Earlier we talked about favorite songs of this album. Mistaken for Strangers is still #1, but I have to say that Gospel is catching up. Another great song off this album.
Posts: 889 | Location: santa barbara | Registered: 02 November 2006
I wanted to say 1 more thing. It's pretty funny that if you look at the first page of this link, most people aren't that enthusiastic about it. As you move on through the pages, the praise starts to increase.
I'd say that's surely the sign of a grower. More than any recent album I can remember, actually.
Posts: 889 | Location: santa barbara | Registered: 02 November 2006
Originally posted by goathouse: I would say, without any irony in my voice, that these guys are thee masters at creating the quintessential "grower".
i would have to agree. these songs snuck their way into my subconscious bit by bit, until now i listen to the entire album and am completely in love with each of them. definitely will finish the year in my top ten, at least.
Not all those who wander are lost.
Posts: 232 | Location: Portland, OR | Registered: 20 February 2006
I think the ability of an album to "grow" is function of it's depth and creativity. There's been a lot of good music released this year, but only two albums come to mind as being "perfect" in my eyes: Boxer and Random Spirit Lover. And both of them hit strong and have continued to grow.
---------------------------- I'm the operator with my pocket calculator.
Originally posted by Besttasteinmusicever: I wanted to say 1 more thing. It's pretty funny that if you look at the first page of this link, most people aren't that enthusiastic about it. As you move on through the pages, the praise starts to increase.
I'd say that's surely the sign of a grower. More than any recent album I can remember, actually.
that is all you need to explain this album. fantastic observation.
Posts: 456 | Location: On the Road | Registered: 20 January 2007
Originally posted by Portable Joystick: I can't believe my post was deleted. God forbid any criticism takes place.
I didn't delete your post, but if it was deleted by a mod, I'm guessing it was offensive in some way and not just "criticism". Of course criticism isn't a problem. It should go without saying that we don't delete posts just because we disagree with the opinions being expressed.
----- Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.
Posts: 5283 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 19 June 2005
Originally posted by goathouse: Well there ya go! You like subltlit stuff so you should definitely like Boxer. I don't see the problem.
I guess the problem is I don't see it as subtle, but rather as bland and boring.
quote:
Originally posted by ericg75: I didn't delete your post, but if it was deleted by a mod, I'm guessing it was offensive in some way and not just "criticism". Of course criticism isn't a problem. It should go without saying that we don't delete posts just because we disagree with the opinions being expressed.
I'm just shocked at the lack of latitude given on these boards. I certainly wasn't being vulgar or ripping into another user. Not that I particularly care, I just find it kinda funny that posts can be deleted left and right at a moment's notice for the smallest thing.
You were bragging about your anatomy, and that's unexeptable. It's unexeptable anywhere you go.
The album is very highly regarded by a great many people, so you'll need to be more convincing if you wanna change minds. It;s plain for anyone to see that album is downbeat. That's well known by those you love the album to death. Calling is boring is almost beside the point. The songs are about be bored.
Originally posted by Portable Joystick: I can't believe my post was deleted. God forbid any criticism takes place.
I didn't delete your post, but if it was deleted by a mod, I'm guessing it was offensive in some way and not just "criticism". Of course criticism isn't a problem. It should go without saying that we don't delete posts just because we disagree with the opinions being expressed.
It’s OK, he knows why his post was deleted and he was sent a PM explaining why. He also had a chance to PM the moderator back for further feedback so that he didn’t need to come in here confused as to why his post was deleted.
Either way, you didn’t even know a moderator had deleted it, yet you pinpointed exactly why some posts are deleted. And that exact same explanation—in other words of course—was explained to him.
----- I go to sleep and think you're next to me.
Posts: 5767 | Location: Texas | Registered: 27 December 2005
Originally posted by goathouse: You were bragging about your anatomy, and that's unexeptable. It's unexeptable anywhere you go.
Hahaha. I was bragging about my anatomy? What planet are you from?
quote:
The album is very highly regarded by a great many people, so you'll need to be more convincing if you wanna change minds. It plain for anyone to see that album in downbeat. That's well known by those you love the album to death. Calling is boring is almost beside the point. The songs are about be bored.
Whoah there bud. Who said anything about changing people's opinions? I don't think anyone in their right mind goes into conversations or message boards discussing subjective topics and is looking to change someone else's opinion. It's simply about expressing your own. And if you're going to convince me that it's not bland, generic indie rock, you're going to have to do more than tell me "uh, a lot of people like it! weeeee!"
Okay, I will then. But I'm too intimidated and shaky to do a very good job, so forgive me if I don't make bullet-worthy points one after the other. But here they are. For one thing, it's the farthest thing from generic. It's the culmination of indie's praiseworthy understatedness with it's lush production and overall just great production. Berninger's very low, craggy baritone has got to be a hard thing to manage in the studio, but every dumbfounding emotional paradox comes through clear and steady. In Berninger's world there's always been a romantic conundrum to set his thoughts a-scatter and keep him fussing and worrying endlessly, but his way of dealing with it is utterly fascinating. When he gets paranoid about his woman leaving him, you get the feeling that he's looked at the situation from every possible angle and all that's left is the condensed milk of true resignation, true poetry.
Anyway, I could go on, but... blah. If you want Led Zep, get drunk and listen Led Zep. This isn't about strip mining for the next "Stairway to Heaven". It's about subtlety and quiet understanding in the face of a deteriorated infrastructure, and the impossibilities of love amidst it's gnashed and twisted beams, and fake digital sparkle. It's about coping in a Fake Empire.
So, anyway, Mr.Joystick. All aggression aside, I'm curious what think is not boreing. It's obvious you have a different viewpoint, and we are always looking for new and different music.
P.S. Goathouse, that's a great description. I think I would have a hard time connecting with The National if I were several years younger. The struggles and conflicts in these songs are too domestic. Even when he is singing about relationships they are mature adult relationships, involving marriage and children. I can relate so much with his fragile male heros, trying to hold everything together and paranoid that their job or family is going to fall to pieces at any moment because they aren't good enough. And he is constantly having to convince himself he is capable, but it always comes off as a brittle false confidence. Even with Aligator's "Mr.November", I get the feeling he isn't too sure of the fact that he isn't going to mess everything up, even while he's still telling the motorcade to get out of his way from "All the Wine".
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Shadrach,
---------------------------- I'm the operator with my pocket calculator.
Originally posted by goathouse: Okay, I will then. But I'm too intimidated and shaky to do a very good job, so forgive me if I don't make bullet-worthy points one after the other. But here they are. For one thing, it's the farthest thing from generic. It's the culmination of indie's praiseworthy understatedness with it's lush production and overall just great production. Berninger's very low, craggy baritone has got to be a hard thing to manage in the studio, but every dumbfounding emotional paradox comes through clear and steady. In Berninger's world there's always been a romantic conundrum to set his thoughts a-scatter and keep him fussing and worrying endlessly, but his way of dealing with it is utterly fascinating. When he gets paranoid about his woman leaving him, you get the feeling that he's looked at the situation from every possible angle and all that's left is the condensed milk of true resignation, true poetry.
Yeah, that's great. I'm really happy you like it so much. I guess my problem is that while on the one hand you're claiming it's subtle, on the other hand every claim that you're making revolves around it being "romantic", "luscious", "emotional". And that's just it. I don't find it subtle, I find the band's attempts at being all emotional blatant and contrived. It just sounds so overtly-emotional that it becomes disgusting to listen to. And if you ask me "where's the line between effective emotionalism and overt, disgusting emotionalism?" I would say there's no easy answer, it's not something tangible that can be described easily. I guess if you wanted to hear something that I find heart-breakingly honest and sorrowful, I would suggest a song like "Washer" by Slint.
Originally posted by Shadrach: So, anyway, Mr.Joystick. All aggression aside, I'm curious what think is not boreing. It's obvious you have a different viewpoint, and we are always looking for new and different music.
I'm not sure what you're asking for. Do you want me to make a list of my favorite artists?
