Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Disappeared Albums Undisappeared Dept.- Viva Saturn's Ships Of Heaven

Artwork by IOF© Department of Art Dept.

Do your own research, it'll take a minute, max. Ships Of Heaven is only mentioned on the internet a handful of times, in passing, as Viva Saturn's final album that Restless Records shelved, bafflingly, in 1998. There was, I think, a single released from it, Ships Of Heaven b/w Angel Sister, but that's not on Discogs, or anywhere. Nor is the artwork, which I only have at thumbnail size [left - Ed.].

A request in the comments to the Rain Parade piece [below - Ed.] prompted 4/5g© Geriatrix to rummage in his underwear drawer, and lo! Wrapped in an old pair of drop-seat BVDs he discovered a CD given to him by name redacted, containing eight songs from the unreleased album! You probably don't care, because you're distracted by an active shooter in the crack house across the hall, but I've been hunting this sucker for, like, decades. I mean, among other shit I had to do, but this was always on the list.

Eight songs was a little meager for an album-length album, but the CD was mysteriously missing the title track, which when added bulks the whole deal up to acceptable length, for back when albums were an acceptable length. Unfortunately, the tracks weren't named, so if you can help, help!

It's as swell as I hoped. Maybe as swell as Bright Side, which is super-swell. Psychemelodic, guitars out th' ass. And it's a beautiful link to the astonishing Last Rays Of A Dying Sun. Plus, at no cost to you, th' freeloadin' bum scratchin' yer balls, I researched the original cover illustration (from a 17c alchemical text which also supplied the art for the cover of the Third Ear Band's Alchemy album, but you knew that) and crayoned up a new cover [above - Ed.].




This post made possible thru the divine intercession of Geriatrix, who shall be carried aloft by oiled Nubians in procession around the IOF©, while slender doe-eyed dames strew petals in his path.

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25 comments:

  1. Farquhar Throckmorton IIIAugust 9, 2023 at 9:32 AM

    You want this - and of COURSE you want this - tell everyone about your favorite shoes. For leisure, for the office, or for industry - you favoritest pair of footwears! Me, it's an old pair of leather low-rise sneakers by Camper, which is like this deluxe French brand. They have a sewn welt, which is crucial, industry-grade rubber soles, and are inescapably attractive as they are comfortable. I wish you could see them. No question you'd be jealous. No question.

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  2. BabsAugust 9, 2023 at 10:27 AM

    A few current favs:
    Brooks Glycerin GTS 20
    Gucci Jordaan leather loafer in dark brown
    Sam Edelman Jildie Buckled Slingback High Heel Pumps in Black
    Birkenstock Boston Clogs in taupe

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    Replies
    1. Joey DeVivreAugust 9, 2023 at 10:50 AM

      Jesus, Babs. I always thought you were cool 'til this shoe list, even taking in to consideration youse a fem. Birkenstocks...really. Bet you wear them with socks, too. Gucci...come on. What the freak is wrong with good ole Chucks, fer Crisps sake.

      Delete
    2. Farquhar Throckmorton IIIAugust 9, 2023 at 11:12 AM

      I think when you can afford real shoes, real shoes are what you buy. Converse are over-priced, they aren't as comfortable as anyone claims (being made of non-stretch abrasive canvas with a joke insole), wear out quickly (not that Converse fans seems to care - the more scuffed, the more cred, right?) - the deliberately low build quality encourages consumer replacement. They haven't been made in the US since the turn of the century, but if you find "Chucks" "iconic", go ahead! If you're in a power pop band, they're essential. For anyone else - nah.

      Delete
    3. BabsAugust 9, 2023 at 7:19 PM

      Chucks should only be worn ironically.

      Delete
  3. One Buck GuyAugust 9, 2023 at 3:06 PM

    I don't have a favorite brand per se, but about fifteen years ago I bought a pair of Reeboks (black with pink (!) trimmings) at this outlet store and they were the most comfortable sneakers I've ever worn. So, naturally, I've worn them out, until parts of the sole fell off and I tearfully had to say good bye to them when it became clear that walking with holes underneath your soles wasn't a viable long-term strategy. I brought these on a bunch of trips, including my honeymoon, so they shuffled through the red sand at Uluru and every time I said "eh, if the luggage is too full/heavy, I'm gonna leave 'em here" but never did.

    Man, I loved those sneakers.

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  4. BabsAugust 9, 2023 at 9:05 PM

    Geriatrix - Thanks very much for sharing 'Ships Of Heaven'!

    ReplyDelete
  5. geriatrixAugust 9, 2023 at 9:22 PM

    My favourite ever footwear was a pair of reggae themed desert boots. They were yellow, red and green suede, and had multicoloured laces to match. I only bought them because my two sons were in the shop with me and pleaded with me not to buy them. They lasted well, but finally disintegrated at a Summer Of Love festival a few years back.

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  6. SitarswamiAugust 9, 2023 at 10:45 PM

    These days I tend to favor Timberland: loafers in summer & boots in winter. Back in high school I was a low level jock and wouldn't be seen without my blue felt Converse All-stars. I still have a pair of gold felt Converse that I pull out on rare occasions.

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  7. chrispAugust 10, 2023 at 3:41 AM

    redwings, i work in construction

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  8. Farquhar Throckmorton IIIAugust 10, 2023 at 5:08 AM

    Here's Ships Of Heaven; a rare treasure, and thanks again Geriatrix!

    https://workupload.com/file/GZnaqHKxewX

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  9. BabsAugust 10, 2023 at 5:23 AM

    This just in: Robbie Robertson has passed at 80.

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    Replies
    1. steVeAugust 10, 2023 at 5:40 AM

      I heard David LaFlamme passed today too.

      Delete
    2. Farquhar Throckmorton IIIAugust 10, 2023 at 6:48 AM

      I am sadface.

      https://falsememoryfoam.blogspot.com/2020/10/its-still-beautiful-day.html

      Delete
  10. Farquhar Throckmorton IIIAugust 10, 2023 at 2:08 PM

    The rest of the Viva Saturn discography is available elsewhere on th' IoF©, but it makes sense to have a link to it here, and we're about nothing if not sense:

    https://workupload.com/file/9spGaWsEkKp

    (The s/t mini-album from '88; Soundmind, their first album from '92; and Brightside, from '95. They're all more or less fantastic, and in retrospect it's something of a conundrum why they didn't make it more bigly.)

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  11. BambiAugust 11, 2023 at 5:21 PM

    The Geriatrix trading card is frightening me, make it stop ->

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  12. MrDaveAugust 12, 2023 at 3:15 AM

    The only shoes I wear, and I wear them whenever I'm upright, is a pair of Keen flip-flops and when they wear out I buy another pair. My feet get sore wearing pretty much anything else (Birkenstocks are the next best thing though, especially when socks are required).

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousAugust 12, 2023 at 5:06 PM

      Flip-flops are the Thai National Footwear. Respect. FT3 via handheld device.

      Delete
  13. Elwood PleebusSeptember 3, 2023 at 7:15 AM

    Whatever is on sale.

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  14. AnonymousOctober 28, 2023 at 5:11 AM

    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. pjApril 24, 2024 at 6:52 AM

    I've had this album since you first posted it, and the lack of song titles was always a frustration, so imagine my delight when I found a podcast where Steven Roback talked at length about the album, and also supplied the song titles. I hope you don't mind, but I've reposted this album on my blog, along with a complete history to it, the song titles re-instated, and a link to the podcast, so that more fans can experience this excellent album. You can get the song titles here https://albumsiwishexisted2.blogspot.com/2024/04/viva-saturn-ships-of-heaven-1998.html.

    ReplyDelete

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