The Village Gorilla Head thread (was: Just got Tommy's solo record!)

[loretian]

I think that would have bummed TS out?

   That's one of the funniest things I've ever read.   I long for the day when I can pull girls away from rock stars... 

[Chief]

I've been listening to this cd a lot in the last week or so. I really like it, he has got a wide variety of styles on it and they sound good.  The production is also quite good, you can hear all the instruments distinctly and I also really liked the vocals.  It is a good showcase for Tommy's talent.
My favorite tracks are Motivation (a stonesy rocker), Light of Day (a slower song), World Without a view, Something's Wrong (sounds a bit like an izzy song). I liked all the songs but the title track is strange, trippy and kind of electronic sounding.
Overall, its a pretty good album and worth checking out. I'm planning to see the show when he comes around.

[mulanrouge]

Sorry guys i haven't heard Tommy's solo yet.? I just bought VR and then the GNR greatest hits.? Have to give my pocketbook a little break in between.? ?

And i am not sure what his music sounds like? ? when i have more time to read through these posts that will give me a better idea.? Also, i hear that Dizzy has really nice music. ?

[jarmo]

And i am not sure what his music sounds like? ? when i have more time to read through these posts that will give me a better idea.?

Check out Amazon.com, they have sound clips from the album.




/jarmo

[K-Rock]

I bought it last week.......have listened to it 3 times.......and I love it.

I was at the shore this past weekend and played it for a few friends.? One of them flipped out when I told him that it was Tommy Stinson.? He's a huge Replacements fan and was shocked when I told him that Tommy was now playing bass for Guns N' Roses.

[J?]

Anyone have the link were Tommy lists the shit that annoys him, like that Tattoo quote he does and shiznit thanks

[GypsySoul]

BLENDER >> SEPTEMBER 2004
THE GUIDE NEW RELEASES

TOMMY STINSON
VILLAGE GORILLA HEAD
* * * (Three Stars)
SANCTUARY
Onetime member of ?80s indie icons the Replacements goes solo
What?s smaller and smarter than a Velvet Revolver?? A Velvet Squirt Gun?? Current Guns N? Roses bassist (and onetime preteen bassist for Minneapolis punk-rock greats the Replacements) Tommy Stinson gets a lot of time off as Axl Rose polishes his Chinese Democracy.? On his vacation, Stinson has made a record that manages to sound fully engaged and optimistic even while it?s sad all over the place.? Village Gorilla Head is full of loud and introspective pop shaped into bittersweet songs that evoke Big Star and Cheap Trick.? His GN?R mates Dizzy Reed (keyboards) and Richard Fortus (guitar) drop by to help on some tracks, but Stinson plays much of this moody music himself.? At the end, he tenderly croons over and over, ?Something of use will come?:? Whether Stinson is talking about his life or about Chinese Democracy, either way he?s convincingly optimistic.
RJ SMITH
DOWNLOAD THESE? ?Without a View,? ?Something?s Wrong,? ?Couldn?t Wait?

[Eva GnRAxlRosette]

I have been playing Village Gorilla Head a lot.  I'm really loving it.

The title track is becoming my favorite.
Its funky and jazzy.
The piano parts on it are really great - its like 'Dizzy! fuck yeah!'
I'm really into this album
OK is still one of my favorites....  Love this song. 
Tommy is a great song writer 
with this kind of talent on board...
I'm REalllly looking forward to CD! 

[Wheres Izzy]

I saw he was gonna be on Kilborn on this site and liked the song he played alot. After reading this thread I think I am gonna pick up the album. Thanks all around if it's good.

[Andrew]

I finally picked up this album off ebay a few days ago, thought it was about time as i`m going to see him in camden and wanted to get those songs into my head before hand.

I`ve been reading most of the reviews and everythings been positive, so i was really looking forward to it. It did take a while to get used to it, i think it was his singing style - not that i don`t like it, far from it. The album has its fair share of slower down tempo songs, so it takes a few listens to tune into the level its recorded at, and to fully appreciate the louder moments when they do come up. Needs to be listened to loud. Highly recommended, but be ready to give it a few listens before judging it. I really can`t wait for the show now, would be cool if i could chat with him - not sure how good i would be at that, i barely ever go to smaller gigs, normally a stadium person so i`m not used to this relaxed bar like approach.

Out of interest does anyone know what tracks Richard Fortus plays on?

[jarmo]

Out of interest does anyone know what tracks Richard Fortus plays on?

Richard Fortus: additional guitars, tracks 2, 8, 10; cello on tracks 7, 10



I also got the album now, and just like you said, it takes a few listens to appreciate it.

Not A Moment Too Soon sounds like a song that they could put in some movie and it would immediately become a hit.



/jarmo

[Andrew]

Cheers Jarmo, I picked up a promo version of the album (cheaper!) so am unable to look in the sleave - i`m not that lazy! 

[younggunner]

so it takes a few listens to tune into

It took me about 2 listens to get into it as well. SInce then Ive been listening to this album non stop. I didnt know much about Tommy regarding his music ability other than the fact he was in a bigtime punk band{which i knew nothing about} but he really showcases his talents in this album. Its good to see a core guy of gnr has so much talent.....

[jarmo]

Cheers Jarmo, I picked up a promo version of the album (cheaper!) so am unable to look in the sleave - i`m not that lazy!?

You can see the rest of the "who's doing what on VGH" on the main site. Plus lyrics so you can sing along.



/jarmo

[Christos AG]

Damnit.? This isn't a big deal, but I recently found out Tommy's album release party took place in the bar my roommate works at - not two blocks from where I work and where I am right now.? If I had known in advance, I would have been there.? My roommate wasn't working that night, but according to another server, Tommy was macking on all the girls the whole night and didn't give anyone else any attention.? That's just the opinion of one server, though.

Just imagine you going though. All the girls and ladies would have left the side, top and lower half of Tommy Stinson and come running to you screaming 'It's Loretian from HTGTH'. And when I say scream, I mean scream?

I think that would have bummed TS out?

Hey Mysteron. Stop these jokes and get back to your day job which is informing us about news from the GN'R camp.   

Good joke though... 

[GypsySoul]

Photo Credit:? CELESTE WELLS?

[MeanBone]

well, i just the cd yesterday... and i've been listening to it since... great cd! tommy is one gifted musician. i really like the piano parts on village gorilla head, i think its dizzy. great job!
Tommy Rocks 

[dave-gnfnr2k]

this is such a great album
i cant get enough
the first three tracks are my faves on the album

[Christos AG]

Cheers Jarmo, I picked up a promo version of the album (cheaper!) so am unable to look in the sleave - i`m not that lazy!?

Hey, I also got a promo version of the album but not because it was cheaper. Because I'm a collector...

[Andrew]

Cheers Jarmo, I picked up a promo version of the album (cheaper!) so am unable to look in the sleave - i`m not that lazy!?

Hey, I also got a promo version of the album but not because it was cheaper. Because I'm a collector...

How about you collect my promo, so i can go off and buy the full version?