street spirit Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 so... what do you all think? my brief summation is: awesome, as usual. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blue_94_trooper Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 so... what do you all think? my brief summation is: awesome, as usual. On first listen I'd say you're correct. Just starting it up again for listen number 2. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solace Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 very great record... would say i'm enjoying it a tad less on initial listens than the previous 3, but it's early definitely not quite as anthemic and there's 2-3 songs i'm just not digging much at all yet, but plenty of awesomeness indeed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blue_94_trooper Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 i'm enjoying it a tad less Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Degenerex Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Rapidshare? I'd love you forever Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 It's pretty freaking terrific. Like I said, it's going to take a while to absorb the lyrics, but if I'm enjoyign it this much without the lyrics being absorbed, it can only get better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Killer Whales Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 I really love the album. Not as great as BAGIA, but it's probably my 2nd favorite Hold Steady album. I really hate Navy Sheets, but songs like Magazines, Yeah Sapphire, Constructive Summer, and Lord I'm Discouraged are just classic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blue_94_trooper Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 I really hate Navy Sheets, Is it the cheesy ELP synth? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Killer Whales Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Is it the cheesy ELP synth? Besides that, the song is just a total mess in almost every regard (The bridge is pretty cool). Plus, I think the lyrics are mostly throw-away one liners. In general, it's definitely the Same Kooks of this album, except without a bitchin' organ solo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solace Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 i'd have to agree w/ you... definitely a total mess, but the cheesey synth doesn't help not big on One For The Cutters (mostly the harpsichord) or Both Crosses really either. the latter at least has good lyrics. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Killer Whales Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 i'd have to agree w/ you... definitely a total mess, but the cheesey synth doesn't help not big on One For The Cutters (mostly the harpsichord) or Both Crosses really either. the latter at least has good lyrics. Once you get past the awkward harpsichord opening, One for the Cutters is actually really great, especially lyrically. Not surprisingly, the more traditional songs are the best ones on the album because the band just sounds comfortable. Still a great album though Quote Link to post Share on other sites
So Long Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Once you get past the awkward harpsichord opening, One for the Cutters is actually really great, especially lyrically. Not surprisingly, the more traditional songs are the best ones on the album because the band just sounds comfortable. Still a great album though shut up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
greg Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 i actually like one for the cutters, although the harpsichord is a wee bit off but love the line "if i townie falls in the woods does it make a sound." all in all, and this is after only a few listens, i would have to say this is their weakest thus far. still dig it, mind you, but like kyle said its not as anthemic which is really their bread and butter. i'm sure it will grow on me. i hope. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solace Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 i'd say it's my least favorite at this point too, but least favorite is relative, i certainly wouldn't call it weak or weakest Quote Link to post Share on other sites
greg Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 weak is relative too, sir. but yeah its my least favorite, but as i stated still a good record. just doesnt flow very well. maybe if i changed up the track listing it may work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wilco LP #7 Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 I'd kill to have this album. PM me, yeah? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Killer Whales Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 weak is relative too, sir. but yeah its my least favorite, but as i stated still a good record. just doesnt flow very well. maybe if i changed up the track listing it may work. I agree it doesn't flow very well. One of the best parts of BAGIA is how after First Night, they hit you with 3 really great anthems in a row. It seems like every time the band gets something good going, they throw a stick in the spokes. Enough of the negativity though. I do wanna say how much I love some of these songs. Constructive Summer is a perfect call-to-arms opener, and a really great soundtrack to the beginning of my summer vacation. Yeah Sapphire and Magazines are some of the poppiest songs they've ever done, but I love them both. His vocals are so strong on this album, and the lyrics are taking some real steps in other directions after 3 albums of similar themes. One for the Cutters is the most comprehensible story he's written, and he's relying less on repetitive one liners and catch phrases. Also, I really love how many of the songs view youth in America not from the eyes of someone in the scene, but from people who left the town they grew up in and are home (for the holidays? the summer?). It's a really cool perspective and I'm looking forward to getting more into the lyrics, because I think they're some of his best I also may be in the minority here, but I don't love their first 2 albums. I only like about half of each of them, but I have a hard time taking them in a whole. It's probably a combination of the speaking vocals and the songs all sounding kind of similar. Therefore, Stay Positive holds a very comfortable 2nd place in my Hold Steady rankings. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cre618 Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 I also may be in the minority here, but I don't love their first 2 albums. I only like about half of each of them, but I have a hard time taking them in a whole. It's probably a combination of the speaking vocals and the songs all sounding kind of similar. Therefore, Stay Positive holds a very comfortable 2nd place in my Hold Steady rankings. I'm in the same boat. Although #2 has grown on me and lately I've been playing Charlemagne in Sweatpants more than the entire BAGIA. I can't stop listening to Sequestered, so I'm pretty excited to give this one a listen. Jack Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 God damn, this is a rock and roll band. You just don't hear riffs with this kind of swagger anymore. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spawn's dad Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 do you think the rest of the band covers his mirrors so he doesn't realize he isn't 17 anymore? it's so weird to hear a fat thirty year old guy singing about drinking on top of a water tower Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solace Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 hm... how is craig even close to "fat" really? prolly weighs all of 165, maybe 170 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
myboyblue Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Probably could be a fat guy if he wasn't a rock star. That said, I'd like to see a few songs about something other than drug/alcohol imbibement this go around. He is a great lyricist but a bit too singularly focused for me thus far. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
1212 Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 I'd really like this album!!!Can anyone pm a Libble invite or something please? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
greg Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Probably could be a fat guy if he wasn't a rock star. That said, I'd like to see a few songs about something other than drug/alcohol imbibement this go around. He is a great lyricist but a bit too singularly focused for me thus far. so very true. he's got normal beer loving guy syndrome, or maybe i just do. if he werent playing everying other night and such he definitely would have a few more lb's on him. i do love the song 'stay positive' it makes me not feel so old... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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