Best Ever Albums

Re: Round 1: Helena Deland v. The Innocence Mission

baystateoftheart — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 20:02:02 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 07/27/2021 00:02

See You Tomorrow defeats Someone New 12-9 to advance to the sweet sixteen.

Re: Round 1: Helena Deland v. The Innocence Mission

cestuneblague — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 11:13:30 GMT

Author: cestuneblague

Posted: 07/22/2021 15:13

Some nice sweet nothings, I prefer the full-album feel of Innocence Mission over a couple standout tracks in Deland.

Re: Round 1: Helena Deland v. The Innocence Mission

LedZep — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 09:59:32 GMT

Author: LedZep

Posted: 07/18/2021 13:59

That Innocence Mission album is lovely! Easy vote as I didn't really connect with Helena Deland's songwriting. I've heard of Innocence Mission before but this is my first try at one of their albums and I'm excited to listen to earlier stuff. Thanks for nominating it craola.

Re: Round 1: Helena Deland v. The Innocence Mission

baystateoftheart — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 19:11:59 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 07/17/2021 23:11

The title track of Someone New is the best song in this matchup, and the only track I can see myself returning to semi-regularly. Just a great song. There are a bunch of other very good songs on the album too, but unfortunately it's too front-loaded and contains some filler. The second-half fade brings it to a light 3.5/5. See You Tomorrow is a more consistent record, which is a double-edged sword. While the vocals and instrumentals are beautiful, there are no real standout tracks, leading to a better but less memorable listening experience. This is the second album I've heard from The Innocence Mission, and I prefer their 1995 indie pop effort Glow. Just like Deland's album, their 2020 project gets a light 3.5/5, enough for my vote by a hair.

Re: Round 1: Helena Deland v. The Innocence Mission

Repo — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 09:21:08 GMT

Author: Repo

Posted: 07/14/2021 13:21

meccalecca wrote:

If Craola hadn't nominated it, I may have nominated See You Tomorrow rather than Red Sun Through Smoke. I listened to no band more than the Innocence Mission in 2020. Karen Peris' precious voice is transcendent, and the slow, melancholy arrangements are beyond thoughtful. The Innocence Mission formed in the late 80s, and carved out a sound all their own. Some of their earliest stuff still reminds me of the Sundays' magical dream pop that came a few years later. They've steadily released exquisite records that fall just beneath the radar while continuing to please their devoted fan base (which includes Sufjan Stevens), and their most recent 2 albums may very well be the best of their 30+ years. This is some of the most emotionally pleasing songs I've ever heard. Peris' voice can bring me on the verge of tears while simultaneously comforting me.

Totally! The Innocence Mission are too under appreciated considering their INCREDIBLE discography.

Both of these LPs are endlessly listenable and total keeps, but The Innocence Mission are just too important and dear to me not to get the nod here.

Re: Round 1: Helena Deland v. The Innocence Mission

meccalecca — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 16:42:09 GMT

Author: meccalecca

Posted: 07/13/2021 20:42

If Craola hadn't nominated it, I may have nominated See You Tomorrow rather than Red Sun Through Smoke. I listened to no band more than the Innocence Mission in 2020. Karen Peris' precious voice is transcendent, and the slow, melancholy arrangements are beyond thoughtful. The Innocence Mission formed in the late 80s, and carved out a sound all their own. Some of their earliest stuff still reminds me of the Sundays' magical dream pop that came a few years later. They've steadily released exquisite records that fall just beneath the radar while continuing to please their devoted fan base (which includes Sufjan Stevens), and their most recent 2 albums may very well be the best of their 30+ years. This is some of the most emotionally pleasing songs I've ever heard. Peris' voice can bring me on the verge of tears while simultaneously comforting me.

The Helena Deland album is nice, but comes nowhere near the transcendence I get from See You Tomorrow.

Re: Round 1: Helena Deland v. The Innocence Mission

EyeKanFly — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 13:40:04 GMT

Author: EyeKanFly

Posted: 07/13/2021 17:40

Agreed that these 2 albums are very similar. In a way, I guess that made it easier to pick one. They were both very appealing, but I think I prefer Deland's voice slightly more, and the backing instrumentation was very good as well.

I voted for Helena Deland but am happy to have listened to The Innocence Mission as well. Both were new to me and I'm glad I got to enjoy to each.

Re: Round 1: Helena Deland v. The Innocence Mission

RoundTheBend — Sun, 11 Jul 2021 16:26:25 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 07/11/2021 20:26

this is a really tough matchup actually... They are very similar imo. Both saturated with melancholy. Musically similar... idk... I might just have to listen more.

Re: Round 1: Helena Deland v. The Innocence Mission

craola — Mon, 5 Jul 2021 20:09:50 GMT

Author: craola

Posted: 07/06/2021 00:09

I nominated it, but I just got to say this Innocence Mission record does things to me that Helena’s album doesn’t do to me. Innocence, no contest for me.

Re: Round 1: Helena Deland v. The Innocence Mission

kokkinos — Sun, 4 Jul 2021 15:37:26 GMT

Author: kokkinos

Posted: 07/04/2021 19:37

Helena Deland is a charmer, can’t explain how or why, but it is what it is.
See You Tomorrow was ok, but didn't stand out in any particular way for me.
Someone New gets my vote.

Re: Round 1: Helena Deland v. The Innocence Mission

Fischman — Thu, 1 Jul 2021 19:10:04 GMT

Author: Fischman

Posted: 07/01/2021 23:10

The Innocence Mission is more attractive to my ear.

Round 1: Helena Deland v. The Innocence Mission

baystateoftheart — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 18:21:20 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 06/28/2021 22:21

Seed #19:

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Someone New by Helena Deland

Nominated by: revolver94
Genres [RYM]: Indie Pop

Seed #20:

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See You Tomorrow by The Innocence Mission

Nominated by: craola
Genres [RYM]: Indie Folk, Folk Pop

Instructions:

If you have not already, please listen to both albums in full before voting. Share your thoughts and/or your vote in this thread. This poll will be tallied in no fewer than twenty-eight days. See Tournament Spreadsheet for the full bracket.