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Brank_Flack
* Dog in the Sand *

Canada
1064 Posts

Posted - 01/10/2014 :  06:48:23  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Oh, fuck off pitchfork. I sometimes like the website, but those two reviews represent the worst of the site.
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bedrock_barney
= Cult of Ray =

United Kingdom
871 Posts

Posted - 01/10/2014 :  08:00:45  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by The Champ

Like I said; they are still circle jerking themselves over Reflektor and can't be bothered to listen to Pixies.



Reflektor is a pretty decent album. Maybe not 9.2 but easily a 7 or 8.
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IBreed
= Cult of Ray =

310 Posts

Posted - 01/10/2014 :  10:21:05  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by The Champ

Like I said; they are still circle jerking themselves over Reflektor and can't be bothered to listen to Pixies.



lol come on, man. this isn't an either or prospect. the arcade fire is a by all rights decent band making their own brand of idiosyncratic music, music that has been in many ways influenced by the pixies. they're following their own muse, and that's worth a hell of a lot-- not so different from our own mr. black, right?
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IBreed
= Cult of Ray =

310 Posts

Posted - 01/10/2014 :  10:39:11  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
this is marginally interesting though... "We have another chance to consider the question. EP-2, released this week, dates from the same recording sessions as the first. (There is one more on the way.)"
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ChienAndalou22
- FB Fan -

58 Posts

Posted - 01/10/2014 :  11:28:49  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
That review doesn't really fit in with a 2.0 panning, I don't think. 2.0 is ridiculous, i can see why people would be surprised at the new stuff, or even disappointed, but giving it a rating that's in a line with a mindblowingly bad record is just fishing for page views and a bit of a buzz
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Sprite
* Dog in the Sand *

1356 Posts

Posted - 01/10/2014 :  12:21:20  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by The Champ

Like I said; they are still circle jerking themselves over Reflektor and can't be bothered to listen to Pixies.



Maybe not the first bit but the second half of that sentence seems very credible to me.

I've said this before but I really do think that Pixies fans that were fans during the original run can have a different perspective on the new material because they have had the experience of getting used to a new sound. Believe me when Bossanova came out only 12 months after Doolittle there was definitely a, whoa what's going on here, and similar again for Trompe. Not so much Surfer to Doolittle. When we heard Debaser for the first time we were all jerking off.

That's not to say that the post break up Pixies fans cant either but especially younger ones that have grown up with the whole Nirvana narrative, I can imagine not getting that instant dopamine hit from Greens and Blues that you get from Gouge Away. But as I also said before Bossanova and Trompe got some pretty sniffy reviews at the time. People have been pissed off that there is no Doolittle 2.0 for a long time. Plus if you were taking bets which review house would side with the No Kim No Deal narrative, well Pitchfork would be pretty close to the top of the list. I seriously believe that reviewer is going to look tres foolish in 2 or 3 years time. You can see the NME and DIS were much more careful in their reviews this time. Anybody remember that Q review of Kid A?

But fundamentally at the end of day I do not give a flying f**k who or what are giving them bad reviews. After 25 years of listening to music hard I can separate the good from the dross and I know when my boat is being floated. These songs are floating my boat, some more than others but we are bobbing along nicely right now.
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Classic Masher
- FB Fan -

146 Posts

Posted - 01/10/2014 :  14:20:14  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
It's funny that so many people are "disappointed". I'm just glad they don't sound anything like Honeycomb or Fastman Raiderman. I'm glad Frank recognizes that the Pixies have a defined style and aesthetic that is nothing like where his solo career had migrated to. Too many songwriters try to drag their bands along on their latest "experiment". That is what solo careers are for. These songs sound a little rusty, like they're still getting a feel for being Pixies full-time again but they're still good songs. My only complaint has been that the production just seems wrong sometimes. I don't think I've heard anything that Gil has produced since TLM so I don't know if this is just where he's at now or what...

"Mixed messages from Sir Naff, please authenticate..."
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The Champ
= Cult of Ray =

Canada
736 Posts

Posted - 01/10/2014 :  15:29:16  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by bedrock_barney

quote:
Originally posted by The Champ

Like I said; they are still circle jerking themselves over Reflektor and can't be bothered to listen to Pixies.



Reflektor is a pretty decent album. Maybe not 9.2 but easily a 7 or 8.



I would give it a solid 5 for being needlessly bloated and lyrically uninspiring.

The bad review obviously has nothing to do with Arcade Fire as a band. I am just complaining at how pitchfork, and other reviewers, are obviously all engaging in group think, and are part of the reason every time I turn on the fucking radio I have to hear Winny Butler repeat the phrase "is this reflektor?" for 8 minutes.
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IBreed
= Cult of Ray =

310 Posts

Posted - 01/10/2014 :  17:09:52  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Classic Masher

It's funny that so many people are "disappointed". I'm just glad they don't sound anything like Honeycomb or Fastman Raiderman. I'm glad Frank recognizes that the Pixies have a defined style and aesthetic that is nothing like where his solo career had migrated to. Too many songwriters try to drag their bands along on their latest "experiment". That is what solo careers are for. These songs sound a little rusty, like they're still getting a feel for being Pixies full-time again but they're still good songs. My only complaint has been that the production just seems wrong sometimes. I don't think I've heard anything that Gil has produced since TLM so I don't know if this is just where he's at now or what...

"Mixed messages from Sir Naff, please authenticate..."



the production can make it all feel a little too "put together" at times, but i do like the songs. i'm wondering if norton smoothed out the rough edges (present on a track like bagboy)-- the good shit, in other words.
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Jason
* Dog in the Sand *

1446 Posts

Posted - 01/10/2014 :  19:10:47  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Nothing in the Pitchfork review surprises me. My prediction was that they'd give the new record another 1.0.

On one hand, I dislike the review. On the other hand, I like that the band is so controversial now and I like that they're no longer a "critics' darling" act.

In any case, the band seemed to get good press in Europe last year based in part on such positive reaction to the live shows. I do wonder if that contributed to the NME's favorable review of EP 2. I'll be interested in seeing if this plays out in America, too, when that tour gets going.

Edited by - Jason on 01/10/2014 19:11:14
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Stevio10
* Dog in the Sand *

United Kingdom
1133 Posts

Posted - 01/10/2014 :  23:37:49  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
With the reviewer stating he is a fan of the Pixies, it just goes to show that reviewers are like cops, or members of the jury. They shouldnt/cant work a case that they are too close to.

While everyone is entitled to their opinion his reviews are no more informed, insightful or relevant than the next fan on the street. Im assuming the guy has a degree in journalism...I suggest he should use it.

It brings up the question again of whether a review should be impartial or not and how that affects expectations. On one hand an impartial review could miss the point or background knowledge (it shouldnt but lazy journalism is rife) while you only have to see Nick Hornby's review of Kid A to see that unimpartial reviews often result in the extreme.

He doesnt like it, fine, but does this mean that every Pixies/BF release from here in out will be reviewed on Pitchfork by this guy? For him that must be eternal damanation!

As others have said, it does affect the Metascore which I have probably paid too much attention to in the past. User scores are becoming a much more informed overall score (taking out the wannabe critic comments!)

But one of the best (and worst) things about the net is the ability to communicate with people, and what better way to hold a mirror up to the ridiculous nature of these reviewers is to flame the flamers. If they cant take it they shouldnt dish it!

Here are a bunch of links to some examples of this which provide a decent laugh (certainly brightened up my day) and the bottom one is a link to a review/comment written by a fellow Pitchfork reviewer about the EP1 review.

From reading his reviews and seeing his photo, it almost makes me think that the Pixies went back in time to write, record and shoot the Bagboy video about this guy, the similarities are very comical!


http://www.americanpancake.com/2013/09/music-critic-jayson-greene-sure-you-are.html
http://ripfork.com/2009/11/jayson-greenes-review-of-wwi-by-white-whale/
http://ripfork.com/2010/06/jayson-greenes-review-of-recovery-by-eminem/
http://ripfork.com/2012/01/jayson-greenes-review-of-thug-motivation-103-by-young-jeezy/
http://ripfork.com/2010/05/john-calverts-review-of-nonstoperotik-by-black-francis/comment-page-1/
http://everygreatsongever.tumblr.com/post/60659983853/hi-i-enjoyed-your-reviews-on-the-black-francis
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cptnpasty
- FB Fan -

Spain
161 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2014 :  00:03:27  Show Profile  Visit cptnpasty's Homepage  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Sprite

quote:
Originally posted by The Champ

Like I said; they are still circle jerking themselves over Reflektor and can't be bothered to listen to Pixies.



Maybe not the first bit but the second half of that sentence seems very credible to me.

I've said this before but I really do think that Pixies fans that were fans during the original run can have a different perspective on the new material because they have had the experience of getting used to a new sound. Believe me when Bossanova came out only 12 months after Doolittle there was definitely a, whoa what's going on here, and similar again for Trompe. Not so much Surfer to Doolittle. When we heard Debaser for the first time we were all jerking off.

That's not to say that the post break up Pixies fans cant either but especially younger ones that have grown up with the whole Nirvana narrative, I can imagine not getting that instant dopamine hit from Greens and Blues that you get from Gouge Away. But as I also said before Bossanova and Trompe got some pretty sniffy reviews at the time. People have been pissed off that there is no Doolittle 2.0 for a long time. Plus if you were taking bets which review house would side with the No Kim No Deal narrative, well Pitchfork would be pretty close to the top of the list. I seriously believe that reviewer is going to look tres foolish in 2 or 3 years time. You can see the NME and DIS were much more careful in their reviews this time. Anybody remember that Q review of Kid A?

But fundamentally at the end of day I do not give a flying f**k who or what are giving them bad reviews. After 25 years of listening to music hard I can separate the good from the dross and I know when my boat is being floated. These songs are floating my boat, some more than others but we are bobbing along nicely right now.



this

www.alotofwind.com
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johnnyribcage
* Dog in the Sand *

USA
1301 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2014 :  03:31:55  Show Profile  Visit johnnyribcage's Homepage  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by The Champ

quote:
Originally posted by bedrock_barney

quote:
Originally posted by The Champ

Like I said; they are still circle jerking themselves over Reflektor and can't be bothered to listen to Pixies.



Reflektor is a pretty decent album. Maybe not 9.2 but easily a 7 or 8.



I would give it a solid 5 for being needlessly bloated and lyrically uninspiring.

The bad review obviously has nothing to do with Arcade Fire as a band. I am just complaining at how pitchfork, and other reviewers, are obviously all engaging in group think, and are part of the reason every time I turn on the fucking radio I have to hear Winny Butler repeat the phrase "is this reflektor?" for 8 minutes.



So I'm almost completely out of the loop when it comes to what's hip these days. Have been for probably 15 years at least. Every time someone puts on something new for me it sounds like either music for a car commercial or a cell phone or some time of online service.

I had to go look up this reflektor everyone keeps referencing. I've heard of Arcade Fire and tried to listen to their first (well the first one I heard of - the one with the feathers) when it came out and it did nothing for me.

Reflektor sounds like a watered down version of Casbah-era Clash and Inxs or something. It reconfirms my choices.

To me, this new Pixies crushes that shit, but what do I know. I understand that these guys are considered the bee's knees. Beats me.

No offense to anyone who loves them some Arcade Fire.



Dial 1-888-RIB-CAGE for your free Bag Boy instruction manual.

Edited by - johnnyribcage on 01/11/2014 03:59:30
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Stevio10
* Dog in the Sand *

United Kingdom
1133 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2014 :  04:21:57  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
A couple of favourable EP2 reviews;

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2014/01/music-reviews-the-latest-from-stephen-malkmus-the-jicks-peter-gabriel-and-the-pixies/

(thankfully it isn't actually Peter Gabriel and the Pixies together!)

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/entertainment/music/new-music-reviews-pixies-stephen-malkmus-and-the-jicks.1389106933


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IBreed
= Cult of Ray =

310 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2014 :  06:59:59  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
"However, the real star of the set is “Greens and Blues,” which has the kind of infectious magic that could make it an excellent cross-over hit. Against all odds, “Greens and Blues” is one of the best songs they’ve ever recorded, which is truly saying something. It’s one of the first truly great songs of 2014."

seriously. so how about you promote that song, pixies. it's a great one.
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Jose Jones
* Dog in the Sand *

USA
1758 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2014 :  13:30:04  Show Profile  Visit Jose Jones's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Greens And Blues has grown on me cuz it was stuck in my head the other day. it's pretty cheesy and generic though.

Blue Eyed Hexe is kind of shitty.

the chorus to Snakes is nowhere near as good as its verses. also cheesy.

Magdalena 318 is fantastic though.

these tunes are great for a Joey fix, but not for a FB songwriting fix. Not sure what's going on here.

------------------------------
they were the heroes of old, men of renown.
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leon993
- FB Fan -

Denmark
6 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2014 :  15:53:40  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Overall EP-2 is very good. Blue eyed Hexe is as good as any song Pixies ever has released. Bagboy has been the only song yet sounding like Pixies version 1.0. Riot has gone from FB's voice in Pixies 2.0, which is normal, we all get older.
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johnnyribcage
* Dog in the Sand *

USA
1301 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2014 :  17:15:33  Show Profile  Visit johnnyribcage's Homepage  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Jose Jones


Blue Eyed Hexe is kind of shitty.


------------------------------
they were the heroes of old, men of renown.



With all due respect to your opinion, I have to think if this song had kicked off Bossanova it would be greatly revered in the original 'canon' Pixies songs.



Dial 1-888-RIB-CAGE for your free Bag Boy instruction manual.

Edited by - johnnyribcage on 01/11/2014 17:28:15
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natenate101
= Cult of Ray =

USA
895 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2014 :  20:07:47  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
^ Yeah, for me Blue Eyed Hexe kicks ass. Catchy as hell too after a few listens. The only one still to grow on me is Snakes. It's decent, if uneventful. Suffers from a corny chorus like Another Toe does. The rest is good, but man do those choruses weigh both songs down a bit.
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shineoftheever
> Teenager of the Year <

Canada
4307 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2014 :  22:00:25  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by johnnyribcage

Reflektor sounds like a watered down version of Casbah-era Clash and Inxs or something. It reconfirms my choices.




Dial 1-888-RIB-CAGE for your free Bag Boy instruction manual.



i also feel there are Clash like moments on this album. but to be completely honest i gave it many spins due to circumstance (recently acquired fully automatic turntable + first lego build in ages) i was exposed ad nauseum and this album is pretty fookin good. i was a little let down by Neon Bible, and even their debut was a little let down (compared to the hype) but still a solid collection. but i honestly feel this is their best - even after going back and listening to the others. so give it another chance ribby. and imagine if others would do the same for FB's back catalogue - man we would live on a happy planet. just my two cents so take that for what its worth (which isnt much really to be honest but you know what i mean right?)
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vilainde
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<

Niue
7446 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2014 :  22:37:19  Show Profile  Visit vilainde's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Snakes totally sounds like a Catholics song, only not played by the Catholics :( . Still, I love the song.


Denis


Obsidiana Bijoux
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trobrianders
> Teenager of the Year <

Papua New Guinea
3302 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2014 :  22:55:08  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Jose Jones

Blue Eyed Hexe is kind of shitty.

------------------------------
they were the heroes of old, men of renown.

I think I know what you mean. Charles always combines great subtlety with his big cracks at sex n swagger but when, for this one song, he's taking AC/DC as his starting point it's kind of inevitable. And Gil Norton's ironing out too many wrinkles. Hey Gil, Pixies aren't a dress shirt, they're flannel.

_______________
Ed is the hoo hoo
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picpic
* Dog in the Sand *

Belgium
1875 Posts

Posted - 01/11/2014 :  23:17:28  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I'm pretty sure a lot of people were also like "what the f*ck ?" when Trompe Le Monde was released.

I'm not saying that EP-1 / EP-2 will grow up to be freaking rock masterpieces like TLM or Bossa were, but I think both EP contains at lease 1 or 2 gems (imo: Indie, Magda, Andro, Greens).

We all know it's impossible to equal the perfection of the initial Pixies discography, but I think they're doing very well with those EPs, especially considering the fanbase context ("we demand another Doolittle !!").

They could have remained a greatest hit band forever (& KD would probably have stayed on board). So I'm glad something is happening.

Il ne faut pas bouder son plaisir ! (sorry... can't translate that one)

___
"Service Unavailable"
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cptnpasty
- FB Fan -

Spain
161 Posts

Posted - 01/12/2014 :  00:53:13  Show Profile  Visit cptnpasty's Homepage  Reply with Quote
pixies records were never perfect. i remember being slightly disappointed with the production on dolittle and disappointment with bossanova and trompe le monde was pretty widespread actually - the notion that there is this untouchable legacy of perfection that the band need to protect is a critical construct that has been put there in the intervening years. it is not a function of the music, but of all the hot air that gets blown around the music.

i don't know what 'better' or 'worse' are supposed to mean in relation to music but i have no difficulty at all imagining that the band could go on now to release music that i personally prefer to the records they were making in the 80's and 90's.




www.alotofwind.com
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bedrock_barney
= Cult of Ray =

United Kingdom
871 Posts

Posted - 01/12/2014 :  01:16:05  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I've given the new ep quite a few listens over the past week and it's...............ok.

Better than ep1 (ruined by Another Toe) but "new pixies' are still not greatly floating my boat.

Magdalena is the pick of the bunch and I reckon would slot nicely onto Bossanova as an updated Havalina.

Snakes starts well but I'm struggling with the bland sing along chorus. Sadly, it slips into Another Toe territory.

Blue Eyed Hexe and Green & Blues are ok but not 'special'.

Maybe 6 out of 10?
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bedrock_barney
= Cult of Ray =

United Kingdom
871 Posts

Posted - 01/12/2014 :  01:29:41  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
By the way (and possibly of much greater relevance than my musings), my 16 year old daughter has just started listening to the original run of Pixies albums. I think she must have reached 'P' in my cd collection! She's been blown away by the offbeat nature and consistent quality of the records.

Her opinion of the new stuff is 'it's alright I suppose' but she's perceiving a significant difference in the quality of the output.
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vilainde
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<

Niue
7446 Posts

Posted - 01/12/2014 :  02:53:43  Show Profile  Visit vilainde's Homepage  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by bedrock_barney

I've given the new ep quite a few listens over the past week and it's...............ok.

Better than ep1 (ruined by Another Toe) but "new pixies' are still not greatly floating my boat.

Magdalena is the pick of the bunch and I reckon would slot nicely onto Bossanova as an updated Havalina.

Snakes starts well but I'm struggling with the bland sing along chorus. Sadly, it slips into Another Toe territory.

Blue Eyed Hexe and Green & Blues are ok but not 'special'.

Maybe 6 out of 10?



Sums up my opinion quite accurately. I like Hexe quite a bit though.
I've only started listening to the EP yesterday though so that might change


Denis


Obsidiana Bijoux
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picpic
* Dog in the Sand *

Belgium
1875 Posts

Posted - 01/12/2014 :  03:14:49  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by cptnpasty

pixies records were never perfect.

Well... I find Bossanova is a perfect record. Matter of taste, probably ! (that's why critical reviews don't really make sense to me).

I can tell you which soccer team is the best by looking at the score board. But who can tell if a record is good or not ?

I mean, I can see that a lot of people dislike EP1 & EP2. But that don't make them bad records whatsoever. Well, not for me, at least.

___
"Service Unavailable"
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IBreed
= Cult of Ray =

310 Posts

Posted - 01/12/2014 :  05:26:24  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by picpic

quote:
Originally posted by cptnpasty

pixies records were never perfect.

Well... I find Bossanova is a perfect record. Matter of taste, probably ! (that's why critical reviews don't really make sense to me).

I can tell you which soccer team is the best by looking at the score board. But who can tell if a record is good or not ?

I mean, I can see that a lot of people dislike EP1 & EP2. But that don't make them bad records whatsoever. Well, not for me, at least.

___
"Service Unavailable"



there are different qualifiers you can use. there aren't clear "winners" and "losers" necessarily, but i don't think music is magical or without critical merit either. you can judge on context (like pitchfork), ability to replicate or innovate 'form', harmonic breadth, etc.
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IBreed
= Cult of Ray =

310 Posts

Posted - 01/12/2014 :  05:35:12  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by bedrock_barney

By the way (and possibly of much greater relevance than my musings), my 16 year old daughter has just started listening to the original run of Pixies albums. I think she must have reached 'P' in my cd collection! She's been blown away by the offbeat nature and consistent quality of the records.

Her opinion of the new stuff is 'it's alright I suppose' but she's perceiving a significant difference in the quality of the output.



there IS a significant difference. i know you're not implying otherwise, but anyone trying to pretend there isn't is trying to play politics over engaging with the music.

i personally like new Pixies, but there's no denying the presentation is way different. it's made for the mainstream, from songwriting to production.
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Classic Masher
- FB Fan -

146 Posts

Posted - 01/12/2014 :  05:55:27  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I think EPs 1 & 2 are getting the same reaction that a lot of other good records that were a change in direction by good bands got when they came out. No Code by Pearl Jam, Adore by Smashing Pumpkins, and Pinkerton by Weezer come to mind. All these are considered classic albums now and among their best stuff. I think Bossanova and Trompe Le Monde got the same reaction at the time too (although I wasn't a Pixies fan until I discovered them through Nirvana and they were already broken up by then).

"Mixed messages from Sir Naff, please authenticate..."
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johnnyribcage
* Dog in the Sand *

USA
1301 Posts

Posted - 01/12/2014 :  06:09:52  Show Profile  Visit johnnyribcage's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Always interesting to read such varying opinions and reactions to this new music from what I presume to be a top 5 favorite band of probably 80% of the people on this forum - just an assumption - I can't imagine dedicating time to write that much about a band/artist that wasn't!

I am surprised at some of the dislike for Snakes - I think it's great! I see major strengths in all of the songs on 2, and actually feel like they will all be considered classics in the coming years. Anyway though, I saw a comparison to Another Toe above. That, I'm not seeing. To me, Toe is probably the weakest song of all the new tracks, but I don't dislike it. I can't stand the post-production on it as it is definitely the most over-baked of all the new tracks as well. It might be the most over-mastered professional track I've ever heard, period. Still not a bad underlying song though.

But that aside, Toe's this mid-tempo, Weezer-like chug, while Snakes carries that slinky baseline and otherworldly lead guitar with the subversive shifting time signature (4 4 3 3) - I'm not doing a good job explaining it but it is in a different league than Toe, to me. Of the new tracks it's the one I find my self singing over and over in my head (though I keep singing "Snakes from outer space"). To my ears, Toe sounds like it could easily be an outtake from the Cult of Ray - Pistolero years. Something that kind of fits that vein, but maybe not good enough for those records. Might be wrong, I haven't listened to those really recently (which means I need to).



"A word to the wise is infuriating"
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The Champ
= Cult of Ray =

Canada
736 Posts

Posted - 01/12/2014 :  06:25:02  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I like Snakes as well. To me it sounds the most like a Frank Black solo song. I think these songs will sound better live.
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IBreed
= Cult of Ray =

310 Posts

Posted - 01/12/2014 :  06:39:10  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Classic Masher

I think EPs 1 & 2 are getting the same reaction that a lot of other good records that were a change in direction by good bands got when they came out. No Code by Pearl Jam, Adore by Smashing Pumpkins, and Pinkerton by Weezer come to mind. All these are considered classic albums now and among their best stuff. I think Bossanova and Trompe Le Monde got the same reaction at the time too (although I wasn't a Pixies fan until I discovered them through Nirvana and they were already broken up by then).

"Mixed messages from Sir Naff, please authenticate..."



i have to suggest that while there absolutely is a shift, it's not quite in line with what you're suggesting.

to frame it using the same bands, the EPs are pearl jam's eponymous album, the pumpkins' zeitgeist or weezer's green.

it's an attempt to streamline the sound by a band not running on inspiration/innovation, but craftsmanship. that's OK. it's not a dig. i personally feel the pixies have done a better job artistically than the aforementioned bands.
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natenate101
= Cult of Ray =

USA
895 Posts

Posted - 01/12/2014 :  07:13:37  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by johnnyribcage

Always interesting to read such varying opinions and reactions to this new music from what I presume to be a top 5 favorite band of probably 80% of the people on this forum - just an assumption - I can't imagine dedicating time to write that much about a band/artist that wasn't!

I am surprised at some of the dislike for Snakes - I think it's great! I see major strengths in all of the songs on 2, and actually feel like they will all be considered classics in the coming years. Anyway though, I saw a comparison to Another Toe above. That, I'm not seeing. To me, Toe is probably the weakest song of all the new tracks, but I don't dislike it. I can't stand the post-production on it as it is definitely the most over-baked of all the new tracks as well. It might be the most over-mastered professional track I've ever heard, period. Still not a bad underlying song though.

But that aside, Toe's this mid-tempo, Weezer-like chug, while Snakes carries that slinky baseline and otherworldly lead guitar with the subversive shifting time signature (4 4 3 3) - I'm not doing a good job explaining it but it is in a different league than Toe, to me. Of the new tracks it's the one I find my self singing over and over in my head (though I keep singing "Snakes from outer space"). To my ears, Toe sounds like it could easily be an outtake from the Cult of Ray - Pistolero years. Something that kind of fits that vein, but maybe not good enough for those records. Might be wrong, I haven't listened to those really recently (which means I need to).



"A word to the wise is infuriating"



My comparison was that both to me are strong in terms of lyrics and music in the verses, but are hurt by cheesy choruses. I don't think they sound alike or have the same vibe, to clarify. Snakes is stronger than Another Toe, but the latter would be thought of differently to me without the beginning straight into the chorus. The verses and music in them are catchy.
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