The untitled EP was released in early 1994, and helped by a limited pressing of 1000 copies and rumours spreading fast of the bands incredible live show, it sold out almost immediately and was later re-pressed. Nottingham had, to date, given two legends to the world in the shape of Robin Hood (who was fictional) and Brian Clough (who was from Middlesbrough), could bob tilton be the real deal?
As word spread bob tilton found themselves within the by then burgeoning "emo" scene, but the connection was as uncontrived as the definition was inadequate. From that point on there would be no holding back, and with the release of the Songs Of Penknife And Pocketwatch 7 inch EP early the following year, the word spread beyond the tiny overprotective scene from which it was born. When the band and Subjugation label refused to give in to the repeated requests for review promos, the NME went out and (gasp!) paid for a copy. The resulting Single Of The Week review disappointed many people who had previously shown interest in the band, as it was interpreted at the time as though promos had been thrown around and suggested a compromise of intent.
Release wise, all was quiet for the next two years while the second EP continued to be pressed and shipped out. The band were invited to record a radio session for the prestigious John Peel show on BBC Radio One, and they did just that in 1996. By segueing two older songs, they managed to record five songs instead of the usual four. This session later ranked very highly in the annual Festive 50, when listeners of the show vote for their favourite sessions and records of the year. The long-awaited new material was sounding better than anything before, even in a live capacity, as the band refused to resort to formula and continued to stretch.
A few months later Subjugation proudly released the debut LP and they could finally fill the back orders. An already established, as well as a growing audience were wooed by the carefully hand screened covers and lyric booklet, until at last the needle locked into the groove. Recorded on little more than a tape recorder (referred to affectionately as the electric press) by bass player Mark Simms at various sites, we all new that it would be a long wait before we had anything after these nine songs, if ever, and that made each one especially precious.
Crescent sounded great - certainly a contender for the best album to come out of the UK that year. In the build up to Crescent, Subjugation had also released the best works by a few of their other bands that were also making an impression at that time, including Tribute (who shared a member with bob tilton - Chay Lawrence) - these bands helped keep the interest in this new sound alive. 1996 was a great year for the British underground music scene, and Crescent was up there with the best. It's influence can be felt from acts ranging from Spy Versus Spy to Mogwai.
Over the next three years bob tilton would play fewer live shows than ever before (due to living in various parts of the country) and another record seemed a long way off.
In December 1998 bob tilton found themselves in discussion with Southern over the release of their almost completed second album The Leading Hotels Of The World, a new label (Sousaphon Recordings), and band (I am Spartacus) which involved some of the band. Shortly afterwards the deal was signed. bob tilton refused to be hurried into finishing the recording and artwork. Never willing to outstay their welcome, the completion of The Leading Hotels Of The World found them feeling that they had taken it as far as they could, and with drummer Allan Gainey planning to relocate to London they decided to call it a day in the spring of 1999, and move on to other things.
Southern are proud to re-release the debut LP Crescent on CD (available for the first time), and release the new CD/LP The Leading Hotels Of The World in February next year.
Crescent
Bob Tilton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics in Bob Tilton's song "Crescent" are quite abstract and open to interpretation, but they seem to allude to the idea of transition and change. The first line suggests that the relationship between the poet and verse has been difficult, perhaps implying that the creative process of translating inspiration into words can be challenging. The rest of the lyrics suggest a sense of anticipation and waiting for something to happen, with references to silver being turned over in pockets and the old moon resting in the arms of the new. This may symbolize the idea of letting go of the old and welcoming in the new, as the moon transitions from one phase to another.
The concept of transition is further reinforced by the title of the song, "Crescent," which refers to the phase of the moon when it is just beginning to transition from a new moon to a full moon. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the process of personal growth and transformation. The overall mood of the lyrics is dreamy and introspective, with a sense of melancholy underlying the anticipation of change.
Overall, the lyrics of "Crescent" offer a poetic meditation on the process of change and the importance of letting go of the old in order to embrace the new.
Line by Line Meaning
This has been a difficult courtship between poet and verse
The poet has struggled to find the right words and phrases to express their emotions or ideas in this song.
but right now we are turning the silver over in our pockets
Despite the difficulties, the poet and their audience are taking a moment to reflect on something precious or valuable - maybe a memory, an experience, or an insight - that they have discovered through the process of writing and listening to this song.
while the old moon rests in the arms of the new.
During this introspective moment, they are aware of the cycles and rhythms of nature - for example, the metaphor of the old moon (a symbol of the past, waning in power) being cradled by the new moon (a symbol of the future, waxing in power) suggests a cycle of renewal and transformation that resonates with the creative process at work in the song.
Contributed by Aubrey R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jalen Jenkins
gets better as the record plays!
Lance Apollonaire
Is there any information on Bob Tilton? I can't find anything via a web search other than a partial discography. Was this a person or band? I've never heard of it before, but I feel like I should have almost 20 years ago... Some of this is very Rodan/Shellac.
TTHPdotorg
If you can find their eps from earlier in the 90's imo their strongest stuff. What baffles me is how they managed to make emo when I imagine it wasn't the easiest thing to get hold of - can't imagine the distribution of emo/hardcore was all that massive
Dominic Synnock
They were a band, for current stuff Neil (guitarist) is in Kogumaza and I've heard rumours of unreleased Bob Tilton stuff but I don't know if anything will come of them.
Tissier Magician
British emo. One of the greatest bands of that wave. Check another similar bands like Schema. There are some blogs with vast info about it though.
Renan Nassimbene
vocal looks like guy picciotto