just remembering all the amazing Brownie gigs but wonder, due to the negative motives of the people running the boards, could a Claremont/Esher ever happen again? Could that rare ecstatic vibe ever be revived? Or have they killed it off? Seems too much bad feeling for it ever to be the same. A tragedy of our times.

Too much hatred on the Roses forums. Too many fucking weirdo's truth be told. Self obsessed headcases that want a little of the Roses magic to rub off on them.

That event was a one off. Only a comeback gig would top that.

well said - think you've got it in a nutshell there

though maybe im giving them too much credit, they dont really reflect the genuine fans at all, and every time ive seen Brownie has been magic, him and audience alike, though i agree Esher was something else...mega special

strange how the Roses greatness affects some people...totally agree

cant wait for the next IB album and tour anyways

I wasn't taken with the last album to be honest, I liked some of the lyrics but I thought there was no passion in the music. Should of been called "Album By Numbers".

His earlier albums seemed to be a little more emotionally charged and I was disapointed with his last album as I felt it was lacking slightly in depth and feeling.

His live sound, despite criticisms of his vocals, is much better than his studio sound. Maybe this could be incorporated into his studio sound which was a bit flat this time around.

each to their own, but i cant see how songs like Illegal Attacks, Street Children, Save Us, Sister Rose etc are lacking in passion! I cant think of any artist around today tackling such emotive, passionate subject matter. Its what sets him apart. Illegal Attacks is one of the most passionate songs Ive ever heard.

It was the music that was souless, the lyrics were quite powerful and about emotive subjects. I just think the soundtrack to those lyrics was a little flat.

i think if you hear any of those songs in five or ten years time they'll sound anything but flat. Compared to other bands today they will sound relevant, vibrant and full of passionate meaning. Cant think of a single band or artist who comes close.

Cant say ive been disappointed with a single brownie tune ever...they always stand out head and shoulders above the rest as works of art and quality

What direction would you like to see him go in? Next album is with Dave McCracken so should be uber atmospheric. With bells on. If Just Like You is any sign of direction it should be mega...just cant wait!

I'd really like an acoustic album to be honest. To fire my interest again I think IB needs to re-invent himself. He's good at what he does, but he's in his comfort zone and it's showing.

Just got the feeling he was going through the motions on his last album as he does on stage at times.

A totally acoustic album would be a challenge and would interest me more than more of the same.

anything related to sound is acoustic

but i know what you mean

id like him to do an album of just him singing in the woods, or by the sea
or in an echoing cave...just his ambient voice

the possibilities are endless

his voice has got an acoustic, sonorous and vibrational quality that is utterly unique, whether talking or singing

not talking about the gigs which tend to be more like triumphant ecstatic football matches

just the voice