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Post by GtrPlyr on Jan 28, 2004 23:04:42 GMT -5
One of the main differences, I find, between Paul’s early lyrics, and his later material, is that he seems to be focusing his writer’s eye externally more. In the days of the Mats, Paul’s lyrical focus seemed to be based solely, on him, and the band. Examples of this are on all the Mats albums: Color Me Impressed, I Don’t Know, Someone Take the Wheel, Talent Show, Bastards of Young, etc. The early lyrics had more of an “us against them” feel; they were infused with angst, and a feeling of being out of step with mankind. They were definitely more claustrophobic in there scope.
Paul seems to have turned a corner, on his last few albums. Where once, he would only write songs based around his, and the bands experiences, he now seems to want to expand his pallet. He seems to be more willing to be influenced by outside sources such as books. This has produced songs such as Crackle & Drag, which is more of a storyteller type song, rather than a personal experience song. The basis of his songwriting still seems to stem from personal experience. You still have the songs about the hardships of marriage, and relationships, to growing older, but between those he is broadening his songwriting, by trying on different hats.
I’m not suggesting that his songwriting is getting better. I still prefer his early work in general, but I think he’s realized the limitations of his old style. Settling down, and being somewhat happy, can have an interesting effect on a guys songwriting…
Usually you need some kind of strife to produce the most interesting art, so barring this, Paul has had to find new things to inspire his creativity.
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Post by GtrPlyr on Jan 7, 2004 12:59:10 GMT -5
Bootsy???
Yeah I guess it looks a bit like Bootsy...
but it's actually a picture of Sly Stone.
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Post by GtrPlyr on Jan 7, 2004 12:42:28 GMT -5
Careful Goodo.
You may be the first one to be demoted, to four-star rank.
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Post by GtrPlyr on Jan 7, 2004 12:33:15 GMT -5
I think it was all your subtle comments, directed at Kathy's five-star rank, that finally pushed things over the edge Goodo.
I guess we're all considered equals now.
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Post by GtrPlyr on Jan 6, 2004 16:19:50 GMT -5
go easy on Mr Duritz... anyone who opens their debut album with the lines: "step out the front door, like a ghost into the fog where no one notices the contrast between white on white..." can't be all bad... It's unusual, for a bands first album to be its best, but in the case of the CC, it seems to be the case. They now resort, to middle-of-the-road renditions of Joni Mitchell songs, instead of writing their own rootsy-Dylanesque type stuff, that they used to do so well... I guess Adam Duritz doesn't want to be Bob Dylan anymore.
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Post by GtrPlyr on Jan 5, 2004 19:08:25 GMT -5
how about the alt-country Songs-Ohia?... on a cinematic note, has anyone seen the movie "Gummo?... Gummo is pretty strange stuff... interesting use of electrical tape though!
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Post by GtrPlyr on Jan 5, 2004 18:35:08 GMT -5
umm... Jen, hate to interrupt, but I couldn't help noticing one glaring omission from your home state list: one of my all-time faves... guided by voices Last night I watched the DVD, "Watch Me Jumpstart." This is a must see for any GBV fans. The DVD has the original documentary from 1996? There's some great scenes, like Pollard recording songs, on a 4-Track (good to see the king of lo-fi, making good use of his limited resources). The DVD has some extras too, like all the videos (these are quite low budget, but very cool). There is also a concert included with the DVD.
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