Eyeless in Gaza - Photographs as Memories (1981)

This is an album that evokes many feelings with help of Martyn Bates bellowing vocals and tirade of rambling that makes it difficult to capture the lyrics. His unique voice adds beauty to all Eyeless in Gaza albums and remains one of my favorite vocalists to this day. This amazon reviewer summed up Bates vocal styles well: "At the start, singer/guitarist Martyn Bates sang like a village idiot - howling, spitting, and whining unintelligibly like a wounded boar." I don't think this was meant to be complimentary as the reviewer begins to justify this statement with how Bates vocals transformed into "a smooth, sugar-sweet, emotionally resonant and soulful instrument." This was in regards to their fifth album, Red Rust September, a fantastic album btw. I think this reviewer gives a humorous and spot on rendition of Bates' vocal style. I do find it complimentary in both senses. His unique style adds to the charm of all their albums and I'm glad he has kept at maintaining this "howling, spitting, and whining" vocal style. The music alone is so stunning and scenic - I once listened to this album on a bus ride to work early morning. This was such a scenic ride that never phased me so much since I would go this route daily. The lush trees were on one side of the drive, and the lake glistening on the other. The sun was rising over the lake and I was listening to this album which fit the mood so well. It was a fantastic start to my "lovely" work day!
This came out on the Cherry Red record label, which releases great English post-punk and indie acts, such as Monochrome Set and Everything But the Girl. If you can get past the first track which is a great introduction to Bates' vocal performance, I think you'll really find this album unique and internally moving.

Track Listing:
1. Seven Years
2. Fixation
3. Looking Daggers
4. From A to B
5. Clear Cut Apparently
6. Speech Rapid Fire
7. John of Patmos
8. Knives Replace Air
9. Faceless
10. In Your Painting
11. A Keepsake
12. Whitewash
13. No Noise
14. Invisibility
15. Three Kittens
16. Plague of Years
17. Others
18. Jane Dancing
19. Ever Present
20. Avenue With Trees