vocals, the guitar tones, and the romance of it all. I remembering being underwhelmed coming to this after being a 90s altrock kid and then getting into rock n roll history. But over time this has become a more frequent player than the Stooges or the VU (two bands I adored in my early 20s).

Heck yeah. This album kicks ass. The right mix of everything that I like in a record. Tight, well played, no skips. There's a reason this album is on so many 'best ever' lists. Thoroughly enjoyed it. 5 stars.

Cool shit. Been listening to this for years. It's definitely stood the test of time. The guitar playing is masterful. Slightly underrated I think. One of the best debut albums ever?

5 - mastapiece

Absolute classic CBGB stalwarts create a new sub genre of edgy guitar art pop.

Perfection. An all time favourite.

This album surprised me; caught me off guard. I wasn't expecting much and then was fully blown away. It doesn't really sound like a punk/rock album from the 70s. They've constructed this really unique sound through their instrumentation, melody lines, chord structure, and harmonic progressions. It's delicious. After every song, I was wondering how they would top it, until the album ended. Everything was great, and the more I listened to it, the more I loved it. Favorite Song(s): Friction, Marquee Moon, Guiding Light, Torn Curtain

Somehow captures a time and place, ie 70s manhattan by very vague feeling of course, I wasn't there, while sounding like nothing else. I wish guitarheads paid more attention to what Verlaine and Lloyd were up to, but they are to busy sweep picking or some shit. My brother put it best, the guitar solos on this album need lyric sheets. The playing is true poetry and the lyrics are too. Love Billy Ficcas drums. Bass is adequate. Joking, there are some nice riffs.

One of the best albums ever!

Have listened to this album (and the band) a lot recently coincidently. This is some of the most ahead of its time music ever, I totally believe that if something like this was released today, people would still say ''this sounds like nothing else''. This seems like a pre-cursor to ''post-rock'' stuff, as it takes, on paper, very simple rhythm guitar parts experiments with song structures. Vocals perfectly suit the songs. I love the subtle piano parts on some songs. Everything just feels perfectly unique to them. Favourite songs: all of them (not in a lazy way, they are all just the best). However my absolute favourite could be torn curtain. Overall around 10/10

Great record. I love 70s punk and while I wouldn't really call this punk, it's fantastic. I had heard this album before but it's been ages and I kind of forget about Television in general. Listening to this album today has reminded me how great they were. I will definitely be going back through their catalogue and listening to their other albums. This is a great example of why I like this list - this wasn't really unknown to me, just forgotten, and having it come up for my listening today will make me re-explore. It's almost like finding a new band you really like. 5/5

A gem lf a record. Glad I got to see these guys live once, though they didn’t have a ton of material to draw from so spent a lot of time jamming which was a bit unimpressive.

What an outstanding album, especially all the intricate guitar work. Brilliant.

An essential listen.

ok, i know, this is a classic. AND INDEED, IT IS AWESOME! 5/5

Great album, one of the best

I felt like I had heard all of these songs before but I realised that a bunch modern bands have been very very influenced by this!

Banda y obra esencial. Precursores del (Post)Punk, tardaron varios años en grabar esta joya. Lo hicieron en directo y del tirón, sin ayudas ni otros músicos. Las canciones son todas soberbias, más allá de ese clásico imperecedero que es Marquee Moon. Se las sabían de memoria, llevaban años tocando en garitos (fueron los pioneros en tocar en el CBGB, escena que en realidad no existió como ellos mismos afirmaron). Su influencia es inabarcable: desde las más obvias como Yo la tengo, Dire Straits, Lloyd Cole o Triffids, hasta Nick Cave, Pavement, Nacha Pop, Franz Ferdinand, y todo el indie a partir de los años 80 hasta hoy en día. Continuaron esa línea que comienza con The Byrds-The velvet Undergorund y sigue brillando hoy en día. Su continuación no desmerece en absoluto, y su tercera y última tampoco. No lograron el éxito que su calidad y reconocimiento tuvo (tampoco la VU), pero tampoco lo perseguían. 5/5

Never heard of this group but I really liked it. Nice mix of genres, great sound, totally surprised and happy to find a great new group from the 1001 project. 5/5

aye brav wayon wvee mak dis alm laik na bri ish mans bat wveer mak it n her bruv wayon wfee do nat

I have been waiting for this album to pop up. Tom Verlaine is the worst singer on the planet but I love this album. I have it on vinyl. My first time listening to Marquee Moon I liked it but I didn’t totally GET it, then I remember one day I was driving by the lake and I looked over and the sun was shining on the water and that dreamy high pitched dreamy guitar on the title track starts and it just hit me. Friction and Marquee Moon are probably my favorite tracks

I fucking love this album. Venus, Friction and Guiding light were my top tracks

Alex Turner just wanted to be one of The Strokes, but The Strokes just wanted to be part of the Television. Now that we have an obvious The Strokes reference out of the way, I really like the album. It's solid, engaging, a bit slow on the parts, but damn is it emotional, and Torn Curtain just goes into a perfect sad spiral. The only issue is that when you loop the album it goes into See No Evil a bit too eagerly. But the sad chords, riffs on Torn Curtain are perfect, and the style engages throughout the record.

This album is an easy win, nearly perfect and even better for the places it isn't. A friend of mine formed a Television cover band and did this whole album live once and revealed the 70s boogie that lies inside those icy guitar lines, which only made me love it more.

I have always loved this record, but it’s been a long time since I’ve listened to it all the way through. While the production and mix can feel a bit sloppy, there’s a part of me that dismisses that and says that makes it even more punk. Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd trading off guitar parts has always been such a cool dynamic for the band’s sound. Marquee Moon stands above others as sort of the quintessential CBGB era new wave, artsy, post punk album. Venus is my favorite song on the record because it has such an obvious Velvet Underground influence, but the lead guitar on Friction is better than I remember as well. I love this album and will 100000% listen again and again. I’d probably give a 4.5 but I’m overdue for a 5. Let’s round up, baby!

Can‘t live without ( the title track)!

straight up just one of the best albums ever made

++*: Friction ++: See No Evil, Venus, Marque Moon, Guiding Light, Prove It, Torn Curtain +: Elevation 9,7/10

Short-lived but incredibly influential band. I guess you can say that about a lot of acts (Nirvana, Velvet Underground). This album is so good. Proto-punk/alternative. A great album.

Great Album

Highlights: See No Evil, Friction, Torn Curtain. In a nutshell: the birth of post-punk 1977 was a bumper year for music: Animals, Pink Flag, Rumours, Aja, Exodus, Out of The Blue, Bat Out of Hell, Lust For Life, Low... and Television's debut Marquee Moon. It's unlike anything heard of before at the time. Punk rock guitars, jazz drums, experimenting with melody and counter melody. The critics frothed (and probably climaxed repeatedly) over this album, issuing high ratings across the board. It struggled in sales and on the charts. Didn't chart well in the U.S. Gained some traction in the UK. Not a commercial success overall but it's one of the most influential pieces of music from the late 70s. This the source text (or cheat sheet depending which band we’re talking about) of 90s indie rock and early 00's garage rock revival. In 1977, this was a new sound in the making: post-punk… And it was bloody wonderful to listen to. Go find a copy NOW. Overall: 9/10

Love, love love the total track - the guitar lick that is used to improvise around and the way it disappears and reappears as variation-on-a-theme is so Jazz like but still is rooted in the underground 1970's rock that is moving away from the Prog rock of the area. Too bad it took me 40+ years to discover them!

An absolute classic! Not a bad song, or even really moment, on there. I've confused dogs by enjoying this album so outwardly while walking down the street!

Loved it.

It's a great fusion of many style but delivered via angular rock with incredible alternative guitar. Tom Verlaine is my new favourite guitarist. And this my new favourite album. For today.

Immediately liked it. Could have been made to believe it was contemporary to the 2000's Indie releases if I hadn't seen the release date. I can hear loads of styles in there I recognise which I suspect are influenced by this

1977, NY, Rock, post-punk, art punk, new wave, punk rock, garage rock

I loved this on first listen but find myself going back to it a lot so let’s bump it up to the full monty

I have loved this album for years. I consider Marquee Moon a gateway album to a plethera of other musical discoveries.

The title song could go for 100 minutes and I’d be happy. This album is a go to for me

A total classic that I had somehow missed before now, though I'm sure I've heard the main guitar riff from the title track somewhere before.

This is #day144 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... I was listening, listening to the rain, I was hearing, hearing something else! Television is one of those bands I associate with my adulthood. I discovered them when I was about 20, with "Foxhole" being one of the first songs I ever heard. This was also when I started exploring Interpol, so there you go, the roots. The roots of post-punk, before post-punk even had a name. I mean, 1977 was still very much the punk era, right? Even though punk was one of the shortest-lived phenomena in music history. A couple of years later, I did a show about Television on my university radio program, called Midnight Express. You know, CBGB, and all that jazz. This past summer, I found a copy of this album on vinyl, a Japanese first pressing in NM condition. As an occasional vinyl collector, I couldn't be happier. It's a perennial record through and through. Tom Verlaine's lyrics and delivery, the unconventional guitar play, the crisp rhythm section, and the song lengths make this feel like a progressive post-punk, or rather art-punk. It's crazy to think it's been 47 years since this record came out. I'm giving it a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day145, the last day of the year.

An absolute classic. Hooks me from the first riff.

9/10 Wow. What a really great album Favourite Song= Marquee Moon Least Favourite Song=Guiding Light

I actually really enjoyed this album! Thinking about adding it to my favorites but may need to listen a few more times before I make that commitment. Oddly, I listened to it as I slept on my first flight home and it was good background noise lol. I didn't recognize the most popular song but it was a good one.

Great record! So much energy and tension on these tracks

A wonderful album - beautiful recording, great songs, excellent band spreading their wings and taking flight. Innovative guitar playing, especially - fluid and considered.

Så stilbildande! Fanns gitarr-pop ens innan denna plattan? Fem!

this album is fucking fantastic, its an absolute classic. straight bangers front to back. best work Richard Hell was involved in by far. when I'm going through it I tend to put the title track on repeat and didn't realize that was the only time I listened to it, listening to it now brings an unexpected shade of blue to an otherwise great day.

Excellent. This album feels like the guitars are speaking to me in ways that I believe that I’ve only ever heard by the Strokes. Favorite: Marquee Moon Least Favorite: Guiding Light

amazing

One of those albums that started my love affair with punk music, though I guess a lot of people who hear it might argue that it's not punk and that it's more of just a straight up rock record. I would argue that punk is kind of a meaningless descriptor anyway. It's just so awesome. It's both really urgent and agitated but also shows so much restraint and great musicianship. It's a really weird combination that I've been hard pressed to find before or since. If you don't get this band just keep listening to them until you do. Even their last album in the '90s is excellent. Such a fucking cool band!!!

Mikilvæg og sturluð plata. Maður heyrir líkindin við Byrne og Talking Heads. Hrár söngur með litlu production rugli þar. Rosalega lifir þessi plata vel.

Alveg ótrúleg plata og gítarleikurinn æðislegur. "All your favorite rock bands fucking love this album."

My heart leaped when I saw this album come up next. Marquee Moon is already on my personal all-time favorite list, so I knew this was already a 5-star album. But I had to give it another listen, right? Of course it holds up. This album is masterpiece. I don't know what else to say. it's as good as anything from the mid to late 70s CBGB-era stuff and it's arguably one of the most influential albums of the aughts indie rock movement (which is uncoincidentally one of my favorite eras as well). My only "complaint" about the album is that, while the whole thing is great, I feel like the first 1/3 is this build up to an amazing climax in the title track while the rest of the album feels like it's playing catch up from the highs of the first half. But, pacing is a minor, perhaps personal, qualm in an otherwise perfect 5-star album.

You can tell the Strokes studied this album!

1977 c'es l'année zéro du punk, le grand incendie, le "No Future" hurlé à la face d'une Angleterre moribonde par des kids débraillés qui savaient à peine accorder leurs guitares. Trois accords, de la rage, de la sueur et des morceaux qui dépassaient rarement les deux minutes trente. La règle était simple : table rase. On brûle tout, les solos de guitare, les chansons à tiroirs, la virtuosité. L'énergie primale avant tout. Et puis, au milieu de ce grand brasier purificateur, quatre types à New York, sortis du même club moite et légendaire, le CBGB, ont décidé de prendre tout le monde à contre-pied. Ils ont sorti un album avec une pochette sobre, presque austère. Un album qui contenait des morceaux de cinq, six, et même... dix minutes. Un album avec non pas un, mais deux guitaristes solistes qui ne se contentaient pas de plaquer des accords de puissance, mais qui tissaient des toiles sonores d'une complexité et d'une beauté à couper le souffle. Ce groupe, c'était Television. Cet album, ce monolithe, c'est "Marquee Moon". Oubliez tout, absolument tout ce que vous croyez savoir sur le punk de 77. Television n'a rien à voir avec les Ramones ou les Sex Pistols. Ils sont l'autre versant de la montagne, la face cachée et intellectuelle de cette révolution. Là où les punks voulaient détruire, Television voulait construire. Pas des châteaux de rock progressif à la con, non. Ils étaient les architectes du vide, les peintres de la tension urbaine, les poètes de l'asphalte new-yorkais. "Marquee Moon" est avant toute chose un disque de guitares, mais attention, pas n'importe quelles guitares. On assiste ici à l'un des plus grands dialogues, à l'une des plus fascinantes joutes guitaristiques de l'histoire du rock. D'un côté, Tom Verlaine. Sa guitare est un système nerveux à vif avec un son fin, acide, presque décharné. Ses solos partent dans des directions inattendues, ce sont des serpentins électriques qui s'élèvent, se tordent, frôlent la dissonance avant de retomber dans une mélodie d'une pureté désarmante. C'est une guitare angoissée, intellectuelle, la bande-son d'une insomnie dans un appartement froid de l'East Village. De l'autre côté, Richard Lloyd. Sa guitare est la colonne vertébrale, l'ancre et son jeu est plus classique, plus rock, mais d'une précision et d'une inventivité folles. Il pose les fondations, les riffs solides sur lesquels Verlaine peut s'envoler et délirer. Mais ne vous y trompez pas, Lloyd n'est pas un simple accompagnateur. C'est un soliste brillant, dont les interventions lumineuses viennent équilibrer la folie anxiogène de son acolyte. L'alchimie entre les deux est un miracle permanent. Ils ne jouent jamais l'un contre l'autre, mais l'un avec l'autre. Leurs guitares s'entrelacent, se répondent, créent des espaces, des tensions et des résolutions qui flirtent avec le jazz modal mais restent ancrées dans une urgence typiquement rock. C'est cet entrelacs qui donne à l'album sa texture unique, cette atmosphère à la fois tendue et étrangement sereine. Et puis il y a les chansons et dès "See No Evil", le morceau d'ouverture, on est happé. Le riff est sec, la batterie de Billy Ficca est d'une précision métronomique. La voix de Verlaine, nasillarde et distante, égrène des paroles poétiques et cryptiques. On est à New York, la nuit, et tout peut arriver. "Venus" et son ambiance de film noir, "Friction" et son urgence nerveuse... chaque morceau est une pépite. Mais le sommet, l'Everest de cet album, c'est le titre éponyme, "Marquee Moon" de dix minutes et quarante secondes. En 1977, c'était un suicide commercial, un doigt d'honneur à l'industrie mais aujourd'hui, c'est une cathédrale sonore. Le morceau est une lente montée en puissance, une spirale hypnotique qui vous aspire. Les guitares construisent un labyrinthe mélodique, la basse de Fred Smith est d'une sobriété exemplaire, et puis, après un silence, le solo. Ou plutôt, LES solos. Verlaine et Lloyd se lancent dans une conversation épique, une ascension vers les sommets qui vous laisse exsangue, vidé, mais avec le sentiment d'avoir touché à quelque chose de fondamental. Cet album est une pierre angulaire de l'histoire du rock car sans lui, pas de R.E.M., pas de The Feelies, pas de Sonic Youth (du moins, pas de la même manière), pas de Pavement, pas d'Interpol, pas de The Strokes. Toute la scène indie rock américaine des années 80 et 90 lui doit tout. Il a prouvé qu'on pouvait être complexe sans être pompeux, virtuose sans être démonstratif, poétique sans être mièvre. "Marquee Moon" est un de ces rares albums qui ne vieillit pas. Il ne sonne pas "daté 1977", il sonne "intemporel". C'est un disque qui continue de révéler ses secrets écoute après écoute. C'est une oeuvre d'art totale, exigeante mais incroyablement généreuse. Un 5/5, c'est la note juste car c'est l'un des dix meilleurs albums de guitare jamais enregistrés. C'est un chef-d'oeuvre absolu, un pilier de ma discothèque, et une porte d'entrée essentielle pour comprendre tout un pan de la musique qui a suivi. Si vous ne le connaissez pas, arrêtez tout. Votre éducation musicale a une lacune béante. Comblez-la et de toute urgence.

Mulavia ylltäyksiä satelee

amazing show stopping perfect

Effortlessly cool and supremely influential, it's also just a great album from beginning to end.

reminded me a lot of Wire, especially Pink Flag, but actually came out before it. I was sure they were British, and astounded to find out they are not. A band I mostly knew from their influence on other artists, but I will definitely seek out more music from them

This album grew on me quite a bit. At first the peculiar vibe left me a bit disconnected from it but when you really dive into it you get to see something really special. The production on this was phenomenal, the meticulous detail on the marvelous sounds, and the poetic lyrics it adds a great depth that I couldn't quite see in my previous listens. Very solid. 4.50-4.75/5

this one didn't click the first time i listened to it, so i'm glad i gave it another chahnce for this project. classic.

Have never heard this before. Listened to it and then listened to it again.

The title track is perfection

# Playlist track - See no Evil # Notes - Got that as a recommendation from Flea (Red Hot Chilli Peppers). The day one of the members died (Tom Verlaine, I think) I read a note on Twitter saying that "Marquee Moon" was somewhat of a defining album for him. - Blown away from the first track! It's really really good. - Ended up re-listening today and the album is super fun! Definitely recommend!

A stellar front running classic with influences for days in the modern game.

I was once thrown out and barred from a pub for playing the unedited title track on the jukebox 6 times in a row. No regrets.

clase magistral de como tocar la guitarra. obra maestra

10/10 – one of my fav albums of all time. Unbelievably progressive guitar playing and songwriting. Perfect soundtrack of CBGBs and the entire universe that surrounded that. This album is a peak atop a perfect moment that happened before the Sex Pistols but after the Beatles. The title track is one of the few "rock" songs that can go beyond the 8 minute mark with no wank. Don't know how they did it.

great album, enjoyable from start to finish

This is hot shit for 1977.

Every song on here is a wonderful journey. This album is such a rare gem they pull from so many sources and rejected Eno’s initial NY new wave mix for a lusher sound. The Result feels like the apex of 70s guitar music

i cannot even lie to you, this genuinely HIT. feels like the precursor to a lot of my favorite bands, giving a little the cure giving a little radiohead's music grandfather. It's dark, beautiful, and impactful. honestly surprised i havent heard this before 1.) marquee moon 2.) torn curtain 3.) venus/elevation (i can't pick rn)

Very much underrated band / Tom Verlaine. Very interesting music.

Guiding light was my favorite track

This album was hugely influential to me so it’s an easy 5 stars. I may not listen to it all the time any more but it will always hold a special place for me. Also, I will never skip Marquee Moon, it’s one of the best songs of all time. If you get a chance, check out Little Johnny Jewel. It didn’t make the album but it’s on the expanded edition and imo should have been on the album.

This is one of those records where I only have the vinyl; the jacket was lost to the four winds long ago. It's also beat to hell, having been the soundtrack for many, many after hours shenanigans. "I don't listen to Marquee Moon often but when I do, so do my neighbors." Great guitar and fantastic lyrics: "I fell right into the arms of Venus De Milo" My band used to play at a bar in NYC that was run by Tom, an old punk who most nights would drink a case of Rolling Rock and regale us with stories about the good old days. My favorite was the time at CBGB's he finally got up the nerve to approach Patti Smith to sign the book of her poetry he always carried with him and Tom Verlaine was sitting in her lap.

Marquee Moon is a sonic masterpiece that defies time. It's a record that is both intensely personal and universally relatable. From the pulsating rhythms of "Venus" to the ethereal beauty of "A Dream from Dreamland," this is a record that is as challenging as it is rewarding. It's a record that rewards repeated listed, revealing new layers of complexity.

Loved this album im so glad this was on here

A perennial favorite. It is difficult for me to pinpoint what it is about the post-punk music that revs my engine, but it does.

Extremely enjoyable listen

Goated with the sauce

fantastic. title track contains one of my favorite builds ever.

Really wasn't expecting to like this one so much, a great quintessentially rock album with amazing guitars backing it up

Some primo shit

What is happening right now? I went from 6 albums in a row that were all 3s and one 1 to a streak of 9 albums with only two 3s and everything else being above that. I'm not complaining that I'm getting great albums now, but where where they earlier? I was getting demoralized for a bit there. Anyways, that's over because now I'm getting albums like Marquee Moon. I love this album. It's amazing. I get the hype. The pacing is perfect. There are some albums I've gotten that are great but aren't perfect in the pacing department. Case in point, the last album I got, The Wall. I love that album, but I wasn't just saying that it's a lot because of the heavy subject matter. I was also saying it because the album's 82 minutes long. Marquee Moon? A tight 46 minutes. I'm fine with long albums, but I do prefer albums in the 40-minute range. The writing is pretty good. There's things to think about. But the sound is what I love the most about this album. The singing is fun. It's not for everyone, but it gives me a sort of Talking Heads vibe that I do enjoy. And the instrumental sound? Awesome. The guitar work is stellar. The riffs and solos stand out and are very fun. The rest of the sound gets the job done excellently. With this album being released in 1977, it's also influenced later iconic bands like Joy Division, R.E.M., and the Strokes, making Marquee Moon a no-brainer for a list like this. This is a truly excellent album that has stood the test of time for 46 whole years and will do it again for another 46 and beyond. 5/5.

Squeezed somewhere between the vehement punk scene that'd at the time proclaim this an "experimental album" and a world of today that has grown too accustom to such expressions that burst and drag like shrapnel slowly mutilating your innards, Television's bombastic debut is a force to be reckoned with, establishing the stylistic standard to come and still managing to sound fresher than half the shit that has come out since.

This is a consistent album, so consistent that not a single song on this record is even remotely close to being "bad". Every tightly segmented division played on this record is done so cerebrally and with purpose. The riffs and melodies are spectacular and highlight the tracks magnificently; the instruments are played masterfully. This is a pretty incredible, almost transcendental album and an absolutely bonkers debut.

This is the greatest album ever recorded.

5 out of 5, fantastic guitar work and songs that are timeless.

Never heard of these guys before but I really enjoyed this album.

Simply magnificent. It's lean, it's smart, the playing is superb.

One of the best albums of all time. Amazing guitars, sharp lyrics, transcends the punk and post punk era in which it was made.

Каждый раз я слушаю этот альбом - и каждый раз разная песня кажется мне лучшей и выделяющейся. Venus, Marquee Moon, Guiding Light. В этот раз - Лучшая песня - Torn Curtain.

This is an incredible album. Loved it since high-school. One of my friends had an USB storage with music for his car and marquee moon was the first song, every time he started his car sounded like a begining of an adventure. This really is one of my favorite albums. ❤️❤️❤️ Love Television ❤️❤️❤️

I knew what I was going to give this before I even listened, and lo and behold, it holds up to my already inflated view of how great it is.

A mega banger of a masterpiece, Ramones meets the Talking Heads with wicked riffs and solos that of classic rock bands. I can't believe I've never heard of this band. Stellar record!

Really enjoyed this one!!!

Bluesy as hell.

Love this album. Patti Smith's little brother on vocals. Punk sensibilities but very unique choices, pulling inspiration from all over the place. The hooks and riffs are somethin else. Nothin like talented people having fun.

I've listened to this album many times before, and I listened to probably a dozen times over this weekend. I fucking love this album. Every song on here is a gem on the unveiled crown that this album is. Other than the solos, every song sounds so wonderfully modern to me, it fucking blew my mind when I found out this came out before 1980. You can just intimately feel how influential this album is, and they remain on top of the pile when it comes to post punk and indie rock. I really love how active and dynamic every instrument in this album stays, they manage to strike a balance the same way a ballerina balances between dance moves. The solos far exceed my threshold for enjoying solos, many of them are sensibly long, and don't go for masturbatory glory, but remain subdued and in step with the music. And God they're just so fun to listen to. "Marquee Moon" is the (literally) largest and sparkliest gem on the crown. It almost feels like there's too much going on between all the instruments, but they truly struck fucking diamonds when they came up with this. The cackling guitar, the matched up rhythm and bass, and the drum setting the mood just line up perfectly for this dopamine stream. The solo on here absolutely rocks, and has beautiful grandeur unmatched by any other solo I've ever heard. The main verse and chorus structure coming back after that solo is immensely satisfying. Marquee Moon ends the first side of the vinyl, which I think is perfect. You get the opportunity to hear their new sound and know their style a bit before being given the real welcoming call to a new era of forthcoming punk and indie rock. It feels incredibly ahead of its time (at least to someone with a meager music history knowledge as mine). I couldn't believe how modern this song sounded the first time I listened to it, and it still blows me away to this day. See No Evil and Torn Curtain are perfect songs to open and close with, the solo on Elevation might be my favorite on the album, and I think prove it stands a bit above the rest. I can't stress enough that this album feels so gloriously groundbreaking, and its influence almost feels obvious, but it's still so so so much better than a lot of the stuff inspired by it coming out today. They crowned themselves with Marquee Moon for many decades already passed and future decades to come.

I've loved this record for years. It's such an obvious influence on so many modern indie bands. And it holds up so well and doesn't seem dated at all.

I already listened to this album before the challenge! A CBGB Classic! Marquee Moon is one of those albums that is a punk album, but doesnt sound like your usual, fast-paced punk album (it can go fast, but not in traditional punk way, more like in an artistic/jazz-y way). This is one of the albums that put New York City on the map (same with The Velvet Underground's debut, Sonic Youth's "Daydream Nation", The Strokes's debut, Ramones's debut or even Talking Heads (their first 4 albums) - there are more awesome New York City-based albums tho-). This is an essential art rock/art punk album! Tom Verlaine is one of my favorite guitarists, mainly because of his work on this album! This album is pure poetry (same goes for either the first Velvet Underground album or Patti Smith's "Horses"). "See No Evil" is an energetic intro. I love the guitars. "Venus", I used to quite overlook, but now I spin it a lot. Its an interesting song, lyrically. "Friction" is good as well. The title track is probably my most favorite song of all time. Lyrically, is the most poetic song, and that guitar solo is just...*mwah*. "Elevation" is so weird its catchy, with those guitars and that chorus. "Guiding Light" is another one I overlooked a lot, but spinning it again is an experience. That guitar solo is beautiful. "Prove It" is also awesome. It took me a while to finally understand what case I have been working on so long. While I enjoy "Torn Curtain", it doesnt compare to the tracks mentioned before and unfortunately, its my least favorite (but it is not a bad song by any means, I like the ending). Overall, this is a perfect album, an amazing album, an incredible guitar album. And of course, a must hear. One of my favorites. I go back to most of the songs on this album often and I get the same energy I got from my first listen. I could glaze this album for a few more paragraphs, but I cant. And as a bonus, I have this album on CD, to "prove" just how much I love it. Listen to it if you havent!! -favorite songs: all of them (except Torn Curtain) -least favorite song: Torn Curtain (still a good song)

This is THE album.

Solid listen which keeps one engaged and surprised. Enjoyed the guitar work and odd rhythm choices the most.

When I was in high school I went through a punk phase. That’s long over. I guess I’m post-punk now

This is a phenomenal album. I think the title track is the standout but every song is so good and it's so so very important to a multitude of bands that I love. Obvious 5 stars.

Never heard of these guys before but really liked them

This is another of those impossible to review albums. The influence this record had is still evident nearly 50 years later. You could release this today and it would be a sensation. Too much good stuff here.

See No Evil Venus Friction Marquee Moon Prove It

One of the best of the 70's

This is just fantastic

Well its the definitive sound of New York isn't it? We wouldn't have Blondie or The Strokes without Tom & Co would we? The title track is just one of those songs you think you've known forever and the guitar playing on this album is just something you know inspirted the likes of John Squire of thre Stone Roses so many decades later. Brilliant record.

Amazing album. Loved the guitar interplay. Lyrics and compositions were outstanding. I had known this album and heard “Marquee Moon,” but I was blown away. Standout tracks for me included “See No Evil,” “Venus,” and the title track—honestly, though, there were no skips. **** (nearly 5 and probably will grow on me even more)

Sounds beetley but less up beat and more punk. Really like this sound. Fk David

I love this record so much! It’s just simple rock music with a lot of emotions and a good twist to it. I could listen to it over and over again.

Amazing licks

Wow really interesting to me because I can see how this album heavily influenced so many of my beloved 2010s bands and that indie scene. Interpol, wolf parade, the strokes etc. marquee moon obviously bomb but torn curtains also got me a little lost in the music 💕

I loved this one

Very very sharp album that grows with each listen. Absolute solid 5 star album.

An incredible pioneering sound reminiscent of The Velvet Underground - Standouts in every track.

What a welcome surprise to have this pop up. Marquee Moon is iconic.

Sweet. This album hits the spot.

This album sinks deeper into me with every listen. On this spin though, what really resonated with me was how much this sounded like a modern indie rock album. While I associate it more with post-punk, it has an energy and a brightness that many of their peers did not. I guess the actual closest comparison I can make is to the Talking Heads, their fellow CBGB mainstays. Yet this came even before the Heads. It's kind of unbelievable what they accomplished, creating a musical template that artists continue to revere 50 years later. If influence is sign of greatness, this has to earn 5 stars.

Damn this is such a good mix of late 70’s style guitar post punk art rock. Great guitar, drums, and singing. Easily a 4.5+

This is just great. I don’t have a lot to say about it other than I wish I’d listened to this whole album before, instead of just the title track.

Outstanding album.

complex post punk

I have a strong suspicion that the Violent Femmes liked this band. I like them, too.

This is a classic mid-70s guitar album. Every track is excellent. And look at Verlaine's hands in Mapplethorpe's cover photo!

Me when post punk

loved it, has been added to ipod 9/10 marquee moon could be shorter

Oh man, if you love guitar this is an essential listen. So good every track, with the title track being a song of legends. Fucking awesome album

Si pudiera tatuarme música en el cerebro este sería el primer disco con el que lo haría. Tuve la suerte de poder ver a Television tocarlo en directo hace unos años en el Azkena Rock, desde la valla, no había pagado entrada cual imbécil. Por supuesto un cinco, el cinco de mi corazón.

bumpin every song

Solos de guitarra

Jam punk innovation

my strokes of the 70s eeeeeeee and bonus he even looks like he could be wearing a vest on the album cover

I guess I just love whiny men who sing. Everyone has a type I suppose. Anyway all of this is entirely my jam. Love it from start to finish. Can’t wait to listen again. 5/5

Well, this one just crept up and seduced me didn’t it!?

This album and this band is excellent. I was fortunate enough to see them a few years ago and they were way better than I was expecting. You can hear their influence everywhere, and hear things on this album that have been widely emulated by bands since them. Really fit my mood this morning nicely.

Instantantly loved.

One of those rare albums that gets better with every listen. See No Evil is a catchy burst of post-punk energy, while the title track and Torn Curtain are these patient and sprawling epics that are still packed full of hooks

Probably one of my favourite albums of all time

god this album is so sick. not my first time listening to it, and it won't be the last. there is just something about it that just oozes cool and is exactly my speed. the whole album is great, but i think the pinnacle here is the title track. its length might be off-putting to some, but just great stuff. cool guitar riffs, great instrumentation, all-time production. it's an album that i don't usually associate with my all time favorites, but i really should. i love it that much.

Very Lindsey Buckingham vibes. "See No Evil" sounds like World Turning if it were on Tusk. Riff on Venus reminds me of a simpler version of "Sweet Child of Mine." Lots of Beatles-esque sounds too.

The first time I heard this, I thought, “Wow! A punk jamband.” That’s reductive, though. This band is really not like any other band and this album rules.

This record is perfect.

An absolute classic

Here's a dumb thing I did: thinking that this album held the secrets of how to play electric guitar (the smart part of this idea), I put the entire thing with bonus tracks on my mp3 player to absorb it as much as possible. I only listen to music on shuffle walking around, which is Correct - but this shitty old mp3 player had a shuffle that didn't really shuffle, and it'd only have 2-3 different sequences. Most of the tracks on Marquee Moon ended up in an ill-suited sequence. Unlike the unskippable title track, they're not for every mood - they're kinda trebly and in your face, right? So instead of listening to these songs when I wanted they came up randomly when I'd be grumpy with a headache. My association with the songs is 'ehh not right now, skip' instead of how good they are. If I were a wise person I'd have taken them off the non-shuffle shuffle. Instead I used that same thing for 10 years. Now I listen on a thing that actually shuffles and try not to skip. The song Marquee Moon alone makes the album deserve a spot on a lifetime listening list. That moment where the guitar solo shatters into birds chirping is unbeatable, and then Television understood that it would be awesome to repeat the first verse. If you asked me how long it is without looking it up I'd have guessed 4 minutes. Never the slightest bit dull. music: adored. (⌐★_★)

When I was a kid, I read a magazine article about the 25th anniversary of this album. It had an interview with Tom Verlaine, and I thought, “This guy seems very cool.” I took out Marquee Moon from the library, and it was indeed very cool. I’ve listened to it semi regularly ever since. Really try not to let nostalgia colour my reviews here, and thought maybe this is just a four. But hey I’m not a child of the 70s, I wasn’t there having an impression made on me, this was just some crap that I happened across and loved it immediately and forever.

This was complex and enjoyable. I hadn't really listened to anything similar before.

there are so many good things going on here

"Marquee Moon" is the debut album by American band Television. Their music fits within the categories of rock, post-punk, art-punk, new wave, garage rock and probably several others. Television gained notoriety on the New York music scene and eventually signed with Elektra. The album was produced by lead singer and guitarist Tom Verlaine and Andy Johns. Other bandmembers include Billy Ficca (drums), Fred Smith (bass) and Richard Lloyd (guitar). The album had commercial success in the UK reaching #28 and extreme wide-spread critical acclaim with the album still very high on best albums of all-time. I'm kind of surprised this is not in the National Recording Registry. Two over-layered rhythm guitars open "See No Evil." A prominent bass and drums and catchy backing vocals. Verlaine acknowledges evil but feels pure in what he is doing. "Venus" slows things down. Very 70's sounding guitars going up and down the scales. The lyrics are poetic and perhaps about this relationship with former band bassist Richard Hell. And, side one ends with the self-titled "Marquee Moon." Guitars strumming and swirling. They're up, down and all around. I have to mention the incredible bass playing too. But, the guitars' interplay is just magical in this 10-minute long epic. It doesn't get much better than this. I think lyrically it's about coming to a crossroad in life. Side two does not disappoint either. "Prove It" is slower with an interesting drumbeat. Is this a detective story? I think Elvis Costello was in the room. A drum roll starts the closer "Tom Curtain." The music is very dramatic with a piano combined with the eerie, angular and piercing guitars. I don't know exactly what it's about but abuse and tears rolling back are mentioned. This is damn near perfection. The guitar interplay is exquisite. Verlaine and Lloyd play rhythm and lead and off each other. Very few albums and songs have reached their heights. The drums and bass are excellent. Verlaine's lyrics are fairly straightforward and poetic with imagery. It's interesting reading what critics say since each one seems to say something a little different as to why they like this. This is a treasure.

Absolutely stunning record. Not sure how it's taken so long for me to listen to it, but I think it's going to be one I will have with me for the rest of my life now. I think I've heard the title track in passing, but this is the first time I've really paid attention to it, and my god. Best guitar playing I've ever heard by someone not named Jerry or Trey ;)

Dès les premières minutes de guitares entrelacées de “See No Evil”, il est évident que ce groupe est au-dessus du lot et qu’il dégage quelque chose en plus. Il est précurseur de beaucoup d’autres, de REM à Joy Division, et aussi du renouveau rock de 2001 à NY. Leur versant psychédélique passe plutôt bien aussi (“Marquee Moon” : 10 minutes au compteur). Beaucoup de bonnes choses genre “Venus”, le riff de “Prove it” qui ressemble à “Up Around the Bend” du Creedence, un final grandiose avec “Torn Curtain”. Je comprends la hype sur ce groupe et je m’ajoute au cortège. C’est brillant, et encore un disque qui fait une entrée fracassante dans ma rotation.

One of the best

Stone-cold masterpiece. Spiralling between the early punk spirit of the New York CBGB scene and the more intricate ornementations of classic and psychedelic rock--or even the ones of more leftfield genres such as jazz and prog-rock (fortunately translated into a very dry, "direct" fashion)--*Marquee Moon* slaps you in the face with its (literal) brilliance. It's also a showcase of how Fender guitars can dazzle the listeners when they're into the right hands. And it foretells the post-punk era that would take over a couple of years later--a splash whose ripples can still be routinely heard today in current "rock" bands. The title-track is a composition for the ages, of course. On its own, it warrants a place for the album it gives its name to into such a list. From the repetition of the two signature quavers opening the song--acting upon Television fans like that bell Pavlov used to make his dogs drool--to that legendary Tom Verlaine guitar solo building up into the track's climax--before one last round of that memorable verse-chorus sequence--"Marquee Moon" is probably one of the most important songs of all time. 10 minutes of absolute wonder. That solo is not only a "technical" feat, you see, it's also an exhilarating, gripping piece of music--going against all the clichés associated with said exercise at the time, and proving that virtuosity could be used to express taste, sensibility and inspiration instead of a void "macho" posturing. *Marquee Moon* is not only an essential listen because of its title-track, however. Actually there's not a single dud among those eight songs. Personal favorites can vary from fan to fan, but opener "See No Evil", with its gnarly main riff, " Venus", with its snarling-yet-seductive vocals, "Elevation", with its guitar "scales" intruding on Verlaine's scansions, "Prove It" with its early rock flavours and stop-and-go shenanigans, and closer "Torn Curtain" with its heartbreaking chorus (nicely modulating away from the deadpan mood of the verses), are cuts that you can't forget once you've heard them. And so are menacing "Friction" and delicate "Guiding Lights". Influential, groundbreaking, technical, heartfelt, subtly textured, *Marquee Moon* also offers very straightforward pleasures. It's both a simple record and one that's actually quite complex if you choose to get lost in its many intricacies. The best of *both* worlds. And even more than that, the best of almost all the relevant music worlds you could get exposed to in 1977 (a stellar year for music, to boot). 5/5, what else? Number of albums left to review: 283 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 318 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 175 Albums from the list I won't include in mine (many other records are more important to me): 232

Great

Arguably one of the best records of all time, forget your 1001, try top 10. Inarguably one of greatest ever debuts. To come out with the epic title track fully formed on your first record. Well. Managed to see the band play this in full, 5-10 years ago, before Tom sadly passed away. Unforgettable gig.

Wow, this album ruled. I want to listen to it more! I may have gotten further into Punk and early Alt. Rock if I'd learned a few of these songs. Cant believe I'd never even heard of them.

I knew a couple of their songs faintly but didn't know about the band. Easy listening, aligns with my tastes, 5/5

Knew a couple of songs but never really paid much attention to this band. I am now its great.

One of my “5 albums on a stranded desert island” albums.

Wow. I can't believe I missed this the first time around. Fantastic.

Punk møder progrock. Ved første lyt var det både pirrende og frastødende. Efter et genbesøg faldt hammeren.

Your favourite band's favourite band, Television really hit gold with this debut which is packed full of memorable tunes including the iconic title track. Followings sixties pop and seventies rock and alongside the emerging punk scene, here was something new and pointing to a bright future.

Classic. Very well produced the eponymous title track has stood the test of time, as has the whole album. Post New York punk at its best with undertones of Velvet Underground.

Excellent!

Super

Very enjoyable

Marquee Moon is a minor masterpiece both powerful and restrained. It is deceptively simple until the twin guitars become intricately intertwined. Any complexity that emerges doesn't lose the ear of the listener nor does the song lose its edge. Some tracks show more grit and punk attitude than others but these aspects never overshadow the songwriting and musicality. A sardonic wit and incredible song craft are on display track after track with the energy carefully modulated such that repeat listens over many years are rewarded.

Brilliant album

I think this is an excellent album.

I've given Television a shot before based on hype but was turned off by the vocals. This project prompts me to go for a full listen to each album presented, and as such I was won over by the time I got halfway through the title track. I guess I'm a television fan now.

Awesome album. An excuse to listen again…

Classic album 5/5

I really liked this album! The title track, Marquee Moon, was a pleasure to listen to. Felt like I was sitting in on a great jam session. Ended up listening to this track a few times. Certainly a lot of familiarity in the sound ... The Ramones and many others.

A few really, really good songs on here. I can tell the influence of this album by just listening to a few songs. A couple of the later ones don't fully hit for me, but it's very obvious that this is a very important album.

Love it

Super cool. Old. Didn't realize punk rock started so early and that post-punk had its origins in the 70's.

Perfect way to start this journey. No other record or band has this sound, very original.

A classic….melodic and jarring

super music and guitar

One of my favs!! Have it on vinyl and play it all the time. I think it’s really a perfect album.

This was so good!

Great album.

It is an early version of the Strokes and all that I love of early 00's alternative!

Such a good album

NY Debuutplaat Heel goed, vooral kant A echt zalig. Uitgewerkte rifs. Post-punk. Krautrock ook in Marquee Moon. Solo's supercool. Geen compressie/reverb op finale mix! https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11853-marquee-moon-adventure/ hoekig, leeg, zalig

I kind of love this record, actually. I think this is only the second album this generator has given me that I haven't heard before that's reached the five-star benchmark for me. I can't fault it. It's well-written, well-performed, premium 1970's NYC punk rock. Highlights: See No Evil, Marquee Moon, Guiding Light, Prove It

Television was one of the bands that started the entire New Wave and Punk scene in NYC in the 1970s. Much of the music we listen to today has its roots in this band. For all of that influence, however, the original lineup had little recorded output. Television of the 70's had only two full length LPs, this album and Adventure in 1978. That said, the songs are just great. Most of the songs are minimalist in their arrangements, and fit Tom Verlaine's plaintive voice. Venus, especially, is a standout New Wave tune, with a bit more guitar flourish than is typical of the era. To get a grasp on why they are such an important band, you have to listen to Marquee Moon. Along with the early Ramones and Talking Heads they defined the 1970 NYC Punk and New Wave scene which, in turn, has shaped music today.

Really enjoyed this album! I should have this in my collection as a physical copy! Oh... no one from this band is still alive.. that was a sad finding...

Post-Punk is my favourite genre of all. It's a perfect blend of the raw energy pushed forward by the increasingly aggressive punk outfits since the mid-60's through to the punk rock boom period efforts of the mid to late 70's, and the wonderful leaps and weirder experiments that rock music had been making around the same time. This one definitely finds itself a little further away from the total weirdness of some of my favourite post-punk releases, but with the gorgeous blend of punk burst-outs and artful pretty rock it still finds itself very high in my graces. Being from 1977 there are very few releases in the genre that found their way out before it, and as such it is a very good cornerstone of what post-punk would draw from and become. Starting with a song like See No Evil is genius, a brilliant beautiful energetic starter, while much of the rest of the album blurs into the artsier wonderful works such as Venus and Prove It. The title track is obviously the best part, the incredible instrumental break in the middle being one of the best parts of one of the best albums ever. Of the releases I know to be on this list, i'd put it very close to the top 10 of all of them. 5 stars and a genuine top shelf record.

I genuinely believe CBGB changed the world. That isn’t exactly the most wild opinion, but maybe not one everyone would agree with. But the big bands that came from that venue completely changed the landscape of rock music in the 70’s and 80’s. And Television is one of New York’s punk darlings. But this isn’t exactly punk. Doesn’t feel much like it. More rooted in jazz and art rock than anything. It trades intensity for complexity. There isn’t any real heaviness or distortion. The anger is very clear cut. The tension is more held in Tom’s vocals. It feels like he could explode at any moment but he never does. Not saying that traditional punk music can’t have strong songwriting, but the performances on this album are genuinely stellar. It’s such unique songwriting, and there is life and energy flowing through every song. The drumming and guitar playing especially is some of the strongest of the 70’s. The true highlight is the title track. It is a diamond in a sea full of emeralds. A straight up masterpiece, and one of the best songs you will find over 10 minutes long. There is something inherently special about that song, especially the chorus. 1977 was really a beast of a year for music. And this album is another glorious example of that. Rating: 9/10

J'ai vu que eno avait été impliqué mais.que finalement pas retenu u. J'adore eno mais cette album est autre chose. J'ai les envolé de son de guit et la production en général. Un très bon album 4.85

Great album

I really enjoyed this album

so awesome

Unexpectedly impressive. Poetic lyricism, killer guitar, catchy hooks. I really enjoyed this album.

Love this album

Loved this one! Overall album flow is great, Marquee Moon was my favorite track

Album slaps. I wish I had more to say critically about it since it is probably my favorite album we have had thus far.

Really awesome sound, loved the song Venus.

Very good. Led me down a rabbit hole of similar music

Don't you be so happy And for heavens sake don't you be so saaaad

10/10 5 stars

It's pretty darn melodic for a punk album, and that's precisely what makes it so good.

have been aware of this album for a few years, ever since I saw it show up as a top rock album of all time. reminds me of brit pop. really infectious songs. sounds modern.

I SEE NO... EEEEVVVIIIIIIIIIIILLL *Heard before

Still teetering on the edge of its early 70s rock, but a slow mark in a transition to alternative. Slight hint of Jagger in the voice. Strong bass

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Favorite album ever. I only discovered this album a month ago yet it is already safely my favorite album ever. If I had to show someone one album to describe my music tastes, it would be this without question. The guitars always go where I want them to go, the drums always come down hard when I want them to (especially on torn curtain) and Verlaines vocals are perfect. Kinda bummed I already got this one just over 100 albums in. It might be all downhill from here haha. First perfect 5.0 rating from me. Well deserved. Rating: 5.0

Legend has it that Television once walked into CBGBs and asked the owner what it stood for. "Country, bluegrass, blues," he said. Television replied, "That's what we play." The end result of that deception was the creation of punk rock's Mecca with Television as its first mascots. Their debut album lives up to the reputation as icons of the scene. The music still holds up against countless imitators that have come since.

10/10 One of the best rock albums ever

Total 70s banger.

Mon album préféré pour l'instant Des hooks de dieux Album de poésie urbaine

Melodic and great sounding guitar work. The NYC punk scene in the late 70s was crazy good if this is one of the acts flying under the radar. Wasn’t going to give it the 5th star but it’s unique and catchy enough, it’s equivalent to a good, almost-great Talking Heads record.

Rock. Black keys feeling. I like so far.

Pleasant surprise. Solid listen throughout the entire album.

Strokes really owe these guys their entire careers

A proto post punk masterpiece. One of the great guitar albums.

I'm a sucker for a bass-led band, especially when they're locking it down like this. Fred Smith (who quit a little known band he founded - Blondie) to join up with this squad, drives the vibe-mo-bile all through this record, setting a solid stage for the the two guitars to really create some cool interplay . This album is full of great melodic hooks and some very cool understated solos. That lick on the outro solo on guiding light is a beauty. This is a cool album to listen to because as clearly as you're hearing the influences on the band(Rolling Stones is the one clearest to me), you're hearing the influence they had on the alt scene for decades. You're hearing the cure, pixies, (rilo kiley?), and on a couple tunes, i'd swear i was listening to the strokes. This one lands right in my wheelhouse. Will be listening to many times over.

Masterpiece. This is the album all of the indie-post punk-2000's bands want you to think they're improving. This is the album that fans of those bands call us 'Boomer' with a snear on their peach-fuzzed faces when you tell them their band sucks. This is the album that made the NYC post-punk sound of the 1970s. This. Is. The. Album.* 5/5. *And I fucking love it.

The coolest album there is. They perfected post-punk basically before punk even happened. Two thrilling guitars wrapped around each other like chaotic DNA. All sparse jangly-disorted chords and scattering frenetic leads with an incredible sense of melody and dramatic tension. The bass adds an extra layer of propulsive energy and counter-melodic riffing while the drums drop in and out, sometimes restrained with almost jazzy cymbal work, rolling high-hats, establishing the beat on snare-rim, and tight fills, until breaking into some hyper intense punk verve. Insouciant vocals with the occaisonal pubescent break, brilliant with off-kilter delivery and surpring phrasing. Damn I love this album so much. F. R. I. C. T-I-O-N!