Just because it’s intentional (I bet it is) doesn’t mean it’s a good choice. It’s really hard to make out the lyrics at times because of the mix which isn’t ideal for a narrative-driven record.
I really don’t have many issues with the production, mix, or flow of the album. I think it sounds just fine. Sure in Lead Paint & Salt Air the vocals are drowned out slightly when all instruments clash and also prior the sax solo in Bury Me Anywhere else, but I never found it distracting or “bad.” If the entire album was difficult to make out the vocals I would be upset, but this really isn’t the case. I’m relatively bad at hearing lyrics on my first few listens for any album but the vocal mix had no part in this.
He manages to make a song that is simaltaneously happy and sad that's half about changing oil and gives a shoutout to Sammy Watkins. That's impressive.
Only person who can incorporate Sammy fucking Watkins into a song and make it not overly goofy. In fact it just fits so well. High promising draft pick when his Dad was still alive ... maybe would help bring the Bills back to success. His dad dies as well as Sammy Watkins potential and promise.
The organ playing in the background as this song fades out is so perfect. The last two songs are quite a one-two punch. They're tough to listen to but yet I can't stop listening.
Runnin Toward The Light is probably my favorite. I'm a pretty casual fan of this project, so I'm not sure how often I'll return to this, but it was a nice listen at work.
This is quickly becoming my album of the year so far. I think it has unseated "You Are OK" at this point, though it's close. The production doesn't bother me much. Not picking up on the complaints a lot of people seem to have. Nothing anywhere near as egregious as say "Raining in Kyoto" from Sister Cities. (I absolutely adore that record, and the song, but always found it to be blown out, sound wise.) My Cold Cuts pre-order still hasn't even shipped. Grr. (I realize vinyl is an unpredictable animal, I'm not angry, just impatient.)
Yeah I'm loving this. The production doesn't bother me much either. I didn't really think about it at all until I started reading this thread.
I think the production on the album is great. It's not "loud" in the modern sense so you need to crank it a bit.
it's amazing that Dan Campbell can sing the word "daylillies" and I can start tearing up instantly from shit that happened five years ago
I think the mix on this is pretty poor, but that is just par for the course over the last couple TWY records too. So I’m not too surprised. But, the album is really good. I need to sit with it and read along with the lyrics some night to gather the full scope but I dig it so far.
At this point, I just want the Bills to trade for Sammy so we can get a line on the next record which touches on homecoming (yes, I'm really that selfish).
I've listened to this album a couple dozen times since release, and I don't think I've listened to Winter Coats --> Routine Maintenance more than once or twice without either tearing up, or at least feeling that tingly well of emotion.
Nothing really stuck out on this to me the first time around. Not a fan of some of the lyrics, but I need a closer listen.
Gave it a few more listens and I just am not really into this album. It all just sounds the same, nothing really stands out from each other and the production doesn't help
Yeah, big fan of the first record but honestly haven't had much desire to revisit this new one. Maybe it will grow on me.
I'm surprised by all the "i'm just not into this record" comments. I really like this. I'm not sure it has quite the highs of the first one but I think it's a super solid effort.
Happy for the people that enjoy/relate to it, but it just doesn't resonate with me in any way and leaves me feeling ho-hum. I really liked the first album though, and "67 Cherry Red" was a great song too, probably my favorite from this entire project.