Let's Address the Issues of the Day
First, the new Hold Steady record. My love for Separation Sunday has been documented here before, and I couldn't imagine how the (mostly Pitchfork-generated) rumors and hints of Boys and Girls in America could possibly hold true.
Now that I've listened, I can say these are good songs. At least, that's what I think - I can hardly make out what Finn's saying-singing in these songs because they're mixed so poorly. I can hardly bring myself to listen to the album, even though I know there are some killer tracks on there, really, it's tragic. I had been waiting to hear a studio version of "Stuck Between Stations" for a long time, I guess I'll stick with the version they played on The Current last year (I'd rather hear him too loud).
Second, the new Decemberists album. It's exciting to listen to them, how, with each new album, they hone their idiosyncratic vision to something more forceful and fantastic. The Crane Wife isn't precious or grating, no more sea-chanteys, but it's still quirky and entirely accessible. The "Crane Wife" suite (that's 1-3) is, simply, amazing. The first two combine to recall "California One/Youth and Beauty Brigade," and the third opens the disc rolling downhill, gathering momentum and gusto. Also, Moistworks pointed out that the Shankill Butchers are a very real thing. Terrifying.
Third, the new Blood Brothers album. Check the video for "Lazer Life" here. How, how can you not like the Blood Brothers?
Here's one I haven't seen around, but was prompted to consider. It's by a band called Princeton, and it's lo-fi mop-pop whatever, charming. I'm moved to mention it not only because, well, it's quite nice, but also because when I listen I hear the singer's tongue hanging out, I see it, and I want to laugh and tuck it back in. Funny.
Does anyone else get a thoroughly lukewarm feeling from the Swan Lake songs and their accompanying reviews? I guess I'll come out and say I'm disappointed.
The new addition to Pitchfork's Infinite Mixtape is pretty damn sweet - Christopher Willits' "Colors Shifting." It makes me want to go back to my Fennesz albums I haven't heard in too long.
I apologize for my feed's misbehavior. I was unaware, and I have no clue how to fix it.
Now that I've listened, I can say these are good songs. At least, that's what I think - I can hardly make out what Finn's saying-singing in these songs because they're mixed so poorly. I can hardly bring myself to listen to the album, even though I know there are some killer tracks on there, really, it's tragic. I had been waiting to hear a studio version of "Stuck Between Stations" for a long time, I guess I'll stick with the version they played on The Current last year (I'd rather hear him too loud).
The Hold Steady - Chips Ahoy! [mp3]
The Hold Steady - Stuck Between Stations (live on The Current) [mp3]
buy Boys and Girls in America
***
The Hold Steady - Stuck Between Stations (live on The Current) [mp3]
buy Boys and Girls in America
***
Second, the new Decemberists album. It's exciting to listen to them, how, with each new album, they hone their idiosyncratic vision to something more forceful and fantastic. The Crane Wife isn't precious or grating, no more sea-chanteys, but it's still quirky and entirely accessible. The "Crane Wife" suite (that's 1-3) is, simply, amazing. The first two combine to recall "California One/Youth and Beauty Brigade," and the third opens the disc rolling downhill, gathering momentum and gusto. Also, Moistworks pointed out that the Shankill Butchers are a very real thing. Terrifying.
On iTunes, download the bonus track "After the Bombs."
The Decemberists - Summersong [mp3]
buy The Crane Wife
***
The Decemberists - Summersong [mp3]
buy The Crane Wife
***
Third, the new Blood Brothers album. Check the video for "Lazer Life" here. How, how can you not like the Blood Brothers?
Here's one I haven't seen around, but was prompted to consider. It's by a band called Princeton, and it's lo-fi mop-pop whatever, charming. I'm moved to mention it not only because, well, it's quite nice, but also because when I listen I hear the singer's tongue hanging out, I see it, and I want to laugh and tuck it back in. Funny.
***
Does anyone else get a thoroughly lukewarm feeling from the Swan Lake songs and their accompanying reviews? I guess I'll come out and say I'm disappointed.
***
The new addition to Pitchfork's Infinite Mixtape is pretty damn sweet - Christopher Willits' "Colors Shifting." It makes me want to go back to my Fennesz albums I haven't heard in too long.
I apologize for my feed's misbehavior. I was unaware, and I have no clue how to fix it.
by brian at 10/05/2006 04:07:00 PM
13 Comments:
I agree with your thoughts on the new hold Steady album. After waiting to hear it and being somewhat let down I am doing my best to give it a chance. It will never be as good to me as the first 2 but it does have it's moments.
The Crane Wife is amazing but did take a little time to grow on me. Reallysucks for those of us that bought the actual CD that the After The Bombs track is an album only download. The sample sounded really good though.
Last Hold Steady album and this one I was underwhelmed, but after 3 listens or so, I fell in love. Headphones help.
He Brian,
I don't know if you know me anymore but I'm a friend of Peter, with which you enjoyed a concert in Holland. I just want to say that the A's are doing pretty well in the playoffs and I hope that they will meet the Cards in the playoffs.
Greetings, Paul
Paul, good to hear from you! Of course I remember. Actually, I'm leaving this minute to watch the A's play the Twins in Oakland. I'm hoping for a sweep. Send me an email sometime (brian@bowsplusarrows.com) and we'll talk NBA once the season begins!
I insisted from the very beginning that B&GIA mostly suffers from being flawed technically, that's what pushed me away first. What is up with the mixing? Yeah, totally disappointed.
And Swan Lake just seems like overkill at this point. Though I envy/appreciate these fellows' excessive creative impulses, it seems like they all need some serious, critical editors at this point.
Is it the mixing or the hype that bothers you most? I actually think the record sounds great. There are some bad mp3s floating around, which don't help, but the cd sounds good, at least on the stereos I've used to listen to it. The Decemberists album, as well, is quite wonderful.
It's the mixing. I really can't hear him under the instruments. The hype is fine, the more people getting into them the better.
They must have changed it, I got it as soon as it was available, and as a single track purchase. I can't share it because it's "locked" or whatever. I'm sure it will pop up soon though. Sorry!
hate to be the bitchy moaning buzz kill but the hold steady are ridiculously bad. painful I'd even say. as for the decemberists, one word: college rock.
Next generation Train/Barenaked Ladies
much better music to listen to out there like cook mountain/yellow house/poos clouds
As much as I'd like to dismiss that entire comment, I can't get past this in particular:
Next generation Train/Barenaked Ladies
seriously?
seriously, it's just all gussied up and made to look "fancy" but it's incredibly run of the mill when you dig down
Back to reply that it's most definitely the mixdown on B&GIA that I loathe. The hype really doesn't bug me, I've liked them from the beginning, which I'm sure most people are sick of hearing me say...
Excellent website. Good work. Very useful. I will bookmark!
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