A friend of mine played this album for me during the summer and I thought it was pretty good. Then later while visiting a cousin I was alone at his apartment and noticed that he had a copy of Marquee Moon, and I promptly started playing it. Then later that night I got another chance to listen to it this time all the way through the entire album and it was then that I came to a realization…
Marquee Moon is one of the greatest albums ever.
Does anyone else think that or am I just crazy? So far everyone I played it for either really liked or just merely liked but so far no one has hated it. Thats more than I can say for a lot of other albums.
So who else around here listens to Television?
[raises hand]
You didn’t ask for music recommendations of similar stuff, but I’m going to lay one on you anyway… the Feelies’ first album, Crazy Rhythms.
Oh yeah I knew that post was missing something. You’ll have to forgive me its my first day.
But as for the Feelies…nice
But yes recommendations would be nice. But I don’t know what I’ll do if someone says Modest Mouse again!(don’t like them, tired of hearing about them)
And does anyone else think Television is the missing link between THE VU and Violent Femmes? Thats just an idea I had.
If you like Verlaine as a guitarist, dig up a version of “Little Johnny Jewel” - the one on the long live album The Blow-Up is an excellent choice. Truly great stuff.
- Tamerlane
Ah, Marquee Moon: the only 10 minute guitar solo {actually 2 guitar solos intertwining} that should be allowed. Their second album, Adventure, has its moments, but lives in the long shadow of its predecessor.
If you like Television, check out Patti Smith’s Horses: musically in a similar vein, bonkers lyrics, and Tom Verlaine plays some great guitar on Break It Up. You could also try Wire: Chairs Missing and Pink Flag are pretty much essential intelligent 70’s art-punk, as is anything by Magazine. Oh, and the Buzzcocks. You could also give Blank Generation by Richard Hell and the Voidoids a listen. And White Light/White Heat by the Velvet Underground. And Bowie’s Low, Heroes, and Station To Station.
Excellent album, and “Crazy Rhythms” is wonderful as well. I second the other recommendations, esp. “Blank Generation.”
You may also dig Luna, who directly ape Television and the Velvets in a passing way. Try “penthouse.”
Yep, Marquee Moon rules. I love the dry sound of the production too, you don’t get that sound anymore.
The only thing that really annoyed me was The Strokes constantly being compared to them when ‘Is this it’ came out. The Strokes don’t hold a candle to Verlaine et al in terms of songwriting and playing.
I have the title track in my head now. I’ll have to dig it out when I get home tonight. diddle diddle diddle dit!
…another shout out for Richard Hell & the Voidoids’ Blank Generation. Richard used to be a member of Television, but was kicked out for, I think, being too punky and brash, not melding with the cool intellect of Verlaine and Lloyd…
If you get the chance you might also try to track down the Kronos Quartet’s cover of “Marquee Moon.” Imagine the piece recinfigured for a string quartet…and surprisingly, it actually works!
Yeah, I love Marquee Moon. Makes me feel intellectual listening to it, no idea why. 
Wow! That brought back memories. *Marquee Moon * was a staple on my turntable in the late 70’s. Just a superb album! You really found one of the unheralded gems of that period. There was a band in LA at that time, The Robert Stoddard Band, that played similar music but never, IIRC, landed a record deal. Too bad!
Thanks for the suggestions but it’s kind of funny you mentioned those particular bands. White Light/White Heat is my favorite VU album. Heroes is my favorite Bowie song and the Buzzcocks are great. glad to see there are some people left with good musical taste.
Adventure is great, but its a much more of a driving album than a listening at home album. I only bring it out on large streches of empty country for some reason. Is it just me or is Marqee moon all the sudden getting the attention it deserves? I’m not very musically hip and was kind of taken aback when other people liked Televison. How big were they in their hayday? I had discovered them six years ago on a tape I bought in a gas station because it had a few ramones songs on it. I’m glad to know I don’t have bad taste. 