choonin in
|
My ReviewGot hold of the leak about a week or so (will by the CD when it comes out). Here's my write-up...
Sit & Wonder - Foot-stomping, balls-out opener. Thought this was great when I heard it back in November last year, and I love how they've developed it. Richard has put some great lyrics down, and Nick has structured his playing since the '07 version. Sobbo and Jonesy provide the opening assault. Yes.
Love is Noise - ahem... Where to begin? In all honesty, I think the lyrics to this track are good; well-thought out, simple (if unoriginal), and topical. McCabe is more prominant in parts on this track than he is on the single edit. A crowd pleaser, a good catchy song....... BUT...... if only it wasn't for those fucking backing vocals. Why? What were they thinking? They don't need to resort to annoying gimmicks like that to win listeners. The monkey noises single-handedly defile the tune, and for that, it cannot be forgiven.
Rather Be - Cool. as. fuck. I suspect the Boy Jones had a say in the production of this one. I've yet to hear a live performance that sounds better than this version. Is there anywhere better than here? Nope.
Judas - Gorgeous. I doubt anyone expected this. Amazing vocal performance by Richard, as the rest of the band provide a blissful, dream-like trip.
Numbness - I'm going to go against the pack here. I think this is good. It sounds, to me, like the Thaw session. A latter-day Verve jam - a strong showing from McCabe and Jones. That said, it does drag a bit.
I See Houses - Check the Meaning mk II. Not a terrible thing, in my opinion, but this is not the place for it. That said, the production punches it up a bit compared to post-2000 Ashcroft solo tracks. I fear this may be a future single. Hope not.
Noise Epic - Opening riff arouses the ear pussies. Unfortunately, the spoken verse stunts the song after that. Things kick in at the chorus, though, and at the 5 minute mark - "why why why...did I let you down.......", the build up to, and the final 2 minutes are immense - every band member firing on all cylinders. I almost expected to hear a big "FUCK YOU!! COME OOOON!"
Valium Skies - One of the more 'instant' tracks on the album. The obligatory flag waver. Doesn't necessarily stand up to repeated listens, as the verses are horribly weak (cryin'/lyin' etc. are straight out of the Liam gallagher Dictionary of Things That Rhyme). The chorus soars.
Columbo - Yes. If they reformed after a 10 year hiatus to make one song, this is it. Simon Jones leads us into a 7 minute TRIP (only word to describe it). As good as anything they've ever done. Pink Floyd, eat yer 'eart out!
Appalacian Springs - Disappointing. I'd had high hopes for this one with a.) it being a Verve album closer, and b.) suggestions of it harking back to See You In The Next One. However, it's a bit of a non-event, with shit lyrics ('took a step to left/took a step to the right/saw myself, an' wasn't quite right'). It's not completely awful, it's just hamstrung by the lyrics and the fact that it drags on. It doesn't hold up to their other album closers. I really wanted to like this one, I really did.......
A word about the production, I think it isn't a terrible job, overall. Could've benefitted from a little less restraint, though. I concur with those who say they should record a live in-studio album in the future. Richards vocals have never been better.
Cheers for reading
p.s. namechecking George Best, Muhammed Ali, and Steve McQueen on the same track is pretty inspired 
p.p.s. just a suggestion, but how about a section where users can post their forth reviews, LW?
|
Lucky Woman
|
Re: My Review | choonin in wrote: | | p.p.s. just a suggestion, but how about a section where users can post their forth reviews, LW? |
I don't really want to spend too much time re-organising on here when we'll be moving back to our other forum soon. Hopefully people who have posted reviews will copy and paste them onto a section on there when it reopens.
Thanks for your review, and I hope you'll post it on our other forum when we get back there.
|
front man
|
Yeah thanks choonin, what about a review of Utd NOT winning the treble (i saw it before i went away on the hacked forum !!) 
|
frontrowgirl
|
Re: My Review | choonin in wrote: |
A crowd pleaser, a good catchy song....... BUT...... if only it wasn't for those fucking backing vocals. Why? What were they thinking? They don't need to resort to annoying gimmicks like that to win listeners. The monkey noises single-handedly defile the tune, and for that, it cannot be forgiven.
|
Well, they really got me with that gimmick! I've been huming that tune since the end of April.
|
choonin in
|
| Lucky Woman wrote: | | Thanks for your review, and I hope you'll post it on our other forum when we get back there. |
Will do 
| front man wrote: | | Yeah thanks choonin, what about a review of Utd NOT winning the treble |
We wuz robbed!
Penalty to Portsmouth my arse 
|
choonin in
|
p.s. have a good hol, front man?
|
choonin in
|
Re: My Review | frontrowgirl wrote: | | choonin in wrote: |
A crowd pleaser, a good catchy song....... BUT...... if only it wasn't for those fucking backing vocals. Why? What were they thinking? They don't need to resort to annoying gimmicks like that to win listeners. The monkey noises single-handedly defile the tune, and for that, it cannot be forgiven.
|
Well, they really got me with that gimmick! I've been huming that tune since the end of April. |
Perhaps 'gimmick' is a poor choice of word. For instance, the back vocals on Rather Be are spot on.
I just think the monkey noises on LiN are one idea too many. My opinion, anyways
|
frontrowgirl
|
Re: My Review | choonin in wrote: | | frontrowgirl wrote: | | choonin in wrote: |
A crowd pleaser, a good catchy song....... BUT...... if only it wasn't for those fucking backing vocals. Why? What were they thinking? They don't need to resort to annoying gimmicks like that to win listeners. The monkey noises single-handedly defile the tune, and for that, it cannot be forgiven.
|
Well, they really got me with that gimmick! I've been huming that tune since the end of April. |
Perhaps 'gimmick' is a poor choice of word. For instance, the back vocals on Rather Be are spot on.
I just think the monkey noises on LiN are one idea too many. My opinion, anyways |
The word "gimmick" sounds so evil. 
|
front man
|
| choonin in wrote: | | p.s. have a good hol, front man? |
Yes thanks mate ! Enjoyed it,caught a good week for weather too which makes a change..
|
|
|
|