AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite? - Page 4 - Antsmarching.org Forums - Dave Matthews Band Discussion
Old 10-14-2012, 05:35 AM   #91
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Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kshathra View Post
It's not a complete turd like ED or SU, but the fact that people are as excited about it as they are really perplexes me. I am still hopeful for the future because there are handful of tunes on Big Whiskey that I like as much as anything else they've ever done, and if they're back to working with Lillywhite, that's only going to help.
I think it could be perplexing because most people rate Away From the World better than Big Whiskey. I look back on Big Whiskey, and it definitely has lost some of it's shine. I came to quickly realize that for me, what they attempted to do with Big Whiskey, they really accomplished with AFTW.
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  • Old 10-14-2012, 05:42 AM   #92
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Yeah big whiskey was no where near as good as AFTW. Big whiskey sounds half finished, it's annoying. Too many filler songs and recorded for the mass market matchbox 20 style.
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    Old 10-14-2012, 12:15 PM   #93
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    No, it's not overrated. It's a fantastic album.
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    Old 10-14-2012, 12:18 PM   #94
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by ShotgunDMB View Post
    No, it's not overrated. It's a fantastic album.
    All of the to you, sir
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    Old 10-14-2012, 12:26 PM   #95
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by njdevil26 View Post
    I can't take all this analytic crap. How about this: Stop trying to find reasons to dislike this album, shut the fuck up and enjoy the music... lastly... if you have a thought like this, ask your dog or cat before bringing it to us. Thanks.
    Don't be an idiot, no one is forcing you to come here and read these threads....

    I think if it wasn't for the few people posting thoughts and mini-reviews of the songs, this thing wouldn't have been as hyped, especially DS....of course it was going to be hyped and picked apart because of Lillywhite, but people compare the songs to other people's opinions rather than making observations for themselves....

    How about enjoying the album for what is it and for the songs themselves instead of comparing it to past albums and songs? Just a thought....

    Last edited by holdyouclose; 10-14-2012 at 12:29 PM.
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    Old 10-14-2012, 01:11 PM   #96
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by ShotgunDMB View Post
    No, it's not overrated. It's a fantastic album.
    That's pretty much what I came here to say.

    /thread
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    Old 11-20-2012, 11:42 AM   #97
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Haven't gotten tired of it at all. Listen to it daily, basically.
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    Old 11-20-2012, 11:46 AM   #98
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Maybe a tad overrated but still, it's better than most of the albums in my book.
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    Old 11-25-2012, 09:13 AM   #99
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Kshathra View Post
    I couldn't agree more with the OP.

    I see AFTW as an inverse of Busted Stuff. Whereas Busted Stuff featured mediocre performances of really amazing songs, AFTW has really amazing performances of really mediocre songs. Lillywhite did HIS job very well--the band (and really, Dave) just missed the mark a bit this time out. It's not BAD; I want to like it and had really high hopes, but it's just boring and uninspired. Too many bad lyrics, too many predictable and/or nonexistent melodies.

    Nothing illustrates this for me better than "Drunken Soldier." I had such high hopes for that song--I wanted nothing more to hear Jeff, Tim, Rashawn, and hell even Boyd shred over a 4 minute outro. When I listened through the album for the first time and was generally underwhelmed with what I was hearing, I always thought "well just wait until Drunken Soldier!" And when I got there, I just heard a cool-but-noodly, some decent riffing, then some TERRIBLE lyrics, a few more cool riffs, a few more terrible lyrics, then a reasonably promising outro that just... faded out.

    I may be the only person in all of DMB fandom who thought "that's it!?" at the end of "Drunken Soldier." You could trim it down to 5 minutes in length and the song wouldn't suffer at all. "Squirm" was WAY more epic at half the length. I was hoping for the DMB equivalent of Umphrey McGee's "Mantis"--an epic with all sorts of cool disparate sections that builds to a climax that really states what the band is about. What I got was a cheesy carpe diem song with an extra long intro and outro.

    So, like the album, it has all sorts of ingredients I SHOULD like, but it misses the mark (particularly in the melody and lyrics departments) as often as it hits, and never really NAILS it. The album comes out to less than the sum of its parts.

    It is what it is. I gave up trying to analyze the overall direction of this band years ago, so I don't have the "the sky is falling" feeling that I felt when Everyday and Stand Up hit. DMB is a veteran band that's released 8 albums, and when you release 8 albums they can't all be the best. They've released 3 masterpieces, 2 very enjoyable but imperfect albums (BS and BW), 2 turds (ED and SU), and one that's not horrible but just really boring (AFTW). Most bands would kill to have a track record like that.

    Hopefully they go back to Lillywhite again for the next one, and maybe they'll hit it closer to the mark then.
    This is the perfect summation of how I fell about this album.

    It is what it is. It's great that some people enjoy the album. For others like myself, it will never (at least for now) be like it was with the first 3 albums which is ok too.

    I stumbled upon a Bob Dylan interview on 60 minutes from '04 recently. He's asked how he wrote his early songs and he can't explain it. He said it was simply magic, he can't comprehend that he actually wrote them, and concedes he'd never be able to do it again.

    For me personally DMB in the 90's was a moment in time. I still love going to shows now, but I'd be stunned if the band can ever recreate the "magic" in their song writing.
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    Old 11-25-2012, 10:08 AM   #100
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Have not listened to this album is what feels like forever. I thought it would hold up better. Still interested in hearing a few songs live though this coming tour.
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    Old 11-25-2012, 08:50 PM   #101
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by ShotgunDMB View Post
    Haven't gotten tired of it at all. Listen to it daily, basically.
    Yup. I wen through a period where I was like, "meh", but that was mostly due to my mood.

    I put this on when I'm leaving for work, and always play something different.

    Still love Broken Things, If Only, Drunken Soldier, The Riff, Belly Belly Nice.

    The song I find myself skipping most often is Snow Outside.
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    Old 11-25-2012, 08:51 PM   #102
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by KillerBunny View Post
    Yeah big whiskey was no where near as good as AFTW. Big whiskey sounds half finished, it's annoying. Too many filler songs and recorded for the mass market matchbox 20 style.
    Big Whiskey is SORELY missing the group dynamic that this album has. Boyd is near absent, the horns are absent. It just doesn't sound like a DMB album.

    That said, Lying in the Hands of God and Squirm are some of my favorite DMB songs.
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    Old 11-26-2012, 06:46 AM   #103
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by RainDog1980 View Post
    Yup. I wen through a period where I was like, "meh", but that was mostly due to my mood.

    I put this on when I'm leaving for work, and always play something different.

    Still love Broken Things, If Only, Drunken Soldier, The Riff, Belly Belly Nice.

    The song I find myself skipping most often is Snow Outside.
    Same here. Overall stellar album in my eyes, I personally can't get enough of it.
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    Old 11-26-2012, 08:25 AM   #104
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Kshathra View Post
    I couldn't agree more with the OP.

    I see AFTW as an inverse of Busted Stuff. Whereas Busted Stuff featured mediocre performances of really amazing songs, AFTW has really amazing performances of really mediocre songs. Lillywhite did HIS job very well--the band (and really, Dave) just missed the mark a bit this time out. It's not BAD; I want to like it and had really high hopes, but it's just boring and uninspired. Too many bad lyrics, too many predictable and/or nonexistent melodies.

    Nothing illustrates this for me better than "Drunken Soldier." I had such high hopes for that song--I wanted nothing more to hear Jeff, Tim, Rashawn, and hell even Boyd shred over a 4 minute outro. When I listened through the album for the first time and was generally underwhelmed with what I was hearing, I always thought "well just wait until Drunken Soldier!" And when I got there, I just heard a cool-but-noodly, some decent riffing, then some TERRIBLE lyrics, a few more cool riffs, a few more terrible lyrics, then a reasonably promising outro that just... faded out.

    I may be the only person in all of DMB fandom who thought "that's it!?" at the end of "Drunken Soldier." You could trim it down to 5 minutes in length and the song wouldn't suffer at all. "Squirm" was WAY more epic at half the length. I was hoping for the DMB equivalent of Umphrey McGee's "Mantis"--an epic with all sorts of cool disparate sections that builds to a climax that really states what the band is about. What I got was a cheesy carpe diem song with an extra long intro and outro.

    So, like the album, it has all sorts of ingredients I SHOULD like, but it misses the mark (particularly in the melody and lyrics departments) as often as it hits, and never really NAILS it. The album comes out to less than the sum of its parts.

    It is what it is. I gave up trying to analyze the overall direction of this band years ago, so I don't have the "the sky is falling" feeling that I felt when Everyday and Stand Up hit. DMB is a veteran band that's released 8 albums, and when you release 8 albums they can't all be the best. They've released 3 masterpieces, 2 very enjoyable but imperfect albums (BS and BW), 2 turds (ED and SU), and one that's not horrible but just really boring (AFTW). Most bands would kill to have a track record like that.

    Hopefully they go back to Lillywhite again for the next one, and maybe they'll hit it closer to the mark then.
    to almost every word of this, particularly about how AFTW and BS are opposites.

    And this poster wasn't the only one who heard Drunken Soldier and was deeply disappointed.
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    Old 11-26-2012, 08:46 AM   #105
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Still LOVE
    Broken Things
    Belly Belly Nice
    Belly Full
    If Only
    Rooftop
    Snow Outside
    Drunken Soldier

    Still Like
    Mercy
    The Riff

    Sometimes Skip
    Gaucho

    Always Skip
    Sweet
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    Old 11-26-2012, 09:20 AM   #106
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Kshathra View Post
    I couldn't agree more with the OP.

    I see AFTW as an inverse of Busted Stuff. Whereas Busted Stuff featured mediocre performances of really amazing songs, AFTW has really amazing performances of really mediocre songs. Lillywhite did HIS job very well--the band (and really, Dave) just missed the mark a bit this time out. It's not BAD; I want to like it and had really high hopes, but it's just boring and uninspired. Too many bad lyrics, too many predictable and/or nonexistent melodies.

    Nothing illustrates this for me better than "Drunken Soldier." I had such high hopes for that song--I wanted nothing more to hear Jeff, Tim, Rashawn, and hell even Boyd shred over a 4 minute outro. When I listened through the album for the first time and was generally underwhelmed with what I was hearing, I always thought "well just wait until Drunken Soldier!" And when I got there, I just heard a cool-but-noodly, some decent riffing, then some TERRIBLE lyrics, a few more cool riffs, a few more terrible lyrics, then a reasonably promising outro that just... faded out.

    I may be the only person in all of DMB fandom who thought "that's it!?" at the end of "Drunken Soldier." You could trim it down to 5 minutes in length and the song wouldn't suffer at all. "Squirm" was WAY more epic at half the length. I was hoping for the DMB equivalent of Umphrey McGee's "Mantis"--an epic with all sorts of cool disparate sections that builds to a climax that really states what the band is about. What I got was a cheesy carpe diem song with an extra long intro and outro.

    So, like the album, it has all sorts of ingredients I SHOULD like, but it misses the mark (particularly in the melody and lyrics departments) as often as it hits, and never really NAILS it. The album comes out to less than the sum of its parts.

    It is what it is. I gave up trying to analyze the overall direction of this band years ago, so I don't have the "the sky is falling" feeling that I felt when Everyday and Stand Up hit. DMB is a veteran band that's released 8 albums, and when you release 8 albums they can't all be the best. They've released 3 masterpieces, 2 very enjoyable but imperfect albums (BS and BW), 2 turds (ED and SU), and one that's not horrible but just really boring (AFTW). Most bands would kill to have a track record like that.

    Hopefully they go back to Lillywhite again for the next one, and maybe they'll hit it closer to the mark then.
    This dude has perfectly defined this album. After listening to this album for awhile I honestly think that Big Whiskey is significantly superior to this record. This record just doesn't have many "Wow" moments or standout tracks that keep you coming back again and again. There's a lot of decent complimentary tracks on this record but no real highlights. I think this album won't translate well live either; 75% of the songs on AAFTW are very mellow and will definitely spawn an exodus to the restroom when they are played live. Steve's production is stellar but this record is sub par for sure.
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    Old 11-27-2012, 10:28 AM   #107
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Amazing album musically
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    Old 11-27-2012, 10:30 AM   #108
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    But right now im rocking to the celebration day release from zeppelin. the boys still got it... Weak start, but once they got going...... =D
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    Old 11-27-2012, 02:04 PM   #109
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Sniper15 View Post
    This dude has perfectly defined this album. After listening to this album for awhile I honestly think that Big Whiskey is significantly superior to this record. This record just doesn't have many "Wow" moments or standout tracks that keep you coming back again and again. There's a lot of decent complimentary tracks on this record but no real highlights. I think this album won't translate well live either; 75% of the songs on AAFTW are very mellow and will definitely spawn an exodus to the restroom when they are played live. Steve's production is stellar but this record is sub par for sure.
    and BW has these moments??? snow outside outro isn't a wow moment?
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    Old 11-27-2012, 02:18 PM   #110
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Sniper15 View Post
    This dude has perfectly defined this album. After listening to this album for awhile I honestly think that Big Whiskey is significantly superior to this record. This record just doesn't have many "Wow" moments or standout tracks that keep you coming back again and again. There's a lot of decent complimentary tracks on this record but no real highlights. I think this album won't translate well live either; 75% of the songs on AAFTW are very mellow and will definitely spawn an exodus to the restroom when they are played live. Steve's production is stellar but this record is sub par for sure.
    I have to disagree. There are a LOT of "wow" moments on Away From The World. Snow Outside. Rooftop. If Only. Belly Full. The Riff. Mercy. Broken Things. I'm sure Drunken Soldier will be VERY wow once they play it live. This is a great, great album. The only thing that disappoints is that Roi is not there.

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by typicalstone40 View Post
    and BW has these moments??? snow outside outro isn't a wow moment?
    Or all of it, for that matter. The chorus of Rooftop. Belly Full... All great.
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    Old 11-27-2012, 06:22 PM   #111
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    solid album.

    not big 3 though.
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    Old 11-27-2012, 09:50 PM   #112
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    I hate to say it, the album isn't lazy but some of the lyrics are. With the music and the riffs this album has the lyrics are below par. A handfull are shallow and corny. Gaucho is my prime example. It starts off strong but then leads into, "Let me show you a movie you know we landed a man on the moon". Just Dumb lyrics... But the song had such potential. But many songs are off the charts lyrically(ie snow outside, the riff). The album, though great in many ways and my favorite in its own ways, is not consistent and lacks overall depth in lyrics.
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    Old 11-27-2012, 11:35 PM   #113
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by cczerny View Post
    It starts off strong but then leads into, "Let me show you a movie you know we landed a man on the moon". Just Dumb lyrics...
    What is dumb about this? It's amazing to think that in 1969 we were able to land a man on the moon and in 2012, we're a decade plus away from repeating the same feat. It seems barely believable we could have been there in the first place this day and age. Especially as the guys who were there are becoming a generation no longer with us.
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    Old 11-28-2012, 07:38 AM   #114
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Gave the album a break for a couple weeks. Put it back on yesterday and it still holds up. Just a great, great album. The only song I skip is Sweet and sometimes Mercy.
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    Old 11-28-2012, 08:25 AM   #115
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Not even a tad bit "over" rated. This album is way better than I thought they were still capable of.

    It is utterly impossible and illogical for this album to have been "overrated" prior to its release, because the last two examples of DMB albums preceding it are terrible by comparison. So how could one have legitimately and realistically anticipated something THIS MUCH better? You couldn't have, unless you were fantasizing.
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    Old 11-28-2012, 09:15 AM   #116
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SpotlightEyes View Post
    Not even a tad bit "over" rated. This album is way better than I thought they were still capable of.

    It is utterly impossible and illogical for this album to have been "overrated" prior to its release, because the last two examples of DMB albums preceding it are terrible by comparison. So how could one have legitimately and realistically anticipated something THIS MUCH better? You couldn't have, unless you were fantasizing.
    Thank you...finally a logical post. Some people don't seem to understand that Lillywhite plays such a small role in the writing of any DMB album. Does he bring songs to their greatest potential? Yes he certainly does. But that potential is limited by Dave's ability to write at this point in his career. Dave Matthews deserves 99% of the credit of the quality of the Big 3. That being said, AFTW certainly exceeded my not-so-high expectations set by the last few albums. I am very happy this band can still make an album this good, even if it doesn't come close to the Big Three
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    Old 11-28-2012, 09:27 AM   #117
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    [SIZE=3]From reading these posts I have learned that some people like it, some people don’t, and some people think it is ok. [/SIZE]
    [SIZE=3]I don’t mind reading other peoples take or opinion about it but let’s remember that it is YOUR opinion.[/SIZE]
    [SIZE=3]I personally really like the album but don’t think I should be told I like it because I already knew Lillywhite produced or that I am wrong.[/SIZE]
    Just my OPINION
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    Old 11-28-2012, 12:48 PM   #118
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    This is an edited response I had to a slightly different question from another thread:

    I agree with the OP's point completely. As somebody who is not at all in love with the new album, I'm surprised to see how many people are.

    For me, I started as a fan of this band when I was in high school with UTTAD, like probably quite a few others. The sound was different. The lyrics were different. I wanted to move and dance when I listened to them and I'm the typical white guy with no rhythm. The more I listened, the more I heard. I interpreted. I studied. Everything about the music I was hearing was different and unique and unlike anything else anywhere. I'm not a musician so I never got into trying to break down each instrument and 3 second spots where somebody did some great fill or whatever. And I also have no idea which songs are difficult to play and which songs are easy. Lastly, I had no idea who Steve Lilliwhite was until years later during the SU and ED years. So I've used the same criteria when listening to every other album.

    Here are my two major issues with AFTW. First, the entire album is too mellow for me. Every DMB album has had some upbeat, faster songs that, whether you like them or not, you can picture fans dancing to them live. This album, to me, is full of piss break songs. They are too slow and too...uninteresting? I guess that's the word. Now comes the time when the fans of AFTW will say "Crash had Cry Freedom or Say Goodbye and those were mellow." Yes, every album has had a few mellow songs, and they are actually some of my favorites, but this entire album is mellow. I've listened to it 4 or 5 times straight through now, trying to 'see' what I'm missing. I can honestly say I would sit down during every song on this album, with the possible exception of BBN, the Riff once it gets going (not a fan of the intro) and Rooftop (probably my favorite song on the album). I saw Sweet and Gaucho live this Summer, and really disliked both. My second issue has been covered more often by others, but the lyrics are...lacking to say the least. There's nothing here that needs interpretation. It's all just spelled right out in front of you. Not as good as BW and I thought those lyrics were lacking.

    This is a pop album at its best. Or worst, depending on your view point. It will appeal to a wider audience than most of the previous albums. But is that a good thing? I know its not for this forum or for live shows. For all the long time fans who have complained at the crowds since Big Whiskey, just wait, it'll be ten times worse now. I had seats next to two girls this summer in the SPAC balcony that danced their asses off during the Spaceman-Squirm-Pie run (as did I), and then sat down, pulled out the phones and texted during the SMTS-ASTB-TM-R&R-Jimi main set closer, actually going to the bathroom during R&R with a roll of their eyes as they stood up. Get ready for lots more where that came from. And there will be a continued divide between new and old on this forum as well.

    I do find it surprising that so many long time fans say it sounds like older DMB. To me, it sounds nothing like the music I fell in love with. I think too many fans are blinded by the "Lilliwhite is Back!" pandemonium. Every review I have read mentions who produced the album. I could care less. To me, the songs are not good enough. It doesn't matter how well its mixed or how great the production values if the songs are not interesting and catchy.
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    Old 11-28-2012, 02:05 PM   #119
    Sniper15
     
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by davedave81 View Post
    This is an edited response I had to a slightly different question from another thread:

    I agree with the OP's point completely. As somebody who is not at all in love with the new album, I'm surprised to see how many people are.

    For me, I started as a fan of this band when I was in high school with UTTAD, like probably quite a few others. The sound was different. The lyrics were different. I wanted to move and dance when I listened to them and I'm the typical white guy with no rhythm. The more I listened, the more I heard. I interpreted. I studied. Everything about the music I was hearing was different and unique and unlike anything else anywhere. I'm not a musician so I never got into trying to break down each instrument and 3 second spots where somebody did some great fill or whatever. And I also have no idea which songs are difficult to play and which songs are easy. Lastly, I had no idea who Steve Lilliwhite was until years later during the SU and ED years. So I've used the same criteria when listening to every other album.

    Here are my two major issues with AFTW. First, the entire album is too mellow for me. Every DMB album has had some upbeat, faster songs that, whether you like them or not, you can picture fans dancing to them live. This album, to me, is full of piss break songs. They are too slow and too...uninteresting? I guess that's the word. Now comes the time when the fans of AFTW will say "Crash had Cry Freedom or Say Goodbye and those were mellow." Yes, every album has had a few mellow songs, and they are actually some of my favorites, but this entire album is mellow. I've listened to it 4 or 5 times straight through now, trying to 'see' what I'm missing. I can honestly say I would sit down during every song on this album, with the possible exception of BBN, the Riff once it gets going (not a fan of the intro) and Rooftop (probably my favorite song on the album). I saw Sweet and Gaucho live this Summer, and really disliked both. My second issue has been covered more often by others, but the lyrics are...lacking to say the least. There's nothing here that needs interpretation. It's all just spelled right out in front of you. Not as good as BW and I thought those lyrics were lacking.

    This is a pop album at its best. Or worst, depending on your view point. It will appeal to a wider audience than most of the previous albums. But is that a good thing? I know its not for this forum or for live shows. For all the long time fans who have complained at the crowds since Big Whiskey, just wait, it'll be ten times worse now. I had seats next to two girls this summer in the SPAC balcony that danced their asses off during the Spaceman-Squirm-Pie run (as did I), and then sat down, pulled out the phones and texted during the SMTS-ASTB-TM-R&R-Jimi main set closer, actually going to the bathroom during R&R with a roll of their eyes as they stood up. Get ready for lots more where that came from. And there will be a continued divide between new and old on this forum as well.

    I do find it surprising that so many long time fans say it sounds like older DMB. To me, it sounds nothing like the music I fell in love with. I think too many fans are blinded by the "Lilliwhite is Back!" pandemonium. Every review I have read mentions who produced the album. I could care less. To me, the songs are not good enough. It doesn't matter how well its mixed or how great the production values if the songs are not interesting and catchy.
    I agree with almost everything in this post except for the bolded. You really think this album is going to increase DMB's fanbase? I don't think this album is going to bring in many new fans whatsoever or appeal very strongly to DMB's casual fanbase since it has no hits and due to its mellow nature. BW has a lot more pop sensibility and accessibility than AFTW. Most of the casual DMB fans I've talked to about this album have said they think it's one of the band's weaker efforts because it's so mellow. You're correct in your assessment that most casual fans are going to look at these songs as opportunities to make beer runs, take a piss and sit down. I think that Belly Belly Nice and Drunken Soldier are the only songs on this record that will really engage non-hardcore fans in the live setting. Every time I saw The Riff this summer 96% of the audience checked out during the song's intro.
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    Old 11-28-2012, 03:48 PM   #120
    davedave81
     
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    Re: AFTW overrated because of Lillywhite?

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Sniper15 View Post
    I agree with almost everything in this post except for the bolded. You really think this album is going to increase DMB's fanbase? I don't think this album is going to bring in many new fans whatsoever or appeal very strongly to DMB's casual fanbase since it has no hits and due to its mellow nature. BW has a lot more pop sensibility and accessibility than AFTW. Most of the casual DMB fans I've talked to about this album have said they think it's one of the band's weaker efforts because it's so mellow. You're correct in your assessment that most casual fans are going to look at these songs as opportunities to make beer runs, take a piss and sit down. I think that Belly Belly Nice and Drunken Soldier are the only songs on this record that will really engage non-hardcore fans in the live setting. Every time I saw The Riff this summer 96% of the audience checked out during the song's intro.
    With the sales so far, and the singles still being heard on the radio, I'd still say yes. I'm not talking casual Dave fans. I'm talking new fans. I'm talking about the teenage girls who fall in love with Mercy and become a fan and have no idea what else DMB has ever done. Or older people who only know Crash and Satellite, and hear the new stuff and love it. Mercy, If Only, Sweet and Gaucho appeal to an entirely different person than classic DMB does. It's my opinion, but this album sounds NOTHING like the band I fell in love with. Hence, can and will attract a new following.
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