I began listening to Television in February 2022.
Marquee Moon (1977): A+
Adventure (1978): A-
Marquee Moon (1977):
It's punk sure--its riff power, urban grit, and Tom Verlaine's attitude (plus the band's central and godfatherly role in New York City's punk scene since their inception in 1973) make it hard to place anywhere else--but their instrumental and improvisational command is much too sophisticated for the likes of any band who aims to purge rock of all its pretentiousness. Verlaine's impressive talent for writing is similarly refined: imagist lyrics like "Broadway looked so medieval/It seemed to flap like little pages" or "our lips are sealed/Our breath is burning/These cold, wild seas/Have left us turning" help justify this band's high ambitions. The guitar interplay is even more brilliant, with Verlaine's jazzy and long-winded solos on the two epics "Marquee Moon" and "Torn Curtain" elevating him above Jerry Garcia (the only jam guitarist I've found considerable affinity for) and any of Richard Lloyd's four harmonizing solos but especially the one on "Elevation" put "Hotel California" to shame. It's not just that the album is so original and far-removed from its time period that it's comparable to The Velvet Underground & Nico, it's Marquee Moon's absolute annihilation of Television's innovative approach to rock music that makes it so consistently significant, riveting, and addictive. A+
Adventure (1978):
Verlaine has said he always thought of Television as a pop group and though some may find Marquee Moon as inaccessible as The Court of the Crimson King, I've felt the same way and for their sophomore album, they venture towards a more commercial lane. Unfortunately, the band has only brought a few songs--"Glory" and "Days"--that match the high bar that their debut's songwriting set. Additionally, the commercial hooks keep the freak guitarists more at bay, which is disappointing because the guitar work was undoubtedly my favorite thing about their debut. Nevertheless, the band remains a favorite of mine and they haven't lost much inspiration--the direction just isn't nearly as flooring. A-