Marquee Moon

Complex, jazzy and punk AF. Love it.

The band from the New York 70s punk scene that could actually play and were not afraid to show it. Amazing songwriting and a perfect debut. I live in NYC and like to walk the LES listening to this record and imagining being there when this was happening. So, so good and I think forgotten sometimes amongst the conversations of the bands of that era.

I have to laugh. I'm very familiar with this record, and planned to give it a four, as I think it's formative, but not truly spectacular. I listened to it again. Five city, baby.

Cool album with a mix of psychedelic rock and garage rock. Friction has a great hook. Love the mix on this record. Crisp and clean. Pre-punk

- Heard this album many times before - Title track is one of the greatest songs of all-time - No bad songs - Absolute classic, easy 5* - Fav songs: Marquee Moon, Torn Curtain, See No Evil

So many great songs on this album. Could you even call this Punk?

A record one sort of knew automatically that one was supposed to like when one first heard in college radio days and which is still a great listen. So innovative and interesting and influential, a record that not only set the stage for indie rock/new wave/post-punk, but made all those genres possible. As one reviewer put it, it’s your favorite band’s favorite record. It's the Strokes before the Strokes, like a couple of decades pre-Strokes, and the influence couldn’t be clearer. One hears a more thoughtful, leaner VU, too. Even a casual listen clarifies just what a plundered treasure chest this is: among the direct quotes (or plagiarizers); the solo on Wilco’s “Impossible Germany;” “Elevation” provides loot for The Cardigans’ “Lovefool,” opening figure and Greg Kihn’s most famous hool. And, one wonders, if “Friction” inspired the title of Spoon’s “Gimme Fiction” album. Seems plausible. That range suggests a Rosetta Stone of sorts. Title cut is fantastic, too. Not too much to say that Television midwifed indie/alt rock with this record and practically brought the ‘80s into being. Patti Smith’s records are utterly forgettable compared to this masterpiece.

Flawless. Call it art rock, photo punk, or whatever you want. This is one of the best rock albums from the 70s. Tom Verlaine and company were able to create a new music paradigm with Marquee Moon. A paradigm whose influence can still be perceived 50 years after its original release.

How to make a punk record sound artistic. Goddamn this album is so good! The title track is insanely amazing! Tom Verlaine's angsty vocals and nimble guitar work is beyond fantastic. This is a great guitar album that isn't a classic shredder but it has a way that knows how to make use of the space that it creates. Pure genius.

Underrated. Shit's good

I'm not even sure what to say about this but I really liked it. Post-punk is quickly becoming one of my favourite genres and this is a great representation of what's awesome about it.

This is one of the best albums of rock music ever. Television is post-punk in the best way and unique in their clean, controlled style. Every track is a wonderful little journey.

I'm really into this one. There's a slight punky vibe mixed in with some epic instrumentals. To me Venus feels like it could be a Talking Heads song sans David Byrne. Marquee Moon is an epic anchor at the center.

Surprised how much I like this. The thing that was most striking for me is how similar this is to another, more recent, band - Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah. I could really hear the DNA of that band in Television. The vocal delivery, despite being "talky" (which can turn me off sometimes) seemed controlled and skillful - an intentional decision rather than a lack of skill. The interplay between the two guitars stuck out to me too - one doing strong, percussive rhythm, and the other doing arpeggiation or melodic runs. Lots of great catchy basslines as well. Sounds like it was initially underappreciated but well recieved by critics. This might make it into my regular rotation.

Prog-punk masterpiece, or the birth of post-punk right alongside the rise of punk itself? Only thing I can think of to compare it to would be maybe Wire, but even then they're more like distant cousins at best, since Wire, at least at their onset, went with a sound that was closer to more "conventional" punk with their manic bursts of energy and short songs. Not all punk is barre chords and vitriol. We used to play the title track regularly on the jukebox at The Replay and the 8th St Taproom to get our moneys worth.

This a fantastic album, one I always forget about about for some reason. The title track is especially great. The singing is a bit patchy in places, but hey, it's proto punk I guess? 9/10

Oooh fuck yeah really enjoyed. Absolutely cracking album. Hadn't heard of these guys but that's going straight into rotation. 4.5/5 Many fav tracks but Marquee Moon has to take the cake, what a journey.

With this album a fresh style was forged from the straight up and down New York punk sound of the mid ‘70s. It’s hard to find many examples that better represent how instruments can communicate with each other to create a complete sound. Verlaine’s unique vocal stylings and songwriting paired with clean engineering make for a milestone in rock and roll, and a personal favourite of mine. Fave track: Marquee Moon

I thought I had never heard of Television, but I immediately recognized the first song. This is right up my alley. A great mix of punk and new wave, with some psychedelia moments. This sounds like a combination of so many bands that I love and now I wonder, just how many of them were influenced by this?

One of my favorite albums of all time. The title song is a top 10 song for me. One if the greatest rock albums ever.

wayyy better then I remember holy shit this is awesome

Genius. The best first record by any band.

One of my favourite albums

Interesting Punk album debut by Television.

When this started I thought I was in for some 70s punk. I wasn’t expecting Television’s theatrical moments, epic swells, and even a lovely balled… this seems rooted in punk but has evolved beyond the genre. Marquee Moon surprised me with its sophisticated structures and storytelling. There is something very special about this album… it is brilliant!

Categorize this as one of my favorite new discoveries in this exercise. Pretty shocking to think that this is typically a punk band making an album like this, but it just shows the breadth of talent wonderfully. Favorite track: Guiding Light

Every song was extremely solid and memorable. Kept hearing the main singers voice sound a lot like Patti Smith.

Just totally doing their own thing. Essential.

Me gusto, bueno, ya me gustaba de antes, aguante los television

Linking together punk, post-punk, new wave, alternative rock and some psychedelic, Marquee Moon truly is an impressive debut. It feels extremely tight, but still very adventurous. I think this listen was the first time the album truly clicked for me - it really is outstanding with each member delivering standout performances.

So I love British rock. this should not come as a surprise. This album was wonderful.

Phenomenal and influential album. Rock, punk, guitar music in general, would never be the same.

Tight.

Gloriously glorious! The best 70's post-punk sound, it hits the sweet spot in my eardrums just right. These guys are fucking cool and I dig 'em. People rag on punk bands for having no musicality, but Television is skillfully creative with their instruments and sound without being overbearing about it. Amazing album end to end.

Это шикарный альбом. Один из лучших, что создали в арт-панке. Слушается на одном дыхании. В каких то моментах это бодрая и весёлая музыка, в каких то грустная и меланхоличная. Уникальный альбом, ставлю ему 5/5

Banger. Largely influential. Big time fun.

Me encantó. Solo conocía una canción de él (Marquee Moon, obviamente) y, por alguna razón, en cuanto vi la portada del álbum, supe que sería algo bueno, qué tremendo sentimiento de satisfacción tuve cuando me di cuanta de que, efectivamente, era un muy buen álbum. No hay una sola canción que no quiera escuchar. Aunque a veces puede sonar un poco raro, solo hace falta esperar para ver cómo usa ese mismo sentimiento "extraño" y lo transforma en algo que suene excelente. Por último, no estoy muy convencido con "Turn Curtain" siendo el closer, pues los fade outs nunca han sido de mi agrado, personalmente, creo que cambiarla por "Prove It" hubiera sido un mejor orden, pero tampoco es mayor problema. El álbum es excelente, a mi parecer, tiene las 5 estrellas más que merecidas

Timeless.

Un álbum increíble, una mezcla de guitarras y ritmos que me impresionó para la época.

I know recently someone from this band died but I had never listened to it. Really loved it. Understand why a lot of the musicians I listen to posted about their influence on them.

I was very excited to listen to this album because I have never heard of Television This album has aged very well. You could tell me that this album either came out in 1977 or 2017 and I would believe either one Love the pronounced bass and the 2 guitars it sounds like I thought the song Marquee Moon ended 3 different times but it kept coming back Really really enjoy this album I will be re-listening many times

This album is awesome. The build ups, the solos, the key changes, everything about it I love. Made in 1977 and still feels refreshing. 5/5 big television guy.

First one out of the bag. Was already a favorite. “Marquee Moon” is permanently embedded into my music DNA, but also “See No Evil”? “Venus”? New York rock at its finest. RIP Tom Verlaine.

Love this album, always have, always will

A glorious example of punk in its prime

One of the greatest records ever released. A game changer. R.I.P. Tom, you did yourself proud.

really fucking good. guitars are on point, vocals are manic and cool, drumming is delicious.

so much push on the title track. it doesn't blow your mind in a "soaring above the clouds" typa way, more like an odyssey through the textures of bricks and asphalt. DO I AGREE WITH IT BEING HERE? absolutely!

This is one of those albums I can't believe I'd never heard before. So original. So influential. And so good.

Classic, RIP Tom.

Television is the best band most people have never heard, and Marquee Moon is truly a gem of an album. It's one of those perfectly crafted albums that offers something new to discover with each listen. I can just play it all day long and never get bored. The title song is a wide-ranging, hypnotic masterpiece that I would be happy playing on a loop for the rest of my life. The songs are masterfully played, jagged yet elegant, with a weirdly off kilter energy. Great twisty, haunting, layered guitars by Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd. Their sound is so intricate, yet somehow crisp and clear as a bell. The lyrics are delightfully clever and surreal, worth reading on their own like poetry. This is a top 5 album for me, one of my favorites. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Marquee Moon, See No Evil, Venus, Prove It, Torn Curtain, Elevation, Friction, Guiding Light

Upon first glance, I thought I had what I needed to say about Marquee Moon. Further listening has shifted my perspective completely. I hesitate to call this a punk rock album, for punk rock was about dismantling deities, wrecking the past and glorifying the lack of a future; anthems for Year Zero. Marquee Moon, to my ears, isn't that. It's much more forward-looking, almost euphoric in a way. Sure, Television came up around the same time as the New York denizens of the Year Zero ideology yet they feel somewhat out of place. They feel and sound as though they came from the future, a future where all the things that made them who they were were mined for eternity and came to beyond comprehensible light. Looking at the four men on the covers tells me everything I need to know about the remaining forty plus years of rock that lain ahead. Perhaps they knew it all? Who knows. All intent remains unknown.

A masterpiece in all its strung out glory.

I didn't really know what to expect from this. I liked the album cover, and I had seen it before at a few record stores, but didn't buy it. I really wish I had bought a copy though, because this album is awesome. It has a nice feeling and atmosphere to it that's hard to explain. I like the singer's performance. I'm a sucker for voices like his. It sort of reminds me of Jack White's voice. I was initially scared of the run time of the titular Marquee Moon, but I enjoyed every second of that ten minutes. This is an easy five stars for me. My favourite songs were Venus, Marquee Moon, and Torn Curtain.

Great

One of the best albums of the 70s. Loved it when it was released - love it more now. Marquee Moon, the song, in and of itself would justify inclusion, however, the rest of the album is extremely strong. They were even better live.

Never heard this album before and it was fantastic and maybe the first post-punk album we’ve listened to that I really loved. The vocalist seems to bridge the tone and eras of Mick Jagger and Stephen Malkmus and the guitarist is absolutely on fire. I do remember Jay’s Marquee Moon story so this of course made me think of that, but wow what an epic song.

It's unbelievable.

One of the very few albums that I consider to be perfect from start to finish. The guitar work bewteen Verlaine and Lloyd is absolutely unique, there's no no other that sounds like that.

Post punk masterpiece.

Love it !

An easy one. Why the song "Marquee Moon" can't last for at least 30min? It's almost impossible not to fall in love with this album.

amazing album loved every second 10/10

To paraphrase the late, great Brian Clough, "it may not be the best album of all time, but it's in the top one".

I stand 'neath the Marquee Moon. I stand beneath this album. It sounds great, including the vocals. The guitar, and definitely influenced the Strokes.

Another really good album. Early punk music with cleaner sounds than usual. I enjoyed every song and look forward to listening to them again

One of the greatest guitar albums of all time.

yep

Already listened to this. Love it. 7/10

What can I say? It’s a masterpiece.

Never heard of this band before, really loved the album. There's a hint of psychedelic rock in there that just speaks to me! Saved tracks: Marquee Moon, Elevation, Prove It, Torn Curtain

Fantastic post-punk - just sounds so good coming from 1977. I've previously mentioned that the Pixies always struck me as emerging from a parallel universe, but actually "Venus" could totally be a Pixies song. Fave track - "See No Evil", "Friction", "Marquee Moon" three way tie!

I'm rating albums here with the understanding that this is a first impression. So a 5 isn't perfect, just "very good". Torn Curtain was the standout track for me.

Maybe 4.5 but a great piece of music

Este es uno de mis favoritos. No sé cómo llegué a él, probablemente una recomendación de algún sitio de streaming, pero me encanta. Puedo escuchar tanta música actual en este mismo disco.

Wow, I had never heard of this but I really really loved it. Fantastic stuff.

I only came across television a couple of years ago. Since then this has become one of my all time favourite albums. A masterpiece

cool

Ahora entiendo porqué les dicen Pre-The Strokes. 9/10

Fantastic album and a new favorite in the rotation

Masterpiece!

I’ve herd this once before and I liked it so hopefully it will be the same quality… See no evil starts off sounding like it won’t be great but after the chorus comes on the song just radically turns into a banger. Venus is a banger especially the instrumentation on here, class! Friction just has like these small extra sounds that make it really cool and the guitars solo is one of the all time best. The 10 minute long title track is the main reason why this album is great though it’s one of the few long songs that is actually so good that you kinda wanna hear even more than you’re given. The bass line in elevation brings that whole song together making it one of the best. Guiding light is a great slow tune but probably the album’s worst but that’s just because of how great the other songs are still great though. The penultimate track prove it is another great display of this album I can’t really say anything that hasn’t been said in this review before but do know I love it. The drums at the start of the final track torn curtain really set the atmosphere for this amazing flawless closer, one of the best songs ever! Yeah this album is amazing no song is bad and while I’ve given a lot lately this is a definite 5/5.

Went through a very heavy Television phase in college. It’s the jam!!!

Bien !

some of the most modern rock guitar riffs I've heard so far! The first few tracks had sick lead strums, it is weird to say this sounds like Beach Boys influence? 63'-> 77', maybe that's who TV listened to growing up? Idk Will listen again 10/10

Protopunk wonderful essence

I saw Television in Birmingham - supported by a group called Blondie…

Great album very influencing

Iconic and influential album. Going into the album, my expectations were high, because I knew about the album's reputation, and I was already familiar with the amazing title track. Now, after listening to the album, I can say that the album lived up to my expectations. All the songs have great melodies, and even though some of them are long, they don't feel like they drag on for too long. The only complaints I have is that the vocals and the guitar tone doesn't change much throughout the album, which results in some of the songs blending a bit together for the first couple of listens.

Another album I own on vinyl. This album is fascinating for so many reasons. Television emerged in the same scene that gave rise to the Ramones, Blondie, the Talking Heads, and Suicide, among many others. Television doesn't sound like any of those bands (though to be fair, those bands don't sound anything like each other). This album feels both radical and yet very much of its time. It's absolutely stellar both musically and lyrically. Lots of musical energy to provide some grounding for the poetic lyrics. It's another weight on the scale that has swung (very much to my surprise) to the conclusion that the 70s were the best musical decade. 5/5

Fucking incredible guitar work. Yet another album that I’d been meaning check out for years that I wish I’d gotten to sooner.

I bought this album in the mid-80's when my local university radio station was clearing their collection when it went off the air. I got this and their second album, Adventure and really didn't get much play on my turntable at the time, but rediscovered these albums in the past 10 years and was blown away by what I've been missing. A post-punk classic, Marquee Moon has been influential to many bands in the 80's, 90's...up until now! The guitar interplay between Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd is incredible and the songs resonate with you every listen. What a great record!

Never listened to before, Know the title track, great album.

This era of 70s post rock or glam whatever you wanna call it was the friggin bees knees. This album is an easy fiver.

Mama likey

Another longtime fav of mine. Lots have be said of this album and it indeed is great. What downt get said as much as how good the guitar playi g is, it's a down right jam album with excellent production.

Great album. Have it on vinyl. Have listened to it a bunch.

This is a great album. Not much more needs to be said, it's simply great.

Truly one of the best

Another one of those albums that I listen to over and over. It is a perfect soundtrack to a hwad clearing walk when I need to get lost in my thoughts.

It's got it all

Need on vinyl.

Absolute classic. This and their live ROIR tape The Blow-Up were mind blowing. It was too bad that Little Johnny Jewel was difficult to get ahold of until the reissue.

The more I listen to this album the more I like it. How crazy that this came out in 1977?! I only knew the title track before this, and I genuinely thought it was a modern song. I'm vibing with this _a lot_. I may be feeling generous this week but I do love this album.

Guitar solos galore. Fun.

I'd forgotten how amazing this album is. The hypnotic, driving bass with the guitar work pulling it along. If I'm nitpicking, I'm not totally sold on the singing but does convey masses of character and attitude, and the title track is so amazing and titanic that it overshadows the songs coming after it.

100%. This is a perfect album.

The compositional endpoint of the two guitars, bass and drums band playing rock & roll. Every instrument is playing exactly what it needs to, and what they’re playing is all brilliant (especially the drums). This could've just as well have been released 10 or even 20 years later. Hard to believe it would come out of the CBGB's scene

Оч люблю телевижн и тома верлена

Fabulous recording, fun guitar. The occasional touch of melancholy. Awesome vocals, and great harmonies. Also the perfect duration - long enough to leave me fulfilled, without dragging on.

A pop-rock album that I absolutely loved every second of. The instrumental sections of this album are very dynamic and the guitar play goes from garage rockers to experimental. The guitarists complement each other so well and their sound is deeply layered; definitely the highlight of the album. I can understand how some might view the singing and songwriting as subpar or stale, but really its secondary to the music as a whole. I can imagine how ahead of its time this album was at its release, not just for punk rock but rock as a whole. The sequencing of this album is flawless and there is not one bad song on the entire album. Favorite tracks: All; Marquee Moon, Torn Curtain if I had to choose.

9/10

The title song is a highlight on one of the best albums ever - what some players manage to express with a guitar is amazing and still sounds as fresh as ever- but the rest of the songs is excellent as well.

This is banging. Perfect post punk. Love the guitar work from start to finish!

Hadn't heard of this group before, so wasn't sure going in what it would be about. Very much a guitar-first album, and they do an excellent job with that. Very much what the Strokes brought back in the 2000s. Vocalist takes away from it a bit, but added some tunes to the playlist here. Marquee Moon the song is excellent, very catchy jam. Added a few to the playlist off of this one.

Que és el disc amb millors guitarres dels 70 és gairebé una obvietat. No només dels 70, em costaria trobar un àlbum amb tants temes on els riffs provoquin tal cascada de sentiments. Però és que a més té les cançons... No n'hi ha cap que sigui simplement bona, totes són radicalment excel.lents

Классное сочетание 2 гитарных партий. Критики также отмечают интересную лирику, жаль не могу ее оценить.

Loved it. I’ve not heard about of this album before, so it was a great find

Truly amazing. The music is way ahead of it's time.

Great Album. Way ahead of its time. Could say it was made this year and it would fit.

Very cool! I like that kind of music a lot and this was just what i love

One of the greatest post-punk albums of all time. 9.4/10 Best Tracks: "See No Evil" "Venus"

the best!!

great album

J'aime. The Strokes love it.

Top class

Strong opening track. Simple, catchy songs. Not overproduced.

A classic - still listen to this fairly regularly.

Brilliant.

Uno de esos discos especiales que marcan un antes y un después

Narzekalem na punkowatosc punkowatosci na liscie i lista postanowila odpowiedziec czyms epicko punkersko protoplastycznym, bo albumikiem z 77 grupy zwanej television, na ktorej wczesniej nie bylo mi dane sie poznac, ale nadrobilem i urzeklo mnie to co uslyszalem, nie jest jest to wulgarny energiczny punk pelen buntu polaczonego z darciem mordy i napierdalanka po gitarkach, jeden z najbardziej smothowych punko basow jakie chyba kiedykolwiek slyszalem tworza taka linie melodyczna, o jakiej drumujace melodyje nie moga snic, na to jeszcze wpadaja gitarowe solowki na przemian z kounter melodiami, ktorych istnienie dopiero na tej plycie tak odczulem, bo jakos nigdy nie zastanawialem sie nad kounterowymi melodiami i ich zastosowaniu w muzyce popularnej, a ten album robi dobry how to tego wlasnie wykorzystania budowy melodii, tak jak sugeruje okladka banda liczy 4 czlonkow, dosc klasyczne w punkowaniu, ale tym razem wokalista jest takze utalentowanym grajkiem gitarowym i klawiszowym, ktore kreci solowe popisy, czuc takze ze teksty sa pisane ekskluziwnie przez pana Verlaine, chociaz nie jest to konceptowy krazek, to jednak motywy biedaka grajka hamerykanskiego w duzym miescie czuc dosc bardzo, zwlaszcza po retrospekcyjnym charakterze niektorych trakow, no i narkotykach rzecz jasna, co tez oczywiscie nawiazuje do poczatkow szolbiznesu dla czlonkow telewizji, pisalem ze wokalista robi robote podczas solowek, ale glowny gitarowca wcale mu tutaj nie ustepuje i licytuja sie co trak kto bardziej epickiego solowca wystuka, jeden z albumikow sluchany tylko od poczatku do konca, bo tak wciaga, ale na plejaka dodam ponad 10 minutowego epika ktory najlepiej sprzedaje o czym jest ta plyta, czyli tytulowy marquee moon, do tego dochodzi prove it, elevation i venus milowskom, na ktorej dosc ciekawe chorkowanie sie pojawilo, jak teraz pomysle jak influencyjna to musiala byc plyta, mam przed soba tyle wyspiarskich punkerow, ktore podobny konter plej probowaly ogrywac, gadajace glowy i pozostan w swietle, to tez dobry przyklad influencjowania tym wlasnie materialem, mam nadzieje ze reszta dyskografii jest rownie epicka i energia frontowego zawodnika przetrwala

One of the finest albums of the period

Good one, swift and straight to the heart

I love Television. Saw them in concert after their reunion album, which is also incredible. This is a classic, 5 stars.

I knew it was going to be good, and bad on me for not listening to it for this long, but HOT DAMN.

No ragrets. Qué puto discazo.

Muy buenas rolas

Really, really enjoyed this. Can't believe it came out in 1977, sounded like early Strokes!

Fun album, Marquee Moon is a great tune. Never heard of them

Opening track was particularly good

V. good. Punk sound, good vocals + drums

Never thought I'd like a punk album

it was pretty good, 4.5/5

One of the greats right here, the guitar is so influential.

One of the earlier post-punk albums, and also definitely one of the best! It jams, it grooves, and it retains its moodiness even when it rocks hard. 9/10 for sure.

Gentlemen, I am pleased to say I finally "get" Marquee Moon! This album was recommended to me before and it landed with a dull thud. Didn't get it, found it generic and boring. On giving it another listen, I instead found beautiful guitar solos with great tone and intricate bass. It does slump at the end before roaring back with the last track but I got so much genuine enjoyment out of this album.

Iconic

Some lovely jangly guitar playing. Without this the Strokes would not exist

Very good.

One of rock’s quietly influential albums. It’s hard to put your finger on what genre this is- punk? post-punk? new wave?- but however you categorise it this is a pretty refreshing departure for the time that would prove especially influential over New York’s rock band revival of the early 2000s. In some ways though, it is still a product of its time. There’s still some 70s rock excess with 10 minute tracks (admittedly that was on the very good title track), and I’m not quite sure that I agree with descriptions of this as a hook-led album. It’s certainly very listenable, but not too many songs stuck clearly in my mind as distinctive tunes. One that certainly is an album you should hear before you die, but not quite 5* for me.

bring back long songs

Huge fan of the raw punk, indie rock guitar work on this album - it works really well to give the album an interesting edge when paired with the raw vocals. On the whole the album feels strong and well written, but it doesn't strike me as absolutely perfect. There are a couple of tracks I don't love as much as the rest, and sometimes the raw, jagged nature of the tracks can feel overdone. Minor criticism though for a very good album.

Yeah this definitely sounds like NYC in the early 70s. Great album.

I had never heard this but really like it! Sort of a cross between Clash and Talking Heads. Also that looks like John Linnell.

Liked this one more than expected! A good post-punk sound, with some interesting guitar parts and structures. Didn't like the vocals as much, but that's usual for punk music for me. Sounds like they influenced the Strokes

I liked this! Good ballads and fun instruments. Not as crazy as crimson king.

I have 2 copies of this album, yet I never listened to the whole thing. I did yesterday. Tom Verlaine's voice annoys me, but the music is intriguing - a mix of angular and melodic, I just found out he died in 2023 - how did I not know?

Another old favourite - a great album for the start of the week. Favourite track: See No Evil

I don't know if this makes sense, but this feels very...pure. Like real music. I don't know, whatever. It's good.

Oh, this is new to me and a really pleasant surprise! I don't love the lead singer's voice (it's got a whininess I don't tend to enjoy listening to) but I do love the overall *vibe* of this album.

I don't hate his voice but I do think it started to grate on me a little by the end of the album. That being said it's rare I like a ten minute song as much as I liked Marquee Moon, found the guitar especially satisfying. Kind of mindblowing that it's from the 70s. Favourite song: Marquee Moon Least: Friction

Nice sound and bass playing. Don’t particularly enjoy the voice but strong songs. Likely a very influential album.

Yet another band on this list that I had never heard of, but ended up really enjoying the album. I think had been introduced to this back when it was new, I would’ve been quite a fan of this band. I’ll be listening to this one again, and I’ll give it four stars for now.

Another true discovery. Albums like these and being so pleasantly surprised by them is why i do this challenge.

Really solid proto punk. Softer, catchier, and way better use of instruments than punk. Almost sounds like the talking heads at times in a weird way.

I was psyched for this one like few before it. I knew very little coming in; this is *the* album apparently & these cats were a big influence on one of my faves. So I've had this one in the queue for a few months now. LOVE! This is great. I absolutely hear what the others who turned me onto this group hear, which is that early indie sound. Dig the songwriting, the style. Absolutely keeping this one in the rotation & digging into this group more

Really liked this . Listened it to twice straight through .

Sounds like clap your hands and say yeah Marquee moon Prove it

More punk attitude than rock. Angular and arty. For the people who sat at the tables at CBGB

Extra star for the epic title track

Väldigt bra. Hur har jag inte hittat detta? Lite brittpoprock vibes men ändå 70tal. Lite modernt kanske i ljudet?

Sounds more modern then you would think

Proto post punk, but with jazzy call-and-response, jangly jingles, and New York swagger

banger!

Buenardo, bastante angine de poitrine

I remember getting this and not listening to it much. Marquee moon being the obvious stand out. The rest not as good but has an interesting sound. 3.5 rounded up Heard before? Yes Owned: No. 81/318 (25%) Will I get: Maybe a better version

Wow -- another unknown gem this week! One of my favorite acts of the last 20 years is the Strokes. Upon listening to this album I'm finding Television doing a lot of the things that I love about the Strokes, like melodic guitar lines, a lead singer with swagger singing thought provoking lyrics, and the unabashed use of NYC as a backdrop. In addition to the Strokes, Television really appears to have paved the way for many of the alternative acts of the 80s that I really love. Though I enjoyed every track, Venus, the title track and Prove It are standout songs for me. I definitely plan on checking out more of their music.

Now this is what I’m talking about. One of the primary examples thus far of a band completely unknown to me releasing a gem that’s excellent all-around. The guitar playing is fantastic and would completely steal the show if not for the rest of the production, along with the passion and lyrics from the lead singer, holding their own as well. Every track offers something unique and undeniable, giving us plenty of sonically interesting and purely catchy moments that work well together. A super strong release that could still grow on me yet. 2 listens Favorite Tracks: Title Track, Venus, See No Evil, Torn Curtain

This was surprising and really good! I have never heard of them before which is kind of surprising. This music fits right in with everything else that was popular.

i discovered television a few years ago, first song i heard was marquee moon and i was impressed honestly, then i was a regular listener to them. but then i discovered new music and kind of drifted away from them, then a few months ago marquee moon came up in a playlist and i wanted to listen to them again and now i listen to them frequently like i did before, so this being the first album generated to me made me so happy! i think the sound is pretty diverse going from a track to another but still keeping the authentic rock sound they have, i love this album. favourite song is obviously marquee moon as it's the one that got me into them.

This album rocks.

Definitely hear this bands influences on more current bands. Overall ok. Maybe another listen. 3.5

Pretty good!

I listened to this album after coming back from lunch, feeling a little physically drained but mentally refreshed. This was one of the albums featured on the front page of this list, the only one in that lineup which I didn't recognize. I had been curious about it from that very moment, and I tried to moderate my somewhat heightened expectations once I finally got around to listening to it. It started off sounding like some pretty conventional classic rock sound which didn't stand out to me immediately, but the more it went on, the more I started to hear the groundwork being laid for new wave acts to come. This felt like an album whose influence would be hard to properly appreciate after having heard other albums further down its influential road, but it doesn't end up sounding too dated or out-of-touch. Even decades later, Marquee Moon still feels very true to the genre and stands on its own with catchy riffs and hooks. Some of these drum fills tickle my brain alongside my favorite modern bands, and I love the unconventional blends of different guitar parts throughout the project. The songs only got more interesting and unique as the album went along, continuing to sound not only more modern than I initially expected, but sometimes feeling incredibly ahead of its time. One of my favorite parts, however, is the tongue-in-cheek lyricism which gives the album a sense of timeless levity. Even through a potentially unfair level of anticipation, this album still managed to shine as quite an unexpected highlight, even if I can't quite connect with all of its choices on account of simply listening to it after having fallen in love with the albums which will follow in its footsteps, taking its ideas to their ultimate conclusions (and also guy on the cover looks like Matt Watson, which makes me laugh). Highlights: See No Evil, Venus, Friction, Marquee Moon, Prove It, Torn Curtain

Highlights: See No Evil, Venus, Marquee Moon, Friction, Guiding Light, Elevation, Torn Curtain and Prove It. That’s the whole album folks. 4.2

bro please stop looking at me like that

Marquee Moon is not the traditional punk album one would hear coming out of 1977, but it was one of the firsts that laid the groundwork for the genre people love and know today. I don't think I fully understood this album the first time I heard and and still even during this listen don't think I fully understand it, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't appreciate it more this time around. This album front to back is super duper consistent but nothing stands out as anything more then great in my eyes. Don't get me wrong I really enjoy every track here but this album always confused me why people think it is one of the greatest of all time, it doesn't stick out very much to me other then for its consistency. Tom Verlaine has a very recognizable but also very subtle voice as it balances as a paradox of sorts throughout the entire 46 minute runtime. The backing band is also very good at setting the mood, pace, and just feel of this very awkwardly perfect sound. Marquee Moon is weird, but that doesn't mean it is strange, in fact there are a lot of conventional elements here that lean more towards art rock but also aren't anything mind blowing (other then maybe the nearly 11 minute track thrown into this album). Marquee Moon is straightforward and I think that's why a lot of people like it, including myself, it is a great time and that's all I really wanted from this.

I think I wanted to like this, everything sounded so familiar but it was also nothing special at the same time. 3.5/5

Notable Textzeile: "Project Protect It's warm and it's calm and it's perfect It's too "too too" to put a finger on" Ich kannte das nicht und für mich ist das eine wirklich tolle Entdeckung. Musikalisch höre ich einiges das in der New New Wave wiederkommt, was Rhythmus angeht, z.B. im Titelsong. Insgesamt sind die Gitarren fantastisch, die Mischung aus Soli, Chords, Riffs. Auch sonst gefällt mir die Stimme, die entspannte aber einigermaßen tighte Rhythmussektion und auch die Lyrics sind simple aber gut. Sehr erfreulich.

Das hat was überraschend modernes, blur-artig, pulp-haft. Keine Ahnung wer das ist, aber würde mich nicht wundern wenn sich 90er/00er-Brit-Rocker stark darauf berufen. Trotzdem frage ich mich warum es einen 10-Minüter braucht. Insgesamt aber eine positive Überraschung die gefällt.

IDK why I didn't like this album before. I certainly like it now.

This has grown on me a lot with each listen through, especially Marquee Moon. Where his voice was off putting and shrill to begin with I started to appreciate more and more as akin to a David Byrne performance. The music is enjoyable with an edge that is interesting for the 70's. Glad the list has exposed me to another thing i would have written off immediately beforehand.

I think I kinda don't get the whole avantgarde thing here - if this album is avantgarde then I don't know what King Crimson is. But it's nice, and the second half (from the title track) better than the first half.

Why is this not known more widely? Sure they were not prolific, but this first album was a blueprint for the next two decades of good music. Tom Verlaine should be a household name.

Love the dry sound of the drums in combination with the guitar interplay! Easy to see how this influenced post punk and new wave.

Never heard of this one or this band. But this is pretty amazing. Sounds timeless, complex yet catchy and cool. Not necessarily my favorite style of rock music, but the influence this had on later bands is palpable.

peak

- it's chill - i like the guitar riffs - the album cover is simple but layout - my favorite song is "Friction" - vocals are not bad - i lwk wanna frick myself with a dilldough while listening to this tbh 3.5

Good instruments

I wrote this a long time ago upon my first listen: "Took me a long time to get into it but it was worth it. I listened to it at the perfect time enjoying every second. Amazing album hands down it was apparently influential to future rock. Very inspirational and a lot to work from. Some bangers too " right now I FEEL the music. Fav Track: Torn Curtain because its the only one that stuck with me.

167.

I actually really liked this

7/10

8/10 I really liked this, lots of fun catchy riffs all over. I didn't like the vocals at first but I think I'm starting to get used to them.

This stands the test of time and feels modern, then I realized based on its release that it influenced punk, alternative, and pop like the Strokes.

Was another big surprise, cant wait to go back and listen again.

Olin kuullut Marquee Moonin pari kertaa aikaisemmin, mutta vasta nyt tämän levyn hienous alkoi avautua. Television kuului New Yorkin punk-skeneen, mutta yhtyeen musiikki muistuttaa enemmänkin progea tai kulmikasta taiderockia.

Titular song slap

jammy 70's I'm liking it on this friday

jaren zeventig rock moet altijd wel goed zijn toch?? AYEEE DIT IS ZO LEUK

ik ken dit al! super goed rock album , klassieker fr

Surprisingly good album. I'd never heard of it before.

ALBUM RATING: Cool album, with really good instrumentals. Favourite songs are Guiding Light and Prove It. I give it a 3.75 overall, great! SONGS RATINGS: See No Evil - fun beat, 4 Venus - reminds me of another song, I like around 2:40, 3.75 Friction - really good, I like the pace and the beat, 4.5 Marquee Moon - one of their top songs, makes you feel ready, 3 sorry 😃 Elevation - I like the elevation don’t go to my head part, 3.2, I like the beginning Guiding Light - I really like this one, especially the piano, 4.75. Prove It - I like the prove it, just the facts, confidential, 4 Torn Curtain - I like the way their voice sounds, like they are dragging out the words sadly? Idk how to describe it, 3.5

Among the defining pieces to come out of the CBGB soup in NYC, Marquee Moon seems to leapfrog simple punk into alternative, arty rock with great guitar playing and a jazzy rhythm section. Some DNA is shared with Patti Smith, Talking Heads and the like but clearly this is a debut that endures and sticks out as something special. The songs have hooks, albeit unconventional ones and the production sound is wide open an unafraid to jab the listener. Television is a cool band, nothing groundbreaking in this take!

I liked this album. I can't pick anything out in particular that I remember, but it was nice overall.

I liked this more than I thought. I only realized the title track was 10 minutes long about 8 minutes in when the opening line started again, I thought I had set it to repeat. Good sounds, nice backing vocals, I wouldn’t say this is a punk album or whatever people say. I enjoyed this.

Great album - I really enjoyed every track. I know it’s highly regarded by a lot of critics, and even though I enjoyed it I think it’s a bit overrated.

Classy vibes

I know we're not living in the seventies but I feel like I was there. 4/5

This is some quality art punk. It's wild hearing ideas here that influence artists I never even would have expected. Like this time around, I realized how much influence this album had on Of Montreal.

I like the album. It’s considered punk but clearly it’s not like 1970s punk. I would say it’s the beginning of alternative rock’s break from punk

This one surprised me. Never heard of these guys. The music reminds me of the strokes or the band jet

Never listened to much early punk before this challenge. Really enjoyed hearing a version that feels a little more musically intentional: interesting chords and scales, amazing riffs, thoughtful production. Can easily draw the line between this band and the alt rock of the ‘00s I grew up listening to.

The title track has always been a favourite of mine . But a few songs suffer from being to nasal-y for my taste .

On safer ground here an album iv heard before and liked. Listening again I can see why I like it reminds me off one of my favourite bands the Only Ones. Can hear a bit of Mick Jagger in Tom's voice. Have got a run of albums I like must be softening me up for some jazz

Solid.

The guitar playing and beats in this album are great. The lead singer's voice is a bit of an acquired taste, but generally didn't bother me too much. I was not familiar with this band before now, and I'm glad to have learned about them. 4/5

would play if i was chilling on the deck on a nice summer day perhaps having a beer with some buddies

I like this a whole lot. The guitar tones were so crisp and played so elegantly. The songwriting managed to be so pretty and vivid and emotional. My biggest criticism is that the back half of the album is so much less energetic than the first half. It feels like running out of steam as it goes.

A weird rock pop album, but pretty good.

Fantastic, although this one took me time to appreciate. So creative, and every song seems to keep up the pace of the one before it, but bringing a new energy. I think if your not a fan of this style of singing, it may be a bit tough for you, maybe start with talking heads.

Quite well produced and musically competent. I wasnt there but I imagine that when you put this on you were thinking these guys could be the next big thing.... For 1977 it still sounds fresh and sits at an intresting crossroads between the vibes based 70s and the energy based 80s. I thought it was pretty good and it makes a tight little musical statement.

It was a very interesting it sounded to me very similar to Parquet Courts, a really nice album

F-R-I-C-T-I-O-N Amazing and insanely influential album. Nonstop hits, defined and welcomed a generation. CBGB forever, baby. Verlaine and Hell got a lot of well deserved credit for their poetry, but the whole band are underrated technicians. 4.5/5

Very good!! I had heard songs here and there before but never listened all the way through. The first half is especially strong.

8/10 The first album I've been introduced to by this site that I've really liked.

Yeah, this slaps.

Like a more accessible version of meandering 70s prog-rock. I enjoyed it—if I had found this 20 years ago when I was into prog-rock I might have really enjoyed it.

I don’t listen to much Television, because Television is no friend of — sorry. MM is a refreshing serve of new music that signaled a left turn out of straight-ahead punk into a more thoughtful approach. They walked in step with Talking Heads to produce a sound like art-punk, or a proto-new wave. It’s cool as hell and it deserves more listening. All right, I will.

I love this album. Honestly. Actually excited to listen to it again. It’s one that is in rotation a bit. And I definitely give it a 4. Man, I want to give it a 5, but… I just can’t. I got to save my 5s for truly great albums as albums. This has a great sound, but I can’t call it composed. This 5 star system doesn’t have enough subtlety for me.

8.8/10 (round up) All I Really Want- 8.5/10 (1st) You Oughta Know- 10/10 (3rd) Perfect- 9/10 Hand in My Pocket- 8/10 Right Through You- 8.5/10 (fave) Forgiven- 8.5/10 (Fave) You Learn- 9/10 (Fave) Head over Feet- 8.5/10 (Fave) Mary Jane- 9/10 (2nd) Ironic- 9.5/10 Not the Doctor- 8.5/10 Wake Up- 8/10

This is a sturdy album and I have nothing bad to say about it. I probably would listen to again.

Elevation, Guiding light and torn curtain

I remember hearing Marquee Moon the song in a surf movie like 15 years ago, I instantly put it on high rotation on my driving playlist. I’ve listened to this album a few times now and it’s really solid. It’s one of those albums that sounds like it came out around the mid 2000’s with the wave of rock that bands like Franz Ferdinand, the Strokes & Bloc Party found fame in, so finding out it’s from the 70’s is kinda mind blowing.

Really creative and catchy album. The obvious highlight is the title track, but all the other songs are great too. But although this album is very consistent and entertaining, I don’t think the peaks are crazy high. I like this album a lot, but it’s not one of my favorites.

16/04/2026 I thought this was actually alright for a band I haven't heard of before! Spotify listeners: 401.2k

Really solid early punk that didn’t seem to forget what a melody was. I enjoyed.

Solid album. You can see where the Strokes got all their ideas.

Kind of non descript but decent

A great inspiration for countless Indie and Alternative Rockbands. Really good songs with long instrumental passages and a dark athmosphere. If only I liked the singers voice more... Fav: Marquee Moon

Very cool, reminds me of The Doors. End of 70s alternative rock/classic punk

Very seminal. I never loved it as much as I should I guess. Music is just isn't for that guy who quit the list due to this album haha.

Really enjoyable album. Love the guitar and an enjoyable voice. Vinny for sure

Torn Curtain gives it an extra star. Otherwise it was just ok.

Like the intro and instruments.

I gave this a shot in college because it was highly respected by my NYC alt music forebears but I wasn’t ready for it without learning more about Velvet Underground, Patti Smith, Talking Heads etc. I think I could grow to love this album but mainly I just vibes with sprawling song structures and elegant guitars.

Yass : 8/10

I liked it overall, had some of the songs saved to previous playlist. My favorite was “prove it” I can't explain it but there's a lot of energy in this album. And the guitar solos were brilliant

muy buenoo

Probably my first big surprise since starting this: someone I've never heard of and clicked with pretty quickly. This is a cool as all hell album, and one I may revisit. Marquee Moon is long but great, and Prove It ending with just the cool "This case is closed" is a 10/10. Enjoyed this a lot.

Buen álbum. Ritmos y melodías muy buenos y modernos para ser de 1977. Las letras un poco básicas y con falta de calidad, pero más allá de eso fue un buen primer álbum para escuchar.

good band... Tom Verlaine is a cool guy.. album is good too.

Not groundbreaking but still rocks

This v good. Like a Strokes I like better

I liked this album a lot. There are some pretty sick riffs driving the side 1. There's plenty of punk groups and albums that made it into this list, but this Marquee Moon has a nice blend of elements that differentiate them from the others for me; a mix of jam band, garage rock, and punk rock.

Discovering this album during Covid was a God-send. I'd heard Marquee Moon but never fully dived in. I'm a better person for it!

Favorite songs: See No Evil, Friction, Marquee Moon, Elevation, Guiding Light, Prove It, Torn Curtain

It's not too bad. some songs reminds me of television songs. great album but not really my cup of tea.

Never quite reaches the heights of some of the other CBGB bands of its day. A bit more raw and less poppy than Talking Heads but totally enjoyable for an afternoon listen.

Excellent alt-rock album that feels a full decade ahead of its time for 1977. The compositions really stand out. Lots of great guitar tones and interesting bass lines. This is deceptively complex music. The lead singer’s off-kilter wail and the band’s loose performances could suggest a kind of tossed-off style, but Television were clearly working at a very high level. The title track in particular is stunning. I love how at the end they come back to the opening riff after a long jam in the middle.

Got into it after a few song's. Actually enjoyed it

Really enjoyed this. The title track is properly thick and full of talent. What a great discovery for me.

I See No Evil: 7.5/10. Venus: 9.5/10. Love the guitarwork, emotion in vocals, and expressive lyrics. Feels personal and holy..esp with the call and response and talking-singing. “and I felt..” “did you feel alone?” Friction: 9.7/10. A pulsating, nocturnal esque track.. reminiscent of a neon rain soaked night in late 1970s Lower Manhattan. Love the hook..gives me butterflies. Marquee Moon: 9.9/10 Elevation

pretty good

Aangenaam, vibey, rustig! Ik zou er nog naar luisteren

really enjoyed this one, similar vibes to geese and the strokes, wish i knew about this sooner, very cool guitar, as a first listen i love that it’s 8 songs long because it can feel long listening to a new album you haven’t heard of yet, feels incredibly wrong that i’ve not heard this before, as an a&r scout i’d love to find a new band that sounds like these guys, by guiding light i got a bit bored but i will probs listen to this album again

I i’ve never heard of this band, but I really liked them. I think a lot of the songs sounded the same, but the voice of the singer and the could be right now in 2026.

Doesn't sound anyway dated even now; a sophisticated record beyond punk of the time, sounds like a forerunner for Radiohead.

Gillade detta! Lite glad vibe, svårt att förklara. Glad rock typ? Väldigt nice. Musik som låter som en vårdag typ

torn curtain, tremendo final

I had never heard of this band, but can hear their influence on others (the strokes in particular). At first the vocals reminded me of Mick Jagger. This would possibly grow for me but a high 3/low 4.

Compelling listen.

The multi-staged Marquee Moon is the perfect centrepiece of this record. It's head and shoulders above the rest, but only in virtue of being one of the best songs ever written. Outside of the title track there are a series of smart compositions which slowly unfold and evolve and show the band to be ahead of their time in how they play the guitar, with various tones and inflections being lifted and shifted by those who’ve come since. I could hear a bit of David Byrne in the vocals, so I was surprised to see that this LP was released six months before Talking Heads’ ‘77. A remarkable album.

Very good album. I really liked the "Marque Moon" song (among others). I'll listen to this again to check the lyrics. It's 4 stars now...but I can see this reaching 5 stars after a few more listens.

Very enjoyable post-punk Album. Surf rock riffs and grooves. All around sound listen.

pretty good

Person who's only heard of David bowie: "hey this sounds a bit like David Bowie" I listened to this album twice and enjoyed it a lot more on the second run through. The instrumentation is excellent throughout and I love the art-punk style on display here. Songs like Friction and Elevation are uniformly great. The main sticking point for me is that I just don't think the singing works as well on some tracks or others. On songs like "prove it" I really love the singing, but then on "Marquee Moon" I think its just too much. I think with time I would find it less distracting, I found that I already enjoyed the singing aspect more on the second listen, but the nature of these reviews don't really afford it. That said I simply cannot get over how good the instrumentals are here, and their highlights are high enough to just push it into a 4 for me.

250/1001 Television - Marquee Moon Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ✅ Another of those albums where I've heardthe inescapable track Marquee Moon and loved it, but not ventured enough to fully listen to the album. Suffice to say, that I'll be back for more. The combination of post-punk and psych just really work for me.

Very 2012 coded, sound like a sound track to a movie. Love the guitar

The closer Torn Curtain is superb, especially the backing vocals while the solo is playing This is an album that ive listened to previously but nothing really stuck with me over the years. But it is good, I never had negative thoughts about it Great, very high 4 but its got 5 written all over it

listened to this a while ago and fun fact this album was gifted to me TWICE! once on CD once on vinyl by 2 different people :) i can just say this has some insane guitar playing and sounds absolutely wonderful especially for the year this came out

Very nice album with marquee moon being the very best by far. I am surprised how much I can hear the inspiration later rock bands have taken from this album.

Some of the coolest guitar work in the business. Unimpeachable first four songs, including "Marquee Moon" which is epic. Side two is good but unmemorable.

The guitar interplay is surgically precise and the mix is incredibly transparent, leaving no room for mistakes. You can clearly hear how this record laid the foundation for the 2000s garage rock revival and bands like The Strokes. It is a masterpiece of technical control even if it lacks that final emotional spark to reach a perfect score.

Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd's guitar playing on this is some of my favorite on any record ever. Technically difficult riffs applied with insane precision, and some soaring, super memorable lines throughout - like on my favorite track here, Venus. First side of this is immaculate, but there's a couple on the second half that hold me back from a five personally, that just kind of plod a bit, like Elevation and Torn Curtain. Still, a singular album that definitely deserves a spot on the list.

Yeah. Television.

d-_-b

These guys were closely associated with the punk rock movement but they flew in the face of every thing that was punk rock. Most of their songs were over 4 minutes. They had long guitar solos and they could play their instruments masterfully. Tom Verlaine really was one of the better guitarists to come up in the seventies.

Sounds like NYC 1977, alright. Reminds me a lot of Patti Smith without the lyrical urgency. Good guitar and drum work, really enjoyable.

Surprised me a lot. Really strong start; it lost me a bit towards the end, but the first half was absolutely excellent. I'd never heard of this band nor album before. Will listen to some of these again in the future.