So this is pretty cool. This is Sam Lee reviving a bunch of old folk songs he learned from traveling Gypsies and arranging them in a way that draws from all kinds of influences, some perfect blend between eastern and western music. His band consists of a cello, a trumpet, a violin, percussion, and even a koto. So yea, I haven't heard too many albums like this, kind of has a Scott Walker vibe to it (probably just Lee's baritone voice that makes me think that). _________________ Progressive Rock
JMan, JMan, you're taste in music never "improves", nobody's does. It just evolves as you listen to more and more different styles & visons. It just isn't healthy to think what you liked in the past isn't as worthwhile cuz it may be less popular to your peers, and whatever is popular with them right now is something you have to like more. Always be true to yourself, but as you have shown, a willingness to try new things and expand your horizons is always healthy and encouraged. Just don't think you have to let go of old favorites (and similar new ones) to enjoy what else is out there.
Perfectly stated.
I think it's important to realize that we all hear and perceive music differently for a variety of reasons. And throughout our lives the perceptions change due to a variety of factors.
For example. Jman, you love the Decemberists new album. I think it's partially due to fact that you're hearing the band with fresh ears, having never heard anything else by the band previously. Some of us started listening to them over a decade ago, and over time grew tired of their sound. And this isn't to say the new record is not as good as past records. It's to say as listeners, their sound no longer has the same freshness it once did years ago.
On another note, I think we're also often drawn to albums that we may find on our own, without help. I know that when I was out every night in NYC seeing unknown bands, their obscurity and freshness may have enhanced the things I liked about them. There's a certain positive feeling connected to knowing about something that has yet to be critiqued/hyped to death. I honestly enjoyed The Drums far more when they were a band I had booked and no one knew than after the wave of hype came, and everyone was talking about them.
I can also guarantee that Happy likes that Modest Mouse album more than he probably should because he approached it with the excitement of a fan still hanging on their every note as if it were God's word. And I'm sure I've done the same with my own idolized bands.
It's all of this that makes objective attempts at critiquing art such a failed exercise.
There's albums I connected deeply with as a kid that I can no longer listen to because they feel juvenile. But kids need music to connect to, so there's nothing wrong with music being juvenile (unless it's made by 50 yr old pedos). _________________ http://jonnyleather.com
RockyRaccoonIs it solipsistic in here or is it just me?ModeratorProfile Maryland
I can also guarantee that Happy likes that Modest Mouse album more than he probably should because he approached it with the excitement of a fan still hanging on their every note as if it were God's word. And I'm sure I've done the same with my own idolized bands.
I tend to do that with all the bands I idolize. Whenever there's a new TMOE, Avett Brothers or Ben Folds album, the fact that it's a musician/band I love so much often enhances the listening experience. _________________ Progressive Rock
I think it's important to realize that we all hear and perceive music differently for a variety of reasons. And throughout our lives the perceptions change due to a variety of factors.
For example. Jman, you love the Decemberists new album. I think it's partially due to fact that you're hearing the band with fresh ears, having never heard anything else by the band previously. Some of us started listening to them over a decade ago, and over time grew tired of their sound. And this isn't to say the new record is not as good as past records. It's to say as listeners, their sound no longer has the same freshness it once did years ago.
On another note, I think we're also often drawn to albums that we may find on our own, without help. I know that when I was out every night in NYC seeing unknown bands, their obscurity and freshness may have enhanced the things I liked about them. There's a certain positive feeling connected to knowing about something that has yet to be critiqued/hyped to death. I honestly enjoyed The Drums far more when they were a band I had booked and no one knew than after the wave of hype came, and everyone was talking about them.
I can also guarantee that Happy likes that Modest Mouse album more than he probably should because he approached it with the excitement of a fan still hanging on their every note as if it were God's word. And I'm sure I've done the same with my own idolized bands.
It's all of this that makes objective attempts at critiquing art such a failed exercise.
There's albums I connected deeply with as a kid that I can no longer listen to because they feel juvenile. But kids need music to connect to, so there's nothing wrong with music being juvenile (unless it's made by 50 yr old pedos).
I can't pin point for the life of me why I feel so negative reading this. It some how feels extremely cynical despite having pieces of valid advice amongst it. 🤔
meccaleccaVoice of ReasonProfile The Land of Enchantment
I can't pin point for the life of me why I feel so negative reading this. It some how feels extremely cynical despite having pieces of valid advice amongst it. :-k
It's your cynical feelings about me clouding your perception of what I've written. _________________ http://jonnyleather.com
JMan, JMan, you're taste in music never "improves", nobody's does. It just evolves as you listen to more and more different styles & visons. It just isn't healthy to think what you liked in the past isn't as worthwhile cuz it may be less popular to your peers, and whatever is popular with them right now is something you have to like more. Always be true to yourself, but as you have shown, a willingness to try new things and expand your horizons is always healthy and encouraged. Just don't think you have to let go of old favorites (and similar new ones) to enjoy what else is out there.
That's not the point I'm trying to get across. I'm saying I wish some more people saw what I saw in albums like "Styrofoam Tombstone" or "On the Essence of the Indomitable Spirit." No way in hell I would let go of my faves like Invisible Touch, Blue, The Crystal Method, and others.
That's not the point I'm trying to get across. I'm saying I wish some more people saw what I saw in albums like "Styrofoam Tombstone" or "On the Essence of the Indomitable Spirit." No way in hell I would let go of my faves like Invisible Touch, Blue, The Crystal Method, and others.
I think most of your favorite "Bandcamp" albums are really obscure in general, and it takes time for people to come up with good explanations on what makes them special. The importance of criticism is that it helps these albums get these appraisals faster through word-of-mouth, especially if it's from a voice people trust like Fantano.
That being said, I think that a lot of the points you make about these records SHOULD be more widely trusted. Even though "Glass Bad Ass" is a genuinely horrible song on Styrofoam Tombstone, the rest of the album has this unstoppable energy to it much like Cage the Elephant's debut did late last decade. The question critics need to assess, though, is whether they are merely imitating the sound or speaking on something truly greater within grunge's history.
The Deer album, on the other hand, really does get at something truly transcendental, and it makes perfect sense that it was once your favorite album of the year.
I think most of your favorite "Bandcamp" albums are really obscure in general, and it takes time for people to come up with good explanations on what makes them special. The importance of criticism is that it helps these albums get these appraisals faster through word-of-mouth, especially if it's from a voice people trust like Fantano.
That being said, I think that a lot of the points you make about these records SHOULD be more widely trusted. Even though "Glass Bad Ass" is a genuinely horrible song on Styrofoam Tombstone, the rest of the album has this unstoppable energy to it much like Cage the Elephant's debut did late last decade. The question critics need to assess, though, is whether they are merely imitating the sound or speaking on something truly greater within grunge's history.
The Deer album, on the other hand, really does get at something truly transcendental, and it makes perfect sense that it was once your favorite album of the year.
I'm sorry, you think that song was horrible? I guess I like to for the reason you might hate it. I'm assuming this here, but I think the reason is their influences from bands of the past and their recent contributions to the underground grunge community lean more toward them mixing both, and somewhat succeeding. Really, it's not just that the album imitates the bands. The fact they live in the past with a versatile vocalist and do good jobs at these "imitations" is empowered by their spirit, which is something not every album has. As for Glass Bad Ass, my personal favorite on the album, the band's trying to prove they have a sense of diversity and skill in multiple areas. And from a personal opinion, Glass Bad Ass succeeded at a fun, little, not too serious impersonation of Rolling Stones. I guess the song's flaw is that most of the album's songs are a bit serious and this playful track was too early in the album to contradict it.
What you need to keep in mind is it's an indie album, not an album trying to be an addition to grunge. It's a debut EP, so the short introduction is possibly meant to tell people that the band is going for more than just one style, and for their whole level of fanhood. The album is not trying to be one thing. Glass bad Ass is not a grunge song, it's a bluesy rock song with some definite Rolling Stones vibes. Some of the album's grunge, some is indie, some is alternative, and one is Rolling Stones. Heck, they even mention that on their offical website.
Last edited by JMan on 04/03/2015 21:20; edited 2 times in total
Am I the only one that thinks Kintsugi is excellent? I kinda hated it at first, but came up on it a lot.
As much as I absolutely love DCFC, I have to regretfully say that this is their first album to really disappoint me. All 7 albums before this are at least an 8.0 in my book, but at best Kintsugi feels like a high 6. It starts out pretty well with the best 2 songs on the whole album, but nothing else really grabs me. Plus, this is the first album of theirs with songs that I actively dislike and feel inclined to skip, "Ingenue" is the worst Death Cab song ever released.
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