Time will tell on the songs themselves, but this album def seems to have particularly strong band arrangements and a good, roomy sound that's like a middle ground between the more polished stuff on the last album and the shaggier charms of, like, Catacombs and Big Wheel.
"American Canyon Sutra" is a cool left turn. I like it when he includes demos or home recordings on albums, like "Mariah" or a lot of stuff on Big Wheel. I'll bet a lot of people skip it.
I will say that this was thrilling to listen to today
American Canyon Sutra made me think of The Streets lol. Loving it though, as mentioned it feels surprisingly full compared to the uh, claustrophonic vibe his tunes often evoke. Opening and closing tracks are stone cold chillers.
I found a box of old family photographs. Who are all these people? I think this one's Aunt Dorothy, is that her husband "What's His Naaame?"? He was gooone before my time. I think they live back in Ohio somewhere. Is there anyone still left who can tell me who all these people aaaarreee?
steakspoon wrote:sorry if sounds corny fellas but i'll always remember where i was when i heard my first big star song..the internet.
ripersnifle wrote:have a post to make after a few spins of this at work
this made for a pretty lovely listen today. it definitely grew on me each time through. i think it will really benefit from a good rip. gonna give Mangy Love a revisit this weekend. you do have to hand it to him: he's working with a pretty inimitable palette these days just in terms of the arrangements on this and ML and how they've been produced.
one of my fav moments on relistening has been all those crazy tones on the second half of "sidewalk bop..." (especially ~3:55)Toggle Spoiler i do wish he'd indulge those ~out there~ impulses a bit more sometimes. like, for as enjoyable as "the great pixley train robbery" is, it is kind of a down the middle rocker in a way that i wish he would fuck with a bit more.
steakspoon wrote:sorry if sounds corny fellas but i'll always remember where i was when i heard my first big star song..the internet.
oh, i remember i was gonna post in this thread last week about: how did i not know until recently that Chris Cohen plays guitars on Wit's End and Humor Risk?! so cool to discover.
steakspoon wrote:sorry if sounds corny fellas but i'll always remember where i was when i heard my first big star song..the internet.
Id put it toward the bottom of his albums but I'm still pumped there's new music I like his older melodies and singing more but appreciate the instrumentation on these slick newer ones
Quigley wrote:Last track has a riff very similar to
Had this album on while working today and while I was half listening I had to stop to see if he was covering this. Knowing he is a fan I didn’t think it out of the question.
Rounder also reminds me of Kurt Vile (at least that's what came to mind when I was listening in the car today) maybe because of the vocal effects and circular lick
been soaking up this album big time bb
the pitchfork review is actually a pretty good straightforward classic album review
McCombs possesses a rare ability to diffuse improvisation into these sharply arranged songs, allowing for spontaneity during the recording process by disguising it. On “Sidewalk Bop After Suicide,” a rigid guitar-and-drum structure keeps getting nudged out of place by little flourishes. It’s the kind of thing that makes Sphere equally enjoyable whether you’re listening passively or actively; the record doesn’t demand attention but rewards it generously.
yup yup
My listening experience in balanced mode reveals the great depth of EARTH
I’ve never really had great things to say about California. Growing up, I didn’t really like it. [Laughs] I pretty much left as soon as I could — went to New York immediately and found people interested in similar things as me. Maybe it’s not the same anymore, but I’m not the same anymore. There’s a lower intelligence level in California that people aren’t really aware of. I don’t know why. Maybe they’re too busy kayaking or something. They don’t have time to read — they have their kayaking.
lol
steakspoon wrote:sorry if sounds corny fellas but i'll always remember where i was when i heard my first big star song..the internet.