Metamatic Forums John Foxx John Foxx Glimmer: The Best Of

Wow - this is getting interesting!

I agree that fans shouldn't "have" to buy to validate their credentials, I think that stage is probably passed long ago for me (I have so many versions of Endlessly, not because it is my favourite, but because I was young and thought I needed them all (anyone want to buy the picture disc version btw??)). I am glad to have Glimmer released though, as it does contain some interesting tracks that I do not possess (and I haven't heard it all yet!). It is so "relatively" cheap that those few tracks are worth it for me (CD's in Japan are suddenly not good value anymore compared to UK, even the Japanese iTunes store sells things at a horrendous markup compared to UK).

In addition, I was actually very impressed with the amount of work that has gone into the release, and the sleeve notes in particular were well thought out, insightful for ignorant people like me, and well written. In contrast, the "Happy Families" release from Blancmange had everything my vinyl version has (except the cracks and pops) but the release didn't add value in any way other than being digital (maybe I had waited so long, it was an anti climax?). I was left wanting more!

Sadly, my iPod isn't doing the Glimmer justice, so I am looking forward to the weekend as i have some long drives to do, and just me in the car (the car has a very good stereo, thankfully)! Glimmer will keep me company there and back, and even though I have most of the material, it is those extra tracks and that extra effort that has gone into this release that is making it worth every penny.

Thank you, Herbert the turbot and Alex and Gem, for your eloquent posts above. I can sympathize.

With money tight these days, it's difficult to justify spending anything on consumer goods, especially when it's product I already own in one form or another. Not to sound ungrateful for the work and dedication that's gone into the rereleases (on the contrary -- I'm delighted, and I've taken a deep breath and ordered most of them), but I am curious how many are being purchased by newcomers. These CDs are clearly designed to appeal to the core of people who already are familiar with, and likely own, the bulk of John Foxx's back catalog. We may be dedicated but we are not an unlimited financial resource. If an artist insists on having all of our lunch money, it is not unreasonable for us to expect something more from the bargain than to have to constantly repurchase material we've already bought, gussied up with repurposes and retreads and curiosities to make us think it is fresh. For instance, I'm no fan of remixes but I will likely buy "Impossible" when it becomes available because it will contain two new tracks! If John Foxx is in dire straits I'd be willing to hand over a check to help him finance the undertaking and recording of new material, but how many duplicates am I expected to house in the limited shelf space of my CD collection?

We shouldn't feel obligated to purchase something just to be a completist or to prove loyalty to an artist. That's nonsense! Would John Foxx want us to listen to his work only and nobody else's? I mean, should I not plan on buying the upcoming HTRK "Marry Me Tonight" CD and instead rebuy "IMW," which you know I don't rate? Sorry -- not gonna happen! If that makes me a bad fan, well, so be it. :rolleyes:

I couldnt agree more.

I'm in the position where I'm a relative newcomer to John's solo work so I dont have duplicates.

I waited for the last 2 years for the remasters.

Finally got my hands on Glimmer today.

Fantastic package,well done Rob & all involved.

There are 7 tracks that are completely new to me so I think its well worth having.

The booklet is a lot bigger than I expected as well.

Some great pictures in there.

Great Job

With Glimmer I get a feeling of deja-vu. Perhaps I've been waiting for it for quite a while now since it was first advertised.

The first disc sounds like an album on its own right. It's very Ballardian, with a concept of an overgrown futuristic city. The quieter tracks glow amidst the more electronic and metallic tracks, the best example is Twilight's Last Gleaming , which is one of John's best songs.

The second disc begins with a couple of psychedelic numbers and continues with a diverse selection of tracks. This disc is more of a collection of tracks with no concept but with some added gems. The early version of No-one Driving makes the whole Glimmer project worth its pennies.

The packaging is great and so is the booklet. It's well designed and is ideal as a taster for any new comers to the Foxx world.

Well done!

Chris

I buy cds not out of obligation but out of desire. Sometimes completism plays a factor but it is never the sole reason.

Guess what was waiting in my mailbox this evening?

Haven't had a chance to listen to it or leaf through the booklet yet, but gosh, it's big and shiny!

How nice that I will have something to distract me from the train wreck that will be the vice presidential candidates' debates this evening.

And how. My cringe factor is working overtime in advance.

At least we get to watch John Stewart take the P out of the whole thing on the Daily Show over here

The Daily Show and The Colbert Report are the only two 'news' shows worth watching.

Yeah thats the only political show i take seriously.