Posted: 30 January 2007 at 9:04pm | IP Logged

This question really I suppose is for Banksy.

I was fortunate enough to get a copy of Signs of Change for Christmas this year and after a lot of plays and listening to it in the car I was wondering a couple of things. (and apologies if this has been asked before although I 've had a search and couldn't find the answer)

1) I was wondering who influenced the original ATF? I can detect different styles, Jethro Tull, Genesis, King Crimson, Yes to name a few. Very "prog rock" overall.

2) Why the change to more "pop"? Was it the change in personnel or record company directions? After listening to AT2F some of the tracks were going back in that direction particularly Genz.

Thanks

Dave

Posted: 31 January 2007 at 7:51pm | IP Logged

I got Signs of Change CD for Christmas as well (although I did already have the LP).

I too have thought about ATF's early influences.  Personally, I think that they come closest to Gentle Giant - a prog rock band that was highly rated by the critics but not as commercially sucessfull as Yes, Genesis, ELP etc.

However, in the end, I decided that it was not fair to try and compare ATF to other bands.  They had a distinct unique sound that was great.  Like many prog rock bands they were influenced by classical and folk music.  But unlike many prog rock bands, their music was always accessable and never pompous or prententious.  They always had a great sense of humour which came accross in their music.

Posted: 31 January 2007 at 9:15pm | IP Logged

I'm not trying to compare ATF with any one (but to compare them with the likes of YES, Jethro Tull and Genesis (from the early years) is a real compliment. I was just wondering whether the band was influenced by any of them.

Posted: 31 January 2007 at 9:24pm | IP Logged

Noel wrote: Mick, I notice on the friends site you don't have the words to Genz, or the English translation!

To be honest I have been listening to these recordings for over 5 years and only recently confirmed some of the lyrics by finding sheet music for them.

The more I read over Laser Love lyrics the more I cringe.  I was a bit amazed they lifted them word-for-word for the double CD without checking with Pete, Andy or me.  As they were never published (and the ones that were, were wrong) I tried to go by ear.  Someday I will rehash the site (it's a bit embarrassing now) and sort out the lyrics.  At the moment I am a little busy else where.

The avatar is my new pets - Cinnamon & Nutmeg.  Dont believe all the bad press about rats.

Posted: 02 February 2007 at 1:25pm | IP Logged

This was a common misunderstanding at the time.

I was also shocked when I first heard Andy appear to encourage eavesdropping, singing, "When I'm talking to Hugh, ya gotta listen to me!"  

Posted: 02 February 2007 at 1:47pm | IP Logged

Noel I had a pet goat I called sheep

That was one confused goat

 i also have  a wife she is called......... Boss!