I'm gonna wait as well - i've downloaded a vinyl rip 256kbs quality but i ain't touched it yet. I'm not even gonna listen to it when I get sent the official link on 18th for pre-ordering it - On 25th i'm gonna have it, full on, on my record player...knowing that all those other people are cainin it for the first time as well, all gettin our minds blown on the same day...like verve xmas day....I like that......or maybe i'm just a romantic
I'm gonna wait as well - i've downloaded a vinyl rip 256kbs quality but i ain't touched it yet. I'm not even gonna listen to it when I get sent the official link on 18th for pre-ordering it - On 25th i'm gonna have it, full on, on my record player...knowing that all those other people are cainin it for the first time as well, all gettin our minds blown on the same day...like verve xmas day....I like that......or maybe i'm just a romantic
Just out of interest, why did you download it?
_________________ ..it's a battle... it's a battle ... it's a battle...
Good question. Just to actually have the choice i suppose. Do yer know what i mean?
Yeah, like having a great bar of chocolate in the cupboard when you're on diet, just so you know you're resisting it rather than having no choice cos you aint got none!!!!
_________________ ..it's a battle... it's a battle ... it's a battle...
It's good, they certainly didn't phone it in, but I don't really feel like their hearts were in it like in the past. There are songs (I See Houses) in particular that totally lack character. But there are also
songs like Judas that I really like. As far as new classics? Too early to tell. What I really miss on this one are the songs built around a great bass line. Gravity Grave, Slide Away and Life's an Ocean come to mind. Simon has some good rhythms going on, but nothing sticks out yet. I like how Pete has really changed up some of the rhythms on this one. He's always comes up with interesting beats and he continues that tradition. He really does a stand out job on this one.
My biggest complaint of all are the lyrics. It may just be because I've been listening to a lot of Decemberists lately and feel that Colin Meloy is an absolute lyrical genius and superb story teller, but Richards lyrics just aren't cutting it for me.
"Who are we? What is life? Can we change as people? The World sucks. The world is beautiful. I have feelings. Sometimes I cry and feel pain".
"Like a cat in a bag waiting to drown/This time I'm coming
down" paints an awesome picture. And now we're getting "I see
houses/Rows and rows of red brick". What happened? "Here she
comes/Seven Suns/A burning flame" is just beautiful. "She got
all I need/Yeah the air I breathe" just pales in comparison in
my opinion. I like to hear lyricists arrange words in ways I've never heard in a song and too many of his rhymes are too obvious, seem forced and times and often come off as cliche.
I guess that what really bothers me is that I feel that the other guys have changed things up a bit, but Richard is putting out lyrics that belong on his solo albums.
I love when they just play music and try things, but maybe they
should have refined some of their ideas a little bit more.
It's cool that a lot of this stuff kind of organically came
about, but I just need a little more definition. I guess this
is what I was talking about when I said they didn't phone it
in, but their hearts didn't seem totally in it. They had some
great ideas, but I don't feel that they took the time to say
"Ok this is good, but where can we take it now?" I think
that's what I like about Columbo. It feels like a jam that
they took in a different direction rather than just building on
what they already had.
All ranting aside. I like it. I don't love it, but I didn't
love most of UH to start out either so it will probably grow on
me.
Quick impressions of songs.
Sit and Wonder. Great opener. Didn't like the live versions I'd heard, but this changed it for me.
Love is Noise. We've talked about this one enough already.
Rather Be. Eh, doesn't do much for me.
Judas. Love it. I don't like that his first word is "Feelings" but I got over it.
Numbness: Very very loose, but in a good way. Nick's playing is very raw in this one. Makes me feel like I can imagine what it's like to just sit in a room and listen to him play.
I See Houses. Mistakenly put on this album. Is supposed to be on RA's next solo album. Horrible. Going to need to replace my skip button soon.
Noise Epic. The beginning kept me in suspense. Knew it would go somewhere, but was surprised by it. Seems kind of like a new take on Brainstorm Interlude or Neon Wilderness. Would love to see this one live just to see how Nick would handle such a high energy song.
Valium Skies. It's nice. Not what I expected. Lyrics are hit or miss.
Columbo. Got lots of LIN stuff in here. Imagine this came as a jam first then he borrowed and slightly changed a part to make the main riff of LIN then of course took the other part for the bridge between BSS and LIN live. I like the unpredictability of the song. The break at 3:20 was a little suspenseful for me which I liked.
I really like Appalachian Springs. Probably my #2 after Judas. It's sonic soup at it's best and the album ends perfectly with Nick dishing out a bowl that's not too hot, not too cold, but just right.
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Just to actually have the choice i suppose. Do yer know what i mean? 
