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Post by DaveinDK on Jan 30, 2004 16:16:11 GMT -5
I get what you're saying, but I think you are missing my point. Its the "approach" to recording that is th e same between hootenanny and Mono/CFT. Yeah it mighta been a band playing livebut they obviously didn't labor over recording techniques or production quality, or being in tune for that matter. That's what Paul's doing now.
And Yeah I believe that if a guy sits down and records seperate tracks for song that it can be done in a spontanoeus manner. I mean, Paul's clearly making up those individual tracks in the moment, it's not like written out or anything. Yeah sure on Let's not Belong we get a couple of extra vocal tracks and harmonies and shit that msut taken a little forsight, but that's the cool pop element of it. Otherwise it's a variation on Chuck Berry: The music is straight ahead sloppy rock, poorly recorded. i mean, listen to the bass line on Crackle and Drag alt version, Jesus if that ain't spontaneous , I mean no one could or would actually even put this out on record if they weren't comitted to just taking the first take , I mean it's like he's just learning the song on bass or something. The whole song sounds like it was recorded by someone learning to use an 8 track, The back up vocals are way out, man. It's a mess, but it works. I think this is actually a more spontaneous way to record. I I mean if you have aband, you at least have to practice the songs, all the guys have to pretty much know them, and have played them at least a minimum number of times. Some of this new Paul stuff sounds like he's actually learning the songs as he records them... I don't know but I think this pretty much defines spontaneity.
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Brad
Star Scout
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Post by Brad on Jan 30, 2004 18:07:14 GMT -5
I picked "What A Day" because that is a f*cking hit. If that had the right PR behind it is would chart for sure. It is too good. I bought CFMT the day it came out and I was most excited to hear that song because I loved the scene with it in the documentary so much. Well, I've probably listened to that song close to a thousand times by now and I still absolutely love the hell out of it. I also love "Let's Not Belong". I don't get tired of this one either. I love how it starts with Paul making some wierd "Ah-Ka" noise. It is simple and it rocks not to mention I love the lyrics. ...you take offense I take a full minute just to notice... I respect what Clams has to say but nothing can change my mind about this song or "Footsteps" for that matter. ...heads I win, tails we flip again... f*cking love it.
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Post by landshark on Jan 30, 2004 21:36:49 GMT -5
I get in on this a sec. Have you listened to Crackle and Drag Alt version on headphones? Very, very weird. Very cool, too. The bass is wild, and all those croaking vocals, kind of spooky almost. Definitely enhances the take, although I must say I prefer the "original" version. Footsteps is a great tune too, though it beats me why. Just gets to me. The real hit, though, should have been Things. I could see it going one of two ways: Johnny Cash or Barry Manilow in Vegas.
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Post by butzodaddy on Jan 30, 2004 23:58:31 GMT -5
Locally I heard on the radio: First Glimmer - when it was new and that's what got me into Paul in the first place. Making Me Go - recently but not often enough
and there are any number that I think most people would love but they don't play - maybe the world has no ears
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Post by DaveinDK on Jan 31, 2004 4:31:19 GMT -5
Yeah the title and consequent classic Westerbergian double meaning on Let's not Belong Together are worth the price of admisssion. But the lyrics really are cool as hell on that one, reference to Brian Jones, etc. "Hurry up, teach you some patience, fast."
Anway, I'm not totally conviced that that's a drum machine on there. In fact, I'm pretty sure that's Paul on the hi-hat and snare.. Sounds pretty consistent with the drumming techniques demonstrated on the DVD.
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Post by ClamsCasino on Jan 31, 2004 22:16:27 GMT -5
As for production....Have you listened to Crackle and Drag Alt version on headphones? I've been listening to CFT on headphones through my little discman, and man are the recording techniques used on the whole damn thing pretty primitive, but Crackle is just so f*cked up! You should listen to it. The vocals in particular are all over the place, and the sounds so seperated, it's almost a totally different experience. Well, I guess we're just on opposite ends of the spectrum as far as this issue goes. I think that the alt. version of Crackle & Drag is actually one of the most polished tunes on the album. The eerie layers of background noises and off-kilter backup vocals are clearly intentional (a la "All Shook Down" ) and not a result of sloppiness, and Paul plays the album's most musical bass line on this track, so I guess I don't understand why you picked this one as an example of a primitive, spontaneous recording. The original version is much cruder as far as production quality goes and obviously more spontaneous lyrically.
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Post by Caroline on Jan 31, 2004 22:44:49 GMT -5
I picked "What A Day" because that is a f*cking hit. If that had the right PR behind it is would chart for sure. It is too good. I bought CFMT the day it came out and I was most excited to hear that song because I loved the scene with it in the documentary so much. Well, I've probably listened to that song close to a thousand times by now and I still absolutely love the hell out of it. I also love "Let's Not Belong". I don't get tired of this one either. I love how it starts with Paul making some wierd "Ah-Ka" noise. It is simple and it rocks not to mention I love the lyrics. ...you take offense I take a full minute just to notice... I respect what Clams has to say but nothing can change my mind about this song or "Footsteps" for that matter. ...heads I win, tails we flip again... f*cking love it. You post really rings true for me as well. I picked "What a Day", too. When I first heard it, I thought "That is a bonafide HIT". Too bad it wasn't promoted. "Footsteps" and "Let's Not Belong Together" are two of my favorites from Stereo/Mono, as well. Just hearing that little "Ah-ka" gets my heart pumping.
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Post by ElegantMule on Jan 31, 2004 22:47:39 GMT -5
Here's a question - the meandering piano parts in the background - is that Johnny? Didn't someone say that Johnny is on the record twice? I ask because I feel as though I've heard those random notes before....
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Post by TomT on Feb 1, 2004 1:35:55 GMT -5
I think that the alt. version of Crackle & Drag is actually one of the most polished tunes on the album. The eerie layers of background noises and off-kilter backup vocals are clearly intentional (a la "All Shook Down" ) and not a result of sloppiness, and Paul plays the album's most musical bass line on this track, so I guess I don't understand why you picked this one as an example of a primitive, spontaneous recording. I agree. I put on the headphones for this one and think Paul knew exactly what he wanted here. Very creative stuff and I love the meandering bass too.
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Post by adamapple on Feb 1, 2004 12:21:31 GMT -5
gota go with "i will dare"...iremember a great quote from peter jespersen, saying when he fist heard the songs, his heart jump and thought "oh shit, we're going to be millionares"...he loved those guys so much, its always great to here him tell old stories about the mats
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Brad
Star Scout
Posts: 364
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Post by Brad on Feb 2, 2004 15:18:11 GMT -5
Your post really rings true for me as well. I picked "What a Day", too. When I first heard it, I thought "That is a bonafide HIT". Too bad it wasn't promoted. "Footsteps" and "Let's Not Belong Together" are two of my favorites from Stereo/Mono, as well. Just hearing that little "Ah-ka" gets my heart pumping. Hey Caroline! It is nice to hear we are of the same opinion. As much as I like to hear all the different opinions on here I think I like it a lot more when I'm agreed with It looks like you and I are the only ones to vote for "What a Day". I wish more people would have picked it. I can't fault anyone for picking "I Will Dare" though because that is a hit song and one of my all time favorites. I wonder if "I Will Dare" started getting radio play tomorrow if it would do well. I bet it would have a chance because it still sounds great and not dated at all.
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Post by sadbastard on Feb 3, 2004 5:32:58 GMT -5
I remember getting ready for school early one morning and seeing the "When it Began" video. This was the first time I'd actually heard the Mats.
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Post by kgp on Feb 4, 2004 18:16:04 GMT -5
I think "What a Day" sounds fine as it is. I could see that getting some airplay if he chose to release it as a single. "Runaway Wind" seemed a sure hit at the time. It had that grainy sepia-toned look that was pretty popular at the time. Actually it kind of looked like a Don Henly video that was out around the same time. (Sacrilege!)
For what it's worth, the local community station in St. Louis has been playing "Hillbilly Junk" as of late, something I never would imagine as "radio friendly."
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Post by butzodaddy on Feb 4, 2004 23:17:45 GMT -5
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Smoo
Beagle Scout
Posts: 2,394
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Post by Smoo on Feb 5, 2004 2:11:07 GMT -5
I think gravy is right about Bastards of Young. It should have been huge. And I've always loved Left of the Dial
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