I really only go for variants when they match the artwork well, otherwise I'll go with plain black. I'm not one to get a variant just because it's the most limited, or one to get multiple variants of the same record. This year I think JEW, Yellowcard, Thrice, and The Hotelier (with "Fawn & Field") had variants that were perfect for their respective albums. I have Prime too, but don't typically buy vinyl from Amazon, I'll have to look into that more in the future.
Yeah Yellowcard was a grey variant on Amazon. I also got Kevin Devine today and that was a red variant. So Amazon isn't always just plain, but for more major label releases that seems to be more typical. Definitely look into it!
I usually go for Amazon just because otherwise I'm spending $6 or $7 on shipping, and more often than not, still getting the record later than I would through Amazon.
My thoughts exactly. Especially when I shouldn't be spending money in the first place right now haha.
I'm a "newbie" here but it's my username since 2010. Not just because of that JEW song, Polaris is a star and I really like astronomy. But I never saw another "Polaris" on the web. =)
Random thought a few listens in: "Pass the Baby" isn't even good / interesting until the final two minutes.
The music shift of the end of "Pass the Baby" is pretty jarring. I really really like both sides of the song, it's just that once it transitions into the second part I'm like "???" for 3 seconds then the confusion passes and I'm just like HELL YEAH
Now I don't agree with that at all, haha. Pass The Baby is basically a 3:30 minute build, and I think it builds wonderfully. So many textures/layers get added.
pretty much everything from chase this light on sounds distinctly different from everything before it, to me. most notably the last two albums
Just bought this album on compact disc - I wonder if this will be the last time I ever do that? The design and liner notes are perfect - they fit the sound exactly, even though I'm literally the only one who cares about that shit. But as has been said, the packaging, the lyrics, the music - this is their best album since Futures. My only complaint is that I don't feel it closes as strong.
liked through a lot, wasn't a fan of the title track at all, pol roger was interesting and makes me glad they went back to the "epic" closer kind of mold they did for a while. overall, i definitely like this more than the last two. the peaks i think are higher than chase this light for me, as well, though that record is certainly more consistent. favorites at first listens are sure and certain, pass the baby, get right and pol roger
I'm not blown away or in love with the ending, like most seem to be, but the first half reminds too much of "Gotta Be Somebody's Blues", which I like, but would rather just listen to that than "Pass the Baby". *shrugs*
Are the lyrics for Pol Roger correct in the CD? They messed up the vinyl and added You with Me again.
i'm with you on the ending. it didn't make my jaw drop or anything like it did for others, i do really like it though. i don't really find it too similar to "blues" though. the electronic drums are definitely unique for them and i really like that sound.
@Craig Manning Just listened to the podcast, and "The End Is Beautiful" also reminded me of Damage. Along with the arrangement stuff that you mentioned, the lyrics feel the narrator of Damage looking back on those events a few years later. Of course, that could just be me projecting my own experience and connections to those songs, but I think there's something there.