Tosh Berman's Favorite Albums of 2022

 

Tosh Berman's Favorite Albums of 2022

Suede: "Autofiction" by Tosh Berman

 

Suede: Autofiction by Tosh Berman

Tosh Berman on Suede

 

Tosh Berman on Suede

Albums That Were Important to Tosh in 1996

 

As far as I can remember (or tell), there were only two albums of importance for me in 1996. Suede's "Coming Up" and Tricky's "Pre-Millennium Tension." On the surface, they're from the same country but seem apart. The truth is that both artists capture a mood or tension in modern life in the UK. "Trash" from the Suede album is an amazing single/song. I still play it to this day. And it is also interesting to point out, Suede went through a major change from losing Bernard Butler (guitarist/co-songwriter) and getting a new guitarist/co-songwriter). They became more forceful and focused. Not every album by them became great, but what looked like post-glam seedy glamour was/is actually a new approach to pop music. Tricky's second (or third) album was essential listening for me at the time—especially "Tricky Kid" off that album. More was going on that year, but I really would need a week to figure out what 1996 meant to me. - Tosh Berman

The Albums That Were Important To Tosh in 1993

 

The albums I purchased in 1993 were all familiar to me, such as Bowie and Frank Black (Pixies), except for Suede and The Divine Comedy. At the time, I actually preferred the Frank Black solo albums to his albums with Pixies. And Bowie's "Black Tie, White Noise, I thought was a great comeback for the presence and music of this brilliant artist. Many feel this album is not up there with other Bowie classics, but I loved this album when it came out. I also liked "The Buddha of Suburbia" soundtrack album by David. He was hungry to make new music.

I was most impressed with Suede for their graphics and photos of the band. A good-looking band goes far in my book, and I appreciated their retro-glam via the "Diamond Dogs" approach to their music. With an additional mixture of JG. Ballard as well. The Divine Comedy is book smart, and to me, they convey literature as music. The UK to the core, I loved their approach in making music to read books by. The compilation I listened to the most that year was Prince's "The Hits/B-Sides." Especially the B-Sides. All were magnificent.

"Afternoons with the Blinds Drawn" by Brett Anderson

ISBN: 978-14087111842

I avoided Suede in the early years because I was turned off by their image for some reason. Sort of second-generation or even third-generation glam didn't sound that hot to me. Over the years I warmed to their records, and last year I bought and read Brett Anderson's first memoir "Coal Black Mornings" of his childhood and teenage years. That book is excellent. A very detailed description of his surroundings and a fascinating and eccentric father. "Afternoon with the Blinds Drawn" focuses on the high years of Suede, and it is not as compelling as the first volume. For one, I can sense Anderson didn't really want to write about the Suede decades, but perhaps due to the success of the first volume, he or his publishers pushed him to go on. 

Still, he's a very good prose writer. Sometimes when you write about your success, it's not the most interesting part of one's life. I sense there will be a third volume, and that may be more interesting due to new family, his band getting together, and how middle-age life is like when you're still rockin'.

"Coal Black Mornings" by Brett Anderson (Little Brown, UK)

ISBN: 9781408710500

It is my interest to read memoirs that focus on the early years of its subject matter, due that I wrote a memoir "Tosh" (City Lights Books) that does the same thing.  Brett Anderson is the lyricist/songwriter and vocalist for the British band Suede.  A band that I had mixed feelings for, but since I read this book by Anderson, I re-listened to his work with Suede, and now I appreciate their music and stance in British pop music of the 1990s.  And they are still around, making interesting music.  Still, I didn't know what "Coal Black Mornings" will bring to the literary memoir table.  It's delicious. 

Like a Suede song, Anderson captures the English landscape of poverty and struggling with a family that is partly eccentric - (especially the dad) and the rush of growing up with nothing, yet there is a future if one takes it by the ears and shake it a bit here and there.  Born in a situation where Anderson felt trapped, it is art -both literature and music, which saved his hide. This book in a sense is a tribute to being focused on what you want to do, and not to lose sight of that goal or the world you want to obtain.   The book ends as Suede signs the recording contract with Nude Records, but the build-up to that point is a delightful read, from a superb prose writer.  He does get 'flowery' time-to-time, but it also serves him personality or character-wise, as well.  

My main problem with Suede is not the aesthetics, but that their references to their culture are apparent.  Saying that, and especially after reading this book, I think I'm a tad of a snob to criticize them for that alone.  The fact is that they can write songs like "Trash," while not totally original, is nevertheless a beautiful pop record with an excellent (catchy) chorus.  And "Coal Black Mornings" deals with that subject matter, with Anderson's approach to the songwriting craft, and his ability to stand alone, along with his bandmates, to work on the final product until they find it suitable.  

I'm not sure what Anderson is like in person, but in this book, he's very nice to his fellow musicians and seems to be very fair-minded chap.  So, this is not a gossipy book or one where he settles old scores, but more of an upbeat tale of his youth and hard work to obtain his vision.   In theory, these type of books are a bore, but due to his writing skills and insightful way he can describe London in such poetic but realistic terms, this book is a real winner. 

Suede - Shipbuilding

Suede performing Robert Wyatt's "Shipbuilding." And yes Elvis Costello wrote it, but Wyatt made that song. Suede version is good.