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MIRV
- FB Fan -
178 Posts |
 Posted - 12/12/2002 : 19:15:25
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these weren't my original thoughts, but when i heard them it summed up exactly how i felt. the album sounds as if frank went to the catholics and said: i have twenty some odd songs here, now quickly add some shit overtop. it's too folky, and it's just a boring album.
DW, on the other hand, sounds like a full album with everybody sounding like they contributed a little more equally. it sounds like they worked on them a little longer and perfected them a little more.
i could be totally wrong, but this is how i see it. |
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ProverbialCereal
- FB TabMaster -
USA
2953 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2002 : 20:18:19
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I was actually gonna ask you (MIRV) what you thought about Devil's Workshop, just since they came out at the same time. Of course they sound alot different.
I do agree with you that some of the songs on BLD are a little "odd" and don't quite add up to a typical Frank Black album, as in, the songs as an album don't all fit together like a jigsaw puzzle as much as Pistolero or Devil's Workshop. This probably has to do with the length. When you put out an album over 60 minutes, if all the songs had the same sound, people would probably get bored. I like Black Letter Days, but there a couple songs that are just so-so. And with an album that long, while i listen to it when I am driving somewhere less than 45 minutes away, i tend to want to hear my favorites, and I'll even skip a couple songs. (like black rider, true blue, chip away boy - now everyone is gonna scold me)
Derek |
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mereubu
= FB QuizMistress =
USA
2677 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2002 : 20:42:56
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| BLD took me a while to get into, but I eventually discovered that if you're actually having a black letter day, then it sounds great. I had a lot of bad shit go down in October, and then it finally clicked. Particularly if you can listen to it on some remote country road--it's a great road album. DW is much more rockin', but sometimes melancholy folks need something too. |
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johndietzel
= Cult of Ray =
Burkina Faso (Upper Volta)
464 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2002 : 20:59:25
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I definitely will not argue against MiRV's opinion on a pound-for-pound basis, as I think BLD can't even hope to complete by that scale. It may "contain" as much beauty as DW, but it's sporadic. Even Frank in recent interviews at least acknowledges that the album, on the whole, doesn't appeal entirely to every single band member, but at least one guy at a time liked each track enough that they kept the bathwater in with the baby.
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"Liam Neeson backwards is broken English empty post office box." |
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Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5155 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2002 : 22:33:26
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i think that BLD has superior qualities to DW, but at first i thought just like MIRV - but now when i listen to BLD i feel it's just a more varied better written and recorded album - thought stuff like fields of marigold, velvety and san antonio, tx are amazing on DW
-Brian
RAWK! |
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Netherlands
6213 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2002 : 00:17:44
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BLD didn't take my by surprise, right from the start I loved it.
DitS took me awhile to get into, but after that BLD came as a reasonable follower.
Yop |
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Solidgld
- FB Fan -
USA
104 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2002 : 01:40:46
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Mirv another great topic. My take is if you have seen Frank live then you know he Kicks Ass. For several years he has played lots of new material before it has been recorded on CD. There were a few songs I had seen live a few times so when the CD came out I new them and enjoyed them. When I heard this CD the first time I couldn't get how all the songs were from one band.
Unlike Mirv I feel the layers each member is contributing to the sound. With all the guitars three sounds accustic, electric, and slide its this guitar players paridise. Each listen I hear something new making it my favorite CD Ever. Songs that kick ass are: California Bound,Black Letter Days,1826 rocks so hard sould be listed twice,21 Reasons. I really like the soft stuff and thats why I like it so much, Chip away boy, Jane the Queen of love, How you went so far, I will run after you and Cold Heart of Stone. I never really liked alot of older music (before 70's)when I was younger now Bob Dylan doesn't sound as bad anymore. DW is not my favorite of the two I do like it as much. |
Edited by - Solidgld on 12/13/2002 01:49:12 |
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velvety
= Cult of Ray =
Portugal
536 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2002 : 03:36:12
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my main problem with BLD is the folky bit that begins after 1826 and ends with true blue. itīs kind of boring and reminds me itīs a 60 minute album.
i think johndietzel nailed it, itīs a sporadic album, starting strong and with a few more memorable songs.
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Bartholomew
= Cult of Ray =
USA
344 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2002 : 06:18:17
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| While not his best "album", BLD does contain some of Frank Black's finest songs: Chip Away Boy, Black Rider, California Bound, and Jet Black River, etc. It's all about the length I think, and as someone else pointed out the mixing of so many widely different styles...though come to think about it that's exactly the reason why I LIKED TOTY...huh, bad theory. Anyway, good album with some great songs, just has kind of herky-jerky rhythm to it and a couple of skippers on it. Whatever... |
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The Champ
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
736 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2002 : 08:54:08
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| Yeah MIRV, BLD's is pretty boring, the first song rocks, then it seams to change into more ballads or something, i rarely listen to that ablum now. There are only a few songs that everyone likes that i enjoy listening too, then i skipp threw the majority. For me its the kind of album that the not so great songs that you always skip are allright if your in the folk mood. Devil's workshop has energy, and great melodies. I don't really get sick of that one. I really think they should have just made one really good album, but everyone likes different songs... |
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ramona
"FB Quote Mistress"
USA
3988 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2002 : 09:25:36
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Good topic!!
Right now I prefer BLD to DW - but I have been going back and forth depending on mood. BLD is definetly more mellow and lowkey but I have really been enjoying that aspect of it. I do like the energy and drive of DW - they are just so different. |
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FranknWeezer
= Cult of Ray =
USA
356 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2002 : 09:25:59
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Actually, DW sounds more thrown together than BLD to me. I definitely prefer the latter. But my favorite FB song is St. Francis Dam Disaster, so you can see why I lean towards the folky Franky of BLD.
-FranknWeezer
By the way MIRV, I have to chuckle every time I see your name b/c we had a Chyna-type big 'ol muscular girl in our high school way back and we called her MERV. Tara was a shot-putter, and she was more ripped than most of the football team. If she ever found out why she was know as MERV, it wouldn't have been pretty.
MERV, the Man Eating Recreational Vehicle.
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bazza
* Dog in the Sand *
Ireland
1439 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2002 : 09:35:16
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i prefer BLD - but i think i am at the stage where its like listening to bowie - i find myself suddenly compelled by musical styles that - basically - used to frighten me. some of the songs on BLD are amazing - especially california bound. great album - although all the arguments made are valid.
cheers
when you've got nothing
you've got nothing to lose.
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theonecontender
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
565 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2002 : 10:29:14
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I've said it before, but, BLD seems to be an album that should have been credited to "An evening with Charles", rather than FRANK BLACK and the 'rock your brain' catholics. Some well written and catchy songs.. especially the ones mentioned by Solid Gold, but still, it makes me literally angry when I listen to the several sub-par songs on the album. I'm the type of lazy listener that hates having to push fast-forward all the time. I hope the catholics get their backs up after this affair and stand up to Frank and say "we must Rock!". You can see it in their eyes.
1c |
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Jose Jones
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1758 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2002 : 10:45:23
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if you hate pushing fastforward, then just enjoy the good little songs that you don't like to pay attention to, for some reason. they aren't bad.
i, by the way, love that folky bit the starts after 1826. it's like side 2. southbound bevy is great.
-dan |
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Ten Percenter
- FB Enquirer -
United Kingdom
1733 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2002 : 11:13:53
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| Agreed Jose, Southbound Bevy is great. And so is most the rest of the album. And so is most of the new Johnny Cash CD! I think I share FranknWeezer's tastes |
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St. Francis
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
548 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2002 : 19:47:35
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Mirv didn't you start this thread a couple weeks back? Ahh well still think BLS is much much better that DW but it's a matter of oppinion. End of Days is amazing really...one of the best songs he ever recorded.
Out on the Eisenhower, well, I lost my speed just a little bit south of a town called weed... |
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BrendanT
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
907 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2002 : 21:37:57
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I still don't think I understand each album. I cannot get my head around BLD and therefore find myself compelled to listen to it. I put DW away for a while. I agree with everyone's critique of the albums, but I am just happy that we have a reason to compare both sounds. How shitty would life be if both albums were rockin' and kick ass? To each their own.
Strummer-man
I had me a vision!
Buttercup! Bubbles! Let's go! |
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Jose Jones
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1758 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2002 : 23:16:33
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man...i've been listening to dw all day, and i have a new appreciation for it. it's like this: the first catholics album was lyle on lead, pistolero was rich, dw is dave. each is like a representation of each guitarist's style. the thing that makes DITS amazing is that it puts the whole pool of catholics together to create a true masterpiece (minus lyle, i think).
BLD is great, but not as solid as DITS.
ah, hell. it's all just so fucking great.
-dan |
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