Metamatic Forums John Foxx John Foxx RETRO FUTURE

from Retro Future we seem to have drifted back to ICA gig here ..

someone asked for the tracklisting: here goes:

20TH CENTURY
BURNING CAR
OVERPASS
THIS CITY
HIROSHIMA MON AMOUR
JUST FOR A MOMENT
THE QUIET MEN
DISLOCATION
HERE WE GO
AN OCEAN WE CAN BREATHE
SHIFTING CITY

...got it off e-bay item description, which went for £45.51 BTW (autographed by John & Louis)

My copy of Retro Future arrived yesterday

Before I'd even opened the CD, I'd fallen in love with the packaging, which perfectly accompanies Sideways (though to what relevance I'm not sure).

Having never heard the bootleg of this recording (or any from the Exotour for that matter), I approached Retro Future with a fresh pair of ears and no expectations. And now, having listened to it all the way through for the first time, I'm sure any expectations would have easily been exceeded!

This is a really marvellous, fresh-sounding recording. I've never heard John and Louis work together so well, despite the odd vocal glitch here and there (but hey, that's what makes it live!). Somehow, the Exotour makes much more sense to me now... The live versions of the studio tracks really come to life, bringing a whole new perspective to the tracks, and most of them, to my ears, are much better, especially "HIroshima Mon Amour". Only the long introduction to "Dislocation" which sounds like a day at Blackpool Pleasure Beach got on my nerves with the knob-twiddling bleeps and warbles.

Even though I wasn't at the gig, it really feels like this recording perfectly encapsulates what must have been an electrifying atmosphere, on what was a landmark tour in John's career. All those photos I've seen of the Exotour flashed constantly through my mind as I listened to it.

It's a shame "Through My Sleeping" and "The Noise" are not on this recording, but there is a great Exotour rendition of "Here We Go", a track I was always fond of.

Poor old Louis sounds like he's wrenching his guts up during the end of "Shifting City", but that epic track really rings the show to a close with a band. And I'm sure I heard the word "shoes" on one of John's closing lines...

Retro Future is really a release for the fans. I had originally thought to myself 'why release a recording from 1998 for the Metamatic tour?!' again, trying to find a relevance. But this is a real gem from the archives, and I think this tour was the perfect chance to release it for those who really care.

Cheers for the review Alex.

I'll have to wait until next weekend if there are some left!

Just listened to 20th Century on Myspace.

An awful lot more going on than on the Exo-tour version.Great stuff

Yeah, there are more elements to the music, which really bring the tracks to life. It has a great spontaneous energy.

Thanks Alex for your review and I'm glad you recieved it OK. There seems to be much nore going on in a live version compared to a studio live. I hope that John does another live CD from one of the more recent concerts. I just love spending my money on Johns music LOL

Peter

I love you spending your money (or mine from the future!) on John's music too!


But seriously Peter I can't thank you enough for getting me the CDs.

Listened 3 times to my Retro Future copy now.

I'm glad to own a clear recorded copy of the Exotour - I hope John & louis do it for some other tours too.

Shame is Through my Sleeping, The Noise and Endlessly are not included. The full running time is nearly 7O minutes - so it is space for one or two tracks more on the CD.
Had anyone noticed Shifting City begins with the end of The Noise? Realised it 'cause I own the boot of that gig.

For the booklet I'm a bit disappointed 'cause for 12 Pounds I had awaited a bit more. This is a live CD - so it would been nice to include some live photos. I know Rob have some great photos on Metamatic site about this show.
The booklet looks like the Sideways style which is not bad but live pictures would been better (as was done for the Golden Section Live too) - only my opinion...

'Cause of there are not much sides in the booklet it looks like it was made in a rush to me.

But I don't want to beat on this album. As I said I like the clear sounding recording - it is great to own this!
Hope for more CD's like this - only with a bit more booklet stuff.

Cheers, Andreas

It is a great recording - full of energy. I played it again today.

I agree on the lack of photos though - it would have been a great opportunity to put together some cool live shots. Same for the Metal Beat CD - nothing in the booklet of any interest. That'll be down to cost though. At least they're in colour

Its a refreshing change from the 'exotour' album, in that this is a live album in the traditional sense.

Again, the lack of pitures for both 'gig cds' is one of those things that are always improved on when remasters are released. Not that there will be for these. But thats how it is for remastered studio albums, the extra tracks, and extended artwork. When these things could be done in the first place. I talking artists in general now.

Still hope for some 'future future' live cd featuring 'Miles Away' etc. Does anyone know for sure if the 'Metamatic Show' was recorded officially.

Welllllll............. I did notice the Audience mikes at both sides of the stage