nodep5

The more I listen to the new song, the more I love it, and I loved it from the start. I think it is cool because it brings to my mind many questions. I know in interviews Robin has tried to distance the song from being a protest song (which is weird because I never took it that way/i got a real positive vibe from it) but I'm sure a hippie looking band with sweet harmonies that kind of sound like CSN has to be a protest band with the lazy journalists. Anyway, he has talked about the song and the new album being more personal and straight forward lyrically, which this song fits that mold, but it could be taken many different ways, and what about the last line about the man on the screen. All I know is this song turns into a beautiful thing. What a freaking tease May 3 rd GEEZ!!

This new song makes me sad ( in a good way).

they are one super hyped band in the last 5 or so years that I completely fell for. Beards, flannels, rustic folk, sweet melodies, awesome album art, I mean what is lacking. Don't say the songs, cause the songs are beautiful.

I'm going nuts, peeing my pants. This is awesome.

Oh by the way, I'm a big fan!

I guess these type of discussions further highlight why politics, for me at least, becomes a big waste of time and energy. People, for the most part, are not going to be swayed. This Rahm discussion is a good example. I genuniely feel he is sleazy (from a non political point of view), but I know if you lean from center to the right (which I probably do) you definetly won't see many positive aspects about this man and his politics. Just as if you lean center left you'd probably feel the same way about Dick Cheney. My point is, it seems pointless when people can't even get close to seeing the world the same way and are never going to change their mind. I can tell you right now that I'm no closer to believing Dick Cheney is the devil as I am to believing Rahm is a nice/sweet man.

I don't bring this up to have a political discussion, but more to highlight how we run with our biases and our own world views, which I guess is cool, but when it comes to how we see the world being run, it can be kind of frustrating. I mean how I can really think President Obama is going to far, and my neighbor feel he is not going far enough. Who knows, you can get sucked into to thinking about it, which I will now stop.

Just wanted to give a shout to the new Dolorean record The Unfazed out yesterday 1/18/11

I actually haven't heard it, waiting on my vinyl to arrive

but his 2007 record "You Can't Win" is devine and my favorite from that year

his 2004 record "Violence In The Snowy Fields" is also freaking amazing

his debut "Not Exotic" is also somewhat strong

definetly mood music or late night or sunday morning, but underated beyond belief.

I'm pretty sure Jeff is. You're supporting the candidate you want in the way that you do best, and Jeff is doing his best to support his candidate.

 

I don't see any reason to turn a concert thread into a political thread.

I wasn't even thinking politically. I was thinking sleazy is sleazy no matter what their political views are. I just question the wisdom in aligning yourself with someone who I find overtly sleazy. I wouldn't support Tom Cruise or John Edwards for example. Some just put off the insincere sleazy vibe. Rahm's is more scary sleazy but you get my point. It is a character issue

Also if you as a musician play a concert for a political cause, it may turn into a political thread

But even though I prefer to have little politics in music, I can accept a musician supporting someone that I wouldn't, it is when they get pompous and degrading about it, like they are enlighted and I'm not. Bobby Bare Jr. has a great article on this posted on Aquarium Drunkard a few months back.

Anyway, I know I sound like the one casting judgement and acting enlighted about Rahm being sleazy, but come on, he is part of the Chicago machine, it is inherent.

I'm going to act like this isn't real.

He will be the next mayor, but to align yourself with someone that ..............creepy/sleazy............is creepy!

A couple thoughts: Fell in love with I & W around Our Endless Numbered Days. Bought the vinyl after reading a No Depression article and taking a chance. Went back and picked up Creek, Loved Women King and Reins, I love 85% of Around the Well and while I can appreciate Shephard's, it is largely lost on me. I think I feel with recent Iron and Wine how I did with the Black Keys Attack & Release. Some production and varied arragements adds to the overall picture (Wilco YHF) while sometimes it just feels likes window dressing. I don't know how to describe it, but it doesn't serve the song, it just feels like someone got bored and started playing with sound. I just listened to Tree By The River (studio version vs. daytrotter version) the stripped down is so beautiful and makes me think of Iron and Wine's strongest work, the studio version is professional and sounds great but leaves me feeling a tad cold. I'm glad some prefer the recent stuff, but for me personally it is harder to connect with. I guess Sam's strengths in my mind are the songs, not the sounds

Aerosmith was my gateway to popular music. If it gets you listening, that's fine. The idea that one should only listen to inherently 'good' music - that it is somehow 'better' for you - is crap.

I don't necessarily disagree with you, and I have in recent years, with the help of my 4 year old son, been able to reconnect with the idea of music as fun and not as cerebral or whatever. But I would also be saddened if I hadn't stumbled upon certain bands that changed my life. And I was exposed to some of this less than overtly popular music through various avenues, commercials, other bands, year end lists, tv/movies, etc. I'm just saying it can be a crime that so much good is overlooked when so much "bad" is promoted and stuffed down our throats.

But as far as me judging Lady Gaga or other current pop music. I just don't love top 40 of today the way I love the sound of pop music in lets say 1972. The Carpenters could put down a sweet tune. Lady Gaga or Kanye or whatever sounds like a bunch of computers farting. Now that is just to my ears.

An annoying song by an important person is not any better than an annoying song by someone you think is annoying. Someone who loves Leonard Cohen or Nick Drake does not objectively have better taste than someone who prefers Alicia Keys or Lady Gaga.

Yeah I lost my point I think. I shouldn't have thrown in the "reputable" judgement. I guess my point is that people like Lady Gaga aren't hurting for exposure. People like Leonard Cohen maybe need some help in terms of a more diverse audience being aware of their work. So yeah "Shiny Happy People" will drive you nuts, but if gets people checking into REM then that is a good thing.

I always like to think that all those frat boys at the early Son Volt concerts yelling for "Drown" went on to buy Sebastopol.

Not that "Drown" was annoying. It is an awesome song.

I can dream.

I can't speak for tasting of tears, my recollection of the last good cry (to the point of them rolling down my face)was that they were pretty salty. Anyway, as for the song, I wish there was a Jeff only version (I'm probably missing the point), because I really like the lyrics and they seem very Jeffish. It felt like almost an early Wilco song lyrically. poignant, simplistic, universal. Kind of like You and I. (i'm dodging arrows from the hipster haters right now)

Never been a big fan of the song,nor Mr. Cohen, but anytime people are giving attention to something a little more thoughtful and though provoking than Lady Gaga or whoever is the current thing of the moment, than I support that. I would have not been introduced to Nick Drake if it wasn't for the VW commerical being played 1000 times. I think any exposure of the actual music is a good thing, especially for reputable artists. For every die hard fan that may feel alienated, 1000 more people will be introduced to the music. Sure it gets tedious when you are watching American Idol (which I do) and you hear "Halleluah"for the 10th time in 10 seasons, but I'd take it over someone belting out a freaking Alicia Keys song.

yeah, someone mentioned the Neil Young issue. What a joke. All we hear is how Neil has to have the best sound quality going. Well 98% of his fans began hearing Neil on normal old vinyl and god forbid cassette or cd. The majority of his fan base doesn't care. It is the songs, Neil isn't the friggin Pink Floyd. It isn't about sonic landscapes, stage shows, lazers etc. It is the songs. I would buy Neil's good songs if they came on a piece of cardboard that only worked when placed in the oven. 200 Gram 50 dollar crap. Geez!

This is interesting for me on a number of levels. Wilco is probably my favorite all time band, i'm a completist (obsessive) and I am a vinyl collecting freak. And I HAVE NOT PURCHASED KICKING TELEVSION! (Not sure why I capatlizated that). For me, for one, I'm not a huge live album kinda guy and especially a live album of a band and their lineup that isn't my favorite with a tracklisting that doesn't really reflect the band's history. Now if this was a live show from the Being There or Summerteeth Tours then I would be more stoked, but I have probably listened to KT three times on my ol cd copy. Secondly I have never and will never spend that much money on a record. The most I've ever spent was 50 bucks on UT Still Feel Gone/March 16-20 Double vinyl. (which should be reissued by the way)

Now about the whole 180 gram 30 dollar record issue. There is no denying vinyl is the most excellent sound quality going, but does 180/200 gram make it THAT much better? I can't say I've ever listened to an old Byrds record on normal old whatever gram and wished "oh if it was only 180 gram and I had to flip the damn thing over 12 times". I agree, this is record company shooting self in foot. It is even laughable at times, flip through a music direct catalouge and they will be selling some audiophile 200 gram Doobie Brothers record for 35 bucks. Cmon. I'll go buy a Doobie record at the local dollar bin, in fact their entire dicography for the cost of the audiophile copy.

I guess if you have a 2000 dollar turntable and 5000 dollar set up that you only want your needle touching the best. But that is .00001 percent of the music buying public. For those of us happy with our 300 dollar set ups, give us a 12 dollar vinyl with free download and I would buy a crapload of records.

for me it has absolutely nothing to do with wanting folksier/rootsier stuff. i feel like at best these are 1/2 assed sounding versions of songs that made RNR (which was just a good not great album to begin with). plus some of the lyrics are just atrocious.

 

it's not awful, it just feels like he wrote most of these songs in about 10-15 minutes.

This I think is how I feel when trying to express my dislike for late period Son Volt vs. original lineup. The lyrics just are unavoidable (in a bad way) and I can't get past it. That being said, with Ryan lyrically on albums like Cardinology, ultimately Easy Tiger and III/IV, even though I find these to be a tad verbose, they feel inspiring and truly emotional. Who knows? Ryan has something for everyone.

Different strokes I guess. I've had trouble stepping away from it. I think III is really strong. I think expectations are a huge thing with Ryan. I know my wife did not like Rock n Roll when it first came out, but since she tends to warm up to his rockier/fun songs quicker than me, like HalloweenHead, Magick etc. She thought III/IV sounded strong upon first listen. I guess if you go in wanting the folkier/rootsier side this will likely leave you doubting. I don't know, Ryan's rocking affairs sound to me like him halfway trying and still kicking ass like poeple like the Foo Fighters or Killers or etc wish they could.

Ok, now that I have heard the new record(s) on the ol' vinyl, I'll state my two cents. I hope all of you who were down on this record (before it was even released) give it a proper listen. If not cool, but you may miss out. I think III is really solid, catchy, and focused. IV takes some chances (hits at times, maybe misses at times), but it is not safe at all. I think to listen to this as a proper album, and not do the old it sounds like cast offs, or it sounds great for throwaways, and just view it as a proper release gives it some credence. Who knows, but I'm thrilled to have 21 new tracks to digest. I guess I would say (not having listened to Rock n Roll for a year), that it sounds like a more personal/real/raw version of that record, more range of emotion also. Not that I would have a clue about that though, since I'm not him?

Tom Waits

Bruce Springsteen

Elvis Costello

U2

Radiohead (I completely agree with the comments above regarding this band)

Arcade Fire

Doesn't Kayne go without saying, I mean really folks?

Also leave the Avetts out of this or I will get kind of frustrated!

I think a few of these last posts indicate for me what I get frustrated with. Even though I personally tend to love the majority of what he puts out, by no means do I feel you are not a true fan if you feel some of it is crap. I will only defend his actual "released" output and about 40% of his "unreleased" output.

Also the Neil Young comparison fit for me, but I knew some wouldn't like the comparison. In my mind and how I have been drawn to music, and as much as I love Neil, I'm not going to put him on some untouchable cloud musically just because he got their first and has been around since the dinosaurs. Ryan and Neil have both made 100's of songs that kill me. It is all the same to this dude

The part that frustrates me is the personal part, I don't care how Ryan acts. I really don't. I dig his tunes. Why is he the one rock star whose music sucks more because of his antics. Does Tweedy's music suck more because of any of his stuff, or Keith Richards? You know what I'm saying. For some reason, Ryan pissed off the wrong guy and forever now he is a little child who needs to focus more. It just always gets back to some personal thing that people perceive about Ryan. He is just a dude making songs, and I dig em.

I truly think he believes in his music more than most musicians, and gives it his all, and takes it personal when it is attacked. I don't think he is just posing I guess. But I don't care to analyze it, I just love me some Ryan Adams tunes.

Not to hash out an arguement on what we are hearing from an album that some of us haven't heard, but to defend albums like Cardinology, that record is inspiring to me (not in a uncool/trite way, but in a human way) and that is how I heard it. I don't think I have blinders on with that, even though I'll be the first to admit that my Ryan blinders are probably pretty blinding.

Easy Tiger was the only Ryan record that I struggled with on first listen, maybe 29 also. But both, especially 29 kill me the more I give to them. Now III/IV may be for playful and less moody (haven't heard a second of it) and that may be more challenging for me to connect with, but I'm looking forward to it, no matter who says it sucks.

i disagree with your first sentance. i love ryan adams...and he's my favorite artist out there...but i don't like everything he puts out "no matter what". just because you like somebody doesn't mean you have to like everything they release. i think ryan has put out some shady stuff...but that doesn't mean i want him to stop releasing a ton of stuff...or edit down what he does. i'm sure i'll find treasures within the numerous internet songs or demos or whatever.

Just out of curiosity, which of his proper studio albums would you classify as "shady". Both solo and with Whiskeytown I can't think of any that I wouldn't miss dearly, except for Orion (which I knew going in was probably not my bag, I know nothing about metal and generally don't care to, but it has some fun songs). And even with Orion, it is not like that was promoted as an alt country record. He clearly defined it as what it is and put it out on his own label. To be the music may be less than my favorite but the way he put it out seemed on the up and up.

i agree with you nodep5.

 

Ryan has his own label now so he doesnt have the pressure of putting out records that the record company wants. he puts out his music. it may sound experimental or that he is not serious or fooling around with his voice, but its what he wants to do at that moment.

 

I dont mind that type of musicianship. Jay Farrar doesnt experiment much. Well ok, he put some trumpets/horn section in some of his songs, but they all are in the same neighborhood musically. and that is fine. Ryan has gone to Smiths-type music to Dead music to heavy metal stuff. i think that is cool. IF he kept releasing Heartbreaker records it would be good but at some point, at least me, would want to hear some evolution.

 

The Jayhawks went through this process. Mark Olson left the band and Gary Louris fronted the band. They wrote and released Sound of Lies which was very different from Hollywood Town Hall/Tomorrow the Green Grass.Less folk, more guitar effects/rock. I remember there were a good amount of people not liking the Olson-less, Louris-lead Jayhawks, way more experimentative. Records weren't selling so Louris stripped it down and released Rainy Day Music, much like TTGG and it sold.

 

I give any artist credit for continuing great songwriting in similar fashion or artists recreating themselves and making good music.

Also to his credit, not only does Ryan try on different pants for size, he hits em out of the park IMO. I would rather listen to Ryan doing Gram than Gram doing Gram, or Ryan doing the Smiths than the Smiths ...., you get it. I know people will think this is crap, but this is how it is for me. FWIW, I think Ryan's singing on albums like Cardinology make that album. It sounds to me like he is believing it more than anything else in the world. Sit and listen to Cardinology on headphones, he is letting it go man.

Also FWIW I loved Jayhawks Sound Of Lies. That album and Smile were the ones that hooked me on that band (I'm losing credibility) but anyway.

Now I'm an ultimate fanboy for Ryan, and I have not heard one second of III/IV (patiently awaiting the vinyl arrival in my mailbox), but I personally feel that his entire catalouge (both real/imagined) is a freaking treasure trove. To say his heart isn't in it anymore, or to state that he hasn't made much since the early 2000's that is worthwhile, is wild to these ears. But to each is own, I would think it be sad to haven't fully given time to albums like Love Is Hell/ Cold Roses, or to not find some gems in albums like Easy Tiger or Cardinology, or to write off great rock songs like HalloweenHead or Magick. But to each is own again. The part I do find confusing is that Ryan doesn't get afforded the same treatment that people like Neil Young get (not comparing the two, but for what it is worth, they both have meant a huge deal to me over the years) I love Neil, but if you want to look at someone screwing around on some albums cmon. And when Neil releases Fork In the Road or Trans or whatever, people talk about his artistic sensibilities. God forbid Ryan doesn't release Heartbreaker everytime, he's just screwing around. I know people will post that you can't compare the two, but Ryan has been gracious with his music and he connects with me no matter what style he is into at the time. But that is me I guess. At the end of the day I'm glad he didn't edit himself and listen everytime someone told him to not release this or that. I feel the music world is better off with his output and i'm excited everytime he puts something out. And to these ears, if I want sweet alt country (ryan is my man), if I want easy modern rock (ryan is everything the foo fighters wish they were), if i want sad dopey music (he hits the nail on the head), you get my point, i stop now. Just saying

Wow - what a sad article. I saw him play a few months ago and it was pretty good but a little weird. He played a ton of songs, one right after the other, without stopping. His voice sounded great and it reminded me of how many good songs he has written but he didn't seem all that engaged.

yeah, I don't think I've ever seen Mr. Dando live when it wasn't a little to a lot weird. Saw that article also and it is beyond sad. I've always thought he is hugely underrated and too much focus on his off field issues and not the music. I think his first solo album is top notch, but man he appears to be out there and it sounds awful. But the music speaks for itself in my mind. top notch.