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Shriekback — All Lined Up
Album: Natural History
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2310









Released: 1983
Length: 3:54
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Tired of all this crawling around
Realising the joke was on us
Reaching out to the obvious
Starting with an answer not a question
Our most acceptable businesses
All aligned in just one direction
Organised on the same lines
With one face - one side

We got all lined up
We got all lined up
We got all lined up
All lined up
All lined up

Back at the all night party
We're getting clearer all the time
Refined to one shape - frozen like crystal
It has the symmetry of perfect design
One line leads to another
They cross at the corners run straight at the sides
It reads the same way in any direction
Two red circles and a thick black spine

We got all lined up
We got all lined up
We got all lined up
All lined up
All lined up

Let it fall into place we could tie it to a tree
We could point it at you we could make it a habit
We could leave it outside or we could give it our food
Understand it or we could ignore it

Holding all our past in the one hand
We showed those people in a way they understand
Shiny little eyes on a big red bus
The ones we point at work for us
One sharp point between distinction
Going this way for X amount of time
Frame - line - and convergence
From the first to the final
This intention is mine

We got all lined up
We got all lined up
We got all lined up
All lined up
All lined up

(repeat chorus)
Comments (229)add comment
Hoping to hear some more Shreikback - maybe some Nemesis??
So much chair dancing happening here! 
Love this band. Thanks for playing William & Company.

 danmc wrote:



Phase diagram please.
 xrdstv wrote:

nice groove




I Agree!!  Great kick drum & bass guitar sound!   
nice groove
Have this in the original vinyl.  Great album.  
 joejennings wrote:

Excellent! I never heard of them before! Thanx RP!



I find myself thinking that frequently every day. I guess that's why we listen.
 danmc wrote:


Darn, I have forgotten what I was thinking just now....
 eileenomurphy wrote:

Great tune!!! I like the bass line & kick drum sound!




I Agree!!
 jerund wrote:

Bill, I think the record is kipping!




What is "kipping" ?  ...A type of canned herring ?
 Gusdadringo wrote:

Saw Shriekback in Vancouver in 86 at the Commodore and it was regarded as one of the top shows of the decade. And as far as the comments suggesting that the 80's was a decade of terrible music then you must have only been watching or listening to MTV and lousy radio because there was an explosion of bands putting out great and many times adventurous music including Simple Minds, Shriekback, XTC, Japan, Wire, Cocteau Twins, Talking Heads, Police, King Crimson, Prefab Sprout, Robin Hitchcock, The Clash, Lloyd Cole, Husker Du, The Replacements, The Stranglers, The The, Level 42, Talk Talk, Kate Bush, Jane Siberry, Sinead O'Connor and many others that I'm sure folks can add to the list. Lots of great writers. players and singers.  




I attended the Edmonton show and have to agree that it was one of the best shows I'd seen that decade, or any decade for that matter.
Bill, I think the record is kipping!
 joejennings wrote:

Excellent! I never heard of them before! Thanx RP!


One of the many reasons why i have given up on commercial music radio with their SSDD
Excellent! I never heard of them before! Thanx RP!
Great tune!!! I like the bass line & kick drum sound!
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:

Times like these I wish these tinny little speakers on my desk were just a bit more robust. And had a subwoofer that could liquefy anything within earshot... 



Between then and now, I inherited a set of Bose computer speakers. Liquefaction achieved. Figuratively. I hope.
Infectious bass line and such a classic✌️
that bassline is pretty good
 Gusdadringo wrote:

Saw Shriekback in Vancouver in 86 at the Commodore and it was regarded as one of the top shows of the decade. And as far as the comments suggesting that the 80's was a decade of terrible music then you must have only been watching or listening to MTV and lousy radio because there was an explosion of bands putting out great and many times adventurous music including Simple Minds, Shriekback, XTC, Japan, Wire, Cocteau Twins, Talking Heads, Police, King Crimson, Prefab Sprout, Robin Hitchcock, The Clash, Lloyd Cole, Husker Du, The Replacements, The Stranglers, The The, Level 42, Talk Talk, Kate Bush, Jane Siberry, Sinead O'Connor and many others that I'm sure folks can add to the list. Lots of great writers. players and singers.  


There really hasn't been a decade with a greater explosion of different musical styles than the 80s. Just because someone may not have heard of them, doesn't mean they didn't exist. There were maybe 6 commercial radio stations across the country that played the good stuff. The college radio stations and clubs were where it was really heard.
Recently watched Manhunter (1986) for the first time and was pleased to find that there were a few Shriekback songs on the soundtrack.  
Infectious bass line and such a classic✌️


there is SO MUCH GOOD NEWS - check it

shriekback are still cranking and making real good music, check out
https://open.spotify.com/track...

WAIT THERE'S MORE , Barry Andrews' son Finn Andrews is in his own band of amazing musicians "The Veils" and we see them regularly in auckland NZ -there's too much varietty to name a single song but check out
https://open.spotify.com/track...



I once bought a stack of LP records when the CD was coming up some people sold their whole LP collection and this was amongst it, and you won't believe how much I have listened to this. Wonderful flashback!!
 Gusdadringo wrote:
Saw Shriekback in Vancouver in 86 at the Commodore and it was regarded as one of the top shows of the decade. And as far as the comments suggesting that the 80's was a decade of terrible music then you must have only been watching or listening to MTV and lousy radio because there was an explosion of bands putting out great and many times adventurous music including Simple Minds, Shriekback, XTC, Japan, Wire, Cocteau Twins, Talking Heads, Police, King Crimson, Prefab Sprout, Robin Hitchcock, The Clash, Lloyd Cole, Husker Du, The Replacements, The Stranglers, The The, Level 42, Talk Talk, Kate Bush, Jane Siberry, Sinead O'Connor and many others that I'm sure folks can add to the list. Lots of great writers. players and singers.  
 



King Crimson seriously?  You mean the band that started in 1969?  As a big big fan of Crimson their best music was 69 - 74.  (IMHO)  And as a fellow Canadian I find it disheartening that you missed the Hip.
Has scared the shit out of me every time I've heard this song since hearing it for the first time one cold winter evening a million years ago. "Frozen like crystal." Brrr
 Shimmer wrote:
Wants to be: Talking Heads
But is: Midnight Oil
 
Shriekback are in totally different vein from either TH or MO. 
Why have I got Talk Talk running through my head, apart from having heard It's My Life earlier? 
 jimlandwehr2582 wrote:
The bass line is um...all lined up!

 

My spine  is the bassline
 gmsingh123 wrote:
Trump and his peeps are going to be saying this about Bob Mueller.
 
You might want to delete that comment
The bass line is um...all lined up!
Wonderful !!  Thank you RP
 blotto wrote:
My spine is the baseline,
but anyways, great band from the past.

Also, did not know the album existed.
needs further investigation
 
You may be referring to the Best of Collection, but several versions of this classic track exist, including 12" extended mixes. 
 DrMacDaddy wrote:
Oh, RP, how we love you!
 
I support RP not because I want to hear music like this, but because I want everyone to hear music like this!
My spine is the baseline,
but anyways, great band from the past.

Also, did not know the album existed.
needs further investigation
Gave this a 7, but then -> 8 cosa the Bass 
Poppin' de bass!
 zircopax wrote:
Wow, another person that knows Jane Siberry!
 
Mimi at the beach?

Excellent for that grooooooove.
Love Shriekback very much.  They have always been too sweaty for the intellectuals and too smart for sweaty floor dancers.   
 Gusdadringo wrote:
Saw Shriekback in Vancouver in 86 at the Commodore and it was regarded as one of the top shows of the decade. And as far as the comments suggesting that the 80's was a decade of terrible music then you must have only been watching or listening to MTV and lousy radio because there was an explosion of bands putting out great and many times adventurous music including Simple Minds, Shriekback, XTC, Japan, Wire, Cocteau Twins, Talking Heads, Police, King Crimson, Prefab Sprout, Robin Hitchcock, The Clash, Lloyd Cole, Husker Du, The Replacements, The Stranglers, The The, Level 42, Talk Talk, Kate Bush, Jane Siberry, Sinead O'Connor and many others that I'm sure folks can add to the list. Lots of great writers. players and singers.  
 

Devo
 zircopax wrote:
Wow, another person that knows Jane Siberry!
 
Haven't heard that name in 30 yrs. Was a big fan then. Where is she now?
Wow, another person that knows Jane Siberry!
 AhhtheMusic wrote:
Love the bass in this.

 
Wanted to write this... and then realized I already did.  
 agreed!!!!        fgraver wrote:
PLAY IT LOUDER!

One of the very best songs from the early 80s.
 


Oh, RP, how we love you!
 Gusdadringo wrote:
Saw Shriekback in Vancouver in 86 at the Commodore and it was regarded as one of the top shows of the decade. And as far as the comments suggesting that the 80's was a decade of terrible music then you must have only been watching or listening to MTV and lousy radio because there was an explosion of bands putting out great and many times adventurous music including Simple Minds, Shriekback, XTC, Japan, Wire, Cocteau Twins, Talking Heads, Police, King Crimson, Prefab Sprout, Robin Hitchcock, The Clash, Lloyd Cole, Husker Du, The Replacements, The Stranglers, The The, Level 42, Talk Talk, Kate Bush, Jane Siberry, Sinead O'Connor and many others that I'm sure folks can add to the list. Lots of great writers. players and singers.  

 
That would be the Big Night Music tour, I saw them at the U of A in Edmonton. A great show and one of the best albums of the 80s.
 JsDad wrote:
Does anyone know how one could purchase this song?  I mean, aside from spending $100 on an import CD. Anyone?

 
Buy it on vinyl from discogs.com
Trump and his peeps are going to be saying this about Bob Mueller.
Saw Shriekback in Vancouver in 86 at the Commodore and it was regarded as one of the top shows of the decade. And as far as the comments suggesting that the 80's was a decade of terrible music then you must have only been watching or listening to MTV and lousy radio because there was an explosion of bands putting out great and many times adventurous music including Simple Minds, Shriekback, XTC, Japan, Wire, Cocteau Twins, Talking Heads, Police, King Crimson, Prefab Sprout, Robin Hitchcock, The Clash, Lloyd Cole, Husker Du, The Replacements, The Stranglers, The The, Level 42, Talk Talk, Kate Bush, Jane Siberry, Sinead O'Connor and many others that I'm sure folks can add to the list. Lots of great writers. players and singers.  
Does anyone know how one could purchase this song?  I mean, aside from spending $100 on an import CD. Anyone?
Awesome bass work!
Loved this era with the rocking bass.
song is very bad for work production!
Slapadabass!
Always wanted to fall in love with Shriekback. Kinda. And maybe I once did, for about a half hour or so. Once. Then I'd hear this song of theirs and move, rapidly, on. 
Solid, wild groove in this cool rocking gem! Dave Allen is bassically insane! Makes me wanna dig out my old Gang of Four records and ROCK THE HOUSE!
 fgraver wrote:
PLAY IT LOUDER!

One of the very best songs from the early 80s.
 
Yepp, when you right your right!!!{#Clap}{#Good-vibes}{#Dancingbanana}
 fgraver wrote:
PLAY IT LOUDER!

One of the very best songs from the early 80s.
 
{#Dancingbanana_2}
Sounds a bit like Talking Heads—something too pop-oriented to make the cut for "Remain In Light." 
PLAY IT LOUDER! One of the very best songs from the early 80s.
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Times like these I wish these tinny little speakers on my desk were just a bit more robust. And had a subwoofer that could liquefy anything within earshot... 

 
so it is not just me
 JsDad wrote:
Anyone know of any way to get this as a digital purchase?  Anyone?

 
You can get it in vinyl: https://www.amazon.com/Lined-Up-Shriekback/dp/B0057QCXBG
...and rip it to digital.
Anyone know of any way to get this as a digital purchase?  Anyone?
Love the bass in this.
This track is good but My Spine Is The Bassline is better
Love love love this group.  Not everyone's taste but some songs that make you want to get out there and move/dance without it sounding disco-y or ordinary.
{#Hearteyes}
This is who Modest Mouse sounds like.
7 —> 8 

I don't even want to explain why. It just is.  
Prefer Disco Mix version, but still beautiful. As one person described it :   {#Dancingbanana_2}it will never age, it will never tire, it will always remain a timeleess classic
 blotto wrote:

my spine is the base line.



 
Agree...EXCEPT that you won't find this version on the cited album. Yes, there's a version of "All Lined Up," but it's not this one.
all lined up remember me of the Bronx in the eighties in Groningen.
Still a good track. jack
 
 WonderLizard wrote:

Wow. That's quite an indictment. I remember the 80s as the decade of R.E.M., B52s, U2, Bruce, Lets Active, Tommy Keene, Stevie Ray, Split Enz, a whole truckload of British synth bands, Rockpile, The Cure, Mellencamp, Joe Jackson, ZZ Top, The Cars, The Go-Gos, and so on. It's easy to dismiss entire decades—as the 80s did the 70s—because of changes in the evolution of rock'n'roll, but it's still rock'n'roll, and that's what's important. Seek out the good. I know it's a lot more work, and not as easy as a blanket put down, but in the end IMHO, it's vastly more rewarding.

 
and that's not even the good stuff!
One my fave tracks from the 80's. Always on my own personal comp cassettes /CDs.
 The_Walrus wrote:
YES YES OK, you're all lined up, we get it

 
No doubt.
The riff had (had) potential, but petered out, and then the "lyrics" were as annoyingly repetitive as the riff. 
 misterbearbaby wrote:
Solid confirmation that the 80's were a WASTELAND for rock and roll music. What caused it? The prevalence of powdered cocaine? The predominance of disco music? The gotterdammerung of the sexual revolution? Ronald Regan? All of these influences seem equally mind-rotting, but its hard to put a finger on...

 
Wow. That's quite an indictment. I remember the 80s as the decade of R.E.M., B52s, U2, Bruce, Lets Active, Tommy Keene, Stevie Ray, Split Enz, a whole truckload of British synth bands, Rockpile, The Cure, Mellencamp, Joe Jackson, ZZ Top, The Cars, The Go-Gos, and so on. It's easy to dismiss entire decades--as the 80s did the 70s--because of changes in the evolution of rock'n'roll, but it's still rock'n'roll, and that's what's important. Seek out the good. I know it's a lot more work, and not as easy as a blanket put down, but in the end IMHO, it's vastly more rewarding.
YES YES OK, you're all lined up, we get it
 Proclivities wrote:

You don't seem to remember the '80s very well.  For one thing, disco was far from predominant by the 1980s: that "predominance" occurred during the 1970s.  The 1980s were no more of a musical wasteland than any other, except maybe for people who only listen to classic rock.

 
I remember the 80s. music was mainly crap. anyway, remember Nemesis by these guys, that was quite good - this song is not.
When I walked into the room and heard the beat, I honestly thought this was Christopher Cross' "Ride Like The Wind"
 misterbearbaby wrote:
Solid confirmation that the 80's were a WASTELAND for rock and roll music. What caused it? The prevalence of powdered cocaine? The predominance of disco music? The gotterdammerung of the sexual revolution? Ronald Regan? All of these influences seem equally mind-rotting, but its hard to put a finger on...

 
You don't seem to remember the '80s very well.  For one thing, disco was far from predominant by the 1980s: that "predominance" occurred during the 1970s.  The 1980s were no more of a musical wasteland than any other, except maybe for people who only listen to classic rock.
Times like these I wish these tinny little speakers on my desk were just a bit more robust. And had a subwoofer that could liquefy anything within earshot... 
Got a +1.... everytime I hear the first bit of the bass on this track my mood gets a +1

Granted everything else of this track is average 

my spine is the base line.


This always gets me movin...
Really Nice!
 misterbearbaby wrote:
Solid confirmation that the 80's were a WASTELAND for rock and roll music. What caused it? The prevalence of powdered cocaine? The predominance of disco music? The gotterdammerung of the sexual revolution? Ronald Regan? All of these influences seem equally mind-rotting, but its hard to put a finger on...

 
Sorry, I have to disagree with you.  Shriekback and other groups are to me confirmation that rock music was maturing and evolving, as all good music does.  And I LOVE the music of the 60's and 70's.
 lattalo wrote:

Some of the best 80's music and it still sounds great!  But I think Big Night Music was their best.



  My favourite album of theirs is Oil and Gold.  But I love this piece and "Putting My Hand on My Heart".


Nice!
 misterbearbaby wrote:
Solid confirmation that the 80's were a WASTELAND for rock and roll music. What caused it? The prevalence of powdered cocaine? The predominance of disco music? The gotterdammerung of the sexual revolution? Ronald Regan? All of these influences seem equally mind-rotting, but its hard to put a finger on...

 
Frankie says: RELAX...
{#Wink}

I really like the funky bass line in this.
The 80's may have produced a lot of dodgy music, but I don't think this is a good example of it.
There is plenty of great music from the 80's too.
 misterbearbaby wrote:
Solid confirmation that the 80's were a WASTELAND for rock and roll music. What caused it? The prevalence of powdered cocaine? The predominance of disco music? The gotterdammerung of the sexual revolution? Ronald Regan? All of these influences seem equally mind-rotting, but its hard to put a finger on...

 

big hair...{#Wink}
Solid confirmation that the 80's were a WASTELAND for rock and roll music. What caused it? The prevalence of powdered cocaine? The predominance of disco music? The gotterdammerung of the sexual revolution? Ronald Regan? All of these influences seem equally mind-rotting, but its hard to put a finger on...
Reminds me of all the '80's vinyl stored up at my family's cottage. I miss it.  Unfortunately I've been seduced by the MP3 ease of  holding 2500 songs in the palm of your hand.
this ain't no disco!! this ain't no fooling around!!
 
Disco time. I like it. {#Dancingbanana_2}
memories... Seaside festival belgium '84 - 5000 + people dancing. What a feeling :)
Great 80s track!
Dave Allen was a friend of a friend so used to hang out in the early 80's  - pre-kids and all that sort of stuff.... cool guy and a great band!


This brings back memories of dance clubs and the 80's and it still sounds good!
80s bass and synth always sounds like a cartoon character riding a pogo stick.

Boing boing boing boing boing
Shriekback is back again....with a critically praised new album (well, in 2010).  they are so cool still.
Wow I forgot about this band! Spent many Friday nights dancing in University pubs to this kind of music! This song stands the test of time, thanks for playing it Bill!
What a gem from almost 30 years ago,wow!
 tryallmusic wrote:
This came out when I was in getting my degree in architecture - late nights at studio and/or party - seemed so apropos.

Back at the all night party
We're getting clearer all the time
Refined to one shape - frozen like crystal
It has the symmetry of perfect design
One line leads to another
They cross at the corners run straight at the sides
It reads the same way in any direction
Two red circles and a thick black spine

We got all lined up
We got all lined up
We got all lined up
All lined up
All lined up

 
Some of the best 80's music and it still sounds great!  But I think Big Night Music was their best.


 joe-1 wrote:
Superb gritty bass line. Can't sit still on this one.
 
I believe that's Dave Allen - previously of Gang Of Four - playing bass on this track.
Great stuff. I had forgotten all about it til the first bar... this was a chill tune and still is.
The pity is that popping and slapping, so prevalent in the '80s, seems to have become a lost art.
 spiritfla wrote:
 larisadeg wrote:
Shriekback! I have been trying to remember that band name for forever.  Curiosity question of the day: The theme music to Sopranos reminds me of Shriekback, did they, or anyone affiliated with them have anything to do with their soundtrack?
 
I always thought the same thing about the Soprano's theme....

 

The Soprano's theme music is by Alabama3
 larisadeg wrote:
Shriekback! I have been trying to remember that band name for forever.  Curiosity question of the day: The theme music to Sopranos reminds me of Shriekback, did they, or anyone affiliated with them have anything to do with their soundtrack?
 
I always thought the same thing about the Soprano's theme....

Shriekback! I have been trying to remember that band name for forever.  Curiosity question of the day: The theme music to Sopranos reminds me of Shriekback, did they, or anyone affiliated with them have anything to do with their soundtrack?
 Suzl wrote:

I get that.........!!!  Care to dance...... {#Dance}

 

I'll play the air bass & you can dance!
 slr242 wrote:
*classic* 

I was in mid-sentence when this came on; I started dancing instantaneously, and forgot what I'd been saying. 
 
I get that.........!!!  Care to dance...... {#Dance}

*classic* 

I was in mid-sentence when this came on; I started dancing instantaneously, and forgot what I'd been saying. 
I was totally into my NaNoWriMo, and this song came on and I had to pull up the shutters and yell WTF?  In a good way.  They switched my focus, which was a good thing. I think "Shriekback" is too difficult to remember or spell, but I'll make the effort, because they apparently appeal to my muse (the little bastard - if I didn't need him, I'd feed him to the fish.)

Guh - shutting up now.
Oh yeah, lovely to hear Shriekback again...

Superb gritty bass line. Can't sit still on this one.
An 80's tresure. My ear buds are dancing.
Brings back amazing memories, in more ways than one! (All Lined Up)