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Classic Masher
- FB Fan -
146 Posts |
 Posted - 01/03/2014 : 15:25:01
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For me it's
Bagboy
What Goes Boom
Indie Cindy
Greens and Blues
Magdalena
Blue Eyed Hexe
Snakes
Andro Queen
Another Toe In the Ocean
"Mixed messages from Sir Naff, please authenticate..." |
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trevgreg
- FB Fan -
45 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2014 : 16:20:40
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Three other quick thoughts...
- Blue Eyed Hexe has grown on me substantially this afternoon.
- Ditto on the Magdalena/Bossanova comparisons.
- Does EP2 have two different covers? The downloads and main page have the one with the 'Xp' shown, but the Wikipedia page and other sources show the one with the 'human' drawings and the pentagram sign. Am I missing something here? |
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frankblackphx
= Cult of Ray =
USA
287 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2014 : 17:01:48
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Purchased the vinyl and the digital files. Another excellent release but the compression is even worse this time around. Snakes suffer's the worst from it. The song has so much depth and atmosphere that it needs to breathe. I hope the vinyl is mastered better.
The songwriting is excellent and instantly accessible which isn't always the case with Pixies songs. I like it about on par with EP-1 but I need a little more time with it. Right now I would rank the songs:
Indie Cindy
Blue Eyed Hexe
Greens and Blues
Another Toe
Snakes
Magdalena
What Goes Boom
Andro Queen
Bagboy
Bagboy is by far my least liked songs of the nine released so far.
Here I am for your judgement
When the paint grows darker still
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blckfrncs
- FB Fan -
Luxembourg
158 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2014 : 19:21:45
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quote:
Originally posted by McDutchie
"Greens and Blues" is a reasonably nice song but it's not even in the same league as "Gigantic". BF calling it a better Gigantic comes across to me as a typical passive-aggressive Pixies fashion of flipping the bird to Kim Deal. I guess he finally gave up hope she's ever coming back.
I really like "Snakes". As some have said, it sounds like a Frank Black solo song, but as far as I'm concerned that's a good thing. It's certainly nothing like the boring generic radio rock that is Another Toe.
So, I'm finding no songs on EP2 that I dislike, which is a big improvement. Magdalena is my favourite so far. Lovely quirky Pixies. Reminds me of Bossanova.
Hexe is great too. It does sound a bit like AC/DC but I don't see why that's bad. It's hardly the first time Frank channels some other band or artist. Hermaphroditos is like the Rolling Stones, Cult of Ray (the song, not the album) sounds like Bowie, quite a bit of his stuff sounds like Lou Reed, etc.
Also, EP2 is on YouTube in full already? It's not even been out for a day. Give them a chance to sell a few copies, FFS.
re: Gigantic; to borrow a quote from K Cobain, I never fucking said that.
Bf |
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yarbles
= Cult of Ray =
USA
637 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2014 : 20:34:18
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quote:
Originally posted by blckfrncs
quote:
Originally posted by McDutchie
"Greens and Blues" is a reasonably nice song but it's not even in the same league as "Gigantic". BF calling it a better Gigantic comes across to me as a typical passive-aggressive Pixies fashion of flipping the bird to Kim Deal. I guess he finally gave up hope she's ever coming back.
I really like "Snakes". As some have said, it sounds like a Frank Black solo song, but as far as I'm concerned that's a good thing. It's certainly nothing like the boring generic radio rock that is Another Toe.
So, I'm finding no songs on EP2 that I dislike, which is a big improvement. Magdalena is my favourite so far. Lovely quirky Pixies. Reminds me of Bossanova.
Hexe is great too. It does sound a bit like AC/DC but I don't see why that's bad. It's hardly the first time Frank channels some other band or artist. Hermaphroditos is like the Rolling Stones, Cult of Ray (the song, not the album) sounds like Bowie, quite a bit of his stuff sounds like Lou Reed, etc.
Also, EP2 is on YouTube in full already? It's not even been out for a day. Give them a chance to sell a few copies, FFS.
re: Gigantic; to borrow a quote from K Cobain, I never fucking said that.
Bf
ha ha, you tell em Frank. Awesome. :) Loving the new songs, keep it up. |
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natenate101
= Cult of Ray =
USA
895 Posts |
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ricj
- FB Fan -
United Kingdom
107 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2014 : 22:52:09
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| I don't understand the dislike for Another Toe - it's infinitely more Frank than Pixies but what's the difference these days? I find it ridiculously catchy and addictive and I can't argue with that! |
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Netherlands
6287 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2014 : 22:55:12
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quote:
Originally posted by blckfrncs
quote:
Originally posted by McDutchie
"Greens and Blues" is a reasonably nice song but it's not even in the same league as "Gigantic". BF calling it a better Gigantic comes across to me as a typical passive-aggressive Pixies fashion of flipping the bird to Kim Deal. I guess he finally gave up hope she's ever coming back.
I really like "Snakes". As some have said, it sounds like a Frank Black solo song, but as far as I'm concerned that's a good thing. It's certainly nothing like the boring generic radio rock that is Another Toe.
So, I'm finding no songs on EP2 that I dislike, which is a big improvement. Magdalena is my favourite so far. Lovely quirky Pixies. Reminds me of Bossanova.
Hexe is great too. It does sound a bit like AC/DC but I don't see why that's bad. It's hardly the first time Frank channels some other band or artist. Hermaphroditos is like the Rolling Stones, Cult of Ray (the song, not the album) sounds like Bowie, quite a bit of his stuff sounds like Lou Reed, etc.
Also, EP2 is on YouTube in full already? It's not even been out for a day. Give them a chance to sell a few copies, FFS.
re: Gigantic; to borrow a quote from K Cobain, I never fucking said that.
Bf
You must be getting tired of all this. Loving the new songs!
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BF: Mag ik Engels spreken? |
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Netherlands
6287 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2014 : 22:57:18
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Blue Eyed Hexe has the best beginning ever, I love the background noise between the riff and THAT chord
BTW in the Netherlands a witch is called an 'heks'.
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BF: Mag ik Engels spreken? |
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Netherlands
6287 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2014 : 23:12:48
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BF on Twitter: I am truly tired of having my words slightly changed by journos to achieve a desired effect. Fuck u/piss off.
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BF: Mag ik Engels spreken? |
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picpic
* Dog in the Sand *
Belgium
1875 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 02:28:40
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LA times statement about EP-1 is laughable...
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"Service Unavailable" |
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McDutchie
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
270 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 02:59:35
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quote:
Originally posted by blckfrncs
re: Gigantic; to borrow a quote from K Cobain, I never fucking said that.
Bf
I stand corrected. I apologize for repeating misinformation. |
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The Champ
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
736 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 03:12:30
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| Any one else notice that the production sounds quite a bit different in this one? I think the bass may be a lot louder. |
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The Champ
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
736 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 03:19:50
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| And how the hell could EP 1 get a 6/10 by NME and EP 2 get an 8? They may as well not even bother listening to them and just guess how good they are. |
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Stevio10
* Dog in the Sand *
United Kingdom
1133 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 04:02:50
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quote:
Originally posted by The Champ
And how the hell could EP 1 get a 6/10 by NME and EP 2 get an 8? They may as well not even bother listening to them and just guess how good they are.
A couple of quotes from the EP 2 review from NME;
"As with the brilliant ‘EP-1’ these four new tracks, produced by Gil Norton of ‘Doolittle’ infamy, eschew any attempt to recreate the breathless brutalities of ‘Doolittle’ or ‘Surfer Rosa’ and instead move Pixies boldly on. Thankfully down a less sludgy path than The Catholics."
"Only a smidgeon less euphoric than ‘EP-1’, ‘EP-2’ is another brief broadside that further justifies Pixies’ drip-drip release plan, keeping their ten-year-tour on the road and the intrigue of their new material relentlessly fresh. It’s not ‘Doolittle’, sure, but who’d want The Mona Lisa 2?"
It is a different reviewer from EP1 to EP2, yet strange to hear EP 1 being classed as brilliant in the same magazine that gave it a 6 and say that EP 2 is not as euphoric as EP 1 yet give it an 8?! As pleasing as it is to see a positive review (despite calling the Catholics sludgy...whatever that means), it just goes to show that most reviews aren't worth the blog space they are written on. |
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The Champ
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
736 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 04:18:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Stevio10
quote:
Originally posted by The Champ
And how the hell could EP 1 get a 6/10 by NME and EP 2 get an 8? They may as well not even bother listening to them and just guess how good they are.
A couple of quotes from the EP 2 review from NME;
"As with the brilliant ‘EP-1’ these four new tracks, produced by Gil Norton of ‘Doolittle’ infamy, eschew any attempt to recreate the breathless brutalities of ‘Doolittle’ or ‘Surfer Rosa’ and instead move Pixies boldly on. Thankfully down a less sludgy path than The Catholics."
"Only a smidgeon less euphoric than ‘EP-1’, ‘EP-2’ is another brief broadside that further justifies Pixies’ drip-drip release plan, keeping their ten-year-tour on the road and the intrigue of their new material relentlessly fresh. It’s not ‘Doolittle’, sure, but who’d want The Mona Lisa 2?"
It is a different reviewer from EP1 to EP2, yet strange to hear EP 1 being classed as brilliant in the same magazine that gave it a 6 and say that EP 2 is not as euphoric as EP 1 yet give it an 8?! As pleasing as it is to see a positive review (despite calling the Catholics sludgy...whatever that means), it just goes to show that most reviews aren't worth the blog space they are written on.
Yep. Sums that up. |
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Brank_Flack
* Dog in the Sand *
Canada
1064 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 04:24:35
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quote:
Originally posted by blckfrncs
quote:
Originally posted by McDutchie
"Greens and Blues" is a reasonably nice song but it's not even in the same league as "Gigantic". BF calling it a better Gigantic comes across to me as a typical passive-aggressive Pixies fashion of flipping the bird to Kim Deal. I guess he finally gave up hope she's ever coming back.
I really like "Snakes". As some have said, it sounds like a Frank Black solo song, but as far as I'm concerned that's a good thing. It's certainly nothing like the boring generic radio rock that is Another Toe.
So, I'm finding no songs on EP2 that I dislike, which is a big improvement. Magdalena is my favourite so far. Lovely quirky Pixies. Reminds me of Bossanova.
Hexe is great too. It does sound a bit like AC/DC but I don't see why that's bad. It's hardly the first time Frank channels some other band or artist. Hermaphroditos is like the Rolling Stones, Cult of Ray (the song, not the album) sounds like Bowie, quite a bit of his stuff sounds like Lou Reed, etc.
Also, EP2 is on YouTube in full already? It's not even been out for a day. Give them a chance to sell a few copies, FFS.
re: Gigantic; to borrow a quote from K Cobain, I never fucking said that.
Bf
Here is a transcript from the interview Charles is talking about and he is dead right.
“Greens and Blues” – I guess I like that one a lot too. …“Gigantic” had become very much a big closer number, either at the end of the set or even sometimes the last song in the encore. A couple other songs could serve that function as well, like “Where Is My Mind,” for example. But “Gigantic” saying the final goodbye to the audience seemed to really work well. … I think there were times when even Kim Deal would tire of having to perform that song once again. “Goodnight everybody, Gigantic!” You start to feel like you’re in some kind of a Broadway musical.
"I was trying to write a song that could be that type of song like “Gigantic” when I did “Greens and Blues.” It couldn’t be, for example, too fast or two slow. It had to be a nice kind of medium tempo, it needed to kind of have a big chorus. The chord structure of the verses is very similar to the chord structure of the chorus. It’s not exactly the same, but it’s very similar. “Gigantic” is like that and so is “Monkey Gone To Heaven.” … So that’s why “Greens and Blues” ended up having that kind of quality to it as well because in the back of my mind I was thinking of “Gigantic,” where the verse and the chorus are exactly the same notes, as you will. They’re different feelings, but it’s the same note."
This is worlds away from saying he was trying to write a better Gigantic.
Ironically, from the same interview:
"BF: The problem with doing interviews is that a lot of publications tend to want to like basically set out asshole bait for me [laughs] so that I get all wound up and I start to … I like to talk very blunt, I like to talk the way that I talk. I don’t like to act like I’m in a f**king legal case or something where I have to say everything just the way that my lawyer said I have to say it.
Interviewer: Yeah, that would be pretty boring.
Yeah! And I feel like I’m doing the journalist a disservice too because they can tell when I’m carefully choosing my words – “Well, if I want to answer that question I think …” And I start to feel silly because of course we’re not in a legal case, we’re just talking about rock music.
But the problem is that publications like NME or whoever, they like to extract the quote that is going to look the most soap opera-esque and put it out of context in bold letters over the article. And then that becomes part of some sort of mythological story or script. And then you can’t shake it." |
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IBreed
= Cult of Ray =
310 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 05:33:19
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i think, probably with the majority, that EP2 is WAY ahead of EP1. it's undeniably pixies but there's nothing quite like these tunes in their catalogue. it's way more indie cindy and what goes boom than another toe (phew). the major compression is lame but otherwise these are well performed and arranged songs. the guitar sounds on blue eyed and magdalena are totally my thing.
i'm loving this release.
frank, you said if EP1 had a name it'd be indie cindy-- what would you say EP2 would be called? |
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The Champ
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
736 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 06:10:58
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quote:
Originally posted by IBreed
i think, probably with the majority, that EP2 is WAY ahead of EP1. it's undeniably pixies but there's nothing quite like these tunes in their catalogue. it's way more indie cindy and what goes boom than another toe (phew). the major compression is lame but otherwise these are well performed and arranged songs. the guitar sounds on blue eyed and magdalena are totally my thing.
i'm loving this release.
frank, you said if EP1 had a name it'd be indie cindy-- what would you say EP2 would be called?
I think you guys are getting loudness confused with compression. I have no problem with producers making use of the loudness made available to them using digital media. You are probably hearing guitar layering or effects. |
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Brank_Flack
* Dog in the Sand *
Canada
1064 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 07:00:47
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quote:
Originally posted by Sam
quote:
Originally posted by picpic
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- Greens and Blues: powerful melody. I like the very Pixies-ish chords progression. There's something about this song...., i've got the indistinc impression that I've heard it (or parts of it) before.
Hey picpic, i thought the same on G+Bs. The intro sliding up and down sounds slightly like the bass intro to I Bleed i think.
I think I've discovered what it is that the intro sounds like - Galaxy 500's Strange. Love both songs. |
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IBreed
= Cult of Ray =
310 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 07:05:22
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quote:
Originally posted by The Champ
quote:
Originally posted by IBreed
i think, probably with the majority, that EP2 is WAY ahead of EP1. it's undeniably pixies but there's nothing quite like these tunes in their catalogue. it's way more indie cindy and what goes boom than another toe (phew). the major compression is lame but otherwise these are well performed and arranged songs. the guitar sounds on blue eyed and magdalena are totally my thing.
i'm loving this release.
frank, you said if EP1 had a name it'd be indie cindy-- what would you say EP2 would be called?
I think you guys are getting loudness confused with compression. I have no problem with producers making use of the loudness made available to them using digital media. You are probably hearing guitar layering or effects.
correct me if i'm wrong, but my understanding of compression is that it evens out sounds. so whereas there might be a variance in volume in a guitar run, running it through the compressor evens out unwanted fluctuations. used excessively and you get a track that sounds considerably flattened and like it's had the air sucked out of it (see a lot of weezer).
i'm in no way advocating for no compression, but for my money, its overuse is part of the reason modern music sounds so bad. |
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picpic
* Dog in the Sand *
Belgium
1875 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 07:45:51
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I think most people don't care at all about compression. Most artists also don't (or even don't notice ???).
EP1/EP2 are (IMO) especially LOUD/compressed. On songs like Another Toe, you can hear that almost every track is clipping (especially drums).
But since I don't think the Pixies are victims of the loudness war on a commercial level, this could be an artistic choice: as loud as possible ! Maybe they liked it that way ?
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"Service Unavailable" |
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IBreed
= Cult of Ray =
310 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 08:15:33
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| maybe, but that doesn't mean i have to like it. |
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The Champ
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
736 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 08:19:48
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quote:
Originally posted by IBreed
quote:
Originally posted by The Champ
quote:
Originally posted by IBreed
i think, probably with the majority, that EP2 is WAY ahead of EP1. it's undeniably pixies but there's nothing quite like these tunes in their catalogue. it's way more indie cindy and what goes boom than another toe (phew). the major compression is lame but otherwise these are well performed and arranged songs. the guitar sounds on blue eyed and magdalena are totally my thing.
i'm loving this release.
frank, you said if EP1 had a name it'd be indie cindy-- what would you say EP2 would be called?
I think you guys are getting loudness confused with compression. I have no problem with producers making use of the loudness made available to them using digital media. You are probably hearing guitar layering or effects.
correct me if i'm wrong, but my understanding of compression is that it evens out sounds. so whereas there might be a variance in volume in a guitar run, running it through the compressor evens out unwanted fluctuations. used excessively and you get a track that sounds considerably flattened and like it's had the air sucked out of it (see a lot of weezer).
i'm in no way advocating for no compression, but for my money, its overuse is part of the reason modern music sounds so bad.
You are right. Compressors even out sound. And when they are over used they make the instruments sound artificial and weird (you lose tone/timbre). It isn't about hearing clipping (that is more to do with making things too loud that they distort, which I don't hear any on this EP). I can't express how it sounds when you over compress things, you have to hear it for yourself. |
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picpic
* Dog in the Sand *
Belgium
1875 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 08:39:22
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The downside of compression is that you lose a lot of dynamics since the quieter parts of the waveform are amplified.
If I remember correctly, the guy who mixed the "Thriller" album used to always work without compression in the final mix. Overall dynamic is great on this album. Another example is Surfer Rosa, seems like the absence of much compression is probably why the drums sounds so great on this album.
"Loudness Wars" describes the way labels allegedly over-compress (to even everything out) then boost the volume as far as they can to make their productions louder than the ones from their competitors.
According to this site, www.dr.loudness-war, EP1 is the "worst sounding" album in terms of compression  . http://www.dr.loudness-war.info/index.php?search_artist=pixies&sort=dr&order=asc
I personaly don't care much about this anymore... I try to listen to the music first, without thinking too much about those kind of details... even if I would have liked a better sound quality for EP1 & EP2. They deserved it ! Even if I know that the Pixies themselves probably don't care about those kind of details at all (which I can understand: they're artists, not tech guys nor "audiophiles". And that they play their music, they don't listen to their albums !)
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"Service Unavailable" |
Edited by - picpic on 01/04/2014 08:41:32 |
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johnnyribcage
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1301 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 08:42:56
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Not only is EP2 fucking fantastic (as was EP1 IMO), I think the production is slightly less heavy handed on this one. EP1 was WAAAAYYYYYY over compressed, and not just that, but there's another side of the coin - Limiting. Dynamic limiting is what really kills it. Personally I can listen past it for the Pixies or anything Frank, because the music is so fucking good. Anything else though and I would give up.
That said, EP2 seems to have much less limiting going on (although it goes RIGHT up to the edge). I know it's just the thing these days. Anyways, sounds better, and of course, the songs kick ass.
Looking forward to the tour and the next batch of songs!
Dial 1-888-RIB-CAGE for your free Bag Boy instruction manual. |
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The Champ
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
736 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 08:47:25
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quote:
Originally posted by picpic
The downside of compression is that you lose a lot of dynamics since the quieter parts of the waveform are amplified.
If I remember correctly, the guy who mixed the "Thriller" album used to always work without compression in the final mix. Overall dynamic is great on this album. Another example is Surfer Rosa, seems like the absence of much compression is probably why the drums sounds so great on this album.
"Loudness Wars" describes the way labels allegedly over-compress (to even everything out) then boost the volume as far as they can to make their productions louder than the ones from their competitors.
According to this site, www.dr.loudness-war, EP1 is the "worst sounding" album in terms of compression . http://www.dr.loudness-war.info/index.php?search_artist=pixies&sort=dr&order=asc
I personaly don't care much about this anymore... I try to listen to the music first, without thinking too much about those kind of details... even if I would have liked a better sound quality for EP1 & EP2. They deserved it ! Even if I know that the Pixies themselves probably don't care about those kind of details at all (which I can understand: they're artists, not tech guys nor "audiophiles". And that they play their music, they don't listen to their albums !)
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"Service Unavailable"
LOL, cool site. Although, I feel like they are mental because they give trompe le monde from 1991 as good as a review as Bossanova. |
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Netherlands
6287 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 09:14:38
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Not really a review, more an analysis on the dynamic range of the sound
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BF: Mag ik Engels spreken? |
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picpic
* Dog in the Sand *
Belgium
1875 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 09:37:25
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Right: this website gives a score generated by a software analysis of the dynamic range of tracks/albums, so that's not a review nor a subjective opinion *at all* !
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The Champ
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
736 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 09:39:53
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quote:
Originally posted by picpic
Right: this website gives a score generated by a software analysis of the dynamic range of tracks/albums, so that's not a review nor a subjective opinion *at all* !
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"Service Unavailable"
Lol. |
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picpic
* Dog in the Sand *
Belgium
1875 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 10:47:37
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Didn't say it was right or wrong: just explained the facts.
(yeah, boring topic)
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"Service Unavailable" |
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ChienAndalou22
- FB Fan -
58 Posts |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 13:13:00
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| Interesting interview... Frank always seems to stress that he's a no-nonsense, anti-drama kind of guy who just wants to get the job done. |
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ChienAndalou22
- FB Fan -
58 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 15:22:50
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| Any idea who's doing backing vocals on Greens and Blues? |
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Helmut
= Cult of Ray =
315 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2014 : 20:14:47
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| I'm enjoying EP2, it is a solid set of tunes. Magdalena and Greens and Blues are my favourite tracks. The new tracks sound like what you'd expect from album #6; older, wiser, more polished and a lot more accessible that the other albums on first listen. Frank has really worked hard on these tunes, and Joey's guitar is way more prominent on this latest batch of songs. It is still a huge shame that Kim Deal didn't stick around to at least finish the album before re-touring a 20 year old Breeders album. |
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EP2
