AVClub music reviews are pretty bad. I like most of their TV stuff though. I think the reason Through works near the end is the lyric "The one way getting out is through", like the character is preparing for the end of something...like the end of the albummmmm ahhhhhhhhh
Also, it's funny that in the podcast, Jason thinks everyone will love Pretty Grids the most and it's literally the opposite haha.
I am surprised by the lack of love for "Pretty Grids". It is certainly one of my early favorites. To me it is definitely a stand out.
1. Pol Roger 2. The End Is Beautiful 3. Sure And Certain 4. It Matters 5. Integrity Blues 6. Through 7. You With Me 8. You Are Free 9. Pretty Grids 10. Get Right 11. Pass The Baby
The bridge in Pretty Grids is worth buying the record alone. It's also one of a handful of moments on the album that reminds me of the absolute best parts of Coldplay.
True. On the other hand he also predicted Pass the Baby would be polarising, and he's totally right. It seems to either be on the top or the bottom of everyones list.
I wanted to get my rankings out ASAP because I think it will be fun to go back to in weeks/months to see how it changes, because I guarantee it will.
I was "meh" about Pretty Grids on first listen, but the bridge definitely redeems it for me. It's sort of a disorienting song, which I guess makes it interesting. I just like it the least out of the other songs on the album (as of now).
I agree in the fact that after two listens, I'm still not sure where the song is going. Feels like it doesn't follow the traditional song structure format
Everyone mentioning the bridge in Pretty Grids, and for me its the chorus that nails it. I'm still not really digging Pol Roger, what am I missing exactly? Hits me way less than their closers usually do.
I love Pol Roger. The chorus is super infectious and I love the uplifting nature of the song. Just makes me really happy as the album is ending. It's not my favorite closer from them, but i think it's the perfect closer for this particular album.
It does follow traditional song structure, but maybe it's because there's a bit of a gap and a slowdown where the bridge is (I love the bridge), also there aren't a lot of dynamics separating the verses from the chorus, and I feel the chorus doesn't really kick things up, so maybe thats where you're not latching onto the structure.
Yeah I think you're right. That's why I said it doesn't feel traditional rather than saying it's not traditional haha. I guess I just need to listen more to become more familiar with the song.
Do you like the chorus? I've said before that the structure of the verses in Pol Roger are very unusual and disorientating because the number of lines per phrase is not what you normally find in a verse. That could be part of what is throwing you off? I think the chorus is so nice and easy to get into so wouldn't know why the chorus wouldn't hit you well.
I really wonder which sings from this they'll add into their live set. Its one of the reasons I'm going to this tour a second time, I know I'll get to hear a few more of these live.
I know from reddit that they have played Pass the Baby live before in a private, warm-up show. So at least we know they are prepared to be able to pull that off. Gotta be a tough song to nail though.
I think the vocal melody is really good. I just really wish it kicked up the energy in the drums and guitars to make the chorus "bigger".
Oh yeah I can absolutely see them adding that one in. As it is in the album, it feels like a song that could come right in the middle of their set.
My favorite parts of Pol Roger are the verses (god those lyrics) and the outro. Just heavenly. Oddly, it's the chorus that didn't click with me at first. Almost like there was too much snare which made it feel faster than it should.