I feel like this is good karma for me being genuinely excited for TSL fans (I never loved them the way everyone else does) lol
Gonna do a discography run, I think. Maybe this is the week that Panic Stations clicks with me. Also, I am BEGGING them to come to the UK, even if it’s just a festival appearance at 2000 Trees or something.
This is not meant to be a tease so I am writing this to make sure no one opens this thinking it's the new song. These are some very old demos that were posted on this discord.
Long post but I did a discography run over the weekend. The first three are basically flawless imo, although the EIIKM bonus tracks should have been on the actual album. MDL is great, but History Lesson is maybe the weakest song from their golden era. I also think the synth feels like it’s less prominent. The final two tracks, Skin And Bones and The Weakends, do not get talked about enough though, they’re really good. I enjoyed Go, and it was good to hear them do something different, but it’s very hit and miss for me. Floating Down The River might be their most under appreciated song, and Timelines got me feeling things at almost 33 that I never gave a second thought at 19. Overall, I didn’t hate the more laid back indie vibe, but I don’t think the songs are strong enough for the most part. The bonus tracks are fantastic, and I think replacing weaker tracks like Son Of A Gun & Boxelder with those three would result in a more varied album. Panic Stations still doesn’t really work for me. I think Tony was definitely missed, and the songs just don’t feel strong enough. I liked I Can Feel You, but straight after it is Lose Control, which feels like MCS doing an impression of Weezer at their worst. It’s A Pleasure To Meet You, Gravity, Samurai Code, and Days Will Run Away were also pretty good though.
Regarding the EIIKM b-sides - I’ve always thought Not Asking You to Leave is one of their best songs. Also, I’ve always loved Son of a Gun and I think it’s one of the better songs on Go.
I honestly find Son Of A Gun pretty tedious, and Boxelder has just never really stood out to me, but I’d consider them the weakest on the album for me and the two I would replace. I really think Go’s bonus tracks are 3 of the best five or six tracks in that era, so I’d really want to get them on the album.