High Llamas - The High Llamas Deserve Better... (A Butterboy Compilation) CD1+CD2

HIGH LLAMAS

High Llamas - The High Llamas Deserve Better... (A Butterboy Compilation) CD1+CD2

The High Llamas are an Anglo-Irish band that was formed in London in the early 1990s by singer-songwriter Sean O’Hagan. The band’s music is influenced by various genres, such as avant-pop, electronica, chamber pop, and ork-pop, and often features elaborate arrangements, harmonies, and orchestration. The band’s main inspiration is the Beach Boys, especially their late 1960s albums such as Pet Sounds and SMiLE, but they also draw from other sources, such as Burt Bacharach, Ennio Morricone, John Barry, Kraftwerk, and Neu!.

The High Llamas started as a continuation of O’Hagan’s previous band, Microdisney, which he co-led with Cathal Coughlan until their breakup in 1988. O’Hagan released a solo album titled High Llamas in 1990, which he later used as the name of his new band. The band’s first release was an EP called Apricots in 1992 together with the single Travel b/w Apricots on the B-side, followed by their debut album Santa Barbara in 1992. The band’s style at this point was conventional guitar pop, but it soon changed after O’Hagan joined Stereolab as a keyboardist and was exposed to their experimental and electronic sound.

The band’s breakthrough album was Gideon Gaye in 1994, which anticipated the easy-listening revivalist movement of the mid-1990s and received critical acclaim for its sophisticated melodies and production. The band’s next album, Hawaii in 1996, was a sprawling double album that explored themes of colonialism and nostalgia. It also attracted the attention of the Beach Boys themselves, who invited O’Hagan to collaborate with them on a new project, but the plan was eventually abandoned.

The band continued to release albums throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, each with its own distinctive sound and concept. Some of the notable albums include Cold and Bouncy in 1997, which incorporated more electronic elements and featured guest vocals from Stereolab’s Lætitia Sadier and Mary Hansen; Snowbug in 1999, which had a chilly and atmospheric mood; Beet, Maize & Corn in 2003, which was mostly acoustic and drumless; Can Cladders in 2007, which revisited the sunny and upbeat sound of Hawaii; and Here Come the Rattling Trees in 2016, which was based on a theater piece that O’Hagan wrote and performed with the band.

The High Llamas have been praised for their originality and creativity, as well as their homage to their musical influences. They have also been influential to other artists who share their appreciation for complex and melodic pop music. However, despite a solid following they still remain elusive to many.

A lot of people say the High Llamas they sound like the Beach Boys, and there is no denying that the connection is strong, but each song stands alone as an ode to so many different influences, pulled together in a way few other artists have accomplished. As you listen along to the Llamas, you'll also hear the subtle differences between each album. They really never recorded the same album or song twice. Other influences on their albums include Tropicalia and MPB, Italian film soundtracks, Jimmy Webb, Bacharach and David, library music, the BBC Radiophonic Workshop... I also often hear ELO, Beatles, Paul McCartney, Beautiful South and Steely Dan.

This 44-track compilation introduces The High Llamas with selected track from their entire catalog, from their first single in 1992 through to their last album "Here Come the Rattling Trees" in 2016. 

I hope you will enjoy the chamber Pop sounds of the High Llamas and that after listening to this compilation you will discover the beautiful sounds that this great group have made for us to enjoy. (B)

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Track lists

CD1

01 High Llamas - Travel 4:43

02 High Llamas - Apricots 2:21

03 High Llamas - Put Yoursel Down 4:22

04 High Llamas - Banking On Karma 4:42

05 High Llamas - Market Traders 6:08

06 High Llamas - Holland 4:04

07 High Llamas - The Dutchman 4:41

08 High Llamas - Easy Rod 2:04

09 High Llamas - Checking In, Checking Out 5:46

10 High Llamas - Track Goes By 14:13

11 High Llamas - The Goat (Instrumental) 6:18

12 High Llamas - Nomads 4:03

13 High Llamas - Dressing Up The Old Dakota 4:38

14 High Llamas - Peppy 4:45

15 High Llamas - Sparkle Up 4:54

16 High Llamas - Literature Is Fluff 4:58

17 High Llamas - Campers In Control 4:07

18 High Llamas - Tides 3:43

19 High Llamas - The Sun Beats Down 3:52

20 High Llamas - Tilting Windmills 4:14

21 High Llamas - Glide Time 4:36

22 High Llamas - Painters Paint 3:55

CD2

23 High Llamas - Showstop Hip Hop 6:14

24 High Llamas - Bach Ze 5:19

25 High Llamas - Go To Montecito 4:46

26 High Llamas - Cut The Dummy Loose 5:22

27 High Llamas - The Passing Bell 6:30

28 High Llamas - Tambourine Day 3:36

29 High Llamas - Sleeping Spray 5:05

30 High Llamas - The Click And The Fizz 4:01

31 High Llamas - Leaf And Lime 3:27

32 High Llamas - The Old Spring Town 3:29

33 High Llamas - Bacaroo 3:23

34 High Llamas - Rollin' 3:48

35 High Llamas - Berry Adams 4:09

36 High Llamas - The Ring Of Gold 4:11

37 High Llamas - Talahomi Way 3:32

38 High Llamas - Fly Baby, Fly 3:00

39 High Llamas - Damby Delight 3:43

40 High Llamas - Here Come The Rattling Trees 3:32

41 High Llamas - Mona's Song 1:34

42 High Llamas - Mckain Underscore 0:48

43 High Llamas - Mckain James 2:25

44 High Llamas - Jackie 3:05

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