The new Thee More Shallows album is out in a couple weeks, and since i know there are a whole bunch of fans on this board... If you'd asked me 5 days ago what I thought of this album, I would not have been able to answer... I cried a little the first time i heard "Chrome Caps," it was the most disappointed I have ever been by an album in my life. Now ten listens later, I can say that I enjoy MOST of the album quite a bit, while it is not as good as More Deep Cuts. The high points are amazing ('Night at the Knight School', 'Dutch Fist', 'Eagle Rock', the end of 'Another Mother'), but there are a couple real stinky songs, namely 'Proud Turkeys' and 'Chrome Caps' There is a lot less of the subtle effetcs and layers that made More Deep cuts sound so beautiful, instead pretty much the entire album is just drums, guitar, keyboards, and quick tempos. They fuck with time signatures really often on this album, which is cool. so I guess it's a grower, but i'm still left a little confused.
Posts: 1115 | Location: new york | Registered: 10 October 2005
You pretty much have to go after this album like you've never heard any Thee More Shallows before. I think the reason the album is confusing is because you are waiting to hear soft, well thought out songs like on More Deep Cuts. Then you play the album and hear a bunch of sloppy noise. It's almost a complete departure from their last cd in terms of sound, so don't go in listening to Book of Bad Breaks expecting More Deep Cuts.
Anyway, I agree that with you that the high points are pretty amazing, and would agree with the songs you listed, but I don't think there really are any low points. Proud Turkeys is a rocking song that I quite enjoy, regardless of the stupid lyrics. I also think Chrome Caps is a pretty nice slice of noise. I'm really coming around to this album, and I think if people just give it a chance they will too.
Originally posted by grabblegarrr: I'm really coming around to this album, and I think if people just give it a chance they will too.
I like it singificantly more each time I listen to it... over the past few days it's gone from awful to maybe top 20 material to holding a definite spot in my top 10.
Posts: 1115 | Location: new york | Registered: 10 October 2005
I like it quite a bit, but you're right, it's no More Deep Cuts. I also feel pretty much the same way as you: some really good songs ("Night at the Knight School," "Proud Turkeys," "Chrome Caps," and all the first 2 interludes), but also some bad ones ("Eagle Rock," "Dutch Fist," and "Oh Yes, Another Mother"). We disagree a lot on which songs are good and which are bad though. I've loved "Chrome Caps" from the first time I heard it.
-------------------------------------------------- Anatomy to me is a homesick stomach and a broken heart
Posts: 4169 | Location: NE Indiana | Registered: 14 April 2005
I love this album from start to finish, but my favorite tracks so far are "Dutch Fist", "Oh Yes, Another Mother", and "White Mask". I heart the imagery in the lyrics of each of those songs, and the sentiment too. I know it's only April, but I would be shocked (shock!) if this album wasn't in my personal top ten for 2007 at the end of the year.
Here's a question though. Does anyone know why the album is mislabeled on Amazon.com & Allmusicguide.com? -They have it listed as Book Of Bad Dreams