Self-titled is definitely my least favorite, but there are some really good songs on it. It's got some killer b-sides.
Only songs I don't really like on it are "Cut Me Up Jenny" and "Capital M-E", but even without those and adding in "Winter Passing" that's 10 solid to great songs to add to their collection. I think the self-titled suffers from its sequencing. "El Paso" is a good song, but doesn't succeed as an abrasive opener, and then it's followed up by "Faith" which is just not that good. And then the album gets going only to be interrupted by "Money" in an otherwise good to excellent stretch of songs. Then "Call Me In the Morning" is a great song, but doesn't work that well to end the album.
This Is All Now and Best Places are the only tracks I return to so this last round was an easy pick. Edit: I also think El Paso is abysmal and I don't even understand how it's the same band.
I remember Adam saying in some of the interviews on the deluxe edition that a lot of these songs on S/T were shelved from Louder Now sessions, because they were producing with Eric Valentine again, so to me S/T isn't even a full reunion album because alot of those songs were already ideas before John and Shaun came back. IMO its absolutely their weakest album, but Call Me & This is all Now are probably my top 2 on the album so it's nice to be able to vote for them in this round.
Currently: El Paso-9 This is All Now-16 Call me In The morning-12 Best places to be a mom-13 This is All Now has widened its lead on El Paso, but Call me/Best Places continues to be a close match
Also anyone remember that announcement video for the reunion with best Places playing in the background? I swear it sounded a lot different when that video came out
there was a demo version of the song that changed a LOT come album time. when they did the reunion tour in 2010, they played the demo version live and then by the time the actual album came out, it was completely different. IIRC the song never began right with adams vocals. im sure you can find a youtube video of it if you search TBS reunion tour 2010.
For better or worse I tend to subconsciously gauge how good an album is by how many songs it's adds to the band's "best of" compilation in my head. All S/T adds is best places and falling. New Again adds new again, sink into me, lonely lonely, swing, and EMG. I have a soft spot for cut me up Jenny but it's second tier.
That was the demo version. So much better. I actually think I replaced the album version with the demo in my itunes.
Also I personally think El Paso is one of TBS's best songs of the last 10 years. Bummed its gonna lose.
It's crazy. I know they used a lot of the same lyrics but the song is structured differently. I haven't listened to this in a long time but I like the album version more. I wish they would have left the intro the same though. I'm not a fan of songs starting immediately like that
i agree. "El Paso" and "Flicker, Fade" are easily my favorite TBS songs of the last 10 years, maybe even longer.