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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