schlitsz
Clever Kid
someone's little brother
Posts: 119
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Post by schlitsz on Apr 10, 2010 17:39:44 GMT -5
I've been walking around the past few days with the closing line "this shouldn't hurt, but you might feel a slight discomfort" stuck in my head constantly. Yeah, I love that too. And I love the bridge lines, "And you say you're a princess/I remain unconvinced/I've seen the guys that you've been with/And they don't seem much like princes." A bunch of other lines in that section I like too. The wit is pretty great in some of the new lyrics. Like in Weekenders the line about "If you swear to keep it decent, yeah I'll come and see you, but it's not gonna be like in romantic comedies." Pretty great stuff. I can understand some points about the ham-handed nature of the self-referential lyrics, like the whole kitchen sequence in "Rock Problems," but I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. Overall, I'm thrilled to be jamming out to new Hold Steady tunes. I like the princess/prince line, too. I just listened to the live show a little while ago and that line makes me laugh. I need to stop listening to the new songs, though, so they don't feel "old" when I get the album. I guess I was like a lot of people on here in that I didn't like all of the songs initially. But after listening to them a few times, I like them all. I will now try my hardest not to listen to anything more until May 4. For the nay-sayers, at least it seems the production will be better on the new album. I know it's been mentioned in this thread that the production was muddled on Sequestered, but all of Stay Positive had that same muddled sound. Ask Her For Adderall kills me because I love that song, but it has the same muddled quality of Sequestered.
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Post by michael13 on Apr 10, 2010 23:08:42 GMT -5
Of the songs "released" so far, I completely agree that they are weak compared to the top songs off the previous four albums. I would say that none of these songs would be in my top 5 of any of the other albums. They all seem to have a new sound, that hasn't grabbed me yet.
Having said that, I went to the shows at Toad's Place and Northampton, and my favorite new songs they played at those shows were "Soft in the Center" and "A Slight Discomfort." Live, I also thought the new "released" songs sounded much better, particularly "Rock Problems."
I still feel that this album has very high potential. Historically, it seems that the first songs on THS albums tend to be very strong (Positive Jam, Hornets, Stations, Constructive), and we still haven't heard "Sweet Part of the City." "The Smidge" got a very good review, and we still have not heard it either. From the live recordings I listened to last fall, I thought "Our Whole Lives" sounded excellent, and I think it will have improved in the studio.
Given this, although I was initially worried, I am very optimistic. I completely understand why jawbone and others are worried, but I think if we wait for these other songs, they may be much better.
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walkincooler
Cityscape Skin
It's like we're not even trying.
Posts: 18
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Post by walkincooler on Apr 10, 2010 23:32:39 GMT -5
As long as everyone else is making their opinions known, guess I'll give it a go. I'm pretty sure I was surfing the Internet drunk the first time I heard Hurricane J, as my (God-aweful) post on a different thread praising the song is evidence of. After plenty of sober listening to all four tracks, I suppose I heard exactly what I expected from this album. I hate Hurricane J; in studio, it sounds like some terrible alt-Christian band recorded overtop Craig (who sounds pretty damn good in that song, actually), and live it just sounds altogether like a trainwreck. I originally began equating Rock Problems to Hot Soft Light, until I realized that it lacked any of the intellectual interspectiveness of anything on BAGiA, and was seriously just power chords and meaningless references; altogether, very dissapointing.
Still, I felt that Craig had something going here, and that this balls-to-the-wall rock/ power teen melopop was hiding some lyrics that were at least decent by Mr. Finn's standards. Next came The Weekenders. For some odd reason, I heard 1998-era Lifter Puller in his melodies in this tune, and I finally felt the band set a reasonable pallette where some intricate wordplay could begin. But Barely Breathing was what I was hoping this album would be. Finn's lyrics are rambling, syncopated, and (save the awkward preaching in the final refrains) mostly stimulating. Without Mr. Mustacheo, I never thought THS would have something along the lines of a clarinet solo on this album, and the horns gave the tune a very Seperation Sunday feel (a sober Cattle and the Creeping Things?).
So, where does this leave the album? Considering I have heard now all songs (in some manifestation or another) save Sweet Part of the City and The Smidge, I don't think I'll give the album that masterful of a rating. However, considering the fact that we heard Barely Breathing later than some of the songs I hated, I'm hoping Craig and Tad will lay off of the throwback classic rawk and gives us something closer to progression in the years to come. Hopefully this is a transitionary album, and not part of a new THS that favors Cheap Trick references over actual storytelling...
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Post by heidivandernice, nice on Apr 10, 2010 23:35:09 GMT -5
i disagree too. who are all you people!?
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Sunny D
Midnight Hauler
"We've gotta try a little harder..."
Posts: 1,900
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Post by Sunny D on Apr 11, 2010 1:17:48 GMT -5
The one thing I hate about music is the fact that subjective topics are constantly spoken about objectively.
That and recording with my crappy mic. So much background noise.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2010 2:24:14 GMT -5
of course you're going to like the old stuff better when you see a band live - you've lived with it more. this isn't a new thing, and its why bands are always making 'here's a new song. take a bathroom break' jokes. especially in a band like THS, where the lyrics are dense and there are lots of singalong bits. give it time!
i love love love love love Rock Problems. hell when i here Southern Girls i start to think that song more then the original. it captures alot of shit that just makes sense to me, plus its got digs at music critics and all the old references and... yeah
Hurricane J is mostly weaker but the 'They didn't name her for a saint/they named her for a storm' bit is amazing
Weekenders is... yeah. not too sure about that. as much as we can all relate to the problems suffered by psychic teenagers I'm not sure non-graduates of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters will get as much out of it but seriously lyrically it does feel a bit too self referential, like you need to know the whole story from their previous albums. but maybe it'll work better on record... and it does have some killer, killer lines
we can't judge this album until we here it. I'm worried about the self-referentiality... it's killing Gaslight Anthem three albums in. you need new stuff or you just recycle the past
on the other hand Hurricane J and Rock Problems... man
let's buy the album and judge it then
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stevedave
True Scene Leader
Makin' meals out of marzipan
Posts: 747
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Post by stevedave on Apr 11, 2010 5:12:34 GMT -5
Can I chime in? These 4 songs we've heard so far are the most fun I've had with music in months.
The Weekenders sounds like something from 1988 Big Rock Radio (like a Cheap Trick, Van Hagar, INXS, Whitesnake hybrid). Compliments don't come any higher from the SteveDave Cave.
Rock Problems is my fave so far. A riff like that just does everything I want a pop song to do. And the lyrics are hilarious. Full on Monster Monster Pop Rock.
Barely Breathing is a real growth for the band. It sounds like no other track they've done before. And not in a kooky "we found a new keyboard effect" way (I'm looking at you Navy Sheets). It's structured different. It has layers. It fits with They Might Be Giants and Barenakedladies as much as Violent Femmes and Ted Leo.
Hurricane J is a perfect single. Just perfect. I had the first big barbecue of the summer last night and it got played about 6 times (not all by me). Put a beer in your hand and the smell of burning food on top of your sun tan and that song is perfection. My only criticism is the first chord. it sounds like it's cut in a second later than the band started playing (maybe this works well on the album)
This stuff is to be enjoyed thusly. What really gets me jumping is we haven't even heard The Smidge yet. How great is the Smidge going to be? With a title like that. Thhhheee SmiDGE! Bring that shit on.
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Post by hollywasahoodrat on Apr 11, 2010 9:00:44 GMT -5
Can I chime in? These 4 songs we've heard so far are the most fun I've had with music in months. The Weekenders sounds like something from 1988 Big Rock Radio (like a Cheap Trick, Van Hagar, INXS, Whitesnake hybrid). Compliments don't come any higher from the SteveDave Cave. Rock Problems is my fave so far. A riff like that just does everything I want a pop song to do. And the lyrics are hilarious. Full on Monster Monster Pop Rock. Barely Breathing is a real growth for the band. It sounds like no other track they've done before. And not in a kooky "we found a new keyboard effect" way (I'm looking at you Navy Sheets). It's structured different. It has layers. It fits with They Might Be Giants and Barenakedladies as much as Violent Femmes and Ted Leo. Hurricane J is a perfect single. Just perfect. I had the first big barbecue of the summer last night and it got played about 6 times (not all by me). Put a beer in your hand and the smell of burning food on top of your sun tan and that song is perfection. My only criticism is the first chord. it sounds like it's cut in a second later than the band started playing (maybe this works well on the album) This stuff is to be enjoyed thusly. What really gets me jumping is we haven't even heard The Smidge yet. How great is the Smidge going to be? With a title like that. Thhhheee SmiDGE! Bring that shit on. that's a more educated way of what i was saying what my dad pointed out about SS, BAGIA, and SP(he hasnt listened to much of AKM) was that SP was great because every song sounded different whereas SS has a lot of the same qualities (classic rock riffs, anthemic background music, sing-speak, etc.) all 4 of these songs sound different and great at the same time, it's a real evolution in their sound and while the self-referential stuff is a bit mundane, i wouldn't ask for any more from hold steady
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cps138
Cityscape Skin
Posts: 9
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Post by cps138 on Apr 11, 2010 10:27:19 GMT -5
I agree with everyone who stresses the fact that we might need to relax a little about the new songs. Everything I've heard has been good to great, and on par with earlier releases. Not every song (or album) is going to "change" music or be transcendent on some level. Most of the new stuff is fun in a way that only THS songs are, and a few of them -- "Weekenders," "A Slight Discomfort," and "We Can Get Together" -- definitely fit into the canon of other THS tracks. I'm enjoying the return to a guitar-based sound, especially since SP continued so much along the same lines as BAGIA.
I saw THS when there was less than 100 people in the audience, and I've seen them where there were 1000s of people in attendance. The band is more popular. The band is not going to make the same album over and over. That's it. Either listen to them or don't. It's that simple. But I doubt you'll find very many other bands making rock 'n' roll music in the same vein.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2010 18:12:23 GMT -5
screw getting real. Let's get incredible!
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Post by Andy on Apr 11, 2010 19:25:41 GMT -5
screw getting real. Let's get incredible! +1
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bigrob
Midnight Hauler
i guess i knew it was coming
Posts: 1,352
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Post by bigrob on Apr 11, 2010 19:33:16 GMT -5
screw getting real. Let's get incredible! +1 +100000000000000000000000000
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Post by WhiskeyDaisy on Apr 11, 2010 20:38:33 GMT -5
screw getting real. Let's get incredible! I Love You. XOXOXO WD
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Post by salparadisio on Apr 11, 2010 23:18:50 GMT -5
I like music. I like The Hold Steady.
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stevedave
True Scene Leader
Makin' meals out of marzipan
Posts: 747
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Post by stevedave on Apr 12, 2010 1:51:24 GMT -5
I like music. I like The Hold Steady. There are nights when I think this guys is right.
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Post by delboydrums on Apr 12, 2010 4:58:06 GMT -5
All 3 songs still really growing on me.
Woke up with Hurricane J really stuck in my head this morning, which is a good sign.
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bigontheinside
Midnight Hauler
If you don't know the words, don't sing along
Posts: 1,478
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Post by bigontheinside on Apr 12, 2010 7:17:59 GMT -5
This page is filled with amazing posts. Sorry this one isn't really... I just sampled all the album on iTunes (you only get 30 seconds, but it's worth it), and it sounds goddamn fantastic! Very polished sound, you might be surprised when you hear the studio versions of the live tracks. I got goosebumps as soon as I put on A Slight Discomfort. However, those expecting another Stations or Constructive as an opener might be disappointed - The Sweet Part Of The City has a sort of country feel. Still sounds really, really good, though! Reminds me a bit of DBT and Wilco. Soft In The Centre has a good chance of becoming my favourite. Loved the live recording and it sounds fantastic here too. There seems to be a lot of backing vocals - lots of ooooohs and ahhhhhs. Sounds good. Only worry is that they might be mixed a little too high. I can't believe I got that from 30 seconds of each song... 3 WEEKS TO GO! (for us UKers)
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Post by roboreckles on Apr 12, 2010 8:11:38 GMT -5
I like Hurricane J, the Weekenders and I LOVED Our Whole Lives and Going on a Hike.
I'll skip Barely Breathing and Rock Problems when the album hits, most likely.
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bigontheinside
Midnight Hauler
If you don't know the words, don't sing along
Posts: 1,478
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Post by bigontheinside on Apr 12, 2010 8:41:54 GMT -5
But Barely Breathing be brilliant!
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Brian_NJ
Clever Kid
Who the hell is the blue guy?
Posts: 85
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Post by Brian_NJ on Apr 12, 2010 10:22:24 GMT -5
Rock Problems is my fave so far. A riff like that just does everything I want a pop song to do. And the lyrics are hilarious. I agree--maybe it'll eventually prove to be the "comic relief" on the album, but I love "Rock Problems" and I don't think I've ever listened to a new song as many times as I've listened to this in the last few weeks. Of the four "singles", "Hurricane J" is the only one I'm having trouble loving. It reminds me a little of "Magazines", which coincidentally is one of the few Stay Pos tracks I don't love. Kind of like a "THS-Lite" sound. edit: apologies for using too many "quotes" in this post.
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Post by Fine Malt Lyrics on Apr 12, 2010 11:20:56 GMT -5
To me it sounds like they deliberately honed in on elements from BAGIA (tight songwriting, pop sensiblity) and Sep Sunday (big riffs, hyper-literacy) and tried to stay within those parameters - sure, there's some new effects, but they are complimentary to the overall feel. That's why I think this is going to be a better, more cohesive album than Stay Positive, which to me suffered from a lack of focus. So far I like what I'm hearing. I'm glad they didn't go off and try to reinvent themselves. Good bands don't reinvent themselves or get lost in the weeds trying to 'get more creative'; they just do what it is that they do better than they did it before. To me, the new stuff sounds like a good band getting better.
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Post by holdsteadycanada on Apr 12, 2010 12:00:46 GMT -5
From what I know of the Hold Steady this is how these songs and lyrics came together.
Finn wrote down some kick ass lyrics. And Tad Shredded a kick ass guitar riff and POW you got yourslef a tune.
I don't think they tried going commerical, or vintage. I think they played what sounds good, If they lyrics worked and if it was catchy.
I Love The Hold Steady no matter what! So screw off HIW Haters!
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Post by kojiroshinkara on Apr 12, 2010 12:47:20 GMT -5
I'm really digging Rock Problems. The first time I heard that riff I ripped my audio cable from speakers, hooked it into a 400W amp and just blasted it for a half hour. Hurricane J is a fun song, I enjoy it a lot, and the Weekenders can be a bit hard to get into for me. But on that, I listen to the instruments first and feel the flow of that, then I get into the lyrics. I'm not really diggin Barely Breathing, it's a good song, but it feels like it was produced to play on the radio and grab people there. Not bad for the band I suppose, but bad for the hipsters who don't like bands when they're popular.
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Post by ahub1087 on Apr 12, 2010 14:06:21 GMT -5
This page is filled with amazing posts. Sorry this one isn't really... I just sampled all the album on iTunes (you only get 30 seconds, but it's worth it), and it sounds goddamn fantastic! Very polished sound, you might be surprised when you hear the studio versions of the live tracks. I got goosebumps as soon as I put on A Slight Discomfort. However, those expecting another Stations or Constructive as an opener might be disappointed - The Sweet Part Of The City has a sort of country feel. Still sounds really, really good, though! Reminds me a bit of DBT and Wilco. Soft In The Centre has a good chance of becoming my favourite. Loved the live recording and it sounds fantastic here too. There seems to be a lot of backing vocals - lots of ooooohs and ahhhhhs. Sounds good. Only worry is that they might be mixed a little too high. I can't believe I got that from 30 seconds of each song... 3 WEEKS TO GO! (for us UKers) I don't think you can do that on the US iTunes. Damn...
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stevedave
True Scene Leader
Makin' meals out of marzipan
Posts: 747
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Post by stevedave on Apr 12, 2010 14:09:35 GMT -5
I just did what Bigontheinside suggested and listened to 30 seconds of every track. The Smidge sounds bloody amazing! The two bonus tracks do too.
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