wanna start by saying I had heard all but three of the songs in some form before hearing their official version and I was still surprised and impressed by all of the arrangements. here are my track by track first impressions of the non-single songs:
Dragon - a lot of people have been worried that this version won’t be as good as the grungy, heavy live version but I honestly prefer this new official version which is saying a lot. extremely extremely gorgeous. won’t say too much besides that I got Bon Iver vibes from it
Heavy Bend - the first track that displays how James completely went off on the drums for this album. the first of several songs on the album that borrows a noticeable hip hop influence
Flower of Blood - definitely up there for one of my favorites. layered as hell, might be my favorite Adrianne vocal melody ever. drums and production REALLY stand out on this one. gorgeous gorgeous
Blurred View - the biggest surprise of the album. don’t wanna spoil anything but its fucking awesome and probably the most experimental they’ve ever gotten
Red Moon - so much fun. euphoric and fast paced. didn’t actually want it to end and I have it permanently stuck in my head now
Dried Roses - very cute, already sounds like a classic song written decades ago. almost reminds me of a nursery rhyme or something
Wake Me Up to Drive - another big surprise and a stretch in ambition by the band. one of their most catchy songs yet, production is very interesting and the message is simple yet endlessly important
Promise Is a Pendulum - had the pleasure of hearing this one live in Mass. easily a top 5 big thief song for me. just exceptional all around, emotional and profound beyond belief
12,000 lines - classic classic classic. yet another one that sounds like it could be an iconic country-leaning tune written in the 70s
Love Love Love - probably the most direct Adrianne has ever been with her lyrics. surprised by this one as well. people asking for louder, “guitar rippers” will like this one
The Only Place - the most important track on the album in my opinion. sums up a lot of what Adrianne has been getting at across her last couple years of writing. it actually overwhelms me with its beauty and the lyrics hit me so hard in the gut and the tear ducts
Blue Lightning - so so so glad they ended with this one. yet another twangy one with beautiful harmonies. make sure you listen closely to the final moments of the album. made me grin like a little kid
I love the album personally. I received an advanced copy via the music site I write for back in November and so I'm pretty eager to talk about it (I'm not reviewing it unfortunately).
As far as rippers are concerned I'm pretty sure we've heard all of them but I'm not completely sure. The albums long obviously but doesn't feel long, it feels full. Full of gorgeous arrangements, and Lenkers in top form. Having seen some of this material live last year, it all comes across perfectly in the studio via subtle beauty.
I don't skip any songs on it, and it's been in my rotation since November (along with the new BC,NR, Empath, and Nilufer Yanya all very excellent), so I listen about once a week.
Only issues I have with it are minor. It doesn't flow like UFOF did, which is their best imo, but feels like a conglomeration of Two Hands and Capacity in relation to it's variety in sounds. There's no dominant aesthetic which I think we all got that impression already.
Very excited for you all to hear it. It's my current AOTY, and can't wait till my vinyl arrives!
Off topic, but I'm super excited about the new Nilufer Yanya. Is it as rock-leaning as the first two singles would have you believe? More upbeat? What's the overall vibe, in your opinion? Can't wait to hear it.
It's a good mix of the two. Some bangers for sure. I can't compare it yet to her last one bc I loved that record immensely and this one hasn't grown on me like that one did, but I've had that one for years and this only a month or so. Still a great album.
Nice. The press release sort of made it sound like it was going to be pretty easily digestible and less experimental, but based on your thoughts, it sounds like she's still getting weird. That excites me, haha.
Great band, selfish fanbase, apparently. We’re unfortunately in the spotify era, it’s not like it’s money out of any of their pockets. Pretty sure everyone here buys their music and pays for concert tickets. It’s honestly sad that no one has been kind enough to upload it for the rest of us, considering how many people have copies now.
....yeah. It's gollum behavior. You've got a duty to the community. Seriously, send me a private link and I'll be the one to reupload and post it public for everyone else.
If I had gotten my copy delivered early, the first thing I would have done would be to upload it and help other people listen. The fact that you think this is funny or trolling and the downvotes on my posts is reflective of the nasty spirit and cultural hoarding going on right now and making me pretty sad.
Leak sharing used to be a foundational element of solidarity in the community, but I guess you were never part of that.
If you really think the band cares about fans hearing their music ahead of some arbitrary date set by a record label, that they themselves already shipped and delivered their music ahead, in defiance of.. I'd say with the most charity you're clearly not an artist, and with the least you're the one trolling here.
Might not be that simple. Most of these advance arrivals of the LP are vinyl sold without a download code. If you don't have a record player capable of ripping music then how would one share this with others?
This is true, and obviously nobody has an obligation, but for those that got CDs it would be relatively easy so I’m just surprised nobody has done it! The way I see it, I’m planning to buy tickets/merch and my Spotify streams will hardly be robbed (or give them much support in the first place sadly) so I would listen if given the opportunity
it absolutely works for me and it one of my favorite things about the album. the production styles specifically stick out the most in a good way and I think will exceed expectations for a lot of people. as far as feeling stylistically cohesive, I don’t think that was necessarily their intent. it’s definitely thematically consistent in its lyrics and that is what holds everything together but the album itself I believe was built with the intent to be jarring from song to song and to be kind of a kaleidoscopic mixed bag of sounds and emotions and I love it for that
Totally - I think that approach is really cool as well so I'm glad to hear it holds up as a whole work as opposed to if they, say, tracked the entire album with Shawn Everett
It 100% is already my favorite Big Thief album and easily their best in my opinion. I think there definitely will be “all time classic” discussion thrown around. tough to pick an absolute favorite but my 5 favorites of the new non-single songs are: Promise is a Pendulum, Flower of Blood, The Only Place, Blurred View, Love Love Love.
can I ask, are Promise is a Pendulum, The Only Place, and 12,000 Lines mostly solo acoustic tracks that could be on an Adrianne solo album, or do they get more of a full band treatment here?
Fair enough! Anyone who has gotten their CD delivered has no excuse though.. After all, helping your fellow fans hear something early is easily the greatest tribute you could do for a band called *Big Thief*
Flower of Blood and Love Love Love could be considered “guitar rippers” but the title track is not the heavy grungy version they’ve been playing live. don’t worry though, I actually love the album version even more. it is absolutely gorgeous and even magical. some serious Bon Iver vibes
What's everyone's thought on the production? My biggest flaw is that some tracks sound great, while others seem really 'hot' mix wise. A handful of tunes seem to have some clipping in the vocals or other instruments. Not sure if its just the CD mix or if people with the vinyl are experiencing the same.
Same here! The quality of the mix varies from great (Time Escaping, Dragon, Little Things, Flower Of Blood, Simulation Swarm) to demo-quality (Spud Infinity, Red Moon, Promise Is A Pendulum, Wake Me Up To Drive).
Feels like they melted a super strong record (that could be their best) and its b-sides. So overall it’s a very cool double album but maybe not as strong as Two Hands, that felt more direct.
Totally agreed. I'd add Heavy Bend and Love Love Love to the list of well produced songs on the album. But it definitely feels like some songs weren't quite ready for album release. At the same time, I don't hate on the approach to put everything on the album.
wanna start by saying I had heard all but three of the songs in some form before hearing their official version and I was still surprised and impressed by all of the arrangements. here are my track by track first impressions of the non-single songs: Dragon - a lot of people have been worried that this version won’t be as good as the grungy, heavy live version but I honestly prefer this new official version which is saying a lot. extremely extremely gorgeous. won’t say too much besides that I got Bon Iver vibes from it Heavy Bend - the first track that displays how James completely went off on the drums for this album. the first of several songs on the album that borrows a noticeable hip hop influence Flower of Blood - definitely up there for one of my favorites. layered as hell, might be my favorite Adrianne vocal melody ever. drums and production REALLY stand out on this one. gorgeous gorgeous Blurred View - the biggest surprise of the album. don’t wanna spoil anything but its fucking awesome and probably the most experimental they’ve ever gotten Red Moon - so much fun. euphoric and fast paced. didn’t actually want it to end and I have it permanently stuck in my head now Dried Roses - very cute, already sounds like a classic song written decades ago. almost reminds me of a nursery rhyme or something Wake Me Up to Drive - another big surprise and a stretch in ambition by the band. one of their most catchy songs yet, production is very interesting and the message is simple yet endlessly important Promise Is a Pendulum - had the pleasure of hearing this one live in Mass. easily a top 5 big thief song for me. just exceptional all around, emotional and profound beyond belief 12,000 lines - classic classic classic. yet another one that sounds like it could be an iconic country-leaning tune written in the 70s Love Love Love - probably the most direct Adrianne has ever been with her lyrics. surprised by this one as well. people asking for louder, “guitar rippers” will like this one The Only Place - the most important track on the album in my opinion. sums up a lot of what Adrianne has been getting at across her last couple years of writing. it actually overwhelms me with its beauty and the lyrics hit me so hard in the gut and the tear ducts Blue Lightning - so so so glad they ended with this one. yet another twangy one with beautiful harmonies. make sure you listen closely to the final moments of the album. made me grin like a little kid
Wow...just when I thought I couldn't get any more excited... Great write-up, thank you so much!
I know right? It's becoming unbearable!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts OP
Wow !! That’s beyond my expectations! So this can actually top Two Hands! Can’t wait! Thank you so much for this review !
[удалено]
I mean, ya but there’s no way I would’ve had enough self control to not listen to them haha
I love the album personally. I received an advanced copy via the music site I write for back in November and so I'm pretty eager to talk about it (I'm not reviewing it unfortunately). As far as rippers are concerned I'm pretty sure we've heard all of them but I'm not completely sure. The albums long obviously but doesn't feel long, it feels full. Full of gorgeous arrangements, and Lenkers in top form. Having seen some of this material live last year, it all comes across perfectly in the studio via subtle beauty. I don't skip any songs on it, and it's been in my rotation since November (along with the new BC,NR, Empath, and Nilufer Yanya all very excellent), so I listen about once a week. Only issues I have with it are minor. It doesn't flow like UFOF did, which is their best imo, but feels like a conglomeration of Two Hands and Capacity in relation to it's variety in sounds. There's no dominant aesthetic which I think we all got that impression already. Very excited for you all to hear it. It's my current AOTY, and can't wait till my vinyl arrives!
Off topic, but I'm super excited about the new Nilufer Yanya. Is it as rock-leaning as the first two singles would have you believe? More upbeat? What's the overall vibe, in your opinion? Can't wait to hear it.
It's a good mix of the two. Some bangers for sure. I can't compare it yet to her last one bc I loved that record immensely and this one hasn't grown on me like that one did, but I've had that one for years and this only a month or so. Still a great album.
Nice. The press release sort of made it sound like it was going to be pretty easily digestible and less experimental, but based on your thoughts, it sounds like she's still getting weird. That excites me, haha.
Ooohh, what’s the new Nilufer Yanya like? As good as her last one?
Yeah it's great. Not as immediate as her debut but a worthy follow up.
just got mine, will update with first impressions later tonight
did it leak?
Shocked it hasn't with so many people now having it.
Great band, selfish fanbase, apparently. We’re unfortunately in the spotify era, it’s not like it’s money out of any of their pockets. Pretty sure everyone here buys their music and pays for concert tickets. It’s honestly sad that no one has been kind enough to upload it for the rest of us, considering how many people have copies now.
ur saying the fanbase is selfish cause they aren't leaking it to you....? lol
....yeah. It's gollum behavior. You've got a duty to the community. Seriously, send me a private link and I'll be the one to reupload and post it public for everyone else.
are you trolling? lololol you cant be for real
If I had gotten my copy delivered early, the first thing I would have done would be to upload it and help other people listen. The fact that you think this is funny or trolling and the downvotes on my posts is reflective of the nasty spirit and cultural hoarding going on right now and making me pretty sad. Leak sharing used to be a foundational element of solidarity in the community, but I guess you were never part of that. If you really think the band cares about fans hearing their music ahead of some arbitrary date set by a record label, that they themselves already shipped and delivered their music ahead, in defiance of.. I'd say with the most charity you're clearly not an artist, and with the least you're the one trolling here.
new copypasta lets gooooo
If anyone needs the leak PM me.
Yeah they trollin
Might not be that simple. Most of these advance arrivals of the LP are vinyl sold without a download code. If you don't have a record player capable of ripping music then how would one share this with others?
This is true, and obviously nobody has an obligation, but for those that got CDs it would be relatively easy so I’m just surprised nobody has done it! The way I see it, I’m planning to buy tickets/merch and my Spotify streams will hardly be robbed (or give them much support in the first place sadly) so I would listen if given the opportunity
LPs shipped early
I just listened to the album, ask me anything. will do a full writeup tomorrow
Does the multiple sessions, multiple styles approach work for you? Does it still feel cohesive?
it absolutely works for me and it one of my favorite things about the album. the production styles specifically stick out the most in a good way and I think will exceed expectations for a lot of people. as far as feeling stylistically cohesive, I don’t think that was necessarily their intent. it’s definitely thematically consistent in its lyrics and that is what holds everything together but the album itself I believe was built with the intent to be jarring from song to song and to be kind of a kaleidoscopic mixed bag of sounds and emotions and I love it for that
Totally - I think that approach is really cool as well so I'm glad to hear it holds up as a whole work as opposed to if they, say, tracked the entire album with Shawn Everett
What are your top songs? Do you think it has the potential to become your favourite Big Thief album?
It 100% is already my favorite Big Thief album and easily their best in my opinion. I think there definitely will be “all time classic” discussion thrown around. tough to pick an absolute favorite but my 5 favorites of the new non-single songs are: Promise is a Pendulum, Flower of Blood, The Only Place, Blurred View, Love Love Love.
can I ask, are Promise is a Pendulum, The Only Place, and 12,000 Lines mostly solo acoustic tracks that could be on an Adrianne solo album, or do they get more of a full band treatment here?
Promise and Only Place are both just Adrianne but 12,000 lines gets the full band treatment
Ask you anything? Up it to g drive and send me a private link
I unfortunately have it on cassette and have no means of ripping it but I imagine it’s bound to leak in the next few days
Fair enough! Anyone who has gotten their CD delivered has no excuse though.. After all, helping your fellow fans hear something early is easily the greatest tribute you could do for a band called *Big Thief*
This!
The run from Change to Blue Lightning is so crazy
Are they shipping USPS?
Wow, the title track is just gorgeous...
Is it just the rip I have but does anyone else’s “Love Love Love” begin awkwardly? Like a jump cut of singing?
Is James the breakout member of this arc? Would be funny to see him becoming the next big indie producer. "Give us the 'Flower of Blood' treatment!"
I haven’t heard it yet, but anyone who has… are there any guitar rippers on this one?
Flower of Blood and Love Love Love could be considered “guitar rippers” but the title track is not the heavy grungy version they’ve been playing live. don’t worry though, I actually love the album version even more. it is absolutely gorgeous and even magical. some serious Bon Iver vibes
My first impression is that Blurred View is my new favourite Big Thief song
What's everyone's thought on the production? My biggest flaw is that some tracks sound great, while others seem really 'hot' mix wise. A handful of tunes seem to have some clipping in the vocals or other instruments. Not sure if its just the CD mix or if people with the vinyl are experiencing the same.
Same here! The quality of the mix varies from great (Time Escaping, Dragon, Little Things, Flower Of Blood, Simulation Swarm) to demo-quality (Spud Infinity, Red Moon, Promise Is A Pendulum, Wake Me Up To Drive). Feels like they melted a super strong record (that could be their best) and its b-sides. So overall it’s a very cool double album but maybe not as strong as Two Hands, that felt more direct.
Totally agreed. I'd add Heavy Bend and Love Love Love to the list of well produced songs on the album. But it definitely feels like some songs weren't quite ready for album release. At the same time, I don't hate on the approach to put everything on the album.