Dave’s Random Thoughts on the Faces #1
Sure, these guys did shambolic, alcohol-fueled bar tunes better than anyone, but it’s all too easy to overlook their few, but surprisingly effective, attempts at early 70s arena rock. “Flying” is the obvious example, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that ellipsis-happy Ian McLagan chose it to lead off both the Good Boys… When They’re Asleep greatest hits collection and the Five Guys Walk Into a Bar… box set. Lyrically, “Flying” plays more like a coda to the rest of their catalog than anything – an uneasy post-jail meditation on the promise of returning home. The narrator’s spent his time getting drunk and into trouble, but now he’s served his time, and he’s going to put things right somehow.
But these are The Faces we’re talking about, so, of course, redemption isn’t the point at all. It’s as if McLagan knew we just had to get this heavy business out of the way before things headed back to the pub. Such is the mythology of the band, and McLagan is happy to let it stand.
But rather than merely a false start on either set, it’s the hint of a path not taken, perhaps where The Faces weren’t just known for gloriously tawdry R&B moves like “Stay With Me,” “Too Bad,” and “You’re So Rude” or even introspective moments like “Debris” and “Ooh La La,” but could give Zeppelin or the Who a run for their money in the epic department, as well as the alcohol intake department.
(See also their wild cover of Dylan’s “Wicked Messenger,” another slightly out-of-character, dead serious, slow-burning rocker that was sequenced first – the first song on their first album, in fact.)
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Dave delivers an epic analysis of Good Boys… Five Guys… and your (Humanity’s!) chances of making it through the pearly gates (Figuratively! Slim! Does it matter? No!). He also outs a hidden gem we’ve been shopping around for promotional purposes. That’s what we get for opening this up to people much smarter than we are.* You’ll notice his thoughts are tagged “#1”. You should hope that sequence continues.
*Seriously. Waaaaay smarter. Check out his year-end Music Marathons if you’re not yet convinced.
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All Faces Weekend is a loosely-assembled celebration of England’s premiere boogie-rock band. Follow the AFW action here, read our unofficial manifesto or submit something.
