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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5454 Posts |
 Posted - 08/04/2006 : 20:49:10
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| My "death to albums" comments had nothing to do with the quality of the songs on FMRM (or the question of what songs should be cut). It was response to the notion that fans should take the 20+ song album and cut and assemble their own album on their iPod. I've always seen albums as a collection of songs that go together and have a common origin. That notion is under assault from the selling of single digital songs and the shuffling of iPods. I know that's not new (it's always been the norm on radio), but find it disheartening that FMRM might have been put out with the notion that with enough songs included everyone would find a few that they like. |
Edited by - darwin on 08/04/2006 23:31:49 |
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ScottP
= Cult of Ray =
USA
618 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2006 : 20:50:15
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quote:
Originally posted by coastline
I hope I wasn't striking a confrontational pose here, because that wasn't my intention. There are songs I don't like as much as the other ones on FMRM, and I think naming them would indeed invite confrontation. I'm just pointing out -- as anyone who is trying to appreciate a piece of art should be able to -- that there are things about this particular work that don't resonate so well with me. I should hope that the artist can appreciate such criticism, and I'd be shocked to find out that he didn't. And while I doubt that his singular goal is to please a bunch of fanboys, I'm sure he has an interest in the criticism of those who generally appreciate his work. So it always surprises me to see Jon Tiven come on here and take these criticisms so personally. I'm not trying to ruffle your feathers, Mr. Tiven, nor anyone else's, but aren't these sorts of discussions the reason these forums exist?
Then again, I wish Frank Black would come on here and tell me to shove it. THAT would kick ass.
Expertly put, coastline. I agree with you. I can't imagine Frank, or any legit artist, finding satisfaction in reading 100% positive reviews of their work.
That would probably freak anybody (besides Ashley Simpson, etc.) out. |
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Erebus
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1834 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2006 : 22:47:09
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quote:
Originally posted by darwin
disheartening that FMRM might have been put out with notion that with enough songs included everyone would find a few that they like.
I for one, and most of us if I may say so, assume/know that you never meant that. From the beginning I thought you meant the iPod select set/shuffle stood antithetically to the album as a conception/whole, or, more likely, antithetically to just a bunch of songs that Frank thought we might like. It's hardly like Frank attempted to hit a target by tossing a fist-full of darts. We know that and we know you know that. Most of us assume that all of Frank's stuff has merit, not because it has his sanction but rather because we have so often discovered gems only in retrospect. Anybody on board with him has long since conceded that his catalog remains open turf. Hell, half the time I like Tiny Heart and Violet, and I know that with time I'll kick myself for skipping that darker still Paint type thing. One of us has said that that melody stands out and I can only assume he hears something I will hear later if I'm lucky.
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Edited by - Erebus on 08/04/2006 23:02:07 |
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fbc
-= Modulator =-
United Kingdom
4903 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2006 : 01:09:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Denis
Disc 1 is what Ken Goes wanted to release as a 1-CD album, and
why it was left to him, i'll never know.
Tiny Heart rocks! |
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Grotesque
= Cult of Ray =
France
777 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2006 : 03:16:12
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For Trompe Le Monde Frank had mostly bits of songs, and everybody was going nuts during the recording with the constant changes. Now, with FMRM, I think Frank had finished songs but written very quickly and recently.
On both album we got a very fresh feeling, with that "unfinished" touch that makes it very lively. FMRM has a feeling of "song workshop", it's very open. It needs the imagination of the listener to fully complete the songs. |
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johnnyribcage
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1301 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2006 : 18:18:56
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| I think the answer to the question, "why the negative reviews?" is deceptively simple. Most of us on this site are fairly diehard Frank Black fans, and for better or worse, Frank Black, and Pixies albums for that matter, take more than a couple cursory listens to appreciate. Speaking from my own experience, most of the albums - FB and otherwise - that I hold closest to my heart, have taken several listens to attain that status. That being said, a music critic isn't necessaraly listening for that instant classic, that one "that reminds me of the summer of '97..." or "picks up right where John Lennon left off" or whatever. Which is why you will pretty much never see a 5 star review for ANY new album, at least not by a legitimate, honest critic. The point here is that a critic, I assume, probably has about five or six albums a week or so to listen to and write a supposedly informed article on. I have to admit, being a long time and BIG TIME Frank Black fan, I was initially turned off and bored by Fast Man. That was on the first couple listens. Much more so than any other Frank album on the first listen. However, knowing what to expect from this album having read up on it's history long before it came out, I had the distinct feeling that I just needed to ride out a couple complete listens before I "got it". Turns out, yep, classic Frank. It reminds me a lot of Black Letter Days, only more subdued. There are a couple of misteps, in my opinion, i.e. The End Of Summer, sorry but I will never understand why this song was recorded, even with the sort of catchy chorus, but I am not here to review the album. What I'm getting at is that these critics, they just don't listen to it enough. I would be kind of suprised if someone came up with a glowing review after a listen or two. And say some of these guys realize that some music takes a few listens. So they listen to it two or three times in two or three days. That ain't gonna cut it. I need to give it some time to settle in, digest. That, I believe, is the root of all the lackluster reviews, and I'm willing to bet, if any of the critics with bad reviews have given it a little time in the last couple months, they would probably like to retract their initial reviews. |
Edited by - johnnyribcage on 08/16/2006 18:21:25 |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2006 : 06:14:21
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All those lukewarm review writers should be punished with lukewarm tea! ;D
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Jose Jones
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1758 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2006 : 00:13:14
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just to flesh out some of the bell curve here, i love every song on fmrm EXCEPT johnny barlycorn. it's the only frank song i straight up don't care for. but the rest of the album is flawless to me.
this surprised even me because i had read all the great reviews of that song before the album was released. when i heard it i was VERY disappointed and then was worried about how the rest of the album would sound. well, after 2 listens certain songs kept jumping out at me and now every song is a pleasure.
except ol' johnny barlycorn.
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they were the heroes of old, men of renown. |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2006 : 07:34:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Jose Jones
just to flesh out some of the bell curve here
That sounds a bit rude.
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johnnyribcage
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1301 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2006 : 15:37:32
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quote:
Originally posted by Jose Jones
this surprised even me because i had read all the great reviews of that song before the album was released. when i heard it i was VERY disappointed and then was worried about how the rest of the album would sound.
Is it possible you just heard so much about the song you formed too much of an opinion before you heard it? To me, the song kind of sounds like a distant bastard cousin to The Snake - in a George Harrison All Things Must Pass way. |
Edited by - johnnyribcage on 08/22/2006 19:29:10 |
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Why the lukewarm reviews?
