rebecca
Master Craftsman
Posts: 458
|
Post by rebecca on Mar 17, 2009 22:34:00 GMT
The album is coming out soon, so I might as well open the category... Last time I had somebody new listen to The Crane Wife, they commented that it was clever, but awfully bloody (and not rocking enough for them). True enough. So now my favorite music mag has actually catalogued the deaths in Decemberists songs - I guess it had to happen. But it's true, how Colin Meloy points out that this is just an extension of the tradition in folk songs - people die. www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/03/psycho-killers-the-decemberists-death-count.html
|
|
jioffe
Journeyman
... and the days of my youth!
Posts: 162
|
Post by jioffe on Mar 21, 2009 17:05:51 GMT
The album is coming out soon, so I might as well open the category... Last time I had somebody new listen to The Crane Wife, they commented that it was clever, but awfully bloody (and not rocking enough for them). True enough. So now my favorite music mag has actually catalogued the deaths in Decemberists songs - I guess it had to happen. But it's true, how Colin Meloy points out that this is just an extension of the tradition in folk songs - people die. www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/03/psycho-killers-the-decemberists-death-count.htmlSomeone has way too much time on their hands! My friendly neighbourhood HMV has promised to put a copy of HoL on one side for me for Monday! Btw, 2 tracks are now up on the Ds MySpace site. The reviews have mostly been pretty favourable, e.g: www.contactmusic.com/new/home.nsf/albumreview/the-decemberists-the-hazards-of-lovex09x03x09but this quote from The Guardian review (the most negative I've seen, I hasten to add), has really got me interested: "...what we have on our hands here, gentlemen, is a potentially fatal outbreak of Jethro Tull"! Can't wait! Cheers, Jioffe.
|
|
|
Post by maddogfagin on Mar 21, 2009 18:31:01 GMT
but this quote from The Guardian review (the most negative I've seen, I hasten to add), has really got me interested: "...what we have on our hands here, gentlemen, is a potentially fatal outbreak of Jethro Tull"! Can't wait! Cheers, Jioffe. 'tis ever thus. At least "Jethro Dull" hasn't surfaced this time - yet. If I had a £1 ever time I've read or heard that I'd be a rich man.
|
|
rebecca
Master Craftsman
Posts: 458
|
Post by rebecca on Mar 21, 2009 20:24:36 GMT
The album is coming out soon, so I might as well open the category... Last time I had somebody new listen to The Crane Wife, they commented that it was clever, but awfully bloody (and not rocking enough for them). True enough. So now my favorite music mag has actually catalogued the deaths in Decemberists songs - I guess it had to happen. But it's true, how Colin Meloy points out that this is just an extension of the tradition in folk songs - people die. www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/03/psycho-killers-the-decemberists-death-count.htmlSomeone has way too much time on their hands! My friendly neighbourhood HMV has promised to put a copy of HoL on one side for me for Monday! Btw, 2 tracks are now up on the Ds MySpace site. The reviews have mostly been pretty favourable, e.g: www.contactmusic.com/new/home.nsf/albumreview/the-decemberists-the-hazards-of-lovex09x03x09but this quote from The Guardian review (the most negative I've seen, I hasten to add), has really got me interested: "...what we have on our hands here, gentlemen, is a potentially fatal outbreak of Jethro Tull"! Can't wait! Cheers, Jioffe. Just a couple more days! (although I've already downloaded it, I think I'm going to wait) It's so funny, when I first heard of the Decemberists I would never have thought to make that comparison - I just got a different vibe in all sorts of ways. Of course, when I heard The Island, of course it struck me as it would anybody here, especially Jenny's keyboards, but it does seem all together like some funny sort of fate, two favorite bands, with seemingly no connection at all... But anyway, the South by Southwest Festival is going on now, where they have 1,800 bands performing. 1,800!!! And from what I kept hearing, the most anticipated event of the festival was the Decemberists premiering Hazards of Love in its entirety. Certainly on NPR they've been all over it. Here is a link to the concert, and an interview with Colin. I hope you can get it to play. And if you do a search you will come up with all sorts of other podcasts and stuff, but I put the link to what seemed most essential. www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101397853
|
|
jioffe
Journeyman
... and the days of my youth!
Posts: 162
|
Post by jioffe on Mar 21, 2009 20:56:07 GMT
but this quote from The Guardian review (the most negative I've seen, I hasten to add), has really got me interested: "...what we have on our hands here, gentlemen, is a potentially fatal outbreak of Jethro Tull"! Can't wait! Cheers, Jioffe. 'tis ever thus. At least "Jethro Dull" hasn't surfaced this time - yet. If I had a £1 ever time I've read or heard that I'd be a rich man. What bugs me is that this is the second time The Decemberists have been compared to Tull - their last album, The Crane Wife, was described by one wag as "the greatest Jethro Tull album since Heavy Horses"! - and there's no way it's any similarity to Tull that attracted me to them! Any similarity is, I feel, more related to musical and lyrical quality than the actual sound. And, yes, the new album is a concept album! I must also put my hand up here to confess The Guardian review's reference to Tull was indeed meant to be derogarory. Full quote: "What we have on our hands here, gentlemen, is a potentially fatal outbreak of Jethro Tull, and we can only pray, for humanity's sake, that the emergency services act swiftly to contain it." Bastard! Cheers, Jioffe.
|
|
jioffe
Journeyman
... and the days of my youth!
Posts: 162
|
Post by jioffe on Mar 21, 2009 21:26:12 GMT
Someone has way too much time on their hands! My friendly neighbourhood HMV has promised to put a copy of HoL on one side for me for Monday! Btw, 2 tracks are now up on the Ds MySpace site. The reviews have mostly been pretty favourable, e.g: www.contactmusic.com/new/home.nsf/albumreview/the-decemberists-the-hazards-of-lovex09x03x09but this quote from The Guardian review (the most negative I've seen, I hasten to add), has really got me interested: "...what we have on our hands here, gentlemen, is a potentially fatal outbreak of Jethro Tull"! Can't wait! Cheers, Jioffe. Just a couple more days! (although I've already downloaded it, I think I'm going to wait) It's so funny, when I first heard of the Decemberists I would never have thought to make that comparison - I just got a different vibe in all sorts of ways. Of course, when I heard The Island, of course it struck me as it would anybody here, especially Jenny's keyboards, but it does seem all together like some funny sort of fate, two favorite bands, with seemingly no connection at all... But anyway, the South by Southwest Festival is going on now, where they have 1,800 bands performing. 1,800!!! And from what I kept hearing, the most anticipated event of the festival was the Decemberists premiering Hazards of Love in its entirety. Certainly on NPR they've been all over it. Here is a link to the concert, and an interview with Colin. I hope you can get it to play. And if you do a search you will come up with all sorts of other podcasts and stuff, but I put the link to what seemed most essential. www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101397853I've resisted the urge to download and haven't played any Ds since before Berlin, focussing on covering all bases for Monday. The album's on ice, I'm off work and the afternoon's been set aside! So thanks for the links but the concert will have to wait! Cheers, Jioffe.
|
|
|
Post by tullistray on Mar 21, 2009 23:21:24 GMT
Just a couple more days! (although I've already downloaded it, I think I'm going to wait) It's so funny, when I first heard of the Decemberists I would never have thought to make that comparison - I just got a different vibe in all sorts of ways. Of course, when I heard The Island, of course it struck me as it would anybody here, especially Jenny's keyboards, but it does seem all together like some funny sort of fate, two favorite bands, with seemingly no connection at all... But anyway, the South by Southwest Festival is going on now, where they have 1,800 bands performing. 1,800!!! And from what I kept hearing, the most anticipated event of the festival was the Decemberists premiering Hazards of Love in its entirety. Certainly on NPR they've been all over it. Here is a link to the concert, and an interview with Colin. I hope you can get it to play. And if you do a search you will come up with all sorts of other podcasts and stuff, but I put the link to what seemed most essential. www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101397853I've resisted the urge to download and haven't played any Ds since before Berlin, focussing on covering all bases for Monday. The album's on ice, I'm off work and the afternoon's been set aside! So thanks for the links but the concert will have to wait! Cheers, Jioffe. I have still only been exposed to about 4 Decemberists tracks, and a couple reviews in Chicago, one of which quoted here I think, where Crane Wife is called the best Tull album since Heavy Horses and the current one allegedly TAAB's superior. Quite likely I have heard the wrong tracks but to say I saw any similarity to any period of Tull (I presume rock critics would be referring to the first 4 years anyway, the only ones they know, or with much of merit in them according to those who know) would be untrue, not the slimmest other than maybe their over serious picture. BTW they have not outdone the classic LITP shot, the one where Barrie is holding a baby. I did hear the usual genuinely tired influences of REM, Elvis Costello and indies trying to be indie rather than just trying to be. Now Boiled in Lead from Minneapolis, when Todd Menton was in the band which I guess he might be again, they had just the right amount of Tull influence and humor. Pig Dog Daddy is one I'd like to hear Ian add just the right manic touch, likely on flute, to. Also Tempest out in Oakland has long held their Tull influences seemingly without fear of scorn and retribution, and sometimes they are very very good. But for best Tull influence I would nod to the later years of Maartin Allcocks involvement with Fairport, when I believe elements of their stagecraft had been influenced by the various dalliances of various members w Fairport in the Tull "camp." But mostly it was just the rockier elements that Maart's involvement w Fairport brought, after all, he had been influenced by both, and of course the usual's, like classic Who, all mixed in with a deep knowledge of trad.
|
|
rebecca
Master Craftsman
Posts: 458
|
Post by rebecca on Mar 22, 2009 16:06:21 GMT
There are moments in the music, but they are slim - at least before hearing this new album. However, I remember reading an article where Colin says Jennie is a Tull fan - and some remarkably APP/TAAB organ is very distinctive at times, although influence isn't and shouldn't be imitation. I think that's what's being referred to, within some prog extended musical passages. The songs that might bring it to mind wouldn't be likely to be heard on the radio because of their length (and maybe complexity, but we don't even have to go there!)
But interestingly, in the interview that I put the link to, CM says that the album isn't only influenced by English folk music and that tradition but also the early 70s British rock that was itself influenced by folk - he tossed out a few names, including Led Zep, and I thought, "he's gonna say it, he's gonna say it..." but he didn't say it! But I take it this record is going to maybe rock out a bit more. And reading the comments from listeners is interesting - "nothing to turn into a single," "can't listen to the beginning without listening to the whole thing," comparisons to Tommy and Rush... It'll be interesting.
And CM hit on something in the interview that I was trying to get at and might have been able to if I'd tried harder and had more time, but it's this: it seems to me that there is an essential divide, pre- and post-punk, regardless of what you actually think of punk. The people who come afterwards are living in a different musical world. So that's why it surprises me to hear this comparison.
|
|
|
Post by steelmonkey on Mar 22, 2009 16:20:50 GMT
Like any right thinking person, after hearing Tull comparisions a few times, I listened to The Decemberists...and I liked what I heard...smart, talented, thoughtful musicians playing very good music...but I didn't hear anything to make me think it was Heavy Horses II or required a 'Jethro Tull' alert...probably one critic said it once, and other copy him or her. I've never heard any band really sound like Tull....in the old days people steered Tullites toward Focus, Horselips, some fairport, some Steeleye Span and remember an obscure group called the 'JSD Band'?....None of them, to my ears, were the new Tull...the closest thing I ever heard to Tull were a few terribly annoying, mundane riffs by those Aussie crap producers 'Men at Work', clearly lifted from Benefit era Tull but sounding awful in the nursery rhymes that band passed off as rock and roll.
|
|
jioffe
Journeyman
... and the days of my youth!
Posts: 162
|
Post by jioffe on Mar 22, 2009 17:57:09 GMT
I've resisted the urge to download and haven't played any Ds since before Berlin, focussing on covering all bases for Monday. The album's on ice, I'm off work and the afternoon's been set aside! So thanks for the links but the concert will have to wait! Cheers, Jioffe. I have still only been exposed to about 4 Decemberists tracks, and a couple reviews in Chicago, one of which quoted here I think, where Crane Wife is called the best Tull album since Heavy Horses and the current one allegedly TAAB's superior. Quite likely I have heard the wrong tracks but to say I saw any similarity to any period of Tull (I presume rock critics would be referring to the first 4 years anyway, the only ones they know, or with much of merit in them according to those who know) would be untrue, not the slimmest other than maybe their over serious picture. BTW they have not outdone the classic LITP shot, the one where Barrie is holding a baby. I did hear the usual genuinely tired influences of REM, Elvis Costello and indies trying to be indie rather than just trying to be. Now Boiled in Lead from Minneapolis, when Todd Menton was in the band which I guess he might be again, they had just the right amount of Tull influence and humor. Pig Dog Daddy is one I'd like to hear Ian add just the right manic touch, likely on flute, to. Also Tempest out in Oakland has long held their Tull influences seemingly without fear of scorn and retribution, and sometimes they are very very good. But for best Tull influence I would nod to the later years of Maartin Allcocks involvement with Fairport, when I believe elements of their stagecraft had been influenced by the various dalliances of various members w Fairport in the Tull "camp." But mostly it was just the rockier elements that Maart's involvement w Fairport brought, after all, he had been influenced by both, and of course the usual's, like classic Who, all mixed in with a deep knowledge of trad. This is the track from The Crane Wife that drew most of the Tull comparisons. Listen and make up your own minds. I'd be keen to know what y'all think: www.deezer.com/track/the-island-come-and-see-the-landlords-daughter-you-ll-not-feel-the-drowning-T951205Cheers, Jioffe.
|
|
jioffe
Journeyman
... and the days of my youth!
Posts: 162
|
Post by jioffe on Mar 22, 2009 19:23:05 GMT
There are moments in the music, but they are slim - at least before hearing this new album. However, I remember reading an article where Colin says Jennie is a Tull fan - and some remarkably APP/TAAB organ is very distinctive at times, although influence isn't and shouldn't be imitation. I think that's what's being referred to, within some prog extended musical passages. The songs that might bring it to mind wouldn't be likely to be heard on the radio because of their length (and maybe complexity, but we don't even have to go there!) But interestingly, in the interview that I put the link to, CM says that the album isn't only influenced by English folk music and that tradition but also the early 70s British rock that was itself influenced by folk - he tossed out a few names, including Led Zep, and I thought, "he's gonna say it, he's gonna say it..." but he didn't say it! But I take it this record is going to maybe rock out a bit more. And reading the comments from listeners is interesting - "nothing to turn into a single," "can't listen to the beginning without listening to the whole thing," comparisons to Tommy and Rush... It'll be interesting. And CM hit on something in the interview that I was trying to get at and might have been able to if I'd tried harder and had more time, but it's this: it seems to me that there is an essential divide, pre- and post-punk, regardless of what you actually think of punk. The people who come afterwards are living in a different musical world. So that's why it surprises me to hear this comparison. I think, between us, we've given any interested party the perfect Decemberists-for-Tullies primer! Cheers, Jioffe.
|
|
jioffe
Journeyman
... and the days of my youth!
Posts: 162
|
Post by jioffe on Mar 22, 2009 19:40:33 GMT
Like any right thinking person, after hearing Tull comparisions a few times, I listened to The Decemberists...and I liked what I heard...smart, talented, thoughtful musicians playing very good music...but I didn't hear anything to make me think it was Heavy Horses II or required a 'Jethro Tull' alert...probably one critic said it once, and other copy him or her. I've never heard any band really sound like Tull....in the old days people steered Tullites toward Focus, Horselips, some fairport, some Steeleye Span and remember an obscure group called the 'JSD Band'?....None of them, to my ears, were the new Tull...the closest thing I ever heard to Tull were a few terribly annoying, mundane riffs by those Aussie crap producers 'Men at Work', clearly lifted from Benefit era Tull but sounding awful in the nursery rhymes that band passed off as rock and roll. Glad to hear you like them. That's now three declared Ds fans among the Tull ranks. Maybe there is something in their sound that strikes a chord with Tullies! I'd be interested to see what you make of The Island, if your paths haven't already crossed. Cheers, Jioffe.
|
|
rebecca
Master Craftsman
Posts: 458
|
Post by rebecca on Mar 22, 2009 20:34:54 GMT
There are moments in the music, but they are slim - at least before hearing this new album. However, I remember reading an article where Colin says Jennie is a Tull fan - and some remarkably APP/TAAB organ is very distinctive at times, although influence isn't and shouldn't be imitation. I think that's what's being referred to, within some prog extended musical passages. The songs that might bring it to mind wouldn't be likely to be heard on the radio because of their length (and maybe complexity, but we don't even have to go there!) But interestingly, in the interview that I put the link to, CM says that the album isn't only influenced by English folk music and that tradition but also the early 70s British rock that was itself influenced by folk - he tossed out a few names, including Led Zep, and I thought, "he's gonna say it, he's gonna say it..." but he didn't say it! But I take it this record is going to maybe rock out a bit more. And reading the comments from listeners is interesting - "nothing to turn into a single," "can't listen to the beginning without listening to the whole thing," comparisons to Tommy and Rush... It'll be interesting. And CM hit on something in the interview that I was trying to get at and might have been able to if I'd tried harder and had more time, but it's this: it seems to me that there is an essential divide, pre- and post-punk, regardless of what you actually think of punk. The people who come afterwards are living in a different musical world. So that's why it surprises me to hear this comparison. I think, between us, we've given any interested party the perfect Decemberists-for-Tullies primer! Cheers, Jioffe. Perfect indeed, but for good measure, here's that article that talks about Jennie liking Tull, somewhere a little past the middle: pitchfork.com/features/interviews/6471-the-decemberists/Just a mention, but there were several other interesting things as well, such as being maybe a little on the defensive about that term, "concept album" - and haven't we heard that before? But it occurs to me that what this could all be about is just the idea of having a long song that proceeds through different stages, different themes, etc. I mean, in comparison with anything else going on these days, it is like Tull...and Genesis...and Yes...and....
|
|
rebecca
Master Craftsman
Posts: 458
|
Post by rebecca on Mar 22, 2009 20:47:36 GMT
Like any right thinking person, after hearing Tull comparisions a few times, I listened to The Decemberists...and I liked what I heard...smart, talented, thoughtful musicians playing very good music...but I didn't hear anything to make me think it was Heavy Horses II or required a 'Jethro Tull' alert...probably one critic said it once, and other copy him or her. I've never heard any band really sound like Tull....in the old days people steered Tullites toward Focus, Horselips, some fairport, some Steeleye Span and remember an obscure group called the 'JSD Band'?....None of them, to my ears, were the new Tull...the closest thing I ever heard to Tull were a few terribly annoying, mundane riffs by those Aussie crap producers 'Men at Work', clearly lifted from Benefit era Tull but sounding awful in the nursery rhymes that band passed off as rock and roll. Here's a discussion Jioffe and I have had: If I say something is like Tull, and you say something is like Tull, that doesn't mean we'll agree at all, because even though we like the same things (and even if we didn't), your list of what characterises Tull are probably not going to be the same as my list. (NOW I know that linguists call this "prototype theory", and it's nice to have a name for something!) There's a guy I know who loves the Beatles, and before the day of the internet he wasted untold amounts of money buying anything with a review that made that comparison, but he was almost constantly disappointed!
|
|
|
Post by steelmonkey on Mar 22, 2009 22:45:22 GMT
MY experience with any of the : 'If you like this you'll like that' way of approaching music has been that is almost 100% wrong for me...whether Amazon, record store employee zines or, especially, web sites like 'Pandora' that think they can scientifically break down what you like and then propose similar stuff...bah...humbug to all that....music is magic and can't be analysed and explained and, especially, not predicted.
|
|
|
Post by maddogfagin on Mar 23, 2009 12:32:46 GMT
Like any right thinking person, after hearing Tull comparisions a few times, I listened to The Decemberists...and I liked what I heard...smart, talented, thoughtful musicians playing very good music...but I didn't hear anything to make me think it was Heavy Horses II or required a 'Jethro Tull' alert...probably one critic said it once, and other copy him or her. I've never heard any band really sound like Tull....in the old days people steered Tullites toward Focus, Horselips, some fairport, some Steeleye Span and remember an obscure group called the 'JSD Band'?....None of them, to my ears, were the new Tull...the closest thing I ever heard to Tull were a few terribly annoying, mundane riffs by those Aussie crap producers 'Men at Work', clearly lifted from Benefit era Tull but sounding awful in the nursery rhymes that band passed off as rock and roll. As much as I like The Crane Wife I would agree with what you said. I've never heard anyone come close to the Tull sound but I have heard a) groups that have been clearly influenced by IA's music and b) artists who have taken the Tull sound and have adapted it for their own use, ie Hedgehog Pie and their ilk. Put a flute on a record and the critics are shouting Tull inflenced.
|
|
|
Post by maddogfagin on Mar 23, 2009 14:17:02 GMT
Like any right thinking person, after hearing Tull comparisions a few times, I listened to The Decemberists...and I liked what I heard...smart, talented, thoughtful musicians playing very good music...but I didn't hear anything to make me think it was Heavy Horses II or required a 'Jethro Tull' alert...probably one critic said it once, and other copy him or her. I've never heard any band really sound like Tull....in the old days people steered Tullites toward Focus, Horselips, some fairport, some Steeleye Span and remember an obscure group called the 'JSD Band'?....None of them, to my ears, were the new Tull...the closest thing I ever heard to Tull were a few terribly annoying, mundane riffs by those Aussie crap producers 'Men at Work', clearly lifted from Benefit era Tull but sounding awful in the nursery rhymes that band passed off as rock and roll. Here's a discussion Jioffe and I have had: If I say something is like Tull, and you say something is like Tull, that doesn't mean we'll agree at all, because even though we like the same things (and even if we didn't), your list of what characterises Tull are probably not going to be the same as my list. (NOW I know that linguists call this "prototype theory", and it's nice to have a name for something!) There's a guy I know who loves the Beatles, and before the day of the internet he wasted untold amounts of money buying anything with a review that made that comparison, but he was almost constantly disappointed! Reminds me of a well respected Tull collector (it wasn't me I hasten to add) who back in the early eighties thought he had uncovered an unreleased Tull instrumental. As it turned out it was "Leave it with me" from Blodwyn Pig's first album. I still have the cassette tape which he sent me with the track listed as an unreleased Tull tune. I think his confusion arose from the fact that the American version of Ahead Rings Out omitted the track concerned and he only had that version of the album. Well, it has got a flute on the track played by Jack Lancaster and the guitar is played by by Mick Abrahams.
|
|
rebecca
Master Craftsman
Posts: 458
|
Post by rebecca on Mar 23, 2009 17:33:58 GMT
I'm being very naughty at work to sign on and say (very quickly) that I will have to wait a few days to hear it, because I went on Amazon and they've got it for 10 bucks, and how can I pass that up? They also had U2s new one for 10 bucks, which I couldn't pass up, and they had the Player's handbook for 21 bucks, which I couldn't pass up. I'm really spoiling myself, but it would have cost me much more to buy those things otherwise.
Are you having a fun day today, Jioffe? Go ahead, spill it if you feel like it. On my Decemberists email list, the kids aren't nuts about it. It's "contrived." Isn't music always contrived? I mean, it doesn't spring like Athena from the brain, you have to work on it. Even little kids develop their creations without the plan of doing so.
And yeah, there was a Tull reference!!!
|
|
jioffe
Journeyman
... and the days of my youth!
Posts: 162
|
Post by jioffe on Mar 23, 2009 22:26:50 GMT
I'm being very naughty at work to sign on and say (very quickly) that I will have to wait a few days to hear it, because I went on Amazon and they've got it for 10 bucks, and how can I pass that up? They also had U2s new one for 10 bucks, which I couldn't pass up, and they had the Player's handbook for 21 bucks, which I couldn't pass up. I'm really spoiling myself, but it would have cost me much more to buy those things otherwise. Are you having a fun day today, Jioffe? Go ahead, spill it if you feel like it. On my Decemberists email list, the kids aren't nuts about it. It's "contrived." Isn't music always contrived? I mean, it doesn't spring like Athena from the brain, you have to work on it. Even little kids develop their creations without the plan of doing so. And yeah, there was a Tull reference!!! Well, the plans for today went pretty much according to, er, plan and got to listen to the album through without interruption. At a smidgen short of an hour, this was quite an achievement! Of course, it's going to take a few plays for everything to gel into anything close to a coherent whole but a few initial thoughts. Is it Tull-like? Not to these ears - even less so than The Island, I'd say but it does have one very definite Tull link for me. When it finished, I felt exactly the same as I did after having heard Minstrel in the Gallery for the first time - neither particularly liking or disliking it but desperate to hear it again. The vocal guests are perfect. Becky Stark as Margaret has an especially striking voice. Very Sandy Denny-like. Shara Worden's not bad either. Is it genius or overblown bombast? Probably, yes. Cheers, Jioffe.
|
|
rebecca
Master Craftsman
Posts: 458
|
Post by rebecca on Mar 23, 2009 22:53:36 GMT
I'm being very naughty at work to sign on and say (very quickly) that I will have to wait a few days to hear it, because I went on Amazon and they've got it for 10 bucks, and how can I pass that up? They also had U2s new one for 10 bucks, which I couldn't pass up, and they had the Player's handbook for 21 bucks, which I couldn't pass up. I'm really spoiling myself, but it would have cost me much more to buy those things otherwise. Are you having a fun day today, Jioffe? Go ahead, spill it if you feel like it. On my Decemberists email list, the kids aren't nuts about it. It's "contrived." Isn't music always contrived? I mean, it doesn't spring like Athena from the brain, you have to work on it. Even little kids develop their creations without the plan of doing so. And yeah, there was a Tull reference!!! Well, the plans for today went pretty much according to, er, plan and got to listen to the album through without interruption. At a smidgen short of an hour, this was quite an achievement! Of course, it's going to take a few plays for everything to gel into anything close to a coherent whole but a few initial thoughts. Is it Tull-like? Not to these ears - even less so than The Island, I'd say but it does have one very definite Tull link for me. When it finished, I felt exactly the same as I did after having heard Minstrel in the Gallery for the first time - neither particularly liking or disliking it but desperate to hear it again. The vocal guests are perfect. Becky Stark as Margaret has an especially striking voice. Very Sandy Denny-like. Shara Worden's not bad either. Is it genius or overblown bombast? Probably, yes. Cheers, Jioffe. Well, if you're comparing it to an experience that has stuck with you since 1975, that's pretty impressive. Thanks for the report! BTW according to the review on Amazon, Becky Stark is in a band called "Lavender Diamond," if you want to check that out. It also thrills me a bit that Jim James from My Morning Jacket (no doubt Louisville's most famous band) is on the album too, but I have a feeling I mentioned that before.
|
|
jioffe
Journeyman
... and the days of my youth!
Posts: 162
|
Post by jioffe on Mar 24, 2009 16:48:40 GMT
Well, the plans for today went pretty much according to, er, plan and got to listen to the album through without interruption. At a smidgen short of an hour, this was quite an achievement! Of course, it's going to take a few plays for everything to gel into anything close to a coherent whole but a few initial thoughts. Is it Tull-like? Not to these ears - even less so than The Island, I'd say but it does have one very definite Tull link for me. When it finished, I felt exactly the same as I did after having heard Minstrel in the Gallery for the first time - neither particularly liking or disliking it but desperate to hear it again. The vocal guests are perfect. Becky Stark as Margaret has an especially striking voice. Very Sandy Denny-like. Shara Worden's not bad either. Is it genius or overblown bombast? Probably, yes. Cheers, Jioffe. Well, if you're comparing it to an experience that has stuck with you since 1975, that's pretty impressive. Thanks for the report! BTW according to the review on Amazon, Becky Stark is in a band called "Lavender Diamond," if you want to check that out. It also thrills me a bit that Jim James from My Morning Jacket (no doubt Louisville's most famous band) is on the album too, but I have a feeling I mentioned that before. Just about to go for run through 2. I've had bits of the album buzzing through my head all day today! There's no question it's an impressive piece of work. The question is, does it work musically and that's the bit I'm not yet sure of. Thanks for the background info, although I did know most of this. Jim James has more of a backing role than the two females - he doesn't have a 'character' role. Shara Worden is, as I guess you know, with My Brightest Diamond and has worked with Sufjan Stevens. I notice on the Ds official board (yes, they still have one!) she's getting most of the vocal plaudits. I've also had an idea for the Ds next project. They should get together with Kate Bush and Daisy Duke to make The Hounds of Haz(z)ard! Cheers, Jioffe.
|
|
rebecca
Master Craftsman
Posts: 458
|
Post by rebecca on Mar 24, 2009 22:37:14 GMT
I'd suggest forgetting about Daisy Duke and just take the General Lee. At least the horn can play a tune.
|
|
|
Post by stormmonkey on Mar 24, 2009 23:06:06 GMT
I'd suggest forgetting about Daisy Duke and just take the General Lee. At least the horn can play a tune. I'd suggest that not including Daisy Duke might be just "a little bit more than the law will allow...". q q q q q q q!!! lol.
|
|
rebecca
Master Craftsman
Posts: 458
|
Post by rebecca on Mar 25, 2009 2:09:48 GMT
I don't know, baby, have you heard her sing?
|
|
jioffe
Journeyman
... and the days of my youth!
Posts: 162
|
Post by jioffe on Mar 25, 2009 20:53:21 GMT
I don't know, baby, have you heard her sing? Who said anything about her singing? Cheers, Jioffe.
|
|
rebecca
Master Craftsman
Posts: 458
|
Post by rebecca on Mar 26, 2009 0:05:12 GMT
I don't know, baby, have you heard her sing? Who said anything about her singing? Cheers, Jioffe. Now, it was 99.999% likely that some guy was going to say precisely those words. I have some equally obvious deflating responses, but because of your exalted position in my own personal pantheon, I'll hold back and just mention that Kate Bush is at least 170 times the woman she is, so you still don't need her. BTW, I remember my friend Nora talking about how out of place she felt growing up in rural Kentucky and always surmised there must be a Londoner somewhere who just loved the Dukes of Hazzard. Was it you? BTW again, if a cockney were to say "lumme," it would be two syllables, wouldn't it? Like "love me?" In a book at work they said "lum," and I'm pretty sure that's wrong.
|
|
quizzkid
Master Craftsman
Spin me back down the years...
Posts: 297
|
Post by quizzkid on Mar 26, 2009 10:06:00 GMT
BTW again, if a cockney were to say "lumme," it would be two syllables, wouldn't it? Like "love me?" In a book at work they said "lum," and I'm pretty sure that's wrong. Rebecca, you're right, two syllables as in lum'me.
|
|
jioffe
Journeyman
... and the days of my youth!
Posts: 162
|
Post by jioffe on Mar 26, 2009 16:49:30 GMT
Who said anything about her singing? Cheers, Jioffe. Now, it was 99.999% likely that some guy was going to say precisely those words. I have some equally obvious deflating responses, but because of your exalted position in my own personal pantheon, I'll hold back and just mention that Kate Bush is at least 170 times the woman she is, so you still don't need her. Wha'?! I just had her down for her immense, but largely unrecognised, ability as a marxophone player! To be honest, I don't think I've ever watched it! As Quizz said, your version is correct, although I can't think it's an expression that's ever been in my vocab. Btw, have listened to HoL 3 times now and - it's clicked! My advice: Don't get hung up on the story! Oh, also, does anyone else keep getting an ad for this album at the top of this page? Spooky! Cheers, Jioffe.
|
|
|
Post by maddogfagin on Mar 26, 2009 18:43:07 GMT
Now, it was 99.999% likely that some guy was going to say precisely those words. I have some equally obvious deflating responses, but because of your exalted position in my own personal pantheon, I'll hold back and just mention that Kate Bush is at least 170 times the woman she is, so you still don't need her. Oh no. . . . . .don't get me on the subject of Kate Bush
|
|
|
Post by tullistray on Mar 27, 2009 0:19:48 GMT
I have still only been exposed to about 4 Decemberists tracks, and a couple reviews in Chicago, one of which quoted here I think, where Crane Wife is called the best Tull album since Heavy Horses and the current one allegedly TAAB's superior. Quite likely I have heard the wrong tracks but to say I saw any similarity to any period of Tull (I presume rock critics would be referring to the first 4 years anyway, the only ones they know, or with much of merit in them according to those who know) would be untrue, not the slimmest other than maybe their over serious picture. BTW they have not outdone the classic LITP shot, the one where Barrie is holding a baby. I did hear the usual genuinely tired influences of REM, Elvis Costello and indies trying to be indie rather than just trying to be. Now Boiled in Lead from Minneapolis, when Todd Menton was in the band which I guess he might be again, they had just the right amount of Tull influence and humor. Pig Dog Daddy is one I'd like to hear Ian add just the right manic touch, likely on flute, to. Also Tempest out in Oakland has long held their Tull influences seemingly without fear of scorn and retribution, and sometimes they are very very good. But for best Tull influence I would nod to the later years of Maartin Allcocks involvement with Fairport, when I believe elements of their stagecraft had been influenced by the various dalliances of various members w Fairport in the Tull "camp." But mostly it was just the rockier elements that Maart's involvement w Fairport brought, after all, he had been influenced by both, and of course the usual's, like classic Who, all mixed in with a deep knowledge of trad. This is the track from The Crane Wife that drew most of the Tull comparisons. Listen and make up your own minds. I'd be keen to know what y'all think: www.deezer.com/track/the-island-come-and-see-the-landlords-daughter-you-ll-not-feel-the-drowning-T951205Cheers, Jioffe. Well thanks for this window into what some of these comparisons have concerned Jioffe, yeah I can hear it in the sudden appearances of un aided acoustic guitar, rollicking organ around 8 or 9 minute mark and the length itself, and I am pleased that a band with this missive is getting some exposure. But my real reaction is a much more familiar bitter, seething response that these guys are purported to matter, when I can tell within about half a second that they should be very honored indeed to be compared to Tull, let alone the backhanded acknowledgements given by those in the alleged know. I have said it so often but this holds true to me, I wish to heaven that music could be reduced to sport, some divine universal heart unaware and unaffected by temparements and cultures of the time would have to be the judge or scorekeeper, and to have team Tull certainly play the Decemberists, but first I want a go at the Sex Pistols, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Sonic Youth, Velvet Underground, Talking Heads, the Clash, Mission to Burma, Depeche Mode, Nirvana, Tupac, Run DMC and even Led Zeppelin. Did not say I like nothing by any of the above but I have seen their ass kissed thousands of times while Tull remains to some extent an embarrassment best kept under wraps. Tull to me of course occupies the most rareifed of airs of their time, a capsule where the other passengers would be the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Art Blakey and Duke Ellington, not even room for Sun Ra, Monk, Art Ensemble, Stones, Who, Hot Tuna, RT, Fairport or Steeleye, don't think any wouldbe too upset. Now these were some serious operators, most respected with one JT clearly not, will always be bitter about that, and I suspect deep down Ian Anderson is as well. Does anybody around here remember the kind of reviews Songs From The Wood and Heavy Horses received in real time. Of course by that date the hippest rags probably felt it beneath them to review at all, for instance Chicago and probably NY newpapers and arty rags, or the always reliable Rolling Stone with their one star review of SFTW and review of the show in 77 as Thick as Kitsch, probably available on that Tull press site. Noticed about 8 years ago in Rolling Stones current album review book they give SFTW 5 stars, but Roots 2. Now you just know they gave Roots a real close listen. And finally for those of us seeing the age of 50 well past, and certain knowledge of the passing of days, my tolerance for pretty good might be a little less, its more that I have amassed so much music in my 52, even if I live with awareness to be 100 I still probably will not closely listen to all of what I currently have, and new entries are eyed carefully, in the past ten years, and none come with a truly screaming bullet, that would be down to Dave Alvin, Phish, at least their instrumental forays usually yield results but if you're looking for a hook therein you probably won't find it , a zydeco band called Terrance Simien and the Mallet Playboys, Ozric Tentacles impressed me with Jurassic Shift,Nicole Mitchell current head of the extraordinary 44 year old Chicago music collective called the AACM, not to mention an extraordinary flautist and, if there is such a word, ensemblist, she has a gift for attaching talents to her objective, and that is damn nearly it insofar as I remember. I really believe there was a jurassic shift where the light was stolen with the passing of both the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix in 70, I really believe things would have been different had they remained, ...and if JFK, Malcolm X, RFK and MLK had not been murdered but they were and here we are. Does anybody think we would be breathing if Dick Cheney had been in power in October 62, allying with General (turn N Vietnam into a parking lot) Lemay. Be very grateful for JFK folks, and Kruschev too who had the even more difficult task of mollifying the Supreme Soviet.
|
|