Messing with the Settings

[tbob]

Ok, so that’s just great.
Love the juxtaposition between how much he’s singing the harmony in the chorus, maybe as harmonious as he’s ever been, next to the God in Chicago style spoken word verses.
I’m only three listens in so I’ll need to concentrate on the story more. I just keep hearing “train” a lot because I love trains!
Quick summation though, everything I hoped for and more.

[tbob]

The line about modern European history and her trying to hold on to her baby is brilliant, then the partners in crime going to the taverns.
Peerless.

[muzzleofbees]

Really, really beautiful. God In Chicago 2.0.

[muzzleofbees]

…and here’s news on the album, coming out in May

www.stereogum.com/2180903/craig-finn-messing-with-the-settings/music/amp/

[sequesteredinuk]

My late mother used to always tell me "Always speak your mind Bill, no matter how unpopular it may make you, you'll sleep better at night"...good advice, she knew a thing or two about a thing or two for sure.

I hate it. The back up singer(s) repeating 'sometimes I feel like I'm riding a train on my own' is excruciating.

Feel free to sue me anyone, you can serve me the papers at the Chats gig tonight when I'm on smoko.

[robs]

I see the pre-sale is up. Can anyone remember from previous albums whether there is separate UK pre-sale?

[john k]

Chats played a blinder in Dublin the other night

[bigontheinside]

Beautiful. Love it. Bring on the album

[tbob]

Mar 25, 2022 5:16:09 GMT -5 sequesteredinuk said:

My late mother used to always tell me "Always speak your mind Bill, no matter how unpopular it may make you, you'll sleep better at night"...good advice, she knew a thing or two about a thing or two for sure.

I hate it. The back up singer(s) repeating 'sometimes I feel like I'm riding a train on my own' is excruciating.

Feel free to sue me anyone, you can serve me the papers at the Chats gig tonight when I'm on smoko.

Maybe it’s because I always ride trains on my own, but that lyric speaks to me.
My bucket list is full of Orient Express / London to Fort William trips. Especially the latter!
I love Tom Waits and I feel almost embarrassed to say how much I love Downtown Train. It’s not his greatest work but it’s Tom Waits and it’s romantic and it has a train.

[sequesteredinuk]

Yeah Tbob, I can see the appeal of the imagery of riding a train alone. Going Nowhere by Oasis, Downbound train by Bruce, two examples of train riding in a troubled wilderness, I get it. Two great songs BTW.

In retrospect I was probably over the top in saying I hated the track. Having discussed it further with friends I can see the songs value. It's just not for me, I'm certainly not a fan of the spoken word lyric. With a few exceptions (chillout tent) I'm not a fan of the back up singer, male or female, it's all too formulaic for me, if that makes sense? It makes sense to me.

I took God in Chicago for what it was, even if it wasn't my cup of tea, but didn't expect a repeat. In that respect I found the new track somewhat of a disappointment..if others enjoy it then that's the majority desired ain't it?

Some things I just don't get.....like Radiohead.😅

I look forward to the album and the tour though. I think it's the worst kept 'secret' amongst the Unified scene as there's ever been that there is a tour in the works.

I'm off to listen to 'if' by Telly Savalas now. 👍

There's a joke in there somewhere, you used to have to be a certain vintage to get it. But no more. Google is your friend for sure.

[sequesteredinuk]

Mar 25, 2022 14:06:30 GMT -5 john k said:

Chats played a blinder in Dublin the other night

I bet they did. 

Blink and you'll miss them, they don't play for long but when every song is 90 seconds or less you kind of feel like it's a 90 minutes gig rather than a 45. 

Nothing like a Sham69 cover to.wake you up. I'm not sure most of the crowd knew 'Borstal Breakout ' but you can't fault them for putting that one out there. 

Has there ever been a band who would do a Wiggles song and a Sham69 song on the same night? That should be a question on 15 to 1. 

[skepticatfirst]

Mar 25, 2022 5:16:09 GMT -5 sequesteredinuk said:

I hate it. The back up singer(s) repeating 'sometimes I feel like I'm riding a train on my own' is excruciating.

I'm 99.9% sure the line is "[at] sundown it feels like I'm riding a train I'm not on"; he speaks it out pretty clearly near the end of the eighth verse. But I'm with you, this isn't my jam. God in Chicago got a lot of attention, but it wasn't something I was ever drawn to listen to, and it doesn't seem like the kind of well you can go back to twice.

Having said that, Craig's always got my attention whenever he's talking about Her, so I took a crack at transcribing the lyrics:



At sundown it feels like I'm riding a train I'm not on
At sundown it feels like I'm riding a train I'm not on

We used to post up for days at this place in the flats
She'd stare off into space and draw smokestacks on her placemat
She had a dwindling grace and a faith in the industry
That never really made sense to me

While we were combing the place trying to come up with the funds
For some phone-number friend in some idling car
She said this probably isn't where I see myself forever
But for now it's pretty much where we are

I never really argued with her basic observations
Cause I wasn't super into confrontation back then
I was mostly just about sitting by the window
Watching the flag in the front just twisting and twisting and twisting

We map where we've been by the scars on our skin
We can only sing the songs we've been taught to
Rachel always recommended messing with the settings
She said it's better than settling for whatever they give you

At sundown it feels like I'm riding a train I'm not on
At sundown it feels like I'm riding a train I'm not on

Rachel was practical, she always carried matches
She said she didn't have habits, they're rituals
She threw salt over her shoulder when they rang for last orders
She held her breath when she got up from the table

It never really mattered that she was twelve years older
Except for when we talked about the 1980s
Cause I was still showing up to Modern European History
While she was trying to hold onto her baby

She started out teasing me, calling me her partner in crime
Cause neither one of us were supposed to be in the taverns
I had a suspended license and a court case coming up
The judge said he was seeing some patterns

She said at sundown it feels like I'm riding a train I'm not on
That all-at-once sensation of speeding and sinking
Fridays making eyes at guys cashing their checks
And other forms of magical thinking

At sundown it feels like I'm riding a train I'm not on
At sundown it feels like I'm riding a train I'm not on

They pulled me over five minutes from home
Went off to the workhouse for thirty-eight days
When I got out I drove out to my brother's in Denver
He got me a job at the golf course. I decided to stay there

I heard she'd been living off more of the same
That she got with that guy that took IDs at the door
Must have been last winter when I finally tried to text her
The number I had didn't go through any more

So I was a little bit surprised when Sam got in touch
Asked if I could be here. Told me what did it.
It's my first trip back after eight years in Denver.
I drove in from the west. The city looks different now.

All those luxury lofts that they built in the old factories
Reminding me of her faith in the industry
Rachel did her best with the deal she'd been dealt
And that's what I've got for a eulogy

At sundown it feels like I'm riding a train I'm not on
At sundown it feels like I'm riding a train I'm not on
At sundown it feels like I'm riding a train I'm not on
At sundown it feels like I'm riding a train I'm not on

[mafee]

Put me down in the Pro Messing with the Settings team.

Really like it - I really enjoy God in Chicago too though.

Mar 25, 2022 10:49:45 GMT -5 robs said:

I see the pre-sale is up. Can anyone remember from previous albums whether there is separate UK pre-sale?

Can't recall to be honest - but if there's none this time I won't be pre-ordering. Was happy enough with the cost of the packages, but 33 euro on shipping isn't happening.

[lukefrombl]

Willing to be on my own on this one but I kind of hate it too. The whole talk sing thing to me is pretty cringey. Also....I dunno man, I got in to the hold steady for feeling of joy and hope even in the face of depressing situations. Like the hope and despair are inextricably intertwined to me. Seems like Craig is just really leaning in to the sad sack shit lately and it just feels like it's missing something important. Maybe he needs to go back to church.

I will say he can still create a character better than anyone.

[muzzleofbees]

I get that people don't really fancy the talking style. I think it's pretty damn fine, actually, especially as an album opener. And I stay that as someone who never really found the replay value in God In Chicago. It's an accomplishment of a song, but it's not my go-to as a listening experience.

This one, though, have something different. More melodic, more atmospheric, and I really enjoy the arrangements - yes, the backing vocals too. And I guess "sad" is a relative thing, but after I Need A New War, I sense some sort of musical optimism, or at the very least romanticism in this one. It doesn't feel bleak or deterministic, but reminiscing and remembering, in a bittersweet way. I really like the vibe.

[charlemagne]

I have to say, I enjoy the song, but it sounds way more like The National than it does THS, aside from Craig's usual on-point lyrics/storytelling. That's fine, just making an observation.

[Deleted]

Mar 25, 2022 5:16:09 GMT -5 sequesteredinuk said:

My late mother used to always tell me "Always speak your mind Bill, no matter how unpopular it may make you, you'll sleep better at night"...good advice, she knew a thing or two about a thing or two for sure.

I hate it. The back up singer(s) repeating 'sometimes I feel like I'm riding a train on my own' is excruciating.

Feel free to sue me anyone, you can serve me the papers at the Chats gig tonight when I'm on smoko.

I totally disagree- I think the song is heartbreakingly beautiful, and strangely catchy. It sketches a whole life - two whole lives - in one song.

But on a completely unrelated note, because I’m Australian of course i have a crazy Chats story. Check your PMs