When I heard this EP was releasing with seven tracks, I wondered why they wouldn't just bother adding a handful of songs and making it a full length album. However, after hearing this, I think it makes sense for it to be an EP. They're clearly trying some new sounds and there's a sense of freedom to the overall songwriting that I think an EP enables. Overall, I'm happy with this effort.
Ugh. I can't decide what disappoints me more: Cadogan splitting with 3EB or the fact that he hasn't been able to even come close to his work on 3EB in nearly two decades. I would have assumed he'd join some other band and improve it or have more success with a brand new venture. His solo stuff was OK, but I never go back to it.
I'm enjoying the EP. I don't think any of the songs hit as hard as the opening track, but they are good. Need to give it more spins, of course!
Forgot all about the XEB thing. Haha, comes across as extremely childish. When I worked at Guitar Center, some guy came in asked me if I like 3EB. He claimed to be Tony's manager and said he'd bring him in to meet me if I'd give him a good deal on gear. Didn't really believe him but I did it anyway because I was amused at the length this guy went to get some discounted strings and shit haha. Lo and behold, the guy showed up with Tony like two hours later. Nice of Tony to agree to show up and all so I can't knock him too hard, but he was definitely kind of a tool haha. Makes a good argument for biggest ego I've ever met. Not much to this anecdote but I kinda forgot it even happened and the XEB thing just reminded me haha
Gonna be listening to the new EP later on today. I find it to extremely petty to have a band made up of ex-members clearly exploiting their time in a successful act. Makes them look pathetic, IMO. Like, get over it and make up your own band with zero affiliation to the guy you clearly hate. Stephan seems to be fine and happy, so maybe those dudes should take the higher road too.
Company, Don't Give in, Sherri is a Stoner are BANGERS to me. Enjoy the entire thing, but especially those. Also, the XEB thing is dumb as fuck to me, haha. I agree that it's petty. Whether you think he's an asshole or not, Stephen IS 3eb..that should be pretty apparent by now.
He is the only one featured on every song they've ever recorded, anyway lol. Brad Hargreaves only played on about half the songs on S/T
This is pretty solid. Glad they released this as an EP instead of trying to add a few more for a full length though
It's telling to me that none of Cadogan, Salazar or Fredianelli (all talented musicians in their own right) have even done a single thing worth noting musically since leaving 3EB. Pretty obvious who is the straw stirring the drink. Call yourselves anything but XEB and I just might've paid attention, but no thank you. This is an odd EP. On one hand, Company of Strangers is the best track they've written since Out Of The Vein. On the other hand, the political grandstanding and sweet R&B ear whispers are not what suits this band's strengths at all and never have been. I like that you can hear the influence of the newer band members, but the middling electro-pop direction can gladly end here. Best tracks are the ones that actually sound like a rock band: Company, Weightless and Sherri.
I remember seeing TEB live back in 2013 and they played Sherri and I've been trying to find it forever since then. Glad to finally have it. They also played this song that went "I got so high, I fell in love, with everyone, and the sky up above. I got so higggghh". Does anyone know that song?? Been trying to find it for years.
It just lacks any depth. Stephen Jenkins can write incredible songs, but on the last few albums he's trended towards this vaguely inspirational, fan-camaraderie shit style of writing (Exiles is a good example) and it weakens the songs. And that chorus "Wooooah, it's nice to meet you" is rough and badly executed. I applaud these guys for still making music period and doing it on their own terms, but while they came out with some really good tracks, as a short collection of tunes this feels slapped together.
They're nice sounding songs, but compared to a track like Motorcycle Drive By - not the same caliber of writing. At least I just don't find myself as moved by it.