Texture and mood on HIW

[doctoracula]

Listening to the album at work today, something clicked and I had a better understanding of what I like about it so much – the new sense of texture and atmosphere. Someone in another thread said parts of the record remind them of Sigur Ros, and I definitely see that now. Not so much that it SOUNDS LIKE Sigur Ros songs, but there’s that open space that THS songs generally don’t have. Specifically in parts like the endings of “Barely Breathing” and “A Slight Discomfort”, there’s a lot of layering and textures under vocal repetition that sets a really cool mood. The vocals become a sort of mantra (Shelter pun not intended) while the music builds and shifts. It’s there in “We Can Get Together” too, in place of the guitar solo. Those are the most prominent examples I can think of, and I think that’s what makes the album sound like such departure for the band. They’re usually much more straightforward and linear in songwriting, and to have more droney, layered parts is new. It’s also really exciting. They’re proving they can do subtle textures just as well as big, loud rock anthems. This sort of songwriting isn’t as immediately accessible, that’s why I think initial reactions are so lukewarm. Give it time. the more I listen, the more I recognize how incredibly well crafted the LP is.


Another thought that has nothing to do with this – “A Slight Discomfort” is the anti-“How a Resurrection Really Feels.” And it’s just as affecting.

[theriver]

Apr 22, 2010 18:03:09 GMT -5 doctoracula said:

Listening to the album at work today, something clicked and I had a better understanding of what I like about it so much – the new sense of texture and atmosphere. Someone in another thread said parts of the record remind them of Sigur Ros, and I definitely see that now. Not so much that it SOUNDS LIKE Sigur Ros songs, but there’s that open space that THS songs generally don’t have. Specifically in parts like the endings of “Barely Breathing” and “A Slight Discomfort”, there’s a lot of layering and textures under vocal repetition that sets a really cool mood. The vocals become a sort of mantra (Shelter pun not intended) while the music builds and shifts. It’s there in “We Can Get Together” too, in place of the guitar solo. Those are the most prominent examples I can think of, and I think that’s what makes the album sound like such departure for the band. They’re usually much more straightforward and linear in songwriting, and to have more droney, layered parts is new. It’s also really exciting. They’re proving they can do subtle textures just as well as big, loud rock anthems. This sort of songwriting isn’t as immediately accessible, that’s why I think initial reactions are so lukewarm. Give it time. the more I listen, the more I recognize how incredibly well crafted the LP is.


Another thought that has nothing to do with this – “A Slight Discomfort” is the anti-“How a Resurrection Really Feels.” And it’s just as affecting.

It was me who said that. You put it into words far better than I could. The part which most reminds of Sigur Ros is the second half/ending of Slight Discomfort. I can't fully place my finger on it, but I think, like you said, it's the space, the layering and the general shifting of the music. It just creates such an atmosphere.

The more I listen, the more this is turning into a close-run favourite record. I realise that may not go down too well, but I definately think it has potential.

[crimenotes]

I'm liking it better than anything they've done since Separation Sunday. It's not as rowdy or catchy as Boys and Girls or Stay Positive, but goddamn, it has heart. As much as I love the last two albums, they were a little more arm's length. HIW has everything that made me love this band in the first place.

When it comes out, I'm going to listen to it, like, 10 times a day for a week.

[mcstevepants]

For sure. The moodiness in A Slight Discomfort is incredible.

and it seems like Ascension Blues has that same vibe, judging from the clip.

[doctoracula]

Apr 22, 2010 20:00:37 GMT -5 mcstevepants said:

and it seems like Ascension Blues has that same vibe, judging from the clip.

i cant wait to get that 7"