Members nursers Posted July 31, 2005 Members Posted July 31, 2005 Ok - on the MP SSS there was a FOW thread, so thought I would start one here. I've just listened to their latest one - 'Out of State Plates' - it's a B-Side / unreleased track compilation. I gotta say I like it, though it's a lot more mellow than Welcome Interstate Managers, and IMO doesn't measure up to that album, but still a worthwhile listen
Members songrytr Posted August 1, 2005 Members Posted August 1, 2005 I'd say for a collection of outtakes and b-sides "Out of State Plates" is pretty impressive. I think there's probably a lot of mellow stuff that doesn't end up on the "real" releases - probably because they need to crunch things up to fit on American modern rock radio. I found several of the songs *very* influenced by Jules Shear...but that makes sense as he's Chris' favorite writer. And the two new tracks are delicious - especially "The Girl I Can't Forget," which is almost a Squeeze/BNL kinda thing (with horns!). What cool band. "Welcome Interstate Managers" is one of my favorite records ever.
Members Jotown Posted August 1, 2005 Members Posted August 1, 2005 I guess I will have to chime in with the same thing I wrote at Musicplayer. I just don't get them. I saw them on Austin City limits and the were very sloppy. I bought the Stacies Mom CD for my daughter and it just didn't move me at all. My 22 year old daughter who is a music nut didn't dig it either. I am not saying they suck; but I just don't feel or hear them. Different strokes for different folks.
Phil O'Keefe Posted August 1, 2005 Posted August 1, 2005 Gotta confess here... Songrytr brought over his iPod the other day, and I was so impressed with two cuts off it that I just took a feed from it to the board and threw them into Sound Forge... tracked at about -25 dBFS, just quickies so I could listen to them for the next two days until I actually had some time off so I could get to the record store and buy it. But man what a GREAT song "Hit Me Baby One More Time" actually is when done by a band... Did I just admit that in public? But I think it's a great cover. I also think "The Girl I Can't Forget" is just pure pop heaven. So sue me. PS, Yes Nursers, I plan on grabbing the new Finn Brothers CD too - if I can find it.
Members nursers Posted August 1, 2005 Author Members Posted August 1, 2005 Yeah yeah, I'll believe it when I see it.
Members blackpig Posted August 1, 2005 Members Posted August 1, 2005 F.O.W. are mighty indeed - especially the sad, pathetic (that's a compliment) "Hackensack" from Welcome Interstate Managers. It reminds me of someone I once knew....
Moderators Lee Knight Posted August 1, 2005 Moderators Posted August 1, 2005 Originally posted by songrytr I found several of the songs *very* influenced by Jules Shear...but that makes sense as he's Chris' favorite writer. And the two new tracks are delicious - especially "The Girl I Can't Forget," which is almost a Squeeze/BNL kinda thing (with horns!). What cool band. "Welcome Interstate Managers" is one of my favorite records ever. Jules Shear! You know? When I first bought Interstate Managers I was so delighted to be able to "pick the influence". They have roots that run deep into my past, man. I hear so much of my past when I hear FOW it's just a blast. They know how to borrow the right way... I never would have said Jules Shear though... only because I didn't think of it. Lordy... you're right. I saw the Polar Bears in the late 70's and have loved Jules' work since. Good call, songrytr! We have no past we won't reach back Keep with me forward all through the night And once we start the meter clicks And it goes running all through the night Until it ends there is no end JS
Members songrytr Posted August 1, 2005 Members Posted August 1, 2005 Originally posted by Lee Knight I never would have said Jules Shear though... only because I didn't think of it. Lordy... you're right. I saw the Polar Bears in the late 70's and have loved Jules' work since. Yes! Another Shear fan! I was Jules and the PBs at the Golden Bear in '79. Wow. Followed his stuff through the years...saw him almost everytime he played LA. In later years I ended up working with his brother, Rob. Small world. A new JS CD is always a treat! You make it up, you make it realWhatever crazy voice you've gotI want to hear it'Cause it's only make believe
Members Zooey Posted August 1, 2005 Members Posted August 1, 2005 As songwriters, I think FOW are incredibly talented. They're not the most accomplished musicians, but they get the job done. I would kill to be able to write something as clever as "Girl I Can't Forget" from the new album. I like the new B-Sides collection almost as much as I like Welcome Interstate Managers. Welcome Interstate Managers has two critical flaws IMO: crappy ultra-squash mastering (esp. compared to Utopia Parkway), and the fact that every song after "Fire Island" sucks.
Members songrytr Posted August 2, 2005 Members Posted August 2, 2005 Originally posted by blackpig F.O.W. are mighty indeed - especially the sad, pathetic (that's a compliment) "Hackensack" from Welcome Interstate Managers. It reminds me of someone I once knew.... "I saw you talkin' to Christopher Walken On my TV screen..."
Members Steve LeBlanc Posted August 2, 2005 Members Posted August 2, 2005 fwiw...I can't understand why people listen to music like this on purpose...yeah it's my subjective/personal opinion, not knocking their abilities or anything...I just can't figure out why people enjoy this kind of music...is it a christian thing?
Members songrytr Posted August 2, 2005 Members Posted August 2, 2005 Originally posted by Steve LeBlanc ...I just can't figure out why people enjoy this kind of music... My excuse? Probably the soundtrack Lennon & McCartney so kindly provided for my childhood. Ever since then I've been a slave to the hook.
Phil O'Keefe Posted August 2, 2005 Posted August 2, 2005 Yup, the Beatles hooked a lot of us... I like a lot of different genres Steve, but I've always been a sucker for a catchy 3-4 minute song with a good melody, clever lyrics and a good powerpop arrangement. It's just a big part of what I was drawn to as a kid, and I've never lost the love for it.
Members Jotown Posted August 2, 2005 Members Posted August 2, 2005 Originally posted by songrytr My excuse? Probably the soundtrack Lennon & McCartney so kindly provided for my childhood. Ever since then I've been a slave to the hook. I grew up with the Beatles as well and FOW does not remind me of them at all, in any way.
Members songrytr Posted August 2, 2005 Members Posted August 2, 2005 Originally posted by Jotown I grew up with the Beatles as well and FOW does not remind me of them at all, in any way. I don't think you're listening very close...but it's certainly a subjective thing. Tough to argue quality, yes? Which direction did your Beatles influence take you?
Members Steve LeBlanc Posted August 2, 2005 Members Posted August 2, 2005 it's all good...just different strokes...I've always preferred a bit more substance in the pop music I listen to...y'know like Carly Simon, etc...most powerpop just rubs me the wrong way for some reason, I definitely preferred the "Abbey Road" Beatles over the "I want to hold your hand" Beatles just sharing my pov, not really criticising anyone elses...the christian joke was just that...a joke
Gus Lozada Posted August 2, 2005 Posted August 2, 2005 Dang! I simply do not get it... are you kidding, guys? [... edited to add comments] Well... it's more like "The Cars" and I don't think you guys really would dig "The Cars" if they were the hot thing right now... or would you? They sound great -really!-, they play good and even when I am not a native English speaker I understand the lyrics... hey, I do even love the chicks in their videos... but maybe, and only maybe, I should be a native speaker to get That hooked with the lyrics and the music in general.
Phil O'Keefe Posted August 2, 2005 Posted August 2, 2005 Well... it's more like "The Cars" and I don't think you guys really would dig "The Cars" if they were the hot thing right now... Well mi amigo, I was in high school when The Cars hit the first time around, and I can tell you that yes, I DID like them then a great deal... And I still like their music today. But not all of FOW's stuff sounds like The Cars... most of it has other influences... Stacy's Mom was a obvious "tip of the hat" to The Cars, but I don't think you could say the same thing about The Girl I Can't Forget, or Mexican Wine or Hailey's Waitress or All Kinds Of Time or Fire Island or Hey Julie or... Steve, I always liked Carly Simon's work.
Members Jotown Posted August 2, 2005 Members Posted August 2, 2005 Originally posted by songrytr I don't think you're listening very close...but it's certainly a subjective thing. Tough to argue quality, yes? Which direction did your Beatles influence take you? As I said; different strokes for different folks. My Beatles influence inspired me to make music my life and career and to write and record songs of my own. Musical taste is very subjective thing. People like what they like and there is no real logical reason for their choices. They are not my thing. I don't think they suck or anything, they just don't do anything for me. And Phil; I never liked the Cars very much either.
Members songrytr Posted August 2, 2005 Members Posted August 2, 2005 Originally posted by Jotown My Beatles influence inspired me to make music my life and career and to write and record songs of my own. I meant which musical direction did your Beatles influence take you? Which of their elements spoke to you?
Members songrytr Posted August 2, 2005 Members Posted August 2, 2005 Originally posted by Gus Lozada Well... it's more like "The Cars" and I don't think you guys really would dig "The Cars" if they were the hot thing right now... or would you? I probably would. I do know I've really enjoyed Ric Ocasek's production work - most recently on Weezer's Green Album. I also know he has a new solo thing I want to check out. But really, Gus, it's not so much a style that attracts me to an artist as it is their songs. Sure, the Cars stuff would be dated...but there were some GREAT songs going on. But that's me - a big sucker for power pop. Give me a good lyric, great melody, irresistable chorus and drench it in big, big harms. Yeaaaaah! And if there's a little bubblegum involved the guilt makes it even.....better!
Members Jotown Posted August 2, 2005 Members Posted August 2, 2005 Originally posted by songrytr I meant which musical direction did your Beatles influence take you? Which of their elements spoke to you? The songs, the vocals, the originality, the willingness to take creative chances and experiment with new possibilities. The courage to try to use music as a force for change.
Members nursers Posted August 2, 2005 Author Members Posted August 2, 2005 Originally posted by songrytr I probably would. I do know I've really enjoyed Ric Ocasek's production work - most recently on Weezer's Green Album. I also know he has a new solo thing I want to check out. But really, Gus, it's not so much a style that attracts me to an artist as it is their songs. Sure, the Cars stuff would be dated...but there were some GREAT songs going on. But that's me - a big sucker for power pop. Give me a good lyric, great melody, irresistable chorus and drench it in big, big harms. Yeaaaaah! And if there's a little bubblegum involved the guilt makes it even..... better! Ric Ocasek has a new album out??
Moderators Lee Knight Posted August 2, 2005 Moderators Posted August 2, 2005 For those that don't "get it" with regards to FOW let me say... It's very much like watching British comedy. Until you understand the context and all it's subtleties, it will breeze right by you. I used to watch Black Adder for instance and think... "WTF? This is crap. It's just silly, stupid, yuks." Then I married a Brit and learned some of the subtleties of this type of humor... Black Adder makes me cry with laughter. Not as much as it does my wife though. She's got the context engrained in her since day 1. I'll never have that... to that extent. FOW's the same. Sounds like the Cars? Yes, they can actually reference the Cars without copying them. The claps, the tick, tick, guitars, the vocal stacking at the fade... but it's almost an inside joke. To say, "it sounds like the Cars" is missing the point. That's ok... Then they sound like early Simon and Garfunkel, then a silly hippie band, then the Turtles... But for those of us that "get it" they sound like how those of us who listen to their influences, would like to sound. It's what I hear in my head, when I hear cool music that I'm improving on inside my noggin. Then the lyrical innovations. They've created these characters that I relate to... A guy that is working a corporate gig but's still mentally in high school. Gets drunk too much, etc. A guy trying to impress the chicks with his new tattoo, but I think he might really be a nerd. A kid that's convinced that he's got a shot with his little girlfriend's mom. I guy that just wants a cup of coffee, and I can't believe the waitress is SO INEPT! I could go on and on... I'll stop.
Members Zooey Posted August 2, 2005 Members Posted August 2, 2005 Originally posted by Lee Knight I guy trying to impress the chicks with his new tattoo, but I think he might really be a nerd. Will you stop pretending I've never been born now that I look a little more like that guy from Korn?
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.