My psychic powers tell me the Arcade Fire will get something! Vote Couse & The Impossible!

...which brings up a good point... arcade fire album was released in summer 2004 and got a belated european release in feb '05.... should it count? ditto antony and the johnsons and countless others

I think it should count... in fairness, we didn't have our hands on it til this year... well, the majority anyway. And it means it wouldn't of had a chance last year so only fair..

Do a double label header and vote PUGWASH & COUSE. SJ

Quantify this comment Manhttan. I presume this is an informed opinion? If not, I'd be careful about commenting on artists you're not familiar with. I for one wouldn't dream of passing judgement of 'Hard Fi' or 'Mew ' as I've never heard them.. Have you heard ' The World Should Know ' ?

I didn't realise that comedy was such an important part of music. I listened to Joy Division last night and I wasn't exactly rolling around in laughter afterwards so I find 'theres no wit or humour' curious. True, Couse maybe be a victim of his own success, and in the past he has produced imaginative and yes, witty moments, but that does not mean he has to continue doing so. Each to their own, I happen to think it's a great record and have every faith in it. I must admit to being a little worried about the anti-couse movement on these boards.. It seems to be going beyond the simple matter ' Godd Vs Bad ' and is almost turning into a witchhunt. I guess it's become typical of Irish Media to be bitter and narrow minded (as certain corners of this board have become). Are you sure you don't all work for Hotpress???

no-one is suggesting that they expected humour from Couse - but prehaps something fresh. eeeeehh, yes they are... To quote Pilchard "theres no wit or humour or insight here - just one moan after another" And in all fairness, whatever about an 'Anti-Couse' campaign, but you have littered this site with comments of your seemingly deep rooted hate for Couse ("awful, turgid stuff", "Couse is a joke", "he is just awkward", "totally embaressing" "Charmless and an example of poor song writing"), and to be fair, you have listened to it, and now YOU wait for it... all of two times! I do not believe, untie manhatten, that you can separate the man from the music, too many of your comments are not relating to the music but to Dave C himself. You may think Punchbowl is taking your sentiments for Couse too much to heart, thus, throwing the toys from the cot, but in all honesty, how would you react if someone says 'yeah listened to alligator twice, awful boll*x it was too, sure I never even liked them in the first place', would you have a lot of time for that when you know this person had a preconceived notion of your fav band and gave it minimum listening time, probably thinking the whole time "I'm gonna f*ckin hate this..." I don't really care that you don't like Couse, I just think that you were slightly biased to start out with. You say he says nothing new. What the f*ck does that mean? Whatever about thematically, which I would be interested in hearing you elaborate more about, but when people delve that far into music, it tends to just sound made up, but lyrically?? You give me a nice example there of something 'new' the National said in 'Alligator' that they had not said in 'Sad Songs..'. The fact is, most bands (Interpol instantly spring to mind) drivel on about utter sh1te, doesn't make them bad,and can sometimes make them great but I'm not thick enough to beleive that a message they portray in a song has to reach me in some way.. The difference here is, Couse really used to say something, his lyrics really drove home. But it was the early 90's! That controversial style just isn't relevant anymore.. U2 don't say much anymore either do they? Bono would've had a lot more to say in an interview in Rattle and Hum than he would now (well, that anyone care's to hear about that is) so again I think you are being too comparative with A House. Then again, I've always found that George Michael just isn't Wham!

"Couse is a joke", Well Nomington, I will admit that I played the man not the ball on one occassion but as usual the main point is being missed. One, this is a discussion board. The hint is in the word discussion. If you put your opinions out there, people will discuss them, argue them and debate them. when I say 'nothing new' I'm expressing an opinion that DC's album to me sounds very dirived, contrived and in my opinion a very poor set of songs. I hope that explains it. I feel my last post when I wrote in detail on this subject of why I disliked the album I explained it adequately. Please, read it again. Secondly, I find myself agreeing with you about Couses relevancy. The simple fact is that he has tried too hard to remain relevant and ended up sounding very shallow, which I agree isn't the Dave Couse of a-house. Yes, time moves on but I would be much more interested in an artist that wrote about the small moments of his life rather than the big issues like 'Celebrity' - which is so late 90's it stinks. I physically cringe when I hear that song. I also agree with you on U2 - what the fcuk is a place called 'vertigo' anyway. I disagree with you on Interpol - the guys found his voice and his writing style - it's unique he hasn't tried to co-opt anyone elses style and that's something which I respect Finally, If you didn't like 'alligator' I'd have to respect your opinion - although I'd debate it with you... to the death. You probably wouldn't change your mind, but I'd hope to have an interesting, intelligent debate along the way without accusing you of start an Anti-Matt movement.But again some people confuse expressions of 'Hero Worship' with musical debate. If people come on to this board egotistical enough to spout conspiracy theories that we're all out to get Dave Couse - 'Anti Couse Movement etc.' and then take their ball home with them when everyone doesn't worship the same God as them, then, again, the point is being missed by a country mile. However - I believe there's a Discussion Board on Couses website perhaps that's the best place to 'debate' how great Dave Couse is.

You give me a nice example there of something 'new' the National said in 'Alligator' that they had not said in 'Sad Songs..'. The fact is, most bands (Interpol instantly spring to mind) drivel on about utter sh1te, doesn't make them bad,and can sometimes make them great but I'm not thick enough to beleive that a message they portray in a song has to reach me in some way. okay you asked me a question, here's my answer from the national I think 'Abel' breaks new ground as an Idie-rawk record... and is a big jump from Sad Songs. As is 'Friend of Mine'... 'Looking for Astronauts'... infact I see them as distinct and almost competitive albums... Sad Songs is smaller in scope, more uncertain while Alligator is a more assured set of songs. Your second point on message not reaching you... then what's the point in listening to rock and pop music? The whole reason is that it strikes a chord with you and you hear something that moves you in the music? That might be Dave Couse or the National... whatever. If you feel it's utter s**te why listen to it?

Think ya'll both missing the "point" of this thread... BIG TIME!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Polling booths are now open for CLUAS.com's 2005 Readers' Poll. Get cracking here: http://www.cluas.com/poll/vote_2005.htm

Your second point on message not reaching you... then what's the point in listening to rock and pop music? The whole reason is that it strikes a chord with you and you hear something that moves you in the music? That might be Dave Couse or the National... whatever. If you feel it's utter s**te why listen to it? Don't make me laugh... bitterly... I think it fact you missed my point. I just don't believe in analysing music as much as you do. I think it's for d*ckheads who like the sound of their own voice. I like talking about music and writing about music, but I just can't bare when people strip it down, mow over it and then stitch it back together. I simply just love the music itself. Of course music has to strike a chord with me, what I meant was lyrically I do not HAVE to relate to it, but I still love it, both in listening and performing. and by the way, I absolutely love the national, in fact more so than Dave Couse. He is not my hero. I just think that you sound like you haven't a clue and that's why I fight his corner.

Nomington and Couse up a tree... sorry I had to. The argument got ridiculous enough.

Does anyone know when the results are released??

23rd or so I think, that's the cut off for the writers poll anyway.