FogBlueInSanFran
Well-Known Member
But . . . but . . . but I gave that awful DM record a 2. :)
In retrospect the 2 was harsh for the music, which was probably a 3. They got lowered a notch for desperately pandering to their audience.
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The Album Review Club - End of Round #9 Break (page 1904)
- Thread starter RobMCFC
- Start date
In retrospect the 2 was harsh for the music, which was probably a 3. They got lowered a notch for desperately pandering to their audience.
Saddleworth2
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 27 Jan 2014
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- 21,577
So a nuanced and subtle review of this album. I do get the impression that it wouldn’t make your top ten though.Having listened to the soundtrack for my customary three times I have come to this conclusion...
Dire, turgid, bereft of any ideas, this is all I hate about music. Girl sings in kooky voice, man strums a bit sounding forlorn, it's been done before and after far better than this pile of stinking do-dahs. I can't stand Sheeran either but at least his lyrics sort of resonate now and then.
Where's the excitement? The structure? Why is it sung so damn breathlessly? I wanted to sit in a dark corner after torturing myself with this unholy arse of an album and weep.
This is the damning bit, I'd rather listen to Adele banging on about her shit life whilst selling millions of albums then this awful album. If someone gave it to me I'd break it into tiny pieces in front of them.
I also tried the film. Fuck me, dull as ditch water with about as much star quality as one of my shits. I lasted 20 minutes. My missus watched the whole thing and liked it. And some of the songs. Make of that what you will.
A big fat 0/10. Never darken my door again.
Suicidal thoughts over after I spent an enjoyable few hours in the pub and stuck a Talk Talk album on when I got in.
BimboBob
Well-Known Member
But . . . but . . . but I gave that awful DM record a 2. :)
In retrospect the 2 was harsh for the music, which was probably a 3. They got lowered a notch for desperately pandering to their audience.
Did you? I only gave it a 7 myself!
BimboBob
Well-Known Member
11 probably...So a nuanced and subtle review of this album. I do get the impression that it wouldn’t make your top ten though.
To be honest it could move to a 2 or 3 but it depressed me listening to it. I was going to call it lift music but if I heard it in a lift I'd be trying to get out, and quickly.
Saddleworth2
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 27 Jan 2014
- Messages
- 21,577
i listened to it once. I’m afraid that my initial view was correct. By themselves, the songs aren’t strong enough. I found it pleasant enough but bland pity as I enjoyed the film. I must have been in soppy mood that evening.
4/10
4/10
RobMCFC
Well-Known Member
I may be British but that's another thing we have in common - I don't like tea at all. Coffee all the way for me.This isn't my cup of tea, but since I think tea is kind of awful unless I have the flu (Ted Lasso is right) maybe what I should say is that it's not really my brand of whiskey.
I can handle an iteration or two of "All The Way Down" on a record, but there are too many iterations of it here. When music goes quiet, for it to work well there needs to be a particularly compelling element -- lyric, voice or instrument. Screaming one's pain (periodically out of tune), semi-banal lyrics, and rudimentary chords aren't going to cut it often, and they don't here. The combination is particularly atrocious on such songs as "Say It To Me Now" and -- especially -- "Leave", which I think is effectively unlistenable. It works a little better on the big hit "Falling Slowly". But the best songs here actually have an instrumental backbone ("Trying To Pull Myself Away", clearly my favo(u)rite thing here) or don't involve Glen Hansard as directly ("Gold" by Interference). And though I've never been a big Van Morrison fan, his closers come as a bit of a welcome relief.
Incidentally, someone will have to explain the difference between folk and indie folk to me. I suspect that indie folk involves folkies who have listened to a lot of Radiohead. Am I right?
Though the best songs are 6s, overall it's a 3/10 because there are just too many not-best songs. Sorry Hammer :(.
Edit: just reading the review by @RobMCFC and noting we both used the words "banal" for the lyrics. Not a good sign.
BimboBob
Well-Known Member
You disgust me.I may be British but that's another thing we have in common - I don't like tea at all. Coffee all the way for me.
It's dull. A kooky breathless voice woman and a man on a guitar. I'm a hoover repair guy and I'm going to sing a song about it...nope, fuck off. I imagine they probably have talent but I really, really, really hate this sort of music. Really.
And of course music is for me. You love Oasis, I can't stand them. You went to see David Gray, I'd rather have my testicles stamped on, repeatedly.You'll probably hate my next choice, everyone will probably hate it if I'm honest, but that's music for you.
It's a 0/1 out of 10 for the same reason that foggy hated the DM album. That was his thoughts about it. And this review was mine.
Imagine if we were all the same.
Out of interest, how many times did you listen to it? And did you listen to the songs (note not the album) in full?
I know everyone has things that make them tick and tick them off. What I have found surprising on here, is how often people completely miss the point though. I'm saying this as a response to you but it is an accummulated thought, yours just happens to be the latest. Looking for 'excitement', in an album based around various life struggles, looking for 'grit' in a melodic mood album, looking for sorrow in a happy electro-pop thing, or 'character (undefined)' with no actual meaning, comparing artists like cohen or gallagher to bands erc etc. Quite often feels like there is a preconceived expectation and if it isn't met, albums are judged on that.
I have had my own gripes with some that do nothing for me, or have large chunks that do nothing for me. Not afraid to say that. I do feel giving every one a chance, in different settings, moods or split into chunks when I found them tedious helps. Maybe this is one if those, that needs it.
You are right, there is filler. The film doesn't play all aongs in full, some.are just cut elements, sonthe album suffers for it in sheer number. There is OTT shouting, he has a typenof voice, she has another. A lot of the songs aren't actually new for the album or film either, they are reworked from previous albums with his band. But there are some relly good and well developed songs imo. I hadn't listened to it in years, gave it one whirl, and have had a few stuck in my head the last couple of days, so there is strength there. I may have joined after your nomination, but I'm really curious to see what your thing is now.
BimboBob
Well-Known Member
Out of interest, how many times did you listen to it? And did you listen to the songs (note not the album) in full?
I know everyone has things that make them tick and tick them off. What I have found surprising on here, is how often people completely miss the point though. I'm saying this as a response to you but it is an accummulated thought, yours just happens to be the latest. Looking for 'excitement', in an album based around various life struggles, looking for 'grit' in a melodic mood album, looking for sorrow in a happy electro-pop thing, or 'character (undefined)' with no actual meaning, comparing artists like cohen or gallagher to bands erc etc. Quite often feels like there is a preconceived expectation and if it isn't met, albums are judged on that.
I have had my own gripes with some that do nothing for me, or have large chunks that do nothing for me. Not afraid to say that. I do feel giving every one a chance, in different settings, moods or split into chunks when I found them tedious helps. Maybe this is one if those, that needs it.
You are right, there is filler. The film doesn't play all aongs in full, some.are just cut elements, sonthe album suffers for it in sheer number. There is OTT shouting, he has a typenof voice, she has another. A lot of the songs aren't actually new for the album or film either, they are reworked from previous albums with his band. But there are some relly good and well developed songs imo. I hadn't listened to it in years, gave it one whirl, and have had a few stuck in my head the last couple of days, so there is strength there. I may have joined after your nomination, but I'm really curious to see what your thing is now.
Every album I listen to on here is done in full 3 times. At different times of the day. With and without alcohol. There's no preconceptions, nothing else going on, just sit in my music room and belt them out, with headphones at least once.
Every album I listen to on here is done in full 3 times. At different times of the day. With and without alcohol. There's no preconceptions, nothing else going on, just sit in my music room and belt them out, with headphones at least once.
Fair enough. I've read a few say after one listen won't go back etc, so was just wondering. The alcy is a good touch.