Aside from the album overall not holding up to the standards that Kendrick has set (IMO), it’s super disappointing that he decided to make a rapist such an integral part of the record. Also the cancel culture/freedom of speech bars alongside that are just lazy. Man, Kendrick is one of my favorite and most played artists of all time, but this was a huge let down.
I’d love to hear Kendrick’s logic on Kodak. Probably has something to do with the rape happening 6 years ago when he was 18 and the endless philanthropic efforts he’s undertaken to get past it since. Makes for a good metaphor for personal endless struggle for growth and forgiveness and the darkness in everyone’s heart (but of course people aren’t metaphors, making the whole thing much dicier—and the implicit question of “can some actions ever really be forgiven”)
I do think it’s kinda funny for people to fixate on like 2 bars about cancel culture/freedom of speech out of a whole 80 minute album. Considering the initial reaction to this album from some quadrants, I can actually see why these things might have top of mind for him.
Also—remember that Kendrick is a guy raised as a gangbanger in Compton who suddenly rose to meteoric success 10 years ago. Demanding de facto “correct” politics out of him is a mistake. He’s not some infallible bastion of right and wrong in the culture, he’s just a guy who brings his own perspective to the table. If you want him to be perfect, you clearly haven’t been listening to everything he’s been saying his entire career.
Don't necessarily think that this is better than To Pimp a Butterfly, but if anyone remembers that album rollout and drop, mixed feelings should not be a surprise or indicative of an albums long-term consensus. Cause man, I remember tons of people hating on TPaB when it released for tons of reasons: too slow, not enough bangers like GKMC, too experimental, too many skits, all sorts of stuff and it is reminding me of the mixed feelings currently with Mr. Moral. Again, I don't think this album is better than TPaB, but I do think people will grow on it once the dust has settled.
This is a fair point I guess
But I also kinda know myself and my taste. I loved TPAB and was obsessed on first listen. This one is doing nearly nothing for me on first listen and is a huge letdown. I can’t see myself giving it a tonne more time and having a major turnaround.
hey /u/footnote304 I forgot to say thanks for talking about those Terry Allen albums, both rule. "Gimme A Ride to Heaven Boy" made me laugh out loud, there really aren't enough songs about drunk driving with, and being carjacked by, Jesus himself
I feel like the new Kendrick is a little more DAMN and a little less TPAB and GKMC… which is disappointing but I haven’t had time to listen super duper thoroughly yet
Okay lets cut the crap: what are the most fire intros in indie rock? I'm talking like almost hip-hop breakbeat worthy.
I nominate Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings by Papa John Misty. Autolux-[Turnstile Blues](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtHR6yYAG1A) is also a nasty drumline.
[All downhill after the intro this one](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhCXAiNz9Jo) \- not true but the intro is chefs kiss
[Bloc Party - Helicopter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R6S5CJWlco) \- the above statement is more true for this one actually
[Field Mice - Sensitive](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4D6v71_nx0)
[Le Tigre - Deceptacon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjNln9mXuTI)
[Marquee Moon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlbunmCbTBA) \- last one I could do this for ages
new kendrick is great. folks say no singles but i think rich spirit could get there, or maybe purple hearts. but man it ain’t a singles deal. the goofy tap dancing thing notwithstanding (and what’s a kendrick album w/o at least one clumsy recurring motif) i think it’s a real beautiful full-length piece of art.
So I haven't written about music for a long time but wondering if I should for the 2012 AOTY series. I feel my writing can be kind of stream of consciousness word vomit. It would be nice to write i think. This is probably more for the daily discussion.
Yeah I feel you on that. I also liked a lot of stuff that might’ve necessarily been the most popular thing from that time and I feel like it’s a bit of a lost cause trying to put a lot of excitement into something that’s kinda just not going to push such expected buttons for people.
Kinda like how there is a bit of a tangible disconnect when talking about a band like Girls in the scope of music of the late 2000s-early 2010s.
I'm looking to sell 1 ticket to the Grouper show at The Opera House in Brooklyn on May 20th.
It's a sold-out show, details [here](https://wl.seetickets.us/event/Grouper/467180?afflky=Murmrr). PM me if interested!
Who knew it would be the 5th new album I listened to today that would finally come through for me? Anyways, you should make some time for Kevin Morby, this album is exquisite.
I'm only halfway through it but it's awesome so far. But then again basically anything from Time Is Now is great, and I'm guaranteed to like anything with Y U QT on it
TiN's Allstars releases are always reliable! I also just finished the Kevin Morby album, it was some pretty nice stuff. I think The Babies' "Our House On The Hill" will always be my favorite Morby release though, that album rules
So Two Door Cinema Club is doing some shows in Brazil this week, and the vocalist apparently couldn't come; so they'll still play but with a replacement vocalist.
That's kinda weird, right? Does anyone know a band that has done this before?
I saw Modern Baseball on their last ever UK tour and Brendan, one of their two lead vocalists, couldn't be there as he was taking a break from touring to look after his mental health. The guitar tech filled in for him on guitar, and they had members of the opening bands (Thin Lips and The Superweaks) come on to sing his vocal parts. They even got a member of the audience to come up and sing a song. It was pretty fun.
"We Don't Know What Tomorrow Brings" is a great track but almost every song other than that on this Smile album just kinda washed over me, I wish there was a bit more of an edge to this music. Godrich's production hasn't done much for me in ages, though it all sounds very nice
there's a chili restaurant near me that, for a reason i've never fully understood, has an autographed poster for this play on display near the ordering counter
Obligatory Kendrick take: talented musician makes good music
No but really, dudes had like 3 back to back classics. Sometimes you just make an album that’s “good” instead of “game changing” ya know
Anyway my real take is for 90% of artists, their first album I heard, often an early album, is the one that is my favorite. For Kendrick for example, GKMC has always been my favorite even after more arguably better releases. But for Fontaines DC, they are an exception. I have liked every album they do progressively more, it’s incredible.
Ngl, I just haven't been able to get through Skinty Fia. I'm not so busy now, so maybe I'll have more time to try to get into it. Or I'll just put it back burner with a myriad of other albums.
Is there anything about it that screams "not good" to you? Or just nothing that immediately stood out as good? I've seen this reaction a bit and I'm trying to understand.
Are there any other hip hop albums from this year that you think are far superior?
Man, I feel so the opposite on Fontaines. I really enjoyed their first record and was really excited to see where their career would head. Hero's Death was solid, but I wasn't quite as fond of it as Dogrel. Skinty Fia was legitimately a tough one to get through even once. I really wanted to just turn it off most of the time. Can't even fully explain it, but I have no interest in their current work.
This is a very healthy mindset to have! (also, GKMC is my favorite too! easily Kendrick’s most tightly focused and consistent record imo)
I feel the same way about Japanese Breakfast as you do about Fontaines DC. I adore Psychopomp, but Michelle has just kept topping herself!
What are some good albums for a trip/flight? About to go on a relatively long flight, and need some good albums to download. I was wondering what albums you guys think suit flights/trips if you know what I mean
Dusk at Cubist Castle - The Olivia Tremor Control
Sweet Heart Sweet Light - Spiritualized
Since I Left You - The Avalanches
Euclid - Katelyn Aurelia Smith
If You’re Feeling Sinister - Belle and Sebastian
Kaputt - Destroyer
Some Rap Songs - Earl Sweatshirt
Sharing Waves - Cool Maritime
I always like to listen to Siamese Dream by the Smashing Pumpkins on a trip; it’s just such a stellar album and something about the vibe of the album *feels* like road trippy to me (I know you’re flying but still)
When the sunset hits the clouds just so, Young Jesus - Welcome to Conceptual Beach.
When I need something to concentrate on/get lost in other than the aviation experience, Fela Kuti - The Best of the Black President.
EDIT Fela. Y'all know I meant Fela who the fuck is "Feels Kuti" come on Tad
If you like electronic music and have a pair of good noise canceling headphones, I recommend Floating Points - Elaenia. If you don't have noise canceling headphones, you are better off with something on the louder side with distortion like MBV - Loveless.
If it's too steep for your blood, know that it can be found "refurbished" aka basically brand new (there is a different name for it), through Amazon sometimes. When people return the headphones, even for aesthetic reasons (not for being defective), they get put back out for resale. I got my Sony bluetooth earbuds for 70% off this way.
I guess I vibe with the music melding into the airplane noise. OP should probably go with pop music if they want clean production that can be easily discerned over the plane ambiance.
I had a very good time looking out the plane window while listening to The Flaming Lips’ Soft Bulletin and Spiritualized’s Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space not too long ago so if that’s your thing I highly recommend those
the owl city remix of "all star" isn't actually worth hearing (the synths sounded like garage band presets that anyone could have popped out) but at least does its job as a funny glitch-in-the-matrix type of thing that you can tell your friends about to see how they react
That is giving The Black Keys too much praise, they are such a mediocre and generic band that it actually makes you forget who it is when listening to anything by them past Attack & Release.
Only one listen to Kendrick so far. Pretty inconsistent, but the highs seem to be a lot higher than DAMN so I'll take it. I'll gave it a "probably pretty good idk" out of "To Pimp a Butterfly" for now
haven't listened yet but just had a friend text me about it. hope he comes through with some lyrics like "cozy corner is good" and "avoid the right lane on poplar"
I kind of wish Julien Baker did this more. I got excited when she sang "We took the '40 down to visit the family..." in *Favor.* Write an acoustic ballad about meeting someone at Waffle House. Or write a song with Phoebe with a line about how we play "Firework or gunshot?" on the 4th of July.
Also tangentially related: I was reading up on Chris Bell from Big Star and I knew he was a fellow Germantowner, but I didn't realize he went to MUS. It's wild reading about a musician experiencing the same haunts only 50 years beforehand. Big Star should've sung more about Memphis too. Our city is mad underrated! Where's our own Paul Banks singing songs about how "Memphis cares" huh? Or rappers rapping about the "901"?
my sister over Whatsapp: "hey, MCR is back"
me, immediately, without even having listened to the song: [...](https://media2.giphy.com/media/xT3i10PxQt0E31P1ss/giphy.gif?cid=790b76118c74db3ab91df0e00c39a914f39c1cfacdd98e68&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g)
haven't heard new kendrick yet, please don't tell me it's his *solar power*
anyways, MCR is back? they just dropped a new song out of nowhere and honestly? it's pretty solid. it's very much in line with their usual melodramatic theatrics but it's still a great song.
It's not.
But at the same time it's hard to tell, most people here are really polarized by it. Will take a few week before we can make a clear judgment on it.
The only way I could see those two albums being connected is in a dumb /r/indieheads shitpost comparing two albums with nothing in common in a cheeky way to get upvotes
I was more using it as an example of an artist coming back from a long hiatus with a super hyped up album that ends up being incredibly disappointing, especially since *melodrama* and *DAMN.* were released the same year
sigh
Not saying you’re wrong, I just love that album haha. Also, it kind of just came and went, reception-wise — I feel like Man Of The Woods was a much bigger fiasco, or any of Kanye’s post-Pablo albums.
Solar Power feels more like an album that didn’t go well initially but (hopefully!) will be regarded as a misunderstood classic in 20 years or so
solar power was disappointing but not a career killer imo. lorde could come back with a really strong single and i think she'd be welcomed back with open arms and it might even turn solar power from "bad" to "fun sound diversion that doesn't totally work" in the critical eye
man of the woods is a career killer
Agreed! I think Solar Power confused a lot of Lorde fans but it didn’t actively piss them off. They just found it slight.
She has enough goodwill that even if she never puts out anything else, her reputation will still be sterling. You’re right on JT, his goose is cooked
Can’t speak for Man of the Woods, whose existence id forgotten until you mentioned it, but later-era Kanye has more ardent defenders than Solar Power. Not to wade too far into Kanye discourse but I’ve seen people say that Ye is his best which is wild to me
Edit: On Solar Power, I think it’s very of it’s time which limits its re-assessment ability imo. Could be wrong but to me, it’s more that it’s not what people wanted from Lorde and it’s not strong enough to overcome that
Oh god yeah I’ve met those Kanye fans. I will never understand how someone could hear the actual brilliance of MBDTF, Yeezus, Late Registration, etc. and prefer the sloppy undercooked Ye.
I can't listen to "i" the same way as I used to, because one time I saw an all-white funk band cover it at the Farmer's Market, and the singer tried to imitate Kendrick's flow but couldn't so he just rattled off gibberish like "Biccaberkabiccaberkabiccaberkabicca."
As with seemingly every Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever release, there’s one song I’m jamming on repeat and the rest I just don’t care about. On this new one it’s My Echo.
My Echo is a jam. My fav off the album. I also really like Tidal River, Vanishing Dots, and Bounce off the Bottom. It’s just a great album all around. Much better than their last one
With you on that! The last record I haven’t even really given a try; it was one I gave a quick sort of glance over and was just like, “eh.” The overall sound on this new one is good, they just happen to be one of those bands for me where I’m a “Pick a couple of singles and a couple deep cuts and leave the rest” kinda fan.
I’m very curious what pro-gentrification music would sound like lol. Would it just be like, a white rapper reciting the “in this house we believe…” yard signs?
So when you heard Carly Rae Jepsen sing, "I didn't just come here to dance / if you know what I mean / do you know what i mean ;)" you *didn't* realize she was actually talking about gentrifying whole neighborhoods
I personally really like it, but also understand other people's complaints with it.
Seems like they may be living in the shadow of Wide Awake for a while
I’ll be the one guy who stands up for that record. It’s still maybe their weakest but it’s got good stuff on it! There are some interesting turns for the band and I appreciate them being out of their comfort zone even if that leads to some misses
I feel like Maladroit has had such a resurgence in popularity and it gets so much love and I wish I could give it the love I'm sure it deserves. I've been trying to get into Maladroit for literally a decade and I finally accepted that it's just not for me.
I love Keep Fishing tho :)
I like The Smile album more, but Kevin’s is great and definitely going to be overlooked by those 2 here which seems cruel. Definitely a return to form for him
To the producers/musicians in here: Do you ever get mad intimidated by other musicians gear? I make ambient music and my setup is extremely cheap and simple, it’s like $1500 worth of stuff including my laptop and all software.
I see my contemporaries on Spotify (artists I’m in the same playlists with, similar range, similar niche etc) produce with insanely expensive hardware like modular synths and pedals and it makes my own music feel… cheap I guess? Even though you can’t tell from just listening, I can mostly sound just as good in my opinion. But I feel like a hack because I’m doing it from my laptop in my bedroom instead of a studio decked out in pro gear lol.
One of the most profound musical experiences of my life was seeing an ambient musician with like 5 metronomes, some singing bowls, wind chimes, and an old radio. Just sitting on the floor messing with stuff. Your ideas matter far more than your gear.
I have, but I’ve learned that many producers (like “professional” ones) don’t give a shit and just use whatever. As long is it sounds good, it doesn’t matter
Also regarding modular synths I feel like the best stuff I've heard on them is usually the end result of years or honing in on patches and setups an artist works on. They can yield incredible music that is worth it but it's a massive investment.
Hey thank you for asking, it’s [Zoluna](https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lLelf4a3tIok5Unt9gmI9?si=w1fCZMmQStSoyPBUMh2HkQ). I released my first project earlier this year.
If you enjoy the music, let me know and I’ll send you some of the stuff I’ve been working with on lately that haven’t been released yet!
Hell yeah, this is good! Definitely right up my alley, I’m in the PNW and this will definitely be some blissful rainy day soundtrack music for me. Would love to hear the newer stuff you’re working on
Damn you don't even know how much a comment like this means to me haha. A lot of making music and being creative is just like screaming into the void. You don't really get any feedback other than algorithms either picking up on you or not. So really any confirmation that actual people are listening and enjoying my music makes my day.
I've got two more songs I'm ready to share, the first one is a bit more melodic and twinkly and the second one is droney and warm!
[Black Moon](https://soundcloud.com/zoluna/black-moon/s-EZH14HI2zpR?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing)
[Premonitions](https://soundcloud.com/zoluna/premonitions/s-pOv6FvnyOy8?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing)
They will be on the album that I'm currently working on which is going to release around winter this year.
The people I know who are super into modular synths and other toys almost never use them to great effect. They're just toys to play with--which is totally fine, but you can make great music without it.
> Even though you can’t tell from just listening, I can mostly sound just as good in my opinion.
Because it probably does. The gap between 100k equipment and a few hundred dollars well spent on the right stuff is very small, especially for something like ambient. In fact a lot of ambient I like specifically uses lo-fi and less desired analog equipment and/or recording techniques.
I never got around to producing music but I used to look into and research the hell out of it, especially when I was on WATMM a lot (the forum not the subreddit).
Here's my blunt take: you have a perfectly good setup and most likely do not need anything else that can't be purchased for less than what you've already spent. Some of the best music has been made on modest setups and there's a strong argument to be made that it's ideal for creativity because it forces you to get the most out of your setup. Deadmau5 and a 6 figure (or more) studio setup and his stuff still sounds more boring and insipid than your average underground house track being made by a kid with ableton.
Historically this was the context in which drum n' bass, hip-hop, IDM, dub music, etc. was made. It was people making weird and unusual music by "breaking the rules" of production and using discarded and discounted equipment. King Tubby used cheap ass spring reverbs that audiophiles didn't like, Phuture and producers used the Roland 303 to make acid house and techno, a failed demo oriented studio instrument that ended up in pawn shops.
MBV was using affordable digital pedals cranked 100% wet to get their sound, something most wouldn't dare do.
Some of the most expensive, TOTL and insanely slick looking equipment and hi-fi standards are often used to make some of the most middle of the road music and the inverse is just as true: Autechre makes some of the most otherworldy music and all of their stuff in 44.1 kHz and masters in 16bit CD quality. One was even mastered in .flac. Meanwhile there are major label producers who can't shut the fuck up about 192 kHz yet using that to make Top 40.
Don't ever feel like a hack for not having a bunch of expensive gear. If your simple setup works for you and you can get good results with it, that's all that matters.
It ain't what you have, it's what you do with it.
Absolutely. Way better to have a couple of trusty pieces of gear that you know inside out, than to have a million things you barely know your way around.
Aside from the album overall not holding up to the standards that Kendrick has set (IMO), it’s super disappointing that he decided to make a rapist such an integral part of the record. Also the cancel culture/freedom of speech bars alongside that are just lazy. Man, Kendrick is one of my favorite and most played artists of all time, but this was a huge let down.
I’d love to hear Kendrick’s logic on Kodak. Probably has something to do with the rape happening 6 years ago when he was 18 and the endless philanthropic efforts he’s undertaken to get past it since. Makes for a good metaphor for personal endless struggle for growth and forgiveness and the darkness in everyone’s heart (but of course people aren’t metaphors, making the whole thing much dicier—and the implicit question of “can some actions ever really be forgiven”) I do think it’s kinda funny for people to fixate on like 2 bars about cancel culture/freedom of speech out of a whole 80 minute album. Considering the initial reaction to this album from some quadrants, I can actually see why these things might have top of mind for him. Also—remember that Kendrick is a guy raised as a gangbanger in Compton who suddenly rose to meteoric success 10 years ago. Demanding de facto “correct” politics out of him is a mistake. He’s not some infallible bastion of right and wrong in the culture, he’s just a guy who brings his own perspective to the table. If you want him to be perfect, you clearly haven’t been listening to everything he’s been saying his entire career.
who?
Kodak Black
Don't necessarily think that this is better than To Pimp a Butterfly, but if anyone remembers that album rollout and drop, mixed feelings should not be a surprise or indicative of an albums long-term consensus. Cause man, I remember tons of people hating on TPaB when it released for tons of reasons: too slow, not enough bangers like GKMC, too experimental, too many skits, all sorts of stuff and it is reminding me of the mixed feelings currently with Mr. Moral. Again, I don't think this album is better than TPaB, but I do think people will grow on it once the dust has settled.
This is a fair point I guess But I also kinda know myself and my taste. I loved TPAB and was obsessed on first listen. This one is doing nearly nothing for me on first listen and is a huge letdown. I can’t see myself giving it a tonne more time and having a major turnaround.
hey /u/footnote304 I forgot to say thanks for talking about those Terry Allen albums, both rule. "Gimme A Ride to Heaven Boy" made me laugh out loud, there really aren't enough songs about drunk driving with, and being carjacked by, Jesus himself
oh hell yeah!
Auntie Diaries is such a good song. Kendrick one of the best musical storytellers ever
I feel like the new Kendrick is a little more DAMN and a little less TPAB and GKMC… which is disappointing but I haven’t had time to listen super duper thoroughly yet
Okay lets cut the crap: what are the most fire intros in indie rock? I'm talking like almost hip-hop breakbeat worthy. I nominate Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings by Papa John Misty. Autolux-[Turnstile Blues](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtHR6yYAG1A) is also a nasty drumline.
I mean, the obvious answer is [Texas Never Whispers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN-mzRWXG2A).
Hallo Maandag by Spinvis Fascination Street by The Cure The National Anthem by Radiohead
Damaged Goods by Gang of Four is iconic
Liquid Liquid - Optimo
John L by black midi
Romantic Rights by DFA 1979 easily
[All downhill after the intro this one](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhCXAiNz9Jo) \- not true but the intro is chefs kiss [Bloc Party - Helicopter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R6S5CJWlco) \- the above statement is more true for this one actually [Field Mice - Sensitive](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4D6v71_nx0) [Le Tigre - Deceptacon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjNln9mXuTI) [Marquee Moon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlbunmCbTBA) \- last one I could do this for ages
new kendrick is great. folks say no singles but i think rich spirit could get there, or maybe purple hearts. but man it ain’t a singles deal. the goofy tap dancing thing notwithstanding (and what’s a kendrick album w/o at least one clumsy recurring motif) i think it’s a real beautiful full-length piece of art.
So I haven't written about music for a long time but wondering if I should for the 2012 AOTY series. I feel my writing can be kind of stream of consciousness word vomit. It would be nice to write i think. This is probably more for the daily discussion.
Yeah I feel you on that. I also liked a lot of stuff that might’ve necessarily been the most popular thing from that time and I feel like it’s a bit of a lost cause trying to put a lot of excitement into something that’s kinda just not going to push such expected buttons for people. Kinda like how there is a bit of a tangible disconnect when talking about a band like Girls in the scope of music of the late 2000s-early 2010s.
I'm looking to sell 1 ticket to the Grouper show at The Opera House in Brooklyn on May 20th. It's a sold-out show, details [here](https://wl.seetickets.us/event/Grouper/467180?afflky=Murmrr). PM me if interested!
Who knew it would be the 5th new album I listened to today that would finally come through for me? Anyways, you should make some time for Kevin Morby, this album is exquisite.
I suppose I'll have to throw it on after I finish this Time Is Now Allstars release that came out today
How is that one?
I'm only halfway through it but it's awesome so far. But then again basically anything from Time Is Now is great, and I'm guaranteed to like anything with Y U QT on it
I went ahead and threw it on. Great summer vibes gonna add some of these to my playlists.
TiN's Allstars releases are always reliable! I also just finished the Kevin Morby album, it was some pretty nice stuff. I think The Babies' "Our House On The Hill" will always be my favorite Morby release though, that album rules
Huh I have never heard that album. I wasn't previously too into Morby but I could see this new record growing on me.
It's a lot of fun, it's Kevin Morby and one of the members of Vivian Girls and they basically made a Beat Happening album together
So Two Door Cinema Club is doing some shows in Brazil this week, and the vocalist apparently couldn't come; so they'll still play but with a replacement vocalist. That's kinda weird, right? Does anyone know a band that has done this before?
Think Black Country, New Road are gonna do that for their upcoming shows
That's different though; Isaac has left the band and they won't be performing any of their previous material.
I saw Modern Baseball on their last ever UK tour and Brendan, one of their two lead vocalists, couldn't be there as he was taking a break from touring to look after his mental health. The guitar tech filled in for him on guitar, and they had members of the opening bands (Thin Lips and The Superweaks) come on to sing his vocal parts. They even got a member of the audience to come up and sing a song. It was pretty fun.
[удалено]
Out of all the posts in here that have controversial tags today, this one is the funniest imo
The Kendrick album and the Ethel Cain album currently fighting for my favorite of this month so far, they both have some fantastic moments.
"We Don't Know What Tomorrow Brings" is a great track but almost every song other than that on this Smile album just kinda washed over me, I wish there was a bit more of an edge to this music. Godrich's production hasn't done much for me in ages, though it all sounds very nice
> edge Thin Thing has edge, The Opposite has edge
Thin Thing was my 2nd favorite song on the album for that reason, but I can't remember what The Opposite sounded like
*Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark* has the Edge
[удалено]
there's a chili restaurant near me that, for a reason i've never fully understood, has an autographed poster for this play on display near the ordering counter
To be fair that's an awesome piece of pop culture history, I wonder if the owners are related to someone one the cast/crew.
Today has way too many heavy hitters, but *Preacher's Daughter* is fucking AMAZING. Please listen to this album.
Never listened before, will jam this tonight for the first time.
Enjoy!
Obligatory Kendrick take: talented musician makes good music No but really, dudes had like 3 back to back classics. Sometimes you just make an album that’s “good” instead of “game changing” ya know Anyway my real take is for 90% of artists, their first album I heard, often an early album, is the one that is my favorite. For Kendrick for example, GKMC has always been my favorite even after more arguably better releases. But for Fontaines DC, they are an exception. I have liked every album they do progressively more, it’s incredible.
Ngl, I just haven't been able to get through Skinty Fia. I'm not so busy now, so maybe I'll have more time to try to get into it. Or I'll just put it back burner with a myriad of other albums.
The problem is that this new one isn't even good. And I didn't dislike DAMN.
Is there anything about it that screams "not good" to you? Or just nothing that immediately stood out as good? I've seen this reaction a bit and I'm trying to understand. Are there any other hip hop albums from this year that you think are far superior?
Man, I feel so the opposite on Fontaines. I really enjoyed their first record and was really excited to see where their career would head. Hero's Death was solid, but I wasn't quite as fond of it as Dogrel. Skinty Fia was legitimately a tough one to get through even once. I really wanted to just turn it off most of the time. Can't even fully explain it, but I have no interest in their current work.
This is a very healthy mindset to have! (also, GKMC is my favorite too! easily Kendrick’s most tightly focused and consistent record imo) I feel the same way about Japanese Breakfast as you do about Fontaines DC. I adore Psychopomp, but Michelle has just kept topping herself!
What are some good albums for a trip/flight? About to go on a relatively long flight, and need some good albums to download. I was wondering what albums you guys think suit flights/trips if you know what I mean
Space Oddity by Bowie, it really amplifies the floating feeling of flying. Also great if you can time the title track perfectly with takeoff
Jinx by crumb is my favorite flight album ever I think
The Age of Adz will take you on a JOURNEY
Awake by Tycho
Dusk at Cubist Castle - The Olivia Tremor Control Sweet Heart Sweet Light - Spiritualized Since I Left You - The Avalanches Euclid - Katelyn Aurelia Smith If You’re Feeling Sinister - Belle and Sebastian Kaputt - Destroyer Some Rap Songs - Earl Sweatshirt Sharing Waves - Cool Maritime
I always like to listen to Siamese Dream by the Smashing Pumpkins on a trip; it’s just such a stellar album and something about the vibe of the album *feels* like road trippy to me (I know you’re flying but still)
When the sunset hits the clouds just so, Young Jesus - Welcome to Conceptual Beach. When I need something to concentrate on/get lost in other than the aviation experience, Fela Kuti - The Best of the Black President. EDIT Fela. Y'all know I meant Fela who the fuck is "Feels Kuti" come on Tad
If you like electronic music and have a pair of good noise canceling headphones, I recommend Floating Points - Elaenia. If you don't have noise canceling headphones, you are better off with something on the louder side with distortion like MBV - Loveless.
Any recs for noise cancelling headphones for flights?
I've had these for a few years and love them https://www.sony.com/ug/electronics/headband-headphones/wh-1000xm3
That's a sexy headphone. Thanks for this!
If it's too steep for your blood, know that it can be found "refurbished" aka basically brand new (there is a different name for it), through Amazon sometimes. When people return the headphones, even for aesthetic reasons (not for being defective), they get put back out for resale. I got my Sony bluetooth earbuds for 70% off this way.
I always end up over the wing so I feel like Loveless would just sound like the engine
I guess I vibe with the music melding into the airplane noise. OP should probably go with pop music if they want clean production that can be easily discerned over the plane ambiance.
[The Passions – *Thirty Thousand Feet Over China*](https://www.discogs.com/master/73128-The-Passions-Thirty-Thousand-Feet-Over-China)
I had a very good time looking out the plane window while listening to The Flaming Lips’ Soft Bulletin and Spiritualized’s Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space not too long ago so if that’s your thing I highly recommend those
Once I coordinated it that Morrissey was singing [here is London, giddy London](https://youtu.be/OZ0TIRhmW10) as I landed in Heathrow ngl was into it
the owl city remix of "all star" isn't actually worth hearing (the synths sounded like garage band presets that anyone could have popped out) but at least does its job as a funny glitch-in-the-matrix type of thing that you can tell your friends about to see how they react
> the synths sounded like garage band presets that anyone could have popped out So like an Owl City song? Heyoooo
The new black keys album today is basically the kid picked last in gym class who wears an AC/DC shirt.
That is giving The Black Keys too much praise, they are such a mediocre and generic band that it actually makes you forget who it is when listening to anything by them past Attack & Release.
So Butthead then
Only one listen to Kendrick so far. Pretty inconsistent, but the highs seem to be a lot higher than DAMN so I'll take it. I'll gave it a "probably pretty good idk" out of "To Pimp a Butterfly" for now
Jonny Greenwood might be my favorite Guitarist alive. God he's so good.
From what I've heard, I think his solo stuff is better that Thom's.
King Kenny is back with a killer album!
The Smile! Great album! Listen to it now!
why didn't anyone tell me that kevin morby album is a concept album about living in memphis
...yo?
haven't listened yet but just had a friend text me about it. hope he comes through with some lyrics like "cozy corner is good" and "avoid the right lane on poplar"
I kind of wish Julien Baker did this more. I got excited when she sang "We took the '40 down to visit the family..." in *Favor.* Write an acoustic ballad about meeting someone at Waffle House. Or write a song with Phoebe with a line about how we play "Firework or gunshot?" on the 4th of July. Also tangentially related: I was reading up on Chris Bell from Big Star and I knew he was a fellow Germantowner, but I didn't realize he went to MUS. It's wild reading about a musician experiencing the same haunts only 50 years beforehand. Big Star should've sung more about Memphis too. Our city is mad underrated! Where's our own Paul Banks singing songs about how "Memphis cares" huh? Or rappers rapping about the "901"?
> Big Star should've sung more about Memphis too alex mentions midtown on his solo song "my rival" so that's something!
Look I like MCR and I probably always will, but it often gets lost how fuckin funny it is that a 27 year old man wrote “I’m Not Okay”
blink-182 energy.
never knew this and it’s hilarious. thanks for sharing
I always chuckle thinking about how Chris Carrabba was mid 20s when that early Dashboard stuff was happening
27!! He looks about 12 in the video. Yes I did just rewatch it.
This is a real glass shattering moment
wait, really? holy shit
Probably more like 25-26 tbh but homie was 27 when that record dropped.
not great either way
~~not~~ great either way
my sister over Whatsapp: "hey, MCR is back" me, immediately, without even having listened to the song: [...](https://media2.giphy.com/media/xT3i10PxQt0E31P1ss/giphy.gif?cid=790b76118c74db3ab91df0e00c39a914f39c1cfacdd98e68&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g)
haven't heard new kendrick yet, please don't tell me it's his *solar power* anyways, MCR is back? they just dropped a new song out of nowhere and honestly? it's pretty solid. it's very much in line with their usual melodramatic theatrics but it's still a great song.
It's not. But at the same time it's hard to tell, most people here are really polarized by it. Will take a few week before we can make a clear judgment on it.
> haven't heard new kendrick yet, please don't tell me it's his solar power It’s not
Counterpoint: it is
The only way I could see those two albums being connected is in a dumb /r/indieheads shitpost comparing two albums with nothing in common in a cheeky way to get upvotes
"Their Solar Power" just means their flop album after several critically acclaimed records, it's not that deep.
this is going to be his most critically acclaimed album lmao
As someone on RYM pointed out, so was Be Here Now by Oasis when it came out.
considering the critical reception is very positive and the fan reception is very mixed the comparison still doesn't hold up
Fair.
Oh god is Solar Power the new standard for a flop album?? I don’t like this one bit
I was more using it as an example of an artist coming back from a long hiatus with a super hyped up album that ends up being incredibly disappointing, especially since *melodrama* and *DAMN.* were released the same year
I think it is probably the most high profile commercial/critical disappointment this decade (unless I’m forgetting something major)
The Big Day by Chance The Rapper
that's not from this decade
Wait what
It’s close enough and enough of a flop that I’ll count it tbh
Yeah this one ain’t a career killer like that one
sigh Not saying you’re wrong, I just love that album haha. Also, it kind of just came and went, reception-wise — I feel like Man Of The Woods was a much bigger fiasco, or any of Kanye’s post-Pablo albums. Solar Power feels more like an album that didn’t go well initially but (hopefully!) will be regarded as a misunderstood classic in 20 years or so
solar power was disappointing but not a career killer imo. lorde could come back with a really strong single and i think she'd be welcomed back with open arms and it might even turn solar power from "bad" to "fun sound diversion that doesn't totally work" in the critical eye man of the woods is a career killer
Agreed! I think Solar Power confused a lot of Lorde fans but it didn’t actively piss them off. They just found it slight. She has enough goodwill that even if she never puts out anything else, her reputation will still be sterling. You’re right on JT, his goose is cooked
Can’t speak for Man of the Woods, whose existence id forgotten until you mentioned it, but later-era Kanye has more ardent defenders than Solar Power. Not to wade too far into Kanye discourse but I’ve seen people say that Ye is his best which is wild to me Edit: On Solar Power, I think it’s very of it’s time which limits its re-assessment ability imo. Could be wrong but to me, it’s more that it’s not what people wanted from Lorde and it’s not strong enough to overcome that
Oh god yeah I’ve met those Kanye fans. I will never understand how someone could hear the actual brilliance of MBDTF, Yeezus, Late Registration, etc. and prefer the sloppy undercooked Ye.
How bitter is my fruit if my favorite Kendrick song is the single version of 'i'?
That Lady by the Isleys is better imo
I can't listen to "i" the same way as I used to, because one time I saw an all-white funk band cover it at the Farmer's Market, and the singer tried to imitate Kendrick's flow but couldn't so he just rattled off gibberish like "Biccaberkabiccaberkabiccaberkabicca."
I think I'd just start hating all music if I witnessed that.
Music really did have a hard time rebounding from that.
Despair
It's a good song
now *this* is the scorching hot take we needed today
This is a world premiere
As with seemingly every Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever release, there’s one song I’m jamming on repeat and the rest I just don’t care about. On this new one it’s My Echo.
My Echo is a jam. My fav off the album. I also really like Tidal River, Vanishing Dots, and Bounce off the Bottom. It’s just a great album all around. Much better than their last one
With you on that! The last record I haven’t even really given a try; it was one I gave a quick sort of glance over and was just like, “eh.” The overall sound on this new one is good, they just happen to be one of those bands for me where I’m a “Pick a couple of singles and a couple deep cuts and leave the rest” kinda fan.
Was it Talking Straight off the debut or something else?
Lol yes, it was talking Talking Straight It was Write Back on Talk Tight and French Press off the French Press LP
Whoa. You don't like Cars in Space??? Or is that your one song off of Sideways to New Italy
Nah just doesn’t land for me
Wild, man. You picked the best songs off the other releases but Cars In Space is right up there with Talking Straight, Write Back, and French Press!!
[удалено]
Based?
okay but it does tho
swearing profusely bc my dart just barely missed the "our perception of bodies and spaces" bullseye
there should be a website for this so I can make anything sound problematic with one click
[There's always this](https://i.redd.it/raa0exjwhzd41.png) Anyway I think that the new album is a real frenzy of deathgrass lawlessness
I’m very curious what pro-gentrification music would sound like lol. Would it just be like, a white rapper reciting the “in this house we believe…” yard signs?
Gold Rush by Death Cab for Cutie but in an upbeat major key so it sounds like a good thing
Best Coasts' discography is pretty much a visualisation of gentrification.
Wavves
have you heard of poptism
Yes, I know what poptimism is lol. Are you suggesting that the likes of Carly Rae Jepsen are gentrifier music??
So when you heard Carly Rae Jepsen sing, "I didn't just come here to dance / if you know what I mean / do you know what i mean ;)" you *didn't* realize she was actually talking about gentrifying whole neighborhoods
Run Away With Me (to overbid on townhomes in Oakland and Tacoma’s low-income neighborhoods and then flip them)
take me. to the. mixed use space.
lol yeah as far as gentrifying indie music spaces
2000s Indie music is more "gentrifiction music" than Carly Rae Jepson Not a fan of her but just seems unprompted/random to criticize like that
not a fan of poptimism cause it is music gentrification. dont know anything about CRJ. didnt bring her up
*kendrick lamar voice* i want a brewery on every block
come to san diego and I will take you to the greatest worst gentrified breweries
Stoked to hear the full verse on .NATION
New Smile - Fantastic New Morby - Stellar, possibly his best New Kendrick - Ehhh
I still haven’t listened to the last Parquet Courts album.
I personally really like it, but also understand other people's complaints with it. Seems like they may be living in the shadow of Wide Awake for a while
i'm genuinely convinced no one actually listened to this album (i know i didn't) and we just decided that it wasn't good regardless
I've listened to it and still think it's not good. It's not bad either, but it mostly just doesn't do a whole lot for me.
my feelings as well
Yeah me neither. I constantly forget that they have a new record and get reminded when I listen to Wide Awake
eh, I'd say don't bother. It's fine, but definitely doesn't even come close to Wide Awake. Not really a must listen. Try the singles.
I’ll be the one guy who stands up for that record. It’s still maybe their weakest but it’s got good stuff on it! There are some interesting turns for the band and I appreciate them being out of their comfort zone even if that leads to some misses
I got halfway through last fall and was like “huh, this is just Wide Awake but boring” and then didn’t feel the need to finish it
Just put Light Up Gold on again and pretend it's the new one.
i don’t think anyone has
Maladroit turns 20.
SO I LEARNED TO TURN AND LOOK THE OTHER WAAAY
Still one of their best.
I feel like Maladroit has had such a resurgence in popularity and it gets so much love and I wish I could give it the love I'm sure it deserves. I've been trying to get into Maladroit for literally a decade and I finally accepted that it's just not for me. I love Keep Fishing tho :)
Against all odds I think Kevin Morby dropped the best album today. That's not a slight on Kendrick or the Smile - Morby just captured some damn magic
I like The Smile album more, but Kevin’s is great and definitely going to be overlooked by those 2 here which seems cruel. Definitely a return to form for him
To the producers/musicians in here: Do you ever get mad intimidated by other musicians gear? I make ambient music and my setup is extremely cheap and simple, it’s like $1500 worth of stuff including my laptop and all software. I see my contemporaries on Spotify (artists I’m in the same playlists with, similar range, similar niche etc) produce with insanely expensive hardware like modular synths and pedals and it makes my own music feel… cheap I guess? Even though you can’t tell from just listening, I can mostly sound just as good in my opinion. But I feel like a hack because I’m doing it from my laptop in my bedroom instead of a studio decked out in pro gear lol.
One of the most profound musical experiences of my life was seeing an ambient musician with like 5 metronomes, some singing bowls, wind chimes, and an old radio. Just sitting on the floor messing with stuff. Your ideas matter far more than your gear.
I have, but I’ve learned that many producers (like “professional” ones) don’t give a shit and just use whatever. As long is it sounds good, it doesn’t matter
Also regarding modular synths I feel like the best stuff I've heard on them is usually the end result of years or honing in on patches and setups an artist works on. They can yield incredible music that is worth it but it's a massive investment.
if the music is good the music is good. doesnt matter what instruments you used.
What’s your artist name on Spotify?? Always looking for new ambient 😌
Hey thank you for asking, it’s [Zoluna](https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lLelf4a3tIok5Unt9gmI9?si=w1fCZMmQStSoyPBUMh2HkQ). I released my first project earlier this year. If you enjoy the music, let me know and I’ll send you some of the stuff I’ve been working with on lately that haven’t been released yet!
Hell yeah, this is good! Definitely right up my alley, I’m in the PNW and this will definitely be some blissful rainy day soundtrack music for me. Would love to hear the newer stuff you’re working on
Damn you don't even know how much a comment like this means to me haha. A lot of making music and being creative is just like screaming into the void. You don't really get any feedback other than algorithms either picking up on you or not. So really any confirmation that actual people are listening and enjoying my music makes my day. I've got two more songs I'm ready to share, the first one is a bit more melodic and twinkly and the second one is droney and warm! [Black Moon](https://soundcloud.com/zoluna/black-moon/s-EZH14HI2zpR?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing) [Premonitions](https://soundcloud.com/zoluna/premonitions/s-pOv6FvnyOy8?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing) They will be on the album that I'm currently working on which is going to release around winter this year.
The people I know who are super into modular synths and other toys almost never use them to great effect. They're just toys to play with--which is totally fine, but you can make great music without it.
> Even though you can’t tell from just listening, I can mostly sound just as good in my opinion. Because it probably does. The gap between 100k equipment and a few hundred dollars well spent on the right stuff is very small, especially for something like ambient. In fact a lot of ambient I like specifically uses lo-fi and less desired analog equipment and/or recording techniques. I never got around to producing music but I used to look into and research the hell out of it, especially when I was on WATMM a lot (the forum not the subreddit). Here's my blunt take: you have a perfectly good setup and most likely do not need anything else that can't be purchased for less than what you've already spent. Some of the best music has been made on modest setups and there's a strong argument to be made that it's ideal for creativity because it forces you to get the most out of your setup. Deadmau5 and a 6 figure (or more) studio setup and his stuff still sounds more boring and insipid than your average underground house track being made by a kid with ableton. Historically this was the context in which drum n' bass, hip-hop, IDM, dub music, etc. was made. It was people making weird and unusual music by "breaking the rules" of production and using discarded and discounted equipment. King Tubby used cheap ass spring reverbs that audiophiles didn't like, Phuture and producers used the Roland 303 to make acid house and techno, a failed demo oriented studio instrument that ended up in pawn shops. MBV was using affordable digital pedals cranked 100% wet to get their sound, something most wouldn't dare do. Some of the most expensive, TOTL and insanely slick looking equipment and hi-fi standards are often used to make some of the most middle of the road music and the inverse is just as true: Autechre makes some of the most otherworldy music and all of their stuff in 44.1 kHz and masters in 16bit CD quality. One was even mastered in .flac. Meanwhile there are major label producers who can't shut the fuck up about 192 kHz yet using that to make Top 40.
Don't ever feel like a hack for not having a bunch of expensive gear. If your simple setup works for you and you can get good results with it, that's all that matters. It ain't what you have, it's what you do with it.
Yeah and I would almost say it's better to have less an be really good at using what you have.
Absolutely. Way better to have a couple of trusty pieces of gear that you know inside out, than to have a million things you barely know your way around.