Cast

tremors

I feel I need to give a proper head's up for the 2010 reissue of Cast's amazing 1995 album 'All Change'. Coinciding with a 15th anniversary tour and reformation of the band - this album is one I would say is 'intrinsically good for your mental health'. It came out during the single most difficult spell in my life so far, and it helped me tremendously to keep my head above water, with its hope, its energy, its slightly manic positive zeal. John Power, Cast's principle songwriter formed Cast after the La's ran into their brick wall. All Change and Magic Hour by Cast are two of the most overlooked albums of the 1990s - particularly Magic Hour.

I am really looking forward to the All Change reunion tour, and from the discussions here with other Cast fans it seems I am not the only one. A great band to look out for if you were never inspired by Oasis - or that 'scene' - John Power is an enlightened and enlightening inspiration - don't be fooled by the simplicity of the words, or their 'lightness' - this is simply the Liverpool optimism and humour coming out, Power draws from a deep well of Buddhism, protest, and joy - and his songs are each about overcoming difficulty and challenge. There is a 'zing' to Cast which also has a lot to do with the guitar work by Skin, who has subsequently played with Robert Plant's bands - together John Power, Skin and the whole of Cast can create an inspiring tornado of energy which can help raise you out of the darkest pits - I've road-tested their records!! Shamefully underrated.

The 'All Change' deluxe reissue will be coming out late October, and it has to be said it looks fucking good value (for the UK release at least) - the double CD is so expanded with other non-album singles, out takes, demos and unreleased live tracks that it is hard for me to imagine squeezing more positivity out of a pound!! Fans of Lee Mavers and the La's may want to look into this album and the band Cast - if it strikes a chord with you, you may never look back!!

Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00406V874

Amazon USA:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00406V874

tremors

http://www.castband.co.uk/

Empty Glass

I haven't heard this in 14 1/2 years. I bought this disc when "Alright" was a huge hit and never got into the whole disc. I'll give it a spin today!!

tremors

Empty Glass wrote:

I haven't heard this in 14 1/2 years. I bought this disc when "Alright" was a huge hit and never got into the whole disc. I'll give it a spin today!!

John Leckie's album productions (producer of All Change) are always a bit too 'trebly' for my taste - yet he seems to have been involved in a lot of the best British records of the past 25 years. Go figure! If the production on this record was a bit fuller I think more people would get on with it - the songs and the playing are first class. For this reason I'm hoping that the reissue (out on Monday) might be remastered etc. The reissue has TONS of bonus tracks, live stuff, demo's, b-sides, extra singles etc etc on the second disc, and it's cheap as hell - so I'll be first in the queue on Monday!!

tremors

Got this 15th anniversary reissue today, and I have to say the new disc 2 is one of the most moving things I've heard in my life. If you want to hear how a fragile and terrified boy playing bass in the La's with a friend who is becoming emotionally unstable can transform himself into an assured and confident singer, Britpop superstar, and a person to look up to - it's all here. That was before going on to become a respected 'elder' British folk singer - it just shows the power of faith in music, hard work, friendship, mentoring, practice, and ultimately trust in the songs he wrote from a much more vulnerable place . This disc could serve as a documentary into the transformative power of playing music. Brilliant stuff, and you can clearly hear in this disc the direct links between the sound of the La's and the 'tougher' more polished sound of the Britpop era.

Maybe Britpop was a fortunate opening for Cast, but I can't help wondering where they would have ended up had there been a scene which had more room for a La's type sound, La's type emotion. Finishes with a storming live set with Cast at their thundering and powerful best in 1996 (which I can remember catching from BBC radio way back then like a strong ray of light, so it's kind of full circle....) I'm sure the song that hit me hardest from that broadcast was 'History', but that isn't included here - I remember hearing some of its more hidden lyrics for the first time back then, would be nice to hear that one again! Overall, breathtaking. When's the movie??

tremors

Cast Live (Review)

I saw Cast play live in the UK recently, on their All change 15th anniversary reunion tour. Cast really are an invigorating breath of fresh air coming back in to the music industry at this time. They were loud, shambolic yet tight as fuck. Some real music from some real seasoned musicians, with an unruly collection of misfits in the audience - some singing every word like they were on the football terraces, some swaying gently & placidly, and some chucking pints of beer over the rest of us!

Cast didn't need to crack out an astounding Who cover before I realised that if nobody else is carrying the tradition of great British rock and roll forward into the 21st century, these guys certainly are. The sound coming off the stage was a thundering thing, mods meeting rockers, with a pinch of folk and a large amount of vigour thrown in for good measure. If Cast were playing gigs on Brighton beach, there would have been fighting. No doubt about it!

They are putting together a new album in equally ramshackle fashion using the new 'Pledge music' site, with fans more involved at every stage of the process, and bringing with it a reminder that the band are also down to earth Liverpool lads, as well as all being musicians with a tremendous pedigree and enormous talent. I for one won't be surprised if the new Cast album turns a few heads, upsets a few people, and fires up a lot more. This is, after all, British rock rock and roll mate.

tremors

God I love Cast - I'm sure they are my second favourite band after Pearl Jam. Such a difference in style and attitude, I'm probably the only person on the planet who really likes both bands

John Power and the lads are playing a series of UK festivals this summer - none of which I am going to - I am hoping there might be some tv footage or webcast or something from their V Festival appearance at the end of August - they are playing the Channel 4 stage - so it looks hopeful!

I've just been listening to the Live in 96 stuff from the All Change reissue - sounds amazing - and I have really been enjoying hearing their official 'live bootleg' release from the 2010 tour, which I caught them on - it is the Liverpool gig which is on sale. They do sound less 'shiny' than their 90s incarnation - but I like the sound a lot - the highlight of the live bootleg for me is the Seeker cover - I think they do it justice. John Power's voice starts off a bit strained, but as the gig gets going the whole sound and buzz really lifts off.

Cast are currently working on their new album, about 3/4 of the way through getting the recording down - and all the demos I have heard sound really good. Looks like it will be released early next year - which can't come soon enough for me!

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Cast - Troubled Times (2011)



Cast have now finished the album which was the motivation for them reforming, and released it digitally - with a full release early next year I think.

Troubled Times is a great album, which seems to combine the spirit of Cast's earlier work with that of John Power's solo evolution, and some of the vibe of the La's as well. It has really grown on me over the weeks since its release. Like a lot of Cast's work, Troubled Times seems to work best when you are in a place of difficulty or need, and looking for something to raise the spirits, something to connect with you. I think the reason for this is John Power's 'naive' mode of songwriting. He is an intelligent and reflective fella, but when he writes songs he really strips them down to a kind of simplicity of language and delivery - there are no big words or complex arrangements, just a directness of intention and impact, underpinned by compassion and understanding - in many ways his songs feel very 'pure', although when this fails to come off (The Sky's got a gaping hole), it might just appear to be dumb. Cast's music is far from dumb though in my opinion, if anything the songwriting is rather unique.

Troubled Times has some gorgeous timeless pop moments (See that Girl, A Boy like me), some 'struggling through difficult waters' moments (Troubled Thoughts, Bad Waters, Time Bomb), and a fair amount of reflection on the state of humanity, which recalls some of Power's best solo work. Cast are older and mellower now, and Skin's trademark electrifying guitar attack has been replaced with a more laid-back and subtle contribution. At first I found this disappointing, not to be blown away by Skin ripping out All Change part 2 licks, but as I have got more and more from the songs themselves, I have found the guitar work really effective in immersing you in the mood of the songs.

If I had to rate this album out of 10 I would give it 6 out of 10 when in a casual frame of mind, and 9 out 10 when looking for something to reach out to the long dark tea-time of the soul!

tremors

A new Cast live DVD is on the way - I can't wait!

diamond_marmalade

Your certainly not the only fan of both bands Tremors. Cast were one of my favourite bands of the Britpop era back when I was at school before I got into Pearl Jam.

I still have 'All Change' and 'Guiding Star' (the single) on cassette tape. I got to see them live in my home town back in December 2011. I managed to get front row as there was hardly anyone there and I felt kind of bad for the band but it was a great night. I got the set-list at the end of the gig which I still have.

I haven't checked out that re-issue of 'All Change' yet but I will be and I will keep an eye out for the DVD.

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diamond_marmalade wrote:

Your certainly not the only fan of both bands Tremors. Cast were one of my favourite bands of the Britpop era back when I was at school before I got into Pearl Jam.

I still have 'All Change' and 'Guiding Star' (the single) on cassette tape. I got to see them live in my home town back in December 2011. I managed to get front row as there was hardly anyone there and I felt kind of bad for the band but it was a great night. I got the set-list at the end of the gig which I still have.

I haven't checked out that re-issue of 'All Change' yet but I will be and I will keep an eye out for the DVD.

That's good to hear!

tremors

This here's the album of the moment kids - just tell the man that tremors led you to it and you should be alright

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Shameless bump for some Great British pop music

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Solid Gold!

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Fantsastic comeback! The yin to the yang of Magic Hour. Use the combined remedy wisely

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Cast's sophomore album is laid back, with a nice stargazing hippy love child thang going on. The final track is sublime, and the vinyl version of this speaks volumes

tremors

A wicked collection - featuring NO greatest hits :think:

tremors

John Power takes to the Liverpool stage as John Lennon. Receives standing ovation on night one.

Good energy!

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