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From bdh4136 at ufck:
My Stand Up Review from Okemo
I'll start with the tracklisting, pretty similar to the one at Ants...
1. Dream Girl
2. Stand Up
3. American Baby
4. Slow Rider (?)
5. Old Dirt Hill
6. Wake Up
7. ?
8. Hello Again
9. ?
10. ?
11. Die Trying
12. Steady As We Go
13. Hunger For the Great Light
Dream Girl - Album starts with Lion King type vocals from Dave before Carter jumps in. Lyrics about being best friends. Outro is very BTCS.
Stand Up - Starts very strong. Guitar riff reminded me a little of Too Much. Pretty funky song. Dave sing "stand up" about 50 times or so it seemed. Couldn't make out any of the verse lyrics, yet. Nice work by Roi over a bridge-like part. This could turn into something worth seeing live.
American Baby - The bombs dropping and gunshots are there, accompanied by some piano. Really intense intro. You know all the rest.
Slow Rider (?) - strong beat from Carter throughout. I think there were more lyrics about "a gun in his hands." Very short song.
Old Dirt Hill - Another strong, simple beat from Carter. In one of the videos. Boyd plays some plucking chords in the verses.
Wake Up - Intro has a lot of work from Boyd and goes directly into the chorus from the video that we saw. This one could be nice live as well especially the jam at the end.
#7 - lots of piano, thats about all I can tell you.
Hello Again - there will be a lot of dissapointment around here with this cut. They pretty much chopped the balls of the song off. Right when it would go into the Carter solo live they just stop dead and go right into the next tune which I really don't remember much about. I was too upset about the end of Hello Again.
#9 - Really funky song. Have no idea what any lyrics were. Sounded like 36ish scatting at points.
Die Trying - I think I liked this the most on the first listen.
Steady As We Go - Pretty sure this is the Dave piano tune that there's been talk of. Sounded great, a pretty chill long, reminiscent of LLD in mood. People actually cheered after this was over.
Hunger for the Great Light - another strong song. I'm not recalling much about it right now but I know I liked it. More cheering after this one.
Notes:
- I was told this was not the final mix.
- The DMB team or whoever was running the whole thing was not given the tracklisting or cd case.
- A lot of hip-hop influenced beats.
- The two British girls at the mountain were beautiful.
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My review from Okemo. To summarize:
1. skiing sucked
2. everything else was sweet.
More in depth:
In the main bar/lounge at Okemo, the DMB party was from 2:30-5. The first hour or so was a raffle (they had been giving away free raffle tickets before 2:30) - and the gave away some cool stuff including skis, snowboard, shirts, hats, ski goggles, etc. Then they just played the entire album straight through. They didn't say that the tracks were specifically in order, but Im 99% sure they were, because the DJ just popped the CD in and hung out away from the booth for the next hour. Here is the tracklist (as best as I could make it out - also these are the names as best I could remember them from previous posts, if the title of a song is a word off, forgive me):
1. dream girl (BTCS-like outro)
2. stand up (extended outro - I thought it was a whole different song at first)
3. american baby
4. ? - don't know the name
5. old dirt hill (not positive, but pretty sure)
6. wake up
7. ? - a slow song heavy on piano/keyboards
8. hello again
9. louisiana bayou
10. ?
11. die trying
12. steady as we go
13. hunger for the great light
Since we listened to it straight through, I don't remember every song specifically, but here are a few noteworthy points/opinions of mine. Steady as we go WILL be a dmb classic - its perfect. Stand up reminded me of a classic rock/1970s type song (liked it). Hello again was basically identical to the live version, except it ends extremely abruptly, but sounds very good all in all. die trying was much like american baby in that it just kept repeating the chorus words 'die trying' over and over - not a fan except for the extended jam ending which was cool. I really liked wake up - had a good sound to it.
Overall, the album is much more upbeat that most others (and in that respect like everyday), and therefore much more listenable than an album like busted stuff. For my first listen, I really like it, and please stop comparing it to everyday. Its not everyday. It is a good album and I think theres a ton of potential with many of the songs for some sweet live performances.
On the topic of attendance, for the raffle, all the tables were filled (about 100 people in total). When the raffle ended and they played the album, though, the place cleared out and in the end, there were 25 people in the room, and I counted exactly 12 DMB fans besides the people working there. Basically, atrocious attendance, but it was cool for us because we talked to the guys working there and it was really relaxed.
On a side note, apparently the long intro to DDTW will become a standard intro for the song during the summer tour (it is not its own song at this point).
I remember reading somewhere that someone thought that the B-sides may be the songs from last summers tour, and at this point, I'd agree, given that even joyride didn't make the cut it would just seem to make sense.
If you have questions, just ask, I'll do my best and answer fairly promptly throught the night.
Get excited for a great album and summer tour!
-garyCode: Select all
by Rickster885 on 8:31 PM 04-02-05 I just got back from Waterville and I'll give a small review without really telling people too much.
First of all we got to hear the entire album straight through. It was my first listen obviously so it was hard to reflect on all the songs when new songs kept playing and I wanted to listen to them. I'm not sure if the order the songs were played was the actual order though and I'm again going to talk about songs in random order below.
The first song we heard was Dream Girl. I found it to be a little wishy washy. It wasn't particularly slow, but not real upbeat either.
Stand Up and Wake Up are two separate tracks. Stand Up was cool; it was an uptempo funky song. Wake Up I actually liked. There's more to it than you hear in the clips. The only thing is though was that I didn't like how it was produced.
American Baby of course we've already heard. Another song we've heard was also played, and that was Hello Again. The studio version is done well and it's pretty similar to how it's played live but of course there's a little more jamming and energy in the Live version as is to be expected.
Smooth Rider and Louisiana Bayou have a bluesy feel. I liked the groove that each song got into.
Steady As We Go is a nice song which is similar to "Waste" by Phish. It's nothing that really got my attention right away though.
I did not hear the song from Video 4 which I thought was weird. I liked what I heard in the clip and I thought that if they showed it on the album's website like they did with the band writing and listening to it, it would be included.
There are little segues into other songs it appears as there are on BTCS but not much. It only happens a few times. Other songs fade out or have abrupt endings.
Overall I'm still unsure about whether I like the album or not. I usually have to get used to the songs. This album is very different so it'll take getting used to in that way. It was a nice time though skiing for a dollar and then getting to hear the album.Code: Select all
I know that there have been a couple of reviews already posted, but I figured I would add my own two cents in from Okemo yesterday
Let me start off by saying that I would agree with what bdh4136 from ufck said (mainly because we went to the album party together!..and let me just re-iterate the two British girls on the mountain )
As for the album, For a first listen, overall I enjoyed it very much. The first chunk of tracks ( basically from Dream Girl to Wake Up) are very upbeat. Stand Up definitely had a Too Much feel as my counterpart mentioned, especially towards the end of the track. They jam it out at the end with Roi and Carter, and the repetitiveness of Dave saying "Stand Up" also gave the song a "Stay" feel to it. This was one of the longer tracks on the album although we didn't time how long it actually was. This song could turn into a set-closer with a lot of high energy.
In between Stand Up and American Baby was an extended outro with a piano and here is where you hear the bombs dropping and also machine guns. Dave is singing here also, although we couldn't make out the lyrics.
We were a bit disappointed with Hello Again, which Carter was cut off abruptly, very similarly to how Roi is cut off in American Baby (at least in my ears anyway), however I didn't think that it was that big of a deal because its still a great song and I'm sure that Carter's jam won't get cut when they play it live.
Steady as We Go was a song that literally gave me chills. There was a part where Roi and Carter were jamming, and it just sounded so sweet, I can't even really describe it, but I also have a feeling it will be a "DMB Classic" as was mentioned in the other review.
Overall, I feel that DMB leaves themselves a lot of room to improvise with these songs in a live setting. I think that there a lot of songs on here that are going to sound great live, and I am looking forward to this album very much. Thanks for reading my review, feel free to ask questions and I will try to answer them as best as I can.Code: Select all
From Maloo over at Ufck, good detailed review
I took a few "notes" here and there and being that this was a first and only listen, I could have made some mistakes with my ears. No need to call me out a month from now if I was wrong about a note here or a transition there. I'll try and stick to the things I remember the most about the album.
Dreamgirl
We actually got to hear this twice because when the disc ended the first time they started it up again while they broke everything down after they raffled off the Stefan snowboard. Vocal into was in full effect and I love it. Very "Lion King" as people have been saying. Lasted a good 15 seconds and then then the band kicks in. I love this groove. It's exactly the one you hear at the end of that clip talking specifically about Dave only it has a lot more depth to it. The lyrics are Dave at his bashful yet horny best. They may seem a little cheesy at times but on the second go-round I payed more attention to his delivery and it's very child-like and honest so even when he's saying "dream girl" in the chorus, you buy it. Talks about drinking and making love after a deep sleep in which he's dreaming of his "dreamgirl". The bridge took me by suprise. It's an electric sort of breakdown with Dave singing over it and some layered sax work from Roi before kicking back into the chorus. The song fades and the outro grows with mostly Roi playing layered harmonies with a little Boyd in the background. For an opening track it's different but perfect for the direction of the "new sound". One of my favs for the day.
Stand Up (For It)
Starts off with a nice hip-hop/funky beat to it and then a raunchy sounding riff in what sounds like a 3/4 time (I honestly don't remember). The whole "stand up" chorus (if you could even call it that) rings through out but it's funky enough where the repetative nature actually works for the type of vibe they have goin'. Mid song there's a little sax jam from Roi and some clapping (or what sounded like it) at the end. Funky and upbeat. Perfect song for the #2 spot. NOTE: Old Dirt Hill is listed on the billboard site as being #2 so I'm not sure what's going on here since it was #6 from the disc heard today. I'm assuming the Billboard one is correct but I think Stand Up would make a better #2.
Intro
At this point the band inside the bar started to play so it was hard to hear what the hell was going on. Who the genius was who booked a live band at a listening party should start looking for a job slingin' hash. Anyway, from what I could make out there was piano then some muffled vocals, violin and the ocassional drum beat. Complete with bombs and guns which gives the end of American Baby a little more "closure" with the sounds of fireworks and happy times. For the most part the intro sounded depressing and all over the place. Lasted for about 2 minutes.
American Baby
I'll only mention that with the way the album was flowing at this point, this was a good spot for it and it "fits" with the rest. Still, not one of my favorites from the day.
Smooth Rider
For me, this is a throw away track upon first listen. It was the first time (even with AB coming before it) that I faded in and out of paying attention. Lyrics didn't really stand out, it's mid-tempo, a little funky but with a "classic rock" sort of feel to it. Again, this might be pointless to say considering it didn't grab me as something worth paying attention to. Good news? It was short.
Old Dirt Hill (Bring That Beat Back)
I have to say this was another highlight for me. It's the groove from the first clip with Carter sitting at the table drinkin' wine and when Batson talks about Stefan. The groove is great. It reminds me of a Paul Simon vibe with the DMB touch. You can hear Batson's influence but it doesn't overpower the rootsy sound this song goes with. Lyrics like "first time we kissed I lost my legs, baby bring that beat back to me". Boyd has some nice work on the bridge. Didn't hear much from Roi on this one. Lots of scatting and layered vocals. The outro was mostly strings and vocals as the other instruments faded. I just found myself groovin' along getting lost in this one.
Everybody Wake Up (Our Finest Hour Arrives)
I think there was a lot going on that I will better be able to hear when I have the album and it was especially the case on this song. Sounds exactly like the clip on the site with some violin effects/plucking for the intro. Very percussive and lots of distortion. Boyd sings backup on this and it works from what I could hear. There's a little breakdown twords the end with percussion and electric then the vocals kick back in. It's funky (which seems to be a recurring theme at this point) and I'm sure I'll enjoy it more with a set of earphones.
Out Of My Hands
Very sparse piano and vocals. Distant drumming and some bass. I THINK the full band kicked in maybe once or twice but it wasn't anything overpowering or dramatic or I would have taken more notice. The lyrics sounded a bit depressing I could be wrong. Very different sound. Slow tempo.
Hello Again
I knew it was coming, looming. I heard it was cut short and it is. BUT, in it's defence, it might have sounded out of place being any longer than it is. As long as they don't cut it live, I'll be happy. I'd almost consider it an interlude but it does cut just before the spot where the mini verse/drum solo would start. Doesn't capture as much energy in the studio but I honestly think that's an impossible task for a song like this (like Grey Street was for LWS/BS in my opinion). So, yeah, it's pretty much exactly how you'd imagine it. Some random background chatter in the intro, gritty layered vocals and the double time chorus. The abrupt end goes right into...
Louisiana Bayou
Where the fuck did this come from? Funky po-dunk southern rock with Dave woopin' it up singing "down on the Baaa-YOU!" Breaks down at the end and then builds back up guitar/vocals > keys > drums with Boyd laying down a down-home jam at the end. Very interesting and gritty. Don't really remember much in terms of lyrics.
Stolen Away On 55th And 3rd
This is the song where Batson is talking about Roi being "the fire" and what you hear in that clip is the intro of the song. Kinda funny the first lyric is "hello again". Mid-tempo but groovin'. Layered vocals in the chorus. I liked this a lot but (again) so much so I got a little lost in it laying out in the sun so I really don't have much else to say. It's a lovey type song, kinda bittersweet sounding in an old-school way. How's that for vauge?
You Might Die Trying
Another top highlight for me. Acoustic starts it off and the vocals follow very quick. Very "Too High"-ish but with more jam to it and a better tempo. You can here a clip of it when Batson is talking about Carter. Has a rockin' soul beat to it. There's a little Roi break down in the middle somwhere and then a Boyd breakdown at the end with some plucking thrown in there as well right before Roi joins back in to fade it out in fine jammin' fashion. Live potential? Epic.
Steady As We Go
Very arena-friendly rock with the solo piano and build ups from the band. Simple and sweet lovey lyrics. Band comes in when Dave starts "when the storm comes" line or something like that. I enjoyed it but I think the hype of this song had me thinking of something different. I enjoyed it but not as much as I expected to. Still, a good "new sound" from them. Roi was all over the end.
Hunger For The Great Light
As an album closer? Crappy choice I think. Overall, decent. It is dirty like they said in Rolling Stone. "Open wide", "going down", "blow your mind"...lyrically it's Rapunzel after being locked up for 10 years. Sounds very "classic rock" with the vibe. I remember not really liking it because of the blatent sexual references, and I usually don't mind that stuff at all. I think I just keyed in on it because of the RS article and didn't pay attention to much else. Had a short string "reprise" at the end. Still, not a great way to end an album.
The flow was decent, some songs great (Dreamgirl, Stolen Away, Old Dirt Hill, Die Trying) while others where "eh" (Great Light, Smooth Rider, American Baby) leaving the rest solid enough to round out a good effort. If they are able to fine tune this new "direction" over the next few years while still staying true to the roots of their sound, we could see some amazing things from this band. I think a lot of songs will have some trouble in the live transition at first but when they get comfortable and start having fun with them, it's going to make the setlists shine with the older material. One thing I found myself agreeing with was leaving Joyride, Crazy Easy and even Sugar Will off...I'd even say Hello Again doesn't really belong but out of the summer songs, that one fits the best...hopefully we see Sugar Will make a nice little comeback in a year or so when and if they hit the studio again...well, thanks for hearing me ramble...peace...Code: Select all
From moonchaser419 over at nancies
Right now, I am debating about what I should say in this review. You see, when I go to a film I really do not want any preconceived notions. I want to do a song by song breakdown but I just do not see the point. I want you all to hear them as fresh as I did (which seeing how ZI knew all the names and some music notes maybe not so much) anyway, here it is...
It is amazing. I really cannot explain it any clearer than that. I wanted to see the band in front of me so that I could just pour all the love I had inside me, all over them. I wanted to see Mark Baston, and tell him thank you for making me fall in love with this band all over again. This album is completely different than anything they have ever done, yet it is an album that only they could have made. It is inspirational, joyous, and audacious. Those are the three words that best describe why I fell in love with the band in the first place, and it is all there in the album. My friend and I were sitting at the picnic table with the speakers right in our face and there were a couple of times I almost lost myself dancing and groovin to some of these songs. That has not happened to a new song from them in a long time for me, (maybe the live version of everyday). I must have looked like a fool, because I had the biggest smile on my face throughout the entire listen. My friend Audrey (who does not read the boards, nor knew of the making of this album) said "do you think this is their most collaborative album". In short, yes it is. I do not even know where to begin with talking about songs. Dreamgirl grabbed me right from the start. its sexy, romantic, and just beautiful. Old dirt hill is going to be my favortie I believe, but honestly I do not want to pick favorites. It is packed with beats and is a fun song which took me by surprise. Stolen away is a masterpiece. I do not know how dave can take something that I am going through and turn it into such an eloquent song. When he sings, "steal me away" I almost cried... almost. Out of my hands is another "where did that come from" song. The perfect midpoint song before Hello Again grabs you by the throat. Hey, its short but right after it ends it goes right into louisiana bayou and I cannot wait to hear this live. Oh my God, its good, just wait for it. I don't know if I can wait and hold this all in until May 10th. I guess I'm gonna have to... but you all need not worry. I really do not know how someone cannot see this album for what it is... it is an album like Elton John's Madman Across the Water or Paul Simon's Graceland. An album that takes you to so many different musical limits, yet it is so cohesive and free-flowing that you forget you are simply listening to it. I hope they hold on to Mark and make another album... the whole ride back I was wondering what it was he said or did to light their fire again... the summer is going to be great and I hope there is more to come.
Cheers
)
