Track-by-Track: From Please to Nonetheless

[TallThinMan]

24 years later, the Samurai must be in winter by now. I'm sure it's not as easy as it was even in Autumn, but overall I'd say they're doing very well.

[telys]

I really like Samurai but it does not belong on this album. What was the matter with N&C.. they explain in interviews etc their vision for an album, but fail completely in fulfilling that vision.
It's clear what they wanted to do with Release but then they put Samurai on it.

[Gabby]

I like Samurai, although feel it needs a bit more meat on its bones, so to speak. Not just lyrically, but musically too. Could have been a post-Relentless 8 minute epic.

[NotInvisible]

Track 143: The Samurai in Autumn
Chronology: Release - Track 6

I like this track - slight but wistful. But it doesn't fit the album. Should have been a B-side during this era (although weirdly it would have sounded fine on Elysium).

[tottenhammattspurs]

Samurai should have been swapped with Between Two Islands

[NOBODY75]

I like it quite a bit. But in this case, I really don't think it fits with the rest of the album. If they had a cohesive style and sound in mind for the album—which seems to be the case—it’s baffling to me that they included this track while leaving out "Between" and "I Didn't Get..."

[Disco.]

A bit of a b-side, quite nice.

[Patrick Bateman]

Possibly the most PSB track on the album and a nod and a wink to Petheads, reassuring us that everything is going to be alright. Sounds like something off Relentless.

[Lleonard Pler]

It doesn't fit in Release but I love it.

Wish it could have been on Nightlife (I think the lyrics come from a concert review of Nightlife tour), maybe they should have saved it for Disco 3. I guess having this song on Release paved the way for Inner Sanctum and other tracks.

[rathound]

Jesus, I thought the charts were bad in 1999 (they've just finished the TOTP repeats on BBC Four ) but they're nothing compared with 2002. I assume Home and Dry came out the week after Pop Idol finished.

https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/s ... 0324/7501/

Those shows have a lot to answer for. I do feel there's been a homogenization in music because of them. A good singing voice doesn't equate to talent.

bloody hell, Rik Waller. not someone I wanted reminding of

[rathound]

Greetings,

The mood and tone of The Samurai in Autumn (wistful) fits Release...albeit it's the one track which sticks out.

Since we're there anyway, time to turn the record over...

Track 143: The Samurai in Autumn
Chronology: Release - Track 6

It's more a sensory experience than a song. I like it, but the 'chunking' bass sections that permeate much of the song are a bit intrusive.

Retro.

better than I remember it. I like it, definitely out of step with the album though

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

Track 144: Love Is A Catastrophe
Chronology: Release - Track 7

This is my least favourite song to listen to from the album. Amongst the unnervingly repetitive sounds, gloomy chords and vocal dirge, I find nothing particularly redeemable. In fact, it's so bad to my ears, I look forward to someone saying something nice about it, so I can look for those qualities in the song upon next listen.

Until then, this is a good one to skip.

Retro.

[Gabby]

Greetings,

Track 144: Love Is A Catastrophe
Chronology: Release - Track 7

This is my least favourite song to listen to from the album. Amongst the unnervingly repetitive sounds, gloomy chords and vocal dirge, I find nothing particularly redeemable. In fact, it's so bad to my ears, I look forward to someone saying something nice about it, so I can look for those qualities in the song upon next listen.

Until then, this is a good one to skip.

Retro.

It's a Morrissey track.

I think some of the lyrics are good but need a bit more of that happy/sad PSB magic to really make it stand out.

In short, ditch the music, keep the lyrics and redo it.

[NOBODY75]

When *Release* came out, I couldn't stand it—it was the worst track on the album. Time has been kind to it in my mind, though; I appreciate the melody more now and can even enjoy it, depending on my mood.

[davidctecno]

The most melancholic song they've ever done. In the booklet for Release-Further Listening, they say it's one of their favorite songs they've done. I like it too. It's poignant and heartbreaking.