Those drums really make it come alive.

That story Ed told on Smartless about how he and Glen Hansard came to be pals.

Wow. Just wow.

That’s interesting.

listening right through for the first time, this is VERY my aesthetic; Glen's music is SO Irish; reminds me of Damien Rice

Olivia needs to release more music

one thing I hope Ed's learned from his recent solo and soundtrack work is to go for broke with his melodies

I think I know what you mean, but could you elaborate? (I'm struggling finishing some vocal melodies for my own band, so this comment made my ears perk up. )

I don't know notation, so trying to describe what I mean is so daunting; but let's just say I think the new influences and people around him have been good for occasionally stretching his melodies in directions I wouldn't necessarily have expected: many points on Earthling are vocal ear candy (Invincible, Good and Evil, The Dark, Mrs. Miiiiills!); and one Flag Day track, the one where he's just humming, seemed nicely playful and improvisational; he's rested on his laurels a bit in recent years in terms of tune-making so these flourishes are encouraging

me too, My Father's Daughter a close second

Yes, I do know what you mean. Thanks for sharing!

I also agree. There's some extra inspiration there of late.

yeah, hard listen. but also so nice of him to reach out.

Im thinking of getting this one on vinyl.

You ARE the vinylguy.

you are right yeah.

If you just listen to the Eddie compositions it cuts the record down from almost 50 minutes to under 30, and actually works really well. There's not a lot of flashy moments (really just Tender Mercies) but it holds together nicely and is a good mood piece.

My Father's Daughter
Flag Day
Tender Mercies
Rather Be Home
There's a Girl
I'll be Waiting
Wave
Drive

Each one is a good song in its own right (I'll be waiting is okay, but eddie's final "I'll be ready bumps it up half a star) and they enhance and support each other nicely. The final playlist is stronger than the sum of its part.

rating is up. Overall I give it a 3, but the tracklist above is a 3.5. Maybe even a 4 in the right mood. It's not Earthlings or Into the Wild, but I think this is one that will really start to reward people if they make the investment

I bought this and earthling at the same time about a week ago. I've probably listened to this three times and earthling 12 times.

I like the song Flag Day quite alot. I find it interesting in a sense, because the song ask alot of the listener. You have to present in the song as well listen with mindfulness. If you do it will reward you. Most often in his work in this genre what ever you call it Americana roots folk rock he tends to give out something tasty to start with then just close out the song before you are full Rise and Setting forth come to mind. Flag day keeps you hungry futher in.

Agreed. I use the same playlist.

Gave it three stars, but the best here are better than some from Earthling. Could certainly take three from here, and replace it with three there.

Why does stip hate cat power?

Her tunes on this album are excellent and tie the entire thing together

I don't hate her, and I like her voice fine, but I'm not interested in a 50 minute record, and Glen and Eddie's tracks feel more unified.