antsmarching.org's interview with Mark Batson

[johnbro23]

Matt just posted this on the main page, and interview with Mark Batson (http://www.antsmarching.org/columns/column.php?columnid=24).

[BDRead17]

Awesome stuff :thumbsup

[OLDMANTIME]

Wow, that actually got me more excited for this album. He sounds really confident on how each one of us will react to this energetic album. :multi

[MinaretScreamin]

this just reaffirms my feelings for this new album....it's gonna ROCK BABY!!!!!

[ryguy178]

There's some great info in that article, job well done Matt (assuming you were the interviewer, if not, good job whoever was involved.) Way to go on trying to pull info out about the other songs that didn't make the album and the whole "Scene I" thing, but it didn't seem like Mark was biting for anything. It was also interesting to learn some of the background of Mark's career which I really wasn't aware of, I.e. his heavy jazz background for one. Again, great article, well done.

[clagg12]

this just reaffirms my feelings for this new album....it's gonna ROCK BABY!!!!!

We'll see... :thumbsup

[Disco Stu]

some of the stuff he said made me think...

people are complaing about teh lyrics, how they aren't "liek The Dreaming Tree" that they are "too simple and percise" does anyone think that maybe this was dave's intention, to write simple lyrics that could get a point across, to make the album more exciting...this band doesn't have to or want to do the same thing over and over, they don't want to make 5 BTCS..can you blame them for trying something different? i think we should be glad that they are as excited as batson said they were...it should make for some exciting concert stuff...

also, this brings up another reason as to the shortness of the songs, as batson said, the album is supposed to be excited and upbeat, you aren't gonna find a DDTW or Spoon on this cd, i think taht this album is gonna accomplish the goals that the band set out to reach when tehy started this process and we should be excited for that...

anyway, yea, this interview made me more excited about the album

[JimiThang1]

Great interview :thumbsup

[warehouseguy]

also the fact that they have a lot of other material makes me hopeful for another album in the next two years after stand up!! share the music!

[ryguy178]

Another positive note was Mark's expression of how these songs will grow live, and that the album version was a jumping off point. I realize we all thought and hoped this once seeing how short they were, but hearing it from the producer makes me think there really is a complexity and potential to all of these songs.

[phildo41]

Another positive note was Mark's expression of how these songs will grow live, and that the album version was a jumping off point. I realize we all thought and hoped this once seeing how short they were, but hearing it from the producer makes me think there really is a complexity and potential to all of these songs.

This was my favorite part of the article. I imagine that alot of the songs we get on the album will sound different in say a year or two. Which i think is a good thing. Heres to looking forward to some great jams on these new songs.

[dmbfan524]

great stuff

[Wildmoose31]

Nice interview

[ggies]

"raises the cup" I'll drink to this interview. :D nice job. it got me excited again!

[ericvol]

^^^Amen^^^

[SevenMinarets]

Great interview.

[Disco Stu]

maybe this will help turn around some of the negative vibes on this forum about the new album, the interview is very positive, makes me happy. :bounce

[Nitro1515]

Awesome interview :thumbsup . The best part about it was that he talked about expanding on where the band was in 1998 after BTCS. That makes me very confidant that this album will be damn good.

[#40BigEyedFish]

great interview, the fact that mark spoke w/ ants just totally makes him deserve more respect than lillywhite and ballard combined (harris is cool to share on nancies, but i never considered him a 'producer')

i think mark gets this band, carter said it right on the 5th vid that he s 'on their side'.......i have enough between AB and the leaked clips to say mark saved this band and gave them enthusiasm and energy to last another 10yrs, i m hoping they go back and do some more recording, like fall 06, seems like they work well together.

cant wait til may 10th and mark 'you're my nigga'

[MinaretScreamin]

cant wait til may 10th and mark 'you're my nigga'


hahahahahahahaha :multi :eek :thumbsup :haha

[OCMarsh]

So Batson is the jam band man and DMB made him do this urban record? It's like a bizaaro world. Take that Batson haters!!!!!one

[ryguy178]

So Batson is the jam band man and DMB made him do this urban record? It's like a bizaaro world. Take that Batson haters!!!!!one

was that a "one" as in "one love"? :lol

[m_lebreton]

Great interview... Made me impatiently wait for the album.
It's great to have a perspective from someone on the inside. Not that I won't pose my own opinion, but I always like to see what the authors have to say about there material first, so I can truely enjoy the songs for what they are meant to mean. After that, formulate my own meanings for the songs.

I agree with Mark when he said that DMB studio version are but starting points to a song that will evolve in years to come. Look at Everyday merging in with #36, or #41 with Everyday. Even inserting some Linus and Lucy jams at the begining of PNP/Rapunzell back in '98...

All this to say, great musician and from that I know of Batson, a great producer! Looking forward to this art work!

[shoelessjoe910]

AWESOME INTERVIEW!!! Great stuff....I'm UBER excited for STAND UP!


STAND UP! STAND UP! STAND UP! STAND UP!

[greenpepper7]

"I've gotta be honest - hearing what we have so far - we're pretty impressed."

Um... I haven't been impressed, more depressed with what I've heard. The fact that Batson co-wrote alot of songs scares me (am I alone in this scare?). Can anyone remember the last album which the producer co-wrote alot of songs? I believe it was Everyday.

[Nitro1515]

"I've gotta be honest - hearing what we have so far - we're pretty impressed."

Um... I haven't been impressed, more depressed with what I've heard. The fact that Batson co-wrote alot of songs scares me (am I alone in this scare?). Can anyone remember the last album which the producer co-wrote alot of songs? I believe it was Everyday.
True, but Batson has a jazz background, Ballard had a pop-garbage background

[aggiekjw]

I thought the interview sucked ass.. and i really could give two shits about what ya'll talked about.. fucking worthless interview.. take it off the front page..

[Matt1838]

Can anyone remember the last album which the producer co-wrote alot of songs? I believe it was Everyday.

Yeah and guess what, I read that Ballard and Batson are in fact the same person. So that comparison is totally valid. :thumbsup

[OCMarsh]

Um... I haven't been impressed, more depressed with what I've heard. The fact that Batson co-wrote alot of songs scares me (am I alone in this scare?). Can anyone remember the last album which the producer co-wrote alot of songs? I believe it was Everyday.

Are you grasping for vague and insignificant parallels between ED and SU? How original.

Seriously,Ballard and Batson are nothing alike. Listen to the man's work before you christen this album ED.2.

[taphntm]

Baston has a pretty impressive background. I really like the way he's introduced the band into a different style and he seems to be a strong thread that is keeping the band tightly woven.

[sargedmb]

Good interview with some stuff that really got me "officialy" excited for the album . It's taken some time to get me here. I wanted to be open to the change in material and I am digging it more and more.

Thanks.

[dmbkristin]

He was enthusiastic about his work and his profession, and his answers came from his heart and his passion.

That definitely came across in the interview. :thumbsup

Good read- thanks!

[dman0808]

Let's say I would go in, and maybe I'd write a little bit with Boyd, and then Dave would come and write to that, and then Carter would come write, and Stefan would come write, and then LeRoi would come write, and then Butch

Butch helped write!! haha...i love it. (i knew butch was there jsut wasn't sure if he was playing or actually writing) great interview though. gives me a nice background on mark and i was looking forward to the album...and now have a fresh feeling on the proccess and record.

[shoelessjoe910]

Good interview with some stuff that really got me "officialy" excited for the album . It's taken some time to get me here. I wanted to be open to the change in material and I am digging it more and more.

Thanks.
Glad to here it man!!! Awesome!!!






(I sound like if I'm congratulating you cause you found God or Jesus or something...LOL.)

[m_lebreton]

I thought the interview sucked ass.. and i really could give two shits about what ya'll talked about.. fucking worthless interview.. take it off the front page..

What the hell? Was it really that bad for you?

I can't imagine ever getting that mad at something of this nature. Get a hold of yourself!

[penn darvis]

My favorite part:

My hope is that somehow the record companies and the fans themselves can collectively work together to make sure the record is heard and embraced in other countries.

[siouxsiesue]

Great interview, Matt -- thanks for sharing with us! :thumbsup

loved it when Mark Batson said: "I think it's important for the fans who go out and purchase the album to understand that the album was made to be listened to loud."

loud is good! :)

[mtkelchen]

Awesome interview!!!

25-30 Songs?? I hope they go back in the studio after the tour!!!

We don't need anymore Machead's on our hands (or "Out of My Hands")!!

[TrevorO41]

Good interview... I can't wait to hear all of Out Of My Hands.

The only part I didnt like: "There were songs that had really intricate choruses all drawn up, but then we'd be three or four takes later, and the chorus became two words!"

Intricate: Having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate. I dont see a problem with an incricate chorus.

Anyways, I like what we've heard so far a lot and am still really excited about this album.

[sargedmb]

Glad to here it man!!! Awesome!!!






(I sound like if I'm congratulating you cause you found God or Jesus or something...LOL.)


Maybe I did shoelssjoe. It did sound kind of like you are my dad and approving of my progression in life

[Matt]

Glad you all like it! :) Mark is so damn cool - he really gave us a ton of info - I find myself reading it over and over.

[bryce5.23.88]

i like how batson really recognizes BTCS as amazing. He didn't say, "i've been a fan for awhile, i really wanted to bring out the amazingness of Everyday"

It's interesting because BTCS was 3 albums ago, but Batson specifically mentioned THAT album.

[OCMarsh]

It's premature, but I already find myself hoping Batson produces the next album. Now I'm as bad as the "Everyday Part 2" crowd.

[shoelessjoe910]

Maybe I did shoelssjoe. It did sound kind of like you are my dad and approving of my progression in life
Yeah...that's it!! HAHA!


.....Son! :lol

[dman0808]

"I've gotta be honest - hearing what we have so far - we're pretty impressed."

Um... I haven't been impressed, more depressed with what I've heard. The fact that Batson co-wrote alot of songs scares me (am I alone in this scare?). Can anyone remember the last album which the producer co-wrote alot of songs? I believe it was Everyday.

But the part you're missing is that Glen ("and dave") wrote the album with none of the other band help, not even musically...this time it was a full band participation, while Batson helped along (maybe even push, cause pushing a band is a good thing) with that proccess....it wasn't Glenn ("and dave") sitting at Glen's house and writing 12 songs in, what was it, 3 days. or something stupid like that.

[firedancin4life]

great interview....I think you should have asked why they scrapped all the new summer songs from last year except Hello Again.

[greenpepper7]

Are you grasping for vague and insignificant parallels between ED and SU? How original.

Seriously,Ballard and Batson are nothing alike. Listen to the man's work before you christen this album ED.2.

I have listened to the mans work with other bands, as well as all of the released clips and AB... and I don't like what I've heard. There are alot of things about this album that I didn't like about Everyday. I'm not calling it Everyday 2, but I do think it will have many of te shortcomings Everyday had.

[greenpepper7]

But the part you're missing is that Glen ("and dave") wrote the album with none of the other band help, not even musically...this time it was a full band participation, while Batson helped along (maybe even push, cause pushing a band is a good thing) with that proccess....it wasn't Glenn ("and dave") sitting at Glen's house and writing 12 songs in, what was it, 3 days. or something stupid like that.

True I don't think it will be to the extent (*knock on wood*) as Everyday, but what I have liked about Dave Matthews Band's previous work is its uniqueness. A bunch of people will say "the cool thing about DMB, is the memmbers are just like you and me, they act just like ordinary people." Although I agree that they haven't let the money get to their heads (as far as I can tell) they are definatly not normal people, if you have ever listend to them talk, they are very different. I don't mean a bad different, I like their personalities and I especially love the music THEIR personalities have created. I think a producer like like Mark Batson when giving input will steer the songs towards main stream music, and detract from their uniqueness.

[cruscott35]

I have to admit, I have more respect for Batson after that, his musical background and all, and the way that he and the boys talked about what they wanted for this album made me a little more optimistic about it. With that said, I wish Matt would've gone a little hard ball on him, to say that the majority of the fans on this board are "impressed" with what we've heard so far is misleading though. I would've liked to see his response to the fact that the boards are split 50/50 or 60/40 based on what we've heard. But good job guys, that's quite an achievement for a little ole fan site that most of us have been around since the inception of to interview the new DMB producer.
Scotty

[zachstl]

You heard the man, crank that shit up! :monkey

I really hope Stefan can write better than he can talk...:lol

[007]

thats a great interview

[dmbosw41]

if you listen to the stand up clip it really makes me excited....stand up stand up oh yeah! Its gonna be great live!

[Two Steppin]

Two quotes that have me optimistic for the future of DMB, even if Stand Up (which I think will eventually be seen as a necessary and ultimately succesfull departure) doesn't satisfy our expectations right away:
- "maybe out of the songs that made the album, there were about 25 or 30, and another about 15 or 20 ideas that needed to be developed."
- "And to find something new from each other and to find a new place to start from at this point in their careers is unbelievable. It was an unbelievable experience for me to watch."

These quotes from the interview shows us that the band has the fire, the creative energy back, the life that we all realized has been lacking of late. Also the fact that the each band member was so involved in all creative aspects of creating the sound, the words, and overall message/vibe so eager and excited about testing these puppies out has got me excited. Even if this album becomes a good quality but not genius album, remember these guys have talent; we will always have the summer sets and potential for another BTCS, or another "Stand Up" its just too early to tell. Were just gonna have to wait for the summer to play itself out!

[ethaxton]

What a great interview, good stuff ants, good stuff.

[Strugz10]

Still not sure how Out of My Hands fits into an album that is supposed to make you "Stand Up", but I must say I was very impressed with Batson and his understanding of the band. This album will not be ED pt. 2 but more of intended new direction/experimentation like BTCS was. Will it turn out to be the next BTCS? I don't think so, but it sure as hell can become the next Stand Up. Just my .02

[Npys3]

Good interview.
One thing I'd be interested in is Batson's opinon of Everyday.

[drumdawgone]

mark is the man folks!

[Gregb486]

great read. i was really impressed with batson and hope its reflected on the album.

[manninta]

great interview....I think you should have asked why they scrapped all the new summer songs from last year except Hello Again.
I totally agree 100%. We heard alot of new songs this summer and they did not make the album...I would have like to have heard why from the producers standoint.

Maybe Matt did ask that and didn;t tell us??? makes you think...

[xxcrushme40xx]

I totally agree 100%. We heard alot of new songs this summer and they did not make the album...I would have like to have heard why from the producers standoint.

Maybe Matt did ask that and didn;t tell us??? makes you think...


I belive that was already covered when he mentioned about the flow and purpose that the band wanted to bring to this album....no fret I'm sure they will return someday...

[Mickey Carson]

It's clear that Mark understands the band in a very personal way. Good stuff. I enjoy the positive vibe that encompasses this album.

[Jake]

great interview....I think you should have asked why they scrapped all the new summer songs from last year except Hello Again.



that was one of the points Matt intended to get to, but he ran out of time, and the interview went in a different (and more informative) direction.



I thought Mark was very frank in the interview about how the entire process went.


I see that some people comparing Ballard and Baston. I think there is a major difference.


Ballard was in awe of Dave, b/c he'd never worked with someone as talented as Dave. That's why when Dave picked up an instrument and strummed it, Ballard didn't have the grapes to change anything about it (thusly we get the very simple Space Between).

Baston said he was a fan, but he says he put that aside, and had them make music that developed (as changing songs when other members added to the songs - didn't make it sound like BTCS).


That should give fans hope alone that this album will truely be the Anti-Everyday.

[ethaxton]

Im just curious, and maybe it was mentioned, but how was the interview conducted? Phone? In person?

[tripinbartender]

interview=cool

mark=nice guy

chant choruses= :thumbsdow

[Strugz10]

chant choruses= :thumbsdow
Well, everyone pretty much does that. We don't necessarily chant, but we all sing along and if Dave stopped singing we would be loud. I think since the song Stand Up's chorus is more of a chant than a "chorus" Batson just can't wait to see all of us into the song and singing along.

[Matt]

With that said, I wish Matt would've gone a little hard ball on him, to say that the majority of the fans on this board are "impressed" with what we've heard so far is misleading though.
Scotty

Actually, I was speaking for myself and the rest of the staff here.

[mynameistimmy]

This is good news, since this means Mark didn't try to make this a hip hop/R&B album. Now I'm looking forward to it even more; thanks Matt/ Ants staff.

[fujihanashi]

I don't think the interview changes much. We can't forget some of the more discouraging things we have heard up until now. Now, personally, I am looking forward to the album, but this interview doesn't change much. Producers are experts at selling their products, so I am not really gonna put much value on what Batson says. When we get our hands on it is when we will know for certain about the "new" DMB. But even if it is not that good, it's still cool that the band tried something new.

But the interview made me wonder. Was the "old" DMB somewhat bored with their music? Is that why they wanted BAtson? Were the other band members unimpressed with last's year's new songs?

[dmb2much40]

i liked a lot of what he said, it seems the making of the album is truly each member contributing 1/5 of a song. i just hope he's being honest. after the everyday interviews, it makes me skeptical until i hear the whole album.

[satellitedmb40]

great interview! I am very happy they put some info on batson's background in it. We see names that he's worked with like eminem because people recognize those names. I had never realized he had done stuff with a jam band and with jazz. My respect for him has grown a lot now and pushed some of the worries I had about the album aside. :thumbsup Thanks for posting that interview!

[goochylittlepig]

My favorite part:
[the fans themselves working to promote the band to new people]
yeah, maybe if red light werent such dicks to sharing communitites, people could get the music out there a lot easier. it's not like we're taking trips to europe to show people dmb, but interested europeans (or australians, etc.) can [used to be able to] go online and find their live shows.

[goochylittlepig]

loved it when Mark Batson said: "I think it's important for the fans who go out and purchase the album to understand that the album was made to be listened to loud."

loud is good! :)
ive been trying to tell people that. all these clips and american baby seemed sort of hollow and 1-dimensional like everyday songs the first time i heard them, but when i got them into my car and was blasting them, or even just turned up at home, i realized how awesome they are. they should put a sticker on each cd case saying "Please listen to this music LOUD!" :monkey

[goochylittlepig]

Actually, I was speaking for myself and the rest of the staff here.
:D :thumbsup

[Remmahmood13]

Increase in volume doesn't make up for the fact that the music sucks, eg AB

[RememberTwo]

you know, as a loyal fan of the bands, i wasnt excited about this album until i read that interview. i was worried about batson, but when he said that Before these crowded streets is the best album, i knew he was one of us.

[road_designer]

Thanks Matt.

I realized with that interview that the album, no matter how good or bad it is, was the direct result of the band themselves and not the producer. They wanted this new sound and new direction. It is now important for us to accept this and support this "new" sound as much as possible. I will no longer question the songs or bitch about the lyrics. Stand Up is what DMB wanted and that's good enough for me.

[ethaxton]

ive been trying to tell people that. all these clips and american baby seemed sort of hollow and 1-dimensional like everyday songs the first time i heard them, but when i got them into my car and was blasting them, or even just turned up at home, i realized how awesome they are. they should put a sticker on each cd case saying "Please listen to this music LOUD!" :monkey

Yeah I didnt like American Baby until I cranked it up one day, I listen to it all the time now. The dvd-audio is going to be amazing. :bounce

[Matt1838]

Can someone explain the difference between a normal CD audio and DVD audio? Will I detect a difference?

[Matt1838]

i was worried about batson, but when he said that Before these crowded streets is the best album, i knew he was one of us.

:thumbsup True dat

[Tomriddle]

Batson comes across as very smart and very competent. While this doesn't in and of itself guarantee a good album, I think it shows that Dave didnt get "dragged down" by incompetent producing- I think the album is as good as it can possibly be at this point.

[JG2121]

I enjoyed that very much . thanks

[marlin1805]

mark went to see them at home depot center 8.28.04 ... one the of the best IMO. anyone who was there also remember bumping into him or seeing him there? I'm interested to see where he sat for the show.

[penn darvis]

mark went to see them at home depot center 8.28.04 ... one the of the best IMO. anyone who was there also remember bumping into him or seeing him there? I'm interested to see where he sat for the show.
I highly doubt I saw him, but if I had, it wouldn't have even registered. I didn't know who the guy was until he was announced as the producer.

[nonewdirections]

you know, as a loyal fan of the bands, i wasnt excited about this album until i read that interview. i was worried about batson, but when he said that Before these crowded streets is the best album, i knew he was one of us.

:lol really? except when he wakes up in the morning, he produces gold records!

[Remmahmood13]

yeah well, once his pants are on at least

[reilly6491]

Well I dont think anybody should be worried about the album at all. I just got done listening to some clips from the listening parties and I im really digging it. Dont ask me to post the clip because they were up in a thread on ufck for like 2 mins and i just hit open instead of save so i dont have it. I think Stand Up is going to be a high energy live song because in the clip the breakdown jam between Carter and Roi is awesome. After listening to this the thing that sums up this album is Carter Beauford because it is definetly built around him.

[ryguy178]

Well I dont think anybody should be worried about the album at all. I just got done listening to some clips from the listening parties and I im really digging it. Dont ask me to post the clip because they were up in a thread on ufck for like 2 mins and i just hit open instead of save so i dont have it. I think Stand Up is going to be a high energy live song because in the clip the breakdown jam between Carter and Roi is awesome. After listening to this the thing that sums up this album is Carter Beauford because it is definetly built around him.

Same. Did you hear that jam at the end?? MAN, that was kick-ass.

[reilly6491]

Same. Did you hear that jam at the end?? MAN, that was kick-ass.Yea that shit was awesome i can just imagine Carter going crazy on that live. Hello Again from what I heard didn't lose any intensity in the studio at all

[ryguy178]

Yea that shit was awesome i can just imagine Carter going crazy on that live. Hello Again from what I heard didn't lose any intensity in the studio at all

:thumbsup I like when they guy in the background gets pissed when HA ends abruptly. "Awww man! That was the best part!"

[chrisandiego]

:thumbsup I like when they guy in the background gets pissed when HA ends abruptly. "Awww man! That was the best part!"

You're killing me! I'm going to sleep until May 10 now...

[Nitro1515]

Same. Did you hear that jam at the end?? MAN, that was kick-ass.That was awesome, I found out it was You Might Die Trying

[Matt1838]

HA definitely has great energy on the studio version - Dave's wailing.

[character zero]

batson. seems like a good guy.

[jonniedmb]

If god is a black man then I belive Mark Batson could proove to be the seed of the great lord himself and the proud belly fruit of a true virgin blessed..:multi

[2StepintoCrash]

great interview!! Is this the best time to be a fan or what? All of the buzz about a possible leak/leaking. There is just too much info and buzz that I can't take it. Leak!!

[nick00045]

If god is a black man then I belive Mark Batson could proove to be the seed of the great lord himself and the proud belly fruit of a true virgin blessed..:multi


huh? :ugh

[BDJCL3]

That was a cool interview with very intelligent questions. Batson sounds promising to me, we'll see

[007]

it seems like both the band and batson are very happy with the new dmb direction and the new album ... you gotta wonder if dmb has plans to stick with batson for another album at least - as a continuation of this new evolution? cuz you gotta know that they are already thinking about it if everyone is sooo happy and excited about the collaboration.... I mean, they just all sound so pumped and happy!

[cptnhansel]

it seems like both the band and batson are very happy with the new dmb direction and the new album ... you gotta wonder if dmb has plans to stick with batson for another album at least - as a continuation of this new evolution? cuz you gotta know that they are already thinking about it if everyone is sooo happy and excited about the collaboration.... I mean, they just all sound so pumped and happy!

i have a feeling that if this album goes over well with the fans, another album will be made the same way

[dmblynny]

Good read, guys. Thanks!:) :thumbsup

[dmblynny]

This client here at work, his name is Mark Berson. I just had to fax something over that had his name on it and I kept seeing Mark Batson.

[Bartender84]

If god is a black man then I belive Mark Batson could proove to be the seed of the great lord himself and the proud belly fruit of a true virgin blessed..:multi

WRONG. It's Carter, duh

[Stream #41]

Yeah, awesome stuff Matt. Great read and now i'm truly pumped for the new album.

[Socks]

If god is a black man then I belive Mark Batson could proove to be the seed of the great lord himself and the proud belly fruit of a true virgin blessed..:multi
That would go to Morgan Freeman.

[Mouchie]

sweet interview

[bigsam]

Good interview... I can't wait to hear all of Out Of My Hands.

The only part I didnt like: "There were songs that had really intricate choruses all drawn up, but then we'd be three or four takes later, and the chorus became two words!"

Intricate: Having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate. I dont see a problem with an incricate chorus.

Anyways, I like what we've heard so far a lot and am still really excited about this album.

I was hoping someone else was a bit bothered by this. I'm not prejudging the album, and I'll wait until May 10, and to be honest I think it's going to be a very good record, but on a couple occasions I have found Mark's focus on simplicity questionable.

Someone mentioned Dreaming Tree, which I think is their best song, esp. lyrically, but consider Grey St. — not particularly long on BS, only 5:07, but it has that progressive chorus that is so rare and awesome. Lyrics are very important to me, and so far from the clips it seems like lyrics got short shrift on this album, especially on "Dreamgirl" and "Stand Up."

The quote about simple chants also reminded me of how Mark built songs around one riff from one person, which might — we'll see when the album comes out — lead to some simple songs that don't capture how well the band can keep things going. Every song doesn't have to be YNK, in fact it would get boring if they were all that complex, but I hope some of the songs showcase the band's ability to create complex music.

Sorry for the long post. I hope it doesn't seem too negative. I really am excited for the album, just thinking a lot of about its potential simplicity. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

[EatSleepJeep]

I've called Batson a charlatan before, and this interview cements it for me. He can talk up his product, like any good huckster. But a snake-oil salesman like this can make you think you're buying pure sunshine when in fact it's nothing more than a common, pop CD.

He seemed entirely too eager to make it appear that he was the only centrally involved creator in this process while each of the band members was out of touch with the others. This reeks of his desired outcome and not the musicians'. At any point had he said that the album can speak for itself, then I would be somewhat relieved, but he makes no such claims.

And I feel that the question of what happened to the new, highly fan-acclaimed songs from last summer would be the first and foremost question from the AM staff. His opinion or stance on those songs would shed a lot more light on what we'll be getting than what we were given here.

[road_designer]

I've called Batson a charlatan before, and this interview cements it for me. He can talk up his product, like any good huckster. But a snake-oil salesman like this can make you think you're buying pure sunshine when in fact it's nothing more than a common, pop CD.

He seemed entirely too eager to make it appear that he was the only centrally involved creator in this process while each of the band members was out of touch with the others. This reeks of his desired outcome and not the musicians'. At any point had he said that the album can speak for itself, then I would be somewhat relieved, but he makes no such claims.

And I feel that the question of what happened to the new, highly fan-acclaimed songs from last summer would be the first and foremost question from the AM staff. His opinion or stance on those songs would shed a lot more light on what we'll be getting than what we were given here.

Well, at least you know Louisiana Bayou is not poppish.

[Matt]

I've called Batson a charlatan before, and this interview cements it for me. He can talk up his product, like any good huckster. But a snake-oil salesman like this can make you think you're buying pure sunshine when in fact it's nothing more than a common, pop CD.

He seemed entirely too eager to make it appear that he was the only centrally involved creator in this process while each of the band members was out of touch with the others. This reeks of his desired outcome and not the musicians'. At any point had he said that the album can speak for itself, then I would be somewhat relieved, but he makes no such claims.

And I feel that the question of what happened to the new, highly fan-acclaimed songs from last summer would be the first and foremost question from the AM staff. His opinion or stance on those songs would shed a lot more light on what we'll be getting than what we were given here.
I felt that Crazy-Easy and Joy Ride were pretty much boring and rehashed DMB songs. Zero direction. I loved Hello Again and Sugar Will. The one universal song that pretty much everyone likes is Hello Again, the song that made the album. So it seemed like an unnecessary question and a moot point to bring up the other stuff.

[chris917]

I felt that Crazy-Easy was pretty much boring. Zero direction.


you have to be crazy to think Crazy-Easy is boring. Musically and lyrically that song is gold. I hope it still gets played

[EatSleepJeep]

I felt that Crazy-Easy and Joy Ride were pretty much boring and rehashed DMB songs. Zero direction. I loved Hello Again and Sugar Will. The one universal song that pretty much everyone likes is Hello Again, the song that made the album. So it seemed like an unnecessary question and a moot point to bring up the other stuff.

I appreciate your position, I was just stating what I would have included. But I was not the interviewer, as we all know.