fairherald

First off, I think this is a fun album. Nothing groundbreaking, but definitely some cool stuff and and definitely an enjoyable listen. That said, I have a theory.

Everything about this album screams The Beatles to me. To start, there are the endless Harrison nods in You Never Know (fuzz guitar tones, harmonies, and My Sweet Lord lifts--all of which unquestionably intentional--that have been discussed ad nauseum, ), the Penny Lane-ish horn at the end of Everlasting

Why is there so much compression? The drums and vocals (those harmonies!) especially. Its like there's some kind of Jeff Lynn-brand sheen put over all these tracks that in my opinion makes it sound not quite as genuine as their older stuff--it just sounds plain artificial and, yes, tame. Maybe this is what Jeff meant when describing the studio as an instrument, I don't know. Otherwise, a lot of great melodies, but I feel like generally there's no room for these songs to breathe. They sound too hurried and overly crowded, like everyone's jockeying for position. Maybe too many cooks in the kitchen?

Deeper Down is really great though. Maybe it'll grow on me, but for now put me on that short bus with Alan and Dangerer.

The Flaming Lips, M83 and the Drive By Truckers are the best bands alive right now.

 

Radiohead hasn't made a good record since 2000. Same for Wilco.

Look folks. The truth is todays bands absolutely SUCK compared to the 60's and 70's greats. Those giants would turn out masterpieces every two years, sometimes every year. Today we get these ok records every 3-4 years. Thom Yorke and his Pro Tools rig painstakingly craft songs for years on end because they can't play properly. Led Zepplin or Pink Floyd could shit out an album and have it be musically superior, and do it on a regular basis. There's a real lack of ROCK missing from the new "canon". It's like everyone took wimpy pills or something. Even the harder rock bands lack dynamic range with power. Shit, the 70's folk bands could lay it down heavier.

 

And in terms of live performances, Wilco and Radiohead get their tails kicked by bands like the Flaming Lips and the Drive By Truckers.

 

The Lips and Truckers are INCREDIBLE live shows, and they also make fantastic studio records. They are a real throwback to the true greats of the 60's and 70's.

If you really wanna go back to some sweet live acts (though need I remind you this thread is about current artists, not Led Zeppelin whose best asset, John Bonham, died long ago along with the band's talent for songwriting and live performance) might I suggest some Classical or Romantic Era Pianists, namely Brahms, Mozart, or perhaps Chopin? Those guys knew how to seriously rock the powedered wigs off of everyone's heads.

It's all relative, you know.

since walken and what light have been on the live circuit for so long, theyre easy to get overlooked (walken especially) but I think its a damn fine song...probably just a little dismissive of them in anticipation of becoming really familiar with the rest of the CD, would be my guess.

does anybody else think the piano strikes on the last part of Walken are slightly off, like a little ahead of the beat? Perhaps a recording gaffe?

Larry David? nice

a friend of mine noted how the quieter songs on this CD (namely SBS and Please Be Patient w/ Me) would fit right in on Being There Disc 2 or vice versa. I'd have to agree, though the whole of the Sky Blue Sky album is much more complex in its composition and songwriting - a little less folk and a little more jazz.

a fan of the quieter stuff, eh?

There's obviously a lot of good stuff here...a nice return to classic rock done right by way of the Beatles, the Band, and whoever else you guys hear throughout the CD.

But if you could choose just one song...?

I'd have to go You Are My Face, personally. But this is a gametime decision and will no doubt change after a dozen or so full album listens (I'm at about 6 since Saturday)

My face melted.

Listen to his Side With the Seeds solo...probably one of the more cathartic and face melting solos of all time. And while Nels may be a much better guitarist than bennett, bennett is unquestionably a better songwriter and served as the lennon or mccartney (or what have you) to Tweedy.

And side note - does anyone see a similarity between the Side with the Seeds solo part of the song and the end of Stop Breathin by Pavement? The similarities to me are uncanny...