Yeah, Tegan's always been a bit loose live (I've seen them a dozen times, and she has never once done a whole set where she didn't forget the lyrics to a song), but you can tell that lately she hasn't been able to match what's on the new record. Sara seems the opposite on the songs she sings lead for, where the record seems a bit week and then she kills it live.
I agree that his early whisper-acoustic stuff will likely never be topped, but I definitely understand the need to move beyond that. Just please, Sam, avoid the sax solos.
I'm usually an advocate for separating someone's art vs. their personal beliefs, but that TOTALLY has limits. I believe that he crossed that limit in a way where their songs are tainted, which is sad, because I was a big fan early on. Adding to this, they don't seem to be engaging me with each new release, but just reiterating the same ideas over and over.
I mean, the dude has a ton of songs, so I wasn't expecting to be terribly satisfied. "Lost Cause" isn't my favorite, but it's a great song, from my favorite album of his. And I feel like if you have to choose a big Beck single, "Where It's At" is a lot more fun than "Loser."
I actually agree with Cerebus here. I actually despise the notion that you must support a band forever, even if they start making music that you don't like. That's stupid. I think the new songs are good, if not quite up to the song they were making at their prime, but if I hated the new songs, it would be stupid to say, "Hey, I've been a fan for 10 years, I HAVE TO like it."
Honestly, I think from album to album, they've had a pretty clear path. This doesn't feel like such a departure from Sainthood (Alligator? Paperback Head?) to me. They started out as a folk-based acoustic band, sure, but they've always had pop elements, and seem to always just do whatever the hell they wanted to do, musically. Anyway, I like the new songs. Very excited.
I've written and recorded (on my laptop, with garageband) a song for my mom for Christmas for the last three years. That's some seriously saved money right there.
At least for this list, instead of insisting that a specific website or magazine is stupid for putting certain albums in certain places, we just get to call each other stupid for voting for the wrong things.
If you think that this list is for old people, wait until Rolling Stone's list comes out. Despite not releasing a record this year, Rolling Stone will find a way to put U2 at the top of their list.
Pit bulls are very, VERY loyal dogs. This, along with their obvious size and strength, is why they are used for dog fighting, because they are very loyal to their master, even when he/she tells them to fight other dogs. Please don't hate on them as a breed, especially with zero knowledge.
This is actually something I've been thinking about a lot lately. I like a lot of the modern folk movement (Mumford has some songs I like, some songs I don't). My only issue comes when really good indie bands can't advance to Mumford's degree of popularity because mainstream music's rule of only having one indie band on the radio at a time is being filled by bands that fit into the Mumford mold.
The 5 stages of having a top Stereogum comment:
1.) Pride, for having made an accomplishment.
2.) Obsession, feeling I have to continue this top comment streak
3.) Shame, for feeling proud of an internet accomplishment.
4.) Apathy, realizing that my life with a top comment isn't any different than life without.
5.) Acceptance, that some day I will be dead.
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