The Raincoats

It was the late Kurt Cobain (with some help from labelmates Sonic Youth) who initiated Geffen's reissue of the Raincoats' catalog. And listening to Odyshape, it's easy to see why Cobain loved them so. There's an emotional directness about these songs that hooks you from the start. Mostly you hear about emotions and situations, sometimes indirectly, almost as if you are eavesdropping on a conversation. Then it hits you: it's almost like you're talking to old friends. That's the way the Raincoats' music works: it's deceptively simple, but extremely complicated. Also, as on this record, it makes demands of the listener. But songs like "Red Shoes" and "Dancing in My Head" say this far more eloquently. ~ John Dougan, All Music Guide

The Raincoats was a feminist band from London, formed by Palmolive, ex-drummer of The Slits, another great band. With Palmolive on drums, the guitarist Ana da Silva, Gina Birch on bass, and Vicky Aspinall, that played second guitar and violin, the girls released their first record - The Raincoats - in 1979. It includes 11 songs, only the unreachables. Two lovely versions: "Lola" (kinks song) and slit's "Adventures Close to Home". Also, we could drown listen "Off Duty Trip" and "The Void".
Shortly after their first release, Palmolive left the band and went to India, try to find some enlightnment, and was replaced by Ingrid Weiss. In 1981, their release - Odyshape - falls into something between mystical-hippie and kraut rock.
Which are not very far, anyway. The forth track, Dancing in my head, is one of the most knotty songs i've ever know and to release, the sixth, And then it's o.k., is the sweetest one.














tracklist:

1. fairytale in the supermarket
2. no side to fall in
3. adventures close to home
4. off duty trip
5. black and white
6. lola
7. the void
8. life on the line
9. you're a million
10. in love
11. no looking
    

download The Raincoats - 1979 here





















tracklist:

1. shouting out loud
2. family tree
3. only loved at night
4. dancing in my head
5. odyshape
6. and then it's o.k.
   
7. baby song
8. red shoes
9. go away

download Odyshape - 1981 here