The Chorus Music Club Society • Page 376

Anyone listened to the Fitness album? I've been giving it some time because I'm a big Eve 6/Max Collins fan, and despite an initial negative reaction I'm finding things to enjoy in it. There are a few tracks that I still don't care for much at all, but some of the songs are really growing on me and there are a lot of cool electronic vibes on the album.

 

Yeah I was reading about how he ripped a bunch of bands off. That’s a real bummer

 

This week I was assigned The Flats- Nobody People by @edisnfg . This was a band I was interested in checking out, as my bud @Colin Your Enthusiasm had mentioned them a good amount after enjoying their EP. Their full-length probably would have gotten caught in the Foxing-storm had it not been for this recommendation, so it was a welcome suggestion!

The album begins with “Carolyn Days” which starts with a slow acoustic guitar part before kicking in with the full band, which included a nice synth part (!) I instantly fell in love with the singers voice from the start. I liked the build-up in the verse leading into the catchy chorus, including a catchy guitar lick to lead into the second verse. The next song was “Afterglow” which again started with some acoustic guitar, which reminded me of an intro you’d heard from a 90’s alt band, which is definitely something I enjoyed! The song surprised me with some horns featured in this track, as well. “I’ve Gone About This Wrong” started with some clean guitar with the vocals coming in after a few a measures. The band on the last couple of tracks have reminded me a little bit of Death Cab For Cutie both vocally, and musically (even lyrically at times) “Nobody People” was the next track. The title track sounded like a song ready for radio. It had a catchy chorus, with great background vocals. I felt some Weezer vibes on this track. “Wounded Bird” was a very solid ballad type song, which was easily a highlight for me. “Everything Was Easier” was a very relatable song lyrically, this passage especially:

“We don’t appreciate what we’ve got, until everything falls apart”

“There Was One” was another catchy alt-rock feeling song, with an extended outro that led right into the short interlude going into “Tall Man” This song was impossible not to bob your head to, or tap your foot to. Between the drum part, and the snaps it was a nice break from the record to keep the record unique and fresh. “Bones Full Of Sand” was just an acoustic guitar and the vocals. It instantly pulled me in, as he really commanded the song with his vocals and gorgeous guitar. The song had interludes within the song following the choruses. This was a great example of doing a lot, with a little. “Where Did Time Go?” closed the record with some more acoustic guitar and vocals only before the lead guitar came in about a minute into the song, and led into a big moment in the chorus. The ending interlude wrecked me as it was super easy to relate to, where the speaker says "I am scared for the day when we won't be here for each other. I selfishly hope that I'm the first one to go"

The band has a lot of potential and I’m excited to see what they do next after this record. I really enjoyed the interludes between the songs. I think this will be a record that will demand more listens to fully digest the different genres they played around with on this. I also want to dive deeper into the lyrics, with the interludes and there is a deeper meaning to this record, and a lot of underlying themes. This band has massive potential, and I’m very glad I heard this band/record. Thanks for the rec @edisnfg

Since people enjoyed the vinyl piece to my last review, I thought I’d share some more on this one, as this record appears to have a real nice variant too!



Favorite Tracks: “Carolyn Days” “Wounded Bird” “Everything Was Easier” "Bones Full Of Sand" "Where Did The Time Go?"

 

Great review! And hooray for more vinyl pics

Just listened to this for the first time today. Sounds super up my alley but I don't know how often I'll revisit it because the interludes bummed me outtt haha

 

Definitely had a depressing aspect to it at times, but something endearing about it at the same time.

 

I'll listen to anything Max puts out. It was good not great (same reaction I had to the EP)

 

Glad you enjoyed it! The spoken word parts really got to me too. That ending one crushed me especially because I’m getting married at the end of the month

 

Congrats!!!

 

Thanks, I appreciate it!

 

I was paired with @edisnfg

He assigned me The Flats- Nobody People

I assigned him

Bad Suns- Disappear Here

 

This is true. I definitely will revisit it.

Agree with this. I'm starting to really dig a few of the tracks more than I expected (Sing, Itch, Long Gone, In the Clear, Matter of Time). There's stuff on there I don't like much at all (Kill the Rich, Good Bad Time despite maybe the most Eve 6-sounding hook on the album) but I find myself coming back to it more and more.

 

I'm sure you're like me though, and just wish we could get some more Eve 6!

 

Absolutely! Too bad that it seems like Max's heart isn't in it anymore.

It's All in Your Head on vinyl would help me get over it though

 

woooooo!

 

Awesome review! I'm personally giving "Young and Courageous" the edge for now, but I'll need a lot more time to know for sure. I'm hoping that (just like their previous album) repeat listens will continue to allow me to hear new parts. That's what I love most about post-rock.

I still give the If These Trees Could Talk album spins all the time, by the way - thanks again for that!

 

Great review, i'm curious to check this album out now!

 

Thank you! I'm glad I listened and it didn't get buried in new releases!

 

ugh, my new release pile is terrible. Every time I finish an album another 2 come along.

 

Likewise!

 

Myself and @xapplexpiex are doing a bonus trade!
They will listen to: The Venetia Fair - The Circus
I will listen to: Crying - Beyond The Fleeting Gales

All whilst trying to finish Christopher Ruocchio's Empire of Silence novel!

 

@anonimito and I traded a while back and they gave me:

Copeland: You Are My Sunshine (2008) Tooth & Nail



Copeland are a rock band from Lakeland, Florida that is the brainchild of vocalist and pianist, Aaron Marsh along with a revolving cast of other musicians. You are My Sunshine is their fourth full length and first for Tooth and Nail Records while being produced by none other than Aaron Sprinkle.

From the moment you hit play you will realize just how dense musically this album is. I have listened to this quite a few times and pick up on new things every time and is one that commands the use of a good pair of headphones. I will be quite honest and say that I have never listened to a whole Copeland album in one sitting but that will change after this. I know their records hold a very special place for @anonimito and I can see why. Aarons vocals are very warm and inviting and I love the use of a vocoder at time that helps brings more depth to the songwriting and an almost layered texture. That is actually the one word I would use to describe this album: "warm". The title just so accurately depicts the overall feelings you get from this: you just can't help but have a smile on your face when you are done listening to it. As I mentioned, Aaron Sprinkle's production is nothing short of fantastic with things that work so perfectly, like the use of horns and some woodwind instruments on The Day I Lost My Voice (The Suitcase Song) for example. The album has an almost classical feel to it with how the piano is utilized while at the same time feels a bit poppy and reminds me of someone like Andrew McMahon. It is really fantastic when they utilize the amazing vocal talents of Rae Cassidy Klagstad on song such as The Day I Lost My Voice, On The Safest Ledge and Not So Tough Found Out. Her voice matches so perfectly with Aaron's and fits the music so well.

I think @anonimito said it best and that this album, even though warm and fuzzy, is best suited for the colder months of the year where you can cozy up on the couch with a nice bottle of wine, stare out the window at the falling snow and just lose yourself in the melodies. I am not sure if this is the best album in their discography but sure is a great place to start! I think the best song on the album is the 10 minute epic closer, Not So Tough Found Out, that just builds and builds while never breaking the surface which is extremely admirable.


Favorite songs:
Chin Up
Good Morning Fire Eater
The Day I Lost My Voice (The Suitcase Song)
Not So Tough Found Out

RIYL:
Andrew McMahon
Classical
Pianists

 

Copeland are my go to band for winter music. Even if the songs are upbeat. Beneath Medicine Tree was/is a fantastic record and they really went creative with Ixora. Great review! Definitely listen to whole albums from them . Good Andrew McMahon rec too.

 

Beneath Medicine Tree is one of my all-time favorites. This is a good review and I like that you want to listen to more of them.

 

Awesome review! I think "musically dense" is a really good way to describe the album. And yes, it really is like a warm, fuzzy blanket. "Not So Tough Found Out" is a huge highlight for me as well - on the special edition DVD, Aaron remarks about how the bassoon part is like "Peter and the Wolf" in a way, and I totally agree - such a cool track! "Should You Return" will always be my top favorite, though, and "On the Safest Ledge" is a close runner up. The video for that song (Actually, most of the album got the video treatment - highly recommended!) is probably a big reason for that. I've just always enjoyed it.

So glad you liked it! Hopefully it serves you well as your gateway to Copeland.

 

Thanks!