I feel like the Imaginary Enemy/I Felt Free discussion comes up at least once a month, haha. I really enjoy both of those songs. They are probably my least favorites on the album (although I've never loved Spirit of the Stairwell as much as a lot of people do), but they're good songs that showcase a different side of the band than we got on the first two records.
I love when I'm listening to this band and I think "oh this vocal melody isn't that high, and then I try to hit it and my voice cracks and I just say... nope not happening"
I'm trying my best to not listen to the leak too much before next Friday, but now that I've heard it and know how good it is I don't want to stop.
This is the best thing they've done since Blue Sky Noise. I didn't even think they were still capable of writing an album this good since their last two but It's soo good.
I think Violent Waves is about as good as Juturna and right behind On Letting Go. I thought it was their worst until earlier this year but VW is magnificent, and probably their most consistent in terms of every song feeling like it belongs. edit: I feel like it was only a few months ago I said VW could have been a 9 song album because some songs aren't good, but I was wrong, it's all great, it flows amazingly, I wouldn't change a thing.
I wish I felt that way about VW. Each time I think, "Maybe it's better than I remember." I prove myself wrong.
I know it's all subjective but I feel like you are saying the exact opposite of how I feel about their discography. First, nothing comes close to Juturna or On Letting Go in my book, and while Blue Sky Noise is incredible it's sandwiched between two really great albums (Juturna and OLG) and two mediocre at best ablums (VW and Descensus) Both of those albums are the exact opposite of consistent and they're all over the place with some pretty boring songs on VW. When I first heard Suitcase I was stoked but the rest of that album except maybe The Lottery and one two other tracks, that album is a mess. I'd use the word consistent to describe the new album, for sure, but that would be the last word I'd use to describe the last two records.
Haha, this is fair. I would have agreed with you completely a year ago about VW, and I get how it having two of their heaviest songs at the beginning and then the mid section being the mellowest stuff they've made would make it seem inconsistent, but it's sequenced in a way that all the changes feel logical. Descensus is incredibly inconsistent though, in sound and quality. I would even say Juturna is too, even inside of songs, certain parts outshine others significantly like the two halves of Great Golden Baby. It has some of their best songs, but also a few weak spots and it flows kinda weird, especially on vinyl without HoL.
Juturna has zero weaknesses except maybe AGWYW depending on which smart person you ask. But I still take that track. Also listen to the vinyl with HoL on it
If we don't count House of Leaves, Juturna has sort of a weak ending. I don't think AGWYW or Montauk are great.
I like both AGWYW amd Montauk, but yeah it is a weak ending without HOL. Those two songs are probably my two least favorites on the album.
I actually love Montauk. It feels like an extra great and different little nugget. Like an interlude or a postlude. It's homebrew quality, bizarre progression and melodies and sound effects make it really endearing to me too.
Yeah I've always been into it for the reasons you've described. I think it's a really cool and interesting track and seeing it live is always a treat. Jututna is just one of those albums where something has to be at the bottom. For me, it's AGWYW, but Montauk is close. Speaks volumes to how incredible that album is really.
Also AGWYW is a really good song, probably underrated. A little strange with Suspending Disbelief right before since they are pretty similar.
VW is perplexing to me. I change my opinion on it constantly. I do know that it loses me a bit with the lottery, friend, and phantasmagoria. That stretch is prob my least favorite of any album. Which sucks because I want to like the lottery. Love me some Geoff
Whenever I go back to VW I feel like it's better than I remember, yet I'm never compelled to give it consecutive spins.