Building Little Lighthouses In Our Soul (I Am The Greatest - A House)

Member Name: indiecater

Product:	I Am The Greatest - A House
Date:	13/10/00 (188 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Loads Of Classic Pop.

Disadvantages: Beginning To Show Its Age.

Produced by Edwyn Collins (he of Orange Juice fame) in 1992, 'I Am The Greatest' received much critical acclaim at the time of its release but precious few sales outside of Ireland.

Dave Couse, angry man, thinker, live wire and historical paisley shirt wearer was the driving force behind one of the early nineties most neglected bands, A House. I am the Greatest is their best work and proves how the world got in wrong in not embracing them to its bosom.

Anybody present at their last gig, where grown men cried, could see the impact they had on those who listened. Sporting more highlights than Nick Kershaw circa 1985, this is an album that is simple, accessible and innovative all at once.

'Endless Art' made the biggest impression at the time featuring a roll call of famous people set against a riff that is as catchy as a catch bar. Their music is frequently made up of Couse speaking rather than singing, a style that has been used by other bands, notably Whipping Boy.

The combination of 'When I First Saw You' (an 'Atmosphere' type drone) and 'I'm Afraid' (as clear a pop song that you're likely to hear) is powerful and forms the fulcrum on which the album sits. 'Take It Easy On Me' has a jerking guitar swing and reveals a pained relationship at the end of its life. In fact a lot of the songs have a relationship in trouble theme to them.

Listening now, the album has a curiously dated feel about it in places. This may be a sign of how production techniques have improved in the last 10 years. Excepting this little quibble the album deserves a second chance. You'll always be grateful if you do.

Update: It was surely only going to be a matter of time but Dave Couse is back touring again. He recently played a gig in Whelans in Dublin. A light sprinkling of old tracks stood proud amongst the typically clever new montages.

Summary: