Television Adventure CD

Television's second album arrived a year after the band's remarkable 1977 debut, MARQUEE MOON. The eight songs again feature the intertwining guitars of Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd in a way that recalls both the glory days of San Francisco ballroom bands and the finesse of shimmering pop music. In the late '70s, Television was lumped together with other bands that came out of a New York City scene that had an epicenter at the club CBGB. As time has passed, the band has truly become an entity unto itself. Television's music shows none of the dulling effects of age, and its first two albums are essential.

Rhino's expanded 2003 reissue of Television's fine second album, Adventure, helps shine a light on this unfairly neglected sequel to Marquee Moon. Though it is ironically not as adventurous as its predecessor, time has treated it well; it may be softer and more produced than Marquee Moon, but Tom Verlaine's songwriting remained sharply intelligent and his guitar interplay with Richard Lloyd is one of the wonders of rock, so it's always nice to hear. And that's why the bonus tracks are worthwhile -- any chance to hear Television at their prime play is welcome. The most noteworthy addition is "Adventure," a would-be title track that fits nicely into the album, while the early version of "Glory" is a bit rougher, but essentially the same. There are two alternate versions of "Ain't That Nothin'" -- a single edit, which is worth having here for historical purposes, and an unlisted early run-through that's a bit more interesting, primarily because it crackles with raw energy. All in all, this reissue of Adventure is more than worthwhile for the dedicated cult of Television -- the packaging is good, the sound is great, and the extras are interesting, all adding value to an already fine album. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Remastered W/ 3 Bonus Tracks.

Recorded at Sound Masters and Record Plant, New York, New York. Originally released on Elektra (133). Includes liner notes by Alan Licht.

Personnel: Tom Verlaine (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Richard Lloyd (vocals, guitar); Fred Smith (vocals); Billy Ficca (drums).

Audio Remasterer: Dan Hersch.

Liner Note Author: Alan Licht.

Recording information: Record Plant, New York, NY; SoundMixers.

Photographers: Gerrit Van Der Meer; Lynn Goldsmith; Richard Robinson ; Corbis Bettman; Godlis; Daniel Lainé; Stephanie Chernikowski.

Television: Tom Verlaine (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Richard Lloyd (guitar, background vocals); Fred Smith (bass, background vocals); Billy Ficca (drums).

Rolling Stone (10/16/03, p.90) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...[ADVENTURE] has great songs such as the spastic rocker 'Glory,' the brooding 'Carried Away' and the gorgeously sad 'Days.'"
Entertainment Weekly (9/26/03, pp.94-5) - "...Think of it as the band's chill-out CD..." - Rating: B+