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Joined: Tue January 01, 2013 7:41 am Posts: 19692 Location: Cumberland, RI
tragabigzanda wrote:
Anyone else have more thoughts on this? I keep having this problem that's never before happened with a Callahan album: I'll put it on, it feels and sounds lovely, but I'll be damned if I can remember a bit of it once it's over. I'll recall little phrases here and there, but whole songs sort of drift in and out of my awareness to the point that nothing really sticks.
I've only listened to the first ten songs or so. I think your description of remembering bits and pieces is spot on--Bill's delivery can often be lullaby-ish and make you drift away and only the most striking images come through. i think this this is actually a positive and helps make his music more re-listenable; I am still uncovering turns of phrase from 10-year-old albums that I've never really ruminated on before.
Something that strikes me about the new one that I was thinking about last night: the way Bill sings "family crest" is, for some reason, one of my favorite deliveries on any song from this year--just those two words! It's like his cadence imbues it with new layers. I want to listen to the record much, much more closely to pay attention to these little lyrical flourishes that come up more than once, because I have a feeling there's something there.
After one listen to this I think my favorite song is "Lonesome Valley" -- it's pleasingly formal and concise for Callahan, with a sweet melody and a charming bounce. "747" was great too.
The comment that the shorter songs are harder to get lost in isn't without merit. I still found the overall experience pretty satisfying, though -- great lyrics, as usual, and a nice warm, lo-fi sound that's easy to settle into. Getting ready to give it another listen now.
Joined: Tue September 24, 2013 5:56 pm Posts: 46358 Location: In the oatmeal aisle wearing a Shellac shirt
Ok, this new gem found its way into my ears during my most recent spin and I’m in love with it, it’s from The Ballad of the Hulk:
The master of reiki he Waved his hands over me And said I eat too much steak And hold on too long to ancient takes And both are so hard On my heart Oh, I try to be a good person I wonder if it's annoying Or worth pursuing And pursuing And pursuing Down highways At the risk of the road
Listened to this yesterday, it was great even though Vish Khanna is sort of a chode. Bill's voice is just as succulent when he's talking on a cell phone...
Notable topics covered:
1. He's already working on a new album 2. Lots of background on the lyrical themes of Shepard In a Sheepskin Vest 3. General thoughts on becoming a parent 4. Thoughts on superhero lore
And more. Really good listen for my fellow Bill fans.
One of the benefits of working from home is being able to set up my office mere feet from my record collection. It's been years since I've listened to A River..., but it caught my eye today. Damn good record.
I was thinking of kid listening to something other than Gigaton until my CD arrives. Glad this thread got bumped. Gives me a reason to go back in the Smog catalog.
Bill is such a treasure.
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tragabigzanda wrote:
Guys I was baked out of my mind, I was just grooving
I have a hard time listening to River. It probably is his masterpiece, but I had some HEAVY shit going on and I listened to that one, kind of tainted the whole thing.
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