The problem is that I don't think he wrote much of this music. Aaron Marsh had a huge hand in that album.
Oh yeah. A&B basically began as a collaboration between them, didn’t it? Then Aaron had to drop off and it just became his solo project. Did I make that up?
That's what I remember also. I'm pretty sure Copeland's drummer played on Felt and the female voice on "Sleep. When we Die" is the same girl on Eat Sleep Repeat.
Love Summer Tongues. YAMS is also my favorite Copeland album. I've probably said it before, but it's so damn cozy. It's textured, lush, and gorgeous; some of my favorite lyrics from them also come from that album. ESR is probably second for me though I listen to it less often than Ixora.
In lieu of quoting everybody: 1. That’s amazing it’s possible it could release this year 2. First discovered Copeland through Felt (wish they would collaborate again, seriously on the most solid and special pieces of music to me) 3. Bought ESR first from SRC and loved it (for some reason didn’t visit the other 3 albums) 4. The famous April Fools album reveal happened and I preordered Ixora 5. That fall, I moved to Milwaukee and listened to the rest of the catalogue, perfect in the snow. So... I = YAMS ESR IM BMT
I always feel weird around here for not loving Ixora as much as everyone else. Copeland is one of my all time favorites and I truly love Ixora front to back. Personally though, I really miss the diversity from previous albums. Ixora mostly has the same vibe throughout and really sticks to chill and lush, which again is not a bad thing. The thing with YAMS, ESR and and IM is that I really believe that the album is STACKED with amazing songs while at the same time the band really stretches in different directions as the albums go on. I have always been a bit fan of bands being able to create a diverse yet cohesive album and Copeland has been really great at that in the past. With Ixora, it's obviously cohesive, but it doesn't really push itself into very many directions.
I LOVE all their albums but Ixora is my favorite by far. Don’t have a clear ranking other than YAMS as #2
it's kind of refreshing that people around here don't have nostalgia goggles on and love the new-er albums, like a lot of bands. while I'm definitely not super into Ixora, I do like it a lot. the band just has a great catalogue.
Dorie > Sucker > Never Stand Out has always cemented ESR as their best album for me, maybe one of my favourite albums in general. Not many triple punches like that in music
Friendly reminder to my fellow Copeland lovers that Author put out a record this year that may help to fill the void
Listening to ESR in this beautiful day during work and it is hitting. the. spot. Now that it’s settled as the middle child in their album, it feels really good to revisit when I used to think it felt odd. I think there are specific moments in each song when I’m like “mmm oh ya, that’s the spot” Anyone have similar moments? Current one is on Love Affair at 1:06 the first time the chorus kicks in
It’s so good! I’d hyped myself up for it so much that’s I think by the time it came out I wasn’t completely sold — I’ve only recently finally come around to realizing how great it is! Maybe the weather change has helped? Still think the debut is untouchable though
Ohhh yeah. Of Brighter Days hits all the right buttons for me from start to finish. Both records rule though and I can’t wait to hear where they go next
when all the strings come in at once on Dorie - breathtaking "I don't know what everyone was looking at, don't know what everyone was laughing at" when the glitchy drums shatter in on Where's My Head there's so so many more but yeah
I think ESR gets a lot more love now than when it first came out. Does anybody remember the old polls they used to have on absolutepunk? I think when ESR came out it ranked last, BMT was still the favorite (I could be off, it's been 10 yrs lol) Looking back after YAMS and Ixora its easier to see ESR as the pivot point to the sound on the new albums. I still love IM and BMT but ESR was where the band really started to hit their stride. I don't think ESR has as many of my favorite individual songs but as a whole its the one I listen to start to finish the most. As far as moments, yes this album has so many! Careful now: right before the chorus kicks in - "When I don't know how to hide myself..." Dorie: "Thank you because you loved me..."
Yeah, ESR was definitely the turning point for the band from upbeat pop-rock to more subdued indie rock. That's probably where much of the fanbase split. I don't know why I don't listen to ESR more, as I generally prefer their later stuff.
Surprised by the lack of Beneath Medicine Tree love in here - Thought it was considered to be a cornerstone of modern indie rock. I still return to it probably more than any other Copeland album (Maybe ESR runs it close) - The 1-2 punch of 'When Paula Sparks' and 'California' is so perfect for me In Motion is by far their weakest IMO
BMT is cool with some really great songs on it, especially California but it's the only album they've put out with songs I don't like and it's easily their least interesting album as a whole.