This is a good point and one I’ve thought about often since Mel left. gonna spin this a few more times though and see if it ever clicks
So far the last 2 tracks just kind of feel like duds to me so it leaves things feeling pretty anti-climactic.
On another note, I was going through my wedding photos yesterday because it was our anniversary and it still blows me away that Mel was gracious enough to fly out to Kansas just to sing at my wedding. Truly a phenomenal human being.
This is probably their best record. I love it so much. The only track I see myself skipping is State of Abuses. That’s definitely the weakest track IMO. Otherwise? Fantastic stuff.
I think this is my favorite of theirs. It definitely is a departure in sound from previous records but it sounds so mature, and at points more subdued, than previous releases but i think it’s for the best. I just love this record so much.
I can’t comprehend how anyone couldn’t enjoy Soma, AA Almanac, Feeling Well, and Walk Me Through It at the very least.
Fantastic, the production is a bit iffy though? The Season is one of my all-time favorite albums, love this band to death.
I would say the production at least sounds better than No Bouquet. Maybe my hearing is shit but the production on that sounded stuffy and even when I turn the volume all the way up - it doesn’t sound as loud as their other records? Idk lol
I was about to come in here and ask if the production sounds hollow to anyone else. Particularly moments like the first part of "Walk Me Through It" before the whole band kicks in, doesn't sound great
This is immediately hitting me much harder on first listen than anything they’ve done in a very long time. AA Almanac feels ripped straight out of The Season era
Always wild how much he sounds like Andy Hull. This just kind of ends. I had high hopes seeing the runtimes of the final two tracks but honestly Sumter -> AA would've been a better closing duo. Overall really solid record. They keep getting better with each record.
I like a lot of of the songs on here. Some of the songs feel like they meander too much both vocally and instrumentally, like they could’ve tightened it up and cut certain parts. It’s got a kind of same-y tone throughout and doesn’t deviate too much from it
The Wilco influence really makes itself known this time around. Obviously the Yankee reference, but they finally lean into the chill noodly aspect more.
I guess I’d just urge people to keep trying with the album. It grew on me a ton on subsequent listens, I know Nathan a little so like @RuckerPark I’ve had it for a bit. But I also understand for a lot of people that who love their older stuff this is very different and may not be their thing, which is also ok. My personal favorites right now are AA, Quitter Talk, and DFR.
I'm my fourth listen deep and yeah, this rocks. The first couple spins didn't pull me in but I'm absolutely here for this now. The combo of Feeling Well and DFR is still like catnip to me. Soma > Walk Me Through It > AA Alamanic is a killer run. The closing tracks will definitely be the growers. My biggest gripe is how mid heavy this sounds. I cut the mids in the EQ just a bit and everything immediately felt more energetic.
Nostalgia is a hell of a drug. Also, I think BTIM and I are likely on our 100+ listen and I’m enjoying it now more than ever. I definitely agree that it could be a grower for some.
There’s something cool and gusty about the opener Clinical Trials to me. At first I though it was an odd choice, and by the time it ended I thought “well that worked” and drew me in because it was little different than I expected as an opener. Also bleeding the phrase over of “I don’t feel right about in now” between 2 tracks was a cool decision. I found I listened to an enjoyed No Bouquet a lot and enjoyed it as a full album, and Quitter had more catchy singles. No sure where this will end up amongst all the AGO releases, but I’ll be trying to give it its rightful listens and see what sticks long term and where it falls.
Gonna be a grower for sure, but I am immediately in love with how "twangy" some of the songs are. Alt-country may be a trendy phrase these days but few artists are actually pulling it off to its fullest potential. If All Get Out and Ruston Kelly collab'd for instance, they would probably create my favorite record of all time lol.
For sure a lot more twang here. Nathan is definitely at least into some of the alt country scene, and Kyle for sure is into a lot classic country. My buddy and I ran into him in our college town in Texas when he was moonlighting for country bands. Pretty sure that's what he was primarily playing for a while, so he's got those chops.